• 35mm 847.3mm2
  • 24.2 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 51,200
  • Medium format 1,350.0mm2
  • 64.0 megapixels
  • ISO 100 - 50,000
  • Detailed specifications
  • Sony Alpha ILCE-A9
  • Leica S3
Links
Prices: Compare Prices  
Manufacturer URL: Manufacturer website Manufacturer website
Predecessor:   Leica S2
S2 vs S3
Successor: Sony A9 II
A9 vs A9 II
 
General
Model Number: A9 S3
Alternate Model Number(s): ILCE-9  
Camera Format: Compact System Camera Pro SLR
Currently Manufactured: Yes Yes
Retail Price: $4499.00 $19.00
Street Price: $2,995.00  
Date Available: 2017-04-15 2020-03-06
Tripod Mount: Yes Yes
Weight: 23.7 oz (673 g)
includes batteries
44.4 oz (1,260 g)
includes batteries
Size: 5.0 x 3.8 x 2.5 in.
(127 x 96 x 63 mm)
6.3 x 4.7 x 3.1 in.
(160 x 120 x 80 mm)
Waterproof: No No
Waterproof Depth: n/a n/a
Image Sensor
Sensor Type: CMOS CMOS
Sensor Manufacturer: Sony  
Effective Megapixels: 24.2 64.0
Sensor Format: 35mm Medium format
Sensor size: 847.28mm2 (35.60mm x 23.80mm) 1350mm2 (45.00mm x 30.00mm)
Approximate Pixel Pitch: 5.93 microns 4.59 microns
Focal Length Multiplier: 1.0x 0.8x
Aspect Ratio: 3:2 3:2
Color Filter Type: RGBG RGBG
Anti Aliasing Filter: Fixed None
Self-Cleaning: Yes No
Sensor shift image stabilization: Yes No
On-Sensor Phase Detect: Yes No
DxO Sensor Score: 92  
DxO Color Depth Score (bits): 24.9  
DxO Dynamic Range Score (evs): 13.3  
DxO Maximum Effective ISO Score (iso): 3,517  
Image Capture
Image Resolution: 6000 x 4000 (24.0 MP, 3:2),
3936 x 2624 (10.3 MP, 3:2),
3008 x 2000 (6.0 MP, 3:2),
6000 x 3376 (20.3 MP, 16:9),
3936 x 2216 (8.7 MP, 16:9),
3008 x 1688 (5.1 MP, 16:9)
9800 x 6530 (64.0 MP, 3:2)
Image File Format: JPEG (EXIF 2.31), RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3 compressed or uncompressed), RAW+JPEG JPEG, RAW (Adobe .DNG), RAW+JPEG Fine/Basic
Continuous-mode frames/second: 20.0 3.0
Video Capture
Can take movies: Yes Yes
Movie Resolution: 3840x2160 (30p/​25p/​24p)
1920x1080 (120p/​100p/​60p/​60i/​50p/​50i/​30p/​25p/​24p)
1280x720 (30p/​25p)
1920x1080 (1p/​2p/​3p/​4p/​6p/​8p/​12p/​15p)
4096x2160 (24p)
1920x1080 (30p/​25p/​24p)
Movie File Format: XAVC S / AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: LPCM / Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo MOV (motion JPEG)
Composite Video Out: No No
NTSC/PAL Switchable Video: n/a n/a
Video Usable as Viewfinder: n/a n/a
HD Video Out: Yes Yes
HD Video Connection: HDMI HDMI
Lens & Optics
Lens Mount: Sony E Leica S bayonet
Lens: n/a n/a
Focal Length (35mm equivalent):    
Focal Length (actual):    
Zoom Ratio:    
Aperture Range:    
Integrated ND Filter: No No
Normal Focus Range:    
Macro Focus Range:    
Filter Thread: n/a n/a
Thread Type: n/a n/a
Optical Image Stabilization: No No
Digital Zoom: Yes No
Digital Zoom Values: Up to 4x; up to 2x Clear Image Digital Zoom n/a
Auto Focus
Auto Focus: Yes Yes
Auto Focus Type: Fast Hybrid AF: Wide (693 points (phase-detection AF), 25 points (contrast-detection AF)) / Zone / Center / Flexible Spot (S/M/L) / Expanded Flexible Spot / Lock-on AF (Wide / Zone / Center / Flexible Spot (S/M/L) / Expanded Flexible Spot) Phase-detect TTL with central cross-hair sensor: Choice of AFs (single) = Sharpness priority, AFc (continuous) = Shutter release priority, MF (manual), Manual override of automatic setting possible at any time; Contrast detect AF during live view at any point in image
