Sony A1 or Nikon Z8

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do you have any good friends who shoot either system, who would be willing to help you learn tricks? Steve has some excellent videos / ebooks on these cameras but having someone you can ask questions about ..

Also what lenses do you expect to buy. Any differences? If you are going with the supertele primes and can afford the price, the Nikon 400 and 600TC and 800 PF TC are great lenses.
 
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i’ve shot both and while i picked the Z9 (and now also a z8) they’re both great cameras and i would totally be happy with either.

they come at things with different design and operating philosophies and that’s part of the system part that you are buying into

random tidbits. the a1 ergos weren’t optimal for me. i had a sore finger (visibly red) after a long day shooting with the 100-400. however note that it goes the other way for some folks, especially with smaller hands. those people often complain about the grip size of the z8 / z9.

media. the a1 has a larger buffer but fast cfe-a media is both more expensive and slower than the cfe-b on the z8/z9

cost. imo these cameras are in the same ballpark of performance but the z8 is substantially cheaper

glass. every new z mount lens nikon has released has been stellar. however the real issue is the specific offerings they have for the lenses YOU need

you can’t really go wrong. i would be happy with an a1, r3, z8 or z9.
 
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OP hasn't posted since the 4th post. It's like asking a bunch of '60s car nuts "Mustang or Camaro?" and then leaving the room. :) (By the way, the correct answer is Mustang :) )

No offense intended AT ALL to anyone here, but remember that what's best for you may not be what's best for someone else. There are a zillion factors to consider, and the OP gave us virtually no help in stating what he is looking for in a camera.
 
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Nimi said:
I don't think so. The main culprit in video is the battery, not storage. Chief Fanboy Matt Irwin erroneously declared early on that the Z8 doesn't overheat, except he was using external power...

Only one hybrid on the market doesn't overheat in video, and that's the Z9 due to size but more importantly battery size.
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Batteries generate a lot of heat when being pushed, but from most of the reports I’ve read, people are getting hot card warnings when doing video before hot camera warnings. Even when I leave a cfe card sit in a reader doing nothing it can get quite warm/hot. removing any internal heat source is going to help. Wasn’t Matt’s video a collaboration with Ricci where Matt tested video on external power and Ricci tested internal battery?

When the early reports of overheating came out, I decided I was going to keep the Z9 for video instead of eventually trading for another Z8. What about the Panasonic S5ii X with built in fan and vents? I haven’t heard any overheating complaints on it, though it isn’t 8k.
 
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abc123brian said:
Batteries generate a lot of heat when being pushed, but from most of the reports I’ve read, people are getting hot card warnings when doing video before hot camera warnings. Even when I leave a cfe card sit in a reader doing nothing it can get quite warm/hot. removing any internal heat source is going to help. Wasn’t Matt’s video a collaboration with Ricci where Matt tested video on external power and Ricci tested internal battery?

When the early reports of overheating came out, I decided I was going to keep the Z9 for video instead of eventually trading for another Z8. What about the Panasonic S5ii X with built in fan and vents? I haven’t heard any overheating complaints on it, though it isn’t 8k.
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You're exactly correct.

All 8k hybrids except the Z9 overheat. Z8, all the Sonys, R5. The fact that external power solves the issue suggests to me that it's a battery issue, but there are 100 other confounding factors like data transfer (although external recorder has no impact). That's why I shoot the Z9 for 8k and have no interest in the 8.

Irwin's initial test was misleading. Later it was presented as a comparison but initially it was "no overheating."

The new Lumix is phenomenal now that they fixed the focusing issue. If I weren't invested in Nikon and Sony, I'd get one. Combo of lower resolution FF and active cooling. World class.

If you're primarily a video shooter and happy with 4k, that Lumix and Sony FX3 and 7s3 are the best.

Curious what Canon is doing with the R5mk2.
 
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Woodyg3 said:
OP hasn't posted since the 4th post. It's like asking a bunch of '60s car nuts "Mustang or Camaro?" and then leaving the room. :) (By the way, the correct answer is Mustang :) )

No offense intended AT ALL to anyone here, but remember that what's best for you may not be what's best for someone else. There are a zillion factors to consider, and the OP gave us virtually no help in stating what he is looking for in a camera.
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Going off on a tangent, the 2nd gen Camaro was absolutely beautiful.

After that, Mustang & Camaro headed different ways.

It's kind of like there are fewer purist photography camera bodies now; I wouldn't be surprised to see NIKON fully embrace videography in the next decade.

