Amazing as always! I just add that the Alpha 1 can achieve 1/400s flash sync in mechanical shutter mode and in crop mode it's 1/500s which is fantastic. As far as I know that's a world record for a fullframe camera since 1982!
Thanks for the review I was a canon user for more than 25 years but switched to Sony 3 years ago and don’t regret it I film wildlife and the 200 to 600 lens is amazing and the a1 will be my next purchase Shame canon I really liked there stuff but seriously heavy
@@mandofan2616 The R5 has the issue with rolling shutter as it doesn't use a stacked sensor, but like the A1 the R3 has very little rolling shutter due to a stacked sensor
I was a canon shooting for years !! Actually went through multiple bodies and had all the L glass , my last one was the 5d Mk3 awesome camera, but I sold everything and converted to Sony , because of the mirrorless design , started with the original A7r and now have the A7S3 and the A1, I do agree we are actually splitting hairs on which is best and agree even more about the ecosystem one is invested in ! I’ll never switch brands again due mainly to the cost of it , and even if there is an A2 developed soon ( which I’m sure there will be) how many us can really use what we have now to it’s full potential! Maybe a few but for the vast majority of us it would be overkill , including me . As always great reviews and thanks Dustin
what a world we live in... 5 years ago everyone bashed sony for having less variety of lenses, more expensive lenses, less third party support blah blah blah... and now ironically, canon is on that boat and sony now has some of the sharpest, fastest, lightest and most durable lenses available. Sony has come so far in such a short period of time.
The RF 85mm F/1.2 is definitely expensive, but it is worth every penny (both the DS and non-DS versions). You will love the images that come out of those lenses.
Great review as always. The truth is either of these cameras can produce superb images, if the operator has the skill to maximise the feature set. We are so spoiled nowadays!
This type of quick summary Actually gives the potential customers what each has to offer. And if they are interested they can dive into the detail of each camera.
Because I am not good at English, I did not fully understand the contents of the video. I am an advertising and fashion photographer. I don't take videos. Then which camera would you recommend? The most important thing in advertising photos is to focus on the person's eyes accurately.
Did you do the dynamic range test with the R3 with electronic shutter. Because in mechanical shutter the dr is better at least in lower Iso according to photonstophotos
I actually switched from the a1 to the r3. I can confidently say that the r3 autofocus tracking is significantly better. Also, most serious shooters are looking for the integrated vertical grip. The feeling of the r3 is far better than the a1 and it is the same weight essentially as the a1 without a grip. R3 is about eight times faster with flushing the buffer. Literally. That’s more than a little faster. And the less mp so it is about 8x faster because the card is twice as fast and the files are 1/4 the size. I can personally attest to this flushing speed myself since I’ve owned both cameras.
@@kelb89 iq is noticeably better. A1 paired with GM focuses noticeably faster such as with the 600 GM. However, the canon R3 finds the eyes noticeably quicker and holds on to them noticeably better. The r3 has more voltage so it drives the 600 f4 is iii pretty well. If you can find a sharp copy of the 600 is iii or just pay extra for the rf (canon fixed the quality control issues with the 600 rf f4), it is similar in overall speed to the a1 and 600gm but it is not the same. It’ll hunt more on major focus changes whereas the 600 gm is near instantaneous. For me, the r3 is worth it. I saved money and I am having better eye tracking. The af speed is close enough that I can deal with it. Iso is about 30% better than the a1. As dp review has shown and I also have personally confirmed, the difference in pixels actually doesn’t make a big difference in iso when the images are set to the same size. That being said, the 30% reduction in overall read and write iso is welcomed because I shoot at high iso often. Also, if you use a 2x tc, the r3 works much better with it than the a1 ever could.
Excellent review as always , Dustin... the R3 is on my list. Why ? cause of real world performance. Have a great 2022 ahead ! take care and stay safe ...
First time I’ve ever heard Abbott drop out ‘pathetic’ in a review😂😅 the screens haven’t ever been an issue for me, as far as far I know they don’t effect performance. I do know the higher settings apparently drain the battery faster but I love Sonys battery grip, never shoot without it the cameras are too small for me without it. That being said I’ve weighed it out and am staying with my a7riv until the a7rv makes it way to the market. If you could dm me the specs if you get some inside info I’d be appreciative 😂😂💯
My comment about the screen is relative to the cost and overall quality of the camera. The resolution of the rear LCD comes across as being very cheap.
I agree, the screen on the A1 is pathetic. Even on the A7 IV (which I just bought!) at $2500, the resolution is pathetic. One important, if pedantic point: the screen resolutions are given in DOTS, not PIXELS. A pixel is 3 dots, so that 1M dot screen is only about 330,000 pixels. Compare that to today's smartphones and it's obvious how awful most camera screens are. It's also a pity that we and the camera reviewers ever let the manufacturers get away with quoting dots instead of pixels for the screen and EVF resolution.
Yea.. Sony LCD really feels cheap... it has been 1.4mill dot for so many years... my jaw drop when I realize R3 has 4.1mill dot.. that's insane. COme on SOny.. give us better screen.
The R3, it's a pro camera and is the first completely "gripped body" since the Nikon D5?? Weighs less than the A1 with the battery grip and batteries and is smaller. You do not need to charge 6-8 batteries like the A1 and you can get 7-8K clicks (photo only) from 100%-0% before recharging. Battery life and overheating were problems with the R5 even with no video. Eye focus is wonderful unless you want to shoot an object where there are people around. Sensor is so good you can shoot at 16K.
as always, nice video. thank for making the comparison fair and relatively simple. the deal breaker, as others have said, is your glass investment. both are great cameras!!!
I have both of these bodies, and I think the deciding factor for me would be more along of the lines which 600mm I like more and where is the R1. Realistic street price of these, they are about the same. Sony A1s on employee discount is 25% and isn't hard to find dealers selling them for 6 flat when they have them in the US. It's a hard choice between the two, even though the sony is technically a better body.
