Featuring the world’s first full-frame image sensor with a global shutter system, the α9 III is a game changer, capturing fast-moving subjects with absolutely no rolling shutter distortion and preserving split-second moments in stunning detail.

Unprecendented imagery from the world's first¹ camera with global shutter full-frame image sensor
The α9 III features the world’s first¹ full-frame stacked 24.6 MP² CMOS image sensor with a global shutter system. Unlike a rolling shutter sensor that records images sequentially from the top row of pixels to the bottom, the newly developed Exmor RS™ image sensor exposes and reads all pixels simultaneously so the camera can capture fast-moving subjects with absolutely no rolling shutter distortion. Combined with a maximum shutter speed of 1/80,000 second (1/16,000 second during continuous shooting)⁴, the α9 III is a game changer for professional photography.

Blackout-free, 120 fps continuous shooting with full AF/AE tracking
The α9 III is defined by speed and accuracy, enabling it to capture decisive moments with ease. It’s capable of shooting continuous bursts at up to 120 fps with full AF/AE tracking³, all without viewfinder blackout, and its highly advanced AI processing unit recognizes subjects with astonishingly high precision and reliability.

Preserve split-second moments with maximum shutter speed of 1/80,000 second⁴
At 1/80,000 second⁴, the maximum shutter speed of the α9 III makes it easy to capture fast-moving subjects in almost any situation. What's more, a compatible flash unit from Sony (such as the HVL-F60RM2 or HVL-F46RM)⁵ can synchronize at all shutter speeds, eliminating the steep, nonlinear drop-off in illumination that occurs with high-speed sync (HSS) and ensuring even illumination across the image.

Exmor RS image sensor with global shutter system
The new full-frame global shutter image sensor is equipped with 24.6 million effective pixels, a stacked CMOS architecture and integral memory. This offers high resolution, overwhelming speed, and simultaneous full-pixel readout, so even fast-moving subjects can be captured distortion-free. The sensor's stacked structure and advanced A/D conversion enable high-speed processing to proceed with minimal delay.

BIONZ XR™ image processing engine boosts overall processing speed by up to 8x⁶
With up to eight times⁶ more processing power than previous versions, the BIONZ XR image processing engine minimizes processing latency while markedly boosting image processing power. The high volume of data generated by the newly developed Exmor RS™ image sensor can be processed in real time even while shooting continuous bursts at up to 120 fps³ to significantly improves image quality. The camera can also capture high-quality 14-bit RAW images in all still shooting modes.

Composite RAW Shooting reduces noise
Composite RAW Shooting captures multiple images (4, 8, 16, or 32, selectable) which can then be merged using Sony’s Imaging Edge Desktop™ computer application software to create full-resolution images with very low noise.⁷ This makes it possible to shoot wildlife at high shutter speeds or portraits in low light, achieving exceptionally high image quality with low noise, even at higher ISO settings. When shooting at low sensitivity levels, the α9 III can use Composite RAW to create images with reduced false color and jaggies.

Advanced optical 5-axis image stabilization
Shoot handheld with confidence. The α9 III is packed with a high-precision image stabilization unit, advanced gyro sensors, and optimized image stabilization algorithms to effectively detect and correct camera shake, offering 8.0-step⁸ stabilization. This is further supported by compatible lenses with built-in image stabilization⁹ and improved communication between the camera and lenses, providing effective control for blur-free shooting even at telephoto focal lengths.

Blackout-free shooting for uninterrupted view during fast-paced shooting
Enjoy an uninterrupted view through the blackout-free viewfinder, even during fast-paced continuous shooting — a game changer for shooting sports and other fast-moving subjects. What’s more, the distracting time lag that is usually associated with EVF viewing has been reduced to a minimum, so that fleeting moments can be captured with confidence.

Up to 120 AF/AE tracking calculations per second¹⁰
Let the camera keep track — the high-speed readout of the new image sensor enables the α9 III to make up to 120 AF/AE tracking calculations per second¹⁰, twice that of its predecessor. AF tracks complex subject motions and predicts sudden movements with greater precision than ever before, while AE easily responds to sudden brightness variations. The α9 III continues to track even during continuous shooting, also contributing to greater precision.

