Sony Electronics is introducing the Alpha 9 III camera equipped with a full-frame global shutter image sensor. The newly developed global shutter image sensor is designed to expose and read all pixels simultaneously, unlike a rolling shutter sensor that records images sequentially from the top row of pixels to the bottom. The global shutter full-frame image sensor is designed for the camera to shoot at burst speeds up to 120 frames per second with no rolling shutter distortion or camera blackout.
“This innovative sensor is combined with Sony's most advanced AF (autofocus) system to date - boasting AI autofocus with up to 120 times AF/AE focus calculations per second,” the announcement states. “With the added ability to sync flash at all shooting speeds, the Alpha 9 III opens up a new world of possibilities for professional photographers to capture every decisive moment.”
"The Alpha 9 III full-frame camera is a landmark achievement for the industry," says Yang Cheng, Vice President, Imaging Solutions, Sony Electronics. "Designed with the needs and demands of professional photographers in mind, every single update to this camera – from the sensor to even the size to the button layouts and menu functions – has been made to address specific input and feedback from our community. We have listened and are thrilled to bring the new capabilities of the Alpha 9 III to market---capabilities which allow photographers to capture things they've never been able to capture before." Cheng continues, "For professionals everywhere, they can achieve even more dynamic expressions when the Alpha 9 III is combined with our rich lineup of lenses, in particular with the new 300mm F2.8 G Master OSS – the world's lightest large-aperture telephoto lens."
The Alpha 9 III is equipped with the newly developed, global shutter full frame stacked CMOS image sensor with approximately 24.6 effective megapixels and built-in memory. Combined with the latest image processing engine Bionz XR, the Alpha 9 III is designed for blackout-free Continuous Shooting Speed with AF/AE tracking of up to approximately 120 fps. The Alpha 9 III is supplied with high-density focal plane phase detection AF. A designated AI processing unit uses Real-time Recognition AF to recognize a wide variety of subjects with high precision. By combining performance of up to 120 fps with accurate subject recognition performance, it is designed to photograph scenes and moments that cannot be seen with the naked eye. The AI processing unit in the Alpha 9 III supports movies as well as still photography with accurate subject form and movement recognition. “The Real-time Recognition AF and Real-time Tracking provide a significant improvement in human eye recognition performance, allowing the camera to automatically recognize, track, and focus on the eyes of a specified subject,” states the announcement. The Alpha 9 III is equipped with 8.0 stops of optical 5-axis in-body image stabilization, allowing for high-quality image rendering.
Shutter speed is freed from the limitations of conventional mechanical shutter image sensors and is designed for a maximum shutter speed of 1/80,000 second (1/16,000 second during continuous shooting), to capture at high speed without any distortion. When a compatible Sony flash is attached, such as the HVL-F60RM2 and HVL-F46RM (sold separately), it is designed to synchronize the flash and take pictures at all shutter speeds up to 1/80,000 second.
“Previously, if the user released the shutter at a speed faster than the flash's synchronization speed, the amount of light would drop sharply, but with the full-speed flash synchronization function, it's now possible to photograph scenes that could not be easily captured with conventional technology,” the release continues. Also, when shooting stills or movies under LED lighting, the Hi Frequency Flicker function can reduce high-frequency flicker problems by allowing the shutter speed to be finely adjusted to match the flicker frequency while viewing the monitor.
The Alpha 9 III features selectable release lag modes which allows the user to prioritize release lag or viewfinder/monitor display. The newly developed Pre-Capture function allows the camera to continuously record up to one second before the shutter is released, making it easier to capture moments that would otherwise be missed. When selected, the Continuous Shooting Speed Boost function allows for the user to change to a faster, preset speed set by the user at any time during shooting, and enhanced burst stamina ensures that important moments are reliably captured due to a large buffer memory and increased overall system speed allow up to approximately 390 Fine JPEG images to be captured in one continuous 30 fps burst.
Customizable focus areas have been expanded to include from XS to XL in addition to the previous S, M, and L sizes. The Preset Focus/Zoom function allows preset focus and zoom settings to be memorized in the camera for quick recall when needed. In addition to the existing custom white balance frame size, the user can now select other sizes as needed which allows for fine white balance adjustment after an image has been composed. The Alpha 9 III has upgraded features such as the latest AF algorithms to achieve high AF precision down to light levels as low as EV-5 in AF-S mode (ISO 100 equivalent, F2.0 lens), AF tracking for continuous shooting at F22xiv and a composite RAW shooting function that gives the ability to combine multiple consecutive images into a high-quality composite.
Advanced Video Performance Without Distortion
The global shutter image sensor provides distortion-free image expression for videos as well as still images. For example, the user can shoot images of nearby scenery from a fast-moving vehicle such as a car or fast-moving subjects. This camera is the first in the Alpha series to be able to record 4K 120p high-frame-rate video without cropping, allowing the user to shoot at the angle of view intended. It is also possible to shoot high-resolution 4K 60p videos with 6K oversampling.
The Alpha 9 III has S-Cinetone, a unique Sony feature which can create a cinematic look straight out of the camera without post-processing. S-Cinetone was created through the development of the Venice high-end cinema camera and makes human skin tones and subjects stand out, creating natural highlights. The Alpha 9 III has the latest video performance including rich gradation performance and S-Log3, and when in Log shooting mode, it can reflect and display the user's favorite imported LUT (lookup table). The Alpha 9 III is compatible with the mobile app "Monitor & Control" for video creators.
For detailed product information about the Alpha 9 III, please visit: https://electronics.sony.com/imaging/interchangeable-lens-cameras/all-interchangeable-lens-cameras/p/ilce9m3b
Firmware Updates for the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III Models
In addition to the release of Alpha 9 III, Sony has announced new firmware updates for the Alpha 1 and Alpha 7S III full-frame mirrorless cameras. The new software will provide both models with some of Sony's latest imaging technologies including the highly requested Focus Breathing Compensation feature, IPTC and FTP workflow enhancement, and C2PA format support. The firmware will also update the Alpha 1 with Relay Playback, and the Alpha 7S III with DCI 4K 24.00P shooting format. The camera software update will be available in Spring 2024.
Pricing and Availability
The Alpha 9 III camera is available for pre-order Nov. 8, 2023, at a variety of Sony's authorized dealers, for a suggested retail price of $5,999.99 USD and $8,299.99 CAN.
The VG-C5 vertical grip is available for pre-order Nov. 8, 2023, at a variety of Sony's authorized dealers, for a suggested retail price of $399.99 USD and $549.99 CAN.
For full product information on the Sony Alpha 9 III, please visit: https://electronics.sony.com/imaging/interchangeable-lens-cameras/all-interchangeable-lens-cameras/p/ilce9m3b
For more product information about the VG-C5 vertical grip, please visit: https://www.sony.ca/en/electronics/interchangeable-lens-cameras-other-accessories/vg-c5
Product videos of the Alpha 9 III can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTSPPLRIYBg
Product Feature Video: https://youtu.be/3gCKcq4THNQ
Exclusive stories and new content shot with all the new microphones and Sony's other imaging products can be found at www.alphauniverse.com.