Because I am not good at English, I did not fully understand the contents of the video. I am an advertising and fashion photographer. I don't take videos. Then which camera would you recommend? The most important thing in advertising photos is to focus on the person's eyes accurately.
Hi Dustin, GREAT job, as usual:) Do you plan to test the sony a7 iv? I really would have liked to have your opinion on sony's new colorimetry, especially for portraits compared to the canon r5/r6 which has a wonderful science of color. So the A1 or A7 IV have better skintones? Thank you!
Great comparison Dustin. 👍 Myself is invested in Sony GM glass beyond the point of return. This makes the A1 or a potential successor A1 II the logical choice, I assume. Merry Christmas! 🎄
Great stuff, as usual, Dustin. Somewhat silly, but I'm wondering why your head is cut off like it is in this video. No wider lens available or room to move the camera back? The fact that your eyebrows are almost out of frame sometimes is distracting. 😂
LOL - no artistic reason. I was in a rush trying to get my content done before leaving to see my family for the holidays (for the first time in three years). I didn’t have time to reshoot when I saw the footage. It drove me crazy
@@DustinAbbottTWI absolutely understandable. I hope you enjoy this time with the family, brother! Thanks for all the work you do through this channel. It is much appreciated.
I do really want to see what the R1 turns out to look like. Seems like it will have some kind of future unseen as of yet. As to the R3, part of me sees the 24mp as a big advantage over the A1. This is compounded by the massive size per megapixel of the Sony Raw files. But I don't do a ton of cropping like some do.
By the time the R1 comes out, the Sony A1ii will be just around the corner so canon and Sony will still probably be comparable to each other. The R1 will almost definitely have a more impressive spec sheet than the current A1 though, but that’s to be expected considering that it will be expected to release in Q4 2022 or Q1 2023 which is 2 years after the release of the A1. Also, I would rather have 50mp and larger files than 24mp with smaller files, more megapixels is always better than less megapixels especially when the low light performance is comparable.
I personally am not a huge fan of always waiting for the “next big thing”, as often cameras that exist already have more tech and capabilities than 95% of photographers can take advantage of anyway. But yes, there will always be the tech war where the camera companies keep one-upping each other…and we re the recipients
I have been loving my a1, but have only found one thing that brings me concern. Wondering if it’s just me. The new hotshoe is very tight compared to my a7iii when connecting my Godox V1 or trigger. I don’t want to damage anything, but I wasn’t expecting that tight of a fit. Have you noticed the same with non-Sony flash or accessories? Thanks in advance!
@@DustinAbbottTWI thanks for that observation. I’m quite happy in the godox world but I’m more concerned about damaging an expensive camera than replacing a flash, you know? Thank you.
I have noticed that too when going from the 7R3 to the A1 - Having said that, the connecting pins are at the very end of the shoe, so I don't think it will be a problem (I hope :-))
Two impressive cameras with two very different approaches but these are the best ever for both manufacturers. Mirror less cameras with stacked sensors are the new standard.
Caught between a rock and hard place at the moment looking at upgrading to mirrorless (currently own 5DMKIII)..and the battle between the heart and the head :( Canon R5, R3 or Sony A1..... Not adverse to changing manufacturer.. Trouble is seeing so many issues being raised at present by Canon users with hot shoes coming off in the hand, having to take out the battery and put it back in because its freezing (even after recent firmware updates)... etc. Reading and seeing some issues with the focus of the A1 etc and still a little non-descript on the new menu on the Sony Canon controlling the RF mount glass at present but will probably relent after they've regained the money for development of the RF Mount.....Cost of lenses G Master vs RF etc Sony able to do 50MP vs the R3 only 24MP (which is equivalent to the 5DMKIII)........so many times swapping back and forth......for someone who is a hobbyist its a little more difficult to invest every 4-5 years
Right now I personally lean A1 (I also own the R5) for the big reason that there is so much great lens development on Sony while Canon has been completely closed.
@@DustinAbbottTWI yes I'm leaning that way also at present with canon closing the 3rd party RF mounts, and also the amount build issues with the Canons (lockups on both R3 & R5, hotshoes coming off in peoples hands, errors between connectivity of the body and lenses, problems with certain cfexpress cards being used)
After looking at the specs and performance of both camera.. It is safe to say both are really good. no doubt. But 1 specs strikes me hard.. (altho it doesnt impact photography) that is.. Sony LCD is so bad.. Then the R3.. the LCD has 4.1 mil dots.. I think Sony only has 1.4.... even the A model from Sony... doesnt has 4.1mill (not even close...).. Come on Sony. Give us better screen too..
I agree with this. I currently shoot with a Sony and love it, but whenever I do hold and use one of the newer Canon bodies and look at the rear screen, I do notice the difference and how much better it looks, which makes me want to hold it in my hand longer and how I feel looking at the images on the back of the screen. Its almost tempting to want to switch because of the feel and how I feel holding it/reviewing my images/video on the rear screen. If Sony could improve in those areas, I think it would keep me from looking over to the other side sometimes. Its crazy how some of the little things can have an impact over time. Great work as always Dustin
@@guydesrouilleres183 yea. Because the canon lcd is already so high res. Any photo from the screen just look so nice. It does make the user feels more confident n happy tho. Who doesnt like to look at higher resolution photo compare to low resolution. ( altho like i said before. Its the screen. It doesnt really impact photography in the end) but yea. Sony your lcd screen is far behind the market. And funny thing is Sony make so many Television. Who would have thought their camera lcd is so “bad” haha
Excellent review as always. Dustin I’m curious as a r5 owner and the recent firmware update by canon, how close is the AF ability between the r5/r6 with the r3?
The tracking abilities of those cameras are quite good, but the R3 delivers a much more seamless viewfinder experience that makes tracking simpler. Expect a few percentage point higher keeper rate as well
I had the same question but the answer was fairly easy for me, considering that I am invested in Sony prime lenses and looking into getting a couple of Tamron zoom lenses. Hence, I went with the A1. I am aware that lots of folks in this comments section favor the R3, but having been shooting with the A1 for 3 months now, I am super happy with my decision. Not discounting the R3, it is a superb camera, but I am looking at the entire eco-system and feel that I am in a good place.
