Getting an A99 next to existing A77II ?

I don’t think so. The a99 is 2 years older than the a77ii, and has older tech. It’s an expensive way to get a FF sensor that doesn’t give you any other advantages. Perhaps save up the money and wait for an a99ii instead…

Hi Matt,

I went the other direction and purchased an a77II to sit alongside my a99.

For me, they are different cameras serving different needs - the a77II provides excellent coverage for sports (motor racing especially) and some nature elements, whilst the a99 does seem to give slightly richer images for landscapes etc. I do, however, agree that the AF on the a77II is better than the a99 - especially for moving objects.

I think if you want to go full frame, then the advice of going for the last version of the a99 - the a99ii - would be the better route as this has the last upgrades possible and would likely benefit from these over my older version.

Good luck with the decision making!

Take care and best regards, Neil.

If you think you'll enjoy it and can afford it: go for it.

It will give you slightly better dynamic range and the other improvements of a bigger sensor. AF will be a step back. The price is fair, comparable to the Canon 5DIII and Nikon D810.

If you want a normal zoom, I would go for a Sony as that will enable the 102 on-sensor phase detect points. Look at the 24-105 or the 28-75/2.8.

I seldom use ultrawides for landscapes. But if you want an ultrawide that is comparable or better then your Tamron, you're in a tricky place. I think only the Sony/Zeiss 16-35/2.8 will qualify. Both the Minolta 17-35/2.8-4(D) and 17-35/3.5G will be a step back (though the colours of the G are great!).

One thought: if you get the A99m2, you could sell the A77m2 to fund it. It will give you also a very capable 18mp APS-C camera as well as a really nice full-frame camera with a better AF-system then your A77m2 (and a better build). Just a thought.

The pictures do not show your point, Lee. Both look more then fine. The Olympus has a little more noise but that is expected at a slightly higher ISO and a smaller sensor.

addy landzaat wrote: The pictures do not show your point, Lee. Both look more then fine. The Olympus has a little more noise but that is expected at a slightly higher ISO and a smaller sensor.

That doesn't surprise me, we are rarely on the same page but it does surprise me you can tell a noise difference on these downsized images, I can't tell a noise difference on the Originals at 100%, if anything the 4/3rds image is cleaner to my eye.
The point was the plain of focus. These are very small birds. The Minolta AF 85mm 1.4 is just fine on the a77II. The plain of focus is the same and razor thin, The angle of view is just a little different.

Edited by LAbernethy - 29 November 2021 at 17:06

OK Matt, to help you visualize, here are some examples:


Sony ILCA-77M2 + Sony DT 16-80mm F3.5-4.5 ZA
f/4.5 80.0 mm 1/60 100


Sony SLT-A99V + Minolta AF 85mm F1.4
f/1.4 85.0 mm 1/125 100


Sony ILCA-77M2 + Minolta AF 85mm F1.4
f/1.4 85.0 mm 1/60 100

Yes, I know it's not Thursday. No, I didn't have time for hair, makeup and wardrobe. There is also a Sony HVL-F20M providing a little fill light on both cameras. The Tripod and stool stayed in the same locations.

Edited by LAbernethy - 30 November 2021 at 03:55

LAbernethy wrote: OK Matt, to help you visualize, here are some examples: