Sony Alpha 9III Unveiled and Its Breakthrough Features: An Exclusive Interview with Mukesh Srivastava 

Highlights

• Global shutter image sensor enables 1/80000 second shutter speed.

• Ergonomic design for prolonged shooting comfort.

• Advanced AI autofocus for precise subject tracking.

• 120fps RAW shooting boosts high-speed performance capabilities.

We recently had the privilege to interview Mukesh Srivastava, the Head of Digital Imaging Business at Sony.

In our exclusive interaction, we delve into the remarkable capabilities of Sony’s latest innovation, the Alpha 9III.

Mukesh has provided insightful details on the technological advancements and the user-centric design that make the Alpha 9III a standout in the professional photography arena.

He also shares how the integration of AI has transformed the camera’s autofocus system, enhancing the photographic experience across various scenarios.

How does the Alpha 9III improve upon its predecessors, particularly in terms of speed,autofocus capabilities, and overall performance?

The launch of Alpha 9III marks the beginning of a new era in professional photography with it being a game changer with just the central upgrade of global shutter image sensor, which makes it the fastest camera in the entire Alpha range.

The camera is designed to allow its customers to take advantage of the unmatched shooting speed.

Featuring the world’s first full-frame Global Shutter, this camera has shutter speed of 1/80000 second, 120fps with RAW, blackout free images and flash sync at any possible speed.

Its latest feature called Pre-Capture, allows the customer to go back up to 1 second and record the moment before pressing the shutter.

It has 4-axis LCD touchscreen, a new mappable C5 button, an improved shutter key and a lock function for the drive mode dial.

Design- wise, the camera is built for a more responsive experience for professionals.

Ergonomics and handling are crucial for professional photographers who spend long hours shooting in the field. What specific design considerations went into ensuring the

Alpha 9III is comfortable and easy to operate, even during extended shooting sessions?

With Alpha 9 III, Sony has taken cognizance of feedback from professional photographers and therefore created operability and reliability that supports professional image makers.

The shape of the grip is improved and ergonomically designed so that it can be easily held in the palm to avoid straining even when using a telephoto lens or using it for a prolonged period.

The VG-C5 vertical grip (sold separately), provides the same operability and versatility even when shooting horizontally; the customer can comfortably support long shooting sessions.

The grip and shutter button area share the same design as the main body, allowing image capture without feeling uncomfortable, with the same operability as the camera.

The Alpha 9 III is equipped with a 4-axis multi-angle LCD monitor which allows for intuitive operation using the latest touch menu.

The electronic viewfinder uses a 9.44 million-dot Quad XGA OLED and achieves high visibility with the same brightness as the α7R V and a magnification of approximately 0.90x.

Also, a custom button is placed on the front of the camera and the continuous shooting speed can be changed by operating the custom button assigned with Continuous Shooting Speed Boost with the finger holding the grip, allowing for highly immediate operations.

It supports professional photographers when shooting in all environments.

The Alpha 9III boasts an impressive 30fps burst shooting mode with advanced autofocus tracking capabilities. Can you provide some examples or real-world scenarios where these features would be invaluable for capturing fast-moving subjects without any blur or missed moments?

The addition of Alpha 9III in the Sony Camera line-up has elevated the world of high-speed action.

By combining high-speed performance of up to 120fps RAW with highly accurate subject recognition performance, it is possible to easily photograph significant scenes and moments that cannot be captured with the naked eye.

The camera proves to be a game-changer in the situation where decisive moments are ample such as wildlife and sports.

In cases such as when the bird is about to take a flight or any important moment is about to take place, the latest feature called pre-capture comes handy, where professionals capture the moments ‘before they happen’.

The ability of the camera to flash sync at any shutter speed, open new creative possibilities for flash- based photography, especially in wedding and fashion.

For flash sync, customer can use the highest shutter speed which is 1/80000 second.

Additionally, Alpha 9III is the first camera in Alpha series to record 4K 120p video without cropping.

The Alpha 9 III is equipped with 8.0 stops of optical 5-axis in-body image stabilisation, allowing for high-quality image rendering.

The camera efficiently combines the photography and videography related features, making it easier for professionals to creatively explore new avenues.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are playing an increasingly significant role in camera technology. Could you highlight how the Alpha 9III’s AI-driven autofocus system and subject recognition capabilities enhance the overall shooting experience and help photographers capture diverse scenes with precision?

The new Alpha 9 III is equipped with high-density focal plane phase detection AF.

A designated AI processing unit uses Real-time Recognition AF (autofocus) to recognise a wide variety of subjects with high precision.

The AI processing unit supports enhanced human, animal, bird, insect, car/train and airplane recognition.

In the car/train category, it is now capable of recognising helmets, such as those worn by the drivers of formula race cars.

By combining high-speed performance of up to 120fps with RAW and a highly accurate subject recognition performance, it is possible to easily photograph decisive scenes and moments that cannot be captured with the naked eye.

 The AI processing unit in the Alpha 9 III supports movies as well as stills with accurate subject form and movement recognition.

It provides a significant improvement in human eye recognition performance with Real-time Recognition AF and Real-time Tracking  automatically recognising, tracking and focusing on the eyes of a specified subject.

With 8.0 stops of optical 5-axis in-body image stabilisation, Alpha 9III allows for high-quality image rendering.

FAQs

How does the global shutter image sensor in the Alpha 9III enhance photography?

The global shutter allows the Alpha 9III to capture images at an incredibly fast shutter speed of 1/80000 second, eliminating blur and enabling clear capture of extremely fast-moving subjects.

What ergonomic features does the Alpha 9III offer to professional photographers?

The Alpha 9III features an improved grip design and a multi-angle LCD monitor, ensuring comfortable handling and versatile shooting positions, especially during extended sessions.

Can you describe a real-world scenario where the Alpha 9III’s fast shooting mode is particularly useful?

For sports photographers, the camera’s ability to shoot up to 120fps RAW and pre-capture moments ensures that they never miss the peak action, from a fast-paced football match to a bird in mid-flight.

How does the AI-driven autofocus system benefit photographers in field settings?

With Real-time Recognition AF, the Alpha 9III can identify and focus on subjects rapidly and accurately, enhancing the capture of dynamic scenes across varied environments such as wildlife or sports.

What are the advantages of the camera’s 4K 120p video capability?

The 4K 120p video capability allows videographers to capture ultra-high-definition video at high frame rates, ideal for creating smooth slow-motion footage without cropping, which is essential for professional filmmaking.

Also Read: Sony Alpha 7R V with 61MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, AI Autofocus and Bionz XR Engine launched in India delivers a new high-resolution imaging experience