Sony a7 III vs Sony a9
This is a full comparison between the cameras Sony a7 III and Sony a9. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.
Manufacturing
These cameras are both manufactured by Sony.
Sony a7 III were released 2018 and Sony a9 was released 2017. That is a 1 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.Camera | Released |
Sony a7 III | 2018 |
Sony a9 | 2017 |
Type of camera
Both these cameras are Mirrorless cameras. No difference there.
Sensors / crop factor
Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Sony Full Frame") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.
Camera | Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 ** |
Sony a7 III | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
Sony a9 | 50 mm Full-frame sensor No crop factor/focal length multiplier |
** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"
Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Sony)
Resolution
Both these cameras have the exact same resolution. Sony a7 III has a 24 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Sony a9 has 24 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:
Camera | Megapixels |
Sony a7 III |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
Sony a9 |
24 MP
24000000 pixels 6000 x 4000 |
ISO range
Both of these cameras offer the exact same ISO range. They both have 100 to 51200.
Camera | ISO Range |
Sony a7 III | 100-51200 |
Sony a9 | 100-51200 |
Autofocus and lens compatibility
Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.
Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a7 III
Lens compatibility chart for Sony a9
Pictures per second
Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Sony a7 III can shoot up to 10 pictures per seconds and Sony a9 can shoot up to 20 pictures per seconds.
Camera | FPS (Frames per second) |
Sony a7 III | 10 |
Sony a9 | 20 |
Ability to record movies
It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.
In this case, both Sony a7 III and Sony a9 can shoot movies.
Weight
The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.
Sony a9 weighs 673 gr (equal to 1.48 lb) which is 4% heavier than Sony a7 III and its 650 gr (or 1.43 lb).
Camera | Weight |
Sony a7 III | 650 gr 1.43 lb |
Sony a9 | 673 gr 1.48 lb |
Sony a7 III vs Sony a9 Specs
Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Sony a7 III and Sony a9, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.
Product |
Sony a7 III |
Sony a9 |
Name | Sony a7 III | Sony a9 |
Manufacturer | Sony | Sony |
Release Date and Price |
Sony a7 III |
Sony a9 |
Release Year | 2018 | 2017 |
Release Date | 2018-02-27 | 2017-04-19 |
MSRP | 1999 USD | 4499 USD |
Buy it today | ||
Camera Type |
Sony a7 III |
Sony a9 |
Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
Sensor |
Sony a7 III |
Sony a9 |
Sensor Size | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) | Full Frame (approx 36 x 24 mm) |
Sensor Type | BSI-CMOS | Stacked CMOS |
Resolution | 6000 x 4000 pixels | 6000 x 4000 pixels |
Megapixels | 24 MP | 24 MP |
Image Processor | Bionz X | Bionz X |
Image |
Sony a7 III |
Sony a9 |
ISO Range | 100 - 51200 | 100 - 51200 |
White Balance Presets | 11 | 10 |
Custom White Balance | Yes | Yes |
Image Stabilization |
Yes (Sensor-Shift) |
Yes (Sensor-Shift (5-axis)) |
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating | 5 stops | 0 stops |
Uncompressed format | RAW | RAW |
Optics & Focus |
Sony a7 III |
Sony a9 |
Autofocus Motor | Yes | Yes |
Autofocus |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Contract Detect (sensor) Phase Detect Multi Area Center Selective Single Point Tracking Single Continuous Touch Face Detection LiveView |
Focus Points | 693 | 693 |
Lens Mount |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Sony E See Compatible Lenses |
Focal Length Multiplier |
Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
Full frame No multiplier Example: 24 mm remains 24 mm 50 mm remains 50 mm 100 mm remains 100 mm 200 mm remains 200 mm |
Screen & Viewfinder |
Sony a7 III |
Sony a9 |
Articulated LCD | Tilting | Tilting |
Screen size | 3” | 3” |
Screen dots | 921600 | 1440000 |
Touch screen | Yes | Yes |
Screen type | N/A | TFT LCD |
Live view | Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Electronic |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | 0.78x | 0.78x |
Viewfinder Resolution | 2359296 | 3686400 |
Photography features |
Sony a7 III |
Sony a9 |
Frames per second | 10 fps | 20 fps |
Minimum Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 30 seconds |
Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/8000 seconds | 1/8000 seconds |
Built-in Flash | No | No |
Built-in Flash Range | N/A | N/A |
External Flash | Yes | Yes |
Self-Timer | Yes | Yes |
Time-lapse | No | No |
Metering modes |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot Average |
Multi Center Weighted Highlight Weighted Spot Average |
Exposure Compensation | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
Videography features |
Sony a7 III |
Sony a9 |
Video recording | Yes | Yes |
Video format |
MPEG4 H.264 XAVC-S AVCHD |
MPEG4 H.264 AVCHD |
Video resolution |
1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
1280 x 720 1920 x 1080 3840 x 2160 |
Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
Built-in Speakers | Yes | Yes |
Storage |
Sony a7 III |
Sony a9 |
Memory Card |
Memory Stick Pro Duo SD/SDHC |
SD/SDHC |
Connectivity |
Sony a7 III |
Sony a9 |
HDMI Output | Yes | Yes |
Microphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Headphone Port | Yes | Yes |
Wireless |
Yes Built-in (with NFC and wireless control via PlayMemories Mobile app) |
Yes Built-in (802.11/b/g/n with NFC) |
Remote Control | Wired | Yes (Wired or wireless) |
GPS | No | No |
Body & Dimensions |
Sony a7 III |
Sony a9 |
Enviromentally sealed | Yes | Yes |
Battery | Battery Pack | Battery Pack |
Battery Details |
NP-FZ100 lithium-ion battery and charger
|
NP-FZ100
|
Battery Life (CIPA) | 710 shots | 650 shots |
Width | 127 mm | 127 mm |
Height | 96 mm | 96 mm |
Depth | 74 mm | 63 mm |
Weight | 650 gram | 673 gram |