Never miss a moment with Pre-Capture¹¹
Pre-Capture records the moments that occurred before the shutter was released. Settable from 0.005 to 1 second¹², it’s available in any file format up to 120 fps³ with full AF/AE tracking. This makes it easier to capture split-second moments, such as images of birds taking flight, even if actual shutter release is a little late.

Continuous Shooting Speed Boost rapidly increases frame rate to capture the action
Continuous Shooting Speed Boost¹³ temporarily boosts the shooting speed while shooting bursts, ensuring you capture all the action. This is beneficial when shooting sports and other fast-paced activities when the timing of the key moment can be roughly predicted.

Real-time Recognition AF14 identifies and tracks subjects even if face/eye obscured
With its innovative AI processing unit, the α9 III can use subject form data to accurately recognize movement. Human pose estimation technology recognizes not just eyes but also body and head position with high precision. This makes it possible to lock onto and track a subject facing away from the camera or whose face is covered. A distant human subject that occupies only a small area of the frame (even smaller than in previous Real-time Recognition AF iterations) can be recognized if the subject is near the focus area when the shutter is half-pressed while shooting with continuous AF. This can speed up focus acquisition on an athlete approaching from a distance at a track-and-field or ski event, for example.

Flash sync at up to 1/80,000⁴ shutter speed vastly expands creative possibilities
With a compatible flash unit from Sony (such as the HVL-F60RM2 or HVL-F46RM⁵, the α9 III can perform full flash synchronization right up to the maximum 1/80,000⁴ second shutter speed. This allows flash to be used for extra subject illumination when shooting outdoors in bright daylight with a high shutter speed, reducing the need for large lighting setups and vastly expanding creative shooting possibilities.

New front Custom button provides easier operation while holding the grip
An update to the Sony’s Alpha design, the α9 III comes with a custom button on the front for faster, easier operation while holding the grip. This makes it even more adaptable to different shooting styles and needs. For example, you can assign the Continuous Speed Shooting Boost function to the front button to allow instant speed boost when shooting bursts.

Dual CFexpress Type A /SDXC/SDHC compatible media slots
As well as UHS-I and UHS-II SD cards, the α9 III’s media slots support CFexpress Type A cards. These are ideally suited to high-speed continuous still shooting at up to 120 fps³ and provide high write speeds that quickly clear the buffers of cameras that generate high volumes of still image and movie data. Users can also save data to different media slots according to file type, image size, and image quality, streamlining workflow.

Notes:

1. Among interchangeable-lens digital cameras. As of the November 2023 product announcement. Sony survey.
2. Approximate, effective
3. Sony test conditions. Maximum continuous frame rate may be lower in some shooting conditions. Continuous shooting speed may vary depending on the lens used in AF-C focus modes. Visit Sony’s support web page for lens compatibility information.
4. Maximum shutter speed is 1/16,000 second when F1.8 or larger aperture is used. 1/80,000 sec. speed not available when shooting movies, when using the Var. Shutter function, or when no lens is mounted.
5. Refer to the support page for information on flash units capable of synchronizing up to 1/80,000 second. https://www.sony.net/dics/ilce9m3/ See the Help Guide of the HVL-F60RM2 and HVL-F46RM for the relationship between GN and shutter speed.
6. Compared to the BIONZ X™ image processing engine. Sony tests
7. The latest version of the Imaging Edge Desktop™ applications is required for compositing. The lowest allowable shutter speed for Composite RAW is 1/30 second. The flash mode is fixed at Off and some functions such as Pre-Capture and Continuous Speed Shooting Boost are not available.
8. CIPA standards. Pitch/yaw shake only. FE 50mm F1.2 GM lens. Long exposure NR off.
9. See Sony’s support web page for information on compatible lenses. https://www.sony.net/dics/fnc1002/
10. A software update may be required for some lenses. Stabilization may vary according to the lens used.
11. At shutter speeds of 1/160 second or higher. The exact number will depend on the shooting mode lens used.
12. The temperature of the camera can rise at high continuous shooting speeds. Pre-Capture may be stopped to protect the camera when the ambient temperature is high.
13. Pre-Capture time may be reduced in some conditions.
14. Continuous shooting may be interrupted when Continuous Shooting Speed Boost is used to switch from a low shooting speed to a shooting speed higher than 60 fps, or when switching from a high shooting speed to a shooting speed lower than 30 fps.