Sony α9

The Sony α9 (the α is sometimes spelled out as Alpha), Model ILCE-9, is a full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera. It was Sony's flagship camera as of 2017. The camera is not the successor to the α7 line of digital cameras but supplements it. Announced on 19 April 2017, the α9 is characterized by Sony as a true professional mirrorless camera system.^[2] The α9 is being compared with the Nikon D5 and the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II.^[3]

Sony α9

Overview
Type	Full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera
Intro price	4,500 USD
Lens
Lens mount	Sony E-mount
Sensor/medium
Sensor	35.6×23.8 mm Exmor full-frame RS CMOS Sensor
Maximum resolution	6000×4000 (3:2) (24.2 megapixel)
Film speed	Auto, 100-51,200 expandable to 204,800
Storage media	Dual memory card slots. α9 supports Memory Stick Pro Duo, Pro-HG Duo, SD, SDHC, SDXC; α9 II supports only SD formats. Slot 1 - SD (UHS-I/II compliant). Slot 2 - Multi slot for Memory Stick Duo/SD (UHS-I compliant) on α9; SD (UHS-1/II compliant) on α9 II
Focusing
Focus modes	Contrast Detect (sensor), Phase Detect, Multi-area, Center, Selective single-point, Single, Continuous, Face Detection, Live View
Exposure/metering
Exposure metering	Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot, Spot Standard/Large, Entire Screen Avg., Highlight
Shutter
Shutter	Electronically-controlled, vertical-traverse, focal-plane shutter
Shutter speed range	1/32,000 (Electronic) / 1/8000 (Mechanical) - 30 sec, BULB
Continuous shooting	20 frame/s electronic (12bit[1]), 5 frame/s mechanical
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	Built-in 3.68 Million dot Quad-VGA OLED Electronic viewfinder
General
LCD screen	2.95 in (75 mm) Tilting LCD, 1.44 megapixel
Battery	NP-FZ100 Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery
Body features	Anti Dust System, Image Stabilization with Sensor-Shift mechanism
Dimensions	126.9 mm × 95.6 mm × 63 mm (5.00 in × 3.76 in × 2.48 in)
Weight	Approx. 673 g (23.7 oz) including battery and memory card
Made in	Thailand

Sony initially priced the α9 at $4,499 with an availability date in May 2017.

The headline feature of the α9 is the 20 frames per second with a buffer of 240 raw or 362 JPEG images. This is accomplished without temporarily blacking out the finder for each exposure, unlike a DSLR.^[4] Sony α9 was the first e-mount camera to use the larger NP-FZ100 battery with nearly double the capacity of the previous smaller NP-FW50 battery. ^[5]

The Sony α9 II, announced in October 2019, succeeds the α9. The new camera has updated ergonomics, connectivity, and a faster 10 fps burst with the mechanical shutter. Additionally, the α9 II breaks compatibility with the Memory Stick format; both slots are now SD and support the UHS-II protocol.^[6]

The Sony α9 III has been announced in November 2023, featuring a global shutter and 120 fps burst.^[7]

Features

• Stacked Exmor RS CMOS Full-Frame sensor
• 693-point focal-plane phase detection AF
• 5-axis image stabilization
• LCD touchscreen (3 inch/7.5 cm) with tilt functionality
• 3.68 Million dot Quad-VGA OLED 1.3 cm (0.5 inch) electronic viewfinder^[8]
• 1200-zone evaluative light metering
• Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth
• LAN input for transferring files via FTP
• LED-auto focus illuminator
• Multi Interface Shoe
• My Menu system with up to 72 assignable functions
• Joystick for positioning of the 693 focus points
• Dual memory card slots:
  • α9: One for UHS-I and one for UHS-II.
  • α9 II: Both support UHS-II.

1 2

Dual memory card slots of the Sony α9 1 SDXC (UHS-I) slot 2 SDXC II (UHS-II) slot

Reception

Initial hands-on of the α9 have been positive with multiple reviewers praising the company for listening to its users.^[9]

The α9 won Camera Grand Prix 2018 Camera of the Year.^[10]

See also

• List of Sony E-mount cameras
• Sony α7 II
• Sony α7 III
• Sony α7R II