With one of the world's biggest sporting events just months away from happening in Tokyo, it's no surprise that Sony would want to have the next generation of their professional sports and journalism focused camera available. Today, Sony announced the new a9 II, which features the blazing fast sensor/image processor combination from the original a9 but with a number of upgrades that should improve workflow for photojournalists on tight deadlines.

The a9 II is built around Sony's 35mm full-frame stacked 24.2MP Exmor RS CMOS image sensor with intagral memory, which can continuously shoot 20 frames per second up to 361 images in JPEG or 239 in compressed RAW. All this with no interruptions, no EVF blackout and no noise as the electronic shutter is completely silent. Mechanical shutter continuous speed has been improved to 10 fps (up from 5).

The camera's BIONZ X image processor has also received an upgrade which enhances the a9 II's speed in "AF/AE detection, image processing, face detection and accuracy, and more". The 5-axis optical image stabilization system has been bumped up to an effective 5.5 stops, up from 5. 

Sony makes it clear this camera is designed for the outdoors with upgraded dust and moisture resistant sealing at all the a9 II's body seams and doors. Improving comfort and hold are a new grip design and revised button layout. 

Both card slots are now compatible with UHS-I and UHS-II SD cards for higher speed read/write. A USB Type-C connector on the side supports USB 3.2 Gen 1 data transfers.

The Sony a9 II is expected to be available in November 2019 with a retail price of $5999.99 (body only). Pre-order yours today at Broadway Camera!