Archive 2021 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
osv2 Offline • • • • [X]
p.21 #1 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
framegrabs illustrating how much stickier the a1 is, with fro jumping in and out of the frame, see the timestamps... interesting that canikon hasn't tweaked this via their firmware.
this is just wide-area focus, what's missing is a subject acquisition comparison, aka canon eye-control af vs. sony real-time tracking vs. whatever nikon is doing.
Jan 11, 2022 at 02:58 PM
stevekphotos Offline • • [X]
p.21 #2 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
p.21 #4 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
IIRC, I've read about a few early reports of the Z9's autofocus indicator box being off from where the actual AF is.
Basically, the little box is there for our benefit so we know where the camera is focusing but in the case of the Nikon, it lags behind where the actual AF is, and when the pictures are later reviewed by the user, it was found the AF was actually spot on.
I don't know if that is the case here and since the Nikon photos weren't (at the time of this posting) uploaded to flickr with the Canon and Sony photos, there's no way to double check the focus of the final images.
Jan 11, 2022 at 04:06 PM
stevekphotos Offline • • [X]
p.21 #5 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
Elusivesouls wrote:
IIRC, I've read about a few early reports of the Z9's autofocus indicator box being off from where the actual AF is.
Basically, the little box is there for our benefit so we know where the camera is focusing but in the case of the Nikon, it lags behind where the actual AF is, and when the pictures are later reviewed by the user, it was found the AF was actually spot on.
I don't know if that is the case here and since the Nikon photos weren't (at the time of this posting) uploaded to flickr with the Canon and Sony photos, there's no way to double check the focus of the final images....Show more →
I'm waiting for that to draw any real conclusions about the entire review to be honest. I personally think it's likely to be a software delay. If you watch the auto focus itself, it appears to be on point with the Z9 but you can't tell if it's on his forehead or eye from those distances. He's actually sharper in the viewfinder of the Nikon than the other two, even though its on his forehead.
p.21 #6 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
Elusivesouls wrote:
IIRC, I've read about a few early reports of the Z9's autofocus indicator box being off from where the actual AF is.
Basically, the little box is there for our benefit so we know where the camera is focusing but in the case of the Nikon, it lags behind where the actual AF is, and when the pictures are later reviewed by the user, it was found the AF was actually spot on.
The A1 does that as well. If you circle an object in tracking mode fast enough, the focus indicator rectangle may never touch a small object, while the actual focus still follows accurately any changes in distance. This is an overly simple smoothing of the indicator position, that is probably meant to make it easier to see what it does. It has no effect on actual focusing whatsoever. It is one of several reasons why comparing EVF captures can be very misleading. Not that I disagree with Fro's conclusions.
p.21 #7 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
stevekphotos wrote:
I'm curious why they don't have the Nikon photos on Flickr. I'm betting 3/4 of them are way off.
They are available now. And shockingly soft. My guess is that the stepping motors of the Z50f1.2 are just not up to this kind of movement. Even during the final second where Jared is standing nearly still there are more misses than hits.
p.21 #8 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
Daran wrote:
They are available now. And shockingly soft. My guess is that the stepping motors of the Z50f1.2 are just not up to this kind of movement. Even during the final second where Jared is standing nearly still there are more misses than hits.
I thought you were exaggerating with "shockingly soft" but they indeed are. Even though I haven't checked the entire sequence, all the random shots I grabbed the Nikon was decisively softer. But it's like you said, the Z 50/1.2 might be the reason here. I wonder why he didn't upload the 70-200 shots, those might be closer. So the EVF captures/the AF boxes are all garbage. What's the point that the Nikon grabbed the eye at a further distance when the end result is not spot on?
Still in the end, if you don't shoot them side by side on the daily basis, I imagine the Nikon would be fine.
Jan 12, 2022 at 04:06 AM
stevekphotos Offline • • [X]
p.21 #9 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
hiepphotog wrote:
I thought you were exaggerating with "shockingly soft" but they indeed are. Even though I haven't checked the entire sequence, all the random shots I grabbed the Nikon was decisively softer. But it's like you said, the Z 50/1.2 might be the reason here. I wonder why he didn't upload the 70-200 shots, those might be closer. So the EVF captures/the AF boxes are all garbage. What's the point that the Nikon grabbed the eye at a further distance when the end result is not spot on?
Still in the end, if you don't shoot them side by side on the daily basis, I imagine the Nikon would be fine....Show more →
It's not the lens. The lens is actually superior to the Sony, including auto focus speed. You can see the camera auto focus is in the wrong position. Here's what my basic review of the JPGs translates to:
p.21 #10 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
stevekphotos wrote:
The lens is actually superior to the Sony, including auto focus speed.
This is just a ridiculous claim and shows that you are not really interested in an objective comparison.
... and it's not ridiculous because you said that Nikon is better on a Sony forum but because they are too close in performance to use such an absolute term.
