Sony
Alpha 9 III
Global shutter sports flagship with 120fps and zero rolling shutter for pro action.
$5,999
Released Jan 2024
Sony
FX3
Compact full-frame cinema line camera with S-Cinetone and pro video ergonomics.
$3,899
Released Feb 2021
Alpha 9 III is 2.9 years newer.
Wins
Alpha 9 III
Wins
FX3
4 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BFX3 has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 0 fps)
- AAlpha 9 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 10 fps)
- BFX3 has higher ISO max (native) (102,400 vs 25,600)
- BFX3 has lower ISO min (native) (80 vs 250)
- AAlpha 9 III has higher Resolution (24.6 MP vs 12.1 MP)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Alpha 9 III
136 × 97 × 83 mm
703 g (1.55 lb / 24.80 oz)
FX3
130 × 78 × 85 mm
715 g (1.58 lb / 25.22 oz)
Alpha 9 III is 2mm thinner than FX3 but it is also 6mm wider and 19mm taller.
Alpha 9 III is 12 g lighter than FX3.
Depth (front-to-back): 83mm Alpha 9 III · 85mm FX3
Sensor size, to scale
Alpha 9 III
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
FX3
35.6 × 23.8 mm · Full Frame
847 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Alpha 9 III
✓ more lensesSony E
350+
native lenses available
FX3
✓ 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 9 III
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 136.1, 96.9, 82.9
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 10 fps — higher is better
Subject recognition
Adds Bird, Insect, Car/Train…
Resolution
24.6 MP vs 12.1 MP — higher is better
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Only Alpha 9 III supports it
RAW buffer depth
200 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 5.5 stops — higher is better
AF points / zones
759 vs 627 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
FX3
AF low-light limit
-6 EV vs -5 EV — lower is better
Burst (mechanical)
10 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 129.7, 77.8, 84.5
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 25,600 — higher is better
ISO min (native)
80 vs 250 — lower is better
Battery life (CIPA)
580 shots vs 400 shots — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓AF frame coverage — Both 94 %
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓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.
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
FX3
Pros
- ✓Cinema form factor
- ✓S-Log3 / S-Cinetone
- ✓Compact for gimbals
- ✓Full-frame sensor
Cons
- –No EVF
- –Still photo ergonomics limited
- –Single card slot
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, Alpha 9 III or FX3?
Alpha 9 III scores 9.0/10 versus 4.0/10 for FX3 — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the Alpha 9 III and FX3?
Alpha 9 III is 24.6 MP and FX3 is 12.1 MP, so the Alpha 9 III captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Alpha 9 III and FX3 have in-body image stabilization?
Alpha 9 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while fX3 has 5.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Alpha 9 III or the FX3?
Alpha 9 III reaches 120 fps electronic. FX3 reaches 10 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Alpha 9 III and FX3?
Alpha 9 III weighs 703 g and FX3 weighs 715 g, so the Alpha 9 III is 12 g lighter.
Do the Alpha 9 III and FX3 record 4K video?
Alpha 9 III: 4K up to 120p. FX3: 4K up to 120p.
Are the Alpha 9 III and FX3 weather sealed?
Alpha 9 III: Yes. FX3: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 400 shots (CIPA) for the Alpha 9 III and 580 shots for the FX3, giving the FX3 the edge.
How much does each cost?
Alpha 9 III launched at $5,999 and FX3 at $3,899. The FX3 is $2,100 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.