Upgrade Guide

Sony A1→Sony Sony A9 III

Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.

You own

Sony

£5999

2021

→

Upgrade to

Sony

Sony A9 III

£5999 (+£0)

2023

✅

Strong upgrade

The Sony A9 III improves across 4 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most A1 owners will notice the difference.

What's new in the Sony A9 III

↑

Stabilisation

Improved — 8-stop IBIS
↑

Burst rate

120fps blackout-free electronic vs 30fps electronic with full AF/AE
↑

Battery life

530 shots (CIPA) vs ~430 shots (CIPA)
↑

Generation

2 years newer (2023 vs 2021)

Unchanged or similar

Suitability by genre

Full spec comparison

Spec	A1	Sony A9 III
Price	£5,999	£5,999
Released	2021	2023	↑
Sensor	50.1MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS	24.6MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS (global shutter)
Resolution	50MP	25MP	↓
Video	8K/30p, 4K/120p, 1080p/240p	4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p
Autofocus	Real-time Tracking, AI subject recognition — 759 phase-detect points	AI subject recognition AF, 759-point phase-detect
Stabilisation	IBIS — up to 5.5 stops	8-stop IBIS
Burst Rate	30fps electronic with full AF/AE	120fps blackout-free electronic	↑
Battery Life	~430 shots (CIPA)	530 shots (CIPA)	↑
Weight	737g (with battery)	703g body only	↑
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	EVF, 9.44M dots, 0.90× magnification, 240fps	0.64" Quad-XGA OLED EVF, 9.44M dots
Screen	3.0" fully tilting touchscreen	3.2" fully articulating touchscreen
Mount	Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount)	Sony FE (E-mount)
Memory Cards	Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II	Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II

Compare side-by-side

See A1 and Sony A9 III next to each other with our interactive comparison tool.

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