Sony’s New α9 Camera Revolutionises the Professional Imaging Market
Groundbreaking Full-frame
Mirrorless Camera Delivers Unmatched Speed, Versatility and Usability
Mirrorless Camera Delivers Unmatched Speed, Versatility and Usability
·
World’s first1 full-frame
stacked CMOS sensor, 24.2 MP2 resolution
World’s first1 full-frame
stacked CMOS sensor, 24.2 MP2 resolution
·
Blackout-Free
Continuous Shooting3 at up to 20fps4 for up to 241 RAW5/ 362
JPEG6 images
Blackout-Free
Continuous Shooting3 at up to 20fps4 for up to 241 RAW5/ 362
JPEG6 images
·
Silent7,
Vibration-free shooting at speeds up to 1/32,000 sec8
Silent7,
Vibration-free shooting at speeds up to 1/32,000 sec8
·
93 point focal
plane phase detection AF points with 60 AF/AE tracking calculations per second
93 point focal
plane phase detection AF points with 60 AF/AE tracking calculations per second
·
Extensive
professional features including Ethernet port for file transfer, Dual SD card
slots and extended battery life
Extensive
professional features including Ethernet port for file transfer, Dual SD card
slots and extended battery life
·
5-axis in-body
image stabilisation with a 5.0 step9
shutter speed advantage
5-axis in-body
image stabilisation with a 5.0 step9
shutter speed advantage
(SINGAPORE, 21 April 2017) – Sony introduced its new revolutionary digital
camera, the α9 (model ILCE-9). The most technologically advanced, innovative
digital camera that Sony has ever created, the new α9 offers a level of
imaging performance that is simply unmatched by any camera ever created –
mirrorless, SLR or otherwise.
camera, the α9 (model ILCE-9). The most technologically advanced, innovative
digital camera that Sony has ever created, the new α9 offers a level of
imaging performance that is simply unmatched by any camera ever created –
mirrorless, SLR or otherwise.
Exmor RS™ CMOS sensor
The new camera offers many
impressive capabilities that are simply not possible with a modern digital SLR
camera including high-speed, blackout-free continuous shooting3 at up to 20fps4, 60 AF/AE
tracking calculations per second,10 a maximum shutter speed of up to 1/32,000 second8 and much more.
These are made possible thanks to its 35mm full-frame stacked Exmor RS™ CMOS
sensor – the world’s first of its kind – which enables data speed processing at
up to 20x faster than previous Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras11. This unique
sensor is paired with a brand new, upgraded BIONZ X processing engine and
front-end LSI that maximises overall performance.
impressive capabilities that are simply not possible with a modern digital SLR
camera including high-speed, blackout-free continuous shooting3 at up to 20fps4, 60 AF/AE
tracking calculations per second,10 a maximum shutter speed of up to 1/32,000 second8 and much more.
These are made possible thanks to its 35mm full-frame stacked Exmor RS™ CMOS
sensor – the world’s first of its kind – which enables data speed processing at
up to 20x faster than previous Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras11. This unique
sensor is paired with a brand new, upgraded BIONZ X processing engine and
front-end LSI that maximises overall performance.
This
industry-leading speed and innovative silent shooting7 is combined
with a focusing system that features an incredible 693 phase detection AF
points. Covering approximately 93% of the frame, the focusing system ensures
that even the fastest moving subjects are reliably captured and tracked across
the frame.
industry-leading speed and innovative silent shooting7 is combined
with a focusing system that features an incredible 693 phase detection AF
points. Covering approximately 93% of the frame, the focusing system ensures
that even the fastest moving subjects are reliably captured and tracked across
the frame.
Dual SD media card slots
The new α9 also features
a vibration free, fully electronic, completely silent anti-distortion shutter7 with absolutely
no mechanical mirror or shutter noise, making it an extremely powerful
photographic tool for any shooting situation that demands quiet operation. To
ensure maximum usability and reliability, the camera features a new Z battery
with approximately 2.2x the capacity of W batteries, as well as dual SD media
card slots, including one that supports UHS-II cards. An Ethernet port (wired
LAN terminal) is available as well, and there is a wide variety of new
settings, controls and customisability options that are essential for working
professionals.
a vibration free, fully electronic, completely silent anti-distortion shutter7 with absolutely
no mechanical mirror or shutter noise, making it an extremely powerful
photographic tool for any shooting situation that demands quiet operation. To
ensure maximum usability and reliability, the camera features a new Z battery
with approximately 2.2x the capacity of W batteries, as well as dual SD media
card slots, including one that supports UHS-II cards. An Ethernet port (wired
LAN terminal) is available as well, and there is a wide variety of new
settings, controls and customisability options that are essential for working
professionals.
A New Standard of Speed and
Focusing Accuracy
Focusing Accuracy
Critical to the record-breaking
speed of the new α9 is the combination of the new stacked 24.2 MP2 Exmor RS image
sensor, new BIONZ X processor and front end LSI.
speed of the new α9 is the combination of the new stacked 24.2 MP2 Exmor RS image
sensor, new BIONZ X processor and front end LSI.
The immense processing power
from these new components allows for faster AF/AE calculation while also
reducing EVF display latency. The processor and front end LSI are also
responsible for the larger continuous shooting buffer, enabling photographers
to shoot at a blazing 20 fps4 with continuous AF/AE tracking for up to 362 JPEG6 or 241 RAW5 images.
from these new components allows for faster AF/AE calculation while also
reducing EVF display latency. The processor and front end LSI are also
responsible for the larger continuous shooting buffer, enabling photographers
to shoot at a blazing 20 fps4 with continuous AF/AE tracking for up to 362 JPEG6 or 241 RAW5 images.
The camera’s innovative AF
system tracks complex, erratic motion with higher accuracy than ever before,
with the ability to calculate AF/AE at up to 60 times per second10, regardless of
shutter release and frame capture. Furthermore, when the shutter is released
while shooting stills, the electronic viewfinder functions with absolutely no
blackout12, giving the user a seamless live view of their subject at all times.
This feature truly combines all of the benefits of an electronic viewfinder
with the immediacy and “in the moment” advantages that not even the finest
optical viewfinders can match, and is available in all still image modes13 including high
speed 20 fps4 continuous shooting.
system tracks complex, erratic motion with higher accuracy than ever before,
with the ability to calculate AF/AE at up to 60 times per second10, regardless of
shutter release and frame capture. Furthermore, when the shutter is released
while shooting stills, the electronic viewfinder functions with absolutely no
blackout12, giving the user a seamless live view of their subject at all times.
This feature truly combines all of the benefits of an electronic viewfinder
with the immediacy and “in the moment” advantages that not even the finest
optical viewfinders can match, and is available in all still image modes13 including high
speed 20 fps4 continuous shooting.
With 693 focal plane phase
detection AF points covering approximately 93% of the frame, the camera ensures
improved precision and unfailing focus in scenes where focus might otherwise be
difficult to achieve. The Fast Hybrid AF system – pairing the speed and
excellent tracking performance of phase detection AF with the precision of
contrast AF – achieves approximately 25% faster performance when compared with α7R
II, ensuring all fast-moving subjects are captured.
detection AF points covering approximately 93% of the frame, the camera ensures
improved precision and unfailing focus in scenes where focus might otherwise be
difficult to achieve. The Fast Hybrid AF system – pairing the speed and
excellent tracking performance of phase detection AF with the precision of
contrast AF – achieves approximately 25% faster performance when compared with α7R
II, ensuring all fast-moving subjects are captured.
Professional Capabilities in a Compact Body
Sony’s new full-frame camera is
equipped with a variety of enhanced capabilities that give it a true
professional operational style.
equipped with a variety of enhanced capabilities that give it a true
professional operational style.
The α9 features an
all-new, high-resolution, high-luminance Quad-VGA OLED Tru-Finder with
approximately 3,686k dots for extremely accurate, true-to-life detail
reproduction. The new Tru-Finder, which is the highest resolution viewfinder
Sony has ever incorporated in an α camera, features an optical design that
includes a double-sided aspherical element, helping it to achieve 0.78x
magnification and a level of corner to corner sharpness that is simply
outstanding. The EVF also utilises a ZEISS®
T* Coating to greatly reduce reflections,
and has a fluorine coating on the outer lens that repels dirt.
all-new, high-resolution, high-luminance Quad-VGA OLED Tru-Finder with
approximately 3,686k dots for extremely accurate, true-to-life detail
reproduction. The new Tru-Finder, which is the highest resolution viewfinder
Sony has ever incorporated in an α camera, features an optical design that
includes a double-sided aspherical element, helping it to achieve 0.78x
magnification and a level of corner to corner sharpness that is simply
outstanding. The EVF also utilises a ZEISS®
T* Coating to greatly reduce reflections,
and has a fluorine coating on the outer lens that repels dirt.
