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sony full-frame mirrorless cameras

Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2019 11:12 pm
by Bruce Sherman
I am seriously considering getting one of the Sony FF cameras. I shoot birds and other wildlife 90% of the time.

It seems like Sony is coming out with a new model very frequently.

I do not need or want 60 MP images. Something in the neighborhood of 20 to 30 would suit me.

I do want something with very accurate auto-focus, maybe even something with animal eye detection. If I understand what I's reading animal eye detection is only availabe on the a9, a9II, and a7RV III. These are a little more $ than I want to spend. The a7III seems to fit my needs, but does it have animal eye detection?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2019 12:28 am
by SantaFeJoe

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2019 6:48 am
by mikeojohnson
If you shoot a lot of birds in flight, my experience is the 9 series is noticeably better at tracking than the 7. 7 is good, but the 9 is the best I have ever had.
Mike

Re: sony full-frame mirrorless cameras

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2019 11:37 am
by scorless
My experience is the same as Mike's. Maybe consider a used a9 to reduce the cost.

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2019 12:25 pm
by Jeff Pearl
I have Sony A7-III w FE 4/24-105 lens, and I never had much luck getting decent BIF shots. I am still running Version 1.0. I'm selling that camera now. I think A9 would be better choice, but others know better than me. Maybe you should rent first for comparison before buying.

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2019 3:26 pm
by DChan
Unless your animal photos have always been out of focus, you have been incapable of taking a photo without eye focus AF, I'd say why limit your camera choice to those with animal eye AF?

Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2019 9:56 pm
by E.J. Peiker
For wildlife, your best bet is an a9, you don't need an a9 II.

Re: sony full-frame mirrorless cameras

Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2019 12:25 pm
by Phil Shaw
Shooting birds in flight with the A9 and a Sony GM lens is like cheating.  If you decide to go that route, also budget for the battery grip.  Be prepared to re-learn how to shoot and you will avoid initial frustrations.  Don't expect the Eye-AF to work reliably on birds, it does sometimes if you are close enough and/or the bird's eye is large and 'owl-like'.

Posted: Thu Dec 19, 2019 8:06 pm
by GregCromie
You could also check out this round of up of reviews over at ShotKit.com. They seem to be reviewing a lot of the cameras you are considering and have been mentioned here. It is quite a good article.

https://shotkit.com/sony-camera-guide/

Re: sony full-frame mirrorless cameras

Posted: Sun Dec 22, 2019 3:12 pm
by sdaconsulting
I'd get the A9 or A9 2 (for best AF available) and the A7R4 (for maximum resolution especially in crop mode when you are focal length limited).