We’ll break down its design, handling, photo and video performance, lens compatibility, and more. Additionally, thanks to websites like MPB, buying a used mirrorless camera has never been cheaper and easier.
Who is MPB? It’s a trustworthy and innovative online platform that offers high-quality used photo and video gear at unbeatable prices. Better yet, every camera and lens it sells is hand-inspected by highly-trained product specialists with years of experience and backed by a six-month warranty, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.
MPB stands out from other photography companies because you can quickly and easily buy, sell, and trade used gear directly on their online platform. We have used it to upgrade our photography kits for years, and it has helped us save thousands of dollars along the way. If you want to do the same, visit their website today. Now, let’s learn more about the Sony a9 III!
Check out the video above by Tony & Chelsea Northrup to discover why the Sony a9 III is the ultimate wildlife and pet camera.
Table of Contents
Sony a9 III: Overview
The Sony a9 III is a pro-level camera designed for speed and performance. Its target audience is professional sports, action, and wildlife photographers. However, it’s also an excellent camera for anyone who wants to shoot moving subjects (the faster, the better!). Its autofocus and burst shooting speeds are both industry-leading.
Moreover, the Sony a9 III release date was spring 2024, making it the newest mirrorless camera in the Sony FE lineup. What makes it so special is that it’s the first-ever mirrorless camera with a “global shutter.” Benefits of the advanced global shutter include better speed, better flash photography, less banding, less distortion, less lag, and zero rolling shutter effects.
Now, here’s a more in-depth look at the Sony a9 III specs and key features:
- Camera Type: Mirrorless Camera
- Sensor: 24.6MP Full-Frame Stacked CMOS Sensor
- ISO: 250 – 25,600 (expandable t0 125 – 51,200)
- Lens Mount: Sony E Mount
- Speed: 120 fps
- Autofocus: 759 focus points
- Video: 4K/120p & 1080p/120p
- Size/Weight: 136 x 97 x 83 mm / 617 grams
- Battery Life: 530 shots
- Stabilization: Yes
- Touchscreen: Yes
- Weather-Sealed: Yes
- Used Sony a9 III Price: $5,799 – $5,829
Sony a9 III: Design & Handling
At first glance, you won’t notice any major differences between the Sony a9 III and other recent Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras. However, the minor changes are significant and will make your life in the field way easier once you get used to them.
For example, the a9 III now has five customizable buttons, which allow you to personalize your controls more effectively and create a faster workflow. Additionally, the shutter button placement has been adjusted (tilted down), the grip is deeper, and the electronic viewfinder refresh rate is faster (120 or 240 fps). All of these enhance the ergonomics of the a9 III.
Sony a9 III: Imaging Capabilities
The signature feature of the Sony a9 III is its lightning-fast burst shooting speed. It can shoot continuously at an unbelievable 120 fps, which blows all other cameras (mirrorless and DSLR) out of the water. It pairs that speed with a buffer that can capture up to 196 14-bit RAW files. That number jumps to 700 if you shoot JPEGs.
Another awesome photo feature is the new “pre-capture” mode, which allows the camera to save images to the buffer between 0.5 and 1 second before the shutter button is fully pressed. This gives you extra wiggle room when shooting bursts and can make the difference between capturing the perfect frame or going home empty-handed.
Furthermore, as you might expect from a premium camera, the image quality is spectacular. Detail retention is excellent because of the camera’s wide dynamic range, images are usually sharp thanks to the fast and reliable autofocus, and colors are some of the best we’ve seen on a Sony camera.
Sony a9 III: Video Capabilities
Hybrid content creators will also be pleased with the video package the Sony a9 III offers. It can shoot oversampled 4K video at up to 120 fps and 1080p/120p Full HD video, which is great news for everyone from professional videographers to social media users who love slow-motion video.
Other notable video features include various professional video codecs (H.264 & H.265) and color profiles (S-Log3 & S-Cinetone), in-body image stabilization (IBIS rated to 8 stops of exposure), and multiple memory card slots (CFexpress Type A & UHS-II SD).
Recommended Lenses for the Sony a9 III
Here’s a quick list of some of the best Sony lenses for photos and video that you can use with the Sony a9 III.
- Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II
- Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II
- Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM
- Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM
- Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS
Final Thoughts on the Sony a9 III
If getting a camera with unmatched speed is your top priority, there’s no better camera currently on the market than the Sony a9 III. It’s the go-to choice for many pro wildlife and sports photographers, and it’s not even close. On top of that, it’s a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the Sony a9 II. Also, if you want to extend the camera’s battery life, we recommend investing in the Sony VG-C5 camera grip.
Lastly, before you go, here are a few more of today’s most popular Sony mirrorless cameras. You can compare and contrast them with the a9 III to help you choose the perfect next camera for your creative needs and budget. All the best cameras below are in stock and on sale now at MPB!
- Best Overall Sony Camera: Sony a1
- Best High-Resolution Sony Camera: Sony Alpha a7R V
- Best Sony Camera for Video: Sony Alpha a7S III
- Best Sony Full-Frame Camera for Beginners: Sony Alpha a7 IV
- Best Sony APS-C Camera: Sony Alpha a6700
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