SONY α9 III Body
SONY α9 III Body
With the world's first full-frame image sensor with a global shutter system, the α9 III is revolutionary, capturing fast-moving subjects without blur and preserving split-second moments in stunning detail.
The next era of fundraising starts now
The α9 III features the world's first 24.6MP full-frame stacked CMOS image sensor with global shutter. Unlike the rolling shutter sensor that records burst images from the top row of pixels to the bottom, the new Exmor RS™ exposes and reads all pixels simultaneously, so the camera captures fast-moving subjects without distortion. With a maximum shutter speed of 1/80000th of a second (1/16000th of a second in continuous shooting), the α9 III revolutionised professional photography.
Continuous shooting at 120fps, no blackouts
The α9 III is defined by speed and precision, which allow you to capture decisive moments with ease. It supports continuous shooting sequences at up to 120fps with full AF/AE tracking, with no viewfinder lockout, and the advanced AI processing unit recognises subjects with high accuracy and reliability.
Preserve split-second moments
A maximum shutter speed of 1/80000th of a second is available during burst shooting, in addition to single shot modes6, making it easy to capture fast-moving subjects in almost any situation. Shutter speed during continuous shooting can be set to 1/80000 sec.4 A compatible Sony flash unit (such as the HVL-F60RM2 or HVL-F46RM)7 can synchronize at all shutter speeds, eliminating the sharp, non-linear drop in illumination that occurs with high-speed sync (HSS), ensuring uniform illumination throughout the image.
Exmor RS sensor with global shutter system
The full-frame global shutter image sensor features 24.6 million effective pixels, stacked CMOS architecture, and integral memory. It offers high resolution, unmatched speed and full simultaneous pixel readout, so fast-moving objects can be captured without distortion. Stacked sensor structure and A/D conversion so that high-speed processing moves forward with minimal delay.
BIONZ XR™ image processing engine
With up to eight times8 more processing power than previous versions, the BIONZ XR engine minimizes processing latency and greatly increases image processing power. The large volume of data generated by the new Exmor RS™ sensor can be processed in real time, even in continuous shooting sequences up to 120fps. This improves image quality, from offering greater color gradation and more realistic color reproduction to reducing image noise. The camera also supports high-quality 14-bit RAW images in all shooting modes.
Composite RAW shooting reduces noise
Composite RAW shooting captures multiple images (4, 8, 16 or 32) that can be merged with Sony Imaging Edge Desktop™ software to create full-resolution images with very little noise. This allows you to capture wildlife at high shutter speeds or low-light portraits with very high image quality, with little noise, even at high ISO settings. What's more, when shooting at low sensitivity levels, the α9 III takes advantage of the camera shake that occurs in handheld and composite RAW shooting to create images with irregularities and reduced false colours.
Advanced 5-axis optical image stabilization
Shoot with confidence. The α9 III features a precise image stabilisation unit, advanced gyro sensors, and stabilisation algorithms optimised to detect and correct camera shake, with 8.0-stop stabilisation. It also features lenses with image stabilisation and enhanced body-to-lens communication for effective shooting control without blur even at telephoto focal lengths.
Non-blocking shooting
Enjoy uninterrupted view through the lockout-free viewfinder, even with fast-paced continuous shooting — a game-changer for capturing sports and other fast-moving subjects. In addition, the annoying delay associated with viewing the EVF has been kept to a minimum, to capture the most fleeting moments with confidence.
Up to 120 AF/LA tracking calculations per second
The camera keeps tracking—high-speed readout from the new image sensor allows the α9 III to perform up to 120 AF/AE tracking calculations per second, twice as much as its predecessor. AF follows complex subject movements and predicts sudden movements more accurately, while AE reacts to sudden variations in luminosity. The α9 III continues to track even during continuous shooting, while also contributing to greater accuracy.
Never miss a moment with pre-capture
Pre-capture records the moments before the shutter fires. Definable from 0.005 to 1 second, it is available in any file format up to 120 fps with full AF/AE tracking. This allows you to capture split-second moments, such as images of birds in flight, even if the shutter release is delayed.
Continuous shooting speed boost
Continuous shooting speed boost temporarily increases shooting speed so you can capture all the action. This is advantageous for capturing sports and other fast-paced activities, when the key moment can be predicted approximately.
Real-time Recognition AF
With its innovative AI processing unit, the α9 III can use the subject's shape data to accurately recognise movement. Human pose estimation technology recognizes the eyes and the position of the body and head, with high accuracy. This allows you to lock on and track an object that is facing away from the camera or whose face is covered. A distant human subject occupying only a small area of the frame (even smaller than in previous iterations of Real-time Recognition AF) can be recognized if it is close to the focus area when the shutter is pressed halfway down during continuous AF shooting. This can speed up the acquisition of focus on an athlete approaching from a distance in an athletics or skiing event, for example.
