I am a kingfisher photographer and film maker, so I have a different prospective. The processor on the A9 II gives some quiet improvements, battery live is extended, Eye AF in video, FN functions doubled still/video, Faster USB charging, Improved digital audio, Slightly better AF and tracking would be worth the upgrade. Good video, David and sensible advice. My friends who have not owned the A9 have gone straight to the MK II. If Sony give owners firmware upgrades to the MK II like they did to the A9, it would be the camera to have.
Thank you David for this video. I’ve just sent off my Canon gear be to evaluated for trade in. I’m deciding whether going to be the A9 or A9II. I’m also hoping 2020 going well for you and yours.
been trying to figure out what the $1,000 difference is for a while now... I think for my sake the A9 is perfect. Bigger buttons sounds nice but not for an extra grand. I don't shoot sports, just controlled environments. Moving away from Canon this year though.
any pointers as to why the A9II EVF would show so many artifacts ( purple blue moire ) and has so little resolution especially while half pressing the shutter ?
Amazing very useful comparison. A very important question comes when I see the photo at 1:51 , when blackout is there in any camera, does that makes the fps number divides by 2 ? I mean , are we going to have only half the frames in reality , as example , a camera with 20fps blacked out will give only 10fps?
Great review David... I have 2 A9’s and I certainly won’t be upgrading them yet :) You mentioned the increase in the mechanical shutter may help when using flash. There aren’t many flashes are there that can keep up with 10fps? The rotolights can. have 3 neo 2 and they are great. I use them with my A7Riii which has a faster FPS mechanical shutter than A9.
Very good review, concentrating on things real photographers care about. I agree, I'm keepin' my A9 for a while. From a business economics view, it seems that the original A9 was way ahead of the competition, so Sony has no reason to make major improvements in it until it gets some serious rival cameras. Given how far behind the other manufacturers are in high-end mirrorless, I suspect the first real competition will be within Sony as the A7 line improves. After a brief fling a few years back with higher-resolution cameras, I have decided that 24 megapixels is plenty for me. So, I am glad to see a professional events, weddings, and portrait photographer who seems happy with the A9. I don't want to be a language purist, but the term "color science" bothers me. It is important, but it's really aesthetics rather than science. And, yes, aesthetics are important. I think that color experts call this color management or color profiling. You probably have much better sources of advice on this than I do. As I understand it, for people who shoot raw the differences are entirely in the JPEG preview image that is sent along as part of the raw image. Most post processing software will replace this preview image very soon after the import step.
@@DavidOastler , interesting. I noticed this with my new A6600 relative to the A6500 I had used for years. However, as far as I know, what you first see when you open a raw file is a JPEG "preview" version that your camera generates even when you are shooting in raw. I believe that the camera has to construct this preview for the EVF, so it's not that hard to add it to the raw file along with the actual raw data. I'm not an expert on all this, so perhaps you can get more specific advice on this from your contacts. Since you are a wedding/portrait photographer, I presume you know about color look-up tables and picture profiles. A few years back, Adobe had a default profile for the A6500 that was blah in the reds, among other problems. I used the XRite Passport color-checker card to make a custom profile for my A6500 and then had LR apply that to all raw files imported from an A6500. That helped a lot. However, soon after that Adobe revamped all its color profiles and the one for the A6500 was just as good as my custom one. I'm not saying that you need to get a color patch panel, but if you use LR and care a lot about color then you should look more carefully at LR's import preferences. Again, I am not an authority on any of this. I'm just an amateur who cares about color and who doesn't like a lot of clarity/vibrance/saturation "enhancements". Still, the latest round of Sony cameras do seem to have default previews with a bit more punch.
Great video as usual and for some reason it feels strange/rare to see Sony camera with their batter grip. I mean it looks good and ergonomics looks much better which brings to question those who talk down Sony in this topic. (Fuji not having a grip for example but not ,just different) though for small size I don't think shaving off the hand grip is really making the camera any smaller and that area could be used for a larger battery and so leave room on the main body for other hardware. A thought came to mind that David instead of saying "good day everyone" he should say "good day mate" XD would make the video quality go up by 1000%
@DavidOastler Does anyone know the maximum write to speed for the A9II to UHS-II SD V90 cards? I am trying to choose between ProGrade 256GB V90 and the Sony 128GB SF-G V90 Tough Series cards, Does anyone use the ProGrade cards?