This all adds up to a luminance
that is 2x higher than the XGA OLED Tru-Finder from the α7R II, creating a
viewfinder image with a brightness level that is nearly identical to the actual
scene being framed, ensuring the most natural shooting experience. The frame
rate of the Tru-Finder is even customisable, with options to set it for 60 fps
or 120 fps13 to best match the action.
that is 2x higher than the XGA OLED Tru-Finder from the α7R II, creating a
viewfinder image with a brightness level that is nearly identical to the actual
scene being framed, ensuring the most natural shooting experience. The frame
rate of the Tru-Finder is even customisable, with options to set it for 60 fps
or 120 fps13 to best match the action.
5-axis image stabilisation
system
system
The α9 is equipped with an
innovative 5-axis image stabilisation system that provides a shutter speed
advantage of 5.0 steps9, ensuring the full power of the new sensor can be
realised, even in challenging lighting. With a simple half press of the shutter
button, the effect of the image stabilisation can be monitored in the
viewfinder or on the LCD screen, allowing framing and focus to be accurately
checked and continually monitored.
The α9 also offers an
Ethernet port (wired LAN terminal), allowing convenient transfer of still image
files to a specified FTP server at high speeds, making it an ideal choice for
studio photography, high-profile news and sporting events and more. In
addition, there is a sync terminal, enabling external flash units and cables to
be connected directly for convenient flash sync.
Ethernet port (wired LAN terminal), allowing convenient transfer of still image
files to a specified FTP server at high speeds, making it an ideal choice for
studio photography, high-profile news and sporting events and more. In
addition, there is a sync terminal, enabling external flash units and cables to
be connected directly for convenient flash sync.
New Features for Fast
Operation
Operation
Sony’s new α9 has
several new and updated focus functions that support faster, easier focusing in
a variety of situations. The camera features a multi-selector joystick on the
back of the camera, allowing shooters to easily shift focus within the frame by
pressing the multi-selector in any direction up, down, left or right when
shooting in Zone, Flexible Spot or Expanded Flexible Spot focus area modes. The
new model also offers touch focusing on the rear LCD screen for easy selection
of, and shifting focus towards a desired focus point or subject.
several new and updated focus functions that support faster, easier focusing in
a variety of situations. The camera features a multi-selector joystick on the
back of the camera, allowing shooters to easily shift focus within the frame by
pressing the multi-selector in any direction up, down, left or right when
shooting in Zone, Flexible Spot or Expanded Flexible Spot focus area modes. The
new model also offers touch focusing on the rear LCD screen for easy selection
of, and shifting focus towards a desired focus point or subject.
New for Sony E-mount cameras,
the α9 includes the addition of separate drive mode and focus mode
dials, plus a new “AF ON” button that can be pressed to activate autofocus
directly when shooting still images or movies.
the α9 includes the addition of separate drive mode and focus mode
dials, plus a new “AF ON” button that can be pressed to activate autofocus
directly when shooting still images or movies.
α9 with SEL100400GM
Additional
new capabilities include the “AF Area Registration”, which allows frequently
used focus areas to be memorised and recalled via custom button assignments.
There is also the ability to assign specific settings (exposure, shutter speed,
drive mode, etc) to a custom button to be instantly recalled when needed. The
camera can memorise and automatically recall the last focus point used in a
vertical or horizontal orientation, instantly switching back to it when that
specific orientation is used again. For enhanced customisation, a “My Menu”
feature is available, allowing up to 30 menu items to be registered in a custom
menu for instant recall when needed.
new capabilities include the “AF Area Registration”, which allows frequently
used focus areas to be memorised and recalled via custom button assignments.
There is also the ability to assign specific settings (exposure, shutter speed,
drive mode, etc) to a custom button to be instantly recalled when needed. The
camera can memorise and automatically recall the last focus point used in a
vertical or horizontal orientation, instantly switching back to it when that
specific orientation is used again. For enhanced customisation, a “My Menu”
feature is available, allowing up to 30 menu items to be registered in a custom
menu for instant recall when needed.
