Nikon Z9 vs Sony A1 - Wildlife Shootout!

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Steve said:
Call me crazy (my wife does), but I've decided to dance through the minefield of brand fanatics by publishing a video comparing the Nikon Z9 and the Sony a1 for wildlife photography. As someone who owns and is heavily invested in both systems, I get a LOT of questions from people asking which is "best" or at least what the differences are.

This video will compare ergonomics, controls, colors, ISO AF systems, and much more. I think you'll find the comparisons surprising. Enjoy the video - and I'll brace myself for the comments! :)

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”This is the photo I got while messing with my TC”. Very funny. Made me laugh. Overall, video was very well done!
 
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Interesting video Steve and a brave one too lol.

During the long wait for the Z9 I was tempted to go over to Sony but I stuck it out and am pleased I did for one main reason. The glass. Sony is lagging behind here and there doesn't seem to be any sign of them catching up. I use the Z800mm nearly all the time and for me it is a great combination with the Z9.

I do share your view on the custom settings on the Z9. I do wish these were more flexible as the A1 seems to be but I've got Z9 set up how I like it and it works well for me. The firmware updates have been brilliant so far and the AF is much improved so who knows what is to come from Nikon. Thanks for an interesting video and I think it has confirmed I made the right choices.
 
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Thank for the comparison Steve. I started with a D500 and 200-500 Nikon lens for bird photography. Then went with a 500PF. Now a Z9. That 500PF kept me from switching to Sony or Canon. The greener grass on the other side of the fence sure is inviting, but the grass was turning green where I was standing. Just slower......
 
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It seemed like a fair and objective comparison to me. As far as the question at the end, I chose Nikon even before the Z9 because I thought from Nikon’s F mount past that they would eventually give me the option for a greater variety of glass that I would like. The past year + certainly validated that, and I only look forward to what else Nikon will come out with.
 
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For me my decision is based a great deal on the available lenses for wildlife and macro photography and the available speedlights and overall integration. The camera is less than half the decision.

I stayed with Nikon DSLR to be able to use the 500mm PF and 600mm f/4E and 200mm f/4 macro lenses. Nothing comparable from Sony or Canon for two of these lenses. For macro shooting the best alternative to Nikon is Canon and with Sony I would be relying on third party flash and nothing compares well to the Nikon R1 and SU-800 capabilities.

I got my wife into the Olympus MFT system when they released 5-axis mirrorless cameras AND f/2.8 constant aperture zoom lenses from 7mm to 150mm (full frame 14mm to 300mm). Add in the 300mm f/4 and 60mm macro lens and she has a great kit.

With Sony, I am tempted to buy their A7 II camera to be able to use their revolutionary 100mm f/2.8 FE STF lens. There are no mirrorless lenses with its capabilities from Nikon or Canon or Olympus.
 
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Steve said:
Call me crazy (my wife does), but I've decided to dance through the minefield of brand fanatics by publishing a video comparing the Nikon Z9 and the Sony a1 for wildlife photography. As someone who owns and is heavily invested in both systems, I get a LOT of questions from people asking which is "best" or at least what the differences are.

This video will compare ergonomics, controls, colors, ISO AF systems, and much more. I think you'll find the comparisons surprising. Enjoy the video - and I'll brace myself for the comments! :)

Click to expand...
Great little video, Steve. Now, if I ever buy one of these puppies, I know which one to pick! 🤔
 
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Great video Steve. Very helpful - price, and explicit focus on still photography worth adding. And photo stacking ….if you include that in wildlife. Your frog image has the label though!!
 
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In the old days it was always drilled in that it was all about the glass, the camera was a box that held film. Digital cameras have changed this but the fact is a poor lens will always affect the end result.
Steve is right, if you are invested in decent Nikon glass....stick with it. The same for Sony. If you’re starting out or coming off a low base, you are spoiled for choice. Nothing is perfect, accept the shortcomings and get on with it. For those who keep jumping back and forth, you can obviously afford to so get both.
 
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As the owner of both the A1 and Z9, this was interesting even though I mainly shoot video which wasn't considered in the comparison. When it comes to video, my experience is that the A1 has more reliable AF but the Z9 has superior IQ, so once again which camera is best really depends on your needs. I've been successfully shooting the A1 for nearly two years but bought the Z9 because of the superior IQ and for the superior Nikon wildlife lens selection. But it's nice to have choices!
 
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Good work Steve.
I agree it is all about that Nikon glass...really the only reason to choose one over the other.

