Sony a99II vs a7SII – A Detailed Comparison

It is always interesting to compare cameras that have different body-types, i.e., DSLR vs mirrorless cameras. So, in pitting the Sony a99II vs a7SII today, we already know that we are in for a very interesting duel, because these cameras have different body-types.

The Sony a99II is a 2016 semi-pro DSLR camera, while the Sony a7SII is a 2015 pro mirrorless one. In this article today, we will be seeing how these two cameras (which are apparently very different) do when placed side by side with each other.

If you will not be able to read through the entire article, the next three sections will be helping you make a quick and informed decision about which camera better suits your needs. Let us get to it!

Click here to buy the Sony a99II on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Sony a7SII on Amazon now.

Table of Contents

Comparison Overview — Sony a99II vs a7SII

The Sony a99II vs a7SII comparison, like we have said, promises to be a really interesting one. Both of these cameras are made by the same company, yet they are actually very different; and we will be seeing how here.

First of all, as one would expect, the Sony a99II (the DSLR camera), has the better battery capacity of the two cameras. But it gets even more interesting. With this camera – the Sony a99II – you get up to 250 per cent more pixels in your images than with the Sony a7SII. Wow!

Furthermore, the burst mode of the Sony a99II is more than two times faster than that of the Sony a7SII. What this means, in essence, is that the earlier camera is the better one with which to take photos of moving objects.

In addition to that, the DSLR camera offers you better focusing. And also, being the only one of the two with an in-built Bluetooth, you will be getting better wireless connectivity with this camera, too.

Well, the Sony a7SII is not totally inferior to the a99II. The mirrorless camera, as expected, is the lighter one of the two. Thus, you will prefer to hold the a7SII in your hands for long hours than the a99II.

Which has the better price-value ratio: a99II or a7SII?

The Sony a7SII has a better price-value ratio than the a7SII. If you choose the a99II over the a7SII, you will be saving more than a thousand dollars. This must be sounding really enticing if you are a professional photographer on a budget. Now, don’t get it wrong, both these cameras – Sony a99II vs a7SII – are really functional, and will be giving you good value for your money. However, it is just a very wide price gap, so, for better price-value ratio, go for the more affordable one, by more than a thousand dollars.

The Sony a7SII, sincerely, does not have as many features as the a99II, but we think it is just rightly priced; you will be getting value for your every dollar spent.

Anyway, if you would like to see more ways these two cameras – Sony a99II vs a7SII – compare, check out the comparison table below.

Click here to buy the Sony a99II on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Sony a7SII on Amazon now.

Comparison Table — Sony a99II vs a7SII

 

Sony a99II

Sony a7SII

Camera weight 1.87 pounds (849 grams) 1.38 pounds (627 grams)
Camera dimensions 5.6 by 2.99 by 4.1 inches 5 by 2.4 by 3.8 inches
ISO range 100 to 25600 (expandable to 50 to 1024000) 100 to 102400 (expandable to 50 to 409600)
Maximum sensor resolution 42 mega pixels 12 mega pixels
Burst mode speed 12 frames per second 5 frames per second
Battery capacity 490 shots per full charge 370 shots per full charge
Focus points 399 169
Top LCD screen Yes No
PC sync port for flash Yes No
Bluetooth Yes No
Estimated startup time 1.2 seconds 2.9 seconds

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Which Is Better Under What Circumstance — Sony a99II vs a7SII?

Sony a99II

Sony a7SII

If you are looking for more pixels in your photos, then it is a pretty easy call. The Sony a99II gives you 250 per cent more pixels than the Sony a7SII can, and that is really mind blowing. This camera costs more than a thousand dollars less than the a99II, so, if you are looking to save money, then your better choice would be the Sony a7SII.
If you need a camera with which to take shots of moving objects, then the Sony a99II is your better bet. With a burst mode of 12 frames per second, this camera will be getting you lovely and sharp images of objects in motion. If you are looking for a camera with a very wide ISO range, then the Sony a7SII is the camera for you. This camera has an ISO range of 100 to 102400, which can further be expanded to 50 to 409600. This one of the widest ISO ranges you will find on any camera.
If you want better battery life, then you would like the Sony a99II. Of these two cameras in comparison – Sony a99II vs a7SII – Sony a99II is the one with the better battery capacity. If what you are after is a camera you can carry with you anywhere, i.e., a lightweight camera, then the Sony a7SII is your better option.
Click here to buy the Sony a99II on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Sony a7SII on Amazon now.

Now, before we go any further with comparing these cameras, we think it is important for us to talk about the basic differences that exist between them. Understanding these things will, in turn, help us better understand what we will be discussing in subsequent sections of this article.

