My SONY Experience: PROS And CONS For WILDLIFE

[@fpl66]

Hi Duade, I am a wildlife photographer as well and also use both system. Canon I use a R3 and R5, Sony use 2 A1 and one A9II. What I hate with Sony: 1- Almost all lenses don't have Full Time Manual Focus: Only the 400 f/2,8, 600 f/4 and the new 70-200 II have a switch that allow FTMF. There is a work around and is to assign a button on the lens to allow immediately to use manual focusing while turning the focus ring, or assigning a button on the camera to toggle from AF to MF. This is much faster than using the switch on the lens. Is helpful in case the AF is hunting without success, so just to get a little help. 2- IBIS: I find the Sony In Body Image Stabilization less effective than the recent Canon. Especially using video, the Canon is much more smoother and the AF in video I have the sensation is more accurate. 3- About ergonomics: yes is not the best, but for travelling is the best body I ever had, I am an airline pilot and always need to pack tight. I agree using the back (rear) focusing is sometimes not easy, just spend some money on a BG and you will be fine (and the BG gives you more juice for the battery and you can throw into the suitcase). 4- Sony has improved a lot the WB and the colors, but in my opinion there is always a little lack of magenta (which is easily fixed). Is only I am used to love Canon colors. 5- For the AF settings I suggest you to put "lock on" and "release" that is in my experience the best for birds. 6- the most important is that the 400 and 600 GM are very hi price and there is no second hands available around. Neither third party like Sigma that used to do some 500 f/4 are not available still on FE mount. Considering to use metabones or Sigma MC-11 adapter to use EF 500 or 600 doesn't perform so good especially for subject coming in or coming out of the frame. Are ok for still What I (still) hate in Canon: 1- 100-500 excellent lens but: a pain using the extender (from 300 on and you cannot pack with extender on) and f/7,1. Also a bit too much pricy. I anyway prefer the internal zoom design of Sony (including the 70-200 where you cannot even use extenders). 2- Unacceptable that an almost flagship camera like the R3 still doesn't have the possibility to link the spot metering to the AF point. Something that in Sony you find even in the entry level cameras. I remember I had on EOS 1DxII. 4- Is not possible to assign a button to switch from "animal - car - humans" for the Eye AF 5- The smart controller on the R3 is a nice device but at the end I disable it because was interfering with the back focusing button changing the position of the spot af. 6- On R3 I consider the eye focusing (meaning that the focus point goes where you look) not usable for birds and wildlife in general. 7- Lower degree of buttons and dials customization. 8- as you mention the battery level should have percentage level 9- Still the RF mount is not open to other lens manufacturer even if it works well with adapter and there are plenty of EF lenses around. Anyway both are excellent camera, and R3 has amazing hi iso capability (better than the equivalent A9II).

[@samsabastian5560]

I recently bought the Sony A7R iv and the Sony 200-600mm lens. My photography has suddenly improved dramatically. Coming from Sony A77 Mk 2, it was a massive difference.

[@Pflichteingabe]

Are you cropping a lot? I am struggling with the decision between the iv and R iv. Are you missing the bird eye af?

[@Cafl_Music]

@@Pflichteingabe I don't have any experience with the 2, but I have watched a hell of a lot of reviews, ad the general opinion is that the Riv isn't worth it.

[@Pflichteingabe]

@@Cafl_Music I bought the a7rV and it’s an amazing combo

[@Cafl_Music]

@@Pflichteingabe Cool! How has the birding been?

[@MF.Productions]

Highly recommend the battery grip for the Sony, especially when using the 200-600G

[@joanhuggett5164]

Your videos are always special Duade. I keep visiting your channel for help and find gems (if image too dark turn SW left, if too bright turn SW right). You speak my language and I can't thank you enough. Loved the opening pre sunrise footage, and I get all emotional over dark images (grebe in reeds). You and your channel are a blessing in my life.

[@Duade]

Thanks Joan, it is my pleasure and thanks for the ongoing support. Yes, I too love those dark reed shots. Cheers, Duade

[@azorazul007]

I've had these two systems for almost 2 years: a Sony ARII with the 200-600 and a Canon 5D IV with a Sigma 150-600 C. While the Sony combo was absolutely good, I had to learn how to shoot literaly with just three fingers holding the camera (my hands were too big for it), and carrying a bunch of batteries with me (almost 5/6 if I wanted to shoot in colder weather). The Canon ergonomics are just what I call "experienced" it makes fun shooting with it and your hands don't hurt afterwards. The battery life was not to compare... yes, one is mirrorless and the other a DSLR, but I now have an R7 and I was shooting this winter in - 10º C for 8 to 10 hours with just one battery. I've decided last year to sell all my Sony gear and stick with Canon, and while both brands are good, I'm anyway very happy with my decision. Great video btw! Greetings, AG.

[@Duade]

Thanks for the feedback, very interesting to hear from someone with your experience. Thankfully it does not get that cold here so don't have the same battery issues as that would be very frustrating for sure. I too like the ergonomics of Canon, they do sit well in the hand. Cheers, Duade

[@tshev]

From an ML programmer's perspective, the fact that you can select birds means that you can deploy a faster and more accurate model. It's possible because you are solving a simpler task for a model. Also, it is a reason why it makes sense to rely on the user to pick the subject. It allows you to find a better balance between recall and precision. I hope that one-day camera manufacturers will allow us to deploy our models to add more kinds of subjects.

[@TimvanderLeeuw]

Adding your own models? That could be interesting but there could also be a really high barrier to that! Regarding having to select birds vs animals explicitly, etc -- that's a good point you make. My perspective always was that as end-user, you might have a scene that has several different types of objects (a bird, a cat, and a car for instance) and if you let the camera decide, it might pick the bird for you while you wanted to focus on the cat hunting that bird! Or pick the car... Slava Ukraini. 💙💛

[@tshev]

​@@TimvanderLeeuw Героям слава, Glory to Heroes. Good point regarding multiple subjects in a scene too. The focusing box can be helpful in that regard too. Also, another point regarding autofocusing algorithms is that you might want to pick a slightly different algorithm for a different focus area size. The input resolution will be different, and it has a direct impact on the performance and the error probability. A smaller input size means a faster neural net. Also, within a smaller area, you have fewer destructions when compared to the same composition with a bigger autofocusing area. Even the same algorithm can work better because the crop-factor will be different. So, using a smaller focusing area can be beneficial to the photographer because the camera can give us better results while using the same compute power.

