• 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • 35mm 861.6mm2
  • 42.4 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 32,000

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Differences

Sony A9 advantages over Sony A7R III

  • Bigger pixels
    ~ 5.93 vs 4.51 microns
    Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
  • Fast startup
    ~1.20 vs 1.7 sec
    Faster startup lets you catch the moment
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
    Filter vs No Filter
    Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
  • Faster JPEG shooting
    20.0 fps vs 9.9 fps
    Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
  • Bigger JPEG buffer
    364 vs 82 shots
    Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)
  • Faster RAW shooting
    20.0 fps vs 9.2 fps
    Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
  • Bigger RAW buffer
    240 vs 30 shots
    Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
  • Faster shutter
    1/32000 vs 1/8000 sec
    Shoot wide open in bright light
  • Higher extended ISO
    204800 vs 102400 ISO
    Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Sony A7R III advantages over Sony A9

  • Less expensive
    $2498 vs $2995*
    Save money for lenses or accessories
  • High resolution composite
    Yes vs No
    Combine multiple shots to form a super hi-res version
  • More dynamic range
    14.7 vs 13.3 evs
    Retain detail in highlight and shadows
  • More pixels
    42.4 vs 24.2 megapixels
    Higher resolution photos
  • Lacks anti-aliasing filter
    No Filter vs Filter
    Enjoy sharper photos

Similarities

Common Strengths

  • Focus peaking
    Both provide
    Your camera will highlight what's in focus
  • Eye-level viewfinder
    Both provide
    You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
    Both provide
    Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
  • Shoot 4K video
    Both provide
    Make sure you have a fast computer
  • Touchscreen
    Both provide
    Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
  • Tiltable Screen
    Both provide
    Tilt the screen for shooting flexbility
  • Built-in Wi-Fi
    Both provide
    Share your photos wirelessly
  • NFC
    Both provide
    Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
  • Built-in Bluetooth
    Both provide
    Always-on wireless connectivity
  • On-sensor phase detect
    Both provide
    Usually improves live view and video AF performance
  • External Mic Jack
    Both provide
    Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
  • HDMI out
    Both provide
    Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
  • Hot shoe
    Both provide
    Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
  • Dual card slots
    Both provide
    Gives you more storage flexibility
  • Headphone jack
    Both provide
    Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
  • Bulb shutter
    Both provide
    Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures
  • Slow-motion videos
    Both provide
    Shoot slow-motion videos

Common Weaknesses

  • Tilt-swivel screen
    Neither provide
    Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
  • In-camera panoramas
    Neither provide
    Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
  • Built-in GPS
    Neither provide
    Geotag your photos
  • Internal flash
    Neither provide
    Useful in a pinch for fill flash
  • Top deck display
    Neither provide
    Check settings with a screen on top of the camera

User reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Sony A7R III

Review Excerpt

  • New sensor offers incredible performance; Excellent image quality at low & high ISOs; Very good dynamic range; Phenomenal 20fps burst speed & deep buffer; Very good battery life for a mirrorless; 4K video; Dual card slots.

  • Slow buffer clearing; Only one card slot is UHS-II compatible; Touchscreen underutilized; No lossless RAW compression option; No 4K/60p option.

  • Fantastic image quality; Improved dynamic range over its predecessor; Very good high ISO performance; Much improved real-world AF performance; Class-leading burst rates, even with RAW; Improved 5-axis in-body image stabilization; Better 4K video quality; 1080/120fps video; Dual card slots; Significantly better battery life.

  • Expensive; Menus still confusing; UHS-II support only on one card slot; No optical low-pass filter means greater risk of moire; No built-in flash; Buffer clearing still slow despite UHS-II support.

The Competition

Compared to Sony A7R II

Sony A9
Sony A7R II
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Touchscreen
  • $2348
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas
Sony A7R III
Sony A7R II
  • $2204
  • 35mm
  • Touchscreen
  • High resolution composite
  • $2348
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-camera panoramas

Compared to Leica SL (Typ 601)

Sony A9
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Built-in GPS
  • Top deck display
Sony A7R III
Leica SL (Typ 601)
  • $2204
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • In-Camera Image Stabilization
  • $3802
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Fast startup

Compared to Sony A7R IV

Sony A9
Sony A7R IV
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Has anti-aliasing filter
  • $3220
  • 35mm
  • High resolution composite
  • More dynamic range
Sony A7R III
Sony A7R IV
  • $2204
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Bigger pixels
  • $3220
  • 35mm
  • Fast startup
  • More pixels

Compared to Sony A9 II

Sony A9
Sony A9 II
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Newer
Sony A7R III
Sony A9 II
  • $2204
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • High resolution composite
  • $4498
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • Newer

Compared to Nikon Z7 II

Sony A9
Nikon Z7 II
  • $2995
  • 35mm
  • Bigger pixels
  • NFC
  • $2497
  • 35mm
  • Less expensive
  • Top deck display
Sony A7R III
Nikon Z7 II
  • $2204
  • 35mm
  • High resolution composite
  • NFC
  • $2497
  • 35mm
  • Top deck display
  • Newer
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