Sony A99 II vs Sony HX99

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Sony A99 II vs Sony HX99

35mm 861.6mm²
42.4 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Sony A99 II Review.
How does it shoot? Sony A99 II in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the A99 II.
Compare Sony A99 II image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Sony A99 II conclusion.

1/2.3 inch 28.1mm²
18.2 megapixels
24.00mm - 720.00mm (35mm eq.)

Go in depth with our full Sony HX99 Review.

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Differences

Sony A99 II advantages over Sony HX99

Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Larger sensor
35mm vs 1/2.3 inch
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
Bigger pixels
~ 4.51 vs 1.26 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Fast startup
~1.20 vs 2.3 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
Longer video battery life
135 vs 55 minutes
Capture more video
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

490 vs 370 shots
Capture more photos
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
External Mic Jack
Jack vs No jack
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
Hot shoe
Hot shoe vs None
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Less shutter lag
0.11 vs 0.25 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
More viewfinder magnification
0.78x vs 0.50x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
More pixels
42.4 vs 18.2 megapixels
Higher resolution photos
Dual card slots
Yes vs No
Gives you more storage flexibility
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Bulb shutter
Bulb vs No bulb
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
Faster RAW shooting
11.1 fps vs 10.0 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/2000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
102400 vs 12800 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony HX99 advantages over Sony A99 II

Less expensive
$473 vs $3198
Save money for lenses or accessories
Touchscreen
Touch vs No touch
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Thinner
35 mm vs 76 mm
Thinner
Higher max flash sync
1/2000 vs 1/250 sec
Reduce the effect of ambient light in flash shots
Newer
5 years vs 7 years old
Newer cameras often support more advanced features
Lighter weight
242g vs 849g
Lighter weight
Bigger JPEG buffer
103 vs 61 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
Bigger RAW buffer
50 vs 25 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)

Similarities

Common Strengths

Rear display
Both provide
Review photos on the back of the camera
Focus peaking
Both provide
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Both provide
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Shoot 4K video
Both provide
Make sure you have a fast computer
In-camera panoramas
Both provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
RAW file ability
Both provide
Gives you more flexibility to develop your photos later
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
NFC
Both provide
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
Manual focus
Both provide
AF is for the weak. Real photographers focus manually.
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Slow-motion videos
Both provide
Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Integrated ND filter
Neither provide
Shoot in daylight with a large aperture or slow shutter

User reviews

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Adorama
Read A99 II User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read HX99 User Reviews

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Sony HX99

Review Excerpt

Superb image quality at low, moderate ISOs; Improved high ISO performance; Fast continuous shooting speeds; Very impressive hybrid autofocus; High-quality 4K UHD video; Rugged camera body.
Multi-selector joystick can be awkward to use; No EVF live view at fastest burst rate; Buffer clearing is slow with no UHS-II support; 4K UHD video isn't as full-featured as E-mount counterparts.
Read our Sony A99 II Review

We haven’t reviewed the Sony HX99.
Read our Sony HX99 Initial Test

The Competition

Compared to Canon 5DS R

Sony A99 II

Canon 5DS R

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$1729
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 5DS R

Sony HX99

Canon 5DS R

$473
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$1729
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX99 vs Canon 5DS R

Compared to Sony HX90V

Sony A99 II

Sony HX90V

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Larger sensor

$448
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Built-in GPS

Compare Sony A99 II vs Sony HX90V

Sony HX99

Sony HX90V

$473
1/2.3 inch

Shoot 4K video
Touchscreen

$448
1/2.3 inch

Built-in GPS
Longer video battery life

Compare Sony HX99 vs Sony HX90V

Compared to Sony HX80

Sony A99 II

Sony HX80

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
Focus peaking

$368
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Internal flash

Compare Sony A99 II vs Sony HX80

Sony HX99

Sony HX80

$473
1/2.3 inch

Focus peaking
Shoot 4K video

$368
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive

Compare Sony HX99 vs Sony HX80

Compared to Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony A99 II

Canon 5D Mark IV

$3198
35mm

Focus peaking
Tilt-swivel screen

$2499
35mm

Lens selection
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony A99 II vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Sony HX99

Canon 5D Mark IV

$473
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
Focus peaking

$2499
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX99 vs Canon 5D Mark IV

Compared to Nikon D850

Sony A99 II

Nikon D850

$3198
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2664
35mm

Lens selection
Less expensive

Compare Sony A99 II vs Nikon D850

Sony HX99

Nikon D850

$473
1/2.3 inch

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$2664
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

Compare Sony HX99 vs Nikon D850

Compare Other Cameras?