Re: Alt forum Nikon Z resource, discussion and image thread
Ok, now we have the big three mirrorless camera all announced, and here is how I see them stacking up:
Size: Very little difference in weight and only small differences in size. It looks like biggest difference in weight is 25g and size is mostly about the weigh each company designs the grip and how far back the EVF extends. The weigh difference is so small I doubt that will matter to anyone and the size I think will be very personal based on what feels good to each person. Many alt shooter would prefer a smaller camera for much of their shooting so I think these camera are moving in a good direction, but some (and especially those who shoot bigger lenses) might have preferred at least one camera that is bigger. I have very large hands, but I am not bothered by any of the size of any of these camera and I don't think size will be much of a distinguishing feature.
EVF: Guy Mancuso on the Sony forum made a big deal that Sony screwed up with the A7 III by not putting their top EVF in it. At the time I thought that was a big crazy since it is such a feature rich camera at a very low price. Now, however, I think he was right. All the other cameras have a nice increase in the size and usability of the EVF. I think they will have pretty similar EVFs, but we won't know for sure until a number of people get their hands on them. I don't think this will be much of a distinguishing feature either except that the A7 III won't be as good as the rest.
IBIS: Sony and Nikon have it, and Canon does not. I think this was a mistake by Canon and I think it will make it hard for Alt shooter to pick the Canon camera. It isn't hugely important to me, but I do like to have it.
Mount: Nikon Z has the shortest registration distance, then Sony E, then Canon R. This means when adapting lenses Nikon can use manual lenses made for Sony E or Canon R as well as Nikon Z and Sony can use manual lenses made for Canon R. As someone who regularly adapts lenses, this matters to me. I think to the general public and even to a lot of alt shooters it hardly matters. Nikon Z has the largest throat, followed closely by Canon R, followed by Sony E. This difference in throat size probably gives Nikon and Canon a bit more flexibility in designing some native lenses for these camera. To me it matter pretty much none at all. If anything a wide throat is a bit of a drawback as it requires that at least part of the lens will be pretty fat.
Dual card slots: Only Sony has these. A huge deal to some folks, but I don't really care. I am not sure how many people care.
AF: It looks like both Canon and Sony will have excellent AF, but Nikon will be a bit behind especially in tracking AF. Actually all three will have decent enough AF for many things, but some will be challenging to all mirrorless cameras except perhaps the Sony A9. This matters close to zero for me, but will be a big factor I believe in the general market for these cameras.
So let me summarize:
Size probably doesn't matter with these cameras although personal preference for ergonomics probably does.
EVF: Only the Sony A7 III is a bit behind the others that are probably pretty close but we will see in actual use.
Mount: Nikon will be the most adaptable followed by Sony followed by Nikon.
IBIS: Canon does not have this the other two do.
Dual Card slots: only Sony has this.
AF: Nikon is probably behind the other two but we will see how far. This will take actual experience to sort out.
If you have the money Sony still is on top for most shooters. The A7r III is missing none of the major features and is cheaper than the Nikon Z7 and a lot more capable than the Canon R. If you need ultimate AF, then the Sony A9 is there. That said I believe the Nikon and Canon offerings are good enough they are going to stop the bulk of people that are switching from Nikon and Canon to Sony. For Alt shooters, there is a compelling argument for either Sony or Nikon, but not so much for Canon.
My bottom line is that all three companies have done well here. Sony can build on its earlier success and has an advantage primarily in having 3 current generation cameras which in one way or another will best all the competition. Nikon has two levels of cameras and they both are quite good. They make excellent companions for Nikon DSLRs and will pretty effectively kill Nikon shooters trying Sony along side their Nikon DSLRs helping Nikon substantially keep their market share. Canon's mirrorless will probably do largely the same for Canon shooters, but will be particularly successful I think for people who want to use Canon for video (those new adapters with the click less aperture ring and the drop in filters will be great for Canon video shooters and affectively address some of the problems with using Canon for video). My prediction in the market is these new cameras by Canon and Nikon will slow Sony's growth in marketshare but not stop it. Within 3 years I expect FF market share to be about 35% Canon, 20% Nikon and 20% Sony. That will give us three strong companies that I hope will effectively compete.
I should also mention Panasonic which looks like it will get in the FF mirrorless market early to mid next year. I think overall they won't be a huge player, but for alt shooters they may be very interesting. I think they have the best chance of using a sensor that is friendly to Leica M glass. Some rumours have them using the Leica L mount (used in the Leica SL) and if they do they might use a similar thin sensor stack as the Leica SL. I think this is an Alt shooters best hope of getting a FF mirrorless that is reasonably priced and useable with Leica M glass.
