The Sony A9 II is the fastest, most ferocious full-frame sports camera we've ever used. Its blistering speed and autofocus performance are matched only by its phenomenal connectivity, which promises to be a game changer for pro shooters.

Blistering burst shooting; Best AF system we've used; Unrivaled connectivity

Menus remain obtuse; Isn't it time for CFexpress; We missed Pro Capture

You’d be forgiven for thinking that the Sony Alpha A9 II is only an incremental update over it predecessor. However, every single one of the 43 little bits and bobs that are different about the A9 II make the new camera a much more compelling option for sports photographers and photojournalists over the older model.

Superb AF performance; Next-gen connectivity; No viewfinder blackout;

Fiddly menu system; No XQD/CFexpress support; Limited touchscreen functionality

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.

Sports, action and event photography specialists, run-and-gun video shooters that need solid out-of-camera footage and generalist photographers that want the best autofocus performance they can find.;

Landscape and studio purists that may need more resolution or dynamic range, high-end video shooters that need more flexible files in post-production;

With the second iteration of its high speed, full-frame mirrorless camera, Sony has concentrated on subtle, rather than dramatic improvements. The a9 II ($4,499.99, body only) is the equal of its predecessor, the a9, from an imaging perspective. Improvements are largely ergonomic, so there's little reason for a9 owners to upgrade. But that doesn't detract from just how good the a9 II is for capturing sports, wildlife, and other subjects that task autofocus to its limits. Its performance is class-leading, and it undercuts its competitors in price by a wide margin, making it our Editors' Choice.Familiar, But Improved The a9 II feels familiar and comfortable in the hand. Its body isn't that much different from the a9, launched in 2017. The grip is improved, and controls have been updated to match the feel of what you get with Sony's specialized high-resolution model, the a7R IV. The body is pro-grade, with magnesium alloy construction, five-axis image stabilization, and weather p...

The Sony a9 II's blackout-free capture experience sets it apart from its full-frame rivals, and its 20fps subject tracking is unmatched.

Blackout-free capture at 20fps; Superlative autofocus system; 24MP full-frame sensor; Dust and splash protection; 5-axis IBIS; 4K video; Wired and wireless file transfer

No S-Log video profiles included; Battery doesn't match SLR rivals; Can't switch to video when clearing image buffer

At the beginning of this review, we stated that the A9 II is an updated A9, but with a number of tweaks to make the A9 II a better camera (including slightly improved battery life, and a USB Type-C connection), and whilst the camera is definitely capable of delivering high-speed images, and...

Quality manufacture, Excellent image quality, Soundly designed ergonomics, Fast and accurate AF, Blisteringly fast frame rate up to 20fps, No blackout between frames, 4K video, 5 axis Image Stabilisation, WiFi and NFC

High price, Limited range of very long lenses, NTSC/PAL switch remains

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.

Sports, action and event photography specialists, run-and-gun video shooters that need solid out-of-camera footage and generalist photographers that want the best autofocus performance they can find.

Landscape and studio purists that may need more resolution or dynamic range, high-end video shooters that need more flexible files in post-production.

Sony has taken a sizable leap forward in some regards, but just a small leap forward in others. If the A9 II is right for you, it will be because you want Sony's lenses, autofocus technology, and specifically, the improved ergonomics and customizability that this generation offers.

Best autofocus performance of any mirrorless camera, Best autofocus point control interface of any mirrorless system, Flagship grade build quality, Competitive shooting speed against both DSLRs and other new mirrorless competition, Ergonomic improvements and customization improvements

Less of a "leap forward" from the A9 than the A9 was originally ground-breaking, Menus still crowded with more options than any other camera, Menu organization still confusing, "My Menu" a must, 24 megapixels not enough for certain types of photography

The Sony A9 II builds-upon what was arguably the most innovative professional sports camera to date: it takes the 24 Megapixel stacked full-frame sensor of the original A9 with its silent 20fps electronic shooting, zero blackout and minimal disrtortion, but combines it with the latest processing for...

Sony a9 II tempts sports photographers with the world's best autofocus.

Fabulous autofocus, high firing rate, very good quality from 14-bit raw files.

Expensive and specialized camera, some buttons are small and there is a gap between the handle and the lens.