Andy Westlake

This year, our technical editor tried a camera that fulfilled his need for speed, enjoyed a simplified retro CSC, and found lenses to love

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Sony Alpha 9

Without doubt, the most impressive camera I’ve had the privilege of using this year – the Sony Alpha 9 – is a technological marvel. Not so long ago, we thought mirrorless cameras would never match DSLRs for sports and action photography, but how wrong we were. The Alpha 9’s groundbreaking 24MP full frame stacked-CMOS sensor design allows silent shooting at 20fps with no viewfinder blackout, while maintaining focus on moving subjects, no matter where they are in the frame. With most cameras, shooting fast-moving action is a serious challenge; the Alpha 9 makes it so easy it feels like cheating. Canon and Nikon should be really worried, as this undoubtedly represents where camera technology is going, and they are a long way behind Sony right now.

I’ve spent an unusual amount of time with the Alpha 9. Normally, I get a camera for a couple of weeks to review, after which it goes back to the manufacturer and is quickly forgotten as I switch my attention to the next shiny toy. But I had an extra couple of weeks with the A9 while testing Sony’s superb FE 100400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens, followed by a week with it in Japan on a press trip with Sony UK. Each time I’ve picked it up and got to know it again, I’ve been impressed by its sheer capability and the way it can shoot things other cameras can’t.

Taking flight