Blackmagic
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Revolutionary affordable MFT cinema camera that democratized BRAW filmmaking.
$1,295
Released Sep 2018
Sony
Alpha 9 III
Global shutter sports flagship with 120fps and zero rolling shutter for pro action.
$5,999
Released Jan 2024
Alpha 9 III is 5.3 years newer.
Wins
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Wins
Alpha 9 III
2 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BAlpha 9 III has lower AF low-light limit (-5 EV vs 0 EV)
- BAlpha 9 III has higher AF points / zones (759 vs 0)
- BAlpha 9 III has higher AF frame coverage (94 % vs 0 %)
- APocket Cinema Camera 4K has higher Burst (mechanical) (6 fps vs 0 fps)
- BAlpha 9 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 15 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
134 × 91 × 72 mm
580 g (1.28 lb / 20.46 oz)
Alpha 9 III
136 × 97 × 83 mm
703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz)
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 2mm narrower, 6mm shorter, and 11mm thinner than Alpha 9 III.
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 123 g lighter than Alpha 9 III.
Depth (front-to-back): 72mm Pocket Cinema Camera 4K · 83mm Alpha 9 III
Sensor size, to scale
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
17.3 × 13 mm · Micro Four Thirds
225 mm² area
Alpha 9 III
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
3.8× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Micro Four Thirds
130+
native lenses available
Alpha 9 III
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Burst (mechanical)
6 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 91, 72
ISO min (native)
100 vs 250 — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 400 shots — higher is better
Codecs
Adds ProRes
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
Weight
580 g vs 703 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Alpha 9 III
AF low-light limit
-5 EV vs 0 EV — lower is better
AF points / zones
759 vs 0 — higher is better
AF frame coverage
94 % vs 0 % — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
EVF resolution
9,437,184 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 200 Mbps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓Internal RAW video — Both support internal raw video
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Pros
- ✓Affordable BRAW
- ✓Great value
- ✓MFT lens options
Cons
- –No stills AF
- –Crop sensor
- –Screen not tilting
Alpha 9 III
Pros
- ✓Global shutter 120fps
- ✓Zero rolling shutter
- ✓Pro sports AF
- ✓Pre-capture buffer
Cons
- –24.6MP only
- –Premium price
- –Battery drain at max speed
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for portraits, Pocket Cinema Camera 4K or Alpha 9 III?
Alpha 9 III scores 7.5/10 versus 4.0/10 for Pocket Cinema Camera 4K — 24.6MP — solid resolution.
What's the resolution difference between the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and Alpha 9 III?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 18.96 MP and Alpha 9 III is 24.6 MP, so the Alpha 9 III captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and Alpha 9 III have in-body image stabilization?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while alpha 9 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K or the Alpha 9 III?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K reaches 15 fps electronic. Alpha 9 III reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and Alpha 9 III?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K weighs 580 g and Alpha 9 III weighs 703 g, so the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is 123 g lighter.
Do the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and Alpha 9 III record 4K video?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 9 III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and Alpha 9 III weather sealed?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K: Yes. Alpha 9 III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and 400 shots for the Alpha 9 III, giving the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K the edge.
How much does each cost?
Pocket Cinema Camera 4K launched at $1,295 and Alpha 9 III at $5,999. The Pocket Cinema Camera 4K is $4,704 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.