[@rssii]

Duade I really love your channel and the content you produce. Very informative without being patronizing or overbearing, and you take great shots which more than validates your opinions! I have been a dedicated Sony shooter since 2019 when I made the move from Canon and haven’t regretted it a day since. I shoot almost exclusively wildlife (mostly birds) and transportation (primarily aviation and railroad) subjects so I put similar types of demands on my setup as you do. FWIW I’ve adopted a couple of things you might find useful for your Sony rig: Ergonomics: I highly recommend you give a battery grip a try. I have grips on both my A9 and A7R4 and they are very comfortable. They really don’t add that much weight (even on my A9 + 200-600G setup), and besides making the camera much more comfortable to hold you get the added benefit of an extra battery and the ability to quickly transition to and from landscape to portrait orientation while holding the camera in a more comfortable position. If you don’t want to use the grip you might try a weight lifters or training glove that does not have finger tips on your right hand. It maintains your dexterity for manipulating camera controls while providing a protective layer between your hand and the camera body. Button Setup: 1. Momentary Manual Focus: I love, love, LOVE the 200-600 lens, but I do find that at times it can hunt for focus when trying to switch from a distant subject to a close one or vice versa, especially in low light or low contrast situations. One feature on my Canons that I really appreciated was the full-time manual focus override which allowed me to quickly manually change the focus of the lens using the lens’ focus ring without having to switch the lens into manual focus and back on the lens body. Unfortuneatley the older Sony bodies like my 1st Gen A9 don’t have full time manual override when in continuous focus mode (at least that I’ve found). To overcome that I’ve programmed the round buttons on the 200-600 to Momentary Manual Focus (called “AF/MF Control Hold” in the A9’s menus). When set up this way when you activate the button the lens temporarily goes into manual focus mode and then reverts to autofocus mode when you release the button. That way you don’t have to toggle manual focus on and off on the lens body, and can go into manual focus mode without removing your eye for the viewfinder. Because the lens buttons are close to the focus ring on the lens, I can quickly shift my left hand back from it’s normal position on or around the zoom ring back to the focus ring, depress the button with my left thumb and manipulate the focus ring with my left ring or middle finger until the lens is generally focused where I want it, then shift my left hand back to it’s normal position while simultaneously releasing the lens button. When I move my thumb off the button the lens/camera immediately goes back into autofocus mode, again without having to manually actuate the switch on the lens. This change has dramatically improved my ability to quicly shift to and focus on subjects that are significant distances apart. 2. Crop Mode: AI is amazing. I now routinely put my A9 into 35mm crop mode (this is about an 11MP image on my 26MP FF camera, but it would be larger on your 33MP body) and then increase the size of the resulting image file using Topaz Gigapixel AI in post to a more useable size. The crop factor of this mode increases the effective field of view of the lens (I think the crop factor of this mode is 1.5 so it simulates roughly a 900mm lens at the long end) without having to use a teleconverter. You don’t get the EV hit from using the teleconverter, and as long as you’ve done a good job of exposure and focus in camera, Gigapixel does an amazing job of increasing the size of the image file with no detectable loss in quality (at least to my 62-year old eyes) at high maginification factors (2X, 4X, 6X, 8X or custom). I’ve programmed the AEL button on the back off my camera (which I never used for it’s intended purpose) to toggle between FF and 35MM crop mode, letting me switch modes very quickly using my right thumb by shifting it form the AF On button (which is programmed for full-time back button focus) where it normally sits just slightly to the right to engage the AEL button. Then I can quickly shift it back to the AF On button again without having to take my eye from the VF. Simular to the Momentary MF tip above, if you use this mode this button setup will increase your speed significantly for making quick shifts of subjects at different ranges. Keep up the great work! Regards Rob Shaw

[@Duade]

Thank you for the tips Rob, yes, I noticed the lack of MF override and have programmed a button on the camera to hold whilst turning the focus ring. I will give the button on the lens a try. Great to hear you are enjoying Gigapixel and the crop mode. It can be helpful to increase the size of the subject in the EVF for sure. I really appreciate the effort you took with the comment. Cheers, Duade

[@simeonandrews8223]

As a hobbyist who's only shot Canon, thanks so much for this work. I very much doubt I'll be switching systems, but super helpful to understand the pros and cons of each system.

[@Thom_S]

Great review Duade. Not only do you discuss the specific camera bodies used, but you highlight different attributes (shutter speed, sensor size, buffer clearing, etc) of other bodies in each system. Really well done. I enjoy your reviews and your wonderful bird photography.

[@rolandruesch6862]

I have been using an Sony A9Ii with a 200-600 and never had a problem with my hand. What I noticed on the video, you support the camera with your right hand on/under the camera body. I hold almost all the weight of the camera with my left hand, with the palm on the manual focus ring and three fingers on zoom ring. This position balances the camera perfectly and my right hand/palm is not under the body corner. I believe your problem might be the attached monitor that changes the balance. It seems the monitor is a great thing for us viewer but not for your hand. Thanks for the video.

[@robinlee7531]

I had A9 before Canon gave us the R5. The hit rate is slightly lower than R5. The rear wheel with buttons on Sony seems to be a great idea but on the field, it is annoying because of accidentally pushing the buttons and the settings changed especially if you operating with gloves on. Agreed with Zebra, battery percentage, drop frame rate at buffer limit for continuous shooting, allowing users to pick 10, 15 or 20 fps on ES.

[@9monchy9]

Hello Duade! Just wanted to say i love your channel and makes me happy you are getting more subscribers! Your presentations instill in me the peace and quiet the soul needs and experiences while photographing wildlife! I particularly enjoyed your editing seminar at the conference! It helped me start understanding LR and post processing! Thank you for all you do!

[@Duade]

Thanks Radu, it is my pleasure and thanks for the feedback, we are very fortunate to have this amazing hobby and this great community here on KZbin. Take care, Cheers, Duade

[@Duade]

Thanks so much, this comment just popped up for some reason. Cheers, Duade

[@KyleJones-kk8vw]

That crake photograph in the reeds is incredible (amongst many lovely shots on the new system). Maybe Canon addresses zebras in stills or unlimited FPS in the new R5 firmware update, though that has kind of become everyone's personal wishlist for Canon deficiencies at this point. I know you just got on Sony, but are you considering picking up more camera brands as the channel continues to grow?

