p.3 #1 · Will the new Sony A7v be comparable to a used Sony A1 for bird photography?
Toertel76 wrote:
Hi All,
After I briefly tried the A1 a year ago, I decided to get an A1II, assuming that the AF will be significantly better due to the AI chip, and more or less on par with the Canon R5II. With AF here I’m referring to expected upgrades in subject recognition, as in general I felt the A1 was already pretty good in tracking and acquiring subjects, particular birds in this case, for a camera of this age.
My biggest disappointment with the A1II, after using it with birds in flight, now is, that there is not such a thing as being on par with the newest Canon subject recognition. Everything else is fantastic, but here I’m pretty much disappointed.
So based on this experiences, I would rather get the used A1, unless you want pre-capture or the flippy screen. The A1 is an amazing camera, which was way ahead of its time, and the sensor, overall responsiveness, and technical capability is an absolutely awesome value now.
I’m making the switch to Canon now as I do not want to wait until Sony decides to update the software or sell me another 7kUS$ body to do what the R5II does for half the price....Show more →
I decided early this year (2025) when considering selling one of my two A1’s for an A1II that the price was too high IMHO. Instead I sold one of my A1, kept one, and bought a Canon R5 Mark II for an equivalent amount. I was able to do this because I shoot both Sony and Canon and at that time owned an EOS R5 and an array of Canon RF and EF glass already. Also sold the R5 as well so the R5 Mark II was less.
As far as comparing the A1 and R5 Mark II AF I can’t truly pick a winner but Jan Wegener has a video where he compares the various cameras AF capability. I think this a link to that video.
?si=L0iy4v1i4C2K0DM9
p.3 #3 · Will the new Sony A7v be comparable to a used Sony A1 for bird photography?
swldstn wrote:
I decided early this year (2025) when considering selling one of my two A1’s for an A1II that the price was too high IMHO. Instead I sold one of my A1, kept one, and bought a Canon R5 Mark II for an equivalent amount. I was able to do this because I shoot both Sony and Canon and at that time owned an EOS R5 and an array of Canon RF and EF glass already. Also sold the R5 as well so the R5 Mark II was less.
As far as comparing the A1 and R5 Mark II AF I can’t truly pick a winner but Jan Wegener has a video where he compares the various cameras AF capability. I think this a link to that video.
?si=L0iy4v1i4C2K0DM9...Show more →
Yeah, I want to stress that objectively it always will be hard to name a clear winner, it’s more about preference. They also clearly have a different design philosophy, Canon is more aggressively acquiring the subject and is a bit less sticky and Sony is less aggressive in the acquisition and then tracks everything it has acquired down.
But subjectively it’s just more fun to use the Canon system for me. And, there is still the price difference. At least when you only consider a few lenses (again, I’m a hobbyist, and for everything street, reportage, landscape, architecture, …, I’m using M Mount digital and analogue, so I really just need the second system for Wildlife/Safari).
I am often amused that some people are ready to go to war to let one system win. I do think that it doesn’t matter if you use any on the Sonican systems to bring home good pictures.
Nikon has a bit of a disadvantage in case you want pre-capture RAW, but this will soon be history when the new models will come out. I think they are doing really well with great updates, lenses, and reasonably priced bodies.
I’m curious if we will see the first Sigma lenses on FF RF mount this year after the RF-C lenses last year.
p.3 #4 · Will the new Sony A7v be comparable to a used Sony A1 for bird photography?
I had this debate with myself over buying a used A1 or a new A7V. I found an A7V on BH used for a great price and that made the decision. New camera, under warranty, with great screen and solid features. I just couldnt see paying that much money for a camera with older tech despite the fully stacked sensor. I find the A7V to be plenty fast with beautiful image quality.
p.3 #5 · Will the new Sony A7v be comparable to a used Sony A1 for bird photography?
3catsinky wrote:
I had this debate with myself over buying a used A1 or a new A7V. I found an A7V on BH used for a great price and that made the decision. New camera, under warranty, with great screen and solid features. I just couldnt see paying that much money for a camera with older tech despite the fully stacked sensor. I find the A7V to be plenty fast with beautiful image quality.
Older tech at a higher tier is often well ahead of newer tech at a lower tier. Newness doesn't equal superior. It is just part of the equation.
In this case, higher MP, silent, vibration free shooting without wear and tear on mechanical shutter(at a high enough readout speed that you could use it nearly 100% of the time), more calculations of af. It is on a completely other level.
p.3 #6 · Will the new Sony A7v be comparable to a used Sony A1 for bird photography?
Just watched a very balanced comparison between the Canon R6 Mark III and Sony A7V that those considering either might be interested in might want to watch.
p.3 #7 · Will the new Sony A7v be comparable to a used Sony A1 for bird photography?
shadow9d9 wrote:
Older tech at a higher tier is often well ahead of newer tech at a lower tier. Newness doesn't equal superior. It is just part of the equation.
In this case, higher MP, silent, vibration free shooting without wear and tear on mechanical shutter(at a high enough readout speed that you could use it nearly 100% of the time), more calculations of af. It is on a completely other level.
Once I sell my Z8, I will pick up an A1 as well :-)
