Sony Alpha A9 Review
We've aggregated 1 high-signal review and 1 live retailer price below.
Our editorial take on the Sony Alpha A9
The Sony Alpha A9 launched in 2017 as a watershed moment for mirrorless sports photography. Its stacked 24.2MP full-frame sensor and blazing 20 fps blackout-free shooting with continuous autofocus repositioned Sony as a serious competitor to flagship DSLRs. The 693-phase-detection AF system covering 93% of the frame, combined with 60 AF/AE calculations per second and real-time Eye AF, delivered tracking performance that genuinely challenged Canon and Nikon's established dominance.
At $4,499, the A9 traded ultimate resolution for speed and responsiveness. The electronic shutter's 1/32000s capability and completely silent operation opened new possibilities for wedding, wildlife, and event shooters who needed to work discreetly. Build quality matches pro expectations with magnesium alloy construction, weather sealing, dual UHS-II card slots, and 5-axis stabilization rated at 5 stops.
Video specs are workmanlike rather than groundbreaking. 4K at 60p with full pixel readout (though with a 2.4x oversample) and S-Log3 support is competent, but 8-bit internal recording and a 100 Mbps bitrate ceiling show this camera's priorities lie elsewhere. For hybrid shooters, the A9 is a stills-first tool that happens to shoot respectable video.
- Blackout-free 20 fps shooting with continuous AF/AE tracking
- 693-point phase-detection AF system covering 93% of the frame
- Completely silent electronic shutter with 1/32000s capability
- 5-axis in-body stabilization rated at 5 stops
- Professional build with weather sealing and dual UHS-II card slots
- 8-bit internal video recording limits color grading flexibility
- 100 Mbps bitrate ceiling for video
- 24.2MP resolution lower than many competitors at this price
Synthesized by Geared editors from early expert reviews.
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About this product
Stacked sensor pro body.
Specs
- Battery
- NP-FZ100, approx. 480 shots (CIPA)
- Weight Grams
- 673 g (body with battery and card)
- Dimensions Mm
- 126.9 x 95.6 x 63.0 mm
- Build Material
- Magnesium alloy
- Weather Sealing
- Yes
- Bit Depth
- 8-bit
- Raw Video
- No
- Log Profiles
- S-Log3, S-Cinetone
- Internal Codecs
- XAVC S
- Max Frame Rate 4k
- 4K 60p
- Max Frame Rate Hd
- 1080/120p
- Max Video Bitrate
- 100 Mbps
- Max Recording Time
- Unlimited (overheating dependent)
- Max Video Resolution
- 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
- Ethernet
- No
- Af Coverage
- 93% (phase-detection)
- Touch Pad Af
- Yes
- Silent Shooting
- Yes (electronic shutter)
- Viewfinder Type
- OLED Tru-Finder
- Af Ae Calculations
- 60 times/sec
- Full Pixel Readout
- Yes (approx. 2.4x for 4K)
- Viewfinder Coverage
- 100%
- Blackout Free Shooting
- Yes
- Vertical Grip Compatible
- Yes (VG-C3EM)
- Fps With Mechanical Shutter
- Up to 10 fps
- Sensor Size
- Full-frame (35mm)
- Sensor Type
- Stacked CMOS (Global Shutter)
- Image Processor
- BIONZ X
- Low Pass Filter
- No
- Effective Megapixels
- 24.2 MP
- Release Date
- May 2017
- Announced Date
- April 2017
- Launch Price Usd
- $4,498
- Dual Native Iso
- No
- Iso Range Stills
- ISO 100-51200 (expandable to ISO 50-204800)
- Continuous Shooting
- 20 fps (electronic shutter with AF/AE tracking)
- Shutter Speed Electronic
- 1/32000 s
- Shutter Speed Mechanical
- 1/8000 s
- Viewfinder
- OLED EVF, 3,686k dots, 0.78x magnification, 120 fps refresh rate
- Rear Screen
- 3.0-inch, 1,440k dots, tilting touchscreen, WhiteMagic
- Touchscreen
- Yes
- Lens Mount
- Sony E
- Crop Factor
- 1.0x
- Usb
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C
- Hdmi
- HDMI Type A
- Audio Io
- 3.5mm mic input, 3.5mm headphone output
- Wireless
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Card Slots
- 2x SD UHS-II
- Ibis
- 5-axis, 5.0 stops
- Af Points
- 693 phase-detection points, 425 contrast-detection points
- Af System
- Fast Hybrid AF (focal-plane phase-detection and contrast-detection)
- Af Low Light
- -3 EV
- Subject Detection
- Real-time Eye AF (human, animal), Real-time Tracking
Where to buy
Live prices from retailers. We earn a small commission when you click through - never affects ranking.
- B&H Photonew● In stockBest price$6,398Buy
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