Sony A9 III + 1 SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO UHS-II SDXC 300 MB/s

Unveiled in November 2023, the Sony A9 III amazed onlookers by becoming the brand's very first model equipped with a full-frame CMOS sensor featuring a global shutter, a true revolution in the world of photography.

This gem of technology is primarily aimed at photographers specializing in sports, wildlife, and journalism, offering the ability to capture burst images up to 120 frames per second, all with high-precision autofocus tracking.

Its greatest asset lies in its ability to completely eliminate distortions due to rolling shutter or banding, whether in photo or video mode.

Sony's journey into the realm of cameras dedicated to sports professionals began in 2017 with the release of the Alpha 9. The latter, equipped with a 24-megapixel full-frame sensor, was at the time the only one to allow burst shooting of 20 images per second with autofocus tracking, all without fearing distortions, thanks to its stacked sensor.

In 2019, innovation continued with the A9 II, significantly improving autofocus and offering enhanced ergonomics. The Alpha 1, launched in 2021, marked a turning point with its 50 megapixels, the ability to shoot at 30 frames per second, and 8K video capabilities, thus bringing together the best of Sony technology in a single device.

The A9 III, introduced just before the Alpha 1, positions itself as a solid choice for those seeking cutting-edge sports performance with a more moderate image resolution.

However, in 2023, Sony faces increased competition in the market for sports hybrid cameras, notably from Canon with its EOS R3 and Nikon with its Z9 and Z8 models, putting pressure on the Japanese giant.

Sony's response was swift with the introduction of the A9 III and its innovative global shutter.

What we love about the Sony A9 III:

• A high-speed camera featuring the world’s first full-frame global shutter, providing zero delay and blackout-free bursts up to 120 fps.
• Ultra-fast sensor readout offering shutter speeds up to 1/80,000, with flash synchronization available at all speeds.
• Ability to perform incredibly fast bursts and use pre-capture mode to seize every moment, even before pressing the shutter.
• Captures 4K 60p oversampled and 4K 120p uncropped video, while harnessing the professional 10-bit 4:2:2 All-I.
• Updated ergonomics for an intuitive and fully customizable shooting experience, with an electronic viewfinder and LCD among the best in its class.

The Sony A9 III Mirrorless Camera Summarized

Launched to mark the 10th anniversary of Sony's Alpha full-frame cameras, the third generation of the Sony A9 III mirrorless camera body pushes the boundaries of imaging possibilities with E-mount full-frame devices. This new Sony mirrorless camera body combines speed and image quality, being the world's first full-frame camera equipped with a global shutter image sensor.

This high-speed sensor allows capturing images at 120fps without any blackout, while ensuring full automatic exposure (AE) and autofocus (AF), and photographing at speeds up to 1/80,000 second, synchronizing with a Sony flash at any speed.

When every fraction of a second counts, the A9 III ensures impeccable performance through its pre-capture mode, real-time subject recognition, and an impressive 95.6% AF coverage with 759 phase detection autofocus points, now adjustable.

Sony has also improved the body design, offering better ergonomics, including a dedicated button for speed increase and a C5 button, a new multi-angle LCD screen, and a 9.44 million dot electronic viewfinder.

For professional creators needing to record videos, the A9 mark III offers professional-quality 4K/60p videos obtained by 6K oversampling, 4K/120p without cropping for the first time in an Alpha body, as well as 10-bit 4:2:2 All-I with S-Log and S-Log 3 color profiles.

Main features of the Sony A9 III camera

• World's first 24.6 MP Exmor RS™ full-frame stacked global shutter image sensor
• No image distortion or rolling shutter effect
• Blackout-free shooting at 120fps (up to 192 frames with full AE/AF) and a new acceleration mode
• Pre-capture mode from 0.005s to 1 second
• Real-time subject recognition
• Maximum shutter speed of 1/80,000 without flicker
• Flash sync at all shutter speeds
• 759 phase detection points with 95.6% coverage and AF at -5EV
• Adjustable AF point sizes
• Built-in 8-axis stabilization
• 4K/60p video from 6K oversampling
• 4K/120p video without cropping
• 10-bit 4:2:2 All-I color profiles, S-Cinetone, and S-Log 3
• New ergonomic body design with C5 button and acceleration button
• Multi-angle LCD monitor with wide color range
• 9.44 million dot EVF (0.9x magnification) 120fps at the highest display quality
• New vertical grip with the same ergonomics and acceleration and C5 buttons mimicking the camera
• Magnesium alloy body, weather-sealed

The Sony A9 III Mirrorless Camera in Detail

First World’s Full-Frame Stacked Global Shutter Image Sensor (24.6 MP EXMOR RS™)

The a9 III incorporates Sony's cutting-edge full-frame global shutter image sensor, with approximately 24.6 million effective pixels, a stacked CMOS design with built-in memory for exceptional resolution and speed.

