Decision tools · Compare
A9 III vs FX3
Quick take: The A9 III has the highest resolution at 25MP; the FX3 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
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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.
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 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
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 IIISony · 2023 | FX3Sony · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £5,699 | £2,999Best |
| Sensor | 24.6MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS (global shutter) | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS (same as A7S III) |
| Resolution | 24.6MPBest | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p | 4K/120p, 4K/60p 10-bit, 12-bit RAW output, S-Log3, S-Cinetone |
| Autofocus | AI subject recognition AF, 759-point phase-detect | Real-time tracking with subject recognition (human, animal) |
| Stabilisation | 8-stop IBIS | 5-axis IBIS — 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 120fps blackout-free electronicBest | 10fps mechanical, 10fps electronic |
| Battery Life | 530 shots (CIPA) | ~640 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 703g (body only)Best | 715g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9mm | 129.7 × 78.0 × 84.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.64" Quad-XGA OLED EVF, 9.44M dots | None — monitor/external EVF use only |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.0" touchscreen, fully articulating |
| Mount | Sony FE (E-mount) | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2, HDMI A, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 | 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 III
FX3
Portrait
8.5/10
5.7/10
Street
6.6/10
4.3/10
Travel
6.4/10
5.5/10
Wedding & Events
8.5/10
6.0/10
Vlogging & Video
6.4/10
6.1/10
Filmmaking
8.2/10
9.1/10
Documentary
8.2/10
8.0/10
Sports & Action
9.4/10
5.5/10
Landscape
6.5/10
4.7/10
Wildlife
9.2/10
5.8/10
Casual
5.3/10
4.9/10
Food
7.9/10
6.7/10
Macro
7.6/10
5.5/10
Architecture
6.6/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
6.8/10
6.7/10
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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