Recall that we already mentioned that the Sony a99II is a DSLR camera, while the Sony a7SII is a mirrorless camera. So, first of all, let us start with comparing these two camera types – DSLR vs mirrorless cameras.

DSLR vs Mirrorless Cameras: a99II vs a7SII

The Sony a99II is a DSLR camera, while the a7SII is a mirrorless one. A DSLR camera comes with a mirror mechanism, so, when a picture is taken, light is sent from the camera’s lens to the mirrors, which then bounces the light – through a prism – to the optical viewfinder, where the image will be previewed and can be framed. On the other hand, a mirrorless camera does not have mirrors, therefore, light is sent from the camera’s lens straight to the sensor (this handles auto focus), which then sends a digital image to the electronic viewfinder, or LCD screen.

Generally, DSLRs have bigger bodies than mirrorless cameras, and this is primarily because of their mirror mechanism. Also, as a result of its small body, a typical mirrorless camera offers less battery life than a DSLR.

Furthermore, you get better and faster auto focus with a DSLR camera than with a mirrorless one.

However, it has to be said that in the past few years, a lot of mirrorless cameras have been catching up with DSLRs in terms of auto focus speed. Thus, it is now a hot debate topic which does better with auto focus – mirrorless cameras or DSLRs.

Well, if you want a more detailed and more in-depth comparison between these two camera types, check out the video below. It does an extensive DSLR vs mirrorless comparison, and shows you all the differences that exist between them. Watch it here!

Pro vs Semi-Pro Camera: a99II vs a7SII

The Sony a7SII is a pro camera, while the a99II is a semi-pro one. A pro camera is made for professionals, therefore, they can be quite complicated to use if you do not have experience with cameras. Semi-pro cameras, on the other hand, are not as complicated as professional ones; they are made to be the middlemen between entry-level and pro cameras.

A typical pro camera has a more durable body than a semi-pro one, because it is the one expected to undergo more intense usage.

Anyway, though, it is important to note that all of these things also depend on the manufacturing company, and the camera’s year of release.

Now that we are clear on all that, we can now go further to discuss those features that can be found in both these cameras.

Click here to buy the Sony a99II on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Sony a7SII on Amazon now.

Common Features — Sony a99II vs a7SII

Here are the features common to both the Sony a99II and the a7SII:

i. Viewfinder

ii. Articulating screen

iii. Face detection focus

iv. RAW support

v. External flash hot shoe

vi. Image stabilization

vii. External microphone jack

viii. Headphone jack

ix. Auto exposure bracketing

x. Built-in Wi-Fi

xi. Near field communication

xii. Weather sealing

xiii. Slow motion recording

xiv. Panorama

xv. HDMI output

We will now look at each of these features in detail…

Viewfinder

Each of these cameras – Sony a99II vs a7SII – comes with a viewfinder, which means that you will be able to frame your photos easily and conveniently on either of them.

Furthermore, if you will be shooting in direct sunlight, your camera’s viewfinder is a feature you will come to appreciate very much.

Shooting with your camera’s screen when the sun is out can be really difficult, but if your camera comes with a viewfinder – like each of the cameras we are looking at today – you will be able to shoot conveniently, and the sun won’t be much of an issue for you.


Articulating Screen

An articulating screen is a type of LCD screen that can be flipped or rotated to certain angles, so that you will be able to take pictures from awkward angles more conveniently with your camera.

So, while the Sony a99II has an articulating screen that can tilt and also swivel, that of the Sony a7SII only tilts. Thus, even though not by so much, the earlier camera will be giving you more flexibility in your shoot than the latter.

Essentially, if you are trying to take photos from really high or really low angles – angles from which you won’t be able to get your eyes to your viewfinder – you would need to use your camera’s articulating screen.

In addition to that, an articulating screen is also really useful for selfies and self-videos; really good news for vloggers and YouTubers.


Face Detection Focus

Face detection focus is the feature that helps you get the best of results in portrait photography by enabling your camera identify and focus on the human faces in its frame.

Basically, you will be able to get portrait photos, as amazing as you would want them, with any one of these cameras – Sony a99II vs a7SII.


RAW Support

Being able to take RAW images with your camera is indeed a big deal. Sometimes you might need your image in its highest possible quality, and well, you will be able to get that with either of these cameras – Sony a99II vs a7SII – and that is thanks to the RAW support feature.

It is important, however, to note that RAW images will be taking up a lot of storage space. Unlike images in the JPEG format, RAW images are of the highest quality; untouched and uncompressed.

So, if you want your images in their highest quality, storage space is the little price you will have to pay. It surely must me worth it sometimes.


