Nikon Z8 vs. Sony A1ii

[O]

I'm currently shooting with Olympus/OMDS gear. I like the gear, no issue there. My main concern is that they aren't going to be able to keep up. Also, I have damn near every piece of glass I could possibly want which is keeping me from experiencing the joy of GAS.

That said I've been looking at trading it in for a Nikon Z8 with the assumption that Nikon will be able to keep up with Sony and Canon. Then Sony announced the A1ii, and I got to thinking. Would I be better off going with the Sony. Here are some thoughts I've had around that:

1. I could buy two Z8's for the cost of a Sony A1ii. Eventually, I would likely get a second A1ii as a second body when the price drops.
2. Sony and Nikon glass are similar in pricing, but with Sony I have the option of using third party glass like Sigma. Sony's openness to other vendors is appealing.
3. I could care less about the difference in MP.
4. It seems like most of the specs for the Sony are just a tad bit better than the Nikon, but not the twice as good to justify the price.
5. I don't expect an upgrade of the Z8 for another couple of years, the A1ii is new so probably no upgrades for 4 years or so. Which means I won't be tempted to spend more money on a new body anytime soon.
6. The Z8 is discounted, the A1ii isn't.
7. I considered the A1 as well, but it's still quite a bit more than the Z8 and likely not to get to many more updates.

I'll probably end up with the Nikon eventually but I'm curious about other thoughts on this.

First comes actual photography, generally 90% of what we achieve comes from the user not just the tools.

If you can take a shot at a fast moving rodeo in good lighting conditions with the Z9 on a 300 2.8 VR II or with the pedestrian old DF on the 300 2.8 VR II or even the enchant D3X and viewers cant tell the difference as to which camera took the shot, that's the time you say ok lets see what the new tools can do for me going forward if much at all.

It also depends greatly on what you do or plan to do going forward.

Photographs are made not just bought.

Marry the glass date, the camera.

Nikon bodies will nearly always trail Sony an Canon, that's what they do, its a copy and leap frog situation.
The newer versions of the Z9 Z8 will narrow the gap from time to time.

Nikon has a exceptional range of lenses.

You can almost buy two Z8 units for one A1 II.

Canon it seems to be hands down the leader in focusing tracking if that's what you are dependent on.
Sony seems next in line,
Nikon is now trailing again.

I feel in my situation if i was changing brands from Nikon it would be to Canon.

Again, That said if 10% of what we achieve comes from the gear why spend all that money on improving the 10% if at all possible or put it into glass..

Choose your bride, marry the glass, stay with your family eco system, invest in yourself, just use the right tools fit for the purpose.

Short answer is

No1 is Canon
No 2 is Sony
No 3 is Nikon

Only an opinion

 

[macwalter]

I agree! They all work. Why would I spend thousands to change platforms for 30fps vs 20. Pre capture would be nice but I do BIF and find I can often get shots as they take off etc. I have no doubt the newest cameras will be improved but by next year canon or Nikon will be releasing their newest models. I still prefer the Nikon glass options overall except for the sony 300 f2.8 but I find I often shoot the 600pf with the 1.4tc with good effect. You will not do that with the Sony. I would likely most often use it at 420 f4 for low light and decent reach. I do prefer full frame though and would not likely go m4/3. modern mirrorless cameras are so good now And I find it a joy to go and shoot with what I have.