Blackmagic
URSA Mini Pro 12K
12K Super 35 cinema camera with interchangeable PL mount and BRAW recording.
$9,995
Launch priceReleased Jul 2020
Sony
Alpha 9 III
Global shutter sports flagship with 120fps and zero rolling shutter for pro action.
$5,999
Launch priceReleased Jan 2024
Alpha 9 III is 3.5 years newer.
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Wins
URSA Mini Pro 12K
Wins
Alpha 9 III
5 categories tied
Which would you choose?
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 %)
- AURSA Mini Pro 12K has higher Burst (mechanical) (12 fps vs 0 fps)
- BAlpha 9 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareURSA Mini Pro 12K
138 × 98 × 88 mm
520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 9 III
136 × 97 × 83 mm
703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz)
URSA Mini Pro 12K is 2mm wider, 1mm taller, and 5mm thicker than Alpha 9 III.
URSA Mini Pro 12K is 183 g lighter than Alpha 9 III.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm URSA Mini Pro 12K · 83mm Alpha 9 III
Sensor size, to scale
URSA Mini Pro 12K
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Alpha 9 III
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
URSA Mini Pro 12K: mount data unavailable
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
URSA Mini Pro 12K
Burst (mechanical)
12 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
Resolution
80 MP vs 24.6 MP — higher is better
ISO min (native)
100 vs 250 — lower is better
ISO max (native)
51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B
Codecs
Adds ProRes
Weight
520 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 30 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
AA filter
Only Alpha 9 III supports it
Subject recognition
Adds Insect, Car/Train, Airplane
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓RAW buffer depth — Both 200 frames
- ✓4K max frame rate — Both 120 fps
- ✓Max video bit rate — Both 600 Mbps
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
URSA Mini Pro 12K
Pros
- ✓12K BRAW
- ✓Pro cinema workflow
- ✓Interchangeable mount
Cons
- –Very expensive
- –Huge files
- –Not handheld friendly
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
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the URSA Mini Pro 12K and Alpha 9 III at major authorized retailers.
Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K
Sony Alpha 9 III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, URSA Mini Pro 12K or Alpha 9 III?
URSA Mini Pro 12K scores 9.5/10 versus 8.0/10 for Alpha 9 III — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the URSA Mini Pro 12K and Alpha 9 III?
URSA Mini Pro 12K is 80 MP and Alpha 9 III is 24.6 MP, so the URSA Mini Pro 12K captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the URSA Mini Pro 12K and Alpha 9 III have in-body image stabilization?
URSA Mini Pro 12K has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while Alpha 9 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the URSA Mini Pro 12K or the Alpha 9 III?
URSA Mini Pro 12K reaches 30 fps electronic. Alpha 9 III reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the URSA Mini Pro 12K and Alpha 9 III?
URSA Mini Pro 12K weighs 520 g and Alpha 9 III weighs 703 g, so the URSA Mini Pro 12K is 183 g lighter.
Do the URSA Mini Pro 12K and Alpha 9 III record 4K video?
URSA Mini Pro 12K: 8K / 6K (max), 4K up to 120p. Alpha 9 III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the URSA Mini Pro 12K and Alpha 9 III weather sealed?
URSA Mini Pro 12K: Yes. Alpha 9 III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 520 shots (CIPA) for the URSA Mini Pro 12K and 400 shots for the Alpha 9 III, giving the URSA Mini Pro 12K the edge.
How much does each cost?
URSA Mini Pro 12K launched at $9,995 and Alpha 9 III at $5,999. The Alpha 9 III is $3,996 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way URSA Mini Pro 12K vs Alpha 9 III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.