Hi David, thank you for all your dedication and wonderful videos. In your opinion, what is the best camera to buy for outdoor portraits. I'm an outdoor elopement photographer and am currently using the sony a7iii. I mostly use the 24-70 GM. I use the Profoto B10 for my outdoor lighting. Do you think I should wait for the Sony a7iiii or do you think something like the Sony a9ii is better? Thanks
Hi David, I’m just getting into sports boxing 🥊 photography in 2021-2022. I’m uncertain whether I should pay $3,800 for a excellent used A9 ii or go with the A9 for about $2,500 -2700 excellent/good used? Any help or advice is appreciated. Thanks
Thank you for the review some good details here , I just wanted to know the difference in body size , as I am looking for a bigger grip and OF COURSE ! the higher shutter speed .
using the original A9 coming from a nikon d4 now just receive the a9ii ..it seems subtle differences but to me the little extra were very well worth it...the voice tag is a time saver for caption...
About to get rid of my A7RIV...too slow for action (birding, sports) and i hate the file sizes. Also there is a huge AF consistency issue with the A7RIV and 200600G that some are not aware of. The A7RIV with 200600G back focuses often causing a lot of missed shots. Check Fred Miranda forums for more info. Unless you can afford the 600GM, don't bother with the A7RIV. Go for the A9 series with 200600G and your golden.
I honestly can't figure out why viewers mark don't like for your comparison review. You give honest, clearly stated features, along with benefits in your comparison review, and all of which is your opinion based upon thousands and thousands of shots. Go figure. Love your work David. Ignore the weed trolls.
The A9 is currently about $1,500 cheaper than the A9ii right now. I was hoping the A9ii price would drop with the A1 announcement. The regular A9 at $3,000 is a good buy!
Some of the wildlife photographers are saying the AF is sticker in the A9II verse the A9. The differences will show up when new firmware comes out, I suspect. So much A9II research was given to the A9 (thanks Sony).
Does the a9/a92 have any adjustment in video? Does it have just standard profile only? Or does it have others such as flat profile etc ? Can the saturation/ contrast / sharpening etc be adjusted to increase the dynamic range like the others? Thanks
"Well said," DO. This appears to another great photographic tool. I can understand why you would not rush to upgrade, fact is, there cannot be "earth shaking improvement" in every new edition of these cameras, however the improvements sighted are enough to set this camera as better than the original and in many ways better than any other sport camera!
The Color is so much better. That feature alone makes all the difference. But Canon has had that from day one. Just saying. The new Canon Mount gives superior images with the new lenses too. I think Canon will eclipse this system soon.
I wish every Sony Mirrorless camera would have voice memo capability. I had this capability in my fist digital camera (an Olympus of the 1990's) and used it quite often to identify subjects or models I was shooting...
@@DavidOastler I sometimes photograph several models during one shoot. What I do now with my A7iii and A6600 cameras to identify models that I am shooting is to use the lowest quality video (to save SD card space) and record a quick clip of the model who states her name and her email address. This is an effective way of recording the information (I often lose notes that I take on a notepad) but, I still need to match up the model's information with her stills. An audible record linked to the images would be far more efficient... Photographing the model with a dry erase board with her name could be another way to ID the model. I have tried this and included a WhiBal card taped to the ID board. But, that seems to slow down my shooting...
David great job as usual! I have a question concerning the SONY A9 buttons. Around the 2:53 mark in the video you mention an alternative button system, what is that system if you care to share? Thanks, Tony
@@DavidOastler They are works of art... one day.. one day... _(I also hear the knock of a Sony Digital Image or Brand Ambasadorship coming your way.... c'mon SONY.. what are you waiting for!!)_
@@DavidOastler ok, quick question.. I’m only a hobby level photographer but love it and quite lucky to have the a9 plus a7riv.. as a hobby level, will it madness to trade in my a9 plus extra good amount of funds to purchase it ?
Watching your fires down under on TV and saw that people have died. Those little cute Koala bears are hurting really sad situation. Wishing you all the best.
Common man! FIRST remark yo are wrong already. A9ii definitely has a different sensor! (upgraded BIONZ X-processor) Nice effort on this review, but do your homework first
Its same sensor, with new bionz processor (sensor and bionz processor are NOT same hardware) yes the new processor is a touch faster and im sure AF algorithms have improved. But sensor is the SAME
“If something happens to my A9...”.. something tells me someone’s going to accidentally drop their camera soon.