External Flash Hot Shoe

Shooting in low light conditions is not something many photographers look up to. It can be really difficult to get bright enough images in such conditions; well, except your camera has an external flash hot shoe.

With an external flash hot shoe, you will be able to get good lighting from your camera, just by mounting an external flash on the hot shoe.

If you are an events photographer, for example, an external flash would be quite important for you. Most times, the lighting at the event center won’t be the best for photos. In such situations, an external flash is one way by which you can easily get good lighting, and bright images.

Click here to buy the Sony a99II on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Sony a7SII on Amazon now.

Image Stabilization

Now, still on the assumption that you are an events photographer. After a couple of minutes or hours of taking photos with your camera in hand, your hands might start to shake, and consequently, your camera.

When this happens, the photos that the camera takes are bound to come out looking sketchy and maybe blurry.

Anyway, with image stabilization, those effects will be minimized, or perhaps even eliminated. Therefore, in spite of the shakes and the movements of the camera, you will be able to get stable and sharp images.

Each of these cameras in comparison today – Sony a99II vs a7SII – comes with image stabilization. So, now you can shoot confidently with any one of them, even if you will be moving a lot while you do.


External Microphone Jack

Recording video and audio is a pretty important use of cameras. While you do that, you surely would love the best of qualities, won’t you? Well, that is something that can easily be achieved with the help of an external microphone.

A camera’s internal microphone won’t always give you optimal audio quality, and at times such as this, what you would need is an external microphone to better the sound quality of the recordings.

An external microphone jack is what indicates that your camera is compatible with an external microphone. So, if you are looking for better noise cancellation, and generally better audio quality – especially in very noisy places – you would need to get an external microphone and attach to your camera.


Headphone Jack

Headphones connected to your camera can really help you regulate and properly control the quality of sound coming from it while you record video and audio.

With headphones, you can more easily figure out what is off, and correct it while you record. This is always a more convenient option than having to wait till the recording is done before making necessary adjustments to the audio.

So, seeing as each of these cameras in comparison today – Sony a99II vs a7SII – comes with a headphone jack, you will be able to get all that convenience and control that headphones afford you.


Auto Exposure Bracketing

Auto exposure bracketing is a feature that allows you shoot more conveniently and get better results in tough lighting situations. If you are, for example, shooting outdoors, and are unsure of what exposure setting would get you the best photos, then it would help a lot to shoot using auto exposure bracketing.

With this feature, you can click on the shutter button just once, and get 3 (more or less) shots from your camera – each of them having a different exposure setting from the other. This feature is easy to use, and yields a lot of awesome results. It is also very useful for HDR photography.

If you have never used this feature on a camera, or you tried and could not really get the hang of it, the video below is for you. This video explains the auto exposure bracketing feature, how to use it, and when to use it, too. Check it out here!


Built-In Wi-Fi

These cameras – Sony a99II vs a7SII – each come with a built-in Wi-Fi, and with that, you will be able to create a wireless connection with a nearby compatible device. Via this wireless connection, you are able to transfer files smoothly and easily.

This feature is easy to use, and saves you all the stress of having to look for cables before transferring files. To see how easy it is to use this feature, check out the video below.

This video uses the Sony a7RII to break down the steps involved in creating a wireless connection with a nearby compatible device and how to, over this connection, transfer files easily. Watch it here!

Now, in addition to being able to transfer files easily and conveniently, your camera’s built-in Wi-Fi also makes it possible for you to conduct a remote controlled shooting. You will be able to do this with the help of a smart device which has earlier been connected.

With this really interesting function, you can be meters away from your camera and still operate it like you had it in your hands. Basically, that device which has been wirelessly connected to your camera acts a remote controlling device for that camera. This is a function you will have access to with either one of these cameras – Sony a99II vs a7SII.


Near Field Communication

This is a feature that works hand in hand with the camera’s built-in Wi-Fi. With near field communication, that whole process of creating a wireless connection you saw earlier can be completely reduced to just one touch of a button. Wow, right?!

If you have a device (say a smartphone) that is Wi-Fi compatible and NFC compatible, too, you will be able to connect it to any of these cameras – Sony a99II vs a7SII – just by bringing the NFC icons on both devices (smartphone and camera) in touch with each other.

With this combination of Wi-Fi and near field communication (NFC), transferring of files has never been easier.


Weather Sealing

Do you hate it when you have to stop shooting, pack up your camera, and put it away simply because the clouds started changing? If your answer to that is yes, then you will be relieved by this feature that each of these cameras – Sony a99II vs a7SII – comes with.

With a weather sealing on your camera, you won’t have to be bothered about how the weather is acting. You will be able to shoot at any time, not minding what the condition of the weather is. Basically, this sealing is what keeps your camera from getting damaged by harsh weather conditions.

