Sony A9 reviews roundup: Should you buy it?
Here’s a roundup of all the Sony A9 reviews, ratings and impressions from the web. Discover its strengths and weaknesses here!
Released in May 2017, the Sony a9 features a 24.2MP full frame Exmor RS CMOS sensor, a 693 points phase detection and 425 contrast detection hybrid autofocus system, a 5-axis Sensor-shift image stabilization, a 3.69M dots electronic viewfinder, and a 1.44M dots tilting touchscreen.
This camera can snap photos in RAW and JPG format, with a 20 fps burst mode through the electronic shutter, or 10 fps through the mechanical shutter. It shoots videos in 1080p at up to 120 fps, and in 4K at up to 30 fps. Data is saved on a dual UHS-II SD card slot. Its battery lasts around 480 shots. It embarks on a wide range of connectivity : Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and 5Ghz, Bluetooth, NFC, LAN, USB-C and midi-HDMI. Altogether, the a9 weighs 678g.
So what do the critics think of the Sony A9?
Overall most reviews say that the Sony a9 is a great camera for sport photography. The electronic burst is quiet and fast. The image quality is great, as is the dynamic range for a broad range of settings. The autofocus is very snappy and precise. The battery is not really top tier but is capable enough. The body is weatherproofed, which is mandatory for sport events in all weather.
The electronic viewfinder is sharp and its fast refresh rate makes it easy and effective to use. The rear screen is way less effective and lacks resolution. Menus can be difficult to navigate, being very crowded. The UHS-II memory card format is a bit too outdated for this kind of camera. A faster format would make a big difference.
- World’s first Full-frame stacked CMOS sensor w/ integrated memory
- World’s first blackout-free continuous shooting up to 20 fps. Battery Life (Still Images) - Approx. 480 shots (Viewfinder) / approx. 650 shots (LCD monitor) (CIPA standard)15. Battery Life (Movie,...
- Silent, vibration-free, anti-distortion shutter up to 1/32,000 sec.
Most reviews like…
- fast burst mode
- HD 120 fps mode
- great autofocus system
- versatile connectivity
- strong weatherproofing
Most reviews don’t like…
- limitation to UHS-II SD cards
- unintuitive menus
- can be hard to handle with big lenses
- price tag
- burst mode diminished to 12 fps in uncompressed RAW format
For more infos about the positive and negatives sides of the Sony A9, check out the selection of reviews below:
Websites Reviews
Dpreview.com – 90% (Gold Award) – ‘The Sony a9 is more than just a refinement of the company’s a7-series of full-frame mirrorless cameras; it’s an evolution. With meaningful ergonomic and user interface improvements, the a9 is a polished and highly capable camera. It may not be a go-to camera for landscape and studio photographers, but its compact dimensions, silent operation, abundant speed and blackout-free shooting make it not only a step forward for mirrorless, but a compelling proposition for professionals who can’t afford to miss a moment.’
Digitalcameraworld.com – ★★★★½ (Recommended) – ‘The A9 is simply stunning, both as a technical achievement and as a tool for capturing fast-moving action. The silent 20fps continuous shooting mode can capture shots you would once have missed, and the AF system is complex but extremely effective. Bravo!’
Ephotozine.com – ★★★★★ – ‘The Sony A9 is a brilliant camera, fast, responsive and delivering superb results. If it is just high-quality images that are required though, the A7R II will save £2000 that can be spent on fine lenses instead and will give higher resolution. There are also plenty of alternative Sony bodies that will give entry to the system at much lower cost.’
Expertreviews.co.uk – ★★★★★ – ‘Expensive but you’ll struggle to find much better’
Pcmag.com – 4.5/5 (Excellent) – ‘The Sony a9 camera packs an incredible autofocus system, full-frame image sensor, and 4K video, all in a body that’s smaller than most SLRs.’
Photographylife.com – 4.5/5 (Gold Award) – ‘The A9 isn’t a perfect camera, with Sony’s weather sealing being of particular concern, but its compact dimensions, accurate subject tracking, incredible frame-rate with no viewfinder blackout, native 4K video recording, silent operation and a price that massively undercuts the competition results in a camera that is not only revolutionary but also incredibly practical and a joy to use.’
Trustedreviews.com – ★★★★★ – ‘An astonishing high-speed mirrorless model that pushes the boundaries for full-frame sports and action cameras.’
Techradar.com – ★★★★★ – ‘The Alpha A9 doesn’t fail to impress. The AF system Sony has blessed this camera with is not only incredibly quick, the tracking performance needs to be seen to be believed. Partner that with incredibly fast 20fps burst shooting, and a large and bright EVF that doesn’t blackout when you’re shooting, and you’ve got a camera that can mix it with the best that Canon and Nikon have to offer when it comes to shooting action.’
Amazon users reviews
- World’s first Full-frame stacked CMOS sensor w/ integrated memory
- World’s first blackout-free continuous shooting up to 20 fps. Battery Life (Still Images) - Approx. 480 shots (Viewfinder) / approx. 650 shots (LCD monitor) (CIPA standard)15. Battery Life (Movie,...
- Silent, vibration-free, anti-distortion shutter up to 1/32,000 sec.
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