Decision tools · Compare
120N vs A9 III
Quick take: The 120N is the most affordable; only the A9 III is weather sealed.
Different kinds of camera — their specs aren't comparable, so read the rows as facts, not a contest.
16 specs side by side·16 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
A9 III — Sports & Action Professionals: A paradigm-shifting camera — the global shutter eliminates every rolling shutter limitation that has constrained action photography for years.
Who should buy what
A9 III (2023)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional sports photographers who need zero blackout and 120fps burst
- Wildlife photographers who demand the most advanced Sony AF available
- Photojournalists who need flash sync at any shutter speed
- A9 II owners upgrading to the world's first full-frame global shutter
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | 120NHolga | A9 IIISony · 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £17 usedBest | £5,699 |
| Sensor | — | 24.6MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS (global shutter) |
| Resolution | — | 24.6MP |
| Video | — | 4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | — | AI subject recognition AF, 759-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | — | 8-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | — | 120fps blackout-free electronic |
| Battery Life | — | 530 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | — | 703g (body only) |
| Dimensions | — | 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm |
| Weather Sealed | Not weather sealed | YesBest |
| Viewfinder | — | 0.64" Quad-XGA OLED EVF, 9.44M dots |
| Screen | — | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Fixed lens | Sony FE (E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | — | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | — | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
120N
A9 III
Fun & simple
5.8/10
—
Portrait
—
8.5/10
Street
—
6.6/10
Travel
—
6.4/10
Wedding & Events
—
8.5/10
Vlogging & Video
—
6.4/10
Filmmaking
—
8.2/10
Documentary
—
8.2/10
Sports & Action
—
9.4/10
Landscape
—
6.5/10
Wildlife
—
9.2/10
Casual
—
5.3/10
Food
—
7.9/10
Macro
—
7.6/10
Architecture
—
6.6/10
Astrophotography
—
6.8/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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