Sony today announced Alpha
9 II (model ILCE-9M2).
The latest model from Sony’s acclaimed lineup of α™(Alpha™) full-frame
interchangeable lens cameras have been created specifically to support working
professionals in the fields of sports photography and photojournalism.
The new Alpha 9 II
builds on the impressive legacy of the original Alpha 9,
maintaining groundbreaking speed performance including blackout-free
continuous shooting[i]
at up to 20 frames per second[ii] with
Auto Focus and Auto Exposure tracking, 60 times per second AF/AE calculations[iii]
while incorporating even more functionality driven directly from the voice of
professionals. Updates include significantly enhanced connectivity and file
delivery, continuous shooting at up to 10 fps with a mechanical shutter, evolved
AF performance with newly optimized algorithms, a re-designed build to enhance
durability and operability and more.
“The voice of our customers is absolutely critical
to Sony – we are always listening,” said Dai Tanaka, Director, Digital Imaging
Division, Sony Electronics Asia Pacific. “The Alpha 9 II is the direct result
of countless feedback sessions with the agency, sports and news photographers since
the launch of the original Alpha 9. We’ve added connectivity and network
capabilities that drastically improve the professional workflow, while also
making subtle adjustments to design, interface and processing power that
complete the user experience. Complemented by our extremely versatile E-mount
system – with 55 native lenses introduced at this point, including the
super-telephoto 600mm and 400mm G Master™ series lenses – this new camera is a
tool unlike any other for professionals either in the field or on the field.”
Raising the Bar for
Built-in Connectivity in the Professional’s Workflow
The Alpha
9 II includes an in-built 1000BASE-T Ethernet terminal,
enabling gigabit communication for high-speed, stable data transfer operations.
Additionally, File Transfer over SSL or TLS encryption (FTPS) is supported for
increased data security and PC remote (tether) shooting performance is
improved, with a decreased release time lag and reduced live view screen delay
when using the ‘Remote Camera Tool’ desktop application[i]. The
speed of the camera’s built-in wireless LAN functionality has also been
increased, adding a stable and fast 5 GHz (IEEE 802.11ac)[i] band,
in addition to the 2.4 GHz provided in the Alpha 9.
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac standards are all supported.
Designed to improve the speed of news agencies’
workflow, the Alpha 9 II features a
new Voice Memo function that allows spoken information to be attached to images
in the form of voice memos that can be replayed when the images are reviewed.
The voice data can also be included with images sent to an editor, giving them
important information needed for effective editing. Alternatively, a field
photographer can also use the ‘Transfer & Tagging add-on’ “Imaging Edge™”
application[ii] to
transfer voice tags with the images to their mobile device and has the voice
memos automatically[iii]
converted to text and added to the JPEG images in the form of IPTC metadata[iv]. All
of this can be done automatically or manually, selectable by the photographer.
By combining wireless voice/image transfer and
automatic voice to text conversion with the ability to auto-transfer images
with attached voice memos via FTP, it is possible to shoot and transfer the
results to an FTP server without ever having to operate a smartphone. FTP
settings within the app can also be sent to a camera via Bluetooth®, allowing
for faster workflow.
The Platinum Standard for
Speed and Auto Focus Performance
The new Alpha
9 II shares the same acclaimed 35mm full-frame stacked
24.2 MP[i] Exmor
RS™ CMOS image sensor with integral memory as the original Alpha 9, giving it
the same unmatched speed performance and outstanding image quality. The new
model can shoot continuously and completely silently[ii] at 20
fps for up to 361 JPEG images[iii] or
239 compressed RAW images[iv], with
no viewfinder blackout, allowing the photographer to follow the subject and
action with no interruption to the EVF during picture taking. For times when a mechanical shutter is preferred or required, the new Alpha 9 II
has been improved to shoot at up to 10 fps, about 2x the speed of the Alpha
9.
The camera is able to function whilst continuously calculating
Auto Focus and Auto Exposure at up to 60 times per second, with newly optimized
AF algorithms that provide notably enhanced AF precision and performance,
ensuring that even the most erratic subject motion, often experienced in
sports, is captured with high precision. Also useful for sporting events, the camera now offers an anti-flicker[i]
shooting mode that automatically detects and adjusts for the presence of
fluorescent or artificial lighting to maximize image quality.
The advanced focusing system in the new Alpha
9 II is comprised of 693 focal-plane phase-detection AF
points covering approximately 93% of the image area, as well as 425 contrast AF
points. This Fast Hybrid Auto Focus system achieves extremely fast and accurate
performance, ensuring all fast-moving subjects are accurately captured.
Additional notable focusing capabilities include Real-time Eye AF with the right eye
/ left eye selection, Real-time Eye AF for animals[ii] –
augmented with a new algorithm, Real-Time Eye AF for a movie[iii],
Real-time Tracking[iv],
selectable focus frame color, TouchPad focus point control while using the
viewfinder and more. AF can continuously track even when continuous shooting is
greater than F16[v],
providing further accuracy for shots that require slower shutter speeds.
Refined Build and
Operability
·
Upgraded BIONZ X™ image processing engine gains
maximum benefit from the sensor’s fast readout speed. Processor works with
front-end LSI to enhance speed in AF/AE detection, image processing, face
detection and accuracy, and more
·
Upgraded dust and moisture resistant[i] design
to meet the needs of professionals in even the most challenging outdoor
conditions. Stronger sealing provided at
all body seams as well as the battery compartment cover and media slot
· The latest image-processing algorithm reduces noise in
the medium-to-high sensitivity range while improving subjective resolution and
image quality
·
5-axis optical in-body image stabilization system
that provides a shutter speed advantage of 5.5 steps[ii]
·
Improved grip configuration for even greater comfort
and sure hold. Compatible with Sony VG-C4EM
Vertical Grip
·
Improved button design and feel. Increased diameter
and feedback of the ‘AF-ON’ button; a refined multi-selector joystick design;
an exposure compensation dial lock button and a redesigned shape and new
position for the rear dial
·
Redesigned shutter mechanism to suppress even the
slightest movement that can cause image blur. Tested for durability in excess
of 500,000 shutter cycles[iii]
·
USB Type-C™ connector that supports fast USB 3.2 Gen
1 data transfer
·
Dual media slots that are both compatible with UHS-I
and UHS-II SD cards, allowing higher overall capacity and faster read/write
speeds
· The digital audio interface has been added to the
camera’s Multi Interface Shoe™ (MI Shoe) enabling the new ECM-B1M
Shotgun Microphone or XLR-K3M
XLR Adaptor Kit to be connected directly to the MI Shoe for a cleaner, clearer
audio recordings
Price
and Availability
To be announced.
For full product details, please visit: https://www.sony-asia.com/electronics/interchangeable-lens-cameras/ilce-9m2
[i]
Not guaranteed to be 100% dust and moisture-proof
[ii]
CIPA standards. Pitch/yaw shake only. Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA lens. Long
exposure NR off
[iii]
Sony internal tests with electronic front curtain shutter
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