Lol that is funny
I am a kingfisher photographer and film maker, so I have a different prospective. The processor on the A9 II gives some quiet improvements, battery live is extended, Eye AF in video, FN functions doubled still/video, Faster USB charging, Improved digital audio, Slightly better AF and tracking would be worth the upgrade. Good video, David and sensible advice. My friends who have not owned the A9 have gone straight to the MK II. If Sony give owners firmware upgrades to the MK II like they did to the A9, it would be the camera to have.
Thanks Alan
Good honest review.
Thanks for watching
... well, I did it - upgrade to the a 9 II. And I‘am happy! 🤗
You should be it’s a great camera
Thank you David for this video. I’ve just sent off my Canon gear be to evaluated for trade in. I’m deciding whether going to be the A9 or A9II. I’m also hoping 2020 going well for you and yours.
Thanks for watching
What did you go for Eddie? How is your Sony transition going?
been trying to figure out what the $1,000 difference is for a while now... I think for my sake the A9 is perfect. Bigger buttons sounds nice but not for an extra grand. I don't shoot sports, just controlled environments. Moving away from Canon this year though.
I love my a9
any pointers as to why the A9II EVF would show so many artifacts ( purple blue moire ) and has so little resolution especially while half pressing the shutter ?
Great camera’s,my only wish with Sony would be a 300mm f2.8 lens to sit on the front of it.
That would be amazing
Amazing very useful comparison.
A very important question comes when I see the photo at 1:51 , when blackout is there in any camera, does that makes the fps number divides by 2 ?
I mean , are we going to have only half the frames in reality , as example , a camera with 20fps blacked out will give only 10fps?
No it still takes the pic but you can’t see in in camera.
Great review David... I have 2 A9’s and I certainly won’t be upgrading them yet :)
You mentioned the increase in the mechanical shutter may help when using flash. There aren’t many flashes are there that can keep up with 10fps? The rotolights can. have 3 neo 2 and they are great. I use them with my A7Riii which has a faster FPS mechanical shutter than A9.
Thanks I use Profoto and it has no problem keeping up there are a few that can as well.
It is September 2022, and this is still an Excellent camera comparison for anyone looking at the used camera market. Thank you!
Thanks for watching
Very good review, concentrating on things real photographers care about. I agree, I'm keepin' my A9 for a while. From a business economics view, it seems that the original A9 was way ahead of the competition, so Sony has no reason to make major improvements in it until it gets some serious rival cameras. Given how far behind the other manufacturers are in high-end mirrorless, I suspect the first real competition will be within Sony as the A7 line improves.
After a brief fling a few years back with higher-resolution cameras, I have decided that 24 megapixels is plenty for me. So, I am glad to see a professional events, weddings, and portrait photographer who seems happy with the A9.
I don't want to be a language purist, but the term "color science" bothers me. It is important, but it's really aesthetics rather than science. And, yes, aesthetics are important. I think that color experts call this color management or color profiling. You probably have much better sources of advice on this than I do. As I understand it, for people who shoot raw the differences are entirely in the JPEG preview image that is sent along as part of the raw image. Most post processing software will replace this preview image very soon after the import step.
Thanks for the comment the colour differences I showed were the raw files so the colour has definitely been improved. I’m staying with my a9 though
@@DavidOastler , interesting. I noticed this with my new A6600 relative to the A6500 I had used for years. However, as far as I know, what you first see when you open a raw file is a JPEG "preview" version that your camera generates even when you are shooting in raw. I believe that the camera has to construct this preview for the EVF, so it's not that hard to add it to the raw file along with the actual raw data.
I'm not an expert on all this, so perhaps you can get more specific advice on this from your contacts. Since you are a wedding/portrait photographer, I presume you know about color look-up tables and picture profiles. A few years back, Adobe had a default profile for the A6500 that was blah in the reds, among other problems. I used the XRite Passport color-checker card to make a custom profile for my A6500 and then had LR apply that to all raw files imported from an A6500. That helped a lot. However, soon after that Adobe revamped all its color profiles and the one for the A6500 was just as good as my custom one.
I'm not saying that you need to get a color patch panel, but if you use LR and care a lot about color then you should look more carefully at LR's import preferences.
Again, I am not an authority on any of this. I'm just an amateur who cares about color and who doesn't like a lot of clarity/vibrance/saturation "enhancements". Still, the latest round of Sony cameras do seem to have default previews with a bit more punch.
@@stuartschaffner9744 I can confirm the Raw files show improved color science on both A7RIV and A9II
Great video as usual and for some reason it feels strange/rare to see Sony camera with their batter grip. I mean it looks good and ergonomics looks much better which brings to question those who talk down Sony in this topic. (Fuji not having a grip for example but not ,just different) though for small size I don't think shaving off the hand grip is really making the camera any smaller and that area could be used for a larger battery and so leave room on the main body for other hardware.
A thought came to mind that David instead of saying "good day everyone" he should say "good day mate" XD would make the video quality go up by 1000%
Thanks for sharing mate
Honest is great and you carried it in spades
Hi, With the Sony a9ii are we able to use the latest Photoshop and Lightroom to edit photos?
Yes it works now
@@DavidOastler Thanks appreciate your feed back.
@DavidOastler Does anyone know the maximum write to speed for the A9II to UHS-II SD V90 cards? I am trying to choose between ProGrade 256GB V90 and the Sony 128GB SF-G V90 Tough Series cards, Does anyone use the ProGrade cards?
Well said
Thanks Ike.
Hi David, thank you for all your dedication and wonderful videos. In your opinion, what is the best camera to buy for outdoor portraits. I'm an outdoor elopement photographer and am currently using the sony a7iii. I mostly use the 24-70 GM. I use the Profoto B10 for my outdoor lighting. Do you think I should wait for the Sony a7iiii or do you think something like the Sony a9ii is better? Thanks
I’d wait to see what the a7iv offers.
@@DavidOastler Thanks David :)
Hi David, I’m just getting into sports boxing 🥊 photography in 2021-2022. I’m uncertain whether I should pay $3,800 for a excellent used A9 ii or go with the A9 for about $2,500 -2700 excellent/good used? Any help or advice is appreciated. Thanks
To be honest both are great
Great review David. Very factual and making total sense.
Thanks Orio.
Thank you for the review some good details here , I just wanted to know the difference in body size , as I am looking for a bigger grip and OF COURSE ! the higher shutter speed .
I didn’t find it to bad
One of the better, most honest reviews of the A9ii out there. Great work David 👏
Thanks
Very nice and honest review.... thanks a lot
Thanks
using the original A9 coming from a nikon d4 now just receive the a9ii ..it seems subtle differences but to me the little extra were very well worth it...the voice tag is a time saver for caption...
It’s a great camera
About to get rid of my A7RIV...too slow for action (birding, sports) and i hate the file sizes. Also there is a huge AF consistency issue with the A7RIV and 200600G that some are not aware of. The A7RIV with 200600G back focuses often causing a lot of missed shots. Check Fred Miranda forums for more info. Unless you can afford the 600GM, don't bother with the A7RIV. Go for the A9 series with 200600G and your golden.
Thanks for sharing
Great review..... what's the Frames Per Second - Electronic vs. Mechanical Shutter? Thank you.
20 Electric and 10 mechanical
Great review ! It’s all about the person behind the camera 📸
Thanks so true
Most but not all
I honestly can't figure out why viewers mark don't like for your comparison review. You give honest, clearly stated features, along with benefits in your comparison review, and all of which is your opinion based upon thousands and thousands of shots. Go figure. Love your work David. Ignore the weed trolls.
Lol Thanks Don haters are always going to hate lol
The A9 is currently about $1,500 cheaper than the A9ii right now. I was hoping the A9ii price would drop with the A1 announcement. The regular A9 at $3,000 is a good buy!
Yes it is
Very Helpful David, Great Information and an excellent Video. Many thanks for your helpful Knowledge. 🇬🇧
Thanks
Some of the wildlife photographers are saying the AF is sticker in the A9II verse the A9. The differences will show up when new firmware comes out, I suspect. So much A9II research was given to the A9 (thanks Sony).
Yes So y did a great job the at is slightly better but it is close.
Does the a9/a92 have any adjustment in video? Does it have just standard profile only? Or does it have others such as flat profile etc ? Can the saturation/ contrast / sharpening etc be adjusted to increase the dynamic range like the others? Thanks
Just the standard profile but you can adjust it
"Well said," DO. This appears to another great photographic tool. I can understand why you would not rush to upgrade, fact is, there cannot be "earth shaking improvement" in every new edition of these cameras, however the improvements sighted are enough to set this camera as better than the original and in many ways better than any other sport camera!
