RDBDDS Loc: Eatonton, GA

I expect pushback for this question, but I have been shooting sports for about 20 years and I know each time I upgrade I definitely find an improvement in my photography. I know it is said it is the photographer not the equipment, but I certainly don't completely agree! I also know that people have allegiance to a specific camera, but I was a Canon shooter, from 20D to 7D to 7Dii and then got a wild hare and my most recent purchase was a Sony A9 when it first came out having decided to go mirrorless rather than a 1D. I know nothing is perfect but what is best in your opinion? But now every camera company is pushing into mirrorless, and I see competition and I would appreciate what people consider Best as to sports photography as it is becoming less cut and dry. The question may be what you are looking for and for me it is catching and holding focus as what I find is the kids are getting faster than me. The A9 is very good but is there better?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Not only is jumping from camera to camera expensive, jumping from brand to brand is a way to go bankrupt.

The 2021 mirrorless releases all add more frames per second and higher pixel resolution over your 24MP full frame Sony A9. If you think you've exhausted your current body, there's now multiple $5000+ options to consider.

RDBDDS Loc: Eatonton, GA

CHG_CANON-I usually find your posts are well thought out and helpful, but you are moving to the pushbacks. Is there an answer in your reply?? If you want to become my financial advisor, I'll pass! Or maybe you are all knowing and have special knowledge of each of the members financial situations! I would hope the questions on this site are read and answers are given but we always have a few who think they are omniscient. No thanks!

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I think the Canon 1DX mk3 would be an excellent sports camera. The low light performance and high FPS are ideal.

tshift Loc: Overland Park, KS.

What is your problem! He was just making a statement. Are you an actual sport photographer? Please post some photos for us to look at!. Thanks BE SAFE!!

Tom

IHH61 Loc: Homestead Fl

If you still have your Canon glass, R3 or R6 or the last 1DX. If you are totally invested in Sony the alpha 1.
Hugh

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

Relax there Tom. The OP did ask for a sports camera performance opinion, not a financial speculation. Did not realize Paul's father was monitoring his posts.

That said, to the OP, you have a very superior sports camera wih the A9. If the speed of the kids is surpassing you, technique vs. camera type is your culprit. I personally admit to mouth watering over the Nikon Z9 specs, especially for it's reported focus speed, FPS and buffer. For now, I happily "make do" with my little D500 and Z6. In the dark ages, long ago, we prefocused to a spot, waited for the action to come near and timed pressing the shutter for the one capture on a roll of film and prayed. Any modern digital camera is an improvement for some!

fstoprookie Loc: Central Valley of California

Sorry - I'm not a Sony or Canon user. I am a NIKON D-5 user that has placed an order for a Z9. I'm looking forward to shooting Baseball with it in the spring.

btbg

There are two correct answers for your question. The first is whatever camera you already own. As an extension of that, whatever the best camera manufactured by that company is.

The second correct answer currently is it looks like the Nikon Z9 will do things no other camera has ever done, such as 120 frames per second, something no one should really need, but if you want lots of frames of sports no other camera can come close to that.

RDBDDS Loc: Eatonton, GA

Thanks for your input.

Starphotog

As a professional photographer (sports and news) for 45yrs, I can say that the Canon 1DX III is the absolute BEST sports camera I’ve ever used! Ive owned EVERY professional Canon camera body since 1976. While I’ve not shot with the R3, I can tell you the X III is so far beyond any body that I’ve ever shot with that I’m not inclined to even bother with the R3..for the near future anyway!

jim quist Loc: Missouri

I could not even imagine editing thru a three second burst for a good action shot, not to mention the amount of storage space I would soon need.

btbg

I know exactly what you are talking about. I have ordered a Z9. Currently have a D5 but it is wearing out and won't work with some of my bigger lenses anymore.

The Z9 only shoots at that rate in JPEG mode with the size turned down a little. In raw it will only be about 30 frames per second. I typically shoot in bursts of three, and turn my frame rate down, so I will continue to do that. The biggest difference to get used to will be that the large file size makes it much slower to sort photos than in the past.

If the specs they list are correct then it is way more camera than most people will ever need. Am looking forward to finding out. The store I'm buying from ordered 25. I am 12th in line, so will have to wait to see if they got enough to fill my order prior to Christmas. Hoping they do, but will have to wait and see.

My biggest concern is with the D5 I can shoot up to 4,000 images in one battery. The Z9 specs say just over 700, and the batteries are pretty expensive, as are the memory cards, which I will need all new ones for.