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Considering moving to Sony A9, or a7iv

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StuartGeddes

StuartGeddes

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Hi looking for some advice I currently have a small Nikon zfc kit and a leica q. I previously have owned a Sony a7rii but moved to the zfc for nostalgia reasons having used a Nikon fe2. I bought a leica q having always wanted one and I absolutely love it but the zfc isn’t doing it for me I actually prefer the performance of my old a7rii and regret selling it. The leica is amazing but is limited due to the fixed lens as a result I’m lost with what to do. I want to get a full frame mirrorless system again and I’m leaning to going back to Sony. I’m going to have to sell some gear to fund it (all the Nikon gear) I really don’t want to sell my leica but it’s an expensive item to own that isn’t always practical particularly having two young kids.

i use my cameras occasionally for work I do media work for the union I work does magazine, website and social media. It’s mainly documentary style. I also do photos of my 10 year olds soccer so some sport nothing too serious but. I’m thinking if I’m going to invest in Sony I want better than my old a7r2 so was considering the original a9 or the a7iv as they should be in budget. I can make the transition easily if I sell my leica but I’m really worried i would regret it. Any advice is appreciated on what to get or do
 
Hi,

if it can wait, I would wait for the Sony A7V to make a decission.

Also you might want to consider the A7cII.

Between the A9 and A7IV the question is what features of the A7IV you need that the A9 does not have (yes there are some...).

The benefit of the A9 other than faster fps would be the stacked sensor which is very helpful in many situations.

For photography in my opinion the A9 is the better choice.

But as I said I'd wait for the A7V and what it has got to offer. If difficult light and hight fps isn't your main concern then the A7 series might be better for your needs.
 
StuartGeddes said:
Hi looking for some advice I currently have a small Nikon zfc kit and a leica q. I previously have owned a Sony a7rii but moved to the zfc for nostalgia reasons having used a Nikon fe2. I bought a leica q having always wanted one and I absolutely love it but the zfc isn’t doing it for me I actually prefer the performance of my old a7rii and regret selling it. The leica is amazing but is limited due to the fixed lens as a result I’m lost with what to do. I want to get a full frame mirrorless system again and I’m leaning to going back to Sony. I’m going to have to sell some gear to fund it (all the Nikon gear) I really don’t want to sell my leica but it’s an expensive item to own that isn’t always practical particularly having two young kids.

i use my cameras occasionally for work I do media work for the union I work does magazine, website and social media. It’s mainly documentary style. I also do photos of my 10 year olds soccer so some sport nothing too serious but. I’m thinking if I’m going to invest in Sony I want better than my old a7r2 so was considering the original a9 or the a7iv as they should be in budget. I can make the transition easily if I sell my leica but I’m really worried i would regret it. Any advice is appreciated on what to get or do
Click to expand...
All that is long on talk about gear past and present and short on details of how you need and/or want to use it, especially just stills or some video too or what, and/or how you hope to most improve on what you have now. IMO you will get better help here and make better decisions if you focus more on those things and report back.

That said, about a year ago I got a used A9 (original), and I love it. Among my uses are my kids' sports--older than yours, and I've shot track and field, volleyball, basketball, and softball--and it works great with that, using a Tamron 70-300mm RXD when I need some reach. I knew all about the stacked sensor and appreciated some of the benefits, but I did not think I'd use the fully-electronic shutter often. I've used it a lot more than I expected, the performance penalty is very small, and at this point I can't see buying another camera without a stacked sensor to make fully-electronic shutter useful with moving subjects.

When I started looking to replace my old camera, my main priorities were (1) better autofocus and (2) better viewfinder. I was looking at a new A7 III versus a new A6700 versus maybe a new A7C (original); the A7 IV was out of my price range, new or used. People here suggested most helpfully a used A9 original and a used A7R III. But even today, to keep as a user camera, I would turn down a new A7 IV for my A9.
 
StuartGeddes said:
Hi looking for some advice I currently have a small Nikon zfc kit and a leica q. I previously have owned a Sony a7rii but moved to the zfc for nostalgia reasons having used a Nikon fe2. I bought a leica q having always wanted one and I absolutely love it but the zfc isn’t doing it for me I actually prefer the performance of my old a7rii and regret selling it. The leica is amazing but is limited due to the fixed lens as a result I’m lost with what to do. I want to get a full frame mirrorless system again and I’m leaning to going back to Sony. I’m going to have to sell some gear to fund it (all the Nikon gear) I really don’t want to sell my leica but it’s an expensive item to own that isn’t always practical particularly having two young kids.

i use my cameras occasionally for work I do media work for the union I work does magazine, website and social media. It’s mainly documentary style. I also do photos of my 10 year olds soccer so some sport nothing too serious but. I’m thinking if I’m going to invest in Sony I want better than my old a7r2 so was considering the original a9 or the a7iv as they should be in budget. I can make the transition easily if I sell my leica but I’m really worried i would regret it. Any advice is appreciated on what to get or do
Click to expand...
If blackout free shooting, better rolling shutter and silent shooting doesn't matter to you get the a7iv. It has better ergonomics, improved menu system from new processor, more IQ detail due to higher MP and lack of AA filter, and better video as hybrid.

I own a9 by the way and use it for everything from family occasions, some kid sports, birding hobby and portrait gigs.

--
The best gear is the one you have at that moment.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jpgomez/
 
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I liked the A7Rii as well. Not a very responsive camera, but I used it mainly for landscape. I upgraded to an A7Riv (used) a couple of years ago and it is more responsive, has better AF, and better menus and configurabiity.

I’ve just added an a7CR because my battered A7R finally died and I want a backup body. It also has better IBIS and subject detection. The A7Rv is getting a bit big and the A7CR price has fallen a lot.

A used A9 has some great strengths but only if they matter to your uses. Are you sure that the significantly lower resolution than the A7Rii would be OK?

Not knowing what you shoot, it’s hard to say more.

Andrew
 
NAwlins Contrarian said:
NAwlins Contrarian said:
Hi looking for some advice I currently have a small Nikon zfc kit and a leica q. I previously have owned a Sony a7rii but moved to the zfc for nostalgia reasons having used a Nikon fe2. I bought a leica q having always wanted one and I absolutely love it but the zfc isn’t doing it for me I actually prefer the performance of my old a7rii and regret selling it. The leica is amazing but is limited due to the fixed lens as a result I’m lost with what to do. I want to get a full frame mirrorless system again and I’m leaning to going back to Sony. I’m going to have to sell some gear to fund it (all the Nikon gear) I really don’t want to sell my leica but it’s an expensive item to own that isn’t always practical particularly having two young kids.

i use my cameras occasionally for work I do media work for the union I work does magazine, website and social media. It’s mainly documentary style. I also do photos of my 10 year olds soccer so some sport nothing too serious but. I’m thinking if I’m going to invest in Sony I want better than my old a7r2 so was considering the original a9 or the a7iv as they should be in budget. I can make the transition easily if I sell my leica but I’m really worried i would regret it. Any advice is appreciated on what to get or do
Click to expand...
All that is long on talk about gear past and present and short on details of how you need and/or want to use it, especially just stills or some video too or what, and/or how you hope to most improve on what you have now. IMO you will get better help here and make better decisions if you focus more on those things and report back.

That said, about a year ago I got a used A9 (original), and I love it. Among my uses are my kids' sports--older than yours, and I've shot track and field, volleyball, basketball, and softball--and it works great with that, using a Tamron 70-300mm RXD when I need some reach. I knew all about the stacked sensor and appreciated some of the benefits, but I did not think I'd use the fully-electronic shutter often. I've used it a lot more than I expected, the performance penalty is very small, and at this point I can't see buying another camera without a stacked sensor to make fully-electronic shutter useful with moving subjects.

When I started looking to replace my old camera, my main priorities were (1) better autofocus and (2) better viewfinder. I was looking at a new A7 III versus a new A6700 versus maybe a new A7C (original); the A7 IV was out of my price range, new or used. People here suggested most helpfully a used A9 original and a used A7R III. But even today, to keep as a user camera, I would turn down a new A7 IV for my A9.
Click to expand...
Hey yeah I’m sorry was probably a bit longwinded writing a bit of my stream of thoughts. So I originally trained in journalism when I was young the photography work I do for work is primarily that style at protests rally’s etc often quick pace. In my personal life it’s family kids travel a bit of low level sport with my 10 year old playing soccer.



I appreciate compact systems, but things that matter to me decent build quality, evf performance, autofocus and preferably better electronic shutter functions. This is why I was looking at an A9.

i bought my leica q as I always wanted a leica and its compact just restrictive because of the lens but I love the image quality. The Zfc feels cheap and the evf leaves room to be desired. The evf thing even made me consider the a7riv or even an original leica so for the higher resolution but the other functions I know for my use would probably do myself a disservice



I really like the look of the new 24-50 Sony 2.8 for size as well so was considering that lens a 50mm ish prime and 70-200 f4 or the 70-300
 
ahaslett said:
I liked the A7Rii as well. Not a very responsive camera, but I used it mainly for landscape. I upgraded to an A7Riv (used) a couple of years ago and it is more responsive, has better AF, and better menus and configurabiity.

I’ve just added an a7CR because my battered A7R finally died and I want a backup body. It also has better IBIS and subject detection. The A7Rv is getting a bit big and the A7CR price has fallen a lot.

A used A9 has some great strengths but only if they matter to your uses. Are you sure that the significantly lower resolution than the A7Rii would be OK?

Not knowing what you shoot, it’s hard to say more.

Andrew
Click to expand...
 
I owned the a7r II and now have the a7r iii. The a7iv looks like a great camera as does the a9 - but I would lean towards th a7iv myself due to my own preferences.

You will need to weigh each feature and decide
 
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The a7iv no hesitation, its new and the best bang for your buck hybrid pro camera on the market, the auto focus system is faultless with great image quality, the camera is fast and very refined. i shot my daughters netball with my past a7r2 with great results, the a7iv is on another level.
 
Last edited:
StuartGeddes said:
ahaslett said:
I liked the A7Rii as well. Not a very responsive camera, but I used it mainly for landscape. I upgraded to an A7Riv (used) a couple of years ago and it is more responsive, has better AF, and better menus and configurabiity.

I’ve just added an a7CR because my battered A7R finally died and I want a backup body. It also has better IBIS and subject detection. The A7Rv is getting a bit big and the A7CR price has fallen a lot.

A used A9 has some great strengths but only if they matter to your uses. Are you sure that the significantly lower resolution than the A7Rii would be OK?

Not knowing what you shoot, it’s hard to say more.

Andrew
Click to expand...
Hey sorry probably should have given more details I tried to explain a bit more in another reply. Honestly I’ve mostly been fine with 24mp over the years when I got the a7r2 it was less about the resolution more about the better af over the a7ii and the electronic shutter functions

i really primarily shoot photojournalism style for work rallys protests etc so faster pace and I like a smaller body set up. For personal kids stuff, travel and kids sport.
I want something that feels nice in hand well built, and decent evf the evf resolution has even made me consider the a7riv or an original leica so but I know they aren’t the best options for my uses.

I actually bought my a as a camera I always wanted and love but it’s not practical in a lot of occasions due to the fixed lens

in terms of Sony lenses I really like the look of the new 24-50 2.8 and the 20-70 f4 due to size. I’d also probably want to get a 35mm or 50ish prime plus the 70-200 f4 or 70-300
Click to expand...
Sounds like the A9. Lenses depend on your work needs.

A
 
StuartGeddes said:
i really primarily shoot photojournalism style for work rallys protests etc so faster pace and I like a smaller body set up. For personal kids stuff, travel and kids sport.
Click to expand...
Neither of these sound like the a9 super powers are needed. Unless you need silent shooting with a low chance of rolling shutter and unless you need to shoot with a silent shutter indoors in led lighting or if the kids are able to transform into birds and dart about like finches - the a9 seems like a mismatch. Not a terrible mismatch - just a bit off the mark.

