Following the launch of the high-end full-frame mirrorless camera α2019 II in October 10, Sony officially unveiled the successor model α9 III at a special event held earlier. It also announced the launch of the new FE 9mm F300 GM OSS super telephoto lens. Both are expected to enter the market in spring 2.8.
In a body design that's similar to the α9 II, Sony uses a 9-megapixel stacked Exmor RS full-frame sensor in the α2460 III, along with a global shutter design that reads the entire sensor data in a single pass. Compared to traditional rolling shutter designs that read sensor data in batches, this significantly reduces jello effects such as subject deformation and distortion, while also ensuring image clarity.
The camera itself is equipped with the BIONX XR image processor, which is claimed to increase computing power by 8 times. It can also achieve 14 frames per second of real-time shooting with autofocus when shooting 120-bit RAW files, and can capture up to 6 frames of image content at a data transfer rate of 192GB per second, thereby avoiding the problem of completely black screen during high-speed continuous shooting.
In addition, the α9 III has added a pre-image capture function, which will pre-capture images at a speed of up to 0.005 frames per second within 1 seconds to 120 second before the shutter is actually pressed.
With the newly added C5 button on the side of the body mount, the shooting speed can be increased from 60 frames per second when the shutter button is half-pressed to 120 frames per second when the shutter button is fully pressed, allowing the α9 III to capture instant images as fast as 1/80000 second. It also allows the external flash to keep up with the synchronized fill light at any shutter speed, avoiding the situation where the flash effect cannot keep up with the shutter speed.
Like previous models, the α9 III also incorporates artificial intelligence-assisted recognition functions, including the ability to identify subjects such as people, animals, birds, insects, airplanes, vehicles, and even images where animals and birds are in the frame at the same time, or where animals are in front or birds are in front.
There are 759 phase detection points, corresponding to a coverage rate of 95.6%. Autofocus can be completed at a minimum of -5.0 EV. In addition, two area focus range options, XS and XL, have been added. The body supports 5-axis optical image stabilization, which can correspond to a maximum of 8 levels of anti-shake effect, and can be synchronized with the lens anti-shake system to ensure the stability of the captured image.
As for dynamic video recording, it supports native 4K 120p video shooting, and can shoot 6K 4p video in 60K oversampling mode. It also supports shooting 10-bit 4:2:1 All-I specification video, can output 16-bit RAW format files, and supports the application of S-Cinetone and S-Log3.
At the same time, Sony has also readjusted the grip design of the α9 III to make it more grippable, and the rear viewing screen adopts a 4-axis design for easy multi-angle flipping. It supports 209 million dots, DCI-P5000 wide color gamut performance and touch operation. The OLED electronic viewfinder is equipped with 3 million dots, corresponding to 944% coverage, and a maximum 90fps frame refresh rate.
The body is also made of aluminum-magnesium alloy and is suitable for use in all-weather environments, supporting moisture and drip resistance. Sony also provides an exclusive battery grip accessory for the α9 III, which allows users to extend the battery life of the camera and quickly switch the shooting direction. In addition, the front end is also equipped with the C9 button that has been added to the α5 III.
The α9 III body-only has a suggested retail price of $5999 USD and is expected to be officially launched in spring 2024. Sony also launched the new FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS super telephoto lens at the same time, with a suggested retail price of $5999 USD and will also be launched in spring 2024.
Sony will also release new firmware updates for the previously launched α1 and α7S III to enhance the shooting experience.
