Sony Alpha a9 III Body (SKU ILCE9M3B.CEC)

The Alpha 9 III introduces a breakthrough full-frame global shutter image sensor with approximately 24.6 effective megapixels, a stacked CMOS design, and integrated memory. This advanced structure provides high resolution paired with remarkable speed. Because the sensor uses a true global shutter, fast-moving subjects can be captured without distortion, even during rapid movement. The stacked design also enables extremely fast A/D conversion with minimal delay. Combined with the powerful BIONZ XR processing engine, the camera supports continuous shooting up to 120 frames per second while maintaining accurate focus thanks to dense phase-detection AF coverage, sophisticated AI tracking, and broad subject-recognition capabilities.

BIONZ XR Image Processing Engine

With up to eight times the processing speed of previous versions, the BIONZ XR engine dramatically reduces latency and improves real-time responsiveness. It delivers rich colour gradation, realistic colour reproduction, and low noise. This performance allows the processor to handle the significant amount of data generated by the new sensor in real time, even during high-speed bursts at 120 fps. The system also supports 14-bit RAW output in all still-shooting modes.

Blackout-Free Shooting Experience

The electronic viewfinder remains fully visible during continuous shooting, even at very high frame rates. This blackout-free design allows photographers to track subjects smoothly during fast action, such as sports or fleeting portrait expressions, ensuring no critical moment is missed.

Ultra-Fast 1/80000 Second Shutter Speed

Thanks to the global shutter sensor, the Alpha 9 III reaches a maximum shutter speed of 1/80000 second for still images. This makes it possible to freeze extreme motion—for example, a bullet leaving a rifle barrel during a shooting competition.

High-Speed Burst Support with Pre-Capture

Pre-Capture makes it easier to capture decisive moments by saving images recorded up to one second before the shutter is fully pressed. While the shutter button is half-pressed, the camera temporarily stores up to 120 frames per second, ensuring that even split-second movements—like a bird taking flight—are captured even if the shutter press is slightly delayed.

Continuous Shooting Speed Boost

Continuous Shooting Speed Boost allows shooters to instantly raise the burst rate when needed. For example, switching to 120 fps is useful as a key moment approaches in sports or other fast-paced environments where timing is critical.

Human Pose Estimation with AI

An advanced AI processing unit uses skeletal analysis to recognise not only eyes but also body and head positions, even when a subject faces away or has a partially obscured face. This allows the camera to maintain focus on distant athletes or moving subjects that occupy only a tiny portion of the frame. Focus acquisition becomes faster and more reliable, especially in action photography.

Expanded Subject Recognition

The AI system supports recognition for humans, animals, birds, insects, cars, trains, and airplanes. Vehicle recognition now identifies helmets worn by race drivers, while improved animal recognition detects eyes of various grazing and smaller species. Bird recognition is enhanced as well, allowing more reliable eye and body detection. A combined Animal/Bird mode removes the need to switch between categories.

Fast, Precise Autofocus and Tracking

The Alpha 9 III uses a Fast Hybrid AF system combining phase-detection and contrast-detection. It features 759 phase-detection points covering about 95.6% of the image area, enabling accurate tracking of erratic or high-speed movement.

Up to 120 AF/AE Calculations Per Second

Due to the sensor’s high-speed readout, the camera performs up to 120 autofocus and auto-exposure calculations per second—twice as many as its predecessor. This allows the camera to predict and respond to complex movement and sudden lighting changes with exceptional precision, even during continuous shooting.

Composite RAW Shooting for Reduced Noise

Composite RAW Shooting records multiple images—4, 8, 16, or 32 frames—and merges them later using Sony’s Imaging Edge Desktop software. This improves image quality by reducing noise, particularly helpful for wildlife at fast shutter speeds or portraits in low light. At low ISO levels, natural handheld shake can also help reduce false colour and jagged edges in the final composite.

Advanced 5-Axis Optical Image Stabilisation

A redesigned stabilisation unit, improved gyro sensors, and updated algorithms provide up to 8 stops of compensation. This allows for blur-free handheld shooting, even at long focal lengths. Communication between body and compatible lenses further enhances stabilisation performance.

Flash Sync at All Shutter Speeds

With compatible flash units such as the HVL-F60RM2 or HVL-F46RM, the Alpha 9 III allows full flash synchronisation all the way up to its maximum 1/80000 second shutter speed. This is particularly useful for outdoor portraits in bright daylight and eliminates the need for large lighting setups.

Distortion-Free Video with Global Shutter

The 24.6MP Exmor RS global shutter sensor eliminates rolling shutter distortion entirely when recording movies. Even fast pans, vehicle-mounted shots, or rapid movements appear natural and undistorted.

4K 120p Recording Without Cropping

For the first time in a Sony Alpha body, 4K 120p recording is available with no crop. Both slow-motion 120p footage and standard 24p video share the same angle of view, simplifying editing and maintaining consistent framing in mixed-speed sequences.

