As Sony’s most innovative and technologically advanced digital camera, theα9 offers an unmatched level of imaging performance compared to other cameras on the market, be they mirrorless, DSLR, or other types.
The new camera features incredible capabilities not available on a modern digital SLR camera, including uninterrupted, high-speed continuous shooting up to a maximum of 20 fps, AF/AE calculated 60 times per second, and[x] a maximum shutter speed of 1/32,000 sec.viii. These features are made possible by the industry-first 35mm full-frame stacked CMOS Exmor RS image sensor, which enables data processing 20 times faster than previously possible in Sony’s full-frame mirrorless cameras. The unique sensor is complemented by the new BIONZ X processor and an LSI processing chip, all contributing to enhanced overall performance.
Industry-leading Silent Shooting and groundbreaking focus system boasts an astounding 693 phase-detection AF points. Covering approximately 93% of the frame, this focus system ensures even fast-moving subjects are captured effectively within the frame.
The new α9 features a completely electronic, silent, and vibration-free anti-distortion shutter, free from mechanical mirror or shutter noise – making it an extremely functional photographic tool in all shooting situations where discretion is required. For maximum usability and reliability, the camera boasts a new Z battery with approximately 2.2 times the capacity of W batteries, as well as a dual SD card slot, one of which is compatible with UHS-II cards. An Ethernet port (wired LAN terminal) and a wide variety of original, professional-grade settings, controls, and customization options are also available.
A New Standard in Autofocus Speed and Precision
To ensure the groundbreaking speed of the newα9, the combination of the original 24.2 MP stacked Exmor RS image sensor, BIONZ X processor, and LSI processing chip is crucial.
The extraordinary processing power of these components enables faster AF/AE calculations, reducing the viewfinder display latency. The processor and LSI chip contribute to the extended continuous shooting buffer, allowing photographers to shoot rapidly at up to 20 fps with continuous AF/AE tracking for up to 362 JPEG images or 241 RAW images.
The camera’s innovative AF system tracks complex and erratic movements with unprecedented precision, with AF/AE calculations up to 60 times per second, independent of shutter release and frame acquisition. Furthermore, when you take a photo and the shutter is therefore released, the electronic viewfinder operates without interruption, for smooth Live View subjects. This option combines all the advantages of an electronic viewfinder with the immediacy that even superior optical viewfinders cannot guarantee, and is available in all photo modes, such as high-speed continuous shooting at 20 fps.
With 693 phase-detection AF points on the focal plane covering approximately 93% of the frame, the camera offers precise and infallible focus in situations where it might be difficult to achieve. The fast Hybrid AF system, which combines the excellent speed and performance of phase-detection AF with the accuracy of contrast-detection AF, ensures approximately 25% faster speeds than the α7R II, to capture all fast-moving subjects.
Professional Features in a Compact Body
Sony’s new full-frame camera boasts numerous optimized features that lend it a professional style.
Theα9 is equipped with a high-brightness, high-resolution Quad-VGA OLED Tru-Finder with approximately 3.68 million dots, for extremely accurate and realistic detail reproduction. The new Tru-Finder, the highest resolution viewfinder Sony has ever included in an α camera, features an optical design with a dual-sided aspherical element for 0.78x magnification and simply exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness. The EVF has a ZEISS T* coating to reduce reflections and a fluorine coating on the outer lens to protect against dirt.
All this adds up to luminance twice that of the α7R II’s XGA OLED Tru-Finder, for a viewfinder image almost as bright as the actual scene, offering a natural shooting experience. The Tru-Finder’s frame rate is customizable, with options of 60 fps or 120 fps to choose from depending on the action.
Theα9 is equipped with innovative 5-axis image stabilization, providing a 5-stop advantage in shutter speed, allowing you to fully leverage the new sensor’s power, even in challenging lighting conditions. Simply half-press the shutter button to monitor the effect of image stabilization in the viewfinder or on the LCD screen for constant framing and focus verification.
Theα9 also offers an Ethernet port (wired LAN terminal) for conveniently transferring photos to a dedicated FTP server at high speed, making the device ideal for studio photography, high-profile news, and sports events, among others. A sync terminal is also present, allowing external flash units and sync cables to be connected directly.
