Sony Alpha a9 review: specs and price
Sony Alpha a9
Why is Sony Alpha a9 better than the average?
- Sensor size?
35.6 x 23.8mmvs260.67mm - Focus points?
693vs74.74 - Megapixels (main camera)?
24.2MPvs18.01MP - Maximum light sensitivity?
204800 ISOvs25079.88 ISO - Battery life (CIPA)?
650shotsvs411.84shots - Continuous shooting at high resolution?
20fpsvs7.14fps - Video recording (main camera)?
2160 x 30fpsvs43389.27fps - Noise?
3517 ISOvs1216.06 ISO
Price comparison
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Design
1.Has a flip-out screen
✖Sony Alpha a9
Flip-out screens can be useful for tricky shots.
2.weather-sealed (splashproof)
✔Sony Alpha a9
The device is protected with extra seals to prevent failures caused by dust, raindrops, and water splashes.
3.Has a built-in focus motor
✔Sony Alpha a9
The focus motor moves the lens in order to autofocus. For system cameras, having a focus motor in the camera's body allows you to use a wide range of lenses, including lenses which do not have their own focus motor. For compact cameras, a focus motor is usually built-in.
4.is dustproof and water-resistant
✖Sony Alpha a9
The device is dustproof and water-resistant. Water-resistant devices can resist the penetration of water, such as powerful water jets, but not being submerged into water.
5.weight
673g
We consider a lower weight better because lighter devices are more comfortable to carry. A lower weight is also an advantage for home appliances, as it makes transportation easier, and for many other types of products.
With 100% coverage, you can compose the image correctly when you capture the photo. With less than full coverage, you may have to crop your photos afterward to get them looking perfect.
7.has an optical viewfinder
✖Sony Alpha a9
An optical viewfinder (or OVF) allows the photographer to compose a shot while seeing exactly what the lens will capture. OVFs have no time lag and require no power - as opposed to electronic viewfinders, which can drain battery life. OVFs are also better in low light situations.
8.Has a hot shoe
✔Sony Alpha a9
A hot shoe can be used to attach an external flash, as well as light meters, viewfinders, rangefinders and other attachments.
9.screen resolution
1440k dots
A higher screen resolution provides a sharper image, making it easier to review your photos.
Optics
1.sensor size
35.6 x 23.8mm
The larger the sensor the more light the sensor captures yielding in better image quality.
The more focus points the more flexibility in picking which part of the scene to focus on. They also give the image sensor a better probability in identifying the right area of the scene to focus on in more automatic modes.
The number of megapixels determines the resolution of the images captured with the main camera. A higher megapixel count means that the camera is capable of capturing more details. However, the megapixel count is not the only important element determining the quality of an image.
4.maximum light sensitivity
204800 ISO
With a higher light sensitivity (ISO level), the sensor absorbs more light. This can be used to capture moving objects using a fast shutter speed, or to take images in low light without using a flash.
Fast continuous shooting is useful for catching action shots.
6.has AF tracking
✔Sony Alpha a9
With AF tracking, once you choose the subject and press the shutter release part way down, as the subject moves, the autofocus will follow it. No more out of focus shots.
7.has built-in optical image stabilization
✔Sony Alpha a9
Optical image stabilization uses gyroscopic sensors to detect the vibrations of the camera. The lens adjusts the optical path accordingly, ensuring that any type of motion blur is corrected before the sensor captures the image.
8.Has phase-detection autofocus for photos
✔Sony Alpha a9
Phase-detection autofocus is much faster than a contrast detection autofocus, allowing for sharper images.
9.fastest shutter speed
1/8000s
A faster maximum shutter speed allows taking pictures of fast moving subjects without blur.
Videography
1.video recording (main camera)
2160 x 30fps
The maximum resolution available for videos shot with the main camera. Although it may be possible to choose among other frame rates, those recordings usually have lower resolutions.
2.Has phase-detection autofocus for videos
✔Sony Alpha a9
A phase-detection autofocus system is faster than a contrast detection autofocus system. Even when recording scenes with a lot of fast movements, the videos are sharp and clear.
