Sony a9 III Camera and FE 300mm f2.8 GM OSS Lens Price and Release Date

Sony has leaped forward in the world of photography with its groundbreaking unveiling of the new a9iii mirrorless camera, accompanied by the remarkable FE 300mm f2.8 GM OSS prime lens. This innovative camera marks a significant milestone, boasting a Global shutter and a range of features that redefine the photography experience.

Sony a9iii

The Sony a9iii, a 24.6-megapixel full-frame camera, is engineered to deliver exceptional performance without compromising ISO capabilities or dynamic range. The Global Shutter ensures distortion-free photos, capturing moments with unparalleled precision. This remarkable camera operates at a staggering 120 frames per second, eliminating any blackout and offering a maximum shutter speed of 1/80000 second.

Equipped with the latest Bionz XR processors, the a9iii offers eight times more power than its predecessor, the a9 II. With full autofocus between each shot, the camera can shoot continuously for 1.6 seconds, capturing 192 frames at a rate of 120fps, all at 6 Gbps. Notably, the Global shutter enables synchronization at speeds of up to 1/80,000 second, negating the need for high-speed sync and allowing compatibility with third-party flashes. However, during continuous shooting, the shutter speed is limited to 1/16000 second.

The a9iii also introduces a remarkable Pre-Capture feature, enabling photographers to capture moments before fully pressing the shutter button. Operating at up to 120 frames per second, the camera continuously records images for up to a second, ensuring no moment goes unnoticed.

In the realm of videography, the a9iii shines, capable of shooting 4K/60p from 6K and 4K/120p without cropping. Its impressive features include 10-bit 4:2:2 video using All-I encoding for superior quality, the S-Cinetone profile, and 16-bit Raw video output via HDMI.

Ergonomically designed, the a9iii boasts a sleek and ergonomic front handle and a 3.2-inch, 2.095 million dots wide color gamut (DCI-P3) quad-axis LCD touchscreen monitor. The mode dial incorporates a new locking feature, allowing convenient one-handed operation. The camera also introduces an updated optional vertical grip, mirroring the a9 III design, featuring an improved grip and the C5 button. The grip offers parallel power, utilizing both batteries simultaneously.

Additionally, the a9iii includes dual CFexpress Type A/SD card slots, providing flexibility for users to utilize existing media or opt for faster CFexpress options to leverage the camera’s increased speed. The USB-C port now offers faster USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds of up to 10 Gbps, catering to advanced networking and data transfer workflows.

Sony FE 300mm f2.8 GM OSS

Accompanying the a9iii is the extraordinary FE 300mm f2.8 GM OSS lens. This lens, Sony’s 52nd full-frame E-mount lens, stands out for its compact size, weighing just 1,470 grams and measuring 26.4 cm in length. It is 50% lighter and 43% smaller than the Sony 400mm f2.8 GM OSS.

The lens is meticulously crafted with 20 elements arranged in 16 groups, including one extra-low dispersion element and three extra-low dispersion elements, effectively suppressing chromatic aberration. The lens features an 11-blade aperture, a minimum focusing distance of two meters, and a maximum magnification of 0.16x.

Autofocus in the FE 300mm f2.8 GM OSS lens is powered by two Sony XD (Extreme Dynamic) linear motors and an optimized algorithm, ensuring smooth, fast, and silent focusing, even with 1.4x or 2x teleconverters. The lens also features Sony’s Linear Response manual focus feature, offering superior response and precise linear focus control. Additionally, the lens incorporates full-time DMF, function ring customization, and four focus hold buttons.

Price and release date

Photographers can now capture their vision with the Sony a9iii mirrorless camera and the FE 300mm f2.8 GM OSS lens, available for pre-order on Bhphotovideo.com and Adorama.com. These groundbreaking devices will be available starting from February 23, 2024, with the Sony a9iii priced at $5,998 and the FE 300mm f2.8 GM OSS lens also retailing at $5,998, promising an unparalleled photography experience.