Try this thread: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4623395
 
StuartGeddes said:
NAwlins Contrarian said:
StuartGeddes said:
Hi looking for some advice I currently have a small Nikon zfc kit and a leica q. I previously have owned a Sony a7rii but moved to the zfc for nostalgia reasons having used a Nikon fe2. I bought a leica q having always wanted one and I absolutely love it but the zfc isn’t doing it for me I actually prefer the performance of my old a7rii and regret selling it. The leica is amazing but is limited due to the fixed lens as a result I’m lost with what to do. I want to get a full frame mirrorless system again and I’m leaning to going back to Sony. I’m going to have to sell some gear to fund it (all the Nikon gear) I really don’t want to sell my leica but it’s an expensive item to own that isn’t always practical particularly having two young kids.

i use my cameras occasionally for work I do media work for the union I work does magazine, website and social media. It’s mainly documentary style. I also do photos of my 10 year olds soccer so some sport nothing too serious but. I’m thinking if I’m going to invest in Sony I want better than my old a7r2 so was considering the original a9 or the a7iv as they should be in budget. I can make the transition easily if I sell my leica but I’m really worried i would regret it. Any advice is appreciated on what to get or do
Click to expand...
All that is long on talk about gear past and present and short on details of how you need and/or want to use it, especially just stills or some video too or what, and/or how you hope to most improve on what you have now. IMO you will get better help here and make better decisions if you focus more on those things and report back.

That said, about a year ago I got a used A9 (original), and I love it. Among my uses are my kids' sports--older than yours, and I've shot track and field, volleyball, basketball, and softball--and it works great with that, using a Tamron 70-300mm RXD when I need some reach. I knew all about the stacked sensor and appreciated some of the benefits, but I did not think I'd use the fully-electronic shutter often. I've used it a lot more than I expected, the performance penalty is very small, and at this point I can't see buying another camera without a stacked sensor to make fully-electronic shutter useful with moving subjects.

When I started looking to replace my old camera, my main priorities were (1) better autofocus and (2) better viewfinder. I was looking at a new A7 III versus a new A6700 versus maybe a new A7C (original); the A7 IV was out of my price range, new or used. People here suggested most helpfully a used A9 original and a used A7R III. But even today, to keep as a user camera, I would turn down a new A7 IV for my A9.
Click to expand...
Hey yeah I’m sorry was probably a bit longwinded writing a bit of my stream of thoughts. So I originally trained in journalism when I was young the photography work I do for work is primarily that style at protests rally’s etc often quick pace. In my personal life it’s family kids travel a bit of low level sport with my 10 year old playing soccer.

I appreciate compact systems, but things that matter to me decent build quality, evf performance, autofocus and preferably better electronic shutter functions. This is why I was looking at an A9.

i bought my leica q as I always wanted a leica and its compact just restrictive because of the lens but I love the image quality. The Zfc feels cheap and the evf leaves room to be desired. The evf thing even made me consider the a7riv or even an original leica so for the higher resolution but the other functions I know for my use would probably do myself a disservice

I really like the look of the new 24-50 Sony 2.8 for size as well so was considering that lens a 50mm ish prime and 70-200 f4 or the 70-300
Click to expand...
I have a9, a7m4 together for a few years. If u don’t do video and want a good eshutter, a9 for sure. U seem to be picky about display and evf, so a9 with its no blackout evf.



I am assuming u are buying a used a9. Locally a9 is dirt cheap and u can probable resell them with little loss assuming nothing breaks
 
UncleVanya said:
StuartGeddes said:
i really primarily shoot photojournalism style for work rallys protests etc so faster pace and I like a smaller body set up. For personal kids stuff, travel and kids sport.
Click to expand...
Neither of these sound like the a9 super powers are needed. Unless you need silent shooting with a low chance of rolling shutter and unless you need to shoot with a silent shutter indoors in led lighting or if the kids are able to transform into birds and dart about like finches - the a9 seems like a mismatch. Not a terrible mismatch - just a bit off the mark.