It excels in capturing fast-moving subjects without distortion, thanks to the stacked sensor structure and advanced A/D conversion for minimal processing delays.

Coupled with the advanced BIONZ XR™ processing engine, the a9 III achieves incredibly fast continuous shooting, up to 120 frames per second, keeping subjects in focus with robust AI, precise phase detection, and wide subject recognition.

Continuous Shooting up to 120FPS with Speed Boost

Speed boost in continuous shooting allows you to temporarily increase the burst shooting speed to 120 fps.

This feature is particularly effective when capturing sports and other high-speed events, where you can anticipate the desired action moment.

Up to 120 AF/AE Tracking Calculations per Second

The fast readout of the new image sensor enables the α9 III to perform up to 120 AF/AE tracking calculations per second, thus doubling the capability of its predecessor. The AF excels in tracking complex movements of subjects and anticipates sudden changes with unparalleled accuracy.

Simultaneously, the AE adjusts effortlessly to sudden changes in brightness. Notably, the Alpha 9 III maintains tracking even during continuous shooting, thereby enhancing accuracy for photographers capturing high-speed actions.

Shutter Speed of 1/80000 Second

Capture every moment of high-speed action at sporting events and beyond. The global shutter sensor enables a stunning maximum shutter speed of 1/80000 second for still images.

This capability extends to capturing the split-second start of a bullet from a gun barrel in shooting competitions, illustrating the extraordinary speed and accuracy of the A9 III.

Bionz XR Image Processing Engine

Inherited from the flagship Alpha 1, the BIONZ XR image processing engine offers up to 8 times more processing power than previous generation processors, significantly reducing processing latency while substantially enhancing image processing capabilities.

This results in images with rich color gradations, true-to-life color reproduction, and minimal noise. The engine efficiently manages the extended data produced by the newly developed Exmor RS image sensor in real time, even during continuous shooting at speeds of up to 120 fps.

Moreover, it can capture high-quality RAW images in 14 bits in all still shooting modes.

Wide Coverage and Fast, Accurate Autofocus Tracking

The Sony a9 III, a mirrorless camera, is equipped with a fast hybrid AF system, combining the speed and tracking accuracy of phase detection AF with the fine precision of contrast detection AF.

This combination ensures reliable subject acquisition and tracking, even for subjects with rapid and erratic movements.

The camera boasts an impressive 759 phase detection points spread over a high-density focal plane AF system, covering nearly 95.6% of the image area.

Reliable Subject Recognition for More Subjects

The A9's AI processing unit offers enhanced subject recognition, covering Humans, Animals, Birds, Insects, Cars/Trains, and Planes. In the Car/Train category, it can even identify helmets, such as those worn by formula racing drivers.

Animal recognition now extends to the eyes of grazing and small animals, in addition to recognizing the eyes, heads, and bodies of dogs, cats, and animals with similar features.

Bird recognition has also been improved, facilitating the identification of the eyes of different bird species and recognition of their bodies.

Furthermore, a new Animal/Bird setting simplifies the process, eliminating the need to switch between two settings when capturing images of animals or birds.

Human Pose Estimation Using a Skeleton-Based Model

Leveraging its innovative AI processing unit, first seen in the A7R V and subsequently deployed in devices like the A7C II and A7CR, the a9 III utilizes the subject shape data for precise motion recognition.

This technology goes beyond simple eye recognition to accurately identify body and head positions.

This means the camera can effectively lock on and track a subject facing away from the lens or whose face is obscured. Even a distant human subject occupying a small part of the frame (even smaller than in previous iterations of the Real-time Tracking AF) can be identified, provided they are close to the focus area when the shutter is half-pressed during continuous AF shooting.

This capability enhances focus acquisition, particularly when capturing an athlete approaching from a distance, as in athletics or skiing events, for example.

Composite Raw Shooting for Noise Reduction

Composite RAW Shooting allows capturing multiple images (4, 8, 16, or 32, selectable), which can then be merged using Sony's Imaging Edge Desktop™ application software.

This process produces full-resolution images with minimal noise, even at higher ISO settings, perfect for fast wildlife photography and low-light portraits.

Moreover, when shooting at lower sensitivity levels, the α9 III can use handheld shake to create images with less false color and moiré artifacts through Composite RAW processing.

Distortion-Free Movie Recording

The new full-frame global shutter sensor, featuring a stacked CMOS architecture, brings substantial benefits to movie production and photography.

With the absence of rolling shutter distortion, it becomes possible to capture natural-looking images, regardless of the subject or camera movement.

This is true even when shooting from a fast-moving vehicle or during a rapid camera pan.