Reliable recognition of a wider range of objects
The AI processing unit supports the recognition of people, animals, birds, insects, cars/trains and planes. In the Car/Train category, it now recognises helmets, as race car drivers wear. It now recognizes the eyes of small and grassy animals, as well as the eyes, heads and bodies of dogs, cats and similar animals. Bird recognition has also been updated, allowing you to more easily locate the eyes of a variety of bird types, as well as the bodies of birds. In addition, a new Animal/Bird setting eliminates the need to switch between two settings to capture animals or birds.
Comprehensive, fast and accurate autofocus and tracking
The α9 III has 759 phase-detection points in a high-density focal-plane phase-detection AF system that covers 95.6% of the image area. The large volume of data read from the sensor is processed at high speed by the advanced BIONZ XR engine, while optimized algorithms ensure high accuracy and density. This Fast Hybrid AF system combines the tracking speed and performance of phase-detection AF with the precision of contrast-detection AF, locking on and tracking fast-moving and/or irregularly moving subjects.
AF tracking response to subject movement
Whether your subject is moving, stationary, or changing speeds, AF tracking can keep up. Simply select a [steady], [default], and [responsive] setting, depending on the speed of the subject and the shooting scenario.
Customizable focus area
Keep what you need in focus, with the XL and XS focus area spot sizes in the lineup. XS can be useful for capturing wildlife and avoiding focusing on branches in the foreground. You can also create a custom focus area of specific size and even a vertical image format. For example, in a track event where athletes are side-by-side, setting the AF frame to horizontal can make it easier to focus on the athlete in front.
Flash sync at all shutter speeds
With a compatible Sony flash unit (HVL-F60RM2 or HVL-F46RM), the α9 III can fully sync the flash up to a maximum shutter speed of 1/800004 second. This allows you to use the flash for extra illumination of the subject when shooting outdoors in bright light at a high shutter speed, reducing lighting settings and expanding creative shooting possibilities.
Flicker-free shooting
The global shutter image sensor exposes all pixels to prevent flickering in a single image, and can appear between frames. To reduce this flicker, high-frequency anti-flicker or non-flicker shooting (Var. shutter) can be used.
Global shutter eliminates flash banding
The α9 III's advanced image sensor is equipped with a global shutter system that exposes and reads all pixels at once, eliminating the exposure differences that can arise when shooting with press photographers covering an event. This eliminates the problem of "flash banding", common in cameras with a rolling shutter system.
4K movies without high-resolution, high-detail distortion
Shoot 4K movies in full-frame or Super 35mm formats (approx. APS-C). The α9 III captures movies in 4K (3840 x 2160) up to 120p and 60p with full pixel readout and 6K oversampling for significantly reduced moiré and irregularities.
4K 120p uncut for the first time on a α body
A first for Sony's α range, the α9 III offers 4K (3840 x 2160) movie recording at 120p without cropping, allowing users to use the full angle of view of any lens. For example, a 4K slow-motion 120p shot and a 24p full-speed shot of the same scene will have the same angle of view and can be easily edited without the need for reframing.
S-Cinetone™ for a cinematic look
Sony's S-Cinetone picture profile offers the same colour science that delivers fantastic colour and skin tones across the highly regarded Cinema Line range. S-Cinetone produces natural midtones, which are essential for healthy-looking skin, as well as soft colours and beautiful highlights. This allows creators to focus on capturing the image, achieving a cinematic look without having to perform colour grading.
Breath compensation for consistent viewing when focusing
Focus breathing compensation reduces focus breathing when shooting movies. Sony's original Clear Image Zoom technology automatically maintains a consistent angle of view when focusing shifts for more stable images.
Active Dynamic Mode Stabilization
A precise stabilization unit and gyro sensors built into the camera, and optimized image stabilization algorithms, allow the electronic stabilization to work with the five-axis optical image stabilization system in active dynamic mode that improves stabilization by more than 30% over the existing active mode (approx.).
Auto framing
Powered by AI-based subject recognition technology, the auto-framing function crops the frame to keep the subject in a prominent position when shooting movies. Even with the camera on the tripod, the framing is continuously adjusted so that it looks like the subject was being followed by an experienced cameraman during the shoot.
Single flexible tilting monitor for more flexibility when shooting
The α9 III features a 4-axis multi-angle monitor, which combines the utility of a conventional tilting monitor with the flexibility of side-opening vari-angle for unlimited vertical or horizontal angle adjustment. Thin, discreet and robust, the mechanism allows you to move the monitor away from the back of the body and tilt it up to 98° upwards, 40° down and 180° sideways. The 3.2-type touch-type LCD monitor is optimised for outdoor shooting, delivering 2.1 million dot resolution, a wide colour gamut and wide brightness for clear and easy viewing.