So, if you are a sports photographer, photo journalist, or nature photographer, for example, you would be really pleased to use any one of these cameras – Sony a99II vs a7SII. And this is because each of them is weather sealed, and you would need a camera like that, because a lot of times you would be required to capture photos and even record videos in the harshest of weather conditions.


Slow Motion Recording

With these cameras, you will be able to express your creativity via slow motion videos, because each of them comes with the feature that allows you record videos in slow motion. Really cool, isn’t it?


Panorama

This is another really cool feature that you get with each of these cameras – Sony a99II vs a7SII. This feature lets you take a couple of photos and stitch them together to make one creatively beautiful one.

This is yet another feature which could help stretch your creativity as a photographer. So, if you are one that likes to try out really creative things with your camera, then this is a feature you would appreciate very much.


HDMI Output

These cameras also come with HDMI outputs, and what that means is that they allow you extend your camera’s display to monitors and television screen, just with the use of an HDMI cable.

For example, if you want to show your camera’s images to quite a number of people at a time, you can easily connect the camera to a television screen, using an HDMI cable, and display your images on that screen without much hassle.

Click here to buy the Sony a99II on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Sony a7SII on Amazon now.

Unique Features — Sony a99II vs a7SII

Here, we will be discussing some of those features that can be found in only one of these cameras – Sony a99II vs a7SII. Let us get straight into it.


Top LCD Screen

At the topside of the Sony a99II, there is a small screen on which settings being made on the camera can be viewed and monitored. This is something that cannot be found on the Sony a7SII.

This top LCD screen makes changing your camera’s settings a lot easier and generally more convenient.


Bluetooth

Apart from Wi-Fi, Bluetooth is one major way you can use your camera to create a wireless connection with another device. Bluetooth has a pretty wide reach, and in fact, unlike Wi-Fi, this one works even when your camera’s battery is low.

Basically, Bluetooth gives you more connectivity options, and it is pretty easy to use, too. However, you will only be getting this extra convenience with the Sony a99II, as it is the only one of the two cameras – Sony a99II vs a7SII – that comes with a built-in Bluetooth.


PC Sync Port

A PC sync port is a feature that accommodates a type of external flash. The flashes compatible with the PC sync port offer you some advantages that you might not be able to get from a regular external flash.

Therefore, if you are looking for more advanced lighting from your camera, or better results in flash photography, then you might be considering going for the Sony a99II.

And that is simply because it is the only one of these two cameras in comparison today – Sony a99II vs a7SII – that comes with a PC sync port.

Click here to buy the Sony a99II on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Sony a7SII on Amazon now.

Unique Pros — Sony a99II vs a7SII

Unique Pros Of The Sony a99II

Which has the higher maximum sensor resolution: a99II or a7SII?

The 42 mega pixels full frame BSI-CMOS sensor of the Sony a99II is really impressive; in fact, far more impressive than that of the Sony a7SII (12 mega pixels), and many cameras out there. And what this means is that pictures taken with this camera will be containing more pixels, and thus, more details than pictures taken with its counterpart. To put this in perspective, you will be getting a mind blowing 250 per cent more pixels from the Sony a99 than you will from the Sony a7SII. Two hundred and fifty per cent, guys!

Therefore, if you would be using your images on very large scales, say billboards, your better option to shoot with would be the Sony a99II. Its sensor is really amazing.


Which has more wireless connectivity options: a99II or a7SII?

Each of these cameras – Sony a99II vs a7SII – allows you create a wireless connection with a nearby device. That is possible because they each come with a built-in Wi-Fi. However, the Sony a99II goes even further with wireless connectivity. It is the only one with built-in Bluetooth, and as a result, the only one which gives you a wireless connectivity option besides Wi-Fi and NFC.

Bluetooth affords you a lot of advantages and conveniences in wireless connectivity, and you will only be enjoying those with the Sony a99II.


Which is better for flash photography: a99II or a7SII?

The Sony a99II is the only one with a PC sync port, so, it is the only one of the two that gives you an extra (and in this case, more advanced) option of external lighting. This is what makes it the better option for flash photography.


Which is faster in continuous shooting: a99II or a7SII?

The Sony a99II’s 12 frames per second speed in continuous shooting is pretty impressive. What that means is that you will be able to take up to 12 shots of the moving person or object in just one second. As a matter of fact, the burst mode of this camera is more than a hundred per cent faster than that of the Sony a7SII. Amazing!

Now, [one of] the most important factor[s] that affects the quality of shots you get of an object in motion while shooting in burst mode, is the speed of the camera’s burst mode. As you would expect, the faster the burst mode speed, the better the shot you will be able to get.

