Used A9 or A7 IV?

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Columbo

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Looking at the above options and would love some thoughts. My primary use is wildlife / landscape photography with the odd family video in there somewhere.

I currently have an A7c which I traded my old A99 for and while fantastic I'm finding very restrictive for wildlife shots. I've had it for a couple of years now and its served me well but yesterday in the bright sunlight the screen wasn't visible and the viewfinder just didnt cut it. I must have missed more shots than I got yesterday and my frustration has got the better of me.

Initially I was leaning to the A9 as after the sale of my A7c the change cost would be minimal, but then I realised how much I use the full flip screen for family video's and think I would miss it alot however the cost to upgrade to a used A7 IV would be much higher.

Thoughts appreciated,
 
Columbo said:
Looking at the above options and would love some thoughts. My primary use is wildlife / landscape photography with the odd family video in there somewhere.

I currently have an A7c which I traded my old A99 for and while fantastic I'm finding very restrictive for wildlife shots. I've had it for a couple of years now and its served me well but yesterday in the bright sunlight the screen wasn't visible and the viewfinder just didnt cut it. I must have missed more shots than I got yesterday and my frustration has got the better of me.

Initially I was leaning to the A9 as after the sale of my A7c the change cost would be minimal, but then I realised how much I use the full flip screen for family video's and think I would miss it alot however the cost to upgrade to a used A7 IV would be much higher.

Thoughts appreciated,
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It's a tough one as there's pros and cons for each. The A9 still has a superb AF system and it has a huge advantage (IMO) of being able to use the electronic shutter and have blackout free shooting which you won't get on the A7IV. However, the A7IV has the latest AF algorithms including Bird Eye AF, which the A9 doesn't. Also the A7IV has over a stop better dynamic range and has a better grip.

As I say it's a tough choice, since being used to blackout free shooting and being able to use the electronic shutter for everything I'm not sure I could go back, but if you've never had it before and therefore won't miss it then the A7IV may be the better option.
 
Thanks for the great info there. I think looking around I'm to go for a used A9.
While the never algorithms would certainly be useful I think the lack of blackout when shooting may just have won me over and is something I'd not really considered until you said it.
 
I would lean towards:
  • Fast moving wildlife/birds in flight - A9
  • Perched birds & landscapes - A7 iv
But both are great cameras.
 
I have moved from A1 to A7IV, lack of blackout free shooting wasn't a deal breaker for me. It's certainly nice to have but I'd take A7IV's newer AF and 33mp sensor over A9 any day.
 
Icee said:
I've got both the A9 and A7iv. I'm finding for wildlife and birds I am picking up the A7iv over the A9.
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Interesting, any particular reason?
 
nandbytes said:
I have moved from A1 to A7IV, lack of blackout free shooting wasn't a deal breaker for me. It's certainly nice to have but I'd take A7IV's newer AF and 33mp sensor over A9 any day.
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I can completely see why some would choose the A7 IV. I actually tried mine yesterday with blackout and I couldn’t get used to it. For single shots no issue, but burst shooting I din’t like it. I’m too spoilt these days :lol:
 
snerkler said:
I can completely see why some would choose the A7 IV. I actually tried mine yesterday with blackout and I couldn’t get used to it. For single shots no issue, but burst shooting I din’t like it. I’m too spoilt these days :LOL:
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Blackout free shooting is certainly very nice. But having latest AF algorithms for birds is more useful for getting higher keepers IMO.
Not to mention the extra wee bit of resolution is fairly useful too for cropping.
 
nandbytes said:
I have moved from A1 to A7IV, lack of blackout free shooting wasn't a deal breaker for me. It's certainly nice to have but I'd take A7IV's newer AF and 33mp sensor over A9 any day.
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Ooh thats interesting. Is the A7 IV really that good? I'm certainly not wedded to either yet, primarily I'll be shooting birds with my 150-600 so I guess if the AF is more sticky that may make the A7 IV more sensible.

I'm just rubbish at panning so the no blackout may have at least compensated for my lack of ability :D
 
nandbytes said:
Blackout free shooting is certainly very nice. But having latest AF algorithms for birds is more useful for getting higher keepers IMO.
Not to mention the extra wee bit of resolution is fairly useful too for cropping.
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Very true, hence why I said it was a tough choice in my first post, there’s an argument for both (y)
 
Columbo said:
Ooh thats interesting. Is the A7 IV really that good? I'm certainly not wedded to either yet, primarily I'll be shooting birds with my 150-600 so I guess if the AF is more sticky that may make the A7 IV more sensible.

I'm just rubbish at panning so the no blackout may have at least compensated for my lack of ability :D
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Depends on how slow your shutter is when panning, but if you do slow shutter pans (1/50 and slower) blackout free shooting causes an EVF lag and almost slideshow effect and you may prefer to switch to mechanical shutter anyway. Anything above that, and especially 1/125 and above it’s a none issue.
 
Icee said:
I find the AF just as good and the Birds Eye AF and tracking is great. Your A1 will be just as good.
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Bird eye AF is certainly superb. Obviously I'm very lucky having the A1 as it has the best of all worlds, but if I was in the OP's shoes I honestly don't know what I'd choose between the A7 IV and A9. I'd probably still sway towards the A9 as I find the electronic shutter and blackout free shooting invaluable, and it still has an outstanding AF system. It really come down to personal preference. If they could stump to the A9II then I'd definitely choose that, but again that's my preference and YMMV (y)
 
Mike.P said:
Not enough posts to see it ... (unless things have changed and I missed it)

Looks like a good one though, I certainly wouldn't get rid of mine.
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How many posts do you need before you can see the classifieds?
 
snerkler said:
Bird eye AF is certainly superb. Obviously I'm very lucky having the A1 as it has the best of all worlds, but if I was in the OP's shoes I honestly don't know what I'd choose between the A7 IV and A9. I'd probably still sway towards the A9 as I find the electronic shutter and blackout free shooting invaluable, and it still has an outstanding AF system. It really come down to personal preference. If they could stump to the A9II then I'd definitely choose that, but again that's my preference and YMMV (y)
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I have to say I thought I would be the same but the black out is not too bad and liveable with.
 
So I'm still on the fence, a decent A9 is around £1400, a decent A7 IV is £2k. I budgeting around £1100 (realistic?) for the sale of my A7c so that either a balance of £300 for the A9 or £900 for A74.

Either is well within my budget so it purely down to features and I think Im leaning to the A74 now. Purely because its newer tech and I'd like to think it will see me good for the next 4-5 years.

Either way Im going to pull the trigger today as Im on holiday next week and would like something shiny to play with.
 
We have a couple A9's and a couple of A7IV's. My use is going to be different than yours but I personally prefer our A9's while my missus prefers our A7IV's.

A7IV with being newer tech has a few improvements am sure you will have probably researched them already better ergonomics etc.

Personally I prefer the A9 due to the blackout free shooting, I also find the a.f more reliable but I am using them for shooting weddings rather than birds. If you have a look online am sure you will see plenty of people mentioning how the A7IV doesn't always have accurate a.f although this only seems to effect some people, maybe it is subject or style of shooting related. I also really don't like the flippy screen on the A7IV.

They are both very good an A9 for just £1400 seems great value, compared to 2k for an A7IV.

I am kind of stuck in the same place myself having recently got rid of our last A7III, I will need a new body soon, nothing really seems to fit great right now. I know I don't want another A7IV but am reluctant to get another A9 or A9II at this point. The A1 is way overkill for what I need and doesn't make much business sense due to the cost. We already have an A7RIV and find the file sizes annoying so A7RV doesn't really fit either, plus it doesn't have the blackout free shooting. I had hoped we would see an A9III by now but there doesn't seem to be any real indication if that will happen or not any time soon anyway.. The electronic shutters on the other bodies excluding the A9, A9II and A1 aren't really usable for weddings due to banding and I don't like using the mech shutter any more.

Will have to bite the bullet at some point soon but have no idea on what..
 
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Columbo said:
So I'm still on the fence, a decent A9 is around £1400, a decent A7 IV is £2k. I budgeting around £1100 (realistic?) for the sale of my A7c so that either a balance of £300 for the A9 or £900 for A74.

Either is well within my budget so it purely down to features and I think Im leaning to the A74 now. Purely because its newer tech and I'd like to think it will see me good for the next 4-5 years.

Either way Im going to pull the trigger today as Im on holiday next week and would like something shiny to play with.
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I don't think you'll be disappointed with either. £1100 might be a bit optimistic if selling to a store, but you might get it privately. I usually find MPB and Cameraworld offer the best prices but I do always try several such as Wex and Harrisons as well.
 
I have the A9 and the only things against it (for me as a mainly bird shooter) is the lack of megapixels (which can be negated somewhat with the use of Topaz) and no bird eye af (which I have on my Canon R7 and think is a must if they are your chosen subject).

Given the choice I would probably go with the A7 IV if buying now, the slightly slower af is more than made up for by the eye af and as fo blackout shooting, it's nice but I don't have it on the Canon and really don't miss it at all.
 
Columbo said:
So I'm still on the fence, a decent A9 is around £1400, a decent A7 IV is £2k. I budgeting around £1100 (realistic?) for the sale of my A7c so that either a balance of £300 for the A9 or £900 for A74.

Either is well within my budget so it purely down to features and I think Im leaning to the A74 now. Purely because its newer tech and I'd like to think it will see me good for the next 4-5 years.

Either way Im going to pull the trigger today as Im on holiday next week and would like something shiny to play with.
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Just to say the A7iv has £200 off new, and a £500 trade in bonus available (until April 10th), plus you get 3x£100 cashback vouchers for any new lens purchases with the camera or up to 3 months after - you'll not save much by selling you A7c and buying a second hand A7iv.
 
Faldrax said:
Just to say the A7iv has £200 off new, and a £500 trade in bonus available (until April 10th), plus you get 3x£100 cashback vouchers for any new lens purchases with the camera or up to 3 months after - you'll not save much by selling you A7c and buying a second hand A7iv.
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Just had a look and the £500 is for the A1, £300 for the A7iv.

Interestingly Park gave me a decent quote for my A9, works out at about £500 to swap ..... hmmmm
 
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Mike.P said:
Just had a look and the £500 is for the A1, £300 for the A7iv.

Interestingly Park gave me a decent quote for my A9, works out at about £500 to swap ..... hmmmm
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Interesting, LCE gave me the £200 discount and £500 trade in when I bought my A7iv last Saturday :)
 
Faldrax said:
Just to say the A7iv has £200 off new, and a £500 trade in bonus available (until April 10th), plus you get 3x£100 cashback vouchers for any new lens purchases with the camera or up to 3 months after - you'll not save much by selling you A7c and buying a second hand A7iv.
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I've not seen £500 trade in bonus for the A7 IV, where've you seen that?
 
Mike.P said:
Just had a look and the £500 is for the A1, £300 for the A7iv.

Interestingly Park gave me a decent quote for my A9, works out at about £500 to swap ..... hmmmm
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I think those offers finished in Dec and Jan respectively?
 
Mike.P said:
LCE do £500 with the A7iv 24-105mm kit. ?
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Looks like it's £500 trade in bonus for the bundle, or £200 off the body, doesn't look as though you can combine the two, but you never know if you don't ask ;)
 
snerkler said:
I've not seen £500 trade in bonus for the A7 IV, where've you seen that?
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It was LCE Southampton - on their website it's only showing on the A7iv + 24-105 bundle, but when I phoned to check if they had stock and get indicative quotes for what I was trading in, he told me it was on the A7iv as well, so I didn't argue...
 
Faldrax said:
It was LCE Southampton - on their website it's only showing on the A7iv + 24-105 bundle, but when I phoned to check if they had stock and get indicative quotes for what I was trading in, he told me it was on the A7iv as well, so I didn't argue.
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Southampton shop is literally 10mins drive from me .... Even bigger hmmmm now :)
 
snerkler said:
Looks like it's £500 trade in bonus for the bundle, or £200 off the body, doesn't look as though you can combine the two, but you never know if you don't ask ;)
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It was even better than that - the one I bought was one that had failed LCE checks when they received it from Sony, as the touchscreen wasn't working - it had been sent back to Sony and repaired - so was 'new', but discounted to £1999, with £200 off, and £500 trade in bonus...
Registered with Sony now, so has warranty extended to 2 years, plus 3x £100 cashback vouchers, one of which I can use on the 200-600 G purchased with the camera (another £100 trade in with that).
He even discounted the LA-EA5 to match Amazon's price as part of the bundle.
The trade in on my A900, Sony 100 f/2.8 Macro and Tamron 150-600 wasn't particularly generous, but overall I was happy :D
 
Mike.P said:
Southampton shop is literally 10mins drive from me .... Even bigger hmmmm now :)
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I'm just outside Southampton, in Chandlers Ford - spoilt for choice when it comes to LCE, with 2 in Southampton and 1 in Winchester.
 
Faldrax said:
It was even better than that - the one I bought was one that had failed LCE checks when they received it from Sony, as the touchscreen wasn't working - it had been sent back to Sony and repaired - so was 'new', but discounted to £1999, with £200 off, and £500 trade in bonus...
Registered with Sony now, so has warranty extended to 2 years, plus 3x £100 cashback vouchers, one of which I can use on the 200-600 G purchased with the camera (another £100 trade in with that).
He even discounted the LA-EA5 to match Amazon's price as part of the bundle.
The trade in on my A900, Sony 100 f/2.8 Macro and Tamron 150-600 wasn't particularly generous, but overall I was happy :D
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I would be concerned about that if it was me.

Never heard of a retailer checking brand new boxed cameras before so that seem's extremely odd, definitely wasn't a practice L.C.E did the last time I purchased a body from them as I had a body arrive dead on arrival from them a couple of years ago.

If that was the case the camera would not have been sent back to Sony for repair, the retailers don't buy direct from Sony they buy from the distributors so a faulty camera would have been returned to them for credit. The distributors would have then sent it back to Sony and it would have then been binned or repaired and sold elsewhere as manufacturer refurbished.

Just from what you have said there would really put me off buying anything from L.C.E it sounds very likely that the camera you have was returned by a customers, in that case it would have been more likely to have been sent for repair. Not a huge issue but if you run into problems later on down the line you may have issues with warranty as Sony will have that serial marked as refurbished, you don't get the same rights as someone buying new with refurbished. You being able to register for the Sony extended warranty doesn't mean anything you can fire any serial number in there on the website off the top of your head and it will let you register. It is only when it would go to repair that they check the serial for refurbished etc. that you may run into issues.

Hope you don't run into any issues later on but that is a camera I would have definitely walked away from.
 
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Columbo said:
So the A7 IV is ordered....hopefully delivered tomorrow. A weekend shoot is deffo on the cards now!
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Nice, hope you enjoy it (y)
 
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