4K 120p without cropping for the first time in an Alpha body

A remarkable first in Sony's Alpha range, the a9 III introduces movie recording in 4K (3840 x 2160) at 120p without cropping.

This allows creators to maximize the full viewing angle provided by any Sony Alpha lens.

For example, whether filming in 4K at slow motion at 120p or at standard speed at 24p in the same scene, the viewing angle remains constant.

This allows for seamless editing without the need for cropping, consolidating the A9 III as an advanced hybrid cinematography tool.

Cinematic s-cinetone™ color profile

Sony's S-Cinetone image profile inherits the color science responsible for the stunning colors and natural skin tones found in the advanced Cinema Line range.

S-Cinetone produces authentic mid-tones crucial for realistic skin tones, with soft hues and precise highlights.

This allows creators to focus on their shooting, easily achieving a cinematic look, without the need for extensive color grading in post-production.

5-axis optical image stabilization for 8 stop compensation

Capture handheld shots with confidence thanks to the Sony a9 III's high precision third-generation image stabilization unit, advanced gyroscopic sensors, and refined stabilization algorithms.

This system adeptly identifies and corrects camera shake, providing an impressive 8.0 stop stabilization when shooting handheld.

When combined with lenses that have built-in image stabilization and enhanced communication between the camera body and lenses, you gain effective control to capture sharp, blur-free images, even at extended telephoto focal lengths.

Dynamic active mode stabilization

The camera integrates a high-precision stabilization unit and gyroscopic sensors, complemented by finely tuned image stabilization algorithms.

This synergy allows the advanced electronic stabilization to collaborate with the camera's integrated 5-axis optical image stabilization system.

Furthermore, the Dynamic Active Mode significantly improves stabilization, surpassing the existing Active Mode by over 30% (approximately).

Improved Ergonomics and Usability

Shooting and Focus Mode Dials

The camera features stacked shooting mode and focus mode dials, which can be operated independently for quick access and selection.

Users can easily switch between single or continuous shooting mode and single or continuous AF mode without having to navigate through menus using buttons. Both dials are lockable, preventing unintentional mode changes during use.

Moreover, a new feature allows disabling the shooting mode dial and reassigning it to the FN menu or a custom button, proving invaluable for shooting in low light conditions or when using a rain cover that might obscure the dial.

Enhanced Viewfinder

The enhanced OLED viewfinder boasts an impressive resolution of 9.44 million dots (approx.), offering a magnification of 0.90x19 and a field of view of 41° for a clear and expansive view.

It incorporates an updated structure with a high eyepoint of 25mm, providing an immersive viewing experience with minimized aberrations around the viewfinder image.

Notably, viewfinder and monitor latency times have been minimized to improve framing stability, especially during continuous shooting. Users can choose from three viewfinder refresh rate settings: Standard (60 fps), High (120 fps), or Higher (240 fps).

The 240 fps option provides an exceptionally smooth viewfinder image, significantly reducing motion blur when capturing moving subjects and during panning or tilting.

More Flexibility with a New Front Custom Button

In an enhancement of the Sony Alpha signature design, the A9 III introduces a front custom button, optimizing accessibility while maintaining a firm grip.

This added feature enhances adaptability to various shooting styles and requirements.

For example, users can assign functions like Continuous Shooting Speed Boost to the front button, allowing for instant improvement in speed during burst captures.

Ergonomic Grip Design Enhancing Usability and Reducing Fatigue

The Sony A9 III incorporates a redesigned grip that improves handholding stability and minimizes physical fatigue, especially when using heavy telephoto lenses or during extended shooting sessions.

The ergonomically refined contour ensures that the grip comfortably fits the user's hand, offering a secure hold that reduces fatigue.

Legendary 4-Axis LCD Mechanism

First seen in the A7R V, the A9 III features a 4-axis multi-angle LCD monitor.

This innovative design combines the convenience of a traditional tilting monitor with the versatility of a vari-angle screen that opens to the side, allowing for unrestricted angle adjustments in both portrait and landscape orientations.

The slim and durable mechanism allows the monitor to extend far from the camera body and tilt upwards to 98°, downwards to 40°, and swivel laterally up to 180°.

This 3.2-inch touch screen LCD, optimized for outdoor shooting, offers a high-resolution display with 2.1 million dots, a wide color range, and sufficient brightness for clear and effortless viewing.

Robust Durability for Field Use

The camera excels in dust and moisture resistance through meticulous design improvements.

These include the integration of silicone rubber seals around the buttons, a lens lock button, and padding around the lens mount, among other areas.

Moreover, an enhanced design of the viewfinder effectively seals the optical path of the viewfinder, offering protection comparable to a double-glazed structure.

