(MANILA, PHILIPPINES–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 has 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.
“The voice of our customers is critical to Sony–we are always listening,” said Dai Tanaka, Director, Digital Imaging Division, Sony Electronics Asia Pacific. “The Alpha 9 II directly results from countless feedback sessions with the agency, sports and news photographers since the launch of the original Alpha 9.
Alpha 9 II with SEL2470GM
Raising the Bar for Built-in Connectivity in the Professional’s Workflow
Designed to improve the speed of news agency’s workflow, Alpha 9 II features a new Voice Memo function that allows spoken information to attached to images in the form of voice memos that can replay when the images reviewed. It can also include the voice data 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 vi to transfer voice tags with the images to their mobile device and have the voice memos automatically vii converted to text and added to the JPEG images in the form of IPTC metadata viii.
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.
The Platinum Standard for Speed and Auto Focus Performance
The new Alpha 9 II shares the same acclaimed 35mm full-frame stacked 24.2 MPix Exmor RS CMOS image sensor with integral memory as the original Alpha 9, giving it the same unmatched speed performance and outstanding image quality.
Courtesy of Sony Camera Channel
The camera can 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, captured with high precision.
Additional notable focusing capabilities include Real-time Eye AF with right eye / left eye selection, Real-time Eye AF for animalsi–augmented with a new algorithm, Real-Time Eye AF for movieii, Real-time Trackingiii, selectable focus frame color, TouchPad focus point control while using the viewfinder and more.
Taken with Alpha 9 II with SEL400F28GM
Refined Build and Operability
- Upgraded BIONZ X™ image processing engine gains maximum enjoys 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, and more
- Upgraded dust and moisture resistanti design to meet the needs of professionals in even the most challenging outdoor conditions. Stronger sealing provided at all body seems and 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 stepsii
- 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 a new position for the rear dial
- Redesigned shutter mechanism to suppress even the slightest movement that can cause image blur. Tested for durability over 500,000 shutter cyclesiii
- 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 the higher overall capacity and faster read/write speeds
- We have added a digital audio interface to the camera’s Multi Interface Shoe™ (MI Shoe) enabling the new ECM-B1M Shotgun Microphone or XLR-K3M XLR Adaptor Kit to connect directly to the MI Shoe for a cleaner, clearer audio recordings
