Introduction
The Sony A9 II full-frame mirrorless camera is a brand new version of Sony’s flagship model for sports photography and photojournalism.
The Alpha A9 II offers a number of evolutionary upgrades to the original A9 camera that was released back in 2017 – Sony say there are 43 improvements over the original model in total.
These include a redesigned body, improved weather-sealing, a low vibration shutter design that offers 500,000 shutter cycles, improved in-body stabilization (up to 5.5 stops), and enhanced connectivity including a 1000BASE-T Ethernet terminal and 3.2 Gen 1 USB port.
Sony cameras have been at the forefront of innovation. Several models are now in the market and heavily competing as a leading brand in both single lens reflex and compact camera segments.
Sony’s flagship line of cameras is the Alpha model, which it classifies as “interchangeable lens cameras.” There are two general types within the Alpha line of interchangeable lens cameras, depending on the lens mount.
The first one is the A-mount type, which accommodates the lens mount patterned after Minolta and Minolta-Konica camera autofocus lenses. This type of lens gives flexibility to the consumer to use not only the current crop of Sony A-mount lenses, but also old autofocus Minolta lenses. Sony has stepped it up a notch by introducing the single lens translucent A-mount digital camera. The single lens translucent camera is different from the usual single lens reflex camera in that it utilizes a “translucent mirror” which permits light to pass through the mirror. This eliminates the need for the mirror to flip at the moment the shutter is pressed and prevents lag and momentary blackout of the view-finder at the time of exposure. It also allows for speedier multiple continuous mode shots. Because the single lens translucent camera has a translucent mirror, the viewfinder of the camera is therefore digital, as opposed to optical.
However, Sony recognizes that, like audiophiles who demand vinyl records, there are some purist photographers who are not comfortable with digital viewfinders. So Sony still continues to manufacture traditional optical viewfinder single lens reflex cameras with standard mirrors.
The other type of interchangeable lens cameras introduced by Sony is the Alpha NEX E-mount type. While smaller and more compact, it produces DSLR-quality photographs. Predictably, the lenses of E-mount cameras differ from A-mount lenses, as they are smaller. However, Sony has adapters to allow E-mount cameras to use Sony’s full range of A-mount lenses, including Minolta AF lenses.
For those only interested in quality digital cameras without needing to fiddle with complicated controls in everyday situations, there’s the brand’s Cyber-shot line. These stylish and compact cameras epitomize the term point-and-shoot. Make no mistake that while the Sony camera Cyber-shot line allows for facility of use, it does not compromise on picture quality. Cyber-shot cameras have a full range of technologically innovative products ranging from top-of-the-line Carl Zeiss lens models to more affordable ones.
Most of the digital cameras of Sony have a built-in movie mode, allowing the consumer to record not only still shots but also movies, most in full high-definition. Choosing a camera has never been easier with the full line of Sony products.
