Nikon Z vs Sony Alpha

The Nikon Z has arrived

After years of rumors, Nikon has finally officially announced a full frame mirrorless system.  I shot Nikon from 2014 to 2017.  In 2017, I was shooting the Nikon D750 and started to get an upgrade it.  Mirrorless was interesting to me and I just felt it was time for something new and improved.  When it was clear that Nikon wasn’t quite ready to launch mirrorless, I decided to take the dive and switched to the Sony A7riii.  While I have no regrets about the switch, I probably would still be shooting Nikon if the “Z” arrived a year earlier.

So I’ve read everything there is to know about the Nikon Z, watched every video.  I’m intimately familiar with Nikon’s general ecosystem and dSLR performance.  And now I’m equally familiar with Sony mirrorless.  While I don’t have any hands-on experience with the Nikon Z (yet), I hope to compile some useful information in this post, and save readers from having to piece together information from dozens of sources.

I won’t get into every spec of the Nikon Z cameras, you can read those anywhere.  Nor am I going to compare every spec between Nikon and Sony.  But for those evaluating both systems, I hope to discuss some of the key differences between the Nikon Z and Sony Alpha cameras and systems.  I’ll get into differences, advantages and disadvantages of the systems and cameras, as far as can be told at this early stage.  Recommendations will wrap up the post.

Nikon Z system vs Sony Alpha system

When you purchase a serious camera costing thousands of dollars, you’re not just buying a camera body.  You’re buying into an entire system.  Once deeply invested into a system, it’s not easy to change.  Lenses are meant to last the buyer through multiple camera bodies.  Selling a collection of used lenses and buying all new, is never easy.   

So it’s important to consider a comparison of the systems first.  Here, the biggest difference is blatantly obvious.  The Sony mirrorless system is built on the Sony E-mount which is now 8 years old.  Sony started launching full frame cameras and lenses in 2013, 5 years ago.  Nikon completely discontinued their old mirrorless system and has just launched the Z-mount from scratch.  Ironically, the old argument against Sony was that it was too new and didn’t have enough lenses, but now that script is flipped.   Sony offers 25 full frame lenses, covering almost every photographic need.  In addition, FE-mount lenses are being made by Tamron, Sigma, Rokinon, Zeiss and others, so there are dozens of lenses that can be used natively on Sony full frame cameras.  Nikon will have as total of 3 lenses by the end of 2018.  Let’s take a closer look:

Lens Comparisons

Nikon plans to launch just three lenses this year but they have released a pretty aggressive road map demonstrating their commitment to build lenses over the next 3 years:

In many ways, that’s a pretty impressive roadmap with a quick pathway to a complete system for many photographers.  In fact, they will have several lenses unavailable for Sony.  For example, this year, Nikon will be launching a 35mm F/1.8.  Sony has a 35mm F/2.8 and a 35mm F/1.4 (reviewed here), but no 35mm F/1.8.  Sony has no current primes wider than 28mm, but Nikon anticipates having a 20mm F/1.8 and 24mm F/1.8 by 2020.  (Though similar lenses are already available for Sony from 3rd parties, such as the Zeiss Batis 18mm F/2.8 and Zeiss Batis 25mm F/2 (reviewed here)).

Looking at where Nikon anticipates being by 2020, you see some impressive lenses but you also see some obvious gaps.   Nikon will have a holy 2.8 trinity by 2020:  14-24mm  f/2.8, 24-70mm F/2.8 and 70-200mm F/2.8.  They will also have a F4 ultrawide zoom, a 14mm – 30mm F/4.   Yet, surprisingly, they have no other telephoto zooms.  No 70-200mm F/4.  And absolutely nothing that reaches beyond 200mm.  (Sony currently has 6 lenses that reach to 200mm or longer).   Also, Nikon has no macro lenses on the roadmap.  While they have a bunch of 1.8 primes, they only have a single fast auto-focus prime — A 50mm F/1.2 to be released in 2020.  (Sony has 3 1.4 primes currently and Sigma makes several 1.4 primes for the Sony system).