New Features for Enhanced Speed
Sony’s newα9 offers numerous new and improved autofocus features that make focusing easier and faster in many situations. The camera features a multi-selector joystick on the back for easily changing focus within the frame by pressing the buttons up, down, left, or right when shooting in Zone, Flexible Spot, or Expanded Flexible Spot AF area modes. The new model also offers touch focus on the back LCD screen for easy selection and switching of focus to the desired point or subject.
Among the new additions to Sony’s E-mount camera family, theα9 includes separate dials for Drive Mode and Focus Mode, as well as the new “AF ON” button, pressing which activates autofocus directly during stills and video shooting.
Other new features include “AF Area Registration,” which allows frequently used focus areas to be saved and recalled by assigning them to custom buttons, and the ability to assign specific settings (exposure, shutter speed, Drive Mode, etc.) to a custom button for instant recall when needed. The camera can automatically save and recall the last focus point with vertical or horizontal orientation, to instantly return to it when using the same orientation.
The “My Menu” function offers an additional layer of customization, allowing up to 30 items to be saved in a custom menu for instant recall when needed.
Double Battery Life and Double Memory
The innovativeα9 camera includes a new Sony battery (NP-FZ100) with 2.2 times the capacity of Sony’s previous full-frame models and significantly extended shooting performance.
Designed based on extensive customer feedback, the new camera offers two media card slots, including one for UHS-II media. You can record the same data simultaneously to both cards or choose to separate RAW and JPEG or photos and videos. You can also record videos simultaneously to two cards for backup or more efficient data management.
High Sensitivity and Wide Dynamic RangeThe unique design of the image sensor in the α9 represents the culmination of Sony’s technical expertise. The 24.2 MP stacked, full-frame CMOS sensor is back-illuminated, allowing it to capture the maximum amount of light and produce exceptional, true-to-life image quality. The sensor also offers the use of a diverse ISO range from 100 to 51200, expandable to 50–204,800, for optimal image quality with minimal noise at all settings.
The optimized BIONZ X processor plays an important role in image quality, as it helps to minimize noise due to the higher sensitivity range, while reducing the need to limit ISO sensitivity in situations where maximum image quality is required.
The new α9 also supports uncompressed 14-bit RAW content, allowing users to get the most out of the sensor’s wide dynamic range.
4K Ultra HD Video Shooting
The new α9 can be used as a full-featured video camera since it offers 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160p) video shooting that takes advantage of the full width of the full-frame image sensor. When shooting in this format, the camera performs a full-pixel readout without pixel binning to record 6K information, oversampling it to produce quality 4K Ultra HD video with exceptional detail and depth. It is also possible to shoot in the widely used Super 35 mm format.
Finally, the camera is capable of shooting Full HD video at 120 fps and up to 100 Mbps, which can be viewed and turned into 4x or 5x slow-motion video files with Full HD resolution and AF tracking.
New Accessories
Sony has introduced numerous accessories to match the new α9, including:
–NP-FZ100 Rechargeable Battery: high-capacity battery, with about 2.2 times the capacity of the NP-FW50 W-series batteries. It supports InfoLITHIUM technology, which makes it possible to view the remaining battery power as a percentage display or a five-step icon on the camera’s LCD screen.
–VG-C3EM Vertical Grip: offers the same operation, handling, and design as the α9, doubles battery life, and offers USB battery charging via the camera body.
–NPA-MQZ1K Multi Battery Adapter Kit: external multi-battery adapter kit, usable as an external power source for four Z-series batteries and for fast charging. The kit includes two NP-FZ100 rechargeable batteries.
–GP-X1EM Grip Extension: grip extension with the same look & feel and design as the α9. It offers a more secure grip on the camera.
–FDA-EP18 Eyepiece Cap: eyepiece cap with a locking mechanism.
– BC-QZ1 Charger: fast-charging charger. It charges one of the new Z-series batteries in about 2.5 hours.
–PCK-LG1 Screen Protector: hard and unbreakable screen protector with anti-smudge coating to prevent fingerprints. Compatible with touchscreen use and the tilting LCD screen.
Pubblicato in Photography
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