The Sony a9 III, claiming the title of the world’s first global shutter mirrorless camera, presents a rapid and remarkably capable solution for sports, wildlife, photojournalism, and a myriad of other applications. This groundbreaking sensor technology establishes a new standard for full-frame imaging, permitting continuous RAW shooting at an impressive rate of up to 120 fps and flash synchronization at the maximum shutter speed of 1/80,000 second. Combining the capabilities of the 24.6MP sensor with Sony’s potent BIONZ XR processor and AI Processing Unit creates a system that delivers unparalleled performance for those seeking a highly responsive and dependable camera.
Pioneering Global Shutter for Mirrorless
The Sony a9 III introduces the world’s first full-frame global shutter mirrorless camera. Utilizing a global shutter marks a substantial advancement over traditional rolling shutter technology. A global shutter ensures nearly instantaneous and simultaneous reading of all 24.6MP, eliminating skew and other artifacts often associated with rolling shutters. It also surpasses mechanical shutter mechanisms in various aspects, rendering the physical shutter obsolete in the a9 III.
Global shutters ensure consistent and uniform exposure across the entire frame under any lighting conditions. Flash synchronization is achievable at any shutter speed, even at the maximum of 1/80,000 second. This simultaneous reading also prevents banding from specific light sources, such as fluorescent lighting, ensuring the a9 III’s adaptability in various lighting environments, whether indoors, outdoors, or in mixed artificial lighting conditions.
Pre-Capture & Speed Boost – Seize Every Moment
In addition to the core sensor technology, the a9 III offers new features to maximize the camera’s potential.
1. Pre-Capture: The a9 III can be set to start buffering images when the shutter button is half-pressed, with adjustable settings between 0.05-1.0 second. Upon fully depressing the shutter button, these buffered images will be saved to the memory card.
2. Speed Boost: Recognizing that not every situation necessitates the maximum speed of 120 fps, Speed Boost, activated via the conveniently placed C5 button near the camera’s grip, enables users to instantly switch between various continuous shooting frame rates, up to 120 fps. This feature ensures that you capture the perfect shot in fast-paced scenarios.
Professional-Grade 4K Video
Global shutter technology in the a9 III provides numerous video advantages, including the elimination of rolling shutter and banding artifacts. Additionally, the a9 III incorporates several video enhancements over its predecessor:
– The a9 III captures and downsamples the full 6K image area for high-quality UHD 4K video at up to 60 fps.
– It can record 4K at up to 120 fps without cropping.
– Internal recording supports 10-bit 4:2:2 using All-I encoding for the utmost video quality.
– The full-size HDMI port enables 16-bit raw output to a compatible external recorder.
– Various Picture Profiles, including S-Log3 and S-Cinetone, are available to tailor the image to your specific workflow and production environment.
Refined Body Design
The a9 III benefits from several ergonomic updates to enhance operation:
– Addition of the C5 custom button on the camera’s front.
– The continuous shooting mode dial can be disabled, with shooting speed adjustments accessible via the menu.
– Enhanced grip and slight repositioning of the shutter button for a more ergonomic feel.
– Dual CFexpress Type A/SD card slots offer versatility and the option to leverage faster CFexpress media to fully utilize the a9 III’s increased speed.
– The USB-C port provides faster USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds of up to 10 Gb/s.
– A 3.2″ 2.1m-dot 4-axis multi-angle touchscreen LCD, initially introduced with the a7R V, presents a wide color gamut covering the DCI-P3 space.
– The 9.44m-dot 0.90x OLED electronic viewfinder offers a maximum refresh rate of 240 fps, delivering top-quality viewing experiences at up to 120 fps.
– An Ethernet port is included for advanced networking and data transfer workflows.
– The optional VG-C5EM Vertical Grip is designed to match the updated ergonomics of the a9 III, including the new C5 button.
Future Firmware Updates
The Sony a9 III is expected to improve over time, with planned firmware updates set to include:
– The capability to shoot continuously at up to 120 fps, even at the maximum shutter speed of 1/80,000 second.
– Workflow enhancements for IPTC metadata and FTP functions.
– Introduction of C2PA technology from the Content Authenticity Initiative.