Sony a7R III vs a9 Comparison

The Sony a7R III takes the lead with a score of 83/100, while the Sony a9 follows closely at 80/100. Both cameras are mirrorless and were released in 2017. They share similar dimensions, with the a7R III measuring 127 x 96 x 74mm and weighing 657g, and the a9 measuring 127 x 96 x 63mm and weighing 673g.

The a7R III has the advantage of a lower launch price of $3200 compared to the a9’s $4500. This makes it more budget-friendly while still offering excellent performance. The a9, on the other hand, is slightly slimmer in depth but weighs more. This difference may not be significant enough to sway buyers in either direction.

In comparing these two cameras, the Sony a7R III stands out as the better option due to its lower price and slightly lighter weight, while maintaining similar specifications to the Sony a9.

Sony a7R III vs a9 Overview and Optics

The Sony a7R III emerges as the winner in optics with a score of 84/100, a slight edge over the Sony a9’s 81/100. Both cameras share several common specifications, including a CMOS sensor, Bionz X processor, full-frame sensor size, Sony FE lens mount, and image stabilization.

The a7R III outperforms the a9 in certain aspects, most notably in megapixels and sensor performance. It boasts 42.4 megapixels, providing higher resolution and more detailed images compared to the a9’s 24.2 megapixels. Furthermore, the a7R III has a DXOMARK sensor score of 100, reflecting its superior image quality and low-light performance, while the a9 scores 92 in this category.

On the other hand, the Sony a9 offers advantages in shooting speed, capable of capturing 20 frames per second (fps) compared to the a7R III’s 10 fps. This makes the a9 more suitable for fast-paced action and sports photography, where rapid capture is crucial.

In terms of optics, the Sony a7R III stands out as the better choice for photographers seeking higher resolution and better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Meanwhile, the Sony a9 excels in shooting speed, making it a better option for those who prioritize capturing fast-moving subjects. Ultimately, the choice between these two cameras depends on the photographer’s specific needs and preferences.

The Sony a7R III and the Sony a9 both have a video score of 56/100, indicating no difference in their video capabilities. Both cameras share several common specifications, including a maximum video resolution of 4K, video dimensions of 3840 x 2160, and a maximum video frame rate of 30fps. Additionally, neither camera has built-in time-lapse functionality.

Despite having the same video score, there are areas where one camera may excel over the other. However, based on the provided specifications, no clear winner emerges in terms of video capabilities. Both cameras have the same maximum video resolution, dimensions, and frame rate, which are essential factors in determining video quality.

The Sony a7R III and the Sony a9 both lack built-in time-lapse functionality, which could be a drawback for some users. However, this missing feature does not affect the overall video capabilities of either camera, as they both still perform equally well in other areas.

Given the equal video scores and identical specifications, it is safe to say that the Sony a7R III and the Sony a9 offer comparable video performance. Users can expect similar results when filming with either camera. As such, the decision to choose one camera over the other should be based on other factors, such as price, personal preference, or additional features not related to video capabilities.

The Sony a7R III and the Sony a9 both receive a feature score of 83 out of 100. These cameras share several specifications, making them quite similar in terms of features. Both cameras have a 3-inch screen size, a screen resolution of 1,440,000 dots, a touchscreen, a flip screen, WiFi, and Bluetooth. However, neither camera has GPS capabilities.

The winning camera, the Sony a7R III, is better in some aspects. It offers a higher resolution sensor at 42.4 megapixels, compared to the Sony a9’s 24.2 megapixels. This allows the a7R III to produce more detailed images, making it suitable for landscape and portrait photographers. Additionally, the Sony a7R III has a better dynamic range, providing more flexibility in post-processing and better handling of high-contrast scenes.

On the other hand, the Sony a9 has its own advantages. It boasts a faster continuous shooting speed of 20 frames per second, compared to the a7R III’s 10 frames per second. This makes the a9 more suitable for sports and action photography. The a9 also features a more advanced autofocus system with 693 phase-detection points, ensuring faster and more accurate focus tracking.

Taking these points into consideration, the Sony a7R III is the better choice for photographers who prioritize image quality and dynamic range, while the Sony a9 is better suited for those who require fast continuous shooting and superior autofocus capabilities. Despite having the same feature score, each camera excels in different areas, catering to the specific needs of different types of photographers.

Comparing the Sony a7R III and the Sony a9 in terms of storage and battery reveals a tie, with both cameras scoring 65/100. The similarities between the two models are evident, as each camera offers two memory card slots, accepting SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards with UHS-II compatibility. Additionally, both models have a battery life of 650 shots and utilize the NP-FZ100 battery type. Neither camera has USB charging capabilities.

In this comparison, neither camera outperforms the other, as their storage and battery specifications are identical. Both the Sony a7R III and the Sony a9 provide the same level of convenience and functionality in these areas. Consequently, there is no clear winner or loser in this category, as both cameras meet the same storage and battery standards. This makes the choice between the Sony a7R III and the Sony a9 a matter of personal preference and other features outside the storage and battery category.

Are you still undecided about which camera is right for you? Have a look at these popular comparisons that feature the Sony a7R III or the Sony a9:

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