Double Battery Life, Double Memory
The innovative α9 camera
features an all-new Sony battery (model NP-FZ100) with 2.2x the capacity of
previous Sony full-frame models, allowing for much longer shooting performance.
features an all-new Sony battery (model NP-FZ100) with 2.2x the capacity of
previous Sony full-frame models, allowing for much longer shooting performance.
Based on extensive customer
feedback, the new camera offers two separate media card slots, including one
for UHS-II media. The same data can simultaneously be recorded to both cards,
or the user can choose to separate RAW / JPEG or still images / movies. Movies
can also simultaneously be recorded to two cards for backup and more efficient
data management.
feedback, the new camera offers two separate media card slots, including one
for UHS-II media. The same data can simultaneously be recorded to both cards,
or the user can choose to separate RAW / JPEG or still images / movies. Movies
can also simultaneously be recorded to two cards for backup and more efficient
data management.
High Sensitivity and Wide
Dynamic Range
Dynamic Range
The unique design of the α9 image
sensor represents the pinnacle of Sony device technology. The 24.2 MP2 full-frame
stacked CMOS sensor is back-illuminated, allowing it to capture maximum light
and produce outstanding, true-to-life image quality. The sensor also enables
the diverse ISO range of 100 – 51200, expandable to 50 – 20480014 , ensuring
optimum image quality with minimum noise at all settings.
sensor represents the pinnacle of Sony device technology. The 24.2 MP2 full-frame
stacked CMOS sensor is back-illuminated, allowing it to capture maximum light
and produce outstanding, true-to-life image quality. The sensor also enables
the diverse ISO range of 100 – 51200, expandable to 50 – 20480014 , ensuring
optimum image quality with minimum noise at all settings.
The enhanced BIONZ X processor
plays a large part in image quality as well, as it helps to minimise noise in
the higher sensitivity range while also reducing the need to limit ISO sensitivity
in situations where the highest quality image is required.
plays a large part in image quality as well, as it helps to minimise noise in
the higher sensitivity range while also reducing the need to limit ISO sensitivity
in situations where the highest quality image is required.
The
new α9 also supports uncompressed 14-bit RAW, ensuring users can get the
most out of the wide dynamic range of the sensor.
new α9 also supports uncompressed 14-bit RAW, ensuring users can get the
most out of the wide dynamic range of the sensor.
4K Video Capture
The new α9 is a very
capable video camera as it offers 4K (3840x2160p) video recording across the
full width of the full-frame image sensor15. When shooting in this format, the camera uses full
pixel readout without pixel binning to collect 6K of information, oversampling
it to produce high quality 4K footage with exceptional detail and depth.
Recording is also available in the popular Super 35mm size.
capable video camera as it offers 4K (3840x2160p) video recording across the
full width of the full-frame image sensor15. When shooting in this format, the camera uses full
pixel readout without pixel binning to collect 6K of information, oversampling
it to produce high quality 4K footage with exceptional detail and depth.
Recording is also available in the popular Super 35mm size.
Additionally, the camera can
record Full HD at 120 fps at up to 100 Mbps, which allows footage to be reviewed
and eventually edited into 4x or 5x slow motion video files in Full HD
resolution with AF tracking.
record Full HD at 120 fps at up to 100 Mbps, which allows footage to be reviewed
and eventually edited into 4x or 5x slow motion video files in Full HD
resolution with AF tracking.
VG-C3EM Vertical Grip on α9 with
SEL2470GM
SEL2470GM
New Accessories
Sony has released a variety of
new accessories to compliment the new α9, including:
new accessories to compliment the new α9, including:
NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Battery: High-capacity battery with approximately
2.2x the capacity of the NP-FW50 W-series battery. Supports InfoLITHIUM® technology,
which makes it possible to
view the remaining battery power as both a percentage display and five step
icon on the camera’s LCD screen.
view the remaining battery power as both a percentage display and five step
icon on the camera’s LCD screen.
·
VG-C3EM
Vertical Grip: Provides same
operation, handling and design as α9, doubles battery life and allows
USB battery-charging via the camera body.
VG-C3EM
Vertical Grip: Provides same
operation, handling and design as α9, doubles battery life and allows
USB battery-charging via the camera body.
·
NPA-MQZ1K
Multi-Battery Adaptor Kit: External
multi-battery adaptor kit capable of functioning as an external power supply
for four Z series batteries and as a quick charger. Kit comes with two packs of
NP-FZ100 rechargeable batteries.