Auto Focus Assist Light? Yes No
Manual Focus: Yes Yes
Viewfinder
Viewfinder: EVF / LCD Optical / LCD
Viewfinder Type: EVF: 1.3 cm (0.5 type) 3,686K-dot Quad VGA color OLED, 100% coverage, 0.78x magnification, -4.0 to +3.0m-1 diopter, Approx. 23mm eyepoint from the eyepiece lens, 18.5mm from the eyepiece frame at -1m-1 (CIPA standard), STD 60fps / HI 120fps, eye sensor High eyepoint pentaprism viewfinder, 98% coverage, 0.87x magnification, -3 to +1 diopter correction, interchangeable focusing screen, ground glass screen with microprism ring and split image (standard)
Focus Peaking: Yes Yes
EVF Resolution: 3,686,400 dots (1,228,800 pixels) n/a
Viewfinder Magnification (35mm equivalent): 0.78x 1.09x
Viewfinder Magnification (nominal/claimed): 0.78x 0.87x
Display
Eye-level Viewfinder: Yes Yes
Rear Display: Yes Yes
Rear Display Size (inches): 3.0 3.0
Rear Display Resolution: 1,440,000 dots (360,000 px) 921,600 dots
Touchscreen: Yes No
Articulating Screen: Yes No
Tilt Swivel Screen: No No
Selfie Screen: No No
Max Playback Zoom: 15.0x  
Top Deck Display: No Yes
Exposure
Maximum ISO (native): 51200 50000
Minimum ISO (native): 100 100
ISO Settings: AUTO, ISO 100 - 51200, expandable to ISO 50 - 204800 Auto, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400, 12500, 25000, 50000
Auto ISO Mode: Yes Yes
White Balance Settings: Auto (with Priority), Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Incandescent, Fluorescent (4 settings), Flash, Underwater, Custom, Color Temp./ Filter (2500-9900K with 15-step Magenta/Green compensation) Automatic, Daylight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, HMI, Fluorescent, Halogen warm, Halogen cool, Flash, Tungsten, Grey card (determined from image), Grey card Live View, Color temperature (Kelvin)
Shutter Speed Range: 1/32000 - 30 sec 1/4000 - 125 sec
Bulb Mode: Yes Yes
Exposure Compensation: +/- 5.0EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0EV in 0.5EV steps
Metering Modes: 1200-zone Evaluative Multi-segment, Center-weighted, Spot, Spot Standard/Large, Entire Screen Avg., Highlight Multi-segment (5 fields), Center-weighted, Spot (3.5% of image frame)
Program Auto Exposure: Yes Yes
Aperture Priority: Yes Yes
Shutter Priority: Yes Yes
Full Manual Exposure: Yes Yes
Creative Exposure Modes: Picture Effect: Posterization (Color), Posterization (B/W), Pop Color, Retro Photo, Partial Color (R/G/B/Y), High Contrast Monochrome, Toy Camera (Normal / Cool / Warm / Green / Magenta), Soft High-key; HDR: Auto Exposure Difference, Exposure difference Level (1-6 EV at 1.0 EV step)  
Self Timer: 2, 5, 10; 3/5 shots after 2/5/10 seconds 2, 12 seconds
Time Lapse (intervalometer):    
High Resolution Composite: No No
Flash
Built-in Flash: No No
Flash Modes: Flash off, Auto flash, Fill-flash, Slow Sync., Rear Sync., Hi-speed Sync, Wireless; Red-eye reduction: On/Off TTL pre-flash metering, with automatic transmission and consideration of sensitivity and set/controlled lens aperture, all exposure modes available, automatic adaptation of flash light component to available light; First or second curtain sync
Flash Guide Number (ISO 100): n/a n/a
Flash Range Description: n/a n/a
Max Flash Sync: 1/250 1/125 or 1/1000 depending on lens (shutter type)
Flash Exposure Compensation: +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps +/- 3.0 EV in 0.3EV steps
External Flash Connection: Multi Interface Hot Shoe, Sync Terminal Hot shoe