S-Cinetone for Cinematic Colour

S-Cinetone brings Sony’s cinema colour science to the Alpha 9 III. It produces natural skin tones, pleasing mid-tones, soft highlights and colours, allowing creators to achieve a cinematic look straight from the camera without grading.

Breathing Compensation for Stable Framing

Focus breathing compensation uses Sony’s Clear Image Zoom technology to keep the angle of view consistent during focus shifts. Metadata for breathing correction is also supported in Catalyst Browse/Prepare for advanced post-production stabilisation.

Dynamic Active Mode Stabilisation

The camera's 5-axis IBIS system works together with electronic stabilisation to provide even stronger stabilisation than previous Active Mode—improved by about 30%. This is useful for handheld video, especially when moving.

Ergonomic Grip for Reduced Fatigue

A redesigned grip shape improves comfort and stability, especially when using heavy telephoto lenses or shooting for long periods. The grip fills the hand naturally, reducing strain.

Front Custom Button for Fast Access

A new front-mounted custom button enhances workflow flexibility. It can be assigned to functions such as Continuous Shooting Speed Boost, allowing quick activation while maintaining a firm grip.

Drive Mode and Focus Mode Dials

Stacked drive mode and focus mode dials allow fast, direct mode switching without entering menus. Both dials lock to prevent accidental changes. The drive mode dial can also be disabled and reassigned to the FN menu or a custom button—useful when shooting in the dark or with weather covers.

Sony’s 4-Axis Multi-Angle LCD

The Alpha 9 III adopts a unique 4-axis multi-angle screen combining the advantages of both tilt and vari-angle mechanisms. The 3.2-inch touch LCD can tilt up 98°, down 40°, and rotate sideways up to 180°, enabling flexible framing whether shooting horizontally or vertically. Its 2.1-million-dot display and wide colour gamut make it ideal for bright outdoor use.

Optional VG-C5 Vertical Grip

The VG-C5 Vertical Grip offers better handling for extended shoots and mirrors the camera’s ergonomic feel. It includes its own front custom button, dials, and controls. It holds two NP-FZ100 batteries for longer operation.

High-Resolution Viewfinder with 240 fps Mode

The 9.44-million-dot OLED viewfinder has 0.90x magnification, a 41° field of view, and a 25 mm eyepoint for clear visibility. Its optical design reduces aberrations and provides smoother viewing with frame rate options of 60 fps, 120 fps, or an ultra-smooth 240 fps mode, ideal for tracking fast movement.

Shading Curtain for Sensor Protection

When enabled, a shading curtain closes over the sensor when the camera is powered off, protecting it from dust while changing lenses.

Durable Construction for Professional Use

The camera body uses high-rigidity magnesium alloy for structural strength, shock resistance, and improved heat dissipation. It is designed for demanding environments while remaining compact.

Dust and Moisture Resistance

Enhanced sealing around buttons, the lens mount, and other areas improves durability. The EVF optical path is sealed, achieving dust and moisture resistance similar to dual-glass structures. When paired with weather-sealed lenses, flashes, and the VG-C5 grip, the system becomes highly resilient in outdoor environments.

Improved Group Display for Workflow Efficiency

Burst images shot at up to 120 fps can be automatically grouped. These groups can be assigned ratings, filtered, and easily managed during playback and editing, streamlining image selection and speeding up workflow.

Fn Menu Options

Playback functions such as protection, smartphone transfer, and FTP upload can be quickly accessed by assigning Playback Fn Menu to a custom button. Swiping up on the LCD during review also opens the Fn menu for fast control.

Playback Filters

Images can be filtered during playback by date, folder, media type, rating, protection status, and FTP transfer status, even in large libraries.

Remote Camera Tool

Remote Camera Tool allows tethered shooting over a wired LAN connection, enabling users to adjust settings and capture images remotely via computer.

High-Speed Wi-Fi and FTP Transfer

Built-in Wi-Fi with IEEE 802.11ac and 2x2 MIMO provides twice the data transfer speed of the previous model. 5 GHz communication ensures stable, high-speed transmission—essential for news, sports, and studio workflows. FTP uploads and smartphone transfers are supported.

Dual CFexpress Type A / SD Card Slots

The Alpha 9 III supports both CFexpress Type A and SD cards (UHS-I/II). CFexpress Type A media provides the speed required for 120 fps continuous shooting and high-bitrate video recording. Users can record stills and movies to separate cards, record by file type, or use relay recording to streamline data management.

Sony’s Cloud Services

Sony’s cloud ecosystem improves the workflow from capture to delivery. The Creators’ App allows remote control and media transfer, while the Creators’ Cloud platform provides tools such as Master Cut (Beta) for AI-assisted rough edits and Ci Media Cloud for collaborative production. The Discover community offers inspiration, creator networking, and professional insights.