The problem is that for someone like me who isn't NPS (and has no way to be NPS as I'm 100% hobbyist) is that I can't buy any of that Nikon glass. Their s#!t-show supply is costing them business....this isn't 2021 anymore...get with it Nikon and I know you'd have a lot of returning customers (because let's be honest...all of us shot Nikon during the D500/D850 days).
 
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Great comparison Steve! I have a question about an equipment I saw in your video. What type of ball head/tilt head you're using with the monopod? In this connection, I would love to get your recommendation for a tilt head. I am thinking of carrying the monopod and a tilt head during my upcoming Kenya trip. I would like to try out the Z9 and Z 100-400 with the monopod. What's your opinion about LeoPhoto VH-10S? Thanks in advance.
 
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I enjoyed watching the video, primarily because I find your comments and reflections to be so objective…a rarity these days. Thank you for the time and effort you put into your videos and your guides.
 
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DsD said:
Seriously doubt it. Steve has said before that he is out of the Canon system, can’t shoot them all. But he can verify.
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I think the same applies to Canon and Olympus too. The current generation of cameras are all well resolved, technical marvels. Coupled with good lenses, it will just come down to needs and preferences.
 
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Steve said:
I think that link was posted here a bit ago. I think the consensus was that a sample size of two (from random e-mails) didn't seem like enough to draw conclusions against. In addition, I would think if using the a1 in the cold were a rampant issue we'd see more about it. I haven't had any issues, although I don't shoot in the cold much.
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I agree. Not sure how cold it was in those reports but I've been out for hours in temperatures in the -F range without issues. I do my fair share of sitting/waiting in the cold for Bald Eagles in the winter :)

Last year I spent hours outside shooting the Steller's Sea Eagle in Maine when it was a high of 9F that day with 22 MPH winds... it was COLD :).
 
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The built-in TCs don't mean that much to me and I've been doing wildlife photography for 17 years. The variety of lenses that Nikon has in their catalog is impressive, but do I need them? I have a 100-400 for hiking, a 200-600 for circumstances where I need versatility and a 600f4 for long-range subjects. Do I need to replace my 100-400 with a 500PF? Do I need to replace my 600 f4 with one that has a built-in TC but that's $2500 more brand new and may take a year to get here? Steve thinks the supply problems will be solved soon but how does he know? How does anyone? If someone is buying a wildlife system NOW, the fact that Nikon may get their stuff together in a year or two won't matter to them. When people ask me what to get for wildlife because they're going mirrorless, I do NOT recommend Nikon because they have one body that's great for wildlife and it's very expensive. I recommend Canon because they have the R7 and the 800 f11 that gets them into wildlife at long range for $2500. Or a used Sony A9II and a 200-600 and a 1.4X TC that gets them a very versatile setup they can get into used for around $4000-4500.
For those for whom cost is no option, I recommend the Sony A1 and a 600f4 because they can get them now.
 
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Steve said:
Call me crazy (my wife does), but I've decided to dance through the minefield of brand fanatics by publishing a video comparing the Nikon Z9 and the Sony a1 for wildlife photography. As someone who owns and is heavily invested in both systems, I get a LOT of questions from people asking which is "best" or at least what the differences are.

This video will compare ergonomics, controls, colors, ISO AF systems, and much more. I think you'll find the comparisons surprising. Enjoy the video - and I'll brace myself for the comments! :)

Click to expand...
Great and fair video to both companies. Like can't wait for the Nikon's 200-600m.
 
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(Edit: thanks for the text to speech Screwed up my words)
Watched it. Fantastic points.
I feel the lock up with the Z9 was reportedly only on a specific batch and should not be included.

One question I have though. Steve claims he doesn’t know a thing about using the Z9 / A1 for video, So let me ask you this, what gear are you using to produce those YT videos? iPhone?!
 
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Well balanced video and the Sony body was rated much higher than I expected. As for lens choice, Nikon may have an edge when it comes to long lens for wildlife, but for overall lens choices I think Sony is ahead. They have things no one else has, like the Tamron 35-150 f2-2.8 and the new Sony 20-70 f4. Plus their 70-200 f2.8 (version ii) weighs significantly less than the Nikon Z equivalent. They also offer a 70-200 f4 which Nikon does not (in Z mount).

(For the record I use Sony A74 for 200-600 and Nikon D850 for shorter lenses, so I am not sold to one brand or the other).
 
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