In the world of professional fine art, sports and wildlife photography, the Sony A9 III is a milestone camera with its advanced features and unparalleled performance. In this post, we will carry out a detailed test of this camera, describing its technical specifications, comparing it with its competitors and assessing whether the global shutterto really must have 2024. We will focus on various aspects to give a full picture of the capabilities of this unique equipment.
Welcome to our review of extraordinary equipment for extraordinary lens artists. Find out how it compares to other cameras in this segment and get our opinion on it. Sit back and enjoy the test of this marvel.
Description of the Sony A9 III
The Sony A9 III is a flagship mirrorless camera designed for professional photographers who demand the ultimate in speed and precision. Featuring a full-frame 24-megapixel Exmor RS CMOS sensor with global shutter, it can shoot at up to 120 frames per second, eliminating rolling shutter and delivering exceptional image quality even in the most demanding conditions.
The design of the camera has been optimised for ergonomics, with a new, more comfortable grip that makes handling easier, especially when using larger lenses. Additional function buttons and intuitive menus make the camera extremely easy to use, allowing photographers to focus on capturing the perfect shot.
Also new on the Sony A9 III is a 4-way tilt screen, which allows convenient framing from different perspectives. This screen is not only highly functional, but also has excellent resolution and brightness, which is invaluable in difficult lighting conditions.
Technical specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 24.6 MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS with global shutter |
| Image processor | BIONZ X |
| Autofocus | 693 phase detection AF points, Real-time Eye AF, Real-time Tracking |
| ISO | 100-51,200 (expandable to 50-204,800) |
| Snapshot | Electronic: 1/80,000 to 30 sec, Mechanical: 1/8000 to 30 sec |
| Continuous shooting speed | Up to 120 fps (RAW/JPEG) |
| Image stabilisation | 5-axis, up to 8 EV |
| Viewfinder | 9.44M dots, OLED, 0.9x magnification |
| Screen | 3.0″, 2.36M dots, 4-way tilt |
| Video | 4K up to 120p, Full HD up to 240p |
| Ports | 2x CFexpress Type A / UHS-II SD, USB 3.2, HDMI |
| Battery | NP-FZ100, up to 530 shots (LCD), 400 shots (EVF) |
| Weight | 678g with battery and memory card |
| Dimensions | 129.9 x 96.9 x 77.5 mm |
Comparison with other instruments in the segment
To fully understand the uniqueness of the Sony A9 III, it is worth comparing it with other top cameras on the market, such as the Canon EOS R3, Nikon Z9 and Sony A1.
| Feature | Sony A9 III | Sony A1 | Canon EOS R3 | Nikon Z9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 24.6 MP, Global Shutter | 50 MP, Stacked CMOS | 24 MP, Stacked CMOS | 46 MP, Stacked CMOS |
| Continuous shooting speed | 120 fps | 30 fps | 30 fps | 20 fps |
| Image stabilisation | 8 EV | 5.5 EV | 8 EV | 6 EV |
| ISO | 100-51,200 | 100-102,400 | 100-204,800 | 64-102,400 |
| Video | 4K up to 120p | 8K up to 30p | 6K to 60p | 8K to 60p |
| Price | $6000 | $6500 | $6000 | $5500 |
Tests
Autofocus performance
The Sony A9 III was put to the test in dynamic conditions such as Olympic-level sports photography. The Sony A9 III's AF system proved unparalleled, offering Real-time Eye AF and Real-time Tracking to accurately track fast-moving subjects. In practice, this means that the camera can maintain focus on an athlete's face even during fast movements, which is crucial for professional sports photographers.
When tested in challenging lighting conditions, the Sony A9 III demonstrated excellent subject tracking ability, even in low light. The autofocus system was fast and precise, allowing key moments to be captured with great accuracy.
In addition, Real-time Tracking uses artificial intelligence to predict subject movement, further enhancing autofocus accuracy and speed. This makes the Sony A9 III an ideal tool for sports photographers who need to react instantly to changing conditions.
Image quality
The Sony A9 III, although it does not offer the highest resolution on the market, provides excellent image quality thanks to a global shutter that eliminates problems with motion artefacts. The high shutter speed allows motion to be frozen with minimal blur, which is crucial for sports and nature photography.
At high ISO settings, there is a noticeable drop in detail and increase in noise, which is typical of most full-frame cameras in this class. However, up to ISO 3200, the Sony A9 III performs very well, offering detailed and sharp images. At higher ISO values, noise becomes more apparent, but thanks to advanced image processing, the camera is able to maintain decent image quality even in difficult lighting conditions.
Colours are well reproduced, with natural saturation and a wide tonal range. The Sony A9 III also offers wide dynamic range, allowing details in shadows and bright areas of the image to be recovered during post-production.
Image stabilisation
The 5-axis image stabilisation with up to 8 EV compensation performs exceptionally well when shooting handheld, especially at longer exposure times. Tests have shown that the Sony A9 III's image stabilisation produces sharp and blur-free images at exposure times as short as 1/10th of a second, an impressive result.
Image stabilisation also comes in handy when recording video, where it eliminates camera shake for smooth and stable shots. This makes the Sony A9 III not only a great camera, but also a great tool for recording professional videos.
Continuous shooting speed
The camera offers continuous shooting at up to 120 frames per second. This is an absolute record among cameras in this class and makes it significantly easier to capture fast-moving subjects, which is crucial in sports and nature photography. During testing, the camera demonstrated remarkable speed and precision, allowing every moment to be captured with great accuracy.
Is a global snapshot a 'must have' in 2024?
The global shutter on the Sony A9 III eliminates one of the biggest problems faced by sports and nature photographers - rolling shutter. As a result, the camera is able to capture fast-moving subjects without any distortion, which is crucial for professional photography. In the context of 2024, the global shutter is becoming increasingly desirable, especially for equipment designed for dynamic scenes. If you prioritise quality and precision in all conditions, the Sony A9 III with global shutter is definitely a 'must have'.
Ultimately, the Sony A9 III is a camera that offers a unique combination of speed, precision and technological innovation, making it one of the best choices on the market in 2024 for professional sports and nature photographers.
If you are interested in other comparisons, see also our ranking of mobile phone handsets in 2024.
Our assessment
The Sony A9 III is an impressive camera that stands out from the competition with its speed, precision and advanced features. The global shutter, which eliminates the rolling shutter effect, is undoubtedly one of the greatest assets of this model, especially for sports and nature photographers. The continuous shooting speed of up to 120 frames per second is record-breaking and makes it significantly easier to capture dynamic scenes.
Image stabilisation, excellent image quality even at high ISO settings and an advanced autofocus system make the Sony A9 III a versatile tool for professional photographers. Additional features such as a 4-way tilt screen, intuitive menus and a comfortable grip make working with this camera not only efficient but also comfortable. Is the camera worth the price? At the moment its price ranges from £5800 to £7000 for the standard version. Would I buy this camera at this price? Definitely not, but maybe that's because I have debts and pay maintenance every month. Best regards and see you in the next review.
Polish 
English