linda lagace

After reading everyone's prior comments (and based on the following constraints) I am closer to choosing a mirrorless camera and lens.

What's important
Less than $6000.
New and not used since I have had terrible experience with used cars!
Same brand lens as camera.
Consider a lens and camera that I can extend to reach further with compatible teleconverter. (a later on possibility)
Consider a better lens. Unfortunately I can't afford a prime 600 mm and probably wouldnt be able to lift it anyway.
Consider highest mpixels possible since I crop like crazy.
No heavier than my current Tamron 250-600 and D800 since I shoot without a tripod.
Must be good for catching birds in flight from far away. Birds in flight are the primary use.

Not so important
Switching to another system (My brain can still handle that ..... I think)
Noise at very high iso's is not so important since I usually don't run too high an iso
I really don't care if my image is soft at the edges since I almost always crop the edges off and I will use my D800 for landscapes and other photos

So right now I am pretty sure I will use a Sony FE 200- 600 f/5.6-6.3 GOSS.
I am leaning towards a Sony 33 mpixel A7 IV but am also considering a Sony 61 mpixel A7R IV
the A7 has AI that picks up on birds, the A7R does not.
the A7 of course has half of the mpixels as A7R but I wonder if it is really needed if I have a better lens and supposedly better auto focusing and tracking with the A7.
I would appreciate any comments from anyone familiar with this equipment and especially its use on birds in flight.
I really appreciate the help I was given before and I am getting closer, I think to what I want.

azted Loc: Las Vegas, NV.

I am a Sony shooter and I just purchased an A7iv. The eye focus works really well, but I thought it is available with the R series with updates. You might check on that. Have heard nothing but amazing greatness out of the 200-600mm lens. Sounds like you are well on your way to a great experience!

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

I would tell you to go with the Nikon z9 since you are a Nikon user and I know from experience that if you become familiar with the vast menu system Nikon has, no other camera will give you as many options plus you are familiar with those menus. As I said, I would, not that I will recommend the z9. The reason is that it is a large heavy camera and you stated you don't use a tripod and will be hand-holding your BIF shots. If it came with an add-on grip, it would be different, but it doesn't. I will throw this into the mix though -- I saw an article the other day where Nikon was testing a new camera that has 67 mp. It was not clear if this would be a z8 or not. It could be they will be coming out with a new top-of-the-line camera sending the z9 down to 2nd place in their lineup. I hope not since I bought the z7ii as it does not have the vertical grip built in. If you can't wait a couple of months to see how that develops, I would say go with the Sony cameras. You should determine how much BIF shooting is as a percentage of your photography. Go with the Sony that performs that best, if it indeed is a major part of your work, otherwise choose the camera that will perform for you with the least amount you have to pay for it.

lreisner Loc: Union,NJ

I have the A7RIV and I am also a heavy cropper. The extra pixels do make a difference and will allow you to crop far more then with the A7 IV. The ability to crop was the main reason why I bought this camera. I often shoot with my 24-70 Sigma lens then crop. Changing lenses in the field is often not desirable to avoid getting dust on the sensor. I have the 200 to 600 lens as well but due to its weight I do not carry it unless I know that I'll be shooting wildlife. It is a great lens but heavy to carry around an use. When shooting birds it is especially nice to be able to do heavy crops. The updated A7RIVs may have better updated focusing abilities. I do not know. I do not have bird tracking on my camera, which would be nice. That being said, it seems to do well just the same.

mundy-F2 Loc: Chicago suburban area

Very nice combo!
Mundy

wetreed

I think we can all agree that Nikon would be the best to go.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

The Sony A7r IV has too much noise in my opinion.
The Sony 200-600 is my favorite lens in Florida wetlands, and I shoot with lots of internet influencers ( I will not name them) and they all have either the Sony a9, a9II, or a1. They all have the best tracking and eye focus of all models of Sony, especially the a1. I personally shoot with the a9 and a1. The a9II sells for far less than $6,000.00. The a1 has tracking eye focus that is simply out of this world. You know Sony leads the market in mirrorless camera's, your title is very misleading by the way.
I also set my camera to show me where the focus point was in my shots, really helps me out when I am looking back at my images.
I was a Nikon shooter since 1969, but the z9 just is not up to the tracking accuracy of the a1, maybe beats out the a9II, that is why I finally switched out to total Sony gear. I like the feel of the z9 over the a1, but I shoot for results, not feel.
Good luck and keep on shooting until the end.
The images below were grab shots of a Labor Day parade using my a1. The ZEM ZEM riders were very entertaining.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Not even a contest here unfortunately, the Sony a1 is for now at least a little better in tracking birds in front of backgrounds, several Nikon reviews also point this problem out for the Nikon Z9. It's not just me.
I have used both and I can tell you that the Sony a1 is still a little better, enough for me at least because I need every shot to be in focus. It is critical when shooting birds.
I hope someday you get a chance go out like I did and shoot both, then you will also know which is better.
I would like to say that Nikon is better, I worked for Nikon, and want Nikon to be the photographic leader again, but it just ain't so.
Maybe with firmware updates or a new version of the Z9 Nikon will catch up. I hope so for them.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

