I am a recent convert, and can throw in a few points. While I have done some paid work (product, school), I am an "enthusiast" for primarily portraits. The biggest issue I had was holes in their system that Sony was able to fill. This was primarily about the accuracy of eye focus, particularly in low light situations, and the lack of moderately priced lenses in the 1.4 aperture. I own 8 lenses of various types, and only 2 have equivalents in the Nikon system when you factor in price, weight performance.
I suspect Nikon over time will fill these holes but I got tired of waiting. Their primary goal is to take back market share in the professional market it seems. The ergos are better on Nikon, some of the rendering of their glass can be a hair less sterile. On the other hand, many of the Nikon lenses are larger, heavier.
Interestingly enough, it was the Samyang lenses that pulled me over, along with the Sony 50 1.4 and 135 1.8. The Samyang lenses, even with a Techart Pro adapter on the Z7II had amazing eye focus in every situation I could throw at it. One exception was a 35mm that was like a Tamron 35 1.4 but would require a fine tune when using flash. I decided to make the switch when I saw the the 35 1.4 Nikon Z against the Samyang and just saw exactly what the true differences were. In the end I was able to make the switch with only minimal cost. Still refining the camera setup, but the bottom line is in "must get the shot situations" in lower light, I am more confident with the Sony.
This conclusion was predicted by Jason Lanier in you tube videos back in 2019 when the Z7 was first rolled out. (I was using the Z7II when I left). In that he said that accurate eye focus would be a major consideration for him and other Pros. He was right then and still is.
I know a lot of Nikon shooters found some relief in Z8/Z9. But I liked the smaller form of the Z7II and A7R3's. The Z8 contains a lot of tech I do not need. I am satisfied with my lens lineup maybe for the first time only after switching.
I considered running both systems but that was quickly ruled out. I am done with adapters of any kind. Muscle memory is still forming for the controls and customization of the camera. But I have no regrets in making the switch. I would have or should have made it sooner if I could see how slow Nikon was on catching up certain detail.
I will finish with this: Nikon makes some of the best glass out there if you don't mind hauling weight around and can afford it. But Sony makes denser lenses that are better balanced for overall performance, weight, cost etc and have more 3rd party offerings (Sigma example). The AF is still better and the ergos can be learned. Color science (so called) can also be overcome in post. That is my 2 or 3 cent opinion.
I am a recent convert, and can throw in a few points. While I have done some paid work (product, school), I am an "enthusiast" for primarily portraits. The biggest issue I had was holes in their system that Sony was able to fill. This was primarily about the accuracy of eye focus, particularly in low light situations, and the lack of moderately priced lenses in the 1.4 aperture. I own 8 lenses of various types, and only 2 have equivalents in the Nikon system when you factor in price, weight performance.
I suspect Nikon over time will fill these holes but I got tired of waiting. Their primary goal is to take back market share in the professional market it seems. The ergos are better on Nikon, some of the rendering of their glass can be a hair less sterile. On the other hand, many of the Nikon lenses are larger, heavier.
Interestingly enough, it was the Samyang lenses that pulled me over, along with the Sony 50 1.4 and 135 1.8. The Samyang lenses, even with a Techart Pro adapter on the Z7II had amazing eye focus in every situation I could throw at it. One exception was a 35mm that was like a Tamron 35 1.4 but would require a fine tune when using flash. I decided to make the switch when I saw the the 35 1.4 Nikon Z against the Samyang and just saw exactly what the true differences were. In the end I was able to make the switch with only minimal cost. Still refining the camera setup, but the bottom line is in "must get the shot situations" in lower light, I am more confident with the Sony.
This conclusion was predicted by Jason Lanier in you tube videos back in 2019 when the Z7 was first rolled out. (I was using the Z7II when I left). In that he said that accurate eye focus would be a major consideration for him and other Pros. He was right then and still is.
I know a lot of Nikon shooters found some relief in Z8/Z9. But I liked the smaller form of the Z7II and A7R3's. The Z8 contains a lot of tech I do not need. I am satisfied with my lens lineup maybe for the first time only after switching.
I considered running both systems but that was quickly ruled out. I am done with adapters of any kind. Muscle memory is still forming for the controls and customization of the camera. But I have no regrets in making the switch. I would have or should have made it sooner if I could see how slow Nikon was on catching up certain detail.
I will finish with this: Nikon makes some of the best glass out there if you don't mind hauling weight around and can afford it. But Sony makes denser lenses that are better balanced for overall performance, weight, cost etc and have more 3rd party offerings (Sigma example). The AF is still better and the ergos can be learned. Color science (so called) can also be overcome in post. That is my 2 or 3 cent opinion.
I am a recent convert, and can throw in a few points. While I have done some paid work (product, school), I am an "enthusiast" for primarily portraits. The biggest issue I had was holes in their system that Sony was able to fill. This was primarily about the accuracy of eye focus, particularly in low light situations, and the lack of moderately priced lenses in the 1.4 aperture. I own 8 lenses of various types, and only 2 have equivalents in the Nikon system when you factor in price, weight performance.
I suspect Nikon over time will fill these holes but I got tired of waiting. Their primary goal is to take back market share in the professional market it seems. The ergos are better on Nikon, some of the rendering of their glass can be a hair less sterile. On the other hand, many of the Nikon lenses are larger, heavier.
Interestingly enough, it was the Samyang lenses that pulled me over, along with the Sony 50 1.4 and 135 1.8. The Samyang lenses, even with a Techart Pro adapter on the Z7II had amazing eye focus in every situation I could throw at it. One exception was a 35mm that was like a Tamron 35 1.4 but would require a fine tune when using flash. I decided to make the switch when I saw the the 35 1.4 Nikon Z against the Samyang and just saw exactly what the true differences were. In the end I was able to make the switch with only minimal cost. Still refining the camera setup, but the bottom line is in "must get the shot situations" in lower light, I am more confident with the Sony.
This conclusion was predicted by Jason Lanier in you tube videos back in 2019 when the Z7 was first rolled out. (I was using the Z7II when I left). In that he said that accurate eye focus would be a major consideration for him and other Pros. He was right then and still is.
I know a lot of Nikon shooters found some relief in Z8/Z9. But I liked the smaller form of the Z7II and A7R3's. The Z8 contains a lot of tech I do not need. I am satisfied with my lens lineup maybe for the first time only after switching.
I considered running both systems but that was quickly ruled out. I am done with adapters of any kind. Muscle memory is still forming for the controls and customization of the camera. But I have no regrets in making the switch. I would have or should have made it sooner if I could see how slow Nikon was on catching up certain detail.
I will finish with this: Nikon makes some of the best glass out there if you don't mind hauling weight around and can afford it. But Sony makes denser lenses that are better balanced for overall performance, weight, cost etc and have more 3rd party offerings (Sigma example). The AF is still better and the ergos can be learned. Color science (so called) can also be overcome in post. That is my 2 or 3 cent opinion.
Mar 30, 2026 at 03:54 AM
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