Upgrade Guide

Sony A9→Sony A9 III

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

You own

Sony

£1,026 used

2017

→

Upgrade to

Sony

A9 III

£5,699 (+£4,673)

2023

✅

Worthwhile

Clear improvements over the A9. Whether it justifies the cost depends on which upgrades matter most to your shooting.

What's new in the A9 III

↑

Stabilisation

Improved — 8-stop IBIS
↑

Burst rate

120fps blackout-free electronic vs 20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE)
↑

Generation

6 years newer (2023 vs 2017)

Unchanged or similar

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.

Full spec comparison

Spec	A9	A9 III
Price	£1,026 used	£5,699
Released	2017	2023	↑
Sensor	24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS	24.6MP full-frame Exmor RS CMOS (global shutter)
Resolution	24MP	25MP	↑
Video	4K/30p, 1080p/120p	4K/120p, 4K/60p, 1080p/240p
Autofocus	693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking	AI subject recognition AF, 759-point phase-detect
Stabilisation	IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops	8-stop IBIS
Burst Rate	20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE)	120fps blackout-free electronic	↑
Battery Life	~650 shots (CIPA)	530 shots (CIPA)	↓
Weight	673g (with battery and card)	703g (body only)	↓
Weather Sealed	Yes	Yes
Viewfinder	EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free)	0.64" Quad-XGA OLED EVF, 9.44M dots
Screen	3.0" tilting touchscreen	3.2" fully articulating touchscreen
Mount	Sony FE (full-frame E-mount)	Sony FE (E-mount)
Memory Cards	Dual SD UHS-II slots	Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II

Compare side-by-side

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

Get a personalised upgrade score

Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the A9 III against your specific genres — not just specs.

Other upgrades from the A9

Camera family history