Package Includes

• Sony Alpha 9 III Mirrorless Camera

• NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Battery

• BC-QZ1 Battery Charger

• Power Cord

• Cable Protector

• Shoulder Strap

• Body Cap

• Accessory Shoe Cap

• Eyepiece Cup

Specifications

General

• Camera Type: Interchangeable lens digital camera

• Lens Mount: E-mount

Sensor

• Type: 35mm full-frame Exmor RS CMOS sensor

• Total Pixels: Approx. 25.2 MP

• Effective Pixels:

  • Still Images: Approx. 24.6 MP

  • Movies: Approx. 20.3 MP

• Optical Low-Pass Filter: Yes

• Colour Temperature Range: 2500 K–9900 K

• Anti-Dust System: Yes

Still Image Recording

• Formats: JPEG, HEIF, RAW (Sony ARW 5.0)

• Image Sizes (3:2):

  • Full Frame L: 6000 × 4000

  • M: 3936 × 2632

  • S: 3008 × 2000

Movie Recording

• Video Codecs: XAVC S (H.264), XAVC HS (H.265)

• Audio Formats: LPCM 2-ch (16-bit/24-bit), LPCM 4-ch (24-bit)

XAVC HS 4K (selected modes)
Examples include:

• 3840 × 2160 119.88p (4:2:0 10-bit, 200 Mbps)

• 3840 × 2160 59.94p (4:2:0 10-bit, 150/75/45 Mbps)

• 3840 × 2160 23.98p (4:2:0 10-bit, 100/50/30 Mbps)

• 3840 × 2160 119.88p (4:2:2 10-bit, 280 Mbps)

XAVC S 4K and XAVC S HD
Includes 4K and Full HD options at 23.98p–119.88p in both 8-bit and 10-bit formats.

Additional Video Features

• Slow & Quick Motion: Yes

• Proxy Recording: Yes

• Timecode/User Bit: Yes

• RAW Output: Yes (via HDMI)

Memory Card Support

• Slot 1 & Slot 2: SD (UHS-I/II) or CFexpress Type A

Autofocus

• Type: Fast Hybrid AF

• Points:

  • Stills: up to 759 phase-detection points

  • Movies: up to 627 phase-detection points

• AF Sensitivity: EV –5 to EV 20

• Recognised Subjects: Human, Animal, Bird, Insect, Car, Train, Airplane

• Additional AF Tools: AF Assist, Focus Map, AF Transition Speed, Touch Focus

Exposure

• Metering: 1200-zone evaluative

• Metering Sensitivity: EV –5 to EV 17

• Exposure Compensation: ±5 EV

• ISO (Stills): 250–25600 (expandable to 125–51200)

• ISO (Movies): 250–25600

• Anti-Flicker Shooting: Yes

Viewfinder

• Type: 0.64" Quad-XGA OLED

• Resolution: 9.44 million dots

• Magnification: Approx. 0.90×

• Eye Point: 25 mm

• Frame Rates: 60 / 120 / 240 fps (NTSC), 50 / 100 / 200 fps (PAL)

LCD Monitor

• Type: 3.2" TFT touch display

• Resolution: 2,095,104 dots

• Tilt/Rotation: Up 98°, down 40°, side 180°, rotation 270°

Other Camera Features

• Creative Look

• Time-Lapse

• Pre-Capture

• Continuous Shooting Speed Boost

• Clear Image Zoom (2× stills; 1.5× 4K video)

Shutter

• Type: Electronic shutter

• Speeds (Stills): 1/80000–30 sec, Bulb

• Flash Sync: Up to 1/80000 s

Image Stabilisation

• 5-axis in-body stabilisation

• Up to 8 stops of compensation

Connectivity

• USB Type-C (USB 3.2 5 Gbps)

• Micro USB

• HDMI Type-A

• LAN port (1000BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, 10BASE-T)

• Headphone and microphone jacks (3.5 mm)

• PC interface (Mass Storage/MTP)

• Wireless LAN: 2.4 / 5 GHz

• Bluetooth 5.0

• Multi Interface Shoe with digital audio support

USB Streaming Support

Video: MJPEG/YUV420 at resolutions up to 4K 30p
Audio: LPCM 2-channel

Audio

• Built-in stereo microphone

• Built-in speaker (mono)

• Voice memo support

Lens Compensation

• Shading

• Chromatic Aberration

• Distortion

• Breathing (Video)

Power

• Battery: NP-FZ100

• Still Image Battery Life: Approx. 400 shots (viewfinder), 530 shots (LCD)

• Movie Battery Life (Actual): Approx. 90–95 min

• USB Power Delivery: Supported

Body and Weight

• Dimensions: Approx. 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9 mm

• Weight (body only): Approx. 617 g

• Weight (with battery and memory card): Approx. 702 g

Operating Temperature

• 0–40°C (32–104°F)