[@Duade]

Thanks Kyle, yes I loved that Crake shot also. Yes, I am sure zebras in stills will be a firmware update at some point, very useful for many. Yes, I plan on trying all the brands if I can, just a matter of finding time and saving for the gear if I need to buy it myself. Cheers, Duade

[@EmilWall]

As a Sony user, I was shocked to find out that Canon doesn't allow shooting anything until a full buffer is cleared. I'm curious to know what happens if you release the shutter just before the buffer is full, and then press the shutter again before the buffer has cleared.

[@Duade]

@@EmilWall G'day, yes that is exactly what we have to do, shoot in short bursts to allow the buffer to empty between shots. It can be very annoying. Cheers, Duade

[@sigurdrille9693]

Thank you for that great and non biased video showing the pros and cons, and also showing the problems when changing to or between different systems. A pleasure to watch, as always 🙂

[@Duade]

Thanks Sigurd, I appreciate the feedback, Cheers, Duade

[@Jessehermansonphotography]

My favorite feature of Sony is a feature that I don’t know the name of because I last shot sony 3 years ago, but when you manual override to focus, you can set it to punch in at 100% or 200% to set fine focus. This helps a lot with low light mammals or perched birds in thick branches. You can also set peaking on that as well then the second you press the shutter to goes back to full view and fire away. This is easy switched off when the light is good. That is the best implementation of manual focus tools I think.

[@SayezOne]

The battery grip should alleviate the ergonomic issues, I don't think it will add too much weight. Worth looking into for sure

[@Battlem0nk]

I bought a L bracket which helped a little with ergonomics, but my middle finger was still aching. Got long skinny fingers and Sony's pretty deep indentation on the grip notch made my middle finger squeeze harder to grip ending up supporting the camera weight. Fixed it by filling in the notched and thickening the grip base with some moldable thermoplastic. Custom grip and super comfy. Guess one good thing having smaller default grip as you can always add to it.

[@ashanty48637]

I have pretty big hands and put a small rig base plate on the a7iv and it made a huge difference

[@joannmoore9374]

Yay! You have my camera setup. Switched a few months ago from Canon. I’m looking forward to more videos about it from you!

[@Gaztography]

I think there are huge pros and cons to all systems, I have been a Canon shooter only so possibly a bit biased but love the feel and certainly used to menus, buttons etc. The ergonomics on Sony has been mentioned a lot and having held a few Sony bodies feel it’s not necessarily ideal for me. But the Sony bodies are fantastic cameras, and the biggest advantage, Len’s and choice of 3rd party choices. Some great images Duade which proves the one major point, the person using it.

[@Duade]

Thanks Gary, totally agree with you, I am not a big fan of how some people are very critical of other systems. They all have their place and the competition is what helps us all. We all have different reasons for the gear we choose and I am just happy and grateful to be able to try these other systems I have never had a chance to play with. Canon will always remain my primary system at this stage. Cheers, Duade

[@rreichar1]

Another great video! I shot two systems for a couple of years. I found that to be very difficult at times. I did enjoy it a lot but it was frustrating when I would hit a button that my muscle memory remembered from the other system. Since I have gone solely to M43 with an OM-1 I feel like I am able to go more in depth with the features of the body. There are some things I don’t love about the OM-1 (only 2 dials) but I can work around those. This is our small bird season here in central Texas and I have mostly been using the Olympus 300mm F4 Pro with the 2X extender for 1200mm equivalent reach at f8. It is amazingly sharp. I almost didn’t buy the 2X as I thought I’d never use it.

[@Duade]

Thanks Rod, yes, it can be a challenge for sure, great to hear the OM-1 is working well, I am looking forward to trying it out. Cheers, Duade

[@johnharvey1786]

I use the “My menu” menu for everything I want to change. Then these are all easy to find. Just copy the menu setting to this personal menu and that’s it. This together with the customisable buttons and the fn menu means I very rarely go into the main menu. Also I was confused because you are a back button user why you would have to go from the front dial to the shutter button. I always use a battery grip on my A1 and did on my A9 in the past so have never had the pain in the palm issue. It wasn’t for that possible reason though, it was so I have two batteries and can usually shoot all day without running out. I really don’t find the body too heavy with the grip on. About settings I use the three recorded settings options in the menu (not those on the top dial) and allocate these to different buttons, all in manual mode, one for regular back button, one for white birds and one for dark birds in flight, when you haven’t often got time to change settings manually. I also use auto iso on all three.

[@craigcarlson4022]

Duade, appreciate your update and will look forward to your full review. Am still awaiting the rumored new apsc offerings from Sony and maybe Nikon, and will then compare those with Canon R7+100-500 lens combo options. Being able to have a lens system with a zoom that out to 600 on a apsc will be really helpful for our small song birds here in eastern US.

[@Duade]

Thanks Craig, 100% agree, a Nikon D500 mirrorless and 200-600 or Sony APSC and 200-600 is what I want also and will likely jump on them when released. I look forward to comparing to the R7 RF100-500 combo. Cheers, Duade

[@zampination]

Sony A7RV guys. They changed the exp compensation dial for a normal one and now you can have your iso there or anything else you want. Game changer if you ask me. All basic settings are now between your index and thumb fingers. I literally 95% ditched auto iso because of this tweak and moved the exp.compensation function on the scroll dial in the back for those few times i use it

[@fredericbeudot822]

Spot on summary! I also will suggest a grip. Makes holding Sony cameras a lot more comfortable. And 2 batteries will give you a full morning of shooting without worry. I also use Steve Perry’s set-up, it just works for me.

[@simonthibodeau7082]

Wow, that zebra feature looks incredibly useful. I've been using the blinkies on Canon per your recommendation and this is like having it in real time. That and the "lower fps as the buffer fills up" are the two features I would most want to see implemented to Canon. Sony does appear to be a really solid system! This was a very great video Duade, very relevant for a lot of potential buyers. I feel like your user experience is always very hands-on and super relatable. Btw, I'm a huge fan of how your artistic vision has been progressing. As someone who is still very much a sucker for "ebird" type shots of birds on a stick, watching you think outside the box is incredibly inspiring and makes me want to try new things. Keep up the fantastic work, cheers!

