Sony A9 II Gets Gold Award at DPReview (90% Overall Score)

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DPReview has completed their full in-depth review for the Sony A9 II mirrorless camera, and the new Sony A9 II achieved an impressive 90% overall score and Gold Award from the experts at DPReview.

Sony A9 II Key Features:

  • 24.2MP Full-Frame Exmor RS CMOS Sensor
  • BIONZ X Image Processor & Front-End LSI
  • 693-Point Phase-Detection AF System
  • Up to 20 fps Shooting, ISO 100-204800
  • UHD 4K30p Video, Real-Time Eye AF
  • Blackout-Free Quad-VGA 3.7m-Dot OLED EVF
  • 3.0″ 1.44m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
  • 5-Axis SteadyShot INSIDE Stabilization
  • Dual UHS-II SD Card Slots, Voice Memos
  • 5 GHz Wi-Fi, 1000BASE-T Ethernet

What we like:

  • Excellent 24MP sensor with great noise performance for its class
  • Truly impressive autofocus for all types of photography
  • 20 fps blackout-free bursts with e-shutter, 10 fps bursts with redesigned mech. shutter
  • Mech. shutter rated to 500k shots
  • JPEG engine balances noise and detail exceptionally well
  • Enhanced ergonomics with better dial and button feel
  • Good 4K detail capture
  • Great battery life
  • Dual UHS-II card slots
  • Good customization options, including a ‘My Menu’
  • Faster Wi-Fi, more robust FTP settings
  • USB type-C connection for file transfer, charging and powering the camera
  • Voice memo capability

What we don’t:

  • Video features and performance have fallen behind the competition
  • Rear screen needs a bump in resolution
  • Touch interface is lacking
  • Menu system remains overwhelming
  • Slight interface lag persists
  • Exposure settings carry over from stills to video and back
  • Some buttons (C1 and C2) are difficult to reach, awkward to use
  • No in-camera Raw processing

Conclusion from DPReview:

The Sony Alpha 9 Mark II comes with the best autofocus system we’ve seen. It’s compact yet has a good-sized grip, produces great Raw and JPEG files, offers excellent battery life and solid video capture. That said, we do think its video capabilities and rear screen could be updated, and of course, this is a sports camera, so those looking for maximum resolution or dynamic range are barking up the wrong tree. But the a9 II meets and, in some cases, exceeds the capabilities of its peers and makes for a truly compelling value for sports and action photographers.

Sony a9 II body: $4,498 at Amazon, B&H, Adorama.

Read more: Best Lenses for Sony a9 II & Best Memory Cards for Sony a9 II.