Sony
Alpha 5000
Ultra-compact entry E-mount body that brought mirrorless to the mass market.
$399
Launch priceReleased Apr 2014
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 9.8 years newer.
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Wins
Alpha 5000
Wins
Alpha 9 III
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AAlpha 5000 has higher Burst (mechanical) (6 fps vs 0 fps)
- BAlpha 9 III has higher IBIS effectiveness (8 stops vs 0 stops)
- BAlpha 9 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 11 fps)
- BAlpha 9 III has higher Max video bit rate (600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps)
- BAlpha 9 III has higher EVF resolution (9,437,184 vs 2,360,000)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareAlpha 5000
110 × 63 × 33 mm
269 g (0.59 lb / 9.49 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Alpha 9 III
136 × 97 × 83 mm
703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz)
Alpha 5000 is 27mm narrower, 34mm shorter, and 50mm thinner than Alpha 9 III.
Alpha 5000 is 434 g lighter than Alpha 9 III.
Depth (front-to-back): 33mm Alpha 5000 · 83mm Alpha 9 III
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 5000
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
Alpha 5000
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
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
Alpha 5000
Burst (mechanical)
6 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 109.6, 62.8, 32.7
Weight
269 g vs 703 g — lower is better
ISO min (native)
100 vs 250 — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 400 shots — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Vehicle
Reasons to choose
Alpha 9 III
AF low-light limit
-5 EV vs -4 EV — lower is better
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 11 fps — higher is better
Max video bit rate
600 Mbps vs 150 Mbps — 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
Codecs
Adds XAVC HS, XAVC S, XAVC S-I
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 759
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Alpha 5000
Pros
- ✓Very affordable
- ✓Compact
- ✓20MP APS-C
- ✓Flip screen
Cons
- –No EVF
- –Very dated
- –Limited controls
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 Alpha 5000 and Alpha 9 III at major authorized retailers.
Sony Alpha 5000
Sony Alpha 9 III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, Alpha 5000 or Alpha 9 III?
Alpha 9 III scores 7.0/10 versus 0.0/10 for Alpha 5000 — Full-frame sensor — wider dynamic range.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 5000 and Alpha 9 III?
Alpha 5000 is 20.1 MP and Alpha 9 III is 24.6 MP, so the Alpha 9 III captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 5000 and Alpha 9 III have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 5000 does not have IBIS, while Alpha 9 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 5000 or the Alpha 9 III?
Alpha 5000 reaches 11 fps electronic. Alpha 9 III reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 5000 and Alpha 9 III?
Alpha 5000 weighs 269 g and Alpha 9 III weighs 703 g, so the Alpha 5000 is 434 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 5000 and Alpha 9 III record 4K video?
Alpha 5000: 4K up to 60p. Alpha 9 III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the Alpha 5000 and Alpha 9 III weather sealed?
Alpha 5000: No. Alpha 9 III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 5000 and 400 shots for the Alpha 9 III, giving the Alpha 5000 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 5000 launched at $399 and Alpha 9 III at $5,999. The Alpha 5000 is $5,600 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Alpha 5000 vs Alpha 9 III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.