Canon has never opened up its system to third party. It's up to them to retroengineer the protocol like they did on the previous mount. I think they are just waiting for a critical mass to make producing a lens worthwhile in terms of potential users.
But do they blend? Jk… great video thanks! I went with the R5 because though the A1 and R3 are better sensor read out, and better action cams, the R5 is incredibly impressive given it’s price and what it can do. I really enjoy canon’s ecosystem and design as well. Either way, all are great cameras! Comes down to budget and what you need it to do.
Why someone like Dustin wants to invest his time on a system that's not even in his radar. A system that is trying to gain market traction. Nikon has many Z lens but majority of them is not for high-speed use i.e., C-AF and multiple shots. their lens drive units are not there yet (especially pro tele lens). Just check Jarod Polin recent YT on this. Z9 may be a good camera but what makes a good speedy AF is more than just the camera, the lens drive must be able to response accordingly. Here Sony and Canon are higher tier. Canon is more impressive, they're able to make their EF lens work as well native RF lens especially on high-speed AF shots. Z9 is not the issue, the lens are... especially adapted F lens which are required to fill in the gap until Nikon makes native competitive Z lens. I also think, Nikon software engineers are little lagging. Z9 hardware is good but software side needs improvement. See Jarod Polin YT.... in the baskateball match, he was tracking a player and the Z9 was tracking the ball...
I do hope you eventually get given the Nikon Z9 to review. At this moment that's the one I'm keen and excited for even though am a Canon user. R3 lacks rez as you say also too expensive in the UK. The A1 spec is outstanding but as a wildlife camera out trecking in the wild I don't think would be as a durable option. Sony bodies look awful after being knocked about a bit like old die-cast toys.I wish Sony had a look at Canon/Nikon bodies as an options, sure keep the A1 type body going for the light traveler or Sunday rich dentist doctor hobbyist.
@@DustinAbbottTWI Thanks for the reply that's a shame as I have great confidence in your thorough detailed assessment for most of my other purchases. Happy Xmas.
@@linusfaymonville Sure he does all his great work with a proper Canon 1d series body over many years then a couple of years ago says he is switching to Sony like a lot of photographers did for the amazing A9 series. The only camera at the time that had a stacked sensor. Now watch how many of those photographers go back to the Nikon's and Canons now they both have stacked sensors with equivalent performance.
I’m not sure I agree with this logic. The R1 doesn’t exist yet, and the R3 is priced comparably to the A1 and is, essentially, the mirrorless 1D series camera
@@DustinAbbottTWI If your comparation is based on price, it's logical. I believe that in mid 2022, the R1 will be released.. and it's going to be interesting... :-)
Because while the hype says that this is true, I actually haven't found that to be the case. I find that recent GM lenses are easily the equivalent of any of the RF L lenses I've tested, and Sony has MUCH more third party options, some of which are truly excellent. (the new Tamron 35-150mm F2-f2.8, for example)
@@DustinAbbottTWI of course there should be third party lenses. But the fact that you do not even mention RF glass makes people think you are biased. You are a Sony guy after all? There nothing wrong with that but other brands also have excellent glass. Being open minded makes man differ from other species imho. Good luck!
try out Perched bird picture, acquire focus, leave the focus button for awhile, then try to acquire focus again....boom. SONY went to infinity to begin search... WHAT was that !! happens on A9 mk1, Mk2 and wonder if it also happens in A1. ??? Sony's reaction ...will be addressed in the next model.
24 megapixels is sufficient for large printings and even for wedding, portraits and sport delivery. If you need more than 30 megapixels just for cropping, something is definitely wrong. Awesome review.
shooting mainly wildlife, much over 100 yards away. frequently use the 2x for reach. was shooting the r4 for the additional reach from cropping and still being able to get decent large prints. found focusing costing a bit of retention rate. with the a1 (6 months) retention rate is much higher. with the right atmospherics, 300 yards is possible. so at least one person found more than 24 MP not sufficient.
I’m not sure making broad statements like this is accurate, as not all photographers have equal needs. I personally prefer having higher resolution bodies for a variety of reasons, though I also like to supplement that with a few lower resolution cameras (like 24MP) for other applications.
Gread reviews, great channel, but no nikon. I saw this trend on many reviewers. Its not like you cant just put your hands on a nikon product and compare to another brand.
He is only comparing 2 cameras on the same level of performance. The Z9 is in a higher category and deserve an independent review because it is above the rest.
Dustin, i feel that the AutoFocus superiority of R3 is over Alpha 1 is not being clearly highlighted by you and slightly marginalized. Alpha 1 regularly misses on the eye tracking of birds by hunting between the tail and head. Alpha 1 doesn’t do as well for searching on helmets of motorcyclists and car drivers. R3 is much quicker in locking on to the eye in humans and animals. I also think that R3 has a far superior real life focusing in low light. Even for portraits, vlogging, and macro photography the Alpha 1 screen is very restrictive compared to R3. You didn’t mention that 3rd Party lenses don’t give the same FPS on Alpha 1 compared to native lenses hence true wide availability for one of the primary purposes isn’t available. I feel the real-world technological superiority of Eye Control AF of R3 wasn’t given due weight age for comparison purposes.
I can understand your perspective, but that hasn’t been my personal observation. I do think the R3 is the better camera for tracking, but not by a wide margin in my tests.
@@denizahmet2299 Sony will just probably release a whole new camera instead of giving firmware update. .. A1ii ? I'm still using my 6 years old A7rii...
Big brick cameras where you need to carry them in a giant diaper bag seem so last century. I get that certain users still prefer them, but they repulse me. In this day and age, everything is becoming miniaturized. I honestly can't wait for the day when we see the next gen of optical/processor design (meta lenses?) Where we can further shrink and weight reduce this tech.
I’m kind of with you on that. There’s a sweet spot for me in camera size where it doesn’t feel too small to grip properly but compact enough to easily travel with.
