Today, Sony launches the a9 III, a full four years after the previous-generation a9 II made its splashy debut. So how does it compare, and was it worth the wait?
If you’ve been following the progress of the impressive Sony a9 lineage, you’ll know the first two iterations each proved themselves to be hard acts to follow. In 2017, we dubbed the original a9 “The most technically advanced camera Sony has ever created.” Not to be outdone, 2019’s a9 II earned the headline “Sony’s speed demon is back and faster than ever!” So how does today’s newly launched next-gen a9 III model stack up?
The world’s first global shutter full-frame image sensor
Built for speed, the new a9 III features a newly developed stacked 24.6 MP CMOS Exmor RS image sensor that exposes and reads all pixels simultaneously, so the camera can capture fast-moving subjects with no rolling shutter distortion. Combined with a maximum shutter speed of 1/80,000 per second, the a9 III is poised to become a game changer for professional photography.
BIONZ XR image processing engine
With up to eight times more processing power than earlier versions, the BIONZ XR image processing engine not only boosts image-processing power significantly but also minimizes processing latency noticeably.
Blackout-free 120 fps continuous shooting
It’s not just speed but also accuracy that defines the a9 III, enabling it to shoot continuous bursts at up to 120 fps with full AF/AE tracking – and without viewfinder blackout – with advanced AI processing that recognizes subjects with incredibly high precision. This camera can also capture high-quality 14-bit RAW images in all still shooting modes.
4K movies free of rolling shutter
With the a9 III, you can shoot 4K movies in full-frame or Super 35mm formats at up to 120p, and at 60p with full pixel readout and 6K oversampling for dramatically reduced moiré.
Improved ergonomics
To complete the package, the new a9 III has been redesigned to provide more a comfortable ergonomic experience, including a shift in the position of the shutter button and the addition of a fifth function button on the front of the camera. The shape of the grip now makes it easier to hold in the palm of your hand, even when you’ve got a telephoto lens attached or when using it for extended periods of time.
Key Features