DPRTV: Sony A1 vs Canon R3 vs Nikon Z9

By Louis Ferreira | Published: February 5, 2022

Sony has some stiff competition in the high-end/high-speed camera space, which is why DPRTV decided to do a comparison between the Sony A1, Canon R3, and Nikon Z9. Below is a summary of the above video.

Handling

  1. Canon R3 1000g 2.2lbs splits the difference not too big not too small
  2. Nikon Z9 1340g 2.9lbs great ergonomics and handles like a tank
  3. Sony A1 737g 1.6lbs great if you want small and light

Image Quality

  1. Sony A1 50MP Highest resolution and quality
  2. Nikon Z9 45MP Close to the A1
  3. Canon R3 24MP Needs more MP

Displays

  1. Canon R3 5.76M dots EVF 4.1M rear LCD goldy locks
  2. Sony A1 9.44M dots and 240fps 1.44M rear LCD rear LCD needs updating
  3. Nikon Z9 3.69M dots EVF 2.1M rear LCD good enough

Burst speed

  1. Canon R3 lossless compressed RAW at 30fps can do 150 shots
  2. Sony A1 lossy compressed RAW at 30fps can do 150 shots
  3. Nikon Z9 lossy compressed RAW at 20fps can do 90 shots

Autofocus

  1. Nikon Z9 Might have a slight edge over the Sony due to the profiles
  2. Sony A1 Super sticky on peoples face unlike anyone else
  3. Canon R3 works well in good light but you have to customize a lot to get the best results

Video

  1. Nikon Z9 checks all the boxes Jordan is looking for with oversampled 4k and 8k video right to the memory card plus prores internal
  2. Canon R3 oversampled 4k with good profiles plus the only camera that can record internal raw and AF is only ok in addition to little issues with the body and ports, plus Nikon has promised a lot to come
  3. Sony A1 great 8k and profiles, but the 4k image isn’t oversampled and as sharp as others and AF is great

Price

  1. Nikon Z9 very affordable
  2. Cannon R3 right between price wise
  3. Sony A1 Most expensive

Overall

  1. Nikon Z9 and Canon R3 tied but the Nikon has the edge if price matters and the Canon if you want a camera built for a purpose.
  2. Sony A1 lost points wise but doesn’t feel like it because it is a master of all

Sony A1: B&H Photo / Amazon / Moment / Adorama
Canon R3: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama
Nikon Z9: B&H Photo / Amazon / Adorama

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Related posts:

  1. B&H Photo Top 10 Cameras of 2021
  2. Sony A1 vs Nikon Z9 By The Specs
  3. Sony A1 Beats Nikon Z9 PDR Throughout Native ISO Range
  4. DA: Sony A1 vs Canon R3 – You Can’t Go Wrong With Either, But Sony Has a Better Ecosystem For Now
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