Sony a9 III Review: A COSTLY Revolution!

Summary

Chris Nichols reviews the Sony a9 III mirrorless camera, praising its handling, EVF, 120fps burst rate, and autofocus performance. However, he notes compromises due to the global shutter like poorer low light and dynamic range performance akin to APS-C cameras. He demonstrates flash sync and timing challenges at ultra high shutter speeds. For video, Jordan Drake used the a9 III finding the global shutter look professional but again limited dynamic range. Overall, they consider it best for specific sports/wildlife photographers and videographers needing a global shutter.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Sony a9 III has excellent autofocus and high burst shooting speeds thanks to its global shutter.
• 📷 The global shutter unlocks shutter speeds up to 1/32,000s and burst rates up to 120fps.
• 🌄 Dynamic range and low light performance are compromised compared to standard sensors.
• 🎥 The a9 III produces professional, cinematic-looking video with global shutter.
• 🔦 High speed sync with flash requires trial and error to align flash timing.
• 🏋️‍♂️ The a9 III excels at capturing fast action like sports and wildlife.
• 🤳 The EVF maintains full resolution even during continuous shooting.
• 📐 Ergonomics and handling are much improved with a deeper grip.
• 💡 Low light performance is on par with modern APS-C cameras, not contemporary full frame.
• 💰 At $5,499, it's expensive but a bargain compared to cinema cameras.

Q & A

What compromises come with using a global shutter sensor?

Global shutters tend to have worse low light performance, less dynamic range, and a higher base ISO compared to conventional sensors. The Sony a9 III specifically has low light performance comparable to modern APS-C cameras.

How fast can the Sony a9 III shoot in bursts?

The Sony a9 III can shoot at up to 120 frames per second in bursts, with no slowdown or loss of autofocus performance.

What memory cards work best for high burst shooting?

CFexpress Type A cards provide the fastest write speeds and are recommended for high burst rate shooting on the a9 III.

How does the EVF on the a9 III compare to previous models?

The over 9 million dot EVF maintains full resolution even during continuous autofocus and high burst shooting, finally delivering on the potential of such a high resolution viewfinder.

How does flash sync work on the global shutter?

The global shutter removes the normal flash sync speed limit, but very fast shutter speeds can cut off part of the flash duration, requiring tweaks to flash power and timing for optimal exposure.

How does video quality compare to full frame cameras without a global shutter?

Dynamic range and low light performance are reduced compared to conventional full frame sensors, now similar to modern APS-C cameras. But the global shutter provides a more professional, cinematic look.

What's the advantage of a fully articulating screen for video?

The fully articulating screen, borrowed from the A7R V, allows comfortable framing from high and low angles in both landscape and portrait orientation.

What new stabilization modes help with handheld video?

Dynamic Active mode provides very effective stabilization for handheld video including walking shots, without needing additional stabilization in post production.

Who is the target user for the Sony a9 III?

While useful for a small group of high speed sports photographers, the global shutter and video features make this camera most attractive to videographers and filmmakers.

How does the a9 III autofocus perform for action photography?

With excellent subject tracking at up to 120 fps bursts, the a9 III provides the highest hit rate and most confidence inspiring autofocus from any mirrorless camera.