Nikon Z9 vs SONY a1 vs Canon EOS R3 EYE AF REVIEW (2022 Edition)
The Jarrod Polan Test
What would you do different if you were given the 3 cameras to test side by side for focus..........
Answer, most likely the exact same real world thing.
OK what would i have done differently doing this test.........simple
A BLIND TEST, ie remove the reference to any brand or physical identity of a camera, just show the end results from camera 1, 2, 3 and rely on the results and let the viewer choose or comment, in later video revealing the name of camera 1 2 3.
I think this real life simultaneous comparison is a simple fair coal face indication of what these cameras are like at this stage.
As you can see that they all do a reasonably good yet not a perfect job in their own way.
For Nikon just lagging a little hear and there, could be related to more finer settings maybe, or a few updates, never the less Nikon is amongst it now, the test is about nothing but simple practical side by side comparison of focusing - tracking as it is at this point in time.
The Nikon performed better at distance, the Sony showed better memory recall, Canon hung in there as well.
So my way of thinking is and has been all along...........
Tracking regardless of brand has come a long way and works well in many situations but not all, its something that still needs more time to fully ripen on the vine a little more till fully mature, meanwhile companies are marketing the hell out of tracking on flagship and all subsequent models...........for consumers.
The Question, would i buy one camera over the other based purely on lock on tracking performance.......
defiantly Not, and i didn't buy my Z9 because of tracking and 9 different subject tracking modes etc,............. why you ask, well i am invested in Nikon, I still have skill sets and have a reasonable keeper rate............i am happy with really any camera and lens as they are very slimier tools that use a infinite combination of time light and speed to record a subject, also 80 or 90% of the result comes from the user anyway.
Yes the tracking feature to date works well and helps in many situations defiantly but its not the end all.............i feel it has a greater benefit for video while also helping with stills..
The Z9 for me has a combination of the following features some i also found in the D850............
Image file quality
Accurate colour
Dynamic range
ISO quality
Resolution
Speed
Versatility
Build quality
Tilt screen
IBIS re birthing FX non Vr lenses.
Unlimited frame rate capacity
Ability to focus in the dark.
Hand hold at very low shutter speeds.
Auto Tracking, well its a bonus.
Backwards compatible with batteries and lenses.
Would i ever change brands.......unlikely, I think Sony has done a great job in creating Change by paving the way forward, Canon would be my Choice if i did change.
The D850...Z7II still has undoubtedly some of the best image files in the industry for me.................i am not comparing the Z9 to them as its a different tool.
I like the Z9 for what i do so far, i am giving my self 3 months before deciding if to invest progressively in any new glass.
My favorite Nikon's to date, D300 D700 D3X D4s D6 D850, still have the D3X and D850, Love the D850 to pieces, enjoy my little escape camera with my 50mm Ziess and that's the DF.
For myself, Jarrod Polan is great and really dose a great job, he is young and into the future generation in many ways, he is ahead of his game.........i mean he doesn't do the Thom Hogan versions but gee he is more than enough in getting the message across fast and dirty if needed and amazingly funny and entertaining, i cant recall where he has ever been worng in his veiws on gear. He is envied by many of his fellow reviewers.
Happy Days
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