@@DustinAbbottTWI i too have the a1. It's the right size imo. Probably the minimum size for most. But due to Sony being the only serious major manufacturer making full frame smaller, the others are no longer an option for me.
How much better is the r3 vs the r6 REALLY BESIDES 4 megapixels more less rolling shutter but isn’t that just video ? I shoot stills and sports. I feel like the only thing ur getting is a grip a larger BUT NOW 6 year old battery tech that should have been increased with the FPS EVF ETC BIGGER BATTERY DRAW etc AGSIN . It has an Ethernet port. Eye control af and that mouse like af knobby thing......that mouse like af on should be in the r6 II I SHOULD PAY 4 grand more than the excellent r6 for 4 megapixels unnecessary 30 FPS for a sports shooter 12-20 FPS is way enough. A stacked sensor is 4 grand ? R3 overhyped and still seems that canon has better knobby af on af button thing other than that Sony a9ii and Sony a1 beat the r3 except for af thing button lol . Why does it feel like I, always getting ripped off by canon and it’s cripple hammer. Put that knobby af in the r6 replacement moving forward and I’d but that cam .
I understand your position, though I suspect if you used the two cameras for tracking action side by side, you'd realize there is much more difference than what you suggest.
Sir kindly help me regarding my purchase, I have Purchased Canon 80D with 18-135mm USM and now I owe a Canon 50mm STM Lens too in EF Series, as a matter of fact that Canon has come up with Mirror Less Systems and Now I am in need to purchase a Lens, so I planed to buy RF lens but for that I need a Mirror Less Camera Body, Canon EOS R is a great for Still Shooters (From your Definitive Review about Canon Eos R) do I purchase it with a kit lens that is RF 24-105mm f 4L or I should go for RF 85mm f 2 STM Macro. Lens. My area of work is for Commercial clients & some time in Wedding. And For lighting Part Godox AD300 is a good on colour accuracy and overall performance, Sir you have made a video on it I have watched it too. Sir kindly Suggest that which lens do I purchase with Eos R and Godox AD 300 would be good to Marry with Canon Eos R and Above State RF Lenses. THANK you Sir for your Time and Kindly Reply me for the same. Thank you. Jignesh Parikh
Amazing as always! I just add that the Alpha 1 can achieve 1/400s flash sync in mechanical shutter mode and in crop mode it's 1/500s which is fantastic. As far as I know that's a world record for a fullframe camera since 1982!
that is an important spec for a lot of people!
That’s a very, very useful stat, for sure.
For its price, I will skip it and get a gfx100
@@joshmcdzz6925 Ken, is that you?
Thanks for the review I was a canon user for more than 25 years but switched to Sony 3 years ago and don’t regret it I film wildlife and the 200 to 600 lens is amazing and the a1 will be my next purchase
Shame canon I really liked there stuff but seriously heavy
I too really like the 200-600mm. Excellent lens.
The R3's electronic shutter can bend poles etc in the background of shots and apparently multi exposure shots can't now be done in raw.
@@mandofan2616 The R5 has the issue with rolling shutter as it doesn't use a stacked sensor, but like the A1 the R3 has very little rolling shutter due to a stacked sensor
A video I have been waiting for. You managed to squeeze a lot in for the short amount of time you had the R3. Good stuff
Thank you
Amazing video Dustin, thank you. Seeing this makes me appreciate the Nikon Z9.
I'm glad you enjoy what you have.
Sold my a1 for the r3 and I’m beyond happy with my decision ! The video is straight quality and the photos pixel quality is top notch
i did the reverse! sold the r3 for the A1!!!
If you’re happy, I’m happy!
I was a canon shooting for years !! Actually went through multiple bodies and had all the L glass , my last one was the 5d Mk3 awesome camera, but I sold everything and converted to Sony , because of the mirrorless design , started with the original A7r and now have the A7S3 and the A1, I do agree we are actually splitting hairs on which is best and agree even more about the ecosystem one is invested in ! I’ll never switch brands again due mainly to the cost of it , and even if there is an A2 developed soon ( which I’m sure there will be) how many us can really use what we have now to it’s full potential! Maybe a few but for the vast majority of us it would be overkill , including me . As always great reviews and thanks Dustin
There is a lot of greatness to choose from these days.
Thank you for the comparison! Many reviewers are avoiding comparing the R3 to the A1 and instead compare the A9 II, which I find strange.
It’s probably due to the difference in sensor resolution, which does complicate comparison.
what a world we live in... 5 years ago everyone bashed sony for having less variety of lenses, more expensive lenses, less third party support blah blah blah... and now ironically, canon is on that boat and sony now has some of the sharpest, fastest, lightest and most durable lenses available. Sony has come so far in such a short period of time.
It's true. Sony embracing the open platform concept has been a huge boost to them in my opinion.
@@DustinAbbottTWI couldn't agree more! And boy is it paying off.
The lens selection has been the thorn in my side when it comes to shooting canon. Still no L option for 35mm and the L option 85mm is $2800.
The RF 85mm F/1.2 is definitely expensive, but it is worth every penny (both the DS and non-DS versions). You will love the images that come out of those lenses.
Agreed. I definitely feel like that is Canon’s greatest liability right now
Sure, Aye, but the samyang 85mm 1.4 also gives me delightful pictures and over 2000 dollars left over.
I just use the EF 35 1.4 and the EF 85 1.4, not too bad both.
(The RF 50 1.2 is my rendering king when ever this focal length is handy)
Great review as always. The truth is either of these cameras can produce superb images, if the operator has the skill to maximise the feature set. We are so spoiled nowadays!
Totally agree
This type of quick summary Actually gives the potential customers what each has to offer. And if they are interested they can dive into the detail of each camera.
That was my hope
Because I am not good at English, I did not fully understand the contents of the video. I am an advertising and fashion photographer. I don't take videos. Then which camera would you recommend? The most important thing in advertising photos is to focus on the person's eyes accurately.
If you are shooting advertising, I would lean Alpha 1 because of the higher resolution. Both cameras focus on eyes flawlessly.
