Sony News

The a9 series targets sports and action, and the a9 III is Sony's latest model in that series. This camera was introduced earlier in the same year as the R1, and includes some outstanding features.

Check out the R1 vs. a9 III specification comparison along with the visual comparison of these cameras.

What are the differences between the Canon EOS R1 and the a9 III? Here are the R1 advantages:

• ISO 100-102400 expandable to 50 and 409600 vs. 250–25600 and 125 to 51200 (notably, the a9 III omits the lowest noise settings)
• Eye Control AF vs. no (dramatically faster AF point or area positioning)
• AF working range of EV -7.5 to 21 vs. EV -5 – 20 (the Canon camera focuses in darker environments)
• 6144-zone metering vs. 1200-zone (more areas evaluated yields potential improvement in auto exposure results)
• 230 image RAW buffer vs. 106
• Has 6K RAW
• 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 GHz vs. 802.11ac (5 GHz)
• Has a top LCD panel
• Dual CFexpress Type B slots vs. dual multi slot for SD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS-I/II)/CFexpress Type A (Type B cards are faster and less expensive than A cards, but A cards are smaller and SD cards are less expensive)
• Higher capacity battery rated for 1330 LCD and 700 EVF vs. 530 and 400 (the a9 III's battery grip doubles these numbers, closing much of the gap)
• Neural Network upscaling (2x larger in both dimensions to 179 megapixels) and noise reduction processing in camera (both with JPG output only)
• 8.5-stop IBIS vs. 8

The a9 III's advantages are:

• Global shutter, 0 ms imaging sensor readout speed vs. 2.7 ms (While this difference seems small, the global shutter can eliminate some issues, such as LED signage flicker)
• 120 fps continuous shooting vs. 40 (while 40 fps is sufficient for most needs, the 120 fps difference is noticeable)
• Metering range of EV -5 – 17 compared to EV -3 – 20
• +/- 5.0 EV exposure compensation vs. +/- 3
• 1/80000 shutter vs. 1/64000 (likely few us us will care about this difference)
• Flash sync to 1/80000 vs. 1/400
• 0.64" (16mm) EVF vs. 0.50" (12.7mm)
• 240 fps EVF refresh rate vs. 120 fps
• 4-axis multi-angle touchscreen LCD vs. vari-angle
• Considerably smaller and lighter: 26.0 vs. 39.3 oz (737 vs. 1115 g) (but the a9 III's grip adds 10.23 oz (290 g) and considerable size, closing the gap)
• Slightly less expensive

Again, comparing across brands is significantly challenged by the differing interface and ergonomics, and these two cameras are vastly different. Those advantages are a personal preference.

If you have not already done so, order the R1 immediately if you have even a remote interest in it.

More Information

Canon EOS R1

Sony Alpha 9 III

Three Sigma DG DN Art lenses have firmware new updates available:

• Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens version 04
• Sigma 50mm F1.4 DG DN Art Lens version 02
• Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art Lens version 04

Download these updates from Sigma Global.

These firmware updates incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

1. Compatibility with continuous shooting of up to approximately 120 frames per second has been added for the autofocus modes (AF-S/DMF/MF) on Sony a9 III cameras.
2. The operational stability has been improved. (only Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens)

Let's compare a pair of outstanding Sony cameras, starting with the flagship Sony Alpha 1. Check out the R1 vs. Alpha 1 specification comparison along with the visual comparison of these cameras.

What are the differences between the Canon EOS R1 and the a1? Here are the R1 advantages:

• 40 fps for 230 RAW images vs. 30 fps for 238 (96 frame using the comparable lossless compression) (having faster continuous shooting available is an advantage, but 30 fps is really fast)
• 12 fps with mechanical shutter vs. 10 (only matters if you use it)
• More framerate options – 40, 30, 20, 15, 12, 10, 7.5, 5, 3, 2, and 1 compared to 30, 20, 15, and 5 (with electronic shutter, but the mechanical shutter adds 10, 8, 6, and 3)
• 2.7 ms imaging sensor readout speed vs. 3.8 (while technically a win for the R1, you won't likely notice the difference, and the Sony is reading 50 megapixels at that speed)
• AF working range of EV -7.5 to 21 vs. EV -4 – 20 (the Canon camera focuses in considerably darker environments)
• ISO 100-102400 expandable to 50 and 409600 vs. 100–32000 and 50 to 102400 (the R1 will show less noise at the pixel level, but the two should nearly equalize if the a1 image is down sampled to 24 megapixels — and you won't want to use the highest ISO settings)
• 1/64000 vs. 1/32000 (crazy fast holds a small niche advantage over extremely fast)
• Eye Control AF vs. no (dramatically faster AF point or area positioning)
• Pre-continuous shooting (hindsight is far clearer than foresight, and recording an image of an action in the near past is game-changing)
• 6144-zone metering vs. 1200-zone (more areas evaluated yields potential improvement in auto exposure results)
• Electronic shutter flash sync up to 1/400 sec. (some sources say 1/320) vs. 1/200
• 2.1 million dot vari-angle LCD vs. 1.44 million tilt
• Has a top LCD panel
• Dual CFexpress Type B slots vs. dual multi slot for SD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS-I/II)/CFexpress Type A (Type B cards are faster and less expensive than A cards, but A cards are smaller and SD cards are less expensive)
• Neural Network upscaling (2x larger in both dimensions to 179 megapixels) and noise reduction processing in camera (both with JPG output only)
• 8.5-stop IBIS vs. 5.5
• High-Frequency Anti-Flicker shooting (evaluates the scene and precisely adjusts the shutter speed to avoid banding and flicker, including from LED signage)
• 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 GHz vs. 802.11ac (5 GHz)
• 4-Channel 24-Bit LPCM Audio vs. 2-Channel 16-Bit
• Higher capacity battery rated for 1330 LCD and 700 EVF vs. 530 and 430 (the a1's battery grip doubles these numbers, closing much of the gap)
• Slightly less expensive

