Sony α9 III
Global shutter · 24.6 MP · 120fps
Sony A7S III · Body only
full-frame · 2020
Sony α9 III takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Sony α9 III lands at 94 and Sony A7S III · Body only at 91. That puts Sony α9 III ahead by 3 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Sony α9 III if…
- ✓First full-frame global-shutter camera
- ✓120 fps at full resolution (14-bit RAW)
- ✓Sync flash to any shutter speed up to 1/80000 s
Pick Sony A7S III · Body only if…
- ✓Current-gen AF system
- ✓Proven lens ecosystem
- ✓Strong video + stills balance
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testVideo
Sony α9 IIICompared on the video sub-score
Sony α9 III leads on video (92 vs 87).
Ergonomics
Sony α9 IIICompared on the ergonomics sub-score
Sony α9 III leads on ergonomics (92 vs 86).
Value for money
Sony A7S III · Body onlySpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Sony A7S III · Body only more score per dollar ($3,498 vs $5,999).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Sony α9 III | Sony A7S III · Body only |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 24.6 MP global-shutter CMOS | — |
| Mount | Sony E | — |
| Max shutter | 1/80000 s electronic | — |
| Burst | Up to 120 fps full-res JPG / 14-bit RAW | — |
| Video | Up to 4K (3840×2160) at 120 fps | — |
| AF | 759 phase-detect points (still) / 627 (video) | — |
| ISO | ISO 250–25600 native (125–51200 extended) | — |
| Weight | 702 g (with battery + card) | — |
| Format | — | full-frame |
| Release year | — | 2020 |
Sony α9 III
- +First full-frame global-shutter camera
- +120 fps at full resolution (14-bit RAW)
- +Sync flash to any shutter speed up to 1/80000 s
- −24.6 MP feels conservative for the price
- −$5,999 body-only
- −ISO range tops at 25600 native
Sony A7S III · Body only
- +Current-gen AF system
- +Proven lens ecosystem
- +Strong video + stills balance
- −Body price excludes lens
- −Heavy for travel (flagship)
- −Learning curve on menus
FAQ: Sony α9 III vs Sony A7S III · Body only
Which is better, Sony α9 III or Sony A7S III · Body only? +
Sony α9 III scores 94 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 3. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Sony α9 III worth the price? +
At $5,999, Sony α9 III delivers a Specdex score of 94 — strongest in af.
Is Sony A7S III · Body only worth the price? +
At $3,498, Sony A7S III · Body only delivers a Specdex score of 91 — strongest in photo.
Does Sony α9 III or Sony A7S III · Body only last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for video, Sony α9 III or Sony A7S III · Body only? +
Sony α9 III — leads on video (92 vs 87). Compared on the video sub-score.
Which is better for ergonomics, Sony α9 III or Sony A7S III · Body only? +
Sony α9 III — leads on ergonomics (92 vs 86). Compared on the ergonomics sub-score.