New front customization button
The new design of the Sony α9 III includes a customisable button on the front for faster and easier gripping action. This also makes it adaptable to various shooting styles and needs. You can assign the continuous shooting speed boost function to the front button for an instant speed boost in continuous shooting sequences.
Excellent viewfinder performance
The 9.44-million-dot OLED viewfinder features 0.90x magnification with a 41° FOV for clear vision and an upgraded frame with a 25mm eyespot. An original optical design minimises annoying aberration around the viewfinder image for a more constant viewing experience. The lag time of the viewfinder and monitor has been reduced to allow for more stable framing, especially when shooting continuously. The display's frame rate can be set to standard (60 fps), high (120 fps) or higher (240 fps). The 240fps setting delivers a very smooth viewfinder image with minimal motion blur when shooting subjects, and reduces motion blur and tilt.
Two CFexpress Type A compatible slots
The α9 III supports UHS-I and UHS-II SD cards, and CFexpress Type A. These are ideal for continuous shooting at high speeds up to 120fps5 and offer high write speeds that quickly clear data-heavy camera buffers. Users can save data on various media depending on the file type, size and image quality, simplifying the workflow.
Optional VG-C5 vertical handle
The optional VG-C5 vertical grip offers exceptional comfort and operability for long shooting sessions. The grip and shutter button have the same ergonomic design as the camera body. Access to control is also similar, with an independent front custom button (C5), a front dial, rear L and R dials, and a lock function on the R dial. The VG-C5 vertical grip holds two NP-FZ100 batteries for long shooting sessions.
High reliability for challenging environments
The α9 III offers dust and moisture resistance, due to refinements with silicone rubber around buttons, lens lock button, lens mount damping, and other areas. An improved EVF design seals the optical path of the viewfinder, achieving the same effect as a double-glass frame. Combined with dust and moisture-resistant lenses, flash units, and the VG-C5 vertical grip, the α9 III becomes the core of a rugged system that is resistant to dust and moisture.
Robust and durable
With a lightweight, high-rigidity magnesium alloy in the top cover, front cover, inner body, and back cover, the α9 III features a highly durable body, high shock resistance, and effective heat dissipation. It is designed to withstand demanding professional environments while remaining relatively compact and lightweight.
Improved group visualization
Improved working efficiency with groups of images. Images captured at up to 120 fps in continuous bursts can be set in "groups," to locate an image in a large group of images. These groups can also be assigned a rating to use for filtering and searching, which is retained after the images are imported into a computer editing application.
Built-in Wi-Fi for FTP and smartphone transfers and remote connection to PC (Tethering)
Built-in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11ac) with 2x2 MIMO support enables high-speed data transfer, so the α9 III is up to twice as fast as its predecessor. 5 GHz communication offers maximum speed and stability, essential for photographers who need to make immediate deliveries, and studio environments. The camera interface makes it easy to transfer data via an FTP server, Wi-Fi, fast wired LAN, or USB connection sharing with smartphones.
Clearer voice recording
Add clear voice note metadata to photos with a dedicated microphone built into the camera's rear panel, close to the user's mouth for better recording quality. Voice notes can be transferred to an FTP server with the appropriate images to allow effective communication between photographer and editor. The photographer can also use the Transfer & Tagging mobile app (Ver. 1.9 or later) to convert the voice to text.
Multiple IPTC presets
IPTC metadata can be added to photos, with the α9 III able to store up to 20 presets internally that can be quickly selected when needed. This can be extremely useful in multi-sport events, for example when different IPTC information is required for different competitions.
Key features
- Global Shutter Sensor | Full Frame | 24.6 MP
- Up to 120fps continuous shooting with AF/AE
- Pre-capture function; Speed boost button
- Flash sync up to 1/80,000 sec
- 4K 120p 10-bit video; S-Log3 and S-Cinetone
- 759-point phase-detection AF with tracking
- 8-point, 5-axis in-body image stabilization
- 9.44-million-dot EVF with 240fps refresh rate
- 3.2" 2.1 m dot, 4-axis touchscreen LCD
- Dual CFexpress Type A/SD Card Slots
What's in the box:
1x α9 III Camera - Body
1x Sony NP-FZ100 Battery (2280mAh)
1x Sony BC-QZ1 Battery Charger
1x Sony FDA-EP19 Eyepiece
1x Sony ALC-B1EM Body Cap
1x Sony Multi Interface Shoe Cover
1x Cable Protector
1x Shoulder strap
