When your job requires you to capture the best moments during a fast-paced game, you’re probably posed to take as many shots as you can and hope that you got what you wanted. However, the keys to effective sports photography are efficiency and better timing; and what better way you can do this by having the skill to do so and the right tool to get the job done.
Earlier today, Sony launched its latest camera in their line of Alpha series, the A9, at the country’s premiere sports Gym. It is the world’s first full-frame stacked CMOS sensor camera, that can take up to 24.2MP resolution photos. As Sony’s latest pride in photography, it packs a lot of punch and can definitely marvel a lot, if not all, photographers around the world. As puny this may sound, Sony demoed the the new camera by taking photos of boxers punching each other.
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For starters, it defines a new standard of speed and focusing accuracy in photography. With this baby, you can shoot up to 20fps. You can basically make a GIF out of all the photos you took in a press of a button. It can deliver 60 AF/AE tracking calculations per second, and do a maximum shutter speed of up to 1/32,000 second; all thanks to its 35mm full-frame stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor. While this may too tech stuff for most of us to digest, this just simply says that it can take a lot of photos in one press of a button, but can still give an unbelievably sharp output.
The latter feature is even more complemented by an insane amount of focus points (693, in total), and all the bells and wishes that go along with it like Fast Hybrid AF system and phase detection.
Sony A9, moreover, isn’t just all about speed as its enhanced BIONZ X processor can bring the meat and quality to your photos. According to Sony, this “minimizes noise in the higher sensitivity range while also reducing the need to limit ISO sensitivity in situations where the highest quality image is required.” Swanky.
To top everything off, this camera can take 4K video recording, even at 35mm size; and also record full HD at 120fps at up to 100Mbps.
Sony A9 Features:
- 24.2 Megapixel
- 4K Video
- 20fps
- 51,2100 Maximum ISO (expandable to 50-204,800)
- 1/32,000 Shutter Speed
- 693 AF Points
In terms of hardware, the Sony A9 has an overpowered electronic viewfinder with 60fps or 120fps options (all-new, high-resolution, high-luminance Quad-VGA OLED 3,686k dots Tru-Finder). It also uses ZEISS T Coating and fluourine coating to reduce reflections and repel dirt respectively.
It also has 5-axis image stabilisation system with 5.0 steps shutter speed advantage. This makes sure that you make use of the advantages of the sensor even at dark and shaky instances.
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To make things more convenient to sports and even wedding photographers, the Sony A9 even has an Ethernet port for faster FTP transfer. This isn’t exactly a new feature, but it is just amazing to know that given the small built of the camera, Sony managed to include this feature.
Apart from the swanky Sony A9, Sony also announced new accessories compatible with it. Inside the box, the Sony A9 already includes an NP-FZ100 rechargeable battery, which is 2.2x bigger capacity than W-series battery. If you buy before the launch date, which is July 1, you get another battery for free. Otherwise, you can buy separately buy one for PhP4,490.
Other accessories include Vertical Grip, Multi-battery adaptor kit (which may be used as an external power supply), Grip Extension, Eyepiece Cup, Battery Charger and Screen Protector.
I can see that you like at as much as I do? You can score one for PhP239,999 in all Sony Centers and Sony Authorized Dealers around the country.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
