Sony A9 original in 2023?

[Pennskull]

Is it a good option still? They can be had for relatively cheap in good condition. How does the AF compare to the A9II?

 

[LenRivers]

Is it a good option still? They can be had for relatively cheap in good condition. How does the AF compare to the A9II?

A couple suggestions for research . At the top of this page hover over cameras select side by side comparison.

Youtube is a great resource as well. Even a google search Sony A9 vs sony A9ii

Sony Rumors has mentioned the A9iii as a possibiiity

This explains minor updates to the A9ii

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sony-alpha-9-ii-review/8

 

[IanColley]

Is it a good option still? They can be had for relatively cheap in good condition. How does the AF compare to the A9II?

I have an A9 (among other bodies) and it is my primary camera for Real Estate and Motorsport, handling those 2 different tasks with ease. The auto focus is miles ahead of any of my previous cameras and apart from lacking some subject identification I can’t fault it. For Motorsport I have dropped my burst frame rates because it pretty much never misses. I don’t think auto focus on A9ii is much different, it’s mainly refinements to connectivity, speed of operation, weather sealing and slightly larger grip. A1 auto focus is an improvement I believe but I don’t need or want the resolution.
I have slightly smaller than average hands and prefer the smaller grip on the A9 compared to the later bodies even though I use the battery grip when using it for Motorsport. I plan on getting another one soon even though it’s 5 or 6 years old.

Regards Ian Colley

 

[Mike VanV]

I've also been going back and forth in my head about an A9II.

Just haven't been able to open my wallet for one...yet. Waiting to see how the A9III will be changed.

Mike

 

[Sundre]

I love mine. AF, tracking, speed etc. are still up there with the best. The body feels a bit dated, but I can live with it. The menus get a lot of hate, but I only use my own personalised menu so they don't matter to me.

These were all taken with my A9.

 

[Currantos]

I think if we know the type of photography you plan on doing it may help to decide 'is it still good'.

If you do all around general photography and have no specialized needs it's a fine camera that will serve you well in every respect.

Mine works great as general and action. It's a few years old but still in great condition and always delivers. I'd have no problems getting it now and using.

 

[SmokeAndMirrorless]

The a9M2 upgraded some very specific features relevant to pro use. For most folks the original a9 is just fine.

 

[dv312]

AF should be on par with A9II

I shoot birds mainly and have used the A9 for 3 years before I upgraded to the A1

Here's what the A1 does better than the A9:

• Better thicker grip (even though I think both ergo are not too good , leaving index finger dangling, and grip too close to the lens )
• Eye focus (yes a big plus)
• 30FPS vs 20FPS (not a big deal IMHO, 20 is aplenty)
• 50MP vs 24MP (larger allows for cropping and more details, huge plus)

If you think these pluses are not important to you then by all means get a 2nd hand A9 , it's still a great camera today , and save tons of money (used A1 costs about 3 times an A9)

I'd get the A9II since it costs more but the guts are basically A9's

Best wishes

 

[olstrup]

Here's what the A1 does better than the A9:

• Better thicker grip (even though I think both ergo are not too good , leaving index finger dangling, and grip too close to the lens )
• Eye focus (yes a big plus)
• 30FPS vs 20FPS (not a big deal IMHO, 20 is aplenty)
• 50MP vs 24MP (larger allows for cropping and more details, huge plus)

The A9 has eye focus - though I don't know if the eye focus in the A1 is better.

FWIW, I happily use an A9 (with the latest firmware) and have no plans of replacing it.

 

[Pennskull]

I mostly shoot running dogs and cats and some general shooting.

 

[Pennskull]

I am slightly worried about the IQ differences between the A9 and the newer cameras. Or are the differences so small it's basically hard to notice?

 

[novographer]

I am slightly worried about the IQ differences between the A9 and the newer cameras. Or are the differences so small it's basically hard to notice?

I bought a used A9 in 2021. I did compare it with a A9ii at the time but realised it was not worth the price difference. The A9 does just fine in almost all types of action photography. I mostly shoot birds and wildlife. Even though the A9ii is slightly more upgraded, you'll never notice the difference in the images or their quality. They have the same sensor after all. Also, the A9 happens to be Sony's most updated camera via firmware updates (went all the way to v6!). At current prices on eBay and other outlets it is very attractive for what it offers.

If you are seriously considering the A9ii, I'd recommend waiting for the A9iii due somewhere towards the end of this year.

 

[Currantos]

I am slightly worried about the IQ differences between the A9 and the newer cameras. Or are the differences so small it's basically hard to notice?

Could you describe what specific IQ difference you are worried about.

A9II uses the same sensor, so image quality will be the same.

A1 will have more megapixels, slightly better noise and dynamic range.