Try this thread: https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4623395
Click to expand...
the a7iv is up with the best for tracking and id put the a7iv at the top for human eye focus detect accuracy. the a7iv has blackout free evf at 10+ as well.

https://mirrorlesscomparison.com/best/mirrorless-cameras-for-birds-in-flight/
 
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A74Me said:
the a7iv has blackout free evf at 10+ as well.
Click to expand...
Nope. It has a delayed display of the last photo taken. While that means your display won't blackout, it isn't life, but delayed by about 1/10s. This is a mode that is also supported by many other slow Sonys. Certainly usable, but not comparable to what is commonly understood to be "blackout free EVF", which you get only with the stacked sensor cameras, so A1, A9I, A9II or A9III.
 
daran said:
A74Me said:
the a7iv has blackout free evf at 10+ as well.
Click to expand...
Nope. It has a delayed display of the last photo taken. While that means your display won't blackout, it isn't life, but delayed by about 1/10s. This is a mode that is also supported by many other slow Sonys. Certainly usable, but not comparable to what is commonly understood to be "blackout free EVF", which you get only with the stacked sensor cameras, so A1, A9I, A9II or A9III.
Click to expand...
did you not see the rankings site i post a link to ?
 
A74Me said:
daran said:
A74Me said:
the a7iv has blackout free evf at 10+ as well.
Click to expand...
Nope. It has a delayed display of the last photo taken. While that means your display won't blackout, it isn't life, but delayed by about 1/10s. This is a mode that is also supported by many other slow Sonys. Certainly usable, but not comparable to what is commonly understood to be "blackout free EVF", which you get only with the stacked sensor cameras, so A1, A9I, A9II or A9III.
Click to expand...
did you not see the rankings site i post a link to ?
Click to expand...
I know that web page and have referred to it myself. As far as I can see that web page is correct. It does not claim the A7 IV as having "blackout-free live view", as it correctly does for the cameras with stacked sensors. So why do you refer to it?
 
My opinion - I'd go for A7iv or A7cii. I don't think you need the A9 unless you need to prioritize silent shutter. I shot teen soccer for years with an A7iii with good success even though I was adapting a Canon 70-200. I now use an A9ii because I need silent shutter for theater and dance performances, but if not for that I'd probably use an A7iv. I also have an A7c for a smaller form factor and I do notice it has better image quality than the A9ii.
 
Between these two I would probably go with the A7IV. A9 is a speed beast but the A7IV is much more versatile.
 
A74Me said:
daran said:
A74Me said:
the a7iv has blackout free evf at 10+ as well.
Click to expand...
Nope. It has a delayed display of the last photo taken. While that means your display won't blackout, it isn't life, but delayed by about 1/10s. This is a mode that is also supported by many other slow Sonys. Certainly usable, but not comparable to what is commonly understood to be "blackout free EVF", which you get only with the stacked sensor cameras, so A1, A9I, A9II or A9III.
Click to expand...
did you not see the rankings site i post a link to ?
Click to expand...
Quote from that article: That said, there is a lack of consistency in the performance. Sometimes the camera nailed the sequences perfectly, other times it gave me a few out of focus or slightly soft shots. In other words, I find it difficult to nail a similar score on every outing.

Clearly the a7iv isn’t terrible for birds in flight, but it’s ranked well below many other cameras. It’s the third Sony in the list (really fifth as the a9/a9 II were identically ranked, and the a9iii wasn’t rated at that time.) Is it viable, I think so. I’d it better as a choice than the a9? Hard to convincingly argue that if birds in flight is the goal.

My reading of the original need suggests that the a7iv might be fine for their needs… but wants might push them a different direction
 
Last edited:
daran said:
A74Me said:
daran said:
A74Me said:
the a7iv has blackout free evf at 10+ as well.
Click to expand...
Nope. It has a delayed display of the last photo taken. While that means your display won't blackout, it isn't life, but delayed by about 1/10s. This is a mode that is also supported by many other slow Sonys. Certainly usable, but not comparable to what is commonly understood to be "blackout free EVF", which you get only with the stacked sensor cameras, so A1, A9I, A9II or A9III.
Click to expand...
did you not see the rankings site i post a link to ?
Click to expand...
I know that web page and have referred to it myself. As far as I can see that web page is correct. It does not claim the A7 IV as having "blackout-free live view", as it correctly does for the cameras with stacked sensors. So why do you refer to it?
Click to expand...
i referenced it because it makes very little difference for taking extreme motion how fast a blackout evf is. we have been watching tv sports for 60 years do you think its only been the last 5 years that it was possible 🤨
 
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