Sony · Camera History
Sony A9 Series
Sony's professional sports and action full-frame mirrorless line.
The Sony A9 series is built for photographers who cannot afford to miss a shot. The original A9 introduced a stacked sensor enabling 20fps blackout-free shooting — the moment mirrorless definitively surpassed DSLRs for sports. The A9 II refined the formula with a LAN port and improved tracking. The A9 III pushed further with a global shutter enabling 120fps burst with zero rolling shutter.
1
Generation 1
Sony A9
24MP
4K/30p, 1080p/120p
693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking
IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops
20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE)
~650 shots (CIPA)
Weather sealed
673g (with battery and card)
2
Generation 2
Sony A9 II
24MP
4K/30p, 1080p/120p
693 phase-detect + 425 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking
IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5.5 stops
20fps (blackout-free with full AF/AE)
~500 shots (CIPA)
Weather sealed
678g (with battery and card)
What's new in this generation
- Price: +£1,300 vs previous
3
Current generation
Sony Sony A9 III
25MP
4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p
AI subject recognition AF, 759-point phase-detect
8-stop IBIS
120fps blackout-free electronic
530 shots (CIPA)
Weather sealed
703g body only
What's new in this generation
- Stabilisation improved (8-stop IBIS)
- Burst rate: 120fps blackout-free electronic
- Video: 4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p
- Price: +£2,700 vs previous
All generations at a glance
| Spec | A9 (2017) | A9 II (2019) | Sony A9 III (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1999 | £3299 | £5999 |
| Resolution | 24MP | 24MP | 25MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p | 4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5.5 stops | 8-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE) | 20fps (blackout-free with full AF/AE) | 120fps blackout-free electronic |
| Battery | ~650 shots (CIPA) | ~500 shots (CIPA) | 530 shots (CIPA) |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 673g (with battery and card) | 678g (with battery and card) | 703g body only |