New Sony announcements - A9III and 300mm f2.8

Sony announces a class beating 120 FPS A9III and a super light 1.5kg 300mm f2.8.

Interesting times!

Finally someone is making a 300 2.8. This and the 500 f/4 have been missing from all the mirrorless lineups. As a Nikon shooter it looks like I’ll be using my F mount versions with the FTZ II for a long time.

A9iii at 24 MP is a huge disappointment no matter what other features it has..................ugh! Oh and $6000 is ridiculous.

Brian E. Small wrote: A9iii at 24 MP is a huge disappointment no matter what other features it has..................ugh!  Oh and $6000 is ridiculous.

Remember that a9 is, and always was a low light centric and video oriented camera.  It is not intended to compete with cameras like the a1 or a7R series.

Also, a global shutter full frame camera hasn't been done before and I do not think the technology exists yet to do a high MP global shutter camera - this will allow for super high speed video with zero rolling shutter distortion.  Technologically, this camera is a pretty big deal and as they scale this technology in coming years, high megapixel cameras will eventually have some of these features too.

300/2.8 has been a a big gaping hole in all manufacturer's offerings since the advent of full frame mirrorless.

E.J. Peiker wrote:

Brian E. Small wrote: A9iii at 24 MP is a huge disappointment no matter what other features it has..................ugh!  Oh and $6000 is ridiculous.

Remember that a9 is, and always was a low light centric and video oriented camera.  It is not intended to compete with cameras like the a1 or a7R series.

Also, a global shutter full frame camera hasn't been done before and I do not think the technology exists yet to do a high MP global shutter camera - this will allow for super high speed video with zero rolling shutter distortion.  Technologically, this camera is a pretty big deal and as they scale this technology in coming years, high megapixel cameras will eventually have some of these features too.

E.J.

I should have said "for me as a bird photographer" A9iii at 24 MP..............................

E.J. Peiker wrote: 300/2.8 has been a a big gaping hole in all manufacturer's offerings since the advent of full frame mirrorless.

Shooting motorsports and avaition I use my 300/2.8 and 500/4 probably 90% of the time. I would welcome some lighter weight versions. 

In the technology front, Sony wins the global shutter race with their a9 III!
Interesting to see what's up in Canon & Nikon's sleeve now, if any.

Looking at the price of that camera, it's only a few hundred more for the A1. As a nature photographer, I think the A1 would be a better all round choice.

I am a Nikon shooter with a love/hate relationship with my Nikon 300mm f2.8 G VR II. I love its background rendering, bokeh and light gathering ability; I dislike its weight, at 6+ pounds, which means I need my tripod or monopod to use it most of the time. The new Sony 300mm f2.8 at 3+ pounds seems like a dream! (I am ignoring its cost.)

Scott Fairbairn wrote: Looking at the price of that camera, it's only a few hundred more for the A1. As a nature photographer, I think the A1 would be a better all round choice.

I agree.  I've been using the a1 for nearly 3 years and I'm very happy with it.  The a9III isn't the right camera for me.

I'm a Nikon user and have been using the 300/2.8 with the 1.4x and 1.7x for a few years now and I like the versatility the combinations give me. It has to be said that I'm not a bird-centric photographer. However, I dislike the weight, especially when combined with the Z9. I'm truly astounded by the fact that Sony has managed to produce a version at half the weight of my 300mm. I've just returned from my annual tour in Madagascar and I feel exhausted carrying a bunch of lenses hiking. I'm very tempted to switch to an A1 and the new 300 when available, with the Sony 1.4x and 2.0x. Does anyone here use the 2x with a 2.8 lens? For example 400mm f2.8 + 2.0tc. How do they compare to legacy lenses? Have the mirrorless equivalents improved in quality and speed?