Oliver
 
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I started with Canon, but I haven't been 100% happy with the cameras and lens lineup, particularly the rolling shutter and I have some complaints about the RF 100-500. I'm not heavily invested in any system yet ("heavily invested" may be different for each person). I rented a Z9 and 400 f4.5 and really liked that lens and heard it did well with the 1.4x, so when the Z8 came out I ordered it within 3 minutes and received it in the first batch. I used it a lot in the first week with the 400 f4.5 and found that it really made my fingers hurt (my time with the Z9 was too brief to know this). I had to stretch my fingers to reach buttons and dials and found myself icing my hand at night. To be clear, I loved the Z8 features, IQ, and that 400mm lens, but none of that mattered if it hurt to shoot it, so I had to return it. Others in this thread have pointed out the importance of feeling good in the hand, and that can't be stressed enough. Many people say how great the Z8 feels in their hand, some say it doesn't feel good (like me), but we are all different and you really need to hold both for a full day of shooting or more (rent them).

Now I find myself back at square one and I plan to rent the A1 and 200-600 for a few days to try it out. Maybe I'll find it feels great in the hand and the 200-600 isn't "too" heavy, or maybe I'll find that Canon really feels the best and I need to get past my quarrel with their lenses. But I think that renting gear is a great way to help make these types of decisions. My experience with the Z9 and Z8 has taught me that just holding it in the store isn't enough, you need to shoot it for a full day (or several) and see how things feel.
 
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Roy said:
I like both cameras.
The Z8 is better built but as a studio photog I do like the 400 flash sync of the A1.
Either camera would not be a mistake.
I went for the Z8 over the A1 for the ergonomics ... 🦘
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I wouldn’t say the Z8 is better built. Two recalls, the a1 has been around over 2.5 years with none and used by pros and serious amateurs like me without fail for coming up on 3 years.
 
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There is quite a bit of difference in terms of the available lenses for use with Nikon, Canon, and Sony cameras. Different options in terms of flash options for macro photography. It also is important whether one is shooting only stills or plans to shoot videos (where the Canon R5 C is the best choice).

Sony has the 200-600mm lens available to buy. Nikon has the 400mm f/4.5 and the 800mm PF and the two super telephotos with built-in teleconverters, though the latter two are very difficult to find to buy. Canon has the 100-500mm zoom, 70-200mm f/4, 800mm f/11 at $1,000, 600mm f/11 at $800, and a very wide range of cine lenses.
 
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andrewluke said:
looking to purchase a new camera, there's £700 price difference between the Sony A1 and Nikon Z8,which would you recommend?
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Your focus on the price difference of £700 between an A1 and Z8 says a lot.
I take your question simply as is and offer my opinion assuming you will invest or will have glass to suite.

Should you buy an A1 or Z8.............don't buy either.

The A1 is due for a refresh and update so its going to be a run out model.
The Z8 is a interim stop gap model baring Z9 technology, the Z9 is nearly 2 years old making it and the Z8 like the A1 where all three are becoming a run out model based on the new technology that's coming fast.

ie: if i was entering this area at this point in time i would wait a little longer, refresh models are not so much an issue but their is significant changes coming in some areas.

Canon is supposed to be introducing more advanced multi stacked sensors, out of three stacked sensors each will supposedly be a different resolution, this requires a lot of new and additional processing power that also opens the gate for other features in the Que to be released. Its tipped this will appear in the new R3 and 5 series and especially in the R1 which will be dynamite.

Sony is pushing their new AI processor advancing tracking and subject detection to a new level, they will also expand the use of multi pal stacked sensor technology.
We will see 30 fps in consumer level products along with current generation tracking features as normal.

Nikon usually trails and will be following again.

BUT If you want to just buy a smart fast mirror less camera that you will use and the choice has to be between an A1 and Z8, the answer is simple, for me its the A1 hands down, and i am a Z9 owner and user, why, its focus tracking and menu system is a little better and easier to use, above all its more reliable and hasn't got the traditional Nikon QC issues.

Only an opinion
 
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Calson said:
There is quite a bit of difference in terms of the available lenses for use with Nikon, Canon, and Sony cameras. Different options in terms of flash options for macro photography. It also is important whether one is shooting only stills or plans to shoot videos (where the Canon R5 C is the best choice).

