You thought cameras couldn’t get any better? Think again – the Sony A9 III proves that.
Sony has just dropped a bombshell that’s about to redefine the game – the A9 III. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill camera; it’s the world’s first full-frame camera with a global shutter.
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. This 24.6MP beast boasts a base ISO of 250, promising stellar ISO performance and dynamic range. Sony’s not playing games here; they’ve unleashed the Bionz XR processors, delivering a whopping eight times more processing power than its predecessor, the a9 II.
But here’s where it gets juicy – the Alpha 9 Mark III can shoot at an eye-watering 120 fps with no blackout. Imagine capturing the essence of motion without missing a beat, a feat previously reserved for the wildest dreams of photographers. And that maximum shutter speed of 1/80,000 sec? It’s not a typo.
The global shutter is the unsung hero here, offering photos with zero distortion of movement. It’s like freezing time itself. Sony’s promising a jaw-dropping 8EV of in-body stabilization.
Now, let’s talk numbers. The Alpha 9 Mark III can shoot 120 fps with full autofocus conducting calculations between each shot. It’s a symphony of data, capturing 192 frames and 6GB/s in a mere 1.6 seconds of 14-bit Raw files. Oh, and did I mention it can pre-buffer for up to 1 second, giving you a sneak peek of 120 frames before you even hit the shutter?
But what about the lenses, you ask? Sony’s got you covered with a list of lenses capable of shooting at 120fps with full AE and AF in AF-C mode. It’s a dance of precision and technology, a waltz of autofocus excellence.
The CMOS sensor with a global shutter is of course not your average sensor; it’s a game-changer. Stacked CMOS technology, a marvel in itself, allows for separate layers of photodiode and readout circuitry. It’s a ballet of space optimization, ensuring dynamic range isn’t sacrificed.
Sony’s not spilling all the beans on the sensor, but it appears to be a two-layer design, a departure from the three-layer approach in smartphone sensors. And that base ISO of 250? It’s a deliberate choice, a nod to maintain maximum dynamic range.
The global shutter means the Alpha 9 Mark III can sync at up to 1/80,000 sec, bidding farewell to the need for High-Speed Sync. No more worrying about banding from artificial lights – the ‘Anti-Flicker’ mode syncs the shutter with the bright point in the light’s cycle, ensuring consistent exposure.
And for all you low-light warriors, fear not. This marvel is rated to focus down to -5EV with an F1.8 aperture lens.
But Sony doesn’t stop there. The Alpha 9 Mark III is not just a stills powerhouse; it’s a cinematic maestro. It can shoot 4K/60p from 6K capture and 4K/120p without any crop. It’s a visual symphony, offering 10-bit 4:2:2 capture, the S-Cinetone profile, and ’16-bit’ Raw video output over HDMI.
Let’s talk about the design because, let’s face it, looks matter. A 2M-dot 3.2″ rear screen with full articulation and a tilt-out cradle. The 9.44M-dot OLED viewfinder with 0.9x magnification runs at a full resolution of 120fps or a reduced resolution at 240fps.
The shutter button’s been strategically moved for ergonomic bliss, with a fifth function button thrown into the mix for good measure.
Oh, and Sony’s also introducing a lens – the FE 300mm F2.8 GM OSS. Weighing in at 1470g, it’s the lightest in its class. Not much else is known about the lens, but it looks damm well ready for action for all you bird watchers and sports games enthusiasts.
And in a final act of generosity, Sony promises firmware updates for the a7S III and the a1, adding features like breathing compensation and DCI 4K capture.
The Sony A9 III and 300mm GM lens will be available from Spring 2024, with a recommended price of USD$5999.
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