After months of debate if I wanted to try the Sony a9III I decided to buy one and give it a try. It arrived yesterday and I have it all set up and ready to take out into the field.
I’ve been using the a1 for just over 3 years now and I still frequently am impressed by it. I use the a1 for wildlife, bird, sports, Astro, landscape, cityscape and people photography. The a1 has proven to be a perfect do it all camera. I’ve shot some 4k and 8k video with it and been very impressed with the results.
So you’re probably wondering why would I want any camera but an a1? Well it is missing a few things that I find myself wanting. Pre-capture is first and foremost a feature I want and I want to still use RAW. Second high on the list is higher frame rates in 14bit RAW. An improved rear screen that does more than tilt, bug eye af will be a nice addition, animal eye af in video and animal and bird eye af without having to toggle between the two are just a few of the options that I’ve wanted.
Now that the a9III is out it checked all of the boxes of options I’ve wanted in the a1 and will likely get some of them in an a1MK2 but it is very doubtful it will get the higher frame rates. I’m not sure it will even increase beyond the 30 fps in the current camera and that’s ok. I suspect it will retain the same 50MP sensor which is also ok.
The a9III gets me some of these new features faster than waiting for the next a1 but will give me the extra speed and global shutter which I may embrace once I use the a9 more but the a1 sensor never disappointed me.
My apprehension for the a9III has been the 24.6MP and the cost. I have been wanting a third body which kind of tipped the scales for me. I considered the a7R5 which gives me a lot of the above but falls considerably short in the speed catagory and I really don’t find a need for the extra MP.
I have received multiple feedback from other photographers that I will hate the camera and not to waste my money and I’ve had the polar opposite (only one has actually used the camera). Keeping in mind this camera won’t be replacing either of my a1’s (no intention but who knows maybe it’s that good!) and I intend it to bring capabilities to my tool box that I currently have been lacking with my current kit. Ultimately I know it already checks all those boxes but at the expense and the lower MP it’s going to need to wow me to justify the expense. Also, keeping in the back of my mind I’ll likely be upgrading my a1’s to the newer model whenever those come out.
So follow along with me as I explore this camera and ultimately decide if I’m going to keep it or send it back. It’s going to be an interesting month of shooting!
Cheers!
I’ve been using the a1 for just over 3 years now and I still frequently am impressed by it. I use the a1 for wildlife, bird, sports, Astro, landscape, cityscape and people photography. The a1 has proven to be a perfect do it all camera. I’ve shot some 4k and 8k video with it and been very impressed with the results.
So you’re probably wondering why would I want any camera but an a1? Well it is missing a few things that I find myself wanting. Pre-capture is first and foremost a feature I want and I want to still use RAW. Second high on the list is higher frame rates in 14bit RAW. An improved rear screen that does more than tilt, bug eye af will be a nice addition, animal eye af in video and animal and bird eye af without having to toggle between the two are just a few of the options that I’ve wanted.
Now that the a9III is out it checked all of the boxes of options I’ve wanted in the a1 and will likely get some of them in an a1MK2 but it is very doubtful it will get the higher frame rates. I’m not sure it will even increase beyond the 30 fps in the current camera and that’s ok. I suspect it will retain the same 50MP sensor which is also ok.
The a9III gets me some of these new features faster than waiting for the next a1 but will give me the extra speed and global shutter which I may embrace once I use the a9 more but the a1 sensor never disappointed me.
My apprehension for the a9III has been the 24.6MP and the cost. I have been wanting a third body which kind of tipped the scales for me. I considered the a7R5 which gives me a lot of the above but falls considerably short in the speed catagory and I really don’t find a need for the extra MP.
I have received multiple feedback from other photographers that I will hate the camera and not to waste my money and I’ve had the polar opposite (only one has actually used the camera). Keeping in mind this camera won’t be replacing either of my a1’s (no intention but who knows maybe it’s that good!) and I intend it to bring capabilities to my tool box that I currently have been lacking with my current kit. Ultimately I know it already checks all those boxes but at the expense and the lower MP it’s going to need to wow me to justify the expense. Also, keeping in the back of my mind I’ll likely be upgrading my a1’s to the newer model whenever those come out.
So follow along with me as I explore this camera and ultimately decide if I’m going to keep it or send it back. It’s going to be an interesting month of shooting!
Cheers!
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that doesn't have it I have become accustomed to not pushing the button if I missed the moment. Well with pre capture you have a Time Machine built in and actually can still capture the moment. I am going to have to work on this one but I got a chuckle a couple of times realizing what I did.