First-Time Film Photographers & Casual Everyday Shooting — Ektar H35 (2022): A delightful entry point into film — affordable, simple, and produces genuinely lovely half-frame pairs. The best value film camera on the market.
Sports & Action Professionals — Sony A9 III (2023): A paradigm-shifting camera — the global shutter eliminates every rolling shutter limitation that has constrained action photography for years.
Who should buy what
Sony A9 III (2023)
Quick take: The ektar h35 is the most affordable; only the sony a9 iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Ektar H35 (2022) | Sony A9 III (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £40 | £5,999 |
| Sensor | 35mm half-frame (18 × 24mm) | 24.6MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS (global shutter) |
| Resolution | — | 24.6MP |
| Video | N/A — film camera | 4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Fixed focus (~1m to ∞) | AI subject recognition AF, 759-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | N/A — film camera | 8-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | Manual wind-on | 120fps blackout-free electronic |
| Battery Life | 1× AA alkaline battery | 530 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | ~125g (without battery) | 703g body only |
| Dimensions | 105 × 62 × 37mm | 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | Optical viewfinder | 0.64" Quad-XGA OLED EVF, 9.44M dots |
| Screen | N/A | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | 35mm film (ISO 100–400 recommended) | Sony FE (E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | 35mm 135-format film cartridge | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | N/A | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Ektar H35 | Sony A9 III |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Street | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
More comparisons with Ektar H35
Camera family history