Sony’s a9 series has been popular among sports and wildlife photographers for its blazing fast burst shooting modes. While the current a9 II model offers impressive 20fps shooting with continuous autofocus, Sony may be planning to take it even further with the a9 III according to recent rumors. The rumored announcement date is on November 7/8 next month.
Sources indicate that the a9 III will retain a body design and size very similar to the flagship a1 model. This means pro-oriented ergonomics and weather sealing. However, the sensor resolution may be dialed back to around 33-36 megapixels compared to the a1’s 50MP count. This would allow even faster readout speeds beneficial for action photography.
One feature that likely won’t make it to the a9 III is 8K video recording, which is found on the a1. Since the a9 series is aimed primarily at stills shooters, Sony may reserve 8K as an a1 exclusive.
The biggest upgrades for the a9 III will come in the form of enhanced continuous shooting modes. Rumors suggest the camera will offer an astonishing 40fps shooting speed when capturing 12 bit RAW files. This blazing fast burst rate would make it easier than ever to capture the perfect moment in fast action scenarios. Additionally, Sony may add a 14 bit RAW option with 30fps continuous shooting, delivering greater dynamic range and editing flexibility at a marginally slower burst rate.
While details are still limited, the rumored specs around burst shooting speeds indicate Sony plans to push boundaries even further with the a9 III. The camera would cement itself as the pinnacle option for sports and wildlife photographers if these rumor prove true. We’ll have to wait for Sony’s official announcement to know for sure what they have in store for the next iteration in the groundbreaking a9 series.
via: SAR