When it comes to autofocus, today’s flagship cameras are pushing the boundaries of technology. The Canon EOS R1 and Sony a1 II represent the cutting edge of what’s possible, offering advanced tracking systems powered by AI processors. But how do these systems hold up in real-world scenarios?
Coming to you from Jared Polin of Fro Knows Photo, this thorough video pits the Canon EOS R1 against the Sony a1 II in a variety of demanding situations. Polin tested these cameras at multiple sporting events, including football, soccer, field hockey, and basketball. Both cameras feature cutting-edge AI autofocus processors, but Canon’s "action priority" mode adds an extra layer of predictive tracking for sports. This feature enables the R1 to anticipate movement, particularly with fast-paced actions like a soccer ball being passed or headed. Sony’s system lacks this specific mode but still performs admirably, especially in scenarios where precision tracking is required.
Polin noted subtle differences in performance. For example, the EOS R1 demonstrated impressive accuracy in finding and locking onto subjects' eyes at a distance, even amidst complex movements. Sony’s system, while extremely reliable, required occasional manual guidance to pinpoint the starting focus area. Despite these differences, both cameras maintained incredibly high hit rates, even at burst speeds of 30 frames per second for Sony and 40 for Canon.
Another critical observation came during field testing. Polin highlighted that the Canon’s autofocus system excels in sports like soccer and basketball due to its ability to recognize and prioritize the ball and players in action. On the other hand, Sony’s system showed slight inconsistencies in similar scenarios but made up for it with its adaptability across different use cases, such as football and field hockey. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Polin.
When the R1 was first released there was a ton of criticism that it wasn't really an upgrade from the R3, wasn't really a "flagship," etc. But now, after some have actually used it? Best AF on the market, blazing speed, and tough as nails. Seems to me that Canon nailed it.