[@Duade]

Thanks Simon, yes, it is, I do find the histogram to be pretty accurate in the EVF on Canon but the Zebras are just easier. Lets hope it comes to Canon stills soon. Cheers, Duade

[@joematokovic9672]

Great video as usually, love the eye level shots of the Crake and Grebe. But to make the Sony comfortable get some sort of bracket. I have an R5 with a SmallRig L-bracket adds no weight but makes it even more comfortable as well as it gives the camera some protection.

[@Duade]

Thanks Joe, I have ordered the smallrig, Cheers, Duade

[@MrSonicAlchemy]

As a Canon R7 user, I really like Sony's idea of automatically reducing the frame rate as the buffer gets full. It seems like maybe this could be implemented in a firmware update. Canon, are you listening? Great video as always Duade! I am so glad to hear that your well deserved success is allowing you to expand your arsenal of camera gear.

[@Duade]

Thanks, yes, me too, I have no idea why Canon don't do this as most other brands do. Cheers, Duade

[@DeputyNordburg]

@@Duade What I would love to see is a shutter button that would allow me to chose frame rate. Give me 5 fps for a press (which the camera could maintain indefinitely), but let me max out at 20+ fps when I mash the button harder.

[@supernovaB]

I have both systems, I agree with all of your considerations. I think with a simply metallic grip you’ll improve the handle. Love these comparisons because they’re not brand wars

[@DalsPhotography]

I fully agree! :) I have Fuji as well as Canon Dslr , but I am so tempted to get 1 of those newer Sony!!!!

[@ElBoyoElectronico]

Very interesting. This is the kind of deep dive that is actually helpful since it relates to real world usage. As a happy Canon shooter I could not imagine switching to Sony. A couple of years ago I tried the Sony A7III and I returned it after using it for two days, since I hated the menus and the ergonomics. Tbh the ergonomics alone are a deciding factor for me personally.

[@kevsandall6334]

Great comparison Duade, as you say there is no perfect system otherwise we would all want it! There is my Menu on the sony that you can use for the settings that you may not remember or use frequently, putting these here makes them easy to find.

[@Duade]

Thanks for the tip Kev, I will be sure to set that up. Cheers, Duade

[@utubify100]

Thanks for another video full of useful info, Duade. I'm glad you are finding the 1st Sony kit capable and a nice intro into your Sony collection. May you have many great yrs of experiences with it Many wonderful shots presented (as usual!) in this one. Keep up the excellent work. Take care & may your sessions be good to you there. Best regards ~ Chris

[@Duade]

Thanks mate, yes, having a lot of fun for sure, Cheers, Duade

[@samantha_j_m]

Wow that Spotted Crake photo on the water is amazing! Fantastic shot!

[@Duade]

Thanks Samantha, yes, very lucky with that one. Cheers, Duade

[@PhotoGearFun]

Thanks for another great video. I know it won't work with the teleconverter but you can add one extension tube and get a better MFD. I'm sure you knew that just figured I would throw it out there just in case. I use one 10mm tube on my Canon 800mm lens to get a better MFD. Cheers.

[@Duade]

Thanks for that, yes, I need to try that in the future. Thanks for the reminder. Cheers, Duade

[@przybylskipawel]

Your B-rolls of you sneaking upon the bird feeding near the reeds is JAW-DROPPING! How much planning did it require? Astonishing!

[@Duade]

Just got lucky with that one, I was at the camera spot when I spotted the bird so starting recording and walked around to get better light angle. Very happy with how it turned out. Cheers, Duade

[@Hodenkat]

I've been struggling with the decision to move to Sony for full-frame over Canon. The cost of an R6 II plus the 100-500 lens is over $1000 US more to go Canon than the Sony A7 IV with the 200-600. This video has helped a lot in terms of camera body, but at some point I'd like to hear more about how the Sony lens compares to the Canon. I know it's probably going to take a controlled environment to keep everything equal, but the results would be super valuable. Thanks for another great video, Duade!

[@adamwhittingham86]

Depends what you shoot. If it was solely wildlife I'd probably go Sony with the extra reach. But I think if you shot other things like landscapes or environmental shots then the 100 would definitely be way more useful

[@Battlem0nk]

@@adamwhittingham86 Sigma new 60-600 seems rather appealing too.

[@lloydsullivan8872]

I really like your videos, Duade. You're an excellent presenter. I own both a Canon R7 and a Sony A7Cii, various lenses. For your sore hand you might want to try a lightweight, fingerless bicycle glove. Padding in the palm will likely provide the relief you need.

[@RVNmedic]

Great comparison. Thanks for all your woork putting these together. I just purchased the R6 MKll. Using it with the Tamron 150-600 G2 I was disappointed with the tracking for BIF. I'm still experimenting. I was using Case Auto. Going to try Case 2 today. I have animal eye AF enabled. I was impressed with your shot of the Sony tracking. My Fuji X-T5 tracks beautifully but the shots aren't always in focus when it says they are. Ain't photography fun! G'day mate.

[@Duade]

Hi Bruce, give Wide Area Zone a go on the R62 and then standard eye tracking on another button and switch between to see which works best for you. Cheers, Duade

[@RVNmedic]

@@Duade will do. Thanks

[@youareawesome8]

You can just get a small rig bottom support for the A7iv. Great review BTW. nice for people to know the differences between 2 systems.

[@lewcehjitl3282]

The small rig makes it worse it’s solid metal heavy and hard edge. Sony battery grip is the best option.

[@danielschmaderer]

5:14 I absolutely love that shot. Also, I do like the way you edited the image. It’s a slightly more exaggerated warmer golden hour look, but that’s perfectly fine. It’s not like you make the background purple. It stays with the feel of the image.

[@msyuan1124]

Great video, again, Duade. I particularly like the constructive criticism for Canon. I hope your channel becomes so successful you can branch out to Leica, Hasselblad or both!

[@williamashton5164]

Hi Duade, as usual I really enjoyed your video today and just to let you know I use Sony A1 & A7R3 and have fitted a Smallrig “L” to both, this extends the grip and makes them comfortable to hold.