When paired with dust and moisture-resistant lenses, flash units, and the optional VG-C5 vertical grip, the α9 III forms the core of a robust and weather-resistant system.

Robust Magnesium Alloy for Professional Users

With a lightweight and highly rigid magnesium alloy for its top cover, front cover, internal frame, and rear cover, the A9 III offers high durability, impact resistance, and efficient heat dissipation.

The device is designed to withstand tough professional environments, while remaining relatively compact and light at just 702 g (with battery and memory card).

Dual CFexpress Type A Memory Card Slots

In addition to SD UHS-I and UHS-II cards, the Sony A9 III's media slots support CFexpress Type A cards.

These are ideally suited for high-speed continuous shooting up to 120 fps and offer high writing speeds to quickly empty buffers of devices that generate large volumes of image and movie data.

The Alpha 9 mark III also allows for recording photos and movies on multiple media types in various ways, including saving data to different media slots based on file type, image size, and quality, as well as a relay recording mode, helping to streamline the workflow.

Our Sony A9 III Review

Whether you're shooting sports, action, wildlife, portraits, weddings, or any other subject where image quality and speed are paramount, the high-speed Sony A9 III is set to transform your perception of what's possible.

As the world's largest manufacturer of sensors, it's no surprise that Sony has managed to create the world's first full-frame global shutter, allowing for flicker-free and distortion-free shooting at incredible speeds.

This global shutter enables you to capture images at staggering speeds of 120 frames per second, capture indoor lighting, and film with ZERO shutter lag or flicker, as the sensor reads all of the pixels simultaneously.

Photos of 24.6 megapixels are available at 120 frames per second without any blackout, and you can control autofocus with greater precision than ever before thanks to customizable AF points.

Flash sync has also been updated, allowing you to shoot in high-speed sync at all speeds up to the maximum of 1/80,000 second, to truly freeze the action.

For filmmaking, the Sony A9 III delivers professional quality in 4K 60p, oversampled from 6K, and you can record using the full-frame sensor in 4K/120p without cropping.

S-Log profiles offer a wide dynamic range, with 10-bit 4:2:2 All-I available when quality is of the utmost importance.

The body has been improved over the previous generation with enhanced ergonomics, a new C5 button, and a new high-speed button for 120fps bursts.

The electronic viewfinder and LCD screen have both been improved, with better refresh rates, greater magnification, and a fully articulating LCD taken from the high-resolution Sony A7R V.

This A9 III camera marks much more than a mere update and ushers in a new era in terms of speed and image quality for the professional photographic community.

Sony A9 III FAQ

1. Does the Sony a9 III camera have a cover to protect the sensor when you take off the camera cap or change the lens?
   - Yes, the Sony a9 III camera has a cover to protect the sensor when you take off the camera cap or change the lens.

2. Will my VG-C4EM Battery Grip, which works with the A9II and A1, also work with the A9 III? Or do I need to get the VG-C5?
   - The A9 III only works with the VG-C5 grip. The older VG-C4EM grip does not work with the A9 III.

3. Can you get a 1/8,000 sync speed with any flash in regular mode, not HSS mode?
   - The Sony a9 III can sync at any speed without needing to be in HSS mode. However, it hasn't been tested with all flashes, so results might vary.

4. Is there a time limit for recording videos, or can it record as long as you want?
   - The Sony a9 III can record videos for a long time. How long depends on the memory card size, battery life, and temperature.

5. Does the Sony a9 III's special shutter allow for continuous shooting without the screen going black?
   - Yes, the Sony a9 III's special shutter allows for continuous shooting without the screen going black.

6. What is the RJ45 connector for? Can it be connected to a network extender to increase wifi range?
   - The RJ45 connector on the camera is for connecting to a computer or network for remote shooting.

7. Is there a feature for combining several pictures to reduce noise, and what's it called?
   - Yes, the Sony A9 III has a feature called Composite RAW shooting for combining several pictures to reduce noise.

8. Does the Sony a9 III use its built-in stabilizer when filming 4K videos?
   - The Sony A9 III always uses its stabilizer when filming, unless you turn it off manually.

9. How long can it shoot video on one battery?
   - On one battery, it can shoot about 90 minutes using the viewfinder and about 95 minutes using the LCD screen, according to Sony's tests.

10. Does the Sony a9 III have a feature for taking time-lapse videos?
    - Yes, the Sony a9 III has a built-in feature for taking time-lapse videos.

11. How many pictures can you take on one battery charge?
    - You can take about 400 pictures using the viewfinder and about 530 pictures using the LCD screen on one battery charge.

12. Does the Sony a9 III have GPS?
    - No, the Sony A9 III doesn't have GPS. You might be able to connect it to your phone to add location information to your pictures.