Sony A9 vs A7 III

Sony A9 vs A7 III – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Camera, Sony

Both Sony A9 & A7 III share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as image quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Sony A9 rather than Sony A7 III .

Why Do I Recommend Sony A9

  • The Sony A9 uses a advanced stacked CMOS sensor which provides faster data processing and reduces rolling shutter effects compared to the traditional CMOS sensor in the a7 III.
  • With up to 20 fps using its electronic shutter, the a9 outrank the a7III’s maximum of 10 fps, 2x more in continuous drive mode making A9 better for capturing fast action without missing critical moments.
  • The Sony A9 offers 650 shots in a single charge & Sony A7 III  610 shot;  40 shots longer battery life per charge making the A9 more suitable for extended shooting sessions.
  • The A9 offers 1440k dot compared to Sony A7 III’s 921.6k dots, which ensures  518.4k dots higher resolution (screen), allowing sharp and more detailed images viewing experience.
  • The improved viewfinder 3686.4k dot resolution in the Sony A9 offer 56% higher resolution for better clarity and detail compared to the Sony A7 III’s 2360k dot.
  • The Sony A9 has a Flash Sync Port which allows for easy connection to external flash for more advanced photography lighting techniques, on the other hand Sony A7 III don’t have this port
  • Sony A9 has a Ethernet Port that can easily connect the camera to a network for fast and seamless image transfer which is not available in Sony A7 III.
  • The A9 includes more customizable buttons and a slightly different body layout optimized for quick adjustments, appealing more to professional users for quick access to a variety of settings.

Maybe Sony A7 III the  price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Sony A9. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Side By Side Comparison

Feature Sony A9 Sony A7III
Sensor Type 24.2 MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS stacked 24.2 MP full-frame Exmor R CMOS
Image Processor BIONZ X with front-end LSI BIONZ X
ISO Sensitivity Standard: 100-51200, Expandable: 50-204800 Standard: 100-51200, Expandable: 50-204800
Autofocus Points 693 phase-detection / 25 contrast-detection 693 phase-detection / 425 contrast-detection
Autofocus Sensitivity -3 EV to +20 EV -3 EV to +20 EV
Continuous Shooting Mechanical Shutter: 5 fps, Electronic Shutter: 20 fps Mechanical Shutter: 10 fps, Electronic Shutter: 8 fps
Buffer Depth 241 RAW / 362 JPEG 89 RAW / 177 JPEG
Video Resolution 4K UHD 3840 x 2160p at 24/25/30 fps, Full HD up to 120 fps 4K UHD 3840 x 2160p at 24/25/30 fps, Full HD up to 120 fps
Video Bit Depth 8 bit internal, 14 bit RAW output 8 bit internal, 14 bit RAW output
Stabilization 5-axis sensor-shift stabilization up to 5 stops 5-axis sensor-shift stabilization up to 5 stops
Electronic Shutter Silent Shooting mode with no blackout Silent Shooting mode
Viewfinder Resolution 3.68M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
Viewfinder Magnification 0.78x 0.78x
LCD Screen 3-inch tilting touchscreen, 1.44M dots 3-inch tilting touchscreen, 921k dots
Flash Sync Speed 1/250 sec 1/250 sec
Battery Model NP-FZ100 NP-FZ100
Battery Life (CIPA) 650 shots 610 shots
Wireless Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, Ethernet Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC
Physical Ports USB Type-C, Micro HDMI, Microphone, Headphone, Ethernet USB Type-C, Micro HDMI, Microphone, Headphone
Memory Card Slots Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compatible) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I compatible)
Weather Sealing Yes Yes
Body Material Magnesium alloy Magnesium alloy
Dimensions 126.9 x 95.6 x 63.0 mm 126.9 x 95.6 x 73.7 mm
Weight Approx. 673g (body only) Approx. 650g (body only)
Price Check A9 Price Check A7 III Price

What Common Both Can Do?