NPA-MQZ1K
Multi-Battery Adaptor Kit: External
multi-battery adaptor kit capable of functioning as an external power supply
for four Z series batteries and as a quick charger. Kit comes with two packs of
NP-FZ100 rechargeable batteries.
·
GP-X1EM Grip
Extension: Grip extender with same
look, feel and design as α9. Enables more solid hold on camera.
GP-X1EM Grip
Extension: Grip extender with same
look, feel and design as α9. Enables more solid hold on camera.
·
FDA-EP18
Eyepiece Cup: Eye piece cup with
locking mechanism
FDA-EP18
Eyepiece Cup: Eye piece cup with
locking mechanism
·
BC-QZ1 Battery
Charger: Quick-charging battery
charger. Charges one new Z series battery in approximately 2.5 hours.
BC-QZ1 Battery
Charger: Quick-charging battery
charger. Charges one new Z series battery in approximately 2.5 hours.
·
PCK-LG1 Screen
Protect Glass Sheet: Hard,
shatterproof glass screen protector with anti-stain coating to prevent
fingerprints. Compatible with touch operation and tilting LCD screen
PCK-LG1 Screen
Protect Glass Sheet: Hard,
shatterproof glass screen protector with anti-stain coating to prevent
fingerprints. Compatible with touch operation and tilting LCD screen
Pricing and Availability
The α9 interchangeable
lens camera will be available in Singapore from June 2017. Pricing and
availability of the new accessories will be announced at a later date.
lens camera will be available in Singapore from June 2017. Pricing and
availability of the new accessories will be announced at a later date.
A variety of exclusive stories and exciting new content shot
with the new α9 camera and other Sony α products can be found here, a
site built to educate and inspire all fans and customers of the Sony α brand.
The new content will also be posted directly at the Sony Photo Gallery and the
Sony Camera Channel on YouTube.
with the new α9 camera and other Sony α products can be found here, a
site built to educate and inspire all fans and customers of the Sony α brand.
The new content will also be posted directly at the Sony Photo Gallery and the
Sony Camera Channel on YouTube.
1 As of 19 April, 2017
2 Approximate effective megapixels
3 Electronic shutter mode. At apertures smaller than F11 (F-numbers higher than F11), focus will not track the subject and focus points will be fixed from the first frame. Display updating will be slower at slow shutter speeds.
4 “Hi” continuous shooting mode. The maximum frame rate will depend on the shooting mode and lens used. Visit Sony’s support web page for lens compatibility information.
5 “Hi” continuous shooting mode, compressed RAW, UHS-II memory card. Sony tests.
6 “Hi” continuous shooting mode, UHS-II memory card. Sony tests.
7 Silent shooting is possible when Shutter Type is set to “Electronic” and Audio signals is set to “Off.”
8 1/32000 shutter speed is available only in the S and M modes. The highest shutter speed in all other modes is 1/16000.
9 CIPA standards. Pitch/yaw stabilisation only. Planar T* FE 50mm F1.4 ZA lens. Long exposure NR off.
10 At shutter speeds higher than 1/125 sec, smooth and blackout-free live view images are shown in EVF
11 Compared to the front-illuminated CMOS image sensor in the α7 II.
12 Display updating will be slower at slow shutter speeds.
13 When the auto or electronic shutter mode is selected the viewfinder frame rate is fixed at 60 fps during continuous shooting.
14 Still images, mechanical shutter: ISO 100 – 51200 expandable to ISO 50 – 204800. Still images, electronic shutter: ISO 100 – 25600 expandable to ISO 50 – 25600. Movie recording: ISO 100 – 51200 expandable to ISO 100 – 102400.
12 Display updating will be slower at slow shutter speeds.
13 When the auto or electronic shutter mode is selected the viewfinder frame rate is fixed at 60 fps during continuous shooting.
14 Still images, mechanical shutter: ISO 100 – 51200 expandable to ISO 50 – 204800. Still images, electronic shutter: ISO 100 – 25600 expandable to ISO 50 – 25600. Movie recording: ISO 100 – 51200 expandable to ISO 100 – 102400.
15 Class 10 or higher SDHC/SDXC memory card required for XAVC S format movie recording. UHS Speed Class U3 required for 100Mbps or higher recording
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