3.has continuous autofocus when recording movies
✔Sony Alpha a9
When recording movies they stay focussed and sharp.
4.Has timelapse function
✔Sony Alpha a9
A timelapse shows a long passage of time sped up. A series of photographs taken from the same position over a long period is joined together to create a short video. It is great way to capture things like the setting sun, or clouds moving across the sky.
5.has a 24p cinema mode
✔Sony Alpha a9
24p is a video format (24 frames per second) traditionally used in cinema. Nowadays, it is used to create film-like motion characteristics.
6.supports slow-motion video recording
✔Sony Alpha a9
Slow-motion is an artistic video effect that makes time seem to go slower. It is achieved by recording a video at a higher frame-rate than the standard playback rate of 24fps or 30fps. Depending on camera capabilities, frame rates for slow-motion videos vary between 60fps and 960fps.
7.supports AVCHD format
✔Sony Alpha a9
AVCHD (Advanced Video Coding High Definition) is a file-based format for the digital recording and playback of high-definition video. It's a standard popular among professional cameras and camcorders.
8.movie bitrate
100Mbps
The higher the movie recording bitrate the better the movie quality with more and crispier details and less compression artifacts.
Audio
1.has a microphone input
✔Sony Alpha a9
A microphone port allows connecting external high-end or specialized microphones.
2.has a stereo microphone
✔Sony Alpha a9
A stereo microphone allows to record audio files or movies in stereo without an external microphone.
More microphones result in better sound quality and enable the device to filter out background noise.
4.has a socket for a 3.5 mm audio jack
✔Sony Alpha a9
With a standard mini jack socket, you can use the device with most headphones.
5.Has a zoom microphone
✖Sony Alpha a9
Zoom microphones record high-quality audio and enable you to record sound from a distance. They can be useful for recording meetings, lectures, and presentations.
6.has stereo speakers
✖Sony Alpha a9
Devices with stereo speakers deliver sound from independent channels on both left and right sides, creating a richer sound and a better experience.
Battery
1.Battery life (CIPA)
650shots
CIPA is an independent, standard measurement that determines how many shots a camera can take before the battery dies.
2.has a removable battery
✔Sony Alpha a9
The battery is removable and can be replaced by the user if broken.
3.has a rechargeable battery
✔Sony Alpha a9
The battery can be recharged and used over again.
4.has a battery level indicator
✔Sony Alpha a9
An indicator shows you when the device has low battery.
5.battery power
2280mAh
Battery power, or battery capacity, represents the amount of electrical energy that a battery can store. More battery power can be an indication of longer battery life.
6.has wireless charging
✔Sony Alpha a9
The manufacturer offers a branded wireless charging kit. To charge the device, you simply put it down on its charging base.
Features
1.noise
3517 ISO
The maximum ISO at which the device still captures excellent quality images. Source: DxOMark.
2.supports Wi-Fi
✔Sony Alpha a9
The device can connect to Wi-Fi.
A device's overall image quality score considers: color depth, dynamic range and low light performance. Source: DxOMark.
4.color depth
24.9bits
The better a device's color depth the more color nuances it can distinguish. Source: DxOMark.
5.Has a remote control
✔Sony Alpha a9
A remote control allows you to control the device remotely. The remote control can be included or optional.
6.has an external memory slot
✔Sony Alpha a9
The device has a standard memory slot (such as an SD or micro SD card slot) that enables you to extend the built-in internal storage with affordable memory modules, or easily retrieve data, such as photographs, from the memory card.
7.dynamic range
13.3Evs
The better the dynamic range the system captures a wider number of values from dark to light leading to more details in low and highlights. Source: DxOMark.
8.supports Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
✔Sony Alpha a9
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) is a wireless standard released in 2009. It has faster transfer rates and improved security compared to its predecessors – a, b, and g.
9.has an HDMI output
✔Sony Alpha a9
Devices with a HDMI or mini HDMI port can transfer high definition video and audio to a display.
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