[@Duade]

Thanks William, I just ordered one so I look forward to using that. Cheers, Duade

[@RussellCharters]

I have the same setup as you tested and the Small Rig L bracket is perfect. Adds about 10mm to the height of the body which gives it a comfortable grip. It also stops the battery door from accidentally opening which has happened a few times to me.

[@lifeonabike8691]

Absolutely grab that battery grip, battery life is spectacular and the ergonomics is so much better, ive got large fat hands and with the grip the camera is great. Without it, its very uncomfortable lol I set my A9 up with back button focusing and its been a darling. Love the videos, keep it up!

[@PhilShenton]

Using the favorites is useful to uncomplicate the menus for all the settings that you use regularly. Saves going digging through sub menu after submenu.

[@Duade]

Thanks Phil, I will be sure to set that up, good tip. Cheers, Duade

[@mayhamilton6652]

Just came here to say how absolutely amazing that photo of the Heron and Cockatoo was. An absolute magical catch. Great video.

[@Duade]

Thank you very much!

[@russellwebb3672]

Hi, just a suggestion for the Bird/Animal Eye option, use the C3 button as it is the one gripe I have on this camera , it's not much use where it is when you have the camera up to shoot also you didn't mention the built in crop option that gives you a little more reach , yes you loose pixels but you get the shot. Russ.

[@jimrookphotos]

Hi Duade. I shoot the same Sony setup as you have for wildlife. Sony camera nomenclature describes the various cameras regarding their best design setup. The A1 does it all, the A9 has speed, As* great video, Ar* resolution, A7 wonderful all around shooting. Also, you can set the shutter sound on or off in the A7; 11/55 setting in the menu. Great shots and nice review of the pluses and minuses of the Sony setup as it has worked for you.

[@zih5903]

Nice to see you are coming to grips with your Sony. Great shots especially the Heron and Cockatoo. I also use two systems and it really does my head in swapping between the two. Just getting old I guess :) Cheers.

[@polmestra]

I find it really cool that you are trying out different gear and getting out of your comfort zone :) I had an APS-C Sony before I got my A7IV and I noticed the sharpness of the edge pretty soon, still trying to find the best way to hold it. I went to a store yesterday and I curiously picked up some Canon cams to see what they feel like and I could see the roundess of the lower right edge, that must do the trick! Hopefully Sony will improve on this design going forward. After you've used it for a while I'd love to see a set up guide from you to let us know where you landed as I am still trying to figure out the best way to configure this camera :) Cheers!!

[@hans6304]

You'll love the battery grip! I purchased one for my A7iii and it's night and day with the grip.

[@bruceholmes4006]

Another great review Duade. Very interesting on the ergonomics of the different bodies in each system. I have shot Canon for many years myself so it was very interesting to see the Sony. Really well done. Always enjoy your reviews and the wonderful bird photography you provide.

[@Duade]

Thanks Bruce, I appreciate the feedback, Cheers, Duade

[@DanStreiffert]

The camera you are using is a Sony A7RV, not the A7RIV. And it's a vast improvement over the the former A7IV. I have both. One of the best features is that you can switch from full frame to ASP mode, which turns the 600mm into a 900mm without the need for an extender, and you still get a 26 MB photo. Full frame it is 61 MB! There is also a software update for the 200 - 600 lens that improves the IS. You can actually take hand-held videos this. I am also a former Canon shooter. The hardest part of the Sony is learning all the features. I also have the Sony 100 - 400 GM, which with a 1.4 extender is a wonderful macro lens. Thanks for all the great videos.

[@RamTengri]

The only thing I somewhat disagree about is the ergonomics. I understand that sony camera are the smallest of the systems and it caters perfectly to smaller hands. The thing that worried me about complaining about the ergonomics is that Sony might make it less ergonomic for smaller hands if they take the feedback to heart. The other biggest advantage to Sony is the third party lens. I initially was gonna go for the r5 till I saw the ecosystem price! Not to say the Sony brand lens are any less expensive than Canon but the third party lenses are 98% of the functionality at half the price!

[@jaminkrinsky453]

Great un-biased review. Pretty much in line with my experience with that Sony setup so far. I'll be looking forward to your final opinion on that 1.4x teleconverter on the 200-600mm. Can't find consensus on whether it's better than cropping/upscaling on that lens, and don't really want to spend the $ on renting it. BTW thanks for replying to a comment I made a while back! I was a little star-struck!

[@sadovski.pavel.photography]

There is a way to eliminate discomfort of "short" Sony body - try to find a bottom plate / extender, usually they are aluminum (light) and have an arca swiss mount. I use them both on my EOS R and R6, they serve 3 purposes: protecting the camera body’s bottom, extending grip and adding a permanent tripod plate.

[@Duade]

Thanks, I have ordered the bottom plate which I am sure will help, Cheers, Duade

[@elke1317]

Thanks for the interesting video. I switched from Sony to the Canon RF system and am very happy with it. There are always pros and cons. You have to see what suits you best.

[@stevenzilverberg6458]

Just a quick note. With the UHS2 V90 SD card filling the buffer is not impossible but very unlikely. And they are much cheaper than the cfx-a cards. They also allow full photo and video capabilities.

[@Duade]

Thanks Steven, I will be sure to do some testing for the review, Cheers, Duade

[@brettharrisphotography7463]

Welcome to Sony. I love my A7IV it's my go to camera , but for bird photography, the AOne or A9II or A7R5 are much better.

[@Keiengepro]

Nice video man, i recently got a sigma contemporary 150-600 lens, and i have a canon 650d Hey what kind of tripod/gimbalhead combo would you recomend under 250? Could you maybe make a video about reviewing some tripods😃

[@apwip]

The R5 and A7IV are both great cameras, but the R5 is nearly twice the price of the A7IV in the UK so its really in a class above. So you would expect higher MP and fps etc in comparison. Maybe the A7IV doesn't have the processing power to handle higher fps beyond 10fps rather than any intentional crippling. Good to see these real world use comparisons anyway!

[@DeputyNordburg]

Canon hinted at a 300-800 lens a while back with one of their patents. That would be an amazing range for birding. The 100-500 is nice and I think Canon sees it as 100mm longer than the EF version, but most shooters see it as 100mm shorter than the Sony or Sigma and Tamron 150/200-600mm options.

