The Sony A77 II is a new APS-C format SLT camera that continues the lines trend of using Sony’s Translucent Mirror Technology. The A77 II features a new AF system with 79 AF points and 15 cross-type AF points, along with a revised 24.3MP Exmor CMOS sensor with gapless on-chip lenses as found in the A7R and A6000.
Sony A77 II Key Features
- 24.3MP APS-C Exmor CMOS Sensor
- BIONZ X Image Processor
- Gapless On-Chip Lens Design
- Translucent Mirror Technology
- 3.0″ 1,228k-Dot 3-Way Tilting LCD Screen
- 0.5″ 236k-Dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder
- Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
- 79-Point Phase-Detection AF System
- ISO 25600 and Shooting Up to 12 fps
- Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC
The headlining feature on the new camera, along with the improved AF system, is the ability to shoot at up to 12 fps with continuous AF. The 79 phase detect points is the most found on any dedicated AF sensor on the market today. Note that there are other on-sensor phase detect systems that offer a higher count of phase detect pixels; however, the Sony A77 II continues to use a dedicated AF sensor, which necessitates the use of Sony’s Translucent Mirror Technology.
In addition to its AF tracking prowess, the A77 II can lock onto subjects in low light levels down to -2EV at ISO 100. There are four AF area modes (Wide, Zone, Flexible Spot or Expanded Flexible Spot) to give users a variety of subject tracking options. The tracking duration can be fine tuned for slow or fast moving subjects, including options for tracking duration while shooting video.
As for video capture, the A77 II can capture 1080p video at 60p and 24p in AVCHD 2.0, along with full phase-detect AF during video capture. Zebras and audio level metering are available during video capture. Clean HDMI allows you to record to an external device like the Atomos Ninja.
The camera also features built-in WiFi and NFC, which allows you to connect with Sony’s PlayMemories Mobile app on compatible mobile devices.
The Sony A77 II ships in June for $1200 for the body only and $1800 with a 16-50mm f/2.8 lens. You can find both options here at B&H Photo.
Very impressive list of specs! It will be very interesting to see what the Canon’s 7D Mark II and Nikon’s 7200 pack under their hood to keep their customers happy and loyal this summer.
In the APS sector, I rather buy lower MP (12MP~18MP) DSLR with super clean usable high ISO sensor that is able to produce large prints between ISO 6400 and ISO 25,600 over the high MP (20MP~24MP) sensor with usable ISO only reach 3200 or 6400.
That been said, I think this game plan has been applied to the full frame sensor arena like Canon 6D, Nikon df and new Sony 7s so these manufactures can bring out their “affordable” big MP medium format cameras to impress those who are welling to pay the same amount of money as they did on a full frame DSLR 7 years ago. Full frame sensor is going to become the middle child soon!
Exactly… I would love to know high ISO performance… if there is any improvement. I consider this as s second body to A99, but if their didn’t improve this factor, then rather not…
I’ve always been unimpressed with the A77 low light ability. Since some of the light is reflected on the focus screen rather than the sensor, it is typically about 1/3 of a stop worse than the competition which use a moving mirror. Of course it makes up for that in speed since it doesn’t need to move a mirror like Canon and Nikon DSLRs but I rarely want more than 5-6 fps.
236k-Dot XGA OLED Tru-Finder?, surely this is s typo, others by Sony have been 2359k.
It is a Typo, should be as follows.
XGA OLED, 1.3 cm (0.5 type) electronic viewfinder (2,359,296 dots effective resolution), with 100% frame coverage, five display modes and grid line display modes.