Upgrade Guide
Sony A9→Sony FX3
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Situational
One clear hardware improvement over the A9. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.
What's new in the FX3
-
Generation4 years newer (2021 vs 2017)
Unchanged or similar
-
Resolution12MP (down from 24MP — optimised for low light)
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A9 | FX3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sports & Action | — | ||
| Wildlife | — | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | ||
| Portrait | -2.0 | ||
| Travel | -3.0 | ||
| Vlogging & Video | +5.0 | ||
| Low Light | — | ||
| Street | — | ||
| Wedding | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | A9 | FX3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,999 | £3,799 | |
| Released | 2017 | 2021 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 24.2MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS Exmor RS | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS (same as A7S III) | |
| Resolution | 24MP | 12MP | ↓ |
| Video | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p | 4K/120p, 4K/60p 10-bit, 12-bit RAW output, S-Log3, S-Cinetone | |
| Autofocus | 693 phase-detect + 25 contrast-detect, real-time eye/body tracking | Real-time tracking with subject recognition (human, animal) | |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — 5-axis, up to 5 stops | 5-axis IBIS — 5 stops | |
| Burst Rate | 20fps (blackout-free, silent electronic shutter with full AF/AE) | 10fps mechanical, 10fps electronic | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~650 shots (CIPA) | ~640 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 673g (with battery and card) | 715g body only (with XLR handle) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | EVF, OLED 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification, 60fps refresh (blackout-free) | None — monitor/external EVF use only | |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" touchscreen, fully articulating | |
| Mount | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) | |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots |
Compare side-by-side
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