[@Jay-sr8ge]

And for at least $1000 more...

[@RTReview.]

​@@Jay-sr8ge and 1 full Stop slower

[@bobdrawbaugh4207]

This video was very helpful. I’ve researched both the R6II and the A7IV For weeks and weeks. In the end I decided to go with Sony. Mainly for a couple of lenses that are just not in the Canon ecosystem.

[@benoittissier58]

Makes sense for the lenses... But I own the A7iv and I wouldn't get it if I were starting again. The main reason is AF. I shoot sports with the 70 200 f2.8 GM2 and I still haven't found a safe way to get sharp pics. Tracking in the EVF is excellent but focusing is not at the same place. I have tons of misfocused shots. Also 6 FPS at full dynamic range or 10 FPS max vs 20+ for the R6ii. 24 MP is a bit low though since I want a 20 MP final pic for top quality A3 prints. I'm actually waiting for the Z6iii and R5ii and maybe A7v...

[@bobdrawbaugh4207]

@@benoittissier58 yes, 10 FPS isn’t class leading. It was a concern and one reason it took me so long to decide. But, the R6II had things I didn’t like either. In the end it came down to the lenses I wanted. Plus I liked the slightly more compact body of the Sony. I hope I don’t regret my decision. Time will tell.

[@GregorMima]

Duade 1st addition to the a7IV (like all my Sony) was the Smallrig "L" Bracket. Tho im using only the bottom part of it. It makes the Sony abit bigger and (for me) so much more enjoyable to grip. Welcome to the club 😊

[@Duade]

Thanks Gregor, I will look into it, glad it is helping you. Cheers, Duade

[@dr.alanmarcus4741]

Fellow Australian, Mark Galer has an extensive library of videos, e-books, and seminars on how to set up all the Sony Cameras including downloadable cam-setups. He fully covers memory sets, recall buttons, my menu sets that include BIF, etc. His particular style my not suit everyone but it’s an unbelievable great starting point. I am currently using the Sony A7R V with it’s simply amazing AI tracking abilities that includes human, animal, bird, animal-bird, insects, cars, and plane separate tracking functions that each have an unbelievable 21 adjustments for each selection. A “little complicated” to learn but very effective once you get the hang of it.

[@CamillaI]

As a pro Duade you need the A1. I am looking forward to the video autofocus improvements through firmware coming soon though . Then the A1 will be the ultimate Sony body. Canon has very similar but I have never used any of their bodies ! I would stick with Canon if I had never used Sony personally ! I switched from Nikon to Sony mirrorless 3 years ago awesome AF etc...

[@Duade]

Thanks mate, yes, I would love the A1, but at $8500 AUD I just could not justify it as a second kit. The A7IV and 200-600 cost me $5000 AUD total so you can see why that was more attractive. Cheers, Duade

[@tilikumtim5562]

I bought the Sony A7IV and 200-600mm lens a few months ago. I switched from Fujifilm beccause of the Sony 200-600mm lens. It's definitely very good value for money. I would havep preferred to have switched to Canon, as I dislike Sony as a company, but I couldn't really justifiy the cost of the Canon lens and I like that there are a lot of third party lenses available for Sony cameras. I do think it's a bit unfair to comapre the setup with the Canon R5 and Canon RF 100-500, as botth are much more expensive (the Canon lens is about double the price of the Sony lens!). And for thtee camera body, the Canon R6 is a similar price (bit more expensive) to the Sony A7IV, should any comparisons should be made to that imo.

[@bill29456]

Hey Duade: You mentioned two issues that could be easily solved. First issue was the battery life and the two bar when its 21 percent. Use a battery grip that holds two batteries. Doesnt solve the display issue but you get twice the battery life. As far as the second issue, the body digging into your palm, the battery grip would solve that because the body is now longer top to bottom and might solve that. On a side not your mentioned using the R7 for birds. But when you did the review of it you concluded you rather have the 40 something pixel count of the R5 for cropping into an immage. Have you changed your preference? id go with the R6 mk ii for the 40 fps.

[@Duade]

Hi Bill, great tips and I have ordered the grip extension for now, I find the grips to be quite expensive here in Australia so always hesitant to drop the money on them but I see the benefits for sure. I prefer the R5 or the R6II over the R7 at this stage. The AF, Rolling Shutter are so much better. Cheers, Duade

[@anildangol]

Everyone concentrate on specs and you are the only one I see focusses on real life experience using camera. Love your videos

[@ExploreTravelTV]

I just filmed and photos all day yesterday, I wear workout gloves and it really helps! Shot with the Sigma 60-600 mm lens so pretty big and heavy as well

[@tonyb736]

Definitely worth getting a grip, helps holding and balances better. I have always used 3rd party grip on my cameras, Nikon, Canon, Sony. I use the Mieke grip. Currently have one on my A9 and A6600

[@JaredDoyle76]

Agreed. I never go on an outing without a battery grip. Keeps my battery anxiety under control and the ergonomics are perfect for my hands.

[@DalsPhotography]

Hello Duade! you can't imagine how much I loved this vlog. I am so tempted by the new Sony Line! It would be great if you can add some videos from that brand and the newer cameras , either Sony IV or the new R V. I loved your photos with the silhouettes! (sorry for my grammar) What about the weight? That's the only thing that worries me. With the full frame sensor, we can crop a lot, I was very used to my Canon 5Dsr + Tamron 150-600. Thank you so much and best for you from Uruguay. Something it may come easy for me is that Fuji has the buttons back and in front, and the wheel dial is the same as well ! , and I was wondering which CF express card are you using? Thank you again !

[@philipgowdy]

For me the big difference is the price of lenses. The 200-600mm is a bargain lens for the quality, when Canon bring out the same you will need a second mortgage to buy it. You of course also get Sigma and Tamron lenses for Sony. Also as you said at one point nearly everything can be rearranged regarding dials for exposure for personal taste. If you liked that the best camera on the bargain block at present is the A9 series...extreme fast focus, stacked sensor and amazing buffer.

[@Duade]

Thanks Philip, yes, they are all great advantages for sure. I look forward to seeing what the A9III offers. Cheers, Duade

[@hans6304]

​@@Duade yes looking forward to the A9iii

[@blisteringbooks2428]

Duade, really liked the Crake in the reeds, sometimes a dark image is striking.