Sony has the 200-600mm lens available to buy. Nikon has the 400mm f/4.5 and the 800mm PF and the two super telephotos with built-in teleconverters, though the latter two are very difficult to find to buy. Canon has the 100-500mm zoom, 70-200mm f/4, 800mm f/11 at $1,000, 600mm f/11 at $800, and a very wide range of cine lenses.
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Nikon will have the 180-600 sometime, supposedly soon™.
 
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andrewluke said:
looking to purchase a new camera, there's £700 price difference between the Sony A1 and Nikon Z8, which would you recommend?
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This is not right.

The Sony A1 costs £5,879.

The Z8 costs £3,999.

Therefore the Sony A1 costs £1,880 more than the Z8. A gap much larger than £700, according to my understanding of arithmetic.

Source: https://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/Nikon
 
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I had never heard of Panamoz until your post.

I see they have a new Z9 on offer at £3,720. https://panamoz.com/gb/nikon-z9-mirrorless-camera.html

The lowest UK price at mainstream suppliers is £5,099. https://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/Nikon/Nikon-Z-System-Cameras/Nikon-Z-9-Camera-Body

Congratulations on your achievement. I wonder where Panamoz obtain their stock.

I see that Panamoz have a 98% rating on Trustpilot https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.panamoz.com. This is very impressive. I normally deal with Wex, the largest UK retailer, which only has 92% https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.wexphotovideo.com

For a grey importer to achieve such a high level of customer satisfaction is a tribute to their levels of service and business integrity. If only other retailers could achieve this level of excellence.
 
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Anthony said:
I had never heard of Panamoz until your post.

I see they have a new Z9 on offer at £3,720. https://panamoz.com/gb/nikon-z9-mirrorless-camera.html

The lowest UK price at mainstream suppliers is £5,099. https://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/Nikon/Nikon-Z-System-Cameras/Nikon-Z-9-Camera-Body

Congratulations on your achievement. I wonder where Panamoz obtain their stock.

I see that Panamoz have a 98% rating on Trustpilot https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.panamoz.com. This is very impressive. I normally deal with Wex, the largest UK retailer, which only has 92% https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.wexphotovideo.com

For a grey importer to achieve such a high level of customer satisfaction is a tribute to their levels of service and business integrity. If only other retailers could achieve this level of excellence.
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they do have a very good reputation (y)
 
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andrewluke said:
cameras are no different,and i get 3yr warranty not one in the UK
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I have found grey market in OZ to be perfectly fine and reliable, and service can be actually at times faster than the original domestic manufacturer.
You deal with the grey importers that have been operating here for years, the better ones have a small stock room (office like set up) here where they keep a couple each of the fast moving items on the shelf all the time, they usually have other products as well and 1, 2 or 3 weekly deliveries from Hong Kong, your repair is in Hong Kong in 2 or 3 days usually turned around and back by the 7 or 10th day.

I mean i can order a new item on the Sunday night and its here Tuesday afternoon from Hong Kong.

As to price difference even with local dealers, it varies greatly, one store has an item at say $6500 another at $4900 and when you walk in with the folding stuff it can be a real Bro Fest LOL.

The big Chains usually are full retail and offer after pay or fiance.

Several of my colleagues only buy grey and have had the D3, D3s, D4, D4s, D5, D6, all Grey never an issue, delivery fast, price excellent, no issues reselling.

While others would, personally i Wouldn't dare do grey with the Z9 Z8 given the past 18 months.

I am Ok doing Grey with Canon and Sony mirror less.

If your in business and seriously yes go domestic for the loan factor.

Only an opinion.
 
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Anthony said:
I had never heard of Panamoz until your post.

I see they have a new Z9 on offer at £3,720. https://panamoz.com/gb/nikon-z9-mirrorless-camera.html

The lowest UK price at mainstream suppliers is £5,099. https://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/Nikon/Nikon-Z-System-Cameras/Nikon-Z-9-Camera-Body

Congratulations on your achievement. I wonder where Panamoz obtain their stock.

I see that Panamoz have a 98% rating on Trustpilot https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.panamoz.com. This is very impressive. I normally deal with Wex, the largest UK retailer, which only has 92% https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.wexphotovideo.com

For a grey importer to achieve such a high level of customer satisfaction is a tribute to their levels of service and business integrity. If only other retailers could achieve this level of excellence.
Click to expand...

Online reviews, TrustPilot in particular are the biggest scam around. Completely and utterly meaningless.
 
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If possible, could you rent both systems ? It's a big investment and best to figure out which system you really want BEFORE you buy. Our local photo shop has rentals at a very reasonable rate and then if you purchase after the rental amount may possibly go towards your purchase.
 
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