The Sony α9 (the α is sometimes spelled out as Alpha), Model ILCE-9, is a full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera. It was Sony's flagship camera as of 2017. The camera is not the successor to the α7 line of digital cameras but supplements it. Announced on 19 April 2017, the α9 is characterized by Sony as a true professional mirrorless camera system.[2] The α9 is being compared with the Nikon D5 and the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II.[3]
Overview | |
---|---|
Type | Full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera |
Intro price | 4,500 USD |
Lens | |
Lens mount | Sony E-mount |
Sensor/medium | |
Sensor | 35.6×23.8 mm Exmor full-frame RS CMOS Sensor |
Maximum resolution | 6000×4000 (3:2) (24.2 megapixel) |
Film speed | Auto, 100-51,200 expandable to 204,800 |
Storage media | Dual memory card slots. α9 supports Memory Stick Pro Duo, Pro-HG Duo, SD, SDHC, SDXC; α9 II supports only SD formats. Slot 1 - SD (UHS-I/II compliant). Slot 2 - Multi slot for Memory Stick Duo/SD (UHS-I compliant) on α9; SD (UHS-1/II compliant) on α9 II |
Focusing | |
Focus modes | Contrast Detect (sensor), Phase Detect, Multi-area, Center, Selective single-point, Single, Continuous, Face Detection, Live View |
Exposure/metering | |
Exposure metering | Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot, Spot Standard/Large, Entire Screen Avg., Highlight |
Shutter | |
Shutter | Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter |
Shutter speed range | 1/32,000 (Electronic) / 1/8000 (Mechanical) - 30 sec, BULB |
Continuous shooting | 20 frame/s electronic (12bit[1]), 5 frame/s mechanical |
Viewfinder | |
Viewfinder | Built-in 3.68 Million dot Quad-VGA OLED Electronic viewfinder |
General | |
LCD screen | 2.95 in (75 mm) Tilting LCD, 1.44 megapixel |
Battery | NP-FZ100 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery |
Body features | Anti Dust System, Image Stabilization with Sensor-Shift mechanism |
Dimensions | 126.9 mm × 95.6 mm × 63 mm (5.00 in × 3.76 in × 2.48 in) |
Weight | Approx. 673 g (23.7 oz) including battery and memory card |
Made in | Thailand |
Sony initially priced the α9 at $4,499 with an availability date in May 2017.
The headline feature of the α9 is the 20 frames per second with a buffer of 240 raw or 362 JPEG images. This is accomplished without temporarily blacking out the finder for each exposure, unlike a DSLR.[4] Sony α9 was the first e-mount camera to use the larger NP-FZ100 battery with nearly double the capacity of the previous smaller NP-FW50 battery. [5]
The Sony α9 II, announced in October 2019, succeeds the α9. The new camera has updated ergonomics, connectivity, and a faster 10 fps burst with the mechanical shutter. Additionally, the α9 II breaks compatibility with the Memory Stick format; both slots are now SD and support the UHS-II protocol.[6]
The Sony α9 III has been announced in November 2023, featuring a global shutter and 120 fps burst.[7]
Features
edit- Stacked Exmor RS CMOS Full-Frame sensor
- 693-point focal-plane phase detection AF
- 5-axis image stabilization
- LCD touchscreen (3 inch/7.5 cm) with tilt functionality
- 3.68 Million dot Quad-VGA OLED 1.3 cm (0.5 inch) electronic viewfinder[8]
- 1200-zone evaluative light metering
- Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth
- LAN input for transferring files via FTP
- LED-auto focus illuminator
- Multi Interface Shoe
- My Menu system with up to 72 assignable functions
- Joystick for positioning of the 693 focus points
- Dual memory card slots:
- α9: One for UHS-I and one for UHS-II.
- α9 II: Both support UHS-II.
Dual memory card slots of the Sony α9
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Reception
editInitial hands-on of the α9 have been positive with multiple reviewers praising the company for listening to its users.[9]
The α9 won Camera Grand Prix 2018 Camera of the Year.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Sony a9 Full Review: Mirrorless Redefined: Digital Photography Review
- ^ "Sony's new α9 camera is a full-frame mirrorless with ludicrous speed". The Verge. Archived from the original on 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
- ^ "Spec Warfare: Sony α9 vs Nikon D5 vs Canon 1D X Mark II". News Ledge. 2017-04-19. Archived from the original on 2021-01-17. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
- ^ "Sony α9 may trounce Canon and Nikon at their own game. Or not". CNET. Archived from the original on 2018-07-28. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
- ^ "Sony a9 Review". Archived from the original on 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2023-05-05.
- ^ "Sony a9 II review". DPReview. Archived from the original on 2020-12-10. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
- ^ https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/interchangeable-lens-cameras/ilce-9m3 [bare URL]
- ^ "Sony's New α9 Camera Revolutionizes the Professional Imaging Market". www.sony.com. Archived from the original on 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2022-09-30.
- ^ "This is What 20fps with No Blackout Looks Like on the Sony α9". PetaPixel. 2017-04-20. Archived from the original on 2017-04-20. Retrieved 2017-04-20.
- ^ "Camera Grand Prix 2018". Archived from the original on 2018-05-22. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
External links
edit- Media related to Sony ILCE-9 at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website
- Dpreview.com's Full Review of the Sony α9