Hello. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and suggestions. Like your video's. Happy holidays and new year's. All best. Amnon from NYC. 🙏
Thank you, Amnon
Did you do the dynamic range test with the R3 with electronic shutter. Because in mechanical shutter the dr is better at least in lower Iso according to photonstophotos
I actually switched from the a1 to the r3. I can confidently say that the r3 autofocus tracking is significantly better. Also, most serious shooters are looking for the integrated vertical grip. The feeling of the r3 is far better than the a1 and it is the same weight essentially as the a1 without a grip.
R3 is about eight times faster with flushing the buffer. Literally. That’s more than a little faster. And the less mp so it is about 8x faster because the card is twice as fast and the files are 1/4 the size. I can personally attest to this flushing speed myself since I’ve owned both cameras.
How do you find the IQ compares to the a1? I tested the R3 for a few hours and the noise perfrmance was insane. 12k iso without any noise.
@@kelb89 iq is noticeably better. A1 paired with GM focuses noticeably faster such as with the 600 GM. However, the canon R3 finds the eyes noticeably quicker and holds on to them noticeably better. The r3 has more voltage so it drives the 600 f4 is iii pretty well. If you can find a sharp copy of the 600 is iii or just pay extra for the rf (canon fixed the quality control issues with the 600 rf f4), it is similar in overall speed to the a1 and 600gm but it is not the same. It’ll hunt more on major focus changes whereas the 600 gm is near instantaneous.
For me, the r3 is worth it. I saved money and I am having better eye tracking. The af speed is close enough that I can deal with it.
Iso is about 30% better than the a1. As dp review has shown and I also have personally confirmed, the difference in pixels actually doesn’t make a big difference in iso when the images are set to the same size. That being said, the 30% reduction in overall read and write iso is welcomed because I shoot at high iso often.
Also, if you use a 2x tc, the r3 works much better with it than the a1 ever could.
I’m glad you’re happy with your decision
@Benjamin Mesa with wildlife, it is a big deal.
@Benjamin Mesa haha. Well good for you in your hasty generalization! What’s true for you MUST be true for everyone else 😂
Excellent review as always , Dustin... the R3 is on my list. Why ? cause of real world performance. Have a great 2022 ahead ! take care and stay safe ...
It’s an excellent camera.
First time I’ve ever heard Abbott drop out ‘pathetic’ in a review😂😅 the screens haven’t ever been an issue for me, as far as far I know they don’t effect performance. I do know the higher settings apparently drain the battery faster but I love Sonys battery grip, never shoot without it the cameras are too small for me without it.
That being said I’ve weighed it out and am staying with my a7riv until the a7rv makes it way to the market. If you could dm me the specs if you get some inside info I’d be appreciative 😂😂💯
That’s exactly right, @S Tra
My comment about the screen is relative to the cost and overall quality of the camera. The resolution of the rear LCD comes across as being very cheap.
I agree, the screen on the A1 is pathetic. Even on the A7 IV (which I just bought!) at $2500, the resolution is pathetic. One important, if pedantic point: the screen resolutions are given in DOTS, not PIXELS. A pixel is 3 dots, so that 1M dot screen is only about 330,000 pixels. Compare that to today's smartphones and it's obvious how awful most camera screens are. It's also a pity that we and the camera reviewers ever let the manufacturers get away with quoting dots instead of pixels for the screen and EVF resolution.
Yea.. Sony LCD really feels cheap... it has been 1.4mill dot for so many years... my jaw drop when I realize R3 has 4.1mill dot.. that's insane. COme on SOny.. give us better screen.
The R3, it's a pro camera and is the first completely "gripped body" since the Nikon D5?? Weighs less than the A1 with the battery grip and batteries and is smaller. You do not need to charge 6-8 batteries like the A1 and you can get 7-8K clicks (photo only) from 100%-0% before recharging. Battery life and overheating were problems with the R5 even with no video. Eye focus is wonderful unless you want to shoot an object where there are people around. Sensor is so good you can shoot at 16K.
I think you might be exaggerating the battery differences between the two cameras, but the battery life is certainly better on the R3
as always, nice video. thank for making the comparison fair and relatively simple. the deal breaker, as others have said, is your glass investment. both are great cameras!!!
That’s exactly right. There’s not a bad choice there; just a better one for your application or kit investment.
I have both of these bodies, and I think the deciding factor for me would be more along of the lines which 600mm I like more and where is the R1. Realistic street price of these, they are about the same. Sony A1s on employee discount is 25% and isn't hard to find dealers selling them for 6 flat when they have them in the US. It's a hard choice between the two, even though the sony is technically a better body.
It really does come down to the ecosystem, as both cameras are very good.
Because I am not good at English, I did not fully understand the contents of the video. I am an advertising and fashion photographer. I don't take videos. Then which camera would you recommend? The most important thing in advertising photos is to focus on the person's eyes accurately.
Hi Dustin, GREAT job, as usual:)
Do you plan to test the sony a7 iv? I really would have liked to have your opinion on sony's new colorimetry, especially for portraits compared to the canon r5/r6 which has a wonderful science of color. So the A1 or A7 IV have better skintones? Thank you!
I do plan to review the a7IV as soon as Sony sends me one.
Great comparison Dustin. 👍
Myself is invested in Sony GM glass beyond the point of return. This makes the A1 or a potential successor A1 II the logical choice, I assume.
Merry Christmas! 🎄
That definitely happens. It becomes prohibitively expensive to change systems
Great stuff, as usual, Dustin. Somewhat silly, but I'm wondering why your head is cut off like it is in this video. No wider lens available or room to move the camera back? The fact that your eyebrows are almost out of frame sometimes is distracting. 😂
LOL - no artistic reason. I was in a rush trying to get my content done before leaving to see my family for the holidays (for the first time in three years). I didn’t have time to reshoot when I saw the footage. It drove me crazy
@@DustinAbbottTWI absolutely understandable. I hope you enjoy this time with the family, brother! Thanks for all the work you do through this channel. It is much appreciated.
I do really want to see what the R1 turns out to look like. Seems like it will have some kind of future unseen as of yet.
