Sony Rivals Canon's Best Camera with the Badass A9

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For a few years now, Sony's been the most innovative name in the camera game, besting incumbents like Nikon and Canon in several categories with awesome point-and-shoots, like the RX100 line, and the truly game-changing A7 full-frame mirrorless line. Far from just an innovator, there are signs the company's efforts are finding an audience: A few days ago Sony claimed to have overtaken Nikon as the second best-selling producer of full-frame cameras, the big expensive cameras preferred by anyone who makes their living shooting pictures. But Canon, with its super fast 1D series of full frame cameras, is still king when it comes to big, badass professional cameras used for shooting sports and NatGeo covers. Well, until now- Sony's new A9 has all the trappings of a a dethroner.

Sony's big __play on the A9 is the insanely fast focus and capture speeds. The A9 has a 24-megapixel full-frame, stacked CMOS sensor. The additional "stack" means there's memory built directly into the sensor, so it can capture and process images at insane speeds-like it can shoot 20 frames per second when it's in full electronic mode and there's no moving shutter. Its rival, the Canon 1D X Mark II shoots just 16fps. Moreover the A9 can shoot that fast while also constantly focusing. So if the sportsmen are sportsing in your direction you shouldn't lose focus like you potentially could with the 1D.

The 9's sensor is a moderate 24.2MP. That's about on par with the 22.3MP sensor in the Canon 5D Mark III and smaller than the 30.4MP sensor in the Canon 5D Mark IV, but it's actually bigger than what's found in the latest Canon 1D, the 1D X Mark II. That $6000 camera has a 20.2MP sensor.

Sony's also announced a 100-400mm lens. Just in case you weren't sure this camera is made for sports and wildlife shooters.

And while the Sony will definitely be a lighter camera to hold than anything Canon makes, that might not matter to the A9's target audience. Photographers are gear heads, but they're also creatures of habit. They have difficultly stomaching small changes in the ergonomics of their favorite camera body. Telling them to drop everything, sell off their current body, lenses, and batteries, and leap into the arms of Sony, requires them to make a major leap of faith. Even if the A9 is $1500 cheaper than the 1D X Mark II.

What's more, there's no telling if the A9 really holds up to the demands of a professional. Sure Sony has been on a role with cameras, but the requirements of photographers shooting high-intensity scenes like sports are crazy. Even if Canon-and Nikon of that matter-haven't drastically evolved their industrial design, well, ever, their professional cameras are time tested and proven.

Pre-orders for the A9 start Friday and it's going to retail for $4500 in the US. That's an appealing price that puts it right between the $3500 5D Mark IV and the $6000 1D X Mark II. With the features the A9 is offering at that price point it's enough to at least tempt even the most loyal Canon fans. I sure as hell know I covet the thing.