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Sony Alpha 9 III vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A290

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha 9 IIISonyAlpha DSLR-A290
Overview
ReleasedJanuary 2024July 2010
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessDSLR
Sensor formatFull frameAPS-C
Sensor typeStacked Exmor RS CMOS with global shutterCCD
Sensor dimensions35.6 × 23.8 mm23.5 × 15.7 mm
Effective resolution24.6 MP14.2 MP
Largest image6000 × 40004592 × 3056
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range250–25600100–3200
Sensor detailApproximately 25.2 million total pixels; integral memory and global exposure rather than sequential line exposure.Approximately 14.9 million total pixels; RGB primary-colour filter; anti-static coating and image-sensor-shift dust reduction
Image formatsJPEG, HEIF and Sony ARW 5.0 RAW.JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.1; 3:2 and 16:9; sRGB and Adobe RGB
ISO detailStandard ISO 250–25600 for stills and movies; stills expand to ISO 125–51200.–
Image processorBIONZ XR with dedicated AI processing unit.BIONZ (Sony launch announcement)
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony E-mountSony A-mount
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst120 fps2.5 fps
AutofocusUp to 759 still-image or 627 movie phase-detection points; sensitivity EV −5 to 20 with an F2 lens at ISO 100 equivalent. Current UK specification includes automatic subject selection and people, animals, birds, insects, cars, trains and aircraft; launch reviews precede later firmware enhancements.Nine-point TTL phase detection with central cross sensor; EV 0–18 at ISO 100; single, automatic and continuous AF plus manual focus; Eye-start AF and flash AF illumination
Shutter–Electronically controlled focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/4000 second and Bulb; flash sync 1/160 second
Burst detailUp to 120 fps full-resolution electronic bursts with AF/AE tracking under Sony test conditions; speed depends on lens compatibility and shooting settings. Pre-Capture retains up to one second before full shutter press. No mechanical shutter.Maximum approximately 2.5 fps at full resolution using the optical viewfinder; maker specifies Fine JPEG until card fills, six RAW or three RAW+JPEG frames, depending on card and conditions
Stabilisation detailFive-axis sensor shift; 8.0-stop CIPA pitch/yaw claim with FE 50mm F1.2 GM and long-exposure noise reduction off. Active and Dynamic Active movie modes supported.SteadyShot INSIDE sensor shift; approximately 2.5–3.5 shutter-speed steps depending on lens and shooting conditions
Flash–Pop-up flash, guide number 10 m at ISO 100; ADI and pre-flash TTL; Sony Alpha accessory shoe; wireless flash with compatible optional external flash
Exposure controls–P/A/S/M and scene modes; 40-segment honeycomb SPC metering; ±2 EV in 0.3 EV steps; three-frame exposure bracketing at 0.3 or 0.7 EV; Dynamic Range Optimizer Off, Standard and Advanced
Video
Highest video resolution3840 × 2160 at 120 fps–
Video detailUp to uncropped 3840 × 2160 120p NTSC or 100p PAL; 4K 60p uses 6K oversampling. Supports 10-bit 4:2:2, S-Log3 and S-Cinetone; All-Intra 4K tops out at 60p. External HDMI RAW output is separate from internal recording.No movie recording (WIRED); HDMI is for still-image playback
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicOptical
Screen size3.2″2.7″
Screen dots2,095,104230,400
TouchscreenYes–
Tilting screenYesNo
Display detailFour-axis LCD tilts and opens sideways; approximately 98° up, 40° down, 180° sideways and 270° rotation.Fixed Clear Photo LCD; dots count colour subpixels; no live view
Viewfinder detail0.64-inch Quad-XGA OLED with 9437184 dots and approximately 0.90× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; selectable up to 240 fps NTSC or 200 fps PAL.Pentamirror optical viewfinder; approximately 95% coverage and 0.83× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity (Sony UK specifications). Shared original Asia specification sheet prints 0.74× across the model table; exact UK model table used
Connections and design
Wi-FiYes–
BluetoothYes–
Battery life (maker's claim)530 photographs500 photographs
Body weight617 g456 g
Release detailSony UK announced availability in January 2024; Japan's announcement specifies 26 January. The main date retains UK month precision.Sony Spain's original announcement specifies availability in the first half of July 2010; month precision retained. Sony Europe's parallel announcement states summer 2010; DPReview also reports July shipping
Recording mediaBoth slots accept CFexpress Type A or UHS-I/UHS-II SD.Separate Memory Stick PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo/PRO-HG Duo HX and SD/SDHC card slots
PortsUSB Type-C at 10 Gbps, Multi/Micro USB, full-size HDMI, 1000BASE-T Ethernet, sync terminal, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets and digital-audio Multi Interface Shoe.USB 2.0 Hi-Speed and mini HDMI Type C; supports BRAVIA Sync and PhotoTV HD; optional infrared remote, without wired remote-release terminal
Wireless connectionsWi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac at 2.4/5 GHz and Bluetooth 5.0.–
Battery life detailNP-FZ100; Sony UK CIPA approximately 530 photographs with LCD or 400 with viewfinder. Japan lists 520/410 respectively. USB Type-C Power Delivery charging and power supported.NP-FH50; approximately 500 photographs under maker CIPA conditions
DimensionsApproximately 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9 mm (width × height × maximum depth); grip-to-monitor depth 72.8 mm.Approximately 128.1 × 97.1 × 79.6 mm (width × height × depth, excluding protrusions)
Weight detailSony UK specifies approximately 617 g body only or 702 g with battery and memory card; Japan specifies 618/703 g respectively. Main figures use the UK specification.Approximately 456 g without battery, memory card or accessories; approximately 508 g including battery and Memory Stick PRO Duo
In the boxNP-FZ100 battery, BC-QZ1 charger, power cord, cable protector, shoulder strap, body cap, accessory shoe cap and eyepiece cup, according to Sony UK.–

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