Re: Alt forum Nikon Z resource, discussion and image thread
Ok, now we have the big three mirrorless camera all announced, and here is how I see them stacking up:
Size: Very little difference in weight and only small differences in size. It looks like biggest difference in weight is 25g and size is mostly about the weigh each company designs the grip and how far back the EVF extends. The weigh difference is so small I doubt that will matter to anyone and the size I think will be very personal based on what feels good to each person. Many alt shooter would prefer a smaller camera for much of their shooting so I think these camera are moving in a good direction, but some (and especially those who shoot bigger lenses) might have preferred at least one camera that is bigger. I have very large hands, but I am not bothered by any of the size of any of these camera and I don't think size will be much of a distinguishing feature.
EVF: Guy Mancuso on the Sony forum made a big deal that Sony screwed up with the A7 III by not putting their top EVF in it. At the time I thought that was a big crazy since it is such a feature rich camera at a very low price. Now, however, I think he was right. All the other cameras have a nice increase in the size and usability of the EVF. I think they will have pretty similar EVFs, but we won't know for sure until a number of people get their hands on them. I don't think this will be much of a distinguishing feature either except that the A7 III won't be as good as the rest.
IBIS: Sony and Nikon have it, and Canon does not. I think this was a mistake by Canon and I think it will make it hard for Alt shooter to pick the Canon camera. It isn't hugely important to me, but I do like to have it.
Mount: Nikon Z has the shortest registration distance, then Sony E, then Canon R. This means when adapting lenses Nikon can use manual lenses made for Sony E or Canon R as well as Nikon Z and Sony can use manual lenses made for Canon R. As someone who regularly adapts lenses, this matters to me. I think to the general public and even to a lot of alt shooters it hardly matters. Nikon Z has the largest throat, followed closely by Canon R, followed by Sony E. This difference in throat size probably gives Nikon and Canon a bit more flexibility in designing some native lenses for these camera. To me it matter pretty much none at all. If anything a wide throat is a bit of a drawback as it requires that at least part of the lens will be pretty fat.
Dual card slots: Only Sony has these. A huge deal to some folks, but I don't really care. I am not sure how many people care.
AF: It looks like both Canon and Sony will have excellent AF, but Nikon will be a bit behind especially in tracking AF. Actually all three will have decent enough AF for many things, but some will be challenging to all mirrorless cameras except perhaps the Sony A9. This matters close to zero for me, but will be a big factor I believe in the general market for these cameras.
So let me summarize:
Size probably doesn't matter with these cameras although personal preference for ergonomics probably does.
EVF: Only the Sony A7 III is a bit behind the others that are probably pretty close but we will see in actual use.
Mount: Nikon will be the most adaptable followed by Sony followed by Nikon.
IBIS: Canon does have this the other two do.
Dual Card slots: only Sony has this.
AF: Nikon is probably behind the other two but we will see how far. This will take actual experience to sort out.
If you have the money Sony still is on top for most shooters. The A7r III is missing none of the major features and is cheaper than the Nikon Z7 and a lot more capable than the Canon R. If you need ultimate AF, then the Sony A9 is there. That said I believe the Nikon and Canon offerings are good enough they are going to stop the bulk of people that are switching from Nikon and Canon to Sony. For Alt shooters, there is a compelling argument for either Sony or Nikon, but not so much for Canon.
My bottom line is that all three companies have done well here. Sony can build on its earlier success and has an advantage primarily in having 3 current generation cameras which in one way or another will best all the competition. Nikon has two levels of cameras and they both are quite good. They make excellent companions for Nikon DSLRs and will pretty effectively kill Nikon shooters trying Sony along side their Nikon DSLRs helping Nikon substantially keep their market share. Canon's mirrorless will probably do largely the same for Canon shooters, but will be particularly successful I think for people who want to use Canon for video (those new adapters with the click less aperture ring and the drop in filters will be great for Canon video shooters and affectively address some of the problems with using Canon for video). My prediction in the market is these new cameras by Canon and Nikon will slow Sony's growth in marketshare but not stop it. Within 3 years I expect FF market share to be about 35% Canon, 20% Nikon and 20% Sony. That will give us three strong companies that I hope will effectively compete.
I should also mention Panasonic which looks like it will get in the FF mirrorless market early to mid next year. I think overall they won't be a huge player, but for alt shooters they may be very interesting. I think they have the best chance of using a sensor that is friendly to Leica M glass. Some rumours have them using the Leica L mount (used in the Leica SL) and if they do they might use a similar thin sensor stack as the Leica SL. I think this is an Alt shooters best hope of getting a FF mirrorless that is reasonably priced and useable with Leica M glass.
Sep 05, 2018 at 08:41 AM
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