Sony has introduced the newest in its line of widespread skilled mirrorless cameras: the A9 III. It’s a $5,999 full-frame digital camera with a stacked 24.6-megapixel sensor that succeeds the A9 II launched 4 years in the past. However an important factor concerning the A9 III is its new shutter.
The A9 III is the primary full-frame digital camera to make use of a worldwide shutter. This permits it to reveal each pixel on the identical time so there isn’t a distortion in each stills and video. Inside most mirrorless cameras, such because the Canon R5, Panasonic GH5, and Nikon Z9, there’s a rolling shutter. Rolling shutters seize a picture by exposing row by row of pixels, which may result in distortion. Beneath is a graphic from Lensrentals.com that reveals this distinction properly.
Due to this new world shutter, the A9 III is able to 4K 120fps video with no crop, 120fps 14-bit RAW taking pictures for 192 frames with real-time AF, flash sync at any shutter velocity, and a max shutter velocity of 1/80,000 (1/16,000 throughout steady taking pictures). There’s additionally a one-second pre-capture that may preemptively seize 120 frames earlier than the shutter is pressed and a customized button perform that may briefly enhance shutter velocity throughout a steady shutter press. This permits photographers to ramp shutter speeds with out lifting their finger off of the shutter button. These are very spectacular and quick specs.
The issue with a worldwide shutter, although, is it usually doesn’t carry out as properly in low gentle, and it usually doesn’t present as a lot dynamic vary. Sony made no claims about low-light efficiency through the keynote at the moment, however the A9 III’s spec sheet boasts it will probably seize photographs at as much as 51,200 ISO. The A9 lineup has lengthy prioritized velocity over increased decision or excessive low-light efficiency, and the A9 III seems to be designed to hold on that torch.
Up till this level, the A9 II had turn out to be Sony’s forgotten flagship. In 2019, when it launched, it had the newest and best tech, together with blackout-free steady 20fps taking pictures and a 24.2-megapixel sensor. It was a perfect digital camera for skilled sports activities pictures, however then, Sony launched the A1 in January 2021. The A1 was faster, had extra megapixels, higher focusing speeds, and a brand new, quicker processing engine, leaving the A9 II within the mud.
I had all however forgotten concerning the A9 till at the moment, however its historical past of being tuned for photographers who want absolutely the quickest speeds is alive once more. We should put all of those speedy specs to the take a look at after we get our arms on a evaluate unit within the coming months, so keep tuned for that. The Sony A9 III might be out there subsequent spring for $5,999.