Sony a7R III vs Sony a9: Specifications Comparison

Sony a7R III vs Sony a9 Specifications Comparison

Sonya7RIII_vs_Sonya9_comparison_front

Camera FeatureSony a7R IIISony a9
AnnouncedOctober 2017April 2017
Camera TypeMirrorlessMirrorless
Sensor TypeBSI CMOSStacked CMOS
Image ProcessorBIONZ XBIONZ X
Resolution42.4 MP24.2 MP
Pixel Dimensions7952×53046000×4000
Sensor Dimensions35.9 x 24.0 mm (Full Frame)35.6 x 23.8 mm (Full Frame)
Sensor Pixel Size4.51µ5.93µ
Low Pass FilterNoYes
IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization)YesYes
Base ISOISO 100ISO 100
Max Native ISOISO 32,000ISO 51,200
Extended ISOsISO 50-102,400ISO 50-204,800
High-Resolution Sensor ShiftYesNo
Focus Stack BracketingNoNo
Pre-Shoot Burst ModeNoNo
Fastest Shutter Speed1/80001/32000
Longest Shutter Speed30 seconds30 seconds
Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter)10 FPS5 FPS
Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter)10 FPS20 FPS
Notes for High FPS ShootingCompressed 12-bit raw at 10 FPS (uncompressed 14-bit raw is available at 6 FPS)Compressed 12-bit raw at 20 FPS (uncompressed 12-bit raw is available at 12 FPS)
Buffer Size (Raw)76 frames (10 FPS)241 frames (20 FPS)
Autofocus SystemHybrid PDAFHybrid PDAF
Autofocus Points399 693
Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100)-3 EV-3 EV
Standard Flash Sync Speed1/2501/250
Curtain to Protect Sensor at ShutdownNoNo
Video Features
Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal)8 bits8 bits
Maximum Video Bit Depth (External)8 bits8 bits
Raw VideoNoNo
4K Maximum Framerate30 FPS30 FPS
1080P Maximum Framerate120 FPS120 FPS
Additional Video Crop FactorNo1.2x crop at 4K 30p (4K 24/25p has no additional crop)
Chroma Subsampling4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External)4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External)
Video Recording Limit30 min30 min
Physical and Other Features
Card Slots2 2
Slot 1 TypeSD (UHS-II)SD (UHS-II)
Slot 2 TypeSD (UHS-I)SD (UHS-I)
Rear LCD Size (Diagonal)3.0 in3.0 in
Rear LCD Resolution1.44 million dots1.44 million dots
Articulating LCDSingle AxisSingle Axis
TouchscreenYesYes
ViewfinderEVFEVF
Viewfinder Magnification0.78x0.78x
Viewfinder Resolution3.69 million dots3.69 million dots
Viewfinder Coverage100%100%
Voice MemoNoNo
Headphone JackYesYes
Microphone JackYesYes
Built-in FlashNoNo
GPSNoNo
BluetoothYesYes
WiFiYesYes
USB TypeType C 3.1Type B 2.0
Battery TypeNP-FZ100NP-FZ100
Battery Life (Viewfinder)530 frames480 frames
Battery Life (Rear LCD)650 frames650 frames
Weather SealedYesYes
Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card)657 g (1.45 lbs.)588 g (1.30 lbs.)
Dimensions (LxHxD)127 x 96 x 74 mm (5.0 x 3.8 x 2.9″)127 x 96 x 73 mm (5.0 x 3.8 x 2.9″)1
Price Comparison
MSRP, Body Only$2200 (Check Current Price)$4500 (Discontinued)
Used Prices (Affiliate)Sony a7R III Used PricesSony a9 Used Prices
1The Sony a9’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match typical standards today, 10mm were added to the a9’s depth measurement in this table.



Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!


Photography Life is part of the B&H and KEH affiliate programs. When you make a purchase through the affiliate links in this article, we can be compensated with a percentage of each sale. If you found this comparison useful, buying anything through these links allows you to support Photography Life at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our efforts!

Exit mobile version