Built-In Wireless Flash Control: No No
Image Storage
Usable Memory Types: MS PRO Duo / SD / SDHC / SDXC CF1 / SD / SDHC / SDXC
UHS Support: UHS-II No UHS support
Other Memory: Slot1:SD UHS-II; 2:MS/SD UHS-I Dual SD + CF (UDMA7)
Dual Card Slots: Yes Yes
RAW Capture Support: Yes Yes
Uncompressed Format: RAW (14-bit ARW 2.3 compressed or uncompressed), RAW+JPEG RAW (Adobe .DNG), RAW+JPEG Fine/Basic
Movie File Format: XAVC S / AVCHD 2.0 / MP4; Audio: LPCM / Dolby Digital (AC-3) / MPEG-4 AAC-LC, stereo MOV (motion JPEG)
Included Memory: No memory included No memory included
Included Memory Type:    
Connectivity
Built-In Wi-Fi: Yes Yes
NFC: Yes No
Bluetooth: Yes No
Built-In GPS: No Yes
Microphone Jack: Yes Yes
Headphone Jack: Yes Yes
External Connections: USB 2.0 High Speed,Ethernet,Bluetooth,WiFi USB 3.0 Super Speed,WiFi
PictBridge Compliant: No No
DPOF Compliant: Yes No
Remote Control: Yes Yes
Remote Control Type: Optional via IR, USB , Ethernet or Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Cabled or Wi-Fi
Connections (extended): Multi Micro-B USB 2.0 (with remote support), Type-D Micro HDMI, 100Base-T Ethernet, 3.5mm Microphone and Headphone Jacks, Sync Terminal Mini HDMI Type C, X-sync, 7-pin LEMO socket for remote accessories, contact strip for multi-function hand grip, audio in (3.5 mm jack) and audio out (3.5 mm jack) with audio adapter S (supplied with the camera)
Performance Timing
Cycle time for JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame, max resolution): <0.3  
Cycle time for RAW shooting in single shot mode (seconds per frame):    
Buffer size for RAW shooting in single shot mode (frames):    
Cycle time for RAW+JPEG shooting in single shot mode (seconds per shot): <0.3  
Camera penalizes early shutter press? No
JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps, max resolution): 20.0 3.0
Buffer size for JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames, max resolution): 364 Unlimited
RAW shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 20.0 3.0
Buffer size for RAW shooting in burst mode (frames): 240 6
RAW+JPEG shooting speed in burst mode (fps): 20.0  
Buffer Size for RAW+JPEG shooting in burst mode (frames): 225  
Shutter lag (full AF, wide/mid): 0.22 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, tele):    
Shutter lag (full AF, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter lag (prefocused, live view - DSLR):    
Shutter Lag (manual focus): 0.097 seconds  
Shutter lag (full AF, with flash):    
Shutter Lag (prefocused): 0.020 seconds  
Shutter Lag (notes):    
Startup Time: 1.2 seconds  
Play -> Record Time: 1.0 seconds  
Flash cycle time, full power:    
Power
Battery Life, Stills (CIPA Rating Monitor/Live View): 650 shots  
Battery Life, Still (CIPA Rating OVF/EVF): 480 shots  
Battery Life, Video: 105 minutes  
Battery Form Factor: Proprietary Proprietary 7.4V, 2850mAh
Usable Battery Types: NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable Lithium-ion rechargeable
Batteries Included: 1 x Proprietary NP-FZ100 Lithium-ion rechargeable 1 x 7.4V, 2850mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable
Battery Charger Included (dedicated charger or AC/USB adapter): Yes Yes
Dedicated Battery Charger Included: Yes No
Internal Charging Supported: Yes No
Software
Included Software: Capture One Express (for Sony) free download  
OS Compatibility:    
Miscellaneous
Notes & Features: