Sony Unveils α77 II

Angled front view of the new ?77 II camera, fitted with the 16-35mm kit lens. (Source: Sony.)

Building on the heritage of Sony’s original ?77 and ?700 DSLRs, the ?77 II gives advanced amateurs plenty of enhancements in a tough, weather-resistant body. It features a 24.3 megapixel Exmor CMOS image sensor with the same gapless on-chip lens structure as used in the ?7R and ?6000, offering 20% greater sensitivity than its predecessor with the same pixel count.  Sensitivity is adjustable across a wide range of ISO 100 to 25600. The high-resolution sensor is partnered by the same evolved BIONZ X image processor featured in the ?7 and ?7R. The new camera also sports a bright XGA OLED Tru-Finder with 236,000-dot resolution and a tilting 3.0-type (7.5 cm) Xtra Fine LCD monitor that  makes it easy to shoot from high or low angles, in portrait or landscape orientation.

Rear view of the ?77 II camera. (Source: Sony.)

A key feature is a new autofocusing system that claims  to have world’s highest phase-detection AF point count – 79 points with 15 cross points. Translucent Mirror Technology maintains sharp tracking focus on subject when capturing both still pictures and movie clips and the new system is less likely to be distracted by other objects and performs well in all types of lighting. The new Expanded Flexible Spot AF mode maintains focus even if the selected AF point loses track of the subject, activating eight surrounding AF points that recognise the subject. Combined with the AF-C AF mode it ensures faster focusing with moving subjects. The Lock-on AF mode lets users select one of four AF area modes (Wide, Zone, Flexible Spot or Expanded Flexible Spot) and keep tracking as long as the shutter button remains half-pressed. As the subject moves or framing changes, the camera automatically selects the most appropriate AF point from the 79 available. When subject movement is too fast for the new Expanded Flexible Spot mode alone, it’s combined with Lock-on AF for superior tracking performance. Subject-tracking duration can be fine-tuned in five steps (when shooting still images in AF-C mode). AF Tracking Duration can also be selected between High, Medium and Low during Full HD movie shooting.

Other new features include an Eye AF function that detects and focuses on the subject’s eyes when photographing people. AF Range Control allows AF to be limited to a specified range, with AF Tracking Duration settings to match the subject’s motion. A Balanced Emphasis mode balances focus and release timing. Users can manually select the most appropriate mode for different situations and creative objectives.

The ?77 II can capture a non-stop burst of up to 60 full-resolution JPEG images at a maximum continuous shooting speed of approximately 12 frames per second (in Continuous Advance Priority AE mode). It also supports Full HD 60p and 24p movie recording using the AVCHD 2.0 format. On-board Wi-Fi allows one-touch connection for easy shot sharing with Xperia, NFC-compatible Android smart-phones, tablets and VAIO laptops. A single touch also activates Smart Remote Control, linking the camera to the mobile phone enabling users to fire the shutter from a distance.

A family of 28 A-mount lenses offers an extensive choice of creative tools for visual expression. The optional VG-C77AM grip enhances camera operability by offering remarkable holding and operational ease during vertical shooting. The ?77 II A-mount interchangeable lens digital camera body from Sony will be available in Australia from June 2014 for SRP $1,499. For further Sony product information or stockist details, readers can contact Sony Australia on 1300 720 071 or visit www.sony.com.au.

SPECIFICATIONS

Key Features			ILCA-77M2
Type			Interchangeable lens digital camera with built-in flash
Lens Compatibility			Sony A-mount lenses, operation with Minolta/Konica Minolta lenses confirmed
Image Sensor	Type		APS-C type (23.5 x 15.6mm), “Exmor” CMOS sensor with primary colour filters offering approx. 24.3 effective megapixels
	No. of pixels (effective)		Approx. 24.3 megapixels
Processor			BIONZ X   image processor
Image Quality Modes			RAW / RAW & JPEG / JPEG Extra fine / JPEG Fine / JPEG Standard
Focus system	Type		TTL Phase-detection AF
	Focus point		79 points (15 points cross type) with centre F2.8 sensor*
	Sensitivity range		EV -2 to 18 (at ISO100 equivalent)
	Focus area		Wide/Zone/Center/Flexible Spot/Expanded Flexible Spot/Lock-On AF(Wide/Zone/Center/Flexible Spot/Expanded Flexible Spot)
	AF mode		Single-shot AF (AF-S), Continuous AF (AF-C), Automatic AF (AF-A), Direct Manual Focus selectable
Drive		Speed (approx., max.)	Continuous Advance Priority AE: Maximum 12 frames per second
			Continuous shooting Hi: Maximum 8 frames per second
			Continuous shooting Lo: Maximum 3 frames per second
		No. of frame recordable* (approx.)	[Continuous Advance Priority AE mode] Extra fine: 53 images/Fine: 60 images/Standard: 64 images/RAW & JPEG: 25 images/RAW: 26 images [Continuous shooting] Extra fine: 56 images/Fine: 75 images/Standard: 93 images/RAW & JPEG: 26 images/RAW: 28 images
ISO Sensitivity Range			Still Image: ISO100 – 25600 (1/3 EV step), (ISO numbers up from ISO50 can be set as expanded ISO range.) AUTO: ISO 100-25600, selectable lower limit and upper limit Movie: ISO100 – 12800 equivalent (1/3 EV step) AUTO ISO 100-12800 equivalent, selectable lower limit and upper limit
HD movie record			Recording format: AVCHD 2.0 / MP4 Video compression: AVCHD:MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 MP4:MPEG-4 AVC/H.264
Electronic Viewfinder			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.
LCD Monitor			7.5 cm (3.0-type) wide type TFT with WhiteMagic technology. Tilt angle: 150 degrees upward and 180 degrees downward. Rotation angle: 180 degrees clockwise and 90 degrees counter-clockwise.
Anti-dust System			Charge protection coating on image sensor and image sensor shift mechanism
Exposure Modes			AUTO (Intelligent Auto/Superior Auto) / Scene Selection / Sweep Panorama / Continuous Advance Priority AE / Movie (P/A/S/M) / Programmed AE / Aperture priority / Shutter-speed priority / Manual / Memory recall (MR1/2/3)
Exposure Metering System			1200-zone evaluative metering
Shutter Speed			Still images: 1/8000 to 30 sec/Bulb; Movies: 1/8000 to 1/4 (1/3 step), up to 1/60 in AUTO mode (up to 1/30 in Auto slow shutter mode)
Exposure Bracketing			Bracket: Cont./Bracket: Single, With 1/3EV, 1/2EV, 2/3EV, 1.0EV, 2.0EV, 3.0EV increments, 3 /5frames
Media			Memory Stick PRO Duo / Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo / Memory Stick XC-HG Duo / SD memory card / SDHC memory card (UHS-I compliant) / SDXC memory card (UHS-I compliant)
Dimensions (WxHxD)			Approx. 142.6 mm ø— 104.2 mm ø— 80.9 mm
Weight			Approx. 647g (body only) Approx. 726g (with battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo)