With the launch of the new Sony A1 II, there are now three bomber options including the A7r V and the A9 III. Here’s how they stack up (big picture):
The 61MP A7r V ($3,400) is the most affordable option which is perfect for the serious nature shooter who occasionally photographs sports or birds in flight. The camera has very impressive focus tracking abilities, a great sensor plus features 7-stop image stabilization and a full articulating back screen (horiz and vert). The big problem with this camera is a slow burst rate of 5 shots per second when shooting uncompressed Raw images. When shooting in the 25MP APS (crop) mode this rate jumps to 15 shots per second which is certainly acceptable (& saves memory). Ergo, this camera likes crop mode for fast-moving objects!
The New 50MP A1 ($6,500) has a few important upgrades over its predecessor. First, it’s already great object tracking is even better & it can automatically recognize and track people or animals. Plus it’s prescapture feature allows you to record images 1 full second before you fully depress the shutter. Ergo, never miss the critical action. The camera now has a fully articulating screen (horiz and vertical) and sports 8.5 stops of in-body image stabilization (up from 5.5 stops). The 50MP camera can shoot an impressive 30 shots/sec in compressed Raw mode (or 20 shots in full uncompressed RAW). Ergo, it’s a jack of all trades that can be used literally in any setting and crush it. Obviously, that comes at price.
The 25MP A9 III ($6,000) is a purpose-built ninja designed for capturing moving objects. Its object tracking is top of class and can capture a whopping 120 frames per second. As with the A1 The camera has a precapture option & you can program a button on the camera to increase the burst rate on the fly when the action gets critical. The camera can also sync with flash at crazy fast shutter speeds (1/80,000). The camera has the same articulating screen as the A1 and 8 stops of image stabilization. The big rub here is the camera’s dynamic range: only 13 stops compared to A1 & A7r’s 14.8. Ergo, this camera isn’t a great choice for nature photography. Sports only.
Note: How the Sony cameras above compare to the new Sony A7 4 ($2,100). This new camera has a smaller 33MP sensor and is only capable of firing off 10 shots per second in compressed RAW mode (6 in uncompressed mode). It’s object tracking is improved but doesn’t have the AI features of the A7r V, A9 III or A1 II. Ergo the camera isn’t great for sports. It also has 5.5 stops of in body image stabliization vs 7+ for the others.
