Mirrorless
Full-Frame
Sony a9 II — Settings for Portrait Photography
Here are the recommended camera settings for portrait photography with the Sony a9 II. These general values work as a great starting point — for settings tailored to your specific gear, try the wizard.
Recommended Settings
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| ISO | 100–400 |
| Aperture | f/1.8 – f/2.8 |
| Shutter Speed | 1/125s – 1/250s |
| White Balance | Auto / Daylight |
| Focus Mode | Single AF, Eye Detection |
These values are general recommendations. The wizard gives you values optimized for your Sony a9 II and lens — plus step-by-step menu paths.
Camera-Specific Tips
- The Sony a9 II features an electronic viewfinder with a live histogram display. Use this to ensure your exposure is balanced before taking the shot, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
- Customize the a9 II's C1 to C4 buttons to quickly access your most-used settings. This can greatly speed up your workflow, allowing you to adjust settings without diving into menus.
- Utilize the silent shutter mode on the a9 II for discreet photography, especially useful in quiet environments or when capturing candid street or portrait shots.
- The dual card slots of the a9 II allow you to set one slot for RAW files and the other for JPEGs. This setup can be useful for managing your workflow and ensuring you have backups of your images.
Get Camera-Specific Guidance
These are general recommendations for this scene. The wizard can show you exactly where to find each setting in your camera’s menu system, plus values optimized for your specific gear.
Start the Wizard
Get settings tailored to your Sony a9 II for portrait photography — including menu paths and lens tips.