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Sony A9 Hands-On and Opinion

Sony A9: The professional level full-frame mirrorless camera.

Features of note:

  • 24mp full-frame sensor (35.6×23.8mm)
  • Fast sensor readout with a silent electronic shutter (lower chance of a rolling shutter effect compared to other cameras of this time period).
  • Compact yet competes with anything else currently out there.
  • 4k video at 30fps and 1080p at 120fps.
  • Two SD card slots for backup or other purposes.
  • A higher capacity battery than previous models (NP-FZ100).
  • WIFI, Bluetooth, and NFC connectivity.
  • 1/8000th maximum standard shutter speed (1/32000 electronic).
  • 5-axis in-camera sensor stabilizer.
  • Face detect and Eye-AF for portrait photography.
  • 20fps continuous drive
  • Locking mode and function dials.
  • Solid feeling camera with a large number of tactile controls.
  • Includes professional ports such as ethernet and flash sync as well as hdmi, mic, and headphone jack.

Features I’d like to see improved on:

  • It’s only USB 2.0.
  • Memory cards are a little difficult to get out of the camera due to space constraints.
  • It’s not a cheap camera, but you have to pay to play in this case.
  • Port doors were hard to open and seem to get in the way.
  • The battery door isn’t spring loaded. You need to lock it yourself.
  • Only one SD card slot is UHS-II.
  • The screen tilts, but is not fully articulating.

Final thoughts?
It’s an extremely solid camera and a changing point for Sony as a professional level camera manufacturer. With the silent shutter and faster than usual sensor readout, you can more reliably use this camera in wedding and other situations where shutter noise is not desired without risking wobbly or distorted images due to rolling stutter.


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