Sony has announced at Photokina its top-end full-frame Alpha-mount camera, the a99 II. The camera's impressive characteristics innlcude a 42.2MP sensor, 79-point hybrid AF system and 12 fps shooting. As with its predecessor, this is a Translucent Mirror camera, which splits incoming light between the sensor and an AF module near the EVF. As with all SLTs, this design reduces light to the sensor by about 1/2EV.

The 42.2MP BSI-CMOS sensor is paired with Sony's BIONZ X processor, allowing for 12 fps burst shooting with continuous AF/AE and a top ISO of 102,400. As all Sony Alpha-mount cameras, the a99 II has in-body image stabilization, and it ups previous models by offering 5-axis IS, with Sony claiming 4.5-stop shake reduction.

The camera uses a Hybrid Phase Detection AF system that combines 399 points on the focal plane with 79 all cross-type points on the sensor. Sony says this allows for ultra-fast AF speeds and sensitivity down to -4EV. The camera is able to shoot continuously at 8 fps with continuous AF and very little EVF blackout.

The a99 II also features a newly redesigned shutter, which has a lifespan of 300,000 exposures. It has a large XGA OLED viewfinder with a magnification of 0.78x. Its LCD display can tilt in 3-axis. As with the a99, the Mark II has dual SD card slots.

The a99 II can capture 4K at 100Mbps (using XAVC S) with full sensor read-out and no pixel binning. A Super 35 option is also available, with 1.8x oversampling. Other features include zebra patterns, time code, S-Log2 and S-Log3 profiles and 4:2:2 output over HDMI.

The a99 II will hit retailers in November for $3199.