If you plan to take a photo of a person or an object in motion, shooting in burst mode is your best shot at getting a really good shot. Burst mode is simply what allows your camera to shoot continuously just by tapping on the shutter button.

We are pretty sure sports photographers will be more than excited at the prospects of shooting with the a99II. Sports photographers very often take photos of moving objects or people, so, they need a camera like the a99II with a fast burst mode to get the best of shots.


Which has the an expanded storage: a99II or a7SII?

Compared to the Sony a7SII — and many cameras out there — the Sony a99II has a more expanded storage capacity. This camera has 2 storage slots, as against the one of the a7SII. So, you are able to insert two SD cards, and of course, get wider storage.


Which has more focus points: a99II or a7SII?

The a99II has 399 focus points, which is 230 more than what you get with Sony a7SII. The higher the number of focus points a camera has, the better its focusing will be; it really is that simple.


Which has the longer lasting battery: a99II or a7SII?

In comparison to the Sony a7SII, the a99II will be giving you 120 more shots per full charge. And guess what, the a7SII is the pro camera. Sony cameras are generally not known for their battery capacities, so, both their battery performances aren’t so surprising.

Click here to buy the Sony a99II on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Sony a7SII on Amazon now.

Unique Pros Of The Sony a7SII


Which is more affordable: a99II or a7SII?

The Sony a7SII is not exactly the most affordable camera on the block. However, when placed side by side with the a99II, you might be tempted to say it is. This camera costs more than a thousand dollars less than the Sony a99II, so, you can see how much money you will be saving if you choose to go for the a7SII instead of the a99II.


Which is better in low light: a99II or a7SII?

The Sony a7SII has a primary ISO range of 100 to 102400, and this is actually very impressive. To put this in perspective, the a999II has a primary maximum ISO of 25600; this is 200 per cent less than what the a7SII offers. Your camera’s light sensitivity (ISO) is what determines how well that camera can perform in low light, i.e., without a flash or any other source of lighting.

Basically, the wider your camera’s ISO range, the better its performance in low light; although, there is a little chance that your images will contain some visual noise. Whichever way, a wide ISO range is always preferred.

To make this even better, the ISO range of the Sony a7SII is further expandable to 50 to 409600. This is a maximum that not many cameras in circulation have been able to reach. Just amazing!


Which is more lightweight: a99II or a7SII?

The Sony a7SII is pretty lightweight, especially when compared to the a99II. The earlier is 222 grams lighter than the latter, and so, if you were to choose a camera to take with you everywhere (based only on the weight), we are pretty sure what your choice would be.

Click here to buy the Sony a99II on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Sony a7SII on Amazon now.

Unique Cons — Sony a99II vs a7SII

Unique Cons Of The Sony a99II

i. High end

ii. Heavy

High End

In whatever currency, we are pretty sure the Sony a99II will qualify as expensive. This camera costs more than 3000 dollars, so, if you are on a budget, you might as well just shut your mind to this camera.

Yes, the Sony a99II, as you must have seen in this Sony a99II vs a7SII comparison article, comes with a lot of amazing features and functions, but its price is something we think might be a deterrent for a lot of potential customers.


Pretty Heavy

This camera weighs nearly 2 pounds, and so, this one is anything but lightweight. You might not exactly love this camera after long hours of carrying it around.

Unique Cons Of The Sony a7SII

i. Low maximum sensor resolution

ii. Slow continuous shooting

iii. No Bluetooth

iv. No top LCD screen

v. No PC sync port

vi. Poor battery

vii. One storage slot

Low Maximum Sensor Resolution

Recall what we said about a maximum sensor resolution in the previous section of this article. Now, the Sony a7SII can boast of only 12 mega pixels of maximum sensor resolution, and that is just unimpressive.

With only 12 mega pixels, this camera will be producing images with low resolutions, and that is surely not something any photographer would like. This is perhaps even worse if you consider that the Sony a7SII is a pro camera.

In simple terms, images produced by this camera might not be the best to use on really large scales. Not very exciting!


Slow Burst Mode Speed

Again, considering that this camera is a pro camera, we surely did expect it to perform better than 5 frames per second on burst mode. With this speed on burst mode, you might not be getting the best shots of moving objects or people. This is surely not good news for sports and wildlife photographers.


No Bluetooth

The Sony a7SII does not have a built-in Bluetooth, thus, creating a wireless connection with this camera will be completely limited to Wi-Fi.

Earlier in this Sony a99II vs a7SII comparison article, we talked about some conveniences and extra advantages in wireless connectivity that Bluetooth offers. Therefore, it is safe to say that you will be missing out on all of those with this camera.


