February 6, 2025

Review: Sony A9 III – Cutting-Edge Technology for Ice Track Drifting

I had the unique opportunity to test Sony’s latest A9 Mark III mirrorless camera in an extreme environment: the Porsche Ice Experience event. Held in Levi, Finland, this event provided the perfect setting to push the camera to its limits, capturing fast-moving cars in demanding lighting conditions. I paired the A9 III with the Sony 300mm GM and 16–35mm GM2 lenses to complete the setup. This review has not been sponsored by Sony. The article was originally published on Kameraliike's website in Finnish, for which I received a discount on the Sony A9 III.

Features and User Experience

Sony A9 III’s promise of ultra-fast burst shooting, silent operation, and flawless image quality set high expectations—and it did not disappoint. The camera’s ability to shoot 120 frames per second with full autofocus and full-size RAW files was astonishing. Initially, I was skeptical about the Speed Boost function—whether it would compromise image quality or autofocus—but I noticed no decline in performance while using it. The placement of the Boost button on the body was also incredibly intuitive, even with gloves on.

The combination of Boost mode and autofocus proved extremely effective when capturing drifting Porsches, which approached sideways while kicking up snow and slush into the air.

While not every shot was perfect, the vast majority were incredibly sharp, which is impressive given the sheer number of frames taken. I usually shoot with the Sony A1, which already has an exceptional autofocus system that I rely on in challenging, fast-paced situations. This time, I used the A1 with a 70–200mm GM2 lens, and when using both cameras side by side, I noticed that the A9 III delivered a higher percentage of sharp images in terms of autofocus accuracy.

Of course, the high resolution of the A1 offers an advantage for cropping in post-production, whereas with the A9 III, I had to frame more precisely since the resolution does not allow the same level of cropping flexibility in Lightroom.

Speed, Autofocus, and Handling

The A9 III’s combination of speed and accuracy allowed for unbelievably precise moments to be captured, although 120 frames per second generates an enormous number of images, requiring careful selection afterward. The camera’s ability to perform 120 autofocus calculations per second matches its maximum burst rate.

On the ice track, as cars passed and kicked up clouds of snow, the autofocus naturally struggled to find the subject through the whiteout. However, it quickly regained focus on the car once the snow settled. When comparing images shot with the A1, it became clear how much Sony has improved autofocus performance with the A9 III.

In terms of ergonomics, the shutter button design has been significantly improved compared to the A1, making it much more comfortable to use. The VG-C5 vertical grip follows the same ergonomic philosophy, and when switching to a vertical grip, the buttons were intuitively placed and easy to find. I was pleasantly surprised that Sony included the Boost button on the vertical grip as well. This was particularly useful for vertical shots for social media—when shooting in portrait mode, it's often harder to keep steady movement, and misplaced buttons can cause unwanted motion blur in panning shots.

With track photography, every opportunity is unique. For example, while shooting the Porsche 911 Dakar on the track, it passed me only four times. This made it even more critical that every shot landed perfectly.

Technology and Innovations

I had high expectations for the A9 III’s technology, and it certainly delivered. The camera takes sensor technology to a new level with its Global Shutter sensor, completely eliminating rolling shutter distortion. This is a game-changer for high-speed track photography, where distortion can ruin an image if the mechanical shutter isn't used.

Additional standout features include:

Highly effective in-body image stabilization‍
Lightning-fast autofocus with AI-powered processing
Pre-capture functionality – The camera captures frames before the shutter is fully pressed, ensuring no moment is missed. This is invaluable for motorsport photography, where reaction time is everything.

Video Capabilities

For videographers, the A9 III offers an impressive range of features:

4K 120P recording
10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording
S-Cinetone color science

The Global Shutter technology also eliminates rolling shutter artifacts, which is a major advantage in dynamic shooting situations.

I usually use the Sony FX3 for video work, so I was especially pleased to see that the A9 III’s footage matches seamlessly with the A1 and FX3. This means I can use all three cameras interchangeably without worrying about color discrepancies.

One area that really stood out was video stabilization. While shooting onboard footage inside a Porsche 911 Turbo S, I recorded a driver navigating a slalom course. Even as the car aggressively changed direction, the footage remained shockingly smooth, and slowing it down in 4K 120P resulted in stunning, cinematic motion.

Final Thoughts

The Sony A9 III not only met but exceeded my expectations in many areas. While I initially didn’t expect it to provide a significant advantage over the A1, its unmatched speed and autofocus performance made it an indispensable tool for motorsport photography.

Ultra-fast 120 FPS shooting
Flawless autofocus, even in extreme conditions
Excellent ergonomics and usability
Game-changing Global Shutter technology

That said, for static shots, I will continue using the A1 because of its higher resolution and superior cropping flexibility.

However, for race photography, I will definitely be using the A9 III, and I am already planning to take it to the Porsche Sprint Challenge North European Zone racing series. Its ability to handle fast-moving subjects makes it the ideal camera for track photography.