I get by shooting wildlife with lenses extended to the 600mm to 1000mm range with cameras just in the full-frame 22MP to 24MP range. A 33MP camera what a lens that is natively 600mm should be great.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

The Sony 200-600 is unquestionably the best lens for sports/wildlife/birds so all that remains is the BODY and AF......
By rights, you should be shooting with a crop frame body - but the A6600 is NOT ideal - HOPEFULLY Sony is working on a sports/wildlife crop body ! A friend shoots with the A7RIV and the A9. The A9 has better fast/accurate AF and is what he uses for wildlife - but only 24 MP for cropping. That leaves the A1 as the optimal body and blows your budget !
Remember, the minimum is 600mm FF equiv. and the ability to get to 840mm with GOOD quality......
.

gwilliams6

I have owned Sony A6500, A7RII, A7RIII, A7III, A9, and currently own A7RIV, A1, A7SIII.

My recommendation would be to get the Sony A7IV, it has all the latest Sony processors and all the best of Sony Autofocus prowess with less cost than an A1, plus a fully articulating screen, full touch menu and excellent video capabilities and so much more including Human, Animal and Bird Eye-AF.

The 200-600mm lens is super. I have owned one since they first came out in August 2019 and I have traveled the world with it making great shots with my A9, A7RIV, and my A1, and also using both Sony 1.4X and 2X TCs with it. .

First a shot with the 200-600mm lens and my 24mp A9. Kids being pulled by a speedboat on Brookings lake, Manistee National Forest, Michigan, USA 24mp Sony A9, 200-600mm with 1.4X TC, 840mm

Second and third shots, with the 200-600mm lens and my 61mp A7RIV, a Muscovy Duck starts its takeoff from a pond on the Caribbean Island of Sint Maarten/Sint Martin. First the full frame, then a tight crop of the same shot. 600mm shot.

Fourth shot, a Snowy Egret takes off from its watery perch on Sint Maarten/St. Martin. Sony 50mp A1, 200-600mm lens , 391 mm, 1/4000 sec.

Fifth and sixth shots, A Great White Egret bends its neck to clean its feathers on Sint Maarten/St. Martin. A1, 200-600mm lens, 600mm. First the full frame, then a tight crop from same image.

Seventh shot, two wild iguanas getting cozy together, Island of Sint Maarten/St. martin. Sony A1, 200-600mm lens, 300mm

Eighth shot, at a wild Elephant Seal rookery along the Pacific Ocean in California, a young pup squeals as it tries not to get crushed to death by a 5000 pound amorous Bull going after one of its cows. This time this pup survived. Sony A7RIV, 200-600mm lens, 600mm

Ninth and tenth shot, the same kids (as in first shot) a couple of years older being pulled on Brookings Lake, Manistee National Forest, Michigan. A1, 200-600mm lens with 1.4X TC, 840mm, 1/2000 sec.

Bird Eye-AF, Human Eye-AF and Animal Eye-AF used in these shots, and Yes the A7IV has all these AF modes.

Cheers and best to you all.

(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)


(Download)

gwilliams6

1)Another BIF shot, Snowy Egret. A1, 200-600mm lens , 400mm, 1/4000 sec.

2) Another BIF shot, A Parrott, A1, Sony 24-105mm f4 G OSS lens, 105mm, 1/2000 sec

Bird Eye-AF used in both shots. Yes the A7IV has Bird Eye-AF

Cheers and best to you.

(Download)


(Download)

gwilliams6

Bird Photography with the Sony A7IV // Review & Settings Tips (Stefan Malloch)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksY2y2EHWF8

Sony A7IV for wildlife ??? Images, video and my recommendation (Review*) (Sam Rino)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3brZjfS9f6A

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

You are getting a lot of good suggestions. The 200-600 Sony is an absolute steal considering what you get for less than $2K. But now the body. Some have suggested a crop body, but with the high mega pixel cameras like the A7RIV and the A1, you don’t need a crop sensor (IMO) considering you can switch to crop mode in the camera and still have a lot of pixels on the subject. Considering Sony has discontinued the A7RIV, replacing it with a minority improved version, you may have to go used if you want the original for some reason. The 200-600 and A7RIV would be within you budget. But if you are going to do action and wildlife, IMO (and others), the A1 right now is the way to go. Shutter speed, AF, and large sensor are a few of the reasons to make that selection. But, you will have to expand your budget to get there.

MountainDave

There is a very informative video by bird photographer Jan Wegner comparing the Sony 200-600 and Canon 100-500. He goes through the strengths and weaknesses of each using an A1 and R5. The 200-600 is huge bang for the buck but there is more to the story. One of the more interesting findings near the end was that the Sony at 600 may not really be 600. I won't spoil the rest.