Consumer product testing group Stiftung Warentest recently came out with a list of it’s best full frame cameras. The top 3 places were occupied by Sonys. The A99ii came in third place behind the A7iii and the A7Riii. That’s pretty illustrious company!
Stiftung Warentest is known for its unbiased opinions. Here is how the organisation is described in Wikipedia:
Stiftung Warentest is a German consumer organisation and foundation involved in investigating and comparing goods and services in an unbiased way.
So don’t count out the A99ii which actually placed above the much ballyhooed Nikon D850.
For those of us who came from a Minolta background and have an investment in A-mount glass, this vindicates our choice. It’s actually still a great option for those who want to purchase cheap Minolta glass on eBay.
I’m still blown away every time I pick up this camera. The latest technology is all there, including a stunning 42MP sensor, incredible autofocus, and high speed shooting for sports. Even the vaunted Eye-AF is included in the A99ii. I’ve tested tracking a subject with Eye-AF and it works wonderfully.
I realize that this may be the swan song for the A-mount, but what a glorious way to go if it is. My next camera may be an E-mount if the trend continues. If Sony had a trade-in program for our A-mount lenses (not just Sony lenses), maybe we would consider jumping to the new mount.
In the meanwhile, I love my A99ii. It does everything I want and then some.
But remember, a camera is just a tool.
Cheers,
Michael
Michael Wood's photography blog 