Sony A9 III review: the global shutter changes what a camera can do
The first full-frame global-shutter camera: no rolling shutter, no flash-sync limit, 120fps blackout-free. Our score: 9 / 10 At a glance Spec Detail Sensor 24.6MP full-frame global shutter Burst Up to 120fps RAW, no blackout Flash sync Any shutter speed Distortion Zero rolling shutter It removes a whole category of problem The A9 III has no rolling shutter at all. No skewed golf clubs or propellers, no banding under LED stadium lighting, flash sync at any shutter speed, and 120fps RAW bursts with the viewfinder never blacking out. The trade-off It is a 24MP sports-and-events specialist. Resolution and dynamic range are good rather than class-leading, because the global-shutter sensor gives up a little there. For the photographers who need what it does, there is simply no substitute. The good and the bad What works No rolling shutter, ever Flash sync at any speed 120fps blackout-free RAW Superb autofocus What doesn’t 24MP is modest for the price Dynamic range trails the A7-series Expensive and specialised Who it’s for Buy it if you shoot sport, wildlife, dance or flash-heavy events for a living. Skip it if you want resolution or dynamic range for landscape and studio work. Alternatives worth a look Sony A1 II, higher resolution, near-as-fast, no global shutter. Nikon Z9, 45MP stacked, a different set of trade-offs. The verdict: A niche tool that is peerless within its niche. If you need a global shutter, this is the camera. Sources Sony