[@7inrain]

Thx for that fantastic video. Being a new user with nearly an identical setup (same lens, same extender but with an A 7R III instead of the A7 IV) that was really helpful. And your birdshots were again amazing (as they always are).

[@Duade]

Thanks for the feedback and great to hear you are enjoying your kit, a lovely lens to be sure. Cheers, Duade

[@gerhardwiesinger]

Great video, as always. Great Duade, you followed my tips regarding Zebras :-) Why do you use threshold 107 and not 109+? IMHO RAW has even that headroom for 109+. Regarding bird tracking: Didn't you use Tracking with AF-ON (Back Button AF) at 4:24? You should get one tracking square and not many small AF points (like at 9:04). Mode: Tracking Expandable Spot preferable. Also enable prefer Eye-AF even outside of AF area. Reagarding ergonomics and hand: try a Smallrig L-Bracket My Sony A1 never limited me at shooting photos even with SD-cards. Didn't know Canon crippled also shooting when buffer is full. Never happend to me that I couldn't shoot.

[@Duade]

Thanks Gerhard, will update to 109+, I think I simply followed a video for that. I suspect I did not have the tracking on the wide area like you say so will look at changing that. I will also look into the smallrig bracket. Thanks again for the tips. Yes, the buffer on Canon is annoying how it stops you taking photos. Cheers, Duade

[@gerhardwiesinger]

@@Duade You can change Focus Area with a button and also limit the available options there in the menu. I have it on C1, so you can press it even when fireing and AF-ON. Setting the button on the lens is also quite useful for e.g. shutter speed 1/4000s, see german Video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2WxXolpi5mdnKc

[@taichpaul]

I have used Canon EOS since its inception ergonomics has always been part of their design criteria. First time I picked a mirrorless was a Sony after three minutes I gave it back it was so uncomfortable to hold - "A box with nobs on!". Ergonomics is often overlooked by people but if you can't easily hold the camera all day it's of no use at all.

[@sorronmies]

I am also missing those zebra stripes in still mode with Canon. I have also sent feedback about that to Canon. Anyway the limitation must be just a software issue so I think it would not be too difficult for them to add the stripes in some software update.

[@normanzjames]

14:40 absolutely agreed; it was the first thing I noticed, when I switched from my D500, which was much heavier, but much comfortable to hold😑

[@firstlast2034]

I bought a R7 Canon but so far I am not sold. Sony has so many good features! It has been years since I was involved but it does not take long to see the flaws presented.

[@AliasJimWirth]

Thanks for sharing your honest experiences with Sony, thus far.

[@Duade]

Thanks Jim, my pleasure, I hope to be an honest unbiased viewpoint on KZbin for gear reviews etc. Cheers, Duade

[@hstein27]

Duade, great video. I loved the pics of the crake. Very similar to the various Rail species we get here in Massachusetts. I'm glad I went with Canon over Sony. Ergonomics are very important and that corner grip issue would drive me crazy! You may want to just try a grip before it gives you repetitive stress injury.

[@Duade]

Thanks, yes, I loved that shot also. I have ordered a grip extension to see if that will help. Cheers, Duade

[@cooloox]

Canon has had the rear control wheel with integrated buttons for years, but on lower model cameras. E.g. The M3, M5, M6 Mk II, 760D (T6s). The R7 having 2 dials is no big deal at all. The control ring on lenses and on the control ring adapter is your third dial. Instead, you get 4 extra customisable buttons, giving you several more customisable buttons than an R6.

[@Duade]

Thanks, yes I have used the 90D which I think is the same. It was a nice option and I wish that was on the R7. I prefer the Sony dial which has the buttons built in to the wheel, the 90D had buttons with a control ring around the buttons which could be a little arkward. Yes the control ring on the lens helps but my EF lenses don't have a ring and I find the ring close to the body difficult to access and use like on the RF100-500. It would have just been so much easier to put a third ring on the camera. Cheers, Duade 👍

[@johannesimmonen2125]

Today we were filming a great grey owl, that was in the bush. Sony a1 didn't found an eye. Canon r5 found.

[@jws6181]

Hello Duane, I have a Smallrig L-Plate without the rightup left piece on my Sony A9 that makes the body a 2 cm bigger on the under side , for more comfort...I used a battery grip first, that was to bulky for my taste...my combo right now is a Sony A9+Tamron 17-28 f2.8, Tamron 28-200 f2.8-5.6 and a Sony 200-600+1.4x TC, nice video...NL greets😃

[@daran0815]

The burst speed wasn't "crippled intentionally' it is limited by the somewhat outdated mechanical shutter. This shutter is the same hardware part as on many other Sony cameras, reducing the cost. I guess they could have implemented a faster electronic shutter, but that IMHO would gain little as it has a too slow readout for anything moving, anyway.

[@Duade]

Hi Daran, sorry I was referring to the electronic shutter being limited to 10fps which is much slower than the competition. The R7 has an even slower sensor read out and only uses an SD card but has 30fps. It may surprise you but every single photo in this video was with the electronic shutter, even the BIF. Cheers, Duade 👍

[@stkuj]

Simple small rig baseplate will help. Also, you can change the front & rear dial configuration. Nice bird shots, TBH the a7iv isn’t a birding camera vs A1 but you make it work. For what it’s worth, I’ve shot Sony for 3 years now. I find new things all the time when setting up my menus and custom buttons 😂

[@theusbadenhorst1848]

Great video. I think the lower frame rate has to do with the a7iv not having a stacked sensor. The cards can be a limiting factor too but you have the right ones. Sensor readout is too slow.

[@Ramage7070]

The R7 has a slower read out and can shoot faster. I think Duade maybe right that this is a software limit, if true that means Sony might bump it up a little. 15fps would be a nice option.

[@MichaelRoachWV]

14:35 - L-Bracket base / grip extender solves this. I will say, there are times when flying that removing my l-bracket enabled me to fit more in my carryon, and then I just tossed the bracket in a checked bag lol.