It might be better if you don't convert...
Jan 12, 2022 at 05:31 AM
stevekphotos Offline • • [X]
p.21 #11 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
j4nu wrote:
This is just a ridiculous claim and shows that you are not really interested in an objective comparison.
... and it's not ridiculous because you said that Nikon is better on a Sony forum but because they are too close in performance to use such an absolute term.
It might be better if you don't convert...
I'm actually very objective. The three lenses are close, but to make the statement that this test was influenced by the Nikon 50mm 1.2 lens is a wrong assumption.
p.21 #12 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
stevekphotos wrote:
I'm actually very objective. The three lenses are close, but to make the statement that this test was influenced by the Nikon 50mm 1.2 lens is a wrong assumption.
Ok, since you are so sure of it, I'm not even going to start the discussion why you might not be (i.e. there are reviews stating otherwise).
Peace!
p.21 #13 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
stevekphotos wrote:
I'm actually very objective. The three lenses are close, but to make the statement that this test was influenced by the Nikon 50mm 1.2 lens is a wrong assumption.
No. There are quite a few accounts and AF speed surely is not in favour of the Nikon lens. I have the 50GM and know people having the Nikon 1.2 and I would say the AF speed is clearly in favour of Sony.
p.21 #14 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
Yes, the lenses overall are very close in IQ. But from everything I have read, and my personal experience is that AF speed is significantly better with the Sony. I have shot the a1 50 1.2 GM and the Nikon Z9 50 1.2 S side by side for a short time. The AF speed difference was noticeable. The Sony is essentially instant and completely silent. The Nikon not so much. Even more stiking is the size/weight difference. Yikes! How Sony got that level of features and performance into such a small package is amazing.
Proportionally the weight difference is about the same as a Porsche and an F150 truck. Amazing....
p.21 #15 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
Holger wrote:
No. There are quite a few accounts and AF speed surely is not in favour of the Nikon lens. I have the 50GM and know people having the Nikon 1.2 and I would say the AF speed is clearly in favour of Sony.
?t=170 vs ?t=217
Your video example clearly shows the Nikon focuses better. Watch it closely. It's smoother, and more accurate.
What you're actually talking about is the way the two camera bodies auto focus.
p.21 #16 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
I would have liked to have seen a series of jpegs from the 70-200 lenses as I think those three would be much more like for like in AF speed of the lens. It seems there is a lot of controversy over the AF of the 50/1.2 lenses.
Jan 12, 2022 at 10:34 AM
stevekphotos Offline • • [X]
p.21 #17 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
arbitrage wrote:
I would have liked to have seen a series of jpegs from the 70-200 lenses as I think those three would be much more like for like in AF speed of the lens. It seems there is a lot of controversy over the AF of the 50/1.2 lenses.
If the auto focus is pointing at his forehead, it won't matter what lens you use.
p.21 #19 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
stevekphotos wrote:
?t=170 vs ?t=217
Your video example clearly shows the Nikon focuses better. Watch it closely. It's smoother, and more accurate.
What you're actually talking about is the way the two camera bodies auto focus.
Both lenses have tradeoffs.
You specifically mentioned speed. Now you talk about accuracy and smoothness.
Sorry mate. I used both. I use the Sony professionally. AF is spot on all the time. Please stop making up things.
Jan 12, 2022 at 11:44 AM
Steve Spencer Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: On
p.21 #20 · "Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 – The 10 main differences"
1bwana1 wrote:
Yes, the lenses overall are very close in IQ. But from everything I have read, and my personal experience is that AF speed is significantly better with the Sony. I have shot the a1 50 1.2 GM and the Nikon Z9 50 1.2 S side by side for a short time. The AF speed difference was noticeable. The Sony is essentially instant and completely silent. The Nikon not so much. Even more stiking is the size/weight difference. Yikes! How Sony got that level of features and performance into such a small package is amazing.
Proportionally the weight difference is about the same as a Porsche and an F150 truck. Amazing.......Show more →
Yes, the Sony is considerably smaller and faster to AF. The Nikon's advantage as I understand it is primarily for video where it has substantially less focus breathing and here is also where smoothness of the AF is important. For video the speed of the Sony for AF is in some ways a disadvantage and makes shifts in focus a bit too disorienting.
One compromise Sony has often made as I understand it is that in keeping lenses small they have sacrificed focus breathing. I do think that larger lenses can handle focus breathing more easily. For my tastes I am very happy with this compromise, but I can understand for those who want to shoot video a fair bit prefer the opposite decision (making larger lenses with less focus breathing) which Nikon seems to have adopted. This may partly be where the two brands stand regarding video. Sony has lots of options for video both made by themselves and others and therefore can make lenses without worrying about video as much. Nikon pretty much has to rely on themselves for video so may make video performance a higher priority in their lenses.
but because they are too close in performance to use such an absolute term.
