It’s looking like it is the end of the line for the Sony Alpha 9, first introduced back in 2017.
Multiple retailers report the item as discontinued and Sony itself has it listed as out of stock.
Sony Alpha Rumors was the first website to notice the sudden disappearance of the model from retail and, as PetaPixel points out, the reason could be the chip shortage currently plaguing multiple industries.
Nonetheless, consumers shouldn’t be terribly heartbroken; the Sony Alpha 9 Mark II is comparable if a somewhat better option that is still available.
As for the Alpha 9 itself, it came with a 24.2-megapixel 35 mm full-frame stacked CMOS sensor with integral memory, Sony’s BIONZ X processing engine, and high-speed continuous shooting of up to 20 frames per second with AF/AE tracking, 693-point wide-area phase-detection AF and 425-point contrast-detection AF, as well as 5-axis image stabilization with effectiveness equivalent to 5.0-stop slower shutter speed.
If you will recall when we reported on the fire back in December of last year, Sony released a statement the next month outlining its ambitious plans to release new models and keep up with the production of current models despite shortages.
“In the digital imaging category (Cyber-shot, α, Handycam, Action cam), it is expected that we will not be able to supply enough models to meet market demand due to an ongoing issue with parts supply, thus it will take some time until the final product is able to be delivered.”
It now looks like that strategy might be shifting to cull older models in order to make way for the new – or even make production possible.
Are you a fan of the Sony Alpha 9? Sad to see it go? Let us know in the comments below.
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