Decision tools · Compare
A9 vs A9 II
Quick take: The A9 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·14 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.
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Verdictwhich should you buy?
A9 — Professional Sports, Wildlife & Action Photography: The camera that changed professional photography — the A9's 20fps blackout-free burst and silent shutter proved mirrorless had definitively surpassed the DSLR.
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.
Who should buy what
A9 (2017)
is the right camera for you if…
- Sports photographers who want the original 20fps mirrorless at a lower used price than the A9 II
- Wildlife photographers who need blackout-free burst with fast, reliable tracking
- Sony FE system users who want a professional sports body
- Photographers interested in the camera that changed the industry
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
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | A9Sony · 2017 | A9 IISony · 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,026 usedBest | £1,766 used |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS | 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS |
| Resolution | 24.2MP | 24.2MP |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p |
| Autofocus | 693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking | 693 phase-detect + 425 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE) | 20fps (blackout-free with full AF/AE) |
| Battery Life | ~650 shots (CIPA)Best | ~500 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 673g (with battery and card)Best | 678g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 95.6 × 63.0mm | 128.9 × 96.4 × 77.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free) | EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, HDMI | USB-C, Wi-Fi 5GHz, Bluetooth, Ethernet (LAN), HDMI |
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
A9 II
Portrait
7.5/10
7.6/10
Street
6.0/10
6.1/10
Travel
5.9/10
5.9/10
Wedding & Events
7.5/10
7.5/10
Filmmaking
6.7/10
6.7/10
Documentary
6.8/10
6.9/10
Sports & Action
8.2/10
8.3/10
Landscape
6.1/10
6.1/10
Wildlife
8.2/10
8.2/10
Casual
4.6/10
4.7/10
Food
6.5/10
6.8/10
Macro
5.8/10
5.9/10
Architecture
6.0/10
6.1/10
Astrophotography
7.3/10
7.2/10
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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