Upgrade Guide
Sony A9→Sony Cyber-shot RX10 III
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Skip it
The Cyber-shot RX10 III 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)
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 | Cyber-shot RX10 III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | -3.2 | ||
| Street | -2.3 | ||
| Travel | -1.9 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -3.8 | ||
| Filmmaking | -1.8 | ||
| Documentary | -1.9 | ||
| Sports & Action | -3.3 | ||
| Landscape | -1.8 | ||
| Wildlife | -2.5 | ||
| Casual | -2.3 | ||
| Food | -2.7 | ||
| Macro | -2.9 | ||
| Architecture | -1.9 | ||
| Astrophotography | -4.4 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | A9 | Cyber-shot RX10 III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,026 used | £559 used | |
| Released | 2017 | 2016 | ↓ |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS | 20.1MP 1-inch CMOS | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 20MP | ↓ |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p | 4K/30p (XAVC S), 1080p HFR up to 960fps, S-Log2 | |
| Autofocus | 693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking | 25-point contrast-detect AF, Eye AF | |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops | Optical SteadyShot (in the lens), no IBIS | |
| Burst Rate | 20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE) | 14fps (5fps with AF) | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~650 shots (CIPA) | ~420 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 673g (with battery and card) | 1095g (with battery and card) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free) | OLED EVF, 2.36M dots | |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots | |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-600mm f/2.4-4 | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD / Memory Stick slot |
Compare side-by-side
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