[@cameraprepper7938]

I use two Sony A7RIV, it is great to have 61 megapixels to either crop or to use the APSC mode with 26 megapixels, so it is like having four Cameras in two Cameras, I do want a warning signal for APSC mode, because sometimes I forget to set the camera back in full frame mode, please make this SONY ! I just do not get why Sony do not use their 40 megapixel APSC sensor which is used by Fuji, it will be really nice for birds and wildlife. I had the Sony 200-600mm 5.6-6.3 G Lens, but I sold it last year, because I needed an extra large backpack to carry it when hiking, the 200-600 is just too big and heavy for long hikes in the nature, the 200-600mm also often have problems with stabilization, the stabilizer in the Lens and the IBIS in the Sony R-series cameras do not always communicate proper and that gives blurry images. Now I use the excellent Sigma 500mm 5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens, which is very compact and light weight, it is very easy to handle and use, I can walk several hours in the wild nature holding it my hands without problems, the optical image quality is excellent, I can recommend the Sigma !

[@denisesavage2382]

Thanks for the information and in field experience. Appreciate hearing what you notice, enjoy, and find challenging. Very informative.

[@27photogger]

Great video & info, subscribed

[@Duade]

Welcome!

[@zedlyfe]

Another great video, thanks for sharing Duade. It's interesting that Canon mirrorless cameras don't shoot a lower frame rate once the buffer is full, I used to use the 6D and it can do that.

[@pietarivuola]

My EOS R and M50 do shoot at a slower speed when the buffer is full and you keep the shutter pressed. I wonder if it's specific to the R5 due to the high file size of 45 Mpix images.

[@kevins8575]

I used to shoot with an old Canon t4i at 3 FPS, which would drop to 1 frame when it hit the buffer. My R5 seems unlimited compared to that!

[@cooloox]

I haven't got to that bit on the video yet, so I might be talking about something irrelevant. There might be a settings issue. I have different settings on my R7 and if I choose one, a burst can hit a brick wall and literally stop there and then. Using a different setting, once the buffer fills, it keeps shooting in dribs and drabs and never actually stops. The dribs and drabs can still be quite fast and don't let you miss the shot.

[@AndreiGrigorean]

Duade is the anti-fanboy, such a pleasure to listen to his reviews.

[@Duade]

Thanks Andrei, I am trying to be honest and simply share my experiences. Cheers, Duade

[@lukasholecek5911]

Hi, thank you for a great video as always! To me it seems that the Sony now has an edge for birds and wildlife...just the mere existence of the premium feeling 200-600 f6.3 sets it ahead for many photographers without professional budget...looking forward to your full review! And also I can see the A1 mk1/mk2 coming for you in the future as you get more into the Sony ecosystem. Cheers!

[@Duade]

Thanks, yes, the lens is the strong point, I am actually excited to see if Sony do release the pro APSC body which would go well with the lens. Yes, the A1 II will also be interesting and the A9 III. Cheers, Duade

[@TheodoreSchnell]

Wow! That heron and cockatoo image is stunning. Love what you did ith the color, too -- some might disagree, but photography is much an art as a skill. When I worked as a photojournalist, I would not have adjusted the color like that. But as a nature photographer now, I am not restrained by that ethical consideration. Yes, I (and you) are still recording images of real things, but we do it as an art based on our own preferences. You've made an outstanding, breathtaking image. Thanks for continuing to education and inspire, Duade. I admire your work and the skill and knowledge you share with us.

[@mickmckean7378]

G'day Duade, I've loved that name of the "Turbo Chook" from first time I heard it several years ago - still haven't seen one though. The Sony 100-400 has a minimum focus distance of .9 metres, and can be used as a pseudo macro lens. I use a battery grip on the A7RIV for the extra battery and vertical grip mode, but mainly for the added depth on the body and better balance with the 200-600. If you don't want to use the battery grip you can get a Smallrig L-bracket with removable side and just use that to extend the bottom of the body. On electronic mode shooting, have you noticed any BIF with really elongated wings? That's a side effect of electronic shutter as the wings move quicker than the sensor readout (certainly happens on my A7RIV with that 62ms sensor readout).

[@anthonylujan]

love your review...i'm a sony a1 user with the 600mm and i love love my vertical grip. it helps with the hand position. yes it ads more weight but for me it's so much better in the hands.

[@tonyblake8841]

Hi Duade, thanks for the video. The menu can be confusing and like you, if I change something and want to go back I struggle at times. I wonder if the saw hand issue also relates to the weight of the lens. I don’t have any problem with the 100-400 GM. BTW, I want to update my membership details. I must have signed up before getting the A7 iv. Can’t for the life of me work out how to do it without cancelling and rejoining 🤔

[@Duade]

G'day Tony, yes, I suspect it was the weight and how it pivots on my palm, I have ordered the grip extension which should help. I am unsure which details you want to update but you can change levels by going here www.youtube.com/@Duade/membership and then hitting the upgrade button which is in blue on the right hand side. Cheers, Duade

[@tamj0506]

I had issues with how small the Sony bodies are. I purchased a Really Right Stuff base plate and I love it. It added a place to put my pinky. I also put grip tape on it, so it wasn't so smooth and it matches the camera texture. Thanks for the video.

[@ulflundh_birdsandnature]

I always use “zebras” fore stills on my olympus/OM cameras. highlight is orange and the blacks get blue. Very good. But OM/Oly has very good highlight recovery so I always overexpose a bit.

[@cooloox]

Hi Duade, what you said about the Sony's and other brands continuing to shoot after the buffer fills, that's how it's worked on every Canon camera I've ever owned. On my R7, however, if I change settings one way, it stops dead in its tracks, as you described, but if I set it another way it never stops! It hits the buffer and then shoots in dribs and drabs at a reduced rate which varies (speeds up and slows down). Even though it shoots at varying rates after hitting the buffer, it's still a decent pace. I'll have to check on my camera tomorrow and let you know which settings allow this and which don't.

[@tekguyphoto]

I might pickup another Sony after selling my A74 and 200-600 after a year of use. Sounds like the Cf Express card is a must for longer bursts. Im happy with the R5/R6mk2 but sure miss the Sony zoom. I think by June I should find a used Sony R5 and a 200-600. Birding for me is 20% of my overall camera usage and I have a hard time spending $4k Canadian for a single lens the RF100-500. I still have the some $$ saved from when I Sold the Sony. For now Im using the RF 100-400 and RF 800. Love camera gear what can I say.