No Top LCD Screen

The Sony a7SII does not come with a topside LCD screen on which settings are displayed. Therefore, changing settings on this camera might not be as convenient as doing the same on the a99II.


No PC Sync Port

The Sony a7SII does not have a PC sync port, so, the only way by which lighting can be gotten from this camera is with the use of a regular external flash.

So, you will be missing out on those really awesome results you would have been able to get with a PC sync port compatible flash.


Poor Battery

370 shots is all you will be getting per full charge of the Sony a7SII’s battery. This is less than impressive, because it is a pro camera we are speaking of. Basically, you will have to go shooting with spares, because the battery of this camera, obviously, won’t be staying alive for a very long time.


One Storage Slot

Unlike the Sony a99II which gives you an extra storage option, the Sony a7SII has just one storage slot. Therefore, even if you want to, you won’t be able to expand the storage of this camera with an extra SD card.

Check out these other articles:

Common Pros — Sony a99II vs a7SII

 

Sony a99II

Sony a7SII

Proper framing This camera comes with a viewfinder, and like we have mentioned already in this Sony a99II vs a7SII, that will help you properly frame your photos.

Also, on days when you will be shooting in direct sunlight, you will be extra grateful for this feature, because shooting with the LCD screen in such conditions can be really frustrating.
The Sony a7SII also comes with a viewfinder, so, you will be able to frame photos properly with this camera, too.
Great portrait photography You will be getting really lovely portrait photos with this camera because of the face detection focus feature it comes with.
So, if you will be taking a lot of portraits, then this is the camera you need.
This camera also comes with face detection focus, so, you will also be getting lovely portraits with this camera.
Flexible shooting With the articulating screen of this camera, you will be able to shoot more conveniently from really high and really low angles. You will also be able to record videos of yourself by yourself; great news for vloggers.

More so, the screen of this camera is fully articulated, which means that it will be affording you a lot more flexibility than that of the Sony a7SII which is not.
This camera also has an articulating screen, so, you will be shooting more flexibly with this.

However, shooting with this camera won’t be as flexible as with the Sony a99II, because while the a99II’s camera is fully articulated, that of the a7SII is not. What this means is that the screen of the earlier camera can tilt and swivel, while that of the latter can only be tilted.
Option for great audio quality The Sony a99II comes with an external microphone jack, so, you will be able to attach an external microphone to this one, and with that, get awesome audio quality on your recordings. You also get an external microphone jack with this camera, which means that this one also gives you an option of advancing the audio quality beyond what the camera’s internal microphone offers.
Option for great lighting The Sony a99II comes with an external flash hot shoe, so, you will be able to attach an external flash to this camera, and get great lighting. It gets even better with this camera, because you can further attach another type of flash via the PC sync port.

Generally, this camera is sure to do amazing in flash photography.
This camera also has an external flash hot shoe. Thus, you will be able to achieve good lighting and great results in flash photography just by mounting an external flash.

However, you won’t be getting any other type of advanced lighting, because this one does not have a PC sync port.
Better control of recordings With headphones connected to this camera, you will be able to regulate and better control your recordings, while you still record. You will also be able to regulate recordings on this camera with the use of headphones.
High image quality You will be able to access your image’s highest quality on this camera because of RAW support. RAW support ensures that you have the option of taking pictures in a format that does not compress the images, thereby preserving all the details. You will also be able to get your images in their highest quality with this camera, because RAW support is available here, too.
Great HDR photography You will be taking lovely HDR photos with this camera because of the presence of auto exposure bracketing. You also will be shooting more conveniently in difficult lighting conditions. This camera also comes with auto exposure bracketing, so, you also will be getting great HDR photos with this one. More so, just like the a99II, you will be able to shoot more conveniently with this one in tough lighting.
Easy transfer of files Coming with a built-in Wi-Fi, this camera allows you transfer files over a wireless connection to Wi-Fi compatible devices close by. This is obviously more convenient than having to transfer files using cables.

It gets even better! Because if that nearby device is NFC compatible, you will be able to transfer files with just a touch of a button. Very convenient!
The Sony a7SII is another camera that comes with a built-in Wi-Fi and near field communication (NFC). Therefore, not only will you be able to connect this camera wirelessly to a nearby device, you will also be able to do that with just one touch of a button.
Remote controlling So, after you must have wirelessly connected your Sony a99II to a nearby device, you can, with that device, control the camera. That is, you will be able to conduct a shoot without even making contact with your camera. With this function, you can shoot more conveniently, and even have fun while at it. The Sony a7SII is another camera that you will be able to control with a Wi-Fi compatible device. And so, you will be able to enjoy all the conveniences that this function affords you.
Stabilized images If your hands shake a lot while you shoot, you will know that it can have huge effects on your images and how they end up looking.