As to the R3, part of me sees the 24mp as a big advantage over the A1. This is compounded by the massive size per megapixel of the Sony Raw files. But I don't do a ton of cropping like some do.
By the time the R1 comes out, the Sony A1ii will be just around the corner so canon and Sony will still probably be comparable to each other. The R1 will almost definitely have a more impressive spec sheet than the current A1 though, but that’s to be expected considering that it will be expected to release in Q4 2022 or Q1 2023 which is 2 years after the release of the A1. Also, I would rather have 50mp and larger files than 24mp with smaller files, more megapixels is always better than less megapixels especially when the low light performance is comparable.
I personally am not a huge fan of always waiting for the “next big thing”, as often cameras that exist already have more tech and capabilities than 95% of photographers can take advantage of anyway. But yes, there will always be the tech war where the camera companies keep one-upping each other…and we re the recipients
The r3 file size is geared more towards the journos with being able to send the smaller res files via the LAN etc to the FTP Servers
Fujifilm GFX100s, XT30 and Alpha 1 as dream setup
That’s a pretty sweet setup.
Nice comparison. Thank you.
You're welcome!
I have been loving my a1, but have only found one thing that brings me concern. Wondering if it’s just me. The new hotshoe is very tight compared to my a7iii when connecting my Godox V1 or trigger. I don’t want to damage anything, but I wasn’t expecting that tight of a fit. Have you noticed the same with non-Sony flash or accessories? Thanks in advance!
I’ve noticed that in general with Sony cameras and Godox triggers, though not uniquely with the A1
@@DustinAbbottTWI thanks for that observation. I’m quite happy in the godox world but I’m more concerned about damaging an expensive camera than replacing a flash, you know? Thank you.
I have noticed that too when going from the 7R3 to the A1 - Having said that, the connecting pins are at the very end of the shoe, so I don't think it will be a problem (I hope :-))
Two impressive cameras with two very different approaches but these are the best ever for both manufacturers. Mirror less cameras with stacked sensors are the new standard.
I think that’s the correct takeaway
Caught between a rock and hard place at the moment looking at upgrading to mirrorless (currently own 5DMKIII)..and the battle between the heart and the head :(
Canon R5, R3 or Sony A1.....
Not adverse to changing manufacturer.. Trouble is seeing so many issues being raised at present by Canon users with hot shoes coming off in the hand, having to take out the battery and put it back in because its freezing (even after recent firmware updates)... etc. Reading and seeing some issues with the focus of the A1 etc and still a little non-descript on the new menu on the Sony
Canon controlling the RF mount glass at present but will probably relent after they've regained the money for development of the RF Mount.....Cost of lenses G Master vs RF etc
Sony able to do 50MP vs the R3 only 24MP (which is equivalent to the 5DMKIII)........so many times swapping back and forth......for someone who is a hobbyist its a little more difficult to invest every 4-5 years
Right now I personally lean A1 (I also own the R5) for the big reason that there is so much great lens development on Sony while Canon has been completely closed.
@@DustinAbbottTWI yes I'm leaning that way also at present with canon closing the 3rd party RF mounts, and also the amount build issues with the Canons (lockups on both R3 & R5, hotshoes coming off in peoples hands, errors between connectivity of the body and lenses, problems with certain cfexpress cards being used)
Great review, thanks.
My pleasure.
I know it's probably beyond the scope of your channel but I'd love to see your impressions of the nikon z9
Unfortunately that’s true, Greg. I don’t do Nikon reviews and don’t have any kind of relationship with Nikon
After looking at the specs and performance of both camera.. It is safe to say both are really good. no doubt. But 1 specs strikes me hard.. (altho it doesnt impact photography) that is.. Sony LCD is so bad.. Then the R3.. the LCD has 4.1 mil dots.. I think Sony only has 1.4.... even the A model from Sony... doesnt has 4.1mill (not even close...).. Come on Sony. Give us better screen too..
That LCD screen is lousy.
I agree with this. I currently shoot with a Sony and love it, but whenever I do hold and use one of the newer Canon bodies and look at the rear screen, I do notice the difference and how much better it looks, which makes me want to hold it in my hand longer and how I feel looking at the images on the back of the screen. Its almost tempting to want to switch because of the feel and how I feel holding it/reviewing my images/video on the rear screen. If Sony could improve in those areas, I think it would keep me from looking over to the other side sometimes. Its crazy how some of the little things can have an impact over time. Great work as always Dustin
@@guydesrouilleres183 yea. Because the canon lcd is already so high res. Any photo from the screen just look so nice. It does make the user feels more confident n happy tho. Who doesnt like to look at higher resolution photo compare to low resolution. ( altho like i said before. Its the screen. It doesnt really impact photography in the end) but yea. Sony your lcd screen is far behind the market. And funny thing is Sony make so many Television. Who would have thought their camera lcd is so “bad” haha
Excellent review as always. Dustin I’m curious as a r5 owner and the recent firmware update by canon, how close is the AF ability between the r5/r6 with the r3?
The tracking abilities of those cameras are quite good, but the R3 delivers a much more seamless viewfinder experience that makes tracking simpler. Expect a few percentage point higher keeper rate as well
you felt like the visual process was a little bit more engaging in the viewfinder? what the hell is that even supposed to mean?
In layman’s terms, it’s more enjoyable.
The overlays showing tracking progress and the viewfinder itself are superior even though the A1 has higher resolution.
@@DustinAbbottTWI thanks ;)
I’m torn I have been wanting to upgrade from my A7iii to the A1 cause I already have lenses . Also thought about changing over to a new system .
I had the same question but the answer was fairly easy for me, considering that I am invested in Sony prime lenses and looking into getting a couple of Tamron zoom lenses. Hence, I went with the A1. I am aware that lots of folks in this comments section favor the R3, but having been shooting with the A1 for 3 months now, I am super happy with my decision. Not discounting the R3, it is a superb camera, but I am looking at the entire eco-system and feel that I am in a good place.
