Long-Term Review of the Sony A9III for Wedding Photography

Video Review

Watch the full video embedded below for an in-depth breakdown of the Sony A9III! I cover everything I’ve learned over 8-9 months of using this camera for weddings, portraits, and dynamic moments. The video dives into every little detail I couldn’t fit here, so make sure to give it a watch!

8 Months of Wedding Photography, Portraits, and More with Sony A9III

For the past 8-9 months, I’ve used the Sony A9III for just about everything: weddings, couple shoots, family sessions, portraits—you name it. And during this time, I’ve been asked so many questions:

Do I like it?
Is it worth the price?
Will I stick with it for another year?

I’ll answer all of that here, but most importantly, I’ll share how this camera has changed the way I shoot and why I think it’s such a unique tool for wedding photographers.

Ergonomics and Build Quality

One of the first things I noticed about the Sony A9III was how much better it feels in the hand compared to older Sony models. The grip is more comfortable, and the body itself just feels more balanced, especially when I’m carrying it for 10-12 hours at a wedding. When you’re working long days, these little design changes make a big difference—you don’t really think about them until you go back to an older body. For me I made that realization when I testing Sony A1 (version 1) , and suddenly, it felt less refined, after being used to the newer design of A9III.

The buttons are bigger too, which is great for someone like me who customizes everything. There are five C buttons, but honestly, almost every button can be reassigned to whatever you want. For example, I’ve got my AF-ON button set for manual focus assist zoom and my AEL set to ISO Auto Min. SS.

That said, the focus mode dial on the left side drives me nuts. It’s supposed to make it easier to switch between AF-C, AF-S, and MF modes, but I don’t change focus modes often enough to need a dedicated dial for it. In fact – I never change it from AF-C. Plus, it’s easy to bump accidentally, even with the lock mechanism. This has happened a few times when the camera was hanging on my strap, and it’s frustrating to realize mid-shoot that your camera is stuck in MF or AF-S!

After a full season of weddings, I can confidently say this camera is built to last. It’s holding up much better than my previous cameras, like the A7IV, which always seemed to collect scratches and dents on the corners after just a few months. Even after dropping one of my A9IIIs, the only real damage is a crack in the screen tilt mechanism (it’s painful, I know). But that’s on me, though—not the camera’s fault. Either way there are no visible scratches or any dents to be honest, and I’m not sure if it’s my luck this year or there’s something to the material used in this camera.

Battery Life: A Practical Take

People always ask about battery life, and my honest answer is: I don’t know, and I don’t care. When you’re shooting weddings, you don’t sit there counting how many shots you can get from one battery. I carry spares, and I swap them out as needed—it’s that simple.

That said, I typically go through about 4-6 batteries during a full 12-hour wedding day packed with action. I swap batteries in both cameras around mid-day, and sometimes I need to replace one or two more in the evening. I do keep Bluetooth on for GPS tagging and image transfers to my iPhone, so I’m probably not the most battery-efficient user. But it’s never been a problem for me—I just replace the battery and keep shooting.

Real World Performance

This camera is a beast when it comes to performance. The global shutter is the headline feature, and for good reason. You can shoot entirely silent with no banding or rolling shutter, even under the worst artificial lighting. For weddings, where you often need to be completely silent and it’s usually under the worst possible artificial light (hello old churches), this is a huge advantage. But I’ll be honest I don’t like shooting silent all the time. And I do miss the feel of the mechanical shutter.

The autofocus system is ridiculously good. I use the XS spot tracking mode, where I control a tiny focus point with the joystick. Once I lock on to my subject, the camera tracks it effortlessly, even if they’re running, twirling, or doing something unpredictable. For example, I can easily photograph couples running towards me while confetti rained down on them with lens like 50/1.2 at f/1.2 with all the photos being spot on in focus. The autofocus nails every single frame, even at f/1.2. That’s the kind of reliability you need when there’s no room for error.

But let’s talk about 120fps burst mode—the feature that initially seemed excessive for weddings but has now become one of my favorite tools. At first, I thought, “Who needs 120 RAW photos per second for wedding photography?” But once I started using it, I couldn’t stop.

Here’s how I use it:

• Confetti shots: I’ll turn on 120fps during the confetti toss to capture every little moment—the expressions, the movement, the chaos. Instead of hoping I timed it perfectly, I end up with an entire sequence to choose from. Plus I can create a video sequence out of the photos and include that in the client gallery to make it more alive! It’s a game changer.

• Dynamic portraits: When a couple is running, spinning, or laughing, 120fps gives me the ability to create short animations or find the absolute perfect frame.

• Dance floor moments or fun group shots: Dance floor is definitely a great playground for 120fps photography, but I also love having my clients do some fun things with their friends like tossing the bouquet and capturing that in 120fps.

It’s not just about having more frames—it’s about giving my clients something extra. I’ve started delivering short animations and sequences from these bursts, and clients love them. It adds a unique, creative element to their galleries that sets me apart from other photographers.

