Sony Alpha 9 III Mirrorless Camera

Claiming the distinction of being the world's first global shutter mirrorless camera, the Sony a9 III presents a rapid and exceptionally proficient platform for sports, wildlife, photojournalism, and a variety of other applications. This groundbreaking sensor technology elevates the standards for full-frame imaging, enabling continuous raw shooting at rates of up to 120 frames per second and allowing flash synchronization at an impressive maximum shutter speed of 1/80,000 second. The integration of this 24.6MP sensor with Sony's advanced BIONZ XR processor and AI Processing Unit culminates in a system that delivers unparalleled performance for those in search of a highly responsive and dependable camera solution.

Global Shutter—A First for Mirrorless

Sony has introduced the world's first full-frame global shutter mirrorless camera, the a9 III. The implementation of a global shutter marks a significant advancement in performance compared to the rolling shutter technology that has been prevalent for many years. This global shutter enables an almost instantaneous and simultaneous readout of all 24.6MP, effectively eliminating skew and other artifacts commonly associated with rolling shutters. Furthermore, it outperforms mechanical shutter technology in every aspect, rendering the physical shutter obsolete in the a9 III.

Global shutters contribute to achieving consistent and uniform exposure throughout the entire frame, regardless of lighting conditions. Flash synchronization is achievable at any shutter speed, including the maximum of 1/80,000 second. The simultaneous readout also mitigates banding effects from specific light sources, such as fluorescent lights. Whether in a gym, outdoors, or under mixed artificial lighting, the a9 III excels in performance.

The use of a global shutter will significantly enhance usability in flash photography and mixed lighting scenarios. This includes the capability to synchronize with any flash at speeds of up to 1/80,000 second. Sony flashes will benefit from enhanced communication for optimal results, while third-party flashes can be synchronized with the shutter by adjusting the delay through a menu setting.

Pre-Capture & Speed Boost—Never Miss a Moment

Along with the key technology delivered by the sensor, the a9 III offers features new features to unlock the camera's full potential.

Pre-Capture

Pre-Capture captures the events that transpired prior to the activation of the shutter. It can be adjusted from 0.005 to 1 second and is compatible with any file format up to 120 frames per second, featuring complete autofocus and auto-exposure tracking. This functionality facilitates the capture of fleeting moments, such as the instant a bird takes off, even if the shutter release occurs slightly after the event.

Speed Boost

Not every shoot calls for the a9 III's impressive max speed of 120 fps. With Speed Boost and the C5 button, which is conveniently placed near the grip on the front of the camera, users can instantly switch their camera from their usual continuous shooting frame rate to a faster one to make sure their next shot is just right. Photographers will be able to select various frame rates up to 120 fps.

Pro-Quality 4K Video

The a9 III significantly enhances video performance through the implementation of global shutter technology, which effectively eliminates rolling shutter and banding artifacts. In addition to this key feature, the a9 III introduces numerous other video enhancements compared to its predecessor that merit discussion. It captures and downscales the entire 6K image area, enabling the production of high-quality UHD 4K video at frame rates of up to 60 fps. Furthermore, it is capable of recording 4K video at 120 fps without any cropping. The camera supports internal recording of 10-bit 4:2:2 using All-I encoding to ensure the highest quality. Additionally, it can output 16-bit raw video through the full-size HDMI port to a compatible external recorder. Various Picture Profiles, including S-Log3 and S-Cinetone, are available to optimize the image according to specific workflow and production requirements.

Advanced optical 5-axis image stabilization

Capture images with assurance using handheld techniques. The α9 III is equipped with a sophisticated image stabilization system, featuring advanced gyro sensors and refined algorithms that accurately identify and compensate for camera shake, delivering an impressive 8.0-step stabilization. This capability is enhanced by compatible lenses that incorporate built-in image stabilization and improved communication between the camera body and lenses, ensuring effective management of blur-free photography, even at extended telephoto focal lengths.

AI recognition meets advanced AF

Blackout-free shooting

Experience a seamless perspective through the blackout-free viewfinder, even amidst rapid continuous shooting—an essential advancement for capturing sports and other dynamic subjects. Additionally, the typically distracting time lag associated with electronic viewfinder (EVF) usage has been significantly minimized, allowing for the confident capture of fleeting moments.

Up to 120 AF/AE tracking calculations per second

The camera is designed to maintain tracking effectively; the advanced image sensor in the α9 III allows for up to 120 autofocus and auto-exposure tracking calculations each second, which is double the capacity of the previous model. The autofocus system adeptly follows intricate subject movements and anticipates abrupt changes with enhanced accuracy, while the auto-exposure system swiftly adapts to sudden shifts in brightness. Furthermore, the α9 III maintains its tracking capabilities even during continuous shooting, thereby enhancing overall precision.

Real-Time Recognition AF

The α9 III, equipped with an advanced AI processing unit, is capable of utilizing subject form data for precise movement recognition. Its human pose estimation technology not only identifies the eyes but also accurately determines the positions of the body and head. This capability enables the camera to lock onto and track subjects who are turned away from the lens or have their faces obscured. Even a distant human subject that occupies a minimal portion of the frame—smaller than in earlier iterations of Real-time Recognition AF—can be detected if it is positioned close to the focus area when the shutter is half-pressed during continuous autofocus shooting. This feature enhances the speed of focus acquisition for athletes approaching from afar in events such as track-and-field or skiing.

Refined Body Design

The introduction of the new Alpha-series cameras brings several subtle enhancements aimed at improving the system's ergonomic functionality. The a9 III incorporates various updates, including the addition of a C5 custom button located on the front of the camera body. Users can now disable the continuous shooting mode dial and adjust the shooting speed through the menu. The grip has been enhanced, and the shutter button has been repositioned slightly to enhance user comfort. The camera features dual CFexpress Type A/SD card slots, offering flexibility for users to utilize their existing media or opt for the faster CFexpress cards to fully leverage the a9 III's improved speed. Additionally, the USB-C port now supports faster USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds of up to 10 Gb/s. The 3.2-inch, 2.1 million-dot, 4-axis multi-angle touchscreen LCD, first introduced with the a7R V, boasts a wide color gamut that encompasses the DCI-P3 space. The 9.44 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder operates at a maximum refresh rate of 240 fps, allowing the a9 III to deliver exceptional viewing quality at up to 120 fps. An Ethernet port is included for enhanced networking and data transfer capabilities. Furthermore, the optional VG-C5 Vertical Grip has been designed to complement the updated ergonomics of the a9 III, including the newly added C5 button.

Enhanced Functionality and Usability

Sony has consistently enhanced the workflows of their professional cameras by incorporating upgraded and new features:

• The voice memo feature offers enhanced recording quality due to the microphone's proximity to the user. These memos are transferable through FTP and can be converted into text utilizing Sony's Transfer & Tagging application.
  
  
• PTC metadata can be automatically added to images and up to 20 presets can be saved.
  
  
• Image bursts can now be set to display as a group during playback to make it easier to navigate through a shoot, especially when using the a9 III's fastest continuous shooting rates.
  
  
• Built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet can be used for fast networked data transfer during shooting.
  
  
• The a9 III is designed to be used in a wide ranging of shooting conditions and is weather sealed to protect it from the elements.
  
  
• A shading curtain activates when the camera is powered off, protecting the camera's sensor from dust and the elements.