NEWS  Photography  November 7, 2023  Reading time: 4 Minute(s)

Max (RS editor)

In a landmark announcement that could redefine the landscape of professional photography, Sony has unveiled the much-anticipated a9 III – a revolutionary addition to its acclaimed Alpha series. As the dominant force in the mirrorless camera market, Sony's latest release represents a bold step forward in technology and innovation. The a9 III boasts an exceptional feature that sets it apart from the competition, making it the world's first full-frame camera with a global shutter system. This breakthrough promises to deliver substantial advantages for high-speed photography, particularly in the realm of sports, action, and wildlife photography.

An Answer to Rivalry

Sony, a long-standing leader in the mirrorless camera sector, faces increasing competition from industry giants like Canon and Nikon in the mirrorless market. The pressure is most notable in the sports, action, and wildlife photography domain. Sony's strategic announcement of the a9 III comes at a crucial juncture, aiming to bolster its position in this fiercely contested arena. However, photography enthusiasts and professionals will have to wait until spring 2024 to get their hands on this cutting-edge marvel.

The Most Notable Features

To understand the groundbreaking nature of the a9 III, let's delve into some of its remarkable features. At its core, this camera incorporates a newly developed 24.6-megapixel full-frame stacked CMOS image sensor, a milestone as it is the world's first global shutter sensor of this magnitude. This sensor works in tandem with Sony's latest Bionz XR image processing engine, a powerhouse boasting eight times more processing capability than its predecessor in the a9 II. The combination of the global shutter sensor and the enhanced processor enables the a9 III to capture images with full autofocus and AE tracking at an astounding 120 frames per second, all while avoiding the dreaded rolling shutter effect.

The critical distinction of a global shutter sensor is that it exposes all 24.6 million pixels on the sensor simultaneously. This stands in stark contrast to the conventional scanning readout of a focal plane shutter, which scans the sensor one horizontal line at a time. The global sensor is an "all at once" system, rendering it two significant advantages. First, it eliminates rolling shutter distortion completely, ensuring image clarity even in high-speed photography. Second, there's no need to worry about syncing flash to a rolling shutter, as the a9 III can sync with flash at breakneck shutter speeds.

Reinventing Shutter Speeds

Speaking of shutter speeds, the a9 III pushes the boundaries of what's possible. In its single drive mode, it can achieve an impressive 1/80,000 second, while in continuous shooting mode, it reaches 1/16,000 second. These capabilities open up new horizons for creative photography with artificial lighting, especially when it comes to high-speed, action-freezing shots. For sports photographers, the global sensor ushers in an era of flicker-free shooting. Sony has consistently employed technology to reduce flicker and minimize rolling shutter in previous models, but the a9 III takes this to a new level, eliminating distortions and artifacts entirely.

What truly sets the a9 III apart is its ability to sync with flash at any shutter speed. This is a feat previously unattainable in the camera world, save for cameras using leaf-shutter lenses. Even in such cases, these leaf shutters are often capped at 1/2000 or 1/4000 second. The a9 III shatters these limitations, setting a new standard in high-speed flash photography. This feature's potential applications are vast and varied, promising to be a game-changer in the world of photography.

Real-World Applications

In the real world, the implications of the a9 III's global shutter system are profound. For instance, capturing sports like tennis or golf, where fast-moving rackets, clubs, and balls are the norm, previously presented challenges due to rolling shutters. The resulting images often featured warped equipment. This issue also extended to baseball bats, hockey sticks, and vehicles in motorsports. The a9 III sweeps these problems aside, offering pristine, distortion-free imagery. It will be intriguing to see whether Sony integrates a global shutter system into future camera models, such as a prospective a1 II, or if the combination of speed and resolution in that category necessitates a different approach.

In conclusion, Sony's a9 III has set a new standard for professional photography, pushing the boundaries of what's possible with its global shutter system and lightning-fast shutter speeds. This innovative camera is poised to make a significant impact on the sports, action, and wildlife photography sectors and revolutionize the way photographers capture high-speed moments. As the release date draws nearer, anticipation for the a9 III continues to build, promising a new era of photography in the spring of 2024.

(Images by Sony)