The apparent “jewel” of the Nikon system, getting a lot of excitement, is the Nikkor Z 58mm F/0.95 Noct lens, to be released in 2019.  While I’m certain this lens will be spectacular, there is no reason for Sony shooters to get too jealous:  For just $799, Sony shooters can get the Mitakon Zhongyi Speedmaster 50mm f/0.95.  The Mitakon is a manual lens but the Nikon Noct lens is also going to be manual focus.  I’m sure the quality of the Nikon 58mm F/0.95 will be spectacular but I’m sure it will also be spectacularly big, heavy and expensive.  In reality, such a lens is of limited worth:  Depth of field would be too narrow for most uses at 0.95 and it’s impaired by being manual focus.

The lens that Sony users can be a little jealous of would be the 50mm F/1.2.  Sony has a truly spectacular 50mm F/1.4 already (review here), but there would definitely be a market for an even faster F/1.2.

While Sony has a clear-cut advantage in native lens selection that won’t go away in the next 3 years, that’s not the end of the story.

Pro for Sony:   An essentially complete lens system already.

Con for Nikon:  Even three years from now, their lens lineup is projected to have many gaps.

Pro for Nikon:  Some exciting and unique upcoming offerings including the 58mm F/0.95 Noct and 50mm F/1.2.  

Nikon FTZ Adapter

I’ve commented elsewhere about the importance of a great adapter.  When Sony first introduced the e-mount system they offered two adapters from their a-mount system and neither was seamless.  There was one simple pass-thru adapter but it could not provide fast phase-detect autofocus.  (Early E-mount cameras didn’t even have phase detect autofocus systems.)  There there was a big bulky expensive adapter with a pellicle mirror that could provide phase detect autofocus by effectively overriding the mirrorless autofocus system.  As a result, there was no ideal way to transition from Sony A-mount to Sony E-mount without ultimately quickly buying new lenses.  As the Sony system technology advanced, the pass-thru adapter became quite capable with certain Sony A-mount lenses.

The good news for the Nikon Z system:   According to all reports, the FTZ adapter should provide nearly seamless use with any Nikon AF-S lens.  Nikon offers dozens of fantastic AF-S lenses already and third parties offer plenty more.

According to reports on dpreview and other sources, autofocus with adapted lenses works just as well as native lenses.  

Thus, the Nikon Z system may only have 3 native lenses by the end of 2018 but with a simple pass-thru adapter, a Nikon Z owner can get effective use of dozens if not hundreds of lenses.  

The FTZ adapter can be purchased separately but will essentially be priced at $150 when purchased with camera.  

While an adapter for Nikon F-mount lenses is a major pro of the Z system, there is a corresponding negative.  Nikon reportedly is not sharing the mount’s electronic specifications with other manufacturers.  (A closed system).  As a result, you should not expect third party lenses very quickly or adapters for lenses from other systems.  It’s very easy to adapt Canon lenses to Sony Alpha cameras, for example, but you shouldn’t expect to get a good adapter to use those Canon lenses on Nikon Z cameras any time soon.  Eventually Nikon’s Z mount will be reverse engineered by Tamron, Sigma and others, but it may be a while.

Pro for Nikon:   FTZ adapter allowing seamless use of hundreds of F-mount lenses, even adding stabilization to unstabilized lenses.

Pro for Sony/Con for Nikon:    Availability of adapters to use Canon lenses, open system allowing ongoing development of many third party lenses.  

Other Lens/Mount considerations

The diameter of the Nikon Z-mount is a fair bit larger than the Sony FE mount.   This diameter would actually accommodate a medium format sensor in the future.   For the present, there are immediate ramifications of the mount design.  Nikon claims that the design of the mount will allow for production of faster and better quality lenses.  

While, I’m sure there is some puffery and exaggeration there, it’s easy to imagine that the wider diameter will allow Nikon Z lenses to offer superior corner performance and less distortion.   Sony lenses often require significant distortion and vignetting correction.  While I can’t confirm it, I would expect Nikon Z lenses to perform better in the corners.   

Having such a large mount does have a downside — You can’t make a camera any smaller than the mount itself.  I don’t think this is a big deal for the full frame models but if Nikon eventually does APS-C cameras, where some buyers value compactness, Nikon won’t be able to go nearly as compact as the Sony A6xxx cameras.

Pro for Nikon:   Potential for future medium format camera sharing the same mount, potential for better performing native lenses

Pro for Sony/Con for Nikon:