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Sony A7R III vs Sony A9

Portability
63
Imaging
78
Features
93
Overall
84
Sony Alpha A7R III front
 
Sony Alpha A9 front
Portability
65
Imaging
73
Features
93
Overall
81

Sony A7R III vs Sony A9 Key Specs

Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Boost to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 657g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Announced October 2017
  • Replaced the Sony A7R II
  • Newer Model is Sony A7R IV
Sony A9
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 673g - 127 x 96 x 63mm
  • Announced April 2017
  • Renewed by Sony A9 II
Photography Glossary

Sony A7R III vs Sony A9 Overview

Following is a in-depth analysis of the Sony A7R III versus Sony A9, both Pro Mirrorless cameras and both are sold by Sony. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the A7R III (42MP) and A9 (24MP) but they feature the exact same sensor measurements (Full frame).

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The A7R III was released 7 months after the A9 so they are of a similar age. Both of the cameras come with the identical body type (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before we go straight into a complete comparison, below is a concise summation of how the A7R III matches up against the A9 with regards to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Sony A9

 A7R III A9 
AnnouncedOctober 2017April 2017More modern by 7 months

Reasons to pick Sony A9 over the Sony A7R III

 A9 A7R III 

Common features in the Sony A7R III and Sony A9

 A7R III A9 
Manually focus More exact focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Screen dimension3"3"Identical screen measurements
Screen resolution1440k1440kEqual screen resolution
Selfie screen Absent selfie screen
Touch friendly screen Quickly navigate

Sony A7R III vs Sony A9 Physical Comparison

For those who are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you will want to factor its weight and dimensions. The Sony A7R III features outer dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") with a weight of 657 grams (1.45 lbs) and the Sony A9 has dimensions of 127mm x 96mm x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5") with a weight of 673 grams (1.48 lbs).

Check the Sony A7R III versus Sony A9 in our completely new Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into account, the weight of an ILC will change depending on the lens you are utilizing at that time. Underneath is the front view sizing comparison of the A7R III compared to the A9.

Sony A7R III vs Sony A9 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability score of the A7R III and A9 is 63 and 65 respectively.

Sony A7R III vs Sony A9 top view buttons comparison

Sony A7R III vs Sony A9 Sensor Comparison

In many cases, its tough to envision the gap in sensor sizes purely by seeing specs. The picture here might offer you a greater sense of the sensor dimensions in the A7R III and A9.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras posses the exact same sensor measurements albeit not the same megapixels. You can expect the Sony A7R III to show greater detail as a result of its extra 18MP. Higher resolution will make it easier to crop photographs somewhat more aggressively. The younger A7R III is going to have an edge with regard to sensor technology.

Sony A7R III vs Sony A9 sensor size comparison

Sony A7R III vs Sony A9 Screen and ViewFinder

Sony A7R III vs Sony A9 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Sony A7R III as a Portrait photography camera
Sony A9 as a Portrait photography camera
86
focusing manually
excellent resolution (42MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
delivers RAW files
83
manual focus
decent MP (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Sony A7R III Street photography advice
Sony A9 Street photography advice
79
screen tilts up and down
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
big sensor size (Full frame)
delivers RAW files
has touch to focus
weather proof
very good high ISO (32,000)
79
screen tilts
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
large sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW formats
features focus via touch
weather sealing
very good ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Sony A7R III Sports photography highlights
Sony A9 Sports photography highlights
89
great max shutter speed (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent resolution (42 megapixels)
big sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather proof
great battery life (650 shots)
has phase detect AF
86
maximum shutter speed is high (1/8,000 seconds)
silent shutter (1/32,000 seconds)
max frames per second high (20.0 frames/s)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24 megapixels)
large sensor size (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
weather sealing
better than average battery power (650 shots)
supports phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Sony A7R III Travel photography features
Sony A9 Travel photography features
74
great battery life (650 shots)
weather proof
has bluetooth
has touch to focus
excellent resolution (42MP)
display isn't selfie friendly
73
better than average battery power (650 per charge)
weather sealing
has bluetooth
features focus via touch
decent MP (24 megapixels)
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Landscape Comparison

Sony A7R III as a Landscape photography camera
Sony A9 as a Landscape photography camera
87
focusing manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
good sized screen (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
excellent resolution (42MP)
big sensor size (Full frame)
does not have anti aliasing filter
very good high ISO (32,000)
delivers RAW files
weather proof
great battery life (650 shots)
has double storage slots
85
manual focus
change lenses (Sony E mount)
nice screen size (3 inches)
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
decent MP (24MP)
large sensor size (Full frame)
very good ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather sealing
better than average battery power (650 shots)
has double storage slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Sony A7R III as a Vlogging camera
Sony A9 as a Vlogging camera
37
touchscreen functionality
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
video res high (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external microphone port
display isn't selfie friendly
36
has touchscreen
built in image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external mic port
doesn't feature selfie friendly screen
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Sony A7R III vs Sony A9 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Sony A7R III and Sony A9
 Sony Alpha A7R IIISony Alpha A9
General Information
Company Sony Sony
Model type Sony Alpha A7R III Sony Alpha A9
Class Pro Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2017-10-25 2017-04-19
Body design SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Bionz X BIONZ X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size Full frame Full frame
Sensor dimensions 35.9 x 24mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor surface area 861.6mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 42 megapixels 24 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Full resolution 7952 x 5304 6000 x 4000
Max native ISO 32000 51200
Max boosted ISO 102400 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW images
Minimum boosted ISO 50 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch focus
Continuous AF
AF single
Tracking AF
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 425 693
Lens
Lens support Sony E Sony E
Amount of lenses 121 121
Crop factor 1 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3" 3"
Screen resolution 1,440k dot 1,440k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch function
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 3,686k dot 3,686k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification 0.78x 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Highest shutter speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Highest silent shutter speed - 1/32000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 10.0fps 20.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash distance no built-in flash no built-in flash
Flash modes Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync Flash off, Autoflash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p) -
Max video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S MPEG-4, AVCHD, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 657g (1.45 pounds) 673g (1.48 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") 127 x 96 x 63mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 100 92
DXO Color Depth rating 26.0 24.9
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.7 13.3
DXO Low light rating 3523 3517
Other
Battery life 650 pictures 650 pictures
Type of battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID NP-FZ100 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures)) Yes (2, 5, 10 secs + continuous)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II compatible)
Storage slots 2 2
Cost at launch $2,800 $4,498