Anyway, if that happens to you very often, then the Sony a99II will really be helping you a lot. This camera comes with image stabilization, and so, even if your camera shakes, your images are sure to come out looking smooth and sharp.
This camera, just like the Sony a99II, comes with image stabilization. Therefore, you will also be getting stabilized images with the Sony a7SII.
Panorama You will be able to take panorama shots with this camera. You will also be able to make panoramic photos with this camera, too.
Slow motion This is another way by which you will be able to express your creativity in photography with this camera. The Sony a99II allows you record slow motion videos, and that can really be a lot of fun. You will also be able to record slow motion videos with the Sony a7SII.
Bigger display With the help of an HDMI cable, you will be able to connect this camera to a television screen or a monitor, and enjoy viewing your camera’s images on much bigger screens. You will also be able to extend the viewing of this camera with the use of an HDMI cable.
Shoot 4K videos With the Sony a99II, you will be able to shoot 4K videos. 4K videos are generally of high definition quality. Also, they contain a lot of detailing, and are faster than what you get with the majority of the cameras out here. You will also be able to get high definition videos with this camera, because, just like the Sony a99II, the Sony a7SII allows you shoot 4K videos.
Click here to buy the Sony a99II on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Sony a7SII on Amazon now.

Common Cons — Sony a99II vs a7SII

 

Sony a99II

Sony a7SII

No built-in flash The Sony a99II does not come with a built-in flash. Therefore, you will have to totally rely on external flashes for any form of lighting from your camera. This camera also does not have a built-in flash.
No touch screen The screen of the Sony a99II is not touch sensitive, so, you will be missing out on that extra convenience that a touch screen gives.

Being able to operate your camera like your regular smartphone makes it pretty easy to get around using. But well, you won’t be getting any of that with the a99II.
The Sony a7SII also does not have a touch screen, so, with this camera, you also will be missing out on that extra convenience.
No GPS You won’t be able to geo tag photos and videos with the Sony a99II, because it does not come with a built-in GPS. The Sony a7SII also does not come with a built-in GPS, which means that you also won’t be able to geo tag photos and videos with this one.

What Do People Think About These Camera?

Sony a99II

Sony a7SII

A lot of customers appear to be really impressed by the quality the Sony a99II delivers. They love that this camera has a high sensor resolution, high speed in burst mode, gives great detail, and generally sharp and clear images. Customers have said that the Sony a7SII shoots great still photos, and great videos, as well. People also seem to love that they can shoot silently with this camera, and also that it comes in a pretty compact body.
Photographers have said that the Sony a99II has a really organized operating system, and it also has a great menu structure.

Many have also said that they love that the buttons of this camera can be customized. Therefore, even without a touch screen, operating this camera won’t be entirely difficult.
A lot of camera enthusiasts have spoken highly of this camera’s performance in low light. They are really amazed by the ISO range of this camera; and even more amazed at its extended maximum.
A couple of photographers have said that this camera could have done better with its auto focus. However, a lot more are amazed by its performance in continuous shooting. For this reason, customers have recommended this for sports and wildlife photography.

In addition to that, people seem to really love the built-in Wi-Fi, and NFC, as well as the remote controlling function. According to them, all these things were more improved in this camera, compared to the ones which preceded it in its series.
The Wi-Fi and NFC features, as well as the remote controlling function in the Sony a7SII have received a lot of accolades from photographers and camera lovers.

However, the burst mode shooting was something that many were not very impressed by. Apparently, they did expect a lot more than just 5 frames per second for a camera of this level. 
The battery of the Sony a99II had a lot of people excited. According to them, Sony cameras usually do not have amazing batteries, therefore, a Sony camera which can give close to 500 shots per full charge of its battery is really a commendable improvement. The battery of the Sony a7SII did not make many customers happy; obviously, they expected more than what they got with this one.
Click here to buy the Sony a99II on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Sony a7SII on Amazon now.

Our Take — Sony a99II vs a7SII

Sony a99II

Sony a7SII

What we think about the Sony a99II is simple; this is a high end, high performing camera. With a high sensor resolution, image stabilization, auto exposure bracketing, fast burst mode, and more; all in a durable weather sealed body the Sony a99II is such an amazing camera. The Sony a7SII is also a high performing camera, perhaps not as much as the Sony a99II.

We were not very impressed by the sensor resolution of this camera, but then, its performance in low light seems to make up for that.
The battery of this camera is another thing we are pretty impressed by. Per full charge of this camera’s battery, one can get nearly 500 shots, and that is quite an upgrade for a Sony camera.

