Reader Comments: Nikon Z8 vs Sony A7R V
Related: digital sensor, Glenn K, Nikon, Nikon mirrorless, Nikon Z8, pixel shift, reader comment, Sony, Sony A7R, Sony A7R II, Sony A7R III, Sony A7R IV, Sony A7R V, Sony mirrorless, true-color sensor or image
re: Nikon Z8
re: Sony A7R V
Glenn K writes:
So now that Nikon has punted on improving the Z7, any reasons not to take the plunge on a Sony A7R V? I know that some of the firmware issues haven’t been fixed, but I don’t anticipate using pixel shift very often. I had been waiting for Sony to fix their firmware update process, add lossless compression, improve the viewfinder and add a screen that tilted for portrait mode… and it seems they have answered the bell in every round. So are there any showstoppers you have encountered over the months you’ve had yours?
I really prefer to compose my image on the screen rather than through the viewfinder... like when I shot LF. The ability to tilt the screen in portrait mode is essential to me, so much so that I was considering the Fuji GFX. But now the Sony A7R V adds that feature with a much better lens selection and smaller size/weight/cost than the Fuji system.
I agree that Nikon has misjudged the market. The Z8 will add some new buyers, but not so much from D850 owners as from potential Z9 purchasers. Self cannibalization. The simple fact is that in the nearly 5 years since the Z7 was introduced, Nikon has not improved the sensor, viewfinder or autofocus in any meaningful way. I just don't think Nikon can move at a pace expected in what is essentially an electronics market. Sad, because I do love their ergonomics. Have fun with your monochrome!
DIGLLOYD: Sony still tops, and the firmware update process is now right off the camera card vs the old security risk “root kit” method.
Nikon haptics and functions excellent though... I would not argue against it. Nor is 60MP much different from 45. But I do want a pixel shift option and frame averaging done right and it seems Nikon has not done either of those... WTF? So what’s the point of Nikon? Stick with Sony by default unless Nikon can figure out that many of us do not need 8K video and sports/action video cruft.
Canon system is solid, but I just cannot find any reasons to veer away from Sony at this point, even if some of their stupid Sony bugs and firmware problems still aren’t addressed instead we get insulting crapware updates while hung out to dry waiting for fixes to key usability issues.
Nikon has misread the market from my POV—I don't need yet another Sony A1 competitor; I wanted a Nikon high-res camera for landscape and similar including pixel shift and Nikon’s excellent focus stacking support and haptics/ergonomics. But the Nikon Z8 is just a reduced-size/price Z9 still with the same 45.7 megapixel sensor still with PDAF pixels. Basically the same sensor as five years ago.
What I really would like is a Nikon D850 mirrorless replacement; it was the best DSLR ever made. Just gimme a replacement for that please, Nikon. But I suppose that has to be Z mount with adapter.
