Sony a9 III Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera Body Only

Sony a9 III Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera Body Only

The α9 III features the world's first1 full-frame stacked 24.6 MP CMOS image sensor with a global shutter system. Unlike a rolling shutter sensor that records images sequentially from the top row of pixels to the bottom, the newly-developed Exmor RS™ image sensor exposes and reads all pixels simultaneously so the camera can capture fast-moving subjects with absolutely no distortion. Combined with a maximum shutter speed of 1/80000 second (1/16000 second during continuous shooting)3, the α9 III is a game changer for professional photography.

Blackout-free, 120 fps continuous shooting
The α9 III is defined by speed and accuracy, enabling it to capture decisive moments with ease. It's capable of shooting continuous bursts at up to 120 fps with full AF/AE tracking4, all without viewfinder blackout, and its highly-advanced AI processing unit recognises subjects with astonishingly high precision and reliability.

Exmor RS image sensor with global shutter system
The new full-frame global shutter image sensor is equipped with 24.6 million effective pixels, a stacked CMOS architecture and integral memory. This offers high resolution, overwhelming speed, and simultaneous full-pixel readout, so even fast-moving subjects can be captured distortion-free. The sensor's stacked structure and advanced A/D conversion enable high-speed processing to proceed with minimal delay.

With up to eight times more processing power than previous versions, the BIONZ XR image processing engine minimises processing latency while markedly boosting image processing power. The high volume of data generated by the newly developed Exmor RS image sensor can be processed in real time even while shooting continuous bursts at up to 120 fps2. This significantly improves image quality, from offering higher colour gradation and more realistic colour reproduction to reducing image noise. The camera can also capture high-quality 14-bit RAW images in all still shooting modes.

Advanced optical 5-axis image stabilisation
Shoot handheld with confidence. The α9 III is packed with a high-precision image stabilisation unit, advanced gyro sensors, and optimised image stabilisation algorithms to effectively detect and correct camera shake, offering 8.0-step stabilisation. This is further supported by compatible lenses with built-in image stabilisation and improved communication between the body and lenses, providing effective control for blur-free shooting even at telephoto focal lengths.

Up to 120 AF/AE tracking calculations per second
Let the camera keep track — the high-speed readout of the new image sensor enables the α9 III to make up to 120 AF/AE tracking calculations per second, twice that of its predecessor. AF tracks complex subject motions and predicts sudden movements with greater precision than ever before, while AE easily responds to sudden brightness variations. The α9 III continues to track even during continuous shooting, also contributing to greater precision.

Real-time Recognition AF
With its innovative AI processing unit, the α9 III can use subject form data to accurately recognise movement. Human pose estimation technology recognises not just eyes but also body and head position with high precision. This makes it possible to lock onto and track a subject facing away from the camera or whose face is covered. A distant human subject that occupies only a small area of the frame (even smaller than in previous Real-time Recognition AF iterations) can be recognised if the subject is near the focus area when the shutter is half-pressed while shooting with continuous AF. This can speed up focus acquisition on an athlete approaching from a distance at a track-and-field or ski event, for example.

Wide, fast, precise autofocus and tracking
The α9 III now features 7597 phase-detection points in a high-density focal plane phase-detection AF system that covers approximately 95.6% of the image area. The large volume of data read from the image sensor is processed at high speed via the advanced BIONZ XR processing engine, while optimised algorithms ensure high accuracy and high density. This Fast Hybrid AF system combines the speed and tracking performance of phase-detection AF with the precision of contrast-detection AF, reliably locking onto and tracking subjects that move rapidly and/or erratically.

4K distortion-free movies with high resolution and detail
Shoot 4K movies in either the full-frame or Super 35mm (approx. APS-C) formats. The α9 III captures 4K (3840 x 2160) movies at up to 120p, and at 60p with full pixel readout and 6K oversampling for dramatically reduced moiré and jaggies.

4K/120p without cropping for the first time in an alpha body
For the first time in the α line-up from Sony, the α9 III offers 4K (3840 x 2160) 120p movie recording without cropping, allowing users to utilise the full angle of view provided by any lens. For example, 4K footage shot in slow motion 120p and footage shot at normal speed 24p within the same scene will have the same angle of view and can be easily edited together without the need for reframing.

S-Cinetone for a cinematic look
Sony's S-Cinetone picture profile provides the same colour science that delivers beautiful colours and skin tones throughout the highly regarded Cinema Line range. S-Cinetone produces natural mid-tones that are essential to healthy-looking skin, plus soft colours and gorgeous highlights. This lets creators concentrate on shooting while achieving a cinematic look without the need for colour grading.

Breathing compensation for consistent angle of view when focusing
Focus breathing compensation effectively reduces focus breathing when shooting movies. Sony's original Clear Image Zoom technology is used to automatically maintain a consistent angle of view throughout focus changes for more stable images.

Dynamic active Mode stabilisation
A high-precision stabilisation unit and gyro sensors built into the camera, plus optimised image stabilisation algorithms, allow advanced electronic stabilisation to work in conjunction with the camera's 5-axis optical in-body image stabilisation system in a Dynamic active Mode that improves stabilisation by more than 30% over the existing Active Mode (approx.)

Auto Framing

Using AI-based subject recognition technology, the Auto Framing feature automatically crops the frame to keep the subject in a prominent position when shooting movies. Even when the camera is mounted on a tripod, for example, the framing is continually adjusted so that the recorded footage looks like the subject was being followed by an experienced camera operator.