Upgrade Guide
Sony A9→Sony A5000
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Skip it
The A5000 offers little measurable spec improvement over the A9. Spend the money on glass instead.
Unchanged or similar
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Resolution20MP (down from 24MP — optimised for low light)
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Weather sealingNot present in new body
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | A9 | A5000 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -3.2 | ||
| Street | +0.5 | ||
| Travel | +0.2 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -4.9 | ||
| Filmmaking | — | ||
| Documentary | -3.3 | ||
| Sports & Action | -5.1 | ||
| Landscape | -1.4 | ||
| Wildlife | -4.0 | ||
| Casual | -0.3 | ||
| Food | -1.3 | ||
| Macro | -1.1 | ||
| Architecture | -1.2 | ||
| Astrophotography | -2.5 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | A9 | A5000 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,026 used | £78 used | |
| Released | 2017 | 2014 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS | 20.1MP APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 20MP | ↓ |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p | Full HD 1080 (60i / 25p AVCHD), 1440×1080/30p MP4 | |
| Autofocus | 693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking | 25-point contrast AF with face detection | |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | |
| Burst Rate | 20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE) | 3.5fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~650 shots (CIPA) | ~420 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 673g (with battery and card) | 269g (with battery) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Not weather sealed | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free) | None (rear screen only) | |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" 180° flip-up LCD, 460k dots | |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony E-mount | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD slot |
Compare side-by-side
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