Fully agree with what you are saying
Do you think it's worth a grand to upgrade?
Still not sure
The Color is so much better. That feature alone makes all the difference. But Canon has had that from day one. Just saying. The new Canon Mount gives superior images with the new lenses too. I think Canon will eclipse this system soon.
Yes it is great.
Meh.
Thanks for this video I will buy an A9
Thanks for watching
I wish every Sony Mirrorless camera would have voice memo capability. I had this capability in my fist digital camera (an Olympus of the 1990's) and used it quite often to identify subjects or models I was shooting...
I agree
@@DavidOastler I sometimes photograph several models during one shoot. What I do now with my A7iii and A6600 cameras to identify models that I am shooting is to use the lowest quality video (to save SD card space) and record a quick clip of the model who states her name and her email address. This is an effective way of recording the information (I often lose notes that I take on a notepad) but, I still need to match up the model's information with her stills. An audible record linked to the images would be far more efficient... Photographing the model with a dry erase board with her name could be another way to ID the model. I have tried this and included a WhiBal card taped to the ID board. But, that seems to slow down my shooting...
We do the chalkboard as well lol
David great job as usual! I have a question concerning the SONY A9 buttons. Around the 2:53 mark in the video you mention an alternative button system, what is that system if you care to share?
Thanks,
Tony
They were plastic stick on buttons I posted a video about it awhile ago I can’t remember the name of them.
@@DavidOastler Thanks for responding. No worries, I will go back through some of the older videos.
My opinion also same 😉
How do I color grade a92 with no logs?
I have had no problem with the standard profile
Finally someone has convinced me to buy the a9!
I love the a9
A9 was a huge leap forward even the A9II can't beat it lol maybe the A9III
It is amazing
A9iii is wonderful lol
You look like Walter White.. I’m subscribing lol
Thanks for Joining lol
Yes you dont have GAS David
Lol not at this stage.
good fair & honest review ..
Thanks Gilbert
Is that the 24mm GM you've got on there?
Yes it is.
A9 ii is awesome 😎
Yes it is.
Does shutter lag still exist?
Not that I noticed
I want that shirt 👀👀👀
Lol
@@DavidOastler Seriously, where did you get it from? I'd love to buy one! 👀👀👀👀
Jeuzus David... $7000 AUD at Digital Camera Warehouse... thanks for a great review of a Camera I will never be able to buy... lmao.
Yep expensive that is what I paid for the original a9 the a9 is great value now.
@@DavidOastler They are works of art... one day.. one day... _(I also hear the knock of a Sony Digital Image or Brand Ambasadorship coming your way.... c'mon SONY.. what are you waiting for!!)_
@@madphotographer762 lol
Check out the price of the Nikon D5 and the rumored price of the future D6
Stuart Schaffner yep very expensive
Nice review, also the lenses. I hope you receive even more gear to review!
Thanks so much
Yea, there is an admirable honesty about his reviews. Hope he never 'rubs them wrong," so they can keep lending him gear to test.
Rick Mentore thanks Rick.
So would you now sell the a9 for the new a1 ?
If I had the funds definitely
@@DavidOastler ok, quick question.. I’m only a hobby level photographer but love it and quite lucky to have the a9 plus a7riv.. as a hobby level, will it madness to trade in my a9 plus extra good amount of funds to purchase it ?
I would keep what you have.
@@DavidOastler good man. perfect answer..Thx
Color science is dumb. Anyone making money color correct grade or edit
really? you had it for two weeks but only things you said is blah-blah-blah?
Lol I had it for 5 weeks great comment troll lol
Watching your fires down under on TV and saw that people have died. Those little cute Koala bears are hurting really sad situation. Wishing you all the best.
Thanks Terry we are hopefully getting some rain the the next few days.
They are NOT bears. They are marsupials.
Jack Brumby You are correct 👍🏻. Fun fact their scientific name is Phascolarctos cinereus meaning “ash-gray pouched bear.”
Common man! FIRST remark yo are wrong already. A9ii definitely has a different sensor! (upgraded BIONZ X-processor) Nice effort on this review, but do your homework first
It’s the same sensor
Its same sensor, with new bionz processor (sensor and bionz processor are NOT same hardware) yes the new processor is a touch faster and im sure AF algorithms have improved. But sensor is the SAME
@@DavidOastler Keyboard warriors know all even when they don't
Yep