The Sony a9 is an impressive looking camera. At 20 frames per second, its able to shoot much faster than either of the professional sports cameras from the two big DSLR makers.
The Sony is also smaller and lighter than these cameras (even with a battery grip added, to get nearer to matching their battery endurance), and has autofocus coverage across a much wider region of the frame than a DSLR AF system can offer. On top of this, itīs $1500 cheaper than Canon`s EOS-1D X II and $2000 less than Nikon`s D5.
And, most importantly, my colleagues who`ve shot with the camera say that the AF performance is within the realms of that offered by the current generation of pro DSLRs.
So, game, set and match, Sony?
Our initial impressions, as well as the underlying specifications, suggest Sony`s a9 is a highly capable piece of kit. But is that enough for it to elbow its way to the sidelines of the world`s sports pitches?
Well, not necessarily. For moneyed enthusiasts, the Sony looks like a pretty competitive option. Though, of course, the cost isn`t just about buying the body. If you have to make a switch to a completely new system, the costs extend to every item you need to replace.
However, there are a number of factors that make it more difficult for a working professional to change systems. We spoke to a couple of photojournalists at The Seattle Times about the factors beyond sticker price that might stand in the way of switching (not specifically to Sony but to any other system).
Lenses
Lenses are one of the biggest factors in deciding whether to swap systems. Not only are lenses every bit as important as cameras themselves when making images but also, especially at the pro and sports end of the market, can easily cost more than a camera body. Often the bulk of the cost of changing systems lies in the need to sell your existing lenses and buy new ones, with the precise cost depending on which lenses you need.
Lens availability is another signif ...
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