10 things you should know about the new Sony Alpha 9 II

On Thursday, 5 December 2019, Sony launched the Alpha 9 II – a full-frame interchangeable lens camera that has been created specifically to support working professionals in the fields of sports photography and photojournalism – in South Africa.

Building upon the legacy of Alpha 9, the new Alpha 9 II maintains ground-breaking speed performance including blackout-free continuous shooting at up to 20 frames per second with Auto Focus and Auto Exposure tracking, and 60 times per second AF/AE calculations.

Moreover, it incorporates even more functionality driven directly from the voice of professionals including updates like significantly enhanced connectivity and file delivery, continuous shooting at up to 10 fps with a mechanical shutter, evolved AF performance with newly optimised algorithms, a redesigned build to enhance durability and operability, and more.

“The voice of our customers is critical to Sony – we are always listening,” says Murat Gebeceli, Head of Digital Imaging of Sony Middle East & Africa. “The Alpha 9 II is the direct result of countless feedback sessions with agencies, sports and news photographers that started right after 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.”

Here are 10 things you should know when it comes to the new and improved Sony Alpha 9 series:

1. Upgraded BIONZ X image processing engine gains maximum benefit from the sensor’s fast readout speed. The processor works with front-end LSI to enhance speed in AF/AE detection, image processing, face detection and accuracy.
2. Upgraded dust and moisture resistance 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.
3. The latest image-processing algorithm reduces noise in the medium-to-high sensitivity range while improving subjective resolution and image quality.
4. 5-axis optical in-body image stabilisation system provides a shutter speed advantage of 5.5 steps.
5. Improved grip configuration for even greater comfort and sure hold. Compatible with Sony VG-C4EM Vertical Grip.
6. 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 a new position for the rear dial
7. Redesigned shutter mechanism to suppress even the slightest movement that can cause image blur. Tested for durability over 500,000 shutter cycles.
8. USB Type-C™ connector supports fast USB 3.2 Gen 1 data transfer.
9. Dual media slots are both compatible with UHS-I and UHS-II SD cards, allowing the higher overall capacity and faster read/write speeds.
10. Digital audio interface 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

The Alpha 9 II will be available across leading electronic stores in South Africa from December 2019 at a retail price of R83 995.

Attended by Jenna Delport

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