BEST Portrait Camera: Nikon Z9 vs Sony a1 vs Canon R5 (part 3)

The canon R5, Sony a1, and Nikon Z9 are all great cameras, but which one has the best features and usability for portrait photography?
Chelsea and Tony Northrup take the three cameras into the portrait studio to test each camera's features, usability, handholdability, eye autoofcus and more.

KEH has the R5 and A1 for less!

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Nikon: 50mm f/1.8 G $172

[hawg]

I have been a Nikon shooter since 1978 and a Hasselblad shooter since 79. That Z9 is untouchable as a sports camera.

[josdenis]

The best camera is the one in the hands of a talented photographer.

[mohammedtaher]

Great video! Just an observation: most lenses are unlikely to much show chromatic aberration at f8. Shooting at f2.8 would have been a more accurate indicator of their performance in that respect.

[pcc]

I have Nikon, Canon, and Sony full-frame cameras, but my favorite portrait rig is my Canon 5D classic, with a 70-200 f4L.

[ccudjoe]

I feel testing lenses at f8 doesnt tell us much as opposed to wide open up to f4. Even my $50 yongnuo 50mm f1.8 is super sharp, no chromatic aberration etc at f8. It's a given all of these $1800+ lenses would be flawless at f8. In fact it'd be a shame if they werent

[jonpremosch]

Flash duration is more important to freeze subjects in studio than shutter speed.

[xeroeddie]

I love the 85mm prime. Sometimes I only take that with me to see what I can get and I always get something interesting. You have to get creative when shooting landscapes etc. but that's the fun thing about it. 🙂

[baden]

Instead of going rf 70-200 f2.8, I have rf 70-200 f4 & rf 50 f1.2. Still in love with this combo

[Vahagraphy]

Chelsea, well I have to say, you kept it fair for the most part unlike Tony's bashing the Nikon in that firmware 2.0 debacle video. No review is perfect. Its impossible. There are many factors that come into play. As far as the Z9 eye tracking humans. The camera is excellent. Btw the 105 1.4 E lens is 2K not 1K. when you hold the 800 PF Z in your hand and shoot with it. guarantee game changer lens and camera. Rock n Roll!!! btw, when are you doing my podcast LIVE?

[LightTheShadows]

When using flash in a studio environment I always eliminate all available light. That gives me full control over the lighting. It then comes down to the quality of your flashes and accessories. With short flash durations and fast recycling times you won’t have any issues with movement even at fairly slow flash sync speeds like 1/160th of a second. But I have to say that the Z9 is not on par with the former DSLR flagships regarding flash sync speeds.

[bngr_bngr]

I’m still using my Canon 1Dx for sports and portraits.

[motheroats]

I love the choice of model, they were perfect 💜💜💜

[danielmedley]

When it comes to portraits the camera you're using is probably one of the last things to be concerned about. Someone rocking a D3500 with a kit lens who knows what they're doing can produce better results than someone without a clue rocking any of these cameras.

[JET-Photo]

My A9 is still a fantastic, sharp and FAST camera. No need to spend another $4500 for 10fps and 50mp. I still use an A7RIII for high mp shots. But the A1 is PHENOMENAL! If I made money with my photography, I would probably upgrade to an A1. Maybe 2 lol

[animestarlord]

Still learning how to use my Z9. Big change from the D850.

[lukes]

Why you didn't use the built in vertical grip on the Z9 is beyond me .

[luisbonetti]

This test Makes no sense. I can get the same Sharpness and lack of CA from a old Nikkor lens. Shooting a Sony 50mm F1.2 at F8???? just get the cheap Sony 50mm F1.8

[dustingodin]

For portraits, any conclusion that isn't Sony a1 is just biased due to the mechanical sync speed. It's THE reason I justified getting one. That one stop of light when doing OCF outdoors is very helpful.

[stevenwaldstein]

What about using the FE 135/1.8 GM on the Sony? Surprised you ignored this stellar lens perfect for Portraits. Can you explained why?

[JessDemant]

A video that does not make anyone think about changing system unless they are shooting with a DSLR camera, and that's how it should be 😉