What we are even more impressed by is the Sony a99II’s burst mode speed. This camera boasts of up to 12 frames per second on burst mode, and that is pretty amazing.
The Sony a7SII does not have the best battery in the market; in fact, far from it. Per full charge of this camera’s battery, you will only be able to get 370 shots, and is not something to be very excited about.

Anyway, we love that this camera comes in a pretty compact, weather sealed body. However, its burst mode speed – 5 frames per second – is pretty disappointing.
We would recommend this camera for events photographers, because of how much lighting you are able to get with it; for paparazzi, sports and wildlife photographers, because of its durable body and fast burst mode.

We would also recommend this for nature photographers, because of the time-lapse recording option, as well as auto exposure bracketing. Furthermore, vloggers, YouTubers would also love this camera; this one comes with a fully articulated screen and is just the right type of camera for such photography.
We would recommend the Sony a7SII for events photographers, basically because of its amazing performance in low light.

Also, if you want a camera to take with on vacations, tourist visits, walks, and hikes, then this is the one for you. This camera does not weigh so much, and as such will be easier to take around with you than the a99II. More so, because of its articulating screen, this camera will be serving vloggers pretty well. 
If you also want to be creative with your photography, this is a good camera for you. However, it is not the camera to learn photography with, as it is not very easy to use.

Summarily, in our opinion, the Sony a99II is the better one of these two cameras – Sony a99II vs a7SII. However, it is not affordable, so, if you are on a budget, it might not be a very good bargain for you.
If what you are looking for is a camera that gives you great value for your money, then the Sony a7SII is the one for you.

This camera does not perform as well as the Sony a99II, and does not even have as many features. But if price is a very big factor for you, then the more economical choice would be this camera.
Click here to buy the Sony a99II on Amazon now.
Click here to buy the Sony a7SII on Amazon now.

Sony a99II vs a7SII — FAQs

Is the Sony a99II good for photography?

The Sony a99II is a full frame camera with a 42 mega pixel maximum sensor resolution, surely it is good for photography. This camera also has a 1.229k dot screen resolution, 399 focus points, face detection focus, and eye tracking focus, so, you can rest assured that this camera will be producing high quality, properly focused images.

The a99II also comes with sensor-shift image stabilization, so, even if it moves or vibrates while you are taking photos, you won’t have to bother much about the outcome. Basically, the a99II is good for photography, we are pretty sure it will serve you well if you get it.

Is the Sony a99II good in low light?

Although the Sony a99II does not have a built-in flash, it is really good in low light. It has an ISO range of 100 – 25600, and that may not seem so good until you consider that it is further expandable to 50 – 102400. And of course, the wider a camera’s ISO range, the better its performance in low light.

More so, you can mount a regular external flash on the a99II’s hot shoe to enhance lighting in the shooting location. In addition to that, you can further use off-camera flashes. So, basically, with this camera, you are good in low light; really good.

Does the Sony a99II have wireless connectivity?

The Sony a99II comes with built-in Wi-Fi and with this, you can easily create a wireless connection with a smart device and transfer files. And with the near field communication feature it comes with, this connection process is made even easier. With this, you can create a wireless connection with just one touch.

In addition to those two, the a99II also comes with built-in Blutooth, and we are sure everyone knows how wide a coverage good old Bluetooth always offers.

Is the Sony a9II good for video?

The Sony a99II shoots 4K, so, of course, it is a great camera to record videos with. And well, if you want to get creative with your recording, this camera’s built-in time-lapse app lets you play around with time.

The Sony a99II also allows you connect external microphones to the camera so that you can get more superior audio with particularly better noise cancellation than the built-in microphone could ever offer.

More so, you can connect headphones to this camera and with it, regulate your audio while you record.

Is the Sony a99II a good vlogging camera?

The Sony a99II is a good vlogging camera, and its 3840 by 2160 video resolution (4K UHD) isn’t even the actual reason it is heralded as one. Its fully articulated screen is. Vloggers and YouTubers want that convenience of being able to record viddeos of themselves by themselves without help from anyone else, and that is exactly what the a99II’s selfie-friendly LCD screen offers.

You will also be able to great the best audio quality with this camera as it allows you to use external microphones and headphones to both record and monitor your recording respectively.

Is the Sony a99II good for sports photography?

The Sony a99II has a 12 frames per second speed in continuous shooting and a mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s. These are two of the most fundamental things that make it a good fit to take photos of moving people/objects, as will be very much required in sports photography.

Some other things about the Sony a99II that make it a good camera for sports photography are its good electronic viewfinder, weather sealing, good ergonomics, image stabilization, and good focus system.

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