Let the camera keep track — the high-speed readout of the new image sensor enables the α9 III to make up to 120 AF/AE tracking calculations per second⁰, twice that of its predecessor. AF tracks complex subject motions and predicts sudden movements with greater precision than ever before, while AE easily responds to sudden brightness variations. The α9 III continues to track even during continuous shooting, also contributing to greater precision.

(1) AF/AE calculations  (2) 120 frames/sec

Pre-Capture records the moments that occurred before the shutter was released. Settable from 0.005 to 1 second⁰, it's available in any file format up to 120 fps¹ with full AF/AE tracking. This makes it easier to capture split-second moments, such as images of birds taking flight, even if actual shutter release is a little late.

Continuous Shooting Speed Boost⁰ temporarily boosts the shooting speed while shooting bursts, ensuring you capture all the action. This is beneficial when shooting sports and other fast-paced activities when the timing of the key moment can be roughly predicted.

With its innovative AI processing unit, the α9 III can use subject form data to accurately recognise movement. This makes it possible to lock onto and track a subject facing away from the camera or whose face is covered.

Our latest camera software takes Sony’s human pose estimation to the next level. In Version 4.0 and beyond, Real-time Recognition AF+ offers more stable recognition of people even in complex situations such as crowds or team sports, precise and consistent tracking, and persistent focus on your subject even if they are temporarily obstructed.

The AI processing unit supports enhanced Human, Animal, Bird, Insect, Car/Train and Airplane⁰ recognition. In the Car/Train category, it is now capable of recognising helmets, such as those worn by the drivers of formula race cars. Animal recognition can recognise the eyes of some grazing and small animals, in addition to the eyes, heads, and bodies of dogs, cats, and similarly featured animals. Bird recognition has also been updated, more easily pinpointing the eyes of a variety of bird types as well as recognising bird bodies. Plus, a new Animal/Bird setting eliminates the need to switch between two settings to shoot animals or birds.

The α9 III now features 759⁰ phase-detection points in a high-density focal plane phase-detection AF system that covers approximately 95.6% of the image area. The large volume of data read from the image sensor is processed at high speed via the advanced BIONZ XR processing engine, while optimised algorithms ensure high accuracy and high density. This Fast Hybrid AF system combines the speed and tracking performance of phase-detection AF with the precision of contrast-detection AF, reliably locking onto and tracking subjects that move rapidly and/or erratically.

Whether the subject is moving, still or changing speed, AF tracking can keep track. Simply select a setting [Stable], [Standard], and [Responsive], depending on the speed of the subject and shooting scenario.

Keep what you need in focus, with XL and XS focus area spot sizes added to the line-up. XS can be useful when shooting wildlife and trying to avoid focusing on foreground branches, for example. You can also create a custom focus area of specified size and even vertical aspect ratio if necessary. For example, at a track event where the participants are lined up side-by-side, setting the AF frame to a custom horizontal format could make it easier to focus on the leading runner.