Moving to a new camera system is always a huge investment, and there has to be a pretty overwhelmingly compelling reason to do so.
When Canon opens up to Tamron and Sigma, it will be awesome.
Agreed
Canon has never opened up its system to third party. It's up to them to retroengineer the protocol like they did on the previous mount. I think they are just waiting for a critical mass to make producing a lens worthwhile in terms of potential users.
That's never gonna happen, never!
@@Semeyaza lol… you guys are on crack.
that canon kept screwing over sigma played a big part in my decision to switch to sony.
Great video, man. Thanks. I like both brands but man I wish Sony would give their flagship body a little more to get excited about.
I know what you mean, but I’ve not been unhappy with the A1 overall (other than the rear LCD, which is disappointing)
But do they blend? Jk… great video thanks! I went with the R5 because though the A1 and R3 are better sensor read out, and better action cams, the R5 is incredibly impressive given it’s price and what it can do. I really enjoy canon’s ecosystem and design as well. Either way, all are great cameras! Comes down to budget and what you need it to do.
The R5 remains a very impressive, versatile camera.
Reching out for the popcorns! 😍😍
Enjoy
In a year I'm curious where the Nikon system stands concerning lenses, the Z9 seems to be a kind of in between mixture of the R3/A1
Nikon’s challenge is that their dwindling market share does give them some baked in disadvantages.
@@DustinAbbottTWI What does that statement even mean.
@@apstudios01 exactly, it does not mean anything
Why someone like Dustin wants to invest his time on a system that's not even in his radar. A system that is trying to gain market traction. Nikon has many Z lens but majority of them is not for high-speed use i.e., C-AF and multiple shots. their lens drive units are not there yet (especially pro tele lens). Just check Jarod Polin recent YT on this.
Z9 may be a good camera but what makes a good speedy AF is more than just the camera, the lens drive must be able to response accordingly. Here Sony and Canon are higher tier. Canon is more impressive, they're able to make their EF lens work as well native RF lens especially on high-speed AF shots.
Z9 is not the issue, the lens are... especially adapted F lens which are required to fill in the gap until Nikon makes native competitive Z lens. I also think, Nikon software engineers are little lagging. Z9 hardware is good but software side needs improvement. See Jarod Polin YT.... in the baskateball match, he was tracking a player and the Z9 was tracking the ball...
@@vignesk6669 well, JT is currently a Canon fan boy
I do hope you eventually get given the Nikon Z9 to review. At this moment that's the one I'm keen and excited for even though am a Canon user. R3 lacks rez as you say also too expensive in the UK. The A1 spec is outstanding but as a wildlife camera out trecking in the wild I don't think would be as a durable option. Sony bodies look awful after being knocked about a bit like old die-cast toys.I wish Sony had a look at Canon/Nikon bodies as an options, sure keep the A1 type body going for the light traveler or Sunday rich dentist doctor hobbyist.
I don’t seek to do Nikon reviews as I have noting Nikon in my kit to augment such a review.
@@DustinAbbottTWI Thanks for the reply that's a shame as I have great confidence in your thorough detailed assessment for most of my other purchases. Happy Xmas.
They seem to be durable enough for people like Paul Nicklen and his kind of work.
@@linusfaymonville Sure he does all his great work with a proper Canon 1d series body over many years then a couple of years ago says he is switching to Sony like a lot of photographers did for the amazing A9 series. The only camera at the time that had a stacked sensor. Now watch how many of those photographers go back to the Nikon's and Canons now they both have stacked sensors with equivalent performance.
@@naturealbums and yet he is still a sony ambassador...
I think that you should wait for Canon R1, and then compare it with that Sony . R3, as good as it is, is not Canon's flagship Camera...
Some say this is r1 in disguise...
@@planetfun85 It's a sports Camera, replacement for 1DX series.
I’m not sure I agree with this logic. The R1 doesn’t exist yet, and the R3 is priced comparably to the A1 and is, essentially, the mirrorless 1D series camera
@@DustinAbbottTWI If your comparation is based on price, it's logical. I believe that in mid 2022, the R1 will be released.. and it's going to be interesting... :-)
@@planetfun85 probably this was r1 or their flag ship camera until the z9 came out, and canon just did a damage control
Why don't you talk about the RF line of lenses?
These are imho best quality ever...
Because while the hype says that this is true, I actually haven't found that to be the case. I find that recent GM lenses are easily the equivalent of any of the RF L lenses I've tested, and Sony has MUCH more third party options, some of which are truly excellent. (the new Tamron 35-150mm F2-f2.8, for example)
@@DustinAbbottTWI of course there should be third party lenses. But the fact that you do not even mention RF glass makes people think you are biased. You are a Sony guy after all? There nothing wrong with that but other brands also have excellent glass. Being open minded makes man differ from other species imho. Good luck!
try out Perched bird picture, acquire focus, leave the focus button for awhile,
then
try to acquire focus again....boom. SONY went to infinity to begin search...
WHAT was that !!
happens on A9 mk1, Mk2 and wonder if it also happens in A1. ???
Sony's reaction ...will be addressed in the next model.
Hmmm, I can’t say I’ve seen that on the A1, but I can’t be sure that I’ve specifically tried to recreate something like that.
24 megapixels is sufficient for large printings and even for wedding, portraits and sport delivery.
If you need more than 30 megapixels just for cropping, something is definitely wrong.
Awesome review.
shooting mainly wildlife, much over 100 yards away. frequently use the 2x for reach. was shooting the r4 for the additional reach from cropping and still being able to get decent large prints. found focusing costing a bit of retention rate. with the a1 (6 months) retention rate is much higher. with the right atmospherics, 300 yards is possible. so at least one person found more than 24 MP not sufficient.
I’m not sure making broad statements like this is accurate, as not all photographers have equal needs. I personally prefer having higher resolution bodies for a variety of reasons, though I also like to supplement that with a few lower resolution cameras (like 24MP) for other applications.
Canon R3 is better.
At some things, yes, it definitely is.
Not in image quality
R3 on my wishlist.
Here’s hoping you can get one.