The Sony a7III and Sony a9 share several common capabilities, making them both excellent choices for various types of photography. Here’s what they can both do:

  1. High-Resolution Full-Frame Sensors: Both cameras are equipped with a 24.2 MP full-frame sensor, delivering high-quality images with good detail and dynamic range.
  2. 4K Video Recording: Each camera can record in 4K resolution, providing sharp and detailed video suitable for professional video production.
  3. ISO Sensitivity: Both cameras offer an ISO range of 100-51200, expandable to 50-204800, allowing for versatile shooting in a range of lighting conditions, from bright daylight to low light.
  4. 5-Axis Image Stabilization: They both include 5-axis in-body image stabilization, which helps to reduce camera shake and is particularly useful in handheld shooting scenarios and while using slower shutter speeds.
  5. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Connectivity: Each camera has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, enabling wireless control and easy sharing of images and videos to mobile devices.
  6. Dual SD Card Slots: Both the a7III and a9 come with dual SD card slots, enhancing file storage flexibility and providing options for simultaneous backup or extended storage capacity.
  7. Weather-Sealing: They are both constructed with weather-sealed bodies, making them resistant to dust and moisture and suitable for use in various environmental conditions.
  8. Electronic Viewfinder: Each model features an OLED electronic viewfinder, providing a bright and clear view of the subject, which is critical for accurate framing and focusing.
  9. Tilting Touchscreen LCD: Both cameras boast a tilting touchscreen LCD that facilitates easier shooting at various angles and provides intuitive control over focus points and menu navigation.
  10. USB Charging and Power: They can be powered and charged via USB, a convenient feature for photographers on the go who might need to charge from portable power banks or other USB sources.
  11. Creative Styles and Picture Profiles: Both offer various creative styles and picture profiles, including S-Log and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma), which give users considerable flexibility in how they capture and process images and videos.

Common Features

Feature Sony A9  Sony a7III 
Sensor Resolution 24.2 MP full-frame CMOS 24.2 MP full-frame CMOS
4K Video Recording Yes, up to 30 fps Yes, up to 30 fps
ISO Range 100-51200 (expandable to 50-204800) 100-51200 (expandable to 50-204800)
Image Stabilization 5-axis in-body stabilization 5-axis in-body stabilization
Wireless Connectivity Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth
Dual SD Card Slots Yes Yes
Weather-Sealing Yes Yes
Electronic Viewfinder OLED electronic viewfinder OLED electronic viewfinder
Tilting Touchscreen LCD Yes, tilting touchscreen LCD Yes, tilting touchscreen LCD
USB Charging Yes Yes
Creative Styles and Picture Profiles Includes S-Log and HLG Includes S-Log and HLG
Price Check A9 Price Check A7 III Price

FAQ

What is the main difference in sensor technology between the Sony a7III and Sony a9?
The Sony a7III uses a standard full-frame CMOS sensor, while the Sony a9 features a more advanced full-frame stacked CMOS sensor, which provides faster data readout speeds and improved performance in high-speed shooting and video recording.

Can both the Sony a7III and Sony a9 record in 4K?
Yes, both cameras can record in 4K resolution, making them suitable for high-quality video production.

What are the ISO ranges for the Sony a7III and Sony a9, and what does this mean for shooting in low light?
Both cameras have an ISO range of 100-51200, expandable to 50-204800, allowing them to perform well in a variety of lighting conditions, including low light.

Do the Sony a7III and Sony a9 both have in-body image stabilization?
Yes, both models include 5-axis in-body image stabilization, which helps to minimize camera shake and is especially useful when shooting handheld in low light or at slower shutter speeds.

How do the autofocus systems of the Sony a7III and Sony a9 compare?
The Sony a7III has a hybrid autofocus system with 693 phase-detection points and 425 contrast-detection points, whereas the Sony a9 also has 693 phase-detection points but only 25 contrast-detection points, with a focus on speed and tracking performance, making it ideal for action and sports photography.

Are the Sony a7III and Sony a9 good choices for professional photographers?
Both cameras are excellent choices for professionals, but the Sony a9 offers features particularly valuable in fast-paced professional environments, such as faster continuous shooting rates and a more robust autofocus system.

What types of memory cards do the Sony a7III and Sony a9 support?
Both cameras have dual SD card slots. The Sony a7III supports UHS-I cards, while the Sony a9 supports the faster UHS-II cards, which is better for high-speed bursts and video recording.

Which camera is better for videography, the Sony a7III or the Sony a9?
Both are strong contenders, but the Sony a7III offers slightly more video-centric features like Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) for immediate HDR workflow and S-Log profiles, which provide more flexibility in post-production.

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