But be aware – 120fps burst can fill your memory card really fast, so choose the right moments you want to capture this way to make the most out of it!

sample 120fps sequence turned into video

Image Quality: More Than Good Enough for Weddings

In my experience, the Sony A9III handles image quality just fine for wedding photography, even though it doesn’t have the best dynamic range or high ISO performance compared to some other cameras. The global shutter does come with trade-offs—like the base ISO of 250 and a slight loss in dynamic range—but for how I shoot, I honestly don’t find it to be an issue at all.

At weddings, it’s less about pushing shadows or pulling highlights in post and more about nailing the exposure as you shoot. With mirrorless cameras like this, you’re literally seeing your final exposure through the viewfinder. If I know I want a backlit look, I’ll underexpose intentionally, and if I want bright faces in harsh light, I’ll overexpose slightly. With that approach, I’ve never felt limited by the dynamic range or ISO performance.

High ISO? I’ve shot up to 12,800, and as long as you expose correctly, it’s totally usable. I rarely go higher, but even if I did, I think the results would still hold up for what clients expect. For me, the benefits of the global shutter—like 120 fps and insane flash sync speeds—far outweigh any minor loss in image quality. It’s a trade I’ll gladly take because those advantages make a much bigger difference in real-world wedding photography. Check out my video above to see more details on that!

The Best Camera for Flash Photography

One of the coolest features of the Sony A9III is the unlimited flash sync speed, thanks to its global shutter. This gives you the ability to completely control ambient light with your shutter speed—something that’s a total game-changer for outdoor portraits or tricky lighting situations.

For example, I recently had a shoot with harsh sunlight pouring through a window. Using flash, I was able to balance the ambient light perfectly without needing to crank my flash up to full power. The result? My flash battery lasted longer, recycle times stayed quick, and I had way more control over the final image.

1/4000, ISO125, f/2.0 + Profoto A10 flash

That said, this feature does come with a few quirks, especially when it comes to flash power and syncing at ultra-high shutter speeds. My friend Jason Vinson has an incredibly detailed video that dives into this topic, covering specific scenarios and potential issues you might run into. I haven’t personally experienced these problems with my Profoto lights, but Jason’s video is worth watching if you’re planning to use this feature regularly. His insights are super helpful for getting the most out of the A9III’s flash capabilities – watch this video HERE.

This flash sync freedom has completely changed how I approach bright outdoor shoots—it’s one of the key reasons this camera stands out for me.

Video Features: Amazing, but I don’t use it…

The A9III is packed with advanced video features, but I’ll be honest—I haven’t filmed a single frame with this camera. I have other tools for video (like the A7SIII or DJI Pocket 3) and I mostly use my video equipment for YouTube, not for weddings, so I keep the A9III exclusively for photography. That said, if you’re a hybrid shooter, the global shutter and zero rolling shutter make this camera an incredible option for video.

Conclusion: Should You Buy the Sony A9III for Wedding Photography?

The Sony A9III is undeniably an incredible camera, but whether it’s the right choice for you depends entirely on your needs and how you shoot. At $6,000, it’s a significant investment, and for many wedding photographers, that price tag might seem VERY hard to justify. But here’s the thing—if you can take advantage of its unique features, like 120fps bursts and unlimited flash sync speed, it’s worth every penny.

Let’s break it down. This is the only camera on the market that offers two groundbreaking features:

1. 120fps full RAW burst mode: Perfect for capturing fleeting, high-energy moments like confetti tosses, dance floor chaos, or even dynamic portraits with a couple running or laughing. It’s a feature that can genuinely add something unique to your client galleries, setting you apart from other photographers.

2. Unlimited flash sync speed: For those who work with flash outdoors, which is mad popular these days, or in challenging lighting, this feature is a game-changer. It lets you control ambient light with your shutter speed without blasting your flash at full power. This means faster recycle times, longer battery life for your flash, and more flexibility in bright conditions.

Now, if neither of these features excites you or feels essential to your work, then this camera might not be worth the price. In that case, you’re probably better off looking at alternatives like the Sony A7RV or even the A1II, depending on your budget and what features matter most to you.

For me personally, the A9III has been a joy to use. Its performance, reliability, and the creative freedom it offers with features like 120fps bursts have made it an indispensable tool in my kit. That said, I’ll admit I’m tempted by the Sony A1II for a few reasons. I miss the higher resolution of a 50-megapixel sensor, especially for more detailed image and heavy cropping, and I miss the tactile feel of a mechanical shutter—something the A9III doesn’t have at all.

Looking ahead, I’m planning to stick with at least one A9III for the 120fps capability because I’ve grown to rely on it for those standout moments. But I might pair it with an A1II for the extra megapixels and versatility, giving me the best of both worlds.

Ultimately, the A9III is an incredibly specialized camera, and if you’re the kind of photographer who can tap into its strengths, it will pay off in ways no other camera can. But if you’re on the fence or not sure those features align with your style of shooting, it might be smarter to explore Sony’s other options—or even wait for the next release in the A7 series (which, let’s be honest, is probably coming soon).

No matter what, the Sony A9III has set a new standard for what’s possible in a full-frame camera, and it’s been an exciting tool to work with. If you’re considering it, take a hard look at your workflow and ask yourself: Can these features elevate my work? If the answer is yes, the A9III is going to blow your mind.

GET Sony A9III here:

Make sure to watch my full video and check the sample photos below!

Sample Photos