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Sony Alpha 9 III vs Sony Alpha DSLR-A850

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

SonyAlpha 9 IIISonyAlpha DSLR-A850
Overview
ReleasedJanuary 2024September 2009
Image and sensor
Camera typeMirrorlessDSLR
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeStacked Exmor RS CMOS with global shutterExmor CMOS
Sensor dimensions35.6 × 23.8 mm35.9 × 24 mm
Effective resolution24.6 MP24.6 MP
Largest image6000 × 40006048 × 4032
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range250–25600200–3200
Sensor detailApproximately 25.2 million total pixels; integral memory and global exposure rather than sequential line exposure.Approximately 25.7 million total photosites; anti-static coating on low-pass filter and sensor-shift dust removal
Image formatsJPEG, HEIF and Sony ARW 5.0 RAW.JPEG, RAW, compressed cRAW and RAW/cRAW+JPEG; Sony ARW 2.1; sRGB and Adobe RGB
ISO detailStandard ISO 250–25600 for stills and movies; stills expand to ISO 125–51200.Standard ISO 200–3200 in 1/3 EV steps; expanded ISO 100–6400
Image processorBIONZ XR with dedicated AI processing unit.BIONZ
Lens and shooting
Lens mountSony E-mountSony A
StabilisationSensor shiftSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst120 fps3 fps
Lens detail–Sony A-mount; Sony Alpha and Minolta/Konica Minolta AF lenses. DT APS-C lenses are not recommended for full-frame shooting because their image circle may affect metering
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.TTL phase detection with nine selectable points, a central dual-cross sensor and ten assist points; EV 0–18 at ISO 100; AF-S, AF-A, AF-C, direct manual focus and manual focus; micro-adjustment for up to 30 lenses
Shutter–Electronically controlled vertical-traverse focal-plane shutter; 30 seconds to 1/8000 second and Bulb; sync 1/250 second with stabilisation off or 1/200 second with stabilisation on
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.Full-resolution continuous shooting up to approximately 3 fps; Sony claims 34 Extra Fine JPEGs, 16 RAW or 18 compressed RAW per burst; card and settings affect results
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.Sensor-shift SteadyShot INSIDE; maker claims approximately 2.5–4 shutter-speed steps depending on lens and shooting conditions
Flash–No built-in flash; Sony Alpha system accessory shoe and separate flash sync terminal; ADI and pre-flash TTL control
Exposure controls–P/A/S/M and Auto; 40-segment honeycomb SPC metering; ±3 EV in 0.3/0.5 EV steps; Dynamic Range Optimizer and exposure bracketing; mirror lock-up
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 (PhotographyBlog); Sony specifies no live view; HDMI supplies still-image playback rather than recorded Full HD movies
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderElectronicOptical
Screen size3.2″3″
Screen dots2,095,104921,600
TouchscreenYes–
Tilting screenYesNo
Display detailFour-axis LCD tilts and opens sideways; approximately 98° up, 40° down, 180° sideways and 270° rotation.Fixed Xtra Fine LCD; dots count colour subpixels; separate top status LCD
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.Eye-level pentaprism, approximately 98% coverage and 0.74× magnification with a 50 mm lens at infinity; supplied G screen, optional interchangeable L grid and M focusing screens
Connections and design
Wi-FiYes–
BluetoothYes–
Battery life (maker's claim)530 photographs880 photographs
Body weight617 g850 g
Release detailSony UK announced availability in January 2024; Japan's announcement specifies 26 January. The main date retains UK month precision.Sony Hong Kong's original announcement specifies September 2009 retail availability for the body; month precision retained
Recording mediaBoth slots accept CFexpress Type A or UHS-I/UHS-II SD.Separate Memory Stick Duo/PRO Duo/PRO-HG Duo and CompactFlash Type I/II slots; UDMA Mode 5 and Microdrive support
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; flash-sync terminal; PhotographyBlog also documents the 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-FM500H; maker CIPA claim approximately 880 photographs; optional AC-PW10AM adapter or AC-VQ900AM adapter/charger
DimensionsApproximately 136.1 × 96.9 × 82.9 mm (width × height × maximum depth); grip-to-monitor depth 72.8 mm.Approximately 156.3 × 116.9 × 81.9 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 850 g without battery, memory card or accessories
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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