The Sony Alpha 9 Full Frame Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Camera (Body Only) is a technologically advanced and innovative digital camera with unmatched imaging performance. It boasts record achievements: It has the world's first full-frame stacked CMOS sensor (from the world's largest sensor manufacturer) and offers the world's most phase detection AF points at 693.
The revolutionary image sensor combined with high-speed processing help make the a9 a game changer. The a9 also has a viewfinder that offers blackout-free continuous shooting at fast speeds. It offers high shutter speeds without noise or vibration, plus AF and AE tracking to follow moving subjects flawlessly without lag. These and many other features make the a9 a reliable mirrorless digital camera.
a9 liberates you from the limits of conventional SLRs that rely on mechanical systems. First1 to use high-speed stacked design, its 24.2-megapixel2 full-frame image sensor temporarily stores large-volume data in the integral memory for overall 20 times faster readout speed3. The combination of CMOS sensor and enhanced BIONZ X image-processing engine brings you true digital freedom.
[ Stacked back-illuminated structure with integral memory ]
(1) Pixel area (2) Integral memory (3) Hi-speed signal processing circuit (4) Image processing engine
Groundbreaking full-frame Exmor RS CMOS sensor and BIONZ X processor team up for 20fps continuous shooting4 with AF/AE tracking. Stunning high-speed performance and ample buffer let you capture the decisive moment.
Non-mechanical electronic shutter eliminates blackout with typical SLR mirror action. An uninterrupted view of the subject is available even during shutter release, with 60fps live-view capability and minimal display lag in continuous shooting.
(A) Blackout-free shooting (B) Shooting with blackout
Light directly reaches the image sensor without mechanical interruption. An ingenious fusion of mirrorless construction and new speed-enhancing technologies provides AF/AE at the full-frame focal plane.
(1) AF/AE calculations (2) 60times/sec (3) 20 frames/sec
Electronic shutter speeds up to 1/32000 sec. far surpass mechanical shutters for a new imaging expression. You can also maintain shallow depth of field without an ND filter, even under bright conditions.
(A mode 1/20000 sec. F8.0 ISO 1000)
An anti-distortion8 electronic shutter allows silent shooting9 without mechanical mirror and shutter noise. It’s ideal for sports and subjects that demand quiet operation, greatly expanding camera versatility.
During SLR shooting, mirror shock and shutter release shock cause subtle vibration. a9, however, has a vibration-free electronic shutter that can keep the camera stable, for razor-sharp images.
The phase-detection points on the surface of an image sensor — 693 AF points — covers approximately 93% of the image area. High-precision performance assures your focus on subjects.
Capture fast-moving subjects with reliable rapid AF. The speed and accuracy of this Fast Hybrid AF System are further improved in combination with the enhanced BIONZ X image processing engine.
Uninterrupted AF and optimized AF algorithm dramatically enhance AF accuracy and tracking. Even during shutter release, constantly activated AF lets you continue tracking random subject motion.
Eye detection — enhanced by 30%10 through improved face detection — keeps the subject’s eye in focus, even if the face is turned at an angle or partially shaded. Wide focal-plane phase-detection AF sensor shows its ability in challenging shots.
Capture subjects with high AF precision down to light levels as low as EV-311 at ISO 100, due to the high sensitivity image sensor.
Focal-plane phase-detection AF system with 693 AF points functions reliably. Enjoy up to 10fps continuous shooting12 with AF/AE tracking even when you use A-mount lenses13 with a mount adapter (LA-EA3)14.
Full-frame 24.2-megapixel2 sensor with sensitivity up to ISO 20480015 and wide dynamic range captures outstanding image quality.
High sensitivity, a back-illuminated configuration, gapless on-chip lens architecture, and other Sony innovations deliver stunning images in a wide range of photographic situations. Standard ISO range is ISO 100-51200, expandable to ISO 50-20480015 with minimum noise.
Utilize high-quality imaging that unites all available image sensor technologies — including back-illuminated structure, gapless on-chip lens architecture.
