Sony a9 III Review: A COSTLY Revolution!

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Thanks to Westcott, PetaPixel's preferred lighting partner, for sponsoring this episode!
Products featured:

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The Sony a9 III and its full-frame global shutter sent shockwaves through the photo/video community when it was first announced. But now we have a production model and can tell you if this camera lives up to the hype, or if the compromises overshadow the revolutionary technology.

Rental equipment provided by The Camera Store

0:00 - Intro
0:52 - handling
2:04 - Burst Shooting
3:43 - Image quality
5:51 - Autofocus
7:06 - Flash photography
13:49 - Video performance
17:35 - The wrap

[metrostills]

Other YouTube channels: Forgive the intro because I’m using a new lav in my studio.

Chris & Jordan: Forgive the intro, but I’m standing in life threatening conditions.

This channel rules.

[kqschwarz]

The description of how flashes work (fixed intensity + variable duration = variable output) and the effect that has on high shutter speeds with the A93 was the best I have heard yet on YouTube by any reviewer. Great job.

[renestaempfli]

Now I got my A9III, I tested it with Elinchrom, Broncolor Satos 3200 and Sony HVL-F60RM2 flashes. The flash speed you get out of the Sony HVL-F60RM2 is absolutely mind blowing. The flash processor and the camera processor talk to each other and automatically does all the adjustment. This small 60 Joule flash works at in Hi+ (120fps), 1/16000, f/1.8, ISO 250 without any problem. Every pictures is perfectly sharp, with excellent colour. Just put it into the hot shoe on the A9III and start shooting in any mode. No fiddling, nothing. This is by far the best speed-light for SONY cameras. Nothing comes close. Period. With AF-C, the flash automatically adjust the exposure to where you focus the camera while tracking a fast moving object. Forget all the other flashes.

[jm]

I laughed till I cried when Chris pulled ou the scraper to clean the INSIDE of his windshield!

[alpenfoxvideo]

I would love a global shutter when I film certain music events, with crap lights. But it's absurd that those events are the lowest paying, so I'm not gonna get this for those.

[OccasionalPhotographer]

I’m surprised they didn’t find a way to automate the flash timing, maybe have you hit an auto configure button and then press the shutter once while the camera works out and sets the delay.

[Paul_Rohde]

I have to admit that footage from a moving vehicle did look real nice & natural.

[lionheart]

7:27 that kickboxer is SUAVE AF! 😂

Also wow Jordan! You should consider being a model to save up for your own a9III.

[HenryPiffpaff]

Hi guys! I just saw the sequence on ISO performance and I gotta be honest, I didn't see much of a difference. It didn't look bad at any rate! And that's when I thought of this: How about you make a video on the progress of digital photography technology as a whole? How does ISO performance compare in notable cameras from different eras (5D, 700D, D90, 5DIII, A7, A7III, Eos R, Z6, recent models etc...)? What about Dynamic Range, burst rate, viewfinder etc.? I feel that a video like this would really put things into perspective! Reviews are great but they are mostly only referencing the last generation (which is fair).

[ninjatogo]

I wish you would have included a review of the new Composite RAW mode. I imagine it would dramatically improve the low light performance.

[ZOB]

Jordan is looking positively majestic in the segment going over the flash vs shutter speed

[questioneverything]

Jordan, would you consider switching to the a9 iii for your show? If not, what are the limiting factors stopping you from doing so? How does it compare to your experience with the other cameras you use for the show and how important are the differences for your workflow? I understand the broader differences, but I just want to hear from you how those impact your style of shooting. Thanks!

[winstonllamas]

You guys go through all that Calgary weather for all of us. Thanks! And great work as always!

[AbdonPhirathon]

DXO PhotoLab will take care of the noise, so it’s not that big of a deal if you use this software.

[ProbablyAnAmateur]

that jordan drake running towards the camera autofocus test had me in stitches

[UnconventionalReasoning]

Chris, it's unnecessary to outcompete the sun using the equipment when your subject already radiates brighter. 😎😂

Seriously, this is a very good presentation of what the A9III offers with the global shutter, and what can be expected with some other cameras in the coming years. It helps me confirm that, for the photography that I do, the mechanical and electronic shutters are adequate, and the investment in a camera in 2023 should last for most of the decade. Thank you.

[kanaheiusagi]

I'm looking at my a9III and a7IV's ISO12800 RAW files at 100% using Adobe Colour profile (photos taken with tripod with everything the same, same composition, same lens, etc), and honestly the noise is quite similar. How is that APSC equivalent?

[frankfeng]

I'd love to see a comparison with RED Komodo.
Also love to see this sensor implemented on the upcoming FX9II.

[zaddy]

It was a sad day when I thought you two were gone forever. I’m glad you are back! Suggestions: more comparison videos, not only in the same category, but putting different categories together (micro vs full frame). I especially like the ones where the footage is side by side and the viewer is supposed to guess which image they like more. Next suggestion: you guys need more subscribers. Reach out to other YouTubers to do guest videos and collaboration videos. Tony and Chelsea are big fans, for example. Finally: I’d love another G9 II video. Happy new year.

[TienChoihk]

16:24 I would really like to know the shutter speed needed to get rid of motion blur in Active Dynamic Mode. Many thanks!