NatureScapes.net Forums

https://www.dpreview.com/news/1462538609/sony-a9-ii-has-a-refined-design-and-more-pro-oriented-features

https://fstoppers.com/gear/sony-a9-ii-announced-press-agency-edition-413375

Joe

10fps mechanical shutter, dual UHS-2 slots, better battery life and connectivity, better grip, save and load settings from sd card, but not a lot of changes otherwise, IMO.

More:

https://www.digitalcameraworld.com/news/sony-alpha-a9-ii-breaks-cover-but-the-upgrades-are-evolutionary

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka1PsqPzGIA&feature=youtu.be

Joe

SantaFeJoe wrote:10fps mechanical shutter, dual UHS-2 slots, better battery life and connectivity, better grip, save and load settings from sd card, but not a lot of changes otherwise, IMO.

Joe

From a nature photographer's perspective, which is what this forum is interested in, I think you're right (though there are ergonomic improvements, it is said the AF is improved with new algorithms, including animal eye focusing, and weather sealing is improved). But, many of the improvements in the areas of connectivity, file transfer, recorded comments with images, etc. are aimed at photojournalists, sports shooters, and similar type users who may think the upgrades are more significant. Plainly it is an iteration of the A9 without significant changes in the camera's imaging characteristics. Some may find that surprising, particularly given Sony's recent history of introducing new innovations with each new camera. 

The A9II seems a refinement of the A9, responding to photojournalists needs and interests, while presumably trying to stay ahead of the competition (or perhaps anticipating what the competition will be). It's probably a fair assessment of where the sports/photojournalist market segment is (which is a highly niche segment), that in some ways overlaps with the interests of wildlife photographers (also a niche segment).

If you consider this camera with the A7RIV, and the A9 which apparently will remain available, at least for now, Sony has several options to satisfy the needs and interests of nature and wildlife photographers. It may not be what many were hoping for, but it does seem to make sense considering a primary intended market for the A9II (for which speed, including file transfer speed, is a paramount interest, over sensor resolution).

On the other hand, it would have been nice to see Sony also address some of the other negative characteristics that it has had through several camera generations, such as no lossless compressed RAW and other items that E.J., for example, noted in his review of the A7RIV.

Thom’s take on it:

http://www.sansmirror.com/newsviews/201 ... unced.html

And a somewhat related article regarding sports photography and uploads:

http://dslrbodies.com/newsviews/nikon-2019-news/september-2019-nikon-canon/do-we-need-a-d6.html

Joe

It's a fairly minor update it seems with the biggest changes for photographers at the Olympics next year. It probably should have been called an "A9s" as per Nikon's habit as it's more of a mid-term refresh versus a new model.

More from Thom:

http://www.sansmirror.com/newsviews/201 ... -mark.html

Joe

Thom said and I quote:
But catching up, they are. As I've written before, if I were coming out of college today and wanting to specialize in sports photography, the likely best choice for me today that doesn't bust the starting-out budget would be a Sony A9 (original model, not the Mark II). The next best alternative would be a Nikon D500.

New partial review:

https://www.thephoblographer.com/2019/1 ... r-iv-body/

Joe