[A] Conventional front-illuminated structure [B] Stacked back-illuminated structure with integral memory
(1) Gapless OCL (2) Aluminum wiring layer (3) Light receiving surface (4) Photodiode substrate (5) Copper wiring layer (6) Pixel area (7) Stacked layer
Enhanced image processing combined with new front-end LSI reduces noise while improving detail depiction over a wide sensitivity range. Improved detail rendering enables lifelike texture reproduction.
Uncompressed 14-bit RAW format is supported, and it or the current compressed RAW format can be selected as required. Uncompressed 14-bit RAW is a good choice in situations where the sensor's wide dynamic range and fine gradation reproduction will benefit the images being captured.
(1) Image Sensor (2) Newly developed high-speed front-end LSI (3) 16-bit image processing
In addition to a magnesium alloy body that assures the camera’s all-around toughness and reliability, largely amplified versatile features enhance operability, supporting severe usage in professional photography.
The new high-resolution 3686k-dot electronic viewfinder (EVF) shows a clear image with fine detail. The legendary ZEISS T Coating greatly reduces reflections. Smooth EVF images realized by 120fps16 frame rate even allow you to easily track a subject in fast motion. Fluorine coating on the outermost lens provides improved protection from dirt.
New body-integrated 5-axis image stabilization unit offers a 5.0-stop17 shutter speed advantage. The live-view monitor image is also stabilized, so you can compose images easily even when shooting a fast-moving subject.
(1) Yaw (2) Pitch (3) Roll
A newly developed NP-FZ100 battery offers approximately twice10 the life of the previous NP-FW50. Capture up to approx. 480 still frames on one charge — and further increase the number of shots with an attached optional vertical grip (sold separately) that can hold two batteries.
Use two slots — one for SD and one for SD/Memory Stick cards — to simultaneously backup still/movie data, save RAW/JPEG images to different cards, and copy between cards. Lower card slot supporting UHS-II type cards is available for fast transfer speed.
A new terminal for wired LAN connection lets you transfer still images to an FTP server for viewing and management. Since FTPS (File Transfer Protocol over SSL/TLS) is supported, image files can be encrypted while being transferred.
A new My Menu feature lets you register up to 30 menu items for instant recall, arrange items in any order, and erase unused items. Also, primary menus have been reorganized for smoother search and operation.
1. The world’s first as 35mm full-frame stacked CMOS image sensor with integral memory, as of April 2017, based on Sony research.
2. Approximate effective pixels.
3. Compared with the front-illuminated CMOS image sensor in the a7 II.
4. "Hi" continuous shooting mode. At shutter speeds of 1/125 s or higher. In AF-C mode the maximum continuous frame rate will depend on the shooting mode and lens used. A software update may be required for some lenses. Visit Sony's support web page for lens compatibility information //support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/www/support/ilc/products/ilce9/continuousshooting/index.php
5. Electronic shutter mode. Focus will not track the subject at apertures smaller than F11 (F-numbers higher than F11). The focus point will be fixed at the first frame. Display updating will be slower at slow shutter speeds.
6. At shutter speeds of 1/125 s or higher. The number of AF calculations will depend on camera settings and the lens used.
7. Selectable only in S and M modes.
8. Slight distortion may occur in some shooting conditions. See the Sony support website for details. //support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/www/support/ilc/shutter/electronicshutter/index.php
9. Silent shooting is possible when Shutter Type is set to 'Electronic' and Audio is set to 'Off'.
10. Compared with a7R II.
11. in the AF-S mode.
12. The maximum frame rate will depend on the lens used. Visit Sony's support web page for lens compatibility information. //support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/www/support/ilc/products/ilce9/continuousshooting/amount.php
13. A-mount lenses with SSM or SAM only. Users can choose phase-detection AF or contrast-detection AF in AF System menu. “Phase-detection AF” is not available during movie shooting.
14. Software update scheduled for release in May 2017.
15. ISO ranges are as follows: - Mechanical shutter shooting for stills: ISO 100-51200 (expandable to ISO 50-204800) - Electronic shutter shooting for stills: ISO 100-25600 (expandable to ISO 50-25600) - Shooting movies: ISO 100-51200 (expandable to ISO 100-102400)
16. When the auto or electronic shutter mode is selected the viewfinder frame rate is fixed at 60 fps during continuous shooting.
17.CIPA standards. Pitch/yaw stabilization only. Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA lens. Long exposure NR off.