Despite being introduced 3 years earlier, the a1 still holds advantages:

• 50 megapixel vs. 24 (a big difference, but not everyone finds the higher resolution worth the increased storage size and processing time)
• Touch and drag AF area slection vs. not available
• +/- 5 stops exposure compensation vs. 3
• 240 fps EVF vs. 120
• 8K 30p vs. 6K 60p movies
• Pixel Shift Multi Shooting (provides dramatically higher resolution after post processing, but everything in the frame must be still)
• 0.64" (16mm) EVF vs. 0.50" (12.7mm)
• Considerably smaller and lighter: 26.0 vs. 39.3 oz (737 vs. 1115 g) (but the a1's grip adds 10.23 oz (290 g) and considerable size, closing the gap)

Comparing across brands is significantly challenged by the differing interface and ergonomics, and these two cameras are vastly different in those regards. Advantages will often be determined by personal preference.

If you have not already done so, order the R1 immediately if you have even a remote interest in it.

More Information

Canon EOS R1

Sony Alpha 1

Use coupon code MFT25 at WEX to save 25% on all Manfrotto products.

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See today's full list of B&H Deal Zone Deals.

Highlighting some just-arriving gear in the B&H Used Department:

Sony a7S III firmware update version 3.02 is available for download (Sony).

Firmware Version 3.02 incorporates the following fixes and enhancements:

1. Fixed an issue where the ISO value was not reflected correctly when outputting RAW video to a RAW-compatible device connected via HDMI, and where the upper and lower limit ranges that could be set when the ISO value was set to AUTO were incorrect.
2. Fixed an issue where network connection was not possible.
3. Improved operational stability.

This update is only available for Windows and macOS. The memory card version is not available.

* Read the precautions before beginning this update.

Get the Sony a7S III at B&H.

Highlighting some just-arriving gear in the B&H Used Department:

Remember to use the B&H Payboo payment card to save the tax.

Check out today's B&H Deal Zone for big savings on:

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New customers only: use coupon code MPBA5 to save 5% at MPB.

Highlighting some just-arriving gear in the B&H Used Department:

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Worth browsing: Deals of the Week at B&H.

Yesterday's Canon announcement shifted me into fundraising mode. This gear is being sold to fund new gear to review. Check the updated list to see if anything fits into your kit. Most items are like new.

Bryan's Used Gear for Sale

Brands available include Canon, Sony, and more.
 

Highlighting some just-arriving gear in the B&H Used Department:

Remember to use the B&H Payboo payment card to save the tax.

Spend a few minutes browsing the 2 Day Summer Tech & Photo Sale in best selling sequence at B&H.

New items have been added to the sale, and the memory cards deals are popular (check out the Nextorage cards on sale). Many Apple products are included.

Do the same for the huge Prime Day Sale at Amazon.

This is a great time to buy a huge range of products, including household supplies.

Now is a good time to get a solar generator. Use code VIP5 to save up to 50% at the Prime Day Sale at Jackery. "Lowest prices of 2024."

Before we dig into the details, I strongly advise preordering these cameras immediately if you have even a remote interest in them. They are in extremely high demand, and I expect preorders to long consume supply. Orders are easy to cancel, but lines are not easy to get to the front of.

Important: Using the links on this site, including below, to place your order provides important support. Thanks in advance for that!

Extensive Hands-On Information:   Canon EOS R5 Mark II     Canon EOS R1

If you are short on time, browse the feature summaries near the top of each page. Note the comparisons between the R5 II and the R5, R6 II, R3, and R1 included on the Canon EOS R5 Mark II page.

Preorders

Canon EOS R5 Mark II: B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada

Canon EOS R1: B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada

Get extra Canon LP-E6P Batteries: B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | WEX

Canon BG-R20 Battery Grip: B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | WEX | Camera Canada

Canon BG-R20EP LAN Port Grip: B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | WEX | Camera Canada

Canon CF-R20EP Cooling Fan Grip: B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | WEX | Camera Canada

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Just posted: Canon RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM Lens Review.

Find out how the new lighter, smaller, and more affordable 35 L lens performs. Additional sample photos are coming.

Support this site by ordering the Canon RF 35mm F1.4 L VCM Lens from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | WEX | Amazon (all available countries) | Camera Canada

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