I have both 😊
Lucky you!
C'mon man! Where is Nikon Z9? We have Lamborghini, we have Porsche but we don't have Ferrari :)))
I’m sorry, but I’m not a Nikon reviewer. I don’t even have a relationship with the company (no one has ever reached out to me)
There is also God and Satan. Satan is using Nikon cameras. :))
7:32 1,440,000 dots (360,000 px), 4 dots per pixel
Hmmm, isn’t that what I said. 1.44m dots.
Canon lens offerings blows Sony away. The R3 is a Pro-body. The A1 is an expensive consumer camera.
Wow, we'll have to agree to disagree there.
@@DustinAbbottTWI Agreed. Now where is my Canon tilt-shift lens and the fisheye.
where is Z9?
I’m not a Nikon reviewer, sorry about that.
Z9 review when?
I’m afraid that I don’t do Nikon reviews, so you’ll have to get that review elsewhere
he is more of a canon and sony fanboy
👍👍👍
Sony A1 half the size twice the data throughput no contest
It's funny how strong the opinions are on both sides if you read through the comments.
Nice
I prefer the Sony A1 body more
I do, too, though the R5 size body is pretty much perfect to me.
R3 for me all day eventho I’m a sony dude
Fair enough
Gread reviews, great channel, but no nikon. I saw this trend on many reviewers. Its not like you cant just put your hands on a nikon product and compare to another brand.
I’ve never been a Nikon reviewer, so I’m not the guy to look to for that.
@@DustinAbbottTWI ,why ? I guess, at some point, you wherent a sony reviewer also. Must be some hate on nikon deep down there.
He is only comparing 2 cameras on the same level of performance. The Z9 is in a higher category and deserve an independent review because it is above the rest.
Dustin, i feel that the AutoFocus superiority of R3 is over Alpha 1 is not being clearly highlighted by you and slightly marginalized. Alpha 1 regularly misses on the eye tracking of birds by hunting between the tail and head. Alpha 1 doesn’t do as well for searching on helmets of motorcyclists and car drivers. R3 is much quicker in locking on to the eye in humans and animals. I also think that R3 has a far superior real life focusing in low light. Even for portraits, vlogging, and macro photography the Alpha 1 screen is very restrictive compared to R3. You didn’t mention that 3rd Party lenses don’t give the same FPS on Alpha 1 compared to native lenses hence true wide availability for one of the primary purposes isn’t available. I feel the real-world technological superiority of Eye Control AF of R3 wasn’t given due weight age for comparison purposes.
I can understand your perspective, but that hasn’t been my personal observation. I do think the R3 is the better camera for tracking, but not by a wide margin in my tests.
@@DustinAbbottTWI I'd be surprised if we don't see a firmware update for the Alpha 1 within 3 months to address the entrance of the R3 and Z9 .
@@denizahmet2299 Sony will just probably release a whole new camera instead of giving firmware update. .. A1ii ? I'm still using my 6 years old A7rii...
Yeah, R3 is the perfect vlogging body
Big brick cameras where you need to carry them in a giant diaper bag seem so last century. I get that certain users still prefer them, but they repulse me. In this day and age, everything is becoming miniaturized. I honestly can't wait for the day when we see the next gen of optical/processor design (meta lenses?) Where we can further shrink and weight reduce this tech.
I’m kind of with you on that. There’s a sweet spot for me in camera size where it doesn’t feel too small to grip properly but compact enough to easily travel with.
@@DustinAbbottTWI i too have the a1. It's the right size imo. Probably the minimum size for most. But due to Sony being the only serious major manufacturer making full frame smaller, the others are no longer an option for me.
Sony cameras are super ugly, we use them at my work and they're very uncomfortable to use too.
That’s fairly subjective. I use the A1 more than any other camera, and I like it a lot.
How much better is the r3 vs the r6 REALLY BESIDES 4 megapixels more less rolling shutter but isn’t that just video ? I shoot stills and sports. I feel like the only thing ur getting is a grip a larger BUT NOW 6 year old battery tech that should have been increased with the FPS EVF ETC BIGGER BATTERY DRAW etc AGSIN . It has an Ethernet port. Eye control af and that mouse like af knobby thing......that mouse like af on should be in the r6 II I SHOULD PAY 4 grand more than the excellent r6 for 4 megapixels unnecessary 30 FPS for a sports shooter 12-20 FPS is way enough. A stacked sensor is 4 grand ? R3 overhyped and still seems that canon has better knobby af on af button thing other than that Sony a9ii and Sony a1 beat the r3 except for af thing button lol . Why does it feel like I, always getting ripped off by canon and it’s cripple hammer. Put that knobby af in the r6 replacement moving forward and I’d but that cam .
I understand your position, though I suspect if you used the two cameras for tracking action side by side, you'd realize there is much more difference than what you suggest.
@@DustinAbbottTWI can u do that compare the r6 vs the r3
I'm afraid not, as I don't have either camera on hand anymore.
Sir kindly have a look at my email that I have sent you 5 days ago, Thank you.
I get a lot of emails from viewers/readers and not all get to me. Better to just ask your question here.
Sir kindly help me regarding my purchase, I have Purchased Canon 80D with 18-135mm USM and now I owe a Canon 50mm STM Lens too in EF Series, as a matter of fact that Canon has come up with Mirror Less Systems and Now I am in need to purchase a Lens, so I planed to buy RF lens but for that I need a Mirror Less Camera Body, Canon EOS R is a great for Still Shooters (From your Definitive Review about Canon Eos R) do I purchase it with a kit lens that is RF 24-105mm f 4L or I should go for RF 85mm f 2 STM Macro. Lens. My area of work is for Commercial clients & some time in Wedding. And For lighting Part Godox AD300 is a good on colour accuracy and overall performance, Sir you have made a video on it I have watched it too. Sir kindly Suggest that which lens do I purchase with Eos R and Godox AD 300 would be good to Marry with Canon Eos R and Above State RF Lenses.
THANK you Sir for your Time and Kindly Reply me for the same.
Thank you.
Jignesh Parikh