Will the new Sony A7v be comparable to a used Sony A1 for bird photography?
p.3 #1Will 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...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.
https://youtu.be/ZaKFDA3zFgw?si=L0iy4v1i4C2K0DM9
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...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.
https://youtu.be/ZaKFDA3zFgw?si=L0iy4v1i4C2K0DM9
Jan 08, 2026 at 07:45 PM
p.3 #2Will the new Sony A7v be comparable to a used Sony A1 for bird photography?
Jan 09, 2026 at 12:22 AM
p.3 #3Will the new Sony A7v be comparable to a used Sony A1 for bird photography?
swldstn wrote:
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.
As far as comparing the A1 and R5 Mark II AF I can’t...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.
Jan 10, 2026 at 03:29 AM
p.3 #4Will 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.
Jan 10, 2026 at 07:06 AM
p.3 #5Will 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.
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.
Jan 12, 2026 at 05:55 AM
p.3 #6Will 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.
https://youtu.be/O8hyxzZ062c?si=83vP1KjQZnL8I5ac
https://youtu.be/O8hyxzZ062c?si=83vP1KjQZnL8I5ac
Jan 12, 2026 at 07:53 AM
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p.3 #7Will 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 :-)
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.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 :-)
Jan 12, 2026 at 10:43 AM
p.3 #8Will the new Sony A7v be comparable to a used Sony A1 for bird photography?
I was posting in the A7V image thread looking for this one. Now, after the fact, see this interesting discussion.
I consider myself an advanced hobbyist photographer who has dabbled in various forms of photography, but I'm pretty much settled on bird/wildlife, my grand girls' high school sports, and landscape when the situation presents itself.
I was looking at various used Sony camera models, but when it came down to it, I chose the A7V, new. I finally sold my original A9, and I like to keep a second camera in the wings. I chose this to complement, not compete with my A1. Rolling shutter could be a concern, but not enough to change my mind. I managed some pretty good shots with my original A7RIII. My A1 will sit in the bag now when sitting in close range and mostly static. I will admit, I don't take full advantage of all the features of the A1 to begin with, especially with the later firmware updates.
When I bought the 7V, I wasn't looking for pre-capture, but I will learn to use it. I liked the lower resolution for smaller files, but not down too low. There are many other features I will have to learn. I didn't even pull it out of the box when I first received other than to look at it. Now it has sat on my desk until I have read up on it more. I plan to set many of the buttons and dials the same as the A1, where possible.
Several years ago, Geoff, arbitrage, posted some settings that I like, and the one I can think of is the shutter button 1/2 press focus for BIF, where I was totally in the BBF for everything. I'll have to see if that still applies with the pre-capture.
I will ask this. There is much discussion of the mechanical shutter use in this thread. Is it because of the rolling shutter when using the EVF?
I'll likely have more thoughts as I get into it. Any videos on settings? Thanks for letting me get long-winded.
I consider myself an advanced hobbyist photographer who has dabbled in various forms of photography, but I'm pretty much settled on bird/wildlife, my grand girls' high school sports, and landscape when the situation presents itself.
I was looking at various used Sony camera models, but when it came down to it, I chose the A7V, new. I finally sold my original A9, and I like to keep a second camera in the wings. I chose this to complement, not compete with my A1. Rolling shutter could be a concern, but not enough to change my mind. I managed some pretty good shots with my original A7RIII. My A1 will sit in the bag now when sitting in close range and mostly static. I will admit, I don't take full advantage of all the features of the A1 to begin with, especially with the later firmware updates.
When I bought the 7V, I wasn't looking for pre-capture, but I will learn to use it. I liked the lower resolution for smaller files, but not down too low. There are many other features I will have to learn. I didn't even pull it out of the box when I first received other than to look at it. Now it has sat on my desk until I have read up on it more. I plan to set many of the buttons and dials the same as the A1, where possible.
Several years ago, Geoff, arbitrage, posted some settings that I like, and the one I can think of is the shutter button 1/2 press focus for BIF, where I was totally in the BBF for everything. I'll have to see if that still applies with the pre-capture.
I will ask this. There is much discussion of the mechanical shutter use in this thread. Is it because of the rolling shutter when using the EVF?
I'll likely have more thoughts as I get into it. Any videos on settings? Thanks for letting me get long-winded.
Jul 10, 2026 at 05:42 AM
p.3 #9Will the new Sony A7v be comparable to a used Sony A1 for bird photography?
Can no one answer my question about the mechanical shutter near the bottom of my post above? Thanks.
Jul 11, 2026 at 06:25 AM
p.3 #10Will the new Sony A7v be comparable to a used Sony A1 for bird photography?
BillinTexas wrote:
Can no one answer my question about the mechanical shutter near the bottom of my post above? Thanks.
One good reason to use the mechanical shutter is to avoid motion distortion from the rolling shutter. The A7V has a reasonably fast sensor scan speed (because of its semi-stacked sensor) with the electronic shutter, but it isn't fast enough to avoid movement distortion in all situations. If you were still shooting sports, for example, balls and bats, golf clubs, tennis rackets, and other fast moving targets would get distorted with the electronic shutter. Most birds in flight shots would be fine with the A7V, but you will see the occasional one that shows movement distortion. I hope that helps.
Can no one answer my question about the mechanical shutter near the bottom of my post above? Thanks.
One good reason to use the mechanical shutter is to avoid motion distortion from the rolling shutter. The A7V has a reasonably fast sensor scan speed (because of its semi-stacked sensor) with the electronic shutter, but it isn't fast enough to avoid movement distortion in all situations. If you were still shooting sports, for example, balls and bats, golf clubs, tennis rackets, and other fast moving targets would get distorted with the electronic shutter. Most birds in flight shots would be fine with the A7V, but you will see the occasional one that shows movement distortion. I hope that helps.
Jul 11, 2026 at 06:45 AM
p.3 #11Will the new Sony A7v be comparable to a used Sony A1 for bird photography?
Steve Spencer wrote:
One good reason to use the mechanical shutter is to avoid motion distortion from the rolling shutter. The A7V has a reasonably fast sensor scan speed (because of its semi-stacked sensor) with the electronic shutter, but it isn't fast enough to avoid movement distortion in all situations. If you were still shooting sports, for example, balls and bats, golf clubs, tennis rackets, and other fast moving targets would get distorted with the electronic shutter. Most birds in flight shots would be fine with the A7V, but you will see the occasional one that shows movement distortion. I hope that...Show more →
Steve, thank you. I believe this will serve me well as my second camera.
BillinTexas wrote
Can no one answer my question about the mechanical shutter near the bottom of my post above? Thanks.Steve, thank you. I believe this will serve me well as my second camera.
Jul 11, 2026 at 10:31 AM