You are not likely to notice it, again, it does not sound like you have very specialized needs or push the camera/sensor to the edge of its performance. Dogs and cats should be middle level action difficulty, not olympic sports type thing photographing gymnasts in a suboptimally lit gym.

Proper post processing will significantly diminish any differences you are concerned about. Sensor improvements have been minimal over the last few years, compared to progress in processing, lens design, AF, etc.

Rent it for 1 day and shoot a ton and see if results fit what you need. I would be surprised if they didn't.

Lastly, the differences between cameras always come with a tradeoff. Another camera may do something better but it will do something else worse, so go for what is most important to you.

A7RV will give you better image quality. But may not keep up with dogs running and more expensive. Tradeoffs, always.

 

[dv312]

I am slightly worried about the IQ differences between the A9 and the newer cameras. Or are the differences so small it's basically hard to notice?

The difference is more pronounced when you start cropping more, especially with birds

If you keep your subject to fill the frame then the IQ is great

Dogs and cats and closer wildlife should be all dandy with A9

For the money you can get 1 today, it's a no brainer

 

[Pennskull]

I am slightly worried about the IQ differences between the A9 and the newer cameras. Or are the differences so small it's basically hard to notice?

Could you describe what specific IQ difference you are worried about.

A9II uses the same sensor, so image quality will be the same.

A1 will have more megapixels, slightly better noise and dynamic range.

You are not likely to notice it, again, it does not sound like you have very specialized needs or push the camera/sensor to the edge of its performance. Dogs and cats should be middle level action difficulty, not olympic sports type thing photographing gymnasts in a suboptimally lit gym.

Proper post processing will significantly diminish any differences you are concerned about. Sensor improvements have been minimal over the last few years, compared to progress in processing, lens design, AF, etc.

Rent it for 1 day and shoot a ton and see if results fit what you need. I would be surprised if they didn't.

Lastly, the differences between cameras always come with a tradeoff. Another camera may do something better but it will do something else worse, so go for what is most important to you.

A7RV will give you better image quality. But may not keep up with dogs running and more expensive. Tradeoffs, always.

Well, lifting shadows is what I'm worried about, but maybe I am worrying without reason?

 

[Sundre]

I am slightly worried about the IQ differences between the A9 and the newer cameras. Or are the differences so small it's basically hard to notice?

Could you describe what specific IQ difference you are worried about.

A9II uses the same sensor, so image quality will be the same.

A1 will have more megapixels, slightly better noise and dynamic range.

You are not likely to notice it, again, it does not sound like you have very specialized needs or push the camera/sensor to the edge of its performance. Dogs and cats should be middle level action difficulty, not olympic sports type thing photographing gymnasts in a suboptimally lit gym.

Proper post processing will significantly diminish any differences you are concerned about. Sensor improvements have been minimal over the last few years, compared to progress in processing, lens design, AF, etc.

Rent it for 1 day and shoot a ton and see if results fit what you need. I would be surprised if they didn't.

Lastly, the differences between cameras always come with a tradeoff. Another camera may do something better but it will do something else worse, so go for what is most important to you.

A7RV will give you better image quality. But may not keep up with dogs running and more expensive. Tradeoffs, always.

Well, lifting shadows is what I'm worried about, but maybe I am worrying without reason?

Absolutely no reason to worry. There has been no meaningful advance in sensor tech in terms of dynamic range between the A9's release in 2016 and 2023. The original A9 even ranks a hair above the far more expensive A1 (although that difference is negligible).

The A9 is mostly old school in terms of body design. In every other respect, it ranks as high as any in Rome.

 

[agfa100]

Well I just added a a9 three weeks ago, I stepped up from a a7s I am a people shooter so I really like the no blackout and the high speed electronic shutter. With the 7s I was using my older M lenses now with the a9 I have added a za 35 and a za 55 this camera has spoiled me... The next lens I will be looking for will be a Batis 135, I have a 75 noctilux and a 90 summicron so I am covered their I don't think you can go wrong with a Sony a9 body.

 

[Pennskull]

Anyone that tried the A9 and A9II and can say if there is any difference in af?

 

[Sundre]

Anyone that tried the A9 and A9II and can say if there is any difference in af?

The A9ii acquires focus a touch faster, but once acquired, they are both so good, you would be really hard pressed to notice any meaningful difference.

 

[Pennskull]

Anyone that tried the A9 and A9II and can say if there is any difference in af?

The A9ii acquires focus a touch faster, but once acquired, they are both so good, you would be really hard pressed to notice any meaningful difference.

It's nore important with stickyness than aquirespeed for me. I usually manually put the tracking box on the head/face of the running cat/dog! Would there be any difference worth noting i that scenario?