Decision tools · Compare
A9 II vs FX3
Quick take: The A9 II has the highest resolution at 24MP; the A9 II is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·15 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.
Sony
FX3 2021
Best for Professional video, documentary & cinematic filmmaking
£2999
new today at Wex Photo Video
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 II — Professional Sports, Wildlife & Photojournalism: The A9 II polished the A9's groundbreaking formula — 20fps blackout-free, improved subject tracking, and a LAN port made it the professional sports standard.
FX3 — Professional Video, Documentary & Cinematic Filmmaking: The definitive run-and-gun cinema camera — A7S III sensor quality in a body built specifically for video professionals.
Who should buy what
A9 II (2019)
is the right camera for you if…
- Sports photographers who need 20fps with reliable eye and body tracking
- Photojournalists who need LAN transfer and instant wireless file delivery
- Wildlife photographers who want the fastest Sony AF in a proven body
- A9 owners who need the improved ergonomics, weather sealing, and Ethernet
FX3 (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional videographers and filmmakers who need cinema-quality colour science in a compact body
- Documentary and run-and-gun shooters who need 4K/120p and built-in XLR audio
- Sony A7S III owners who want a purpose-built video body alongside their stills camera
- Gimbal and drone operators who need a compact full-frame cinema camera
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A9 IISony · 2019 | FX3Sony · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,766 usedBest | £2,999 |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS (same as A7S III) |
| Resolution | 24.2MPBest | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p | 4K/120p, 4K/60p 10-bit, 12-bit RAW output, S-Log3, S-Cinetone |
| Autofocus | 693 phase-detect + 425 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking | Real-time tracking with subject recognition (human, animal) |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5.5 stops | 5-axis IBIS — 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 20fps (blackout-free with full AF/AE)Best | 10fps mechanical, 10fps electronic |
| Battery Life | ~500 shots (CIPA) | ~640 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 678g (with battery and card)Best | 715g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 128.9 × 96.4 × 77.5mm | 129.7 × 78.0 × 84.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification | None — monitor/external EVF use only |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" touchscreen, fully articulating |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, Ethernet (LAN), HDMI | USB-C (10Gbps), full-size HDMI, XLR via handle, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
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
A9 II
FX3
Portrait
7.6/10
5.7/10
Street
6.1/10
4.3/10
Travel
5.9/10
5.5/10
Wedding & Events
7.5/10
6.0/10
Filmmaking
6.7/10
9.1/10
Documentary
6.9/10
8.0/10
Sports & Action
8.3/10
5.5/10
Landscape
6.1/10
4.7/10
Wildlife
8.2/10
5.8/10
Casual
4.7/10
4.9/10
Food
6.8/10
6.7/10
Macro
5.9/10
5.5/10
Architecture
6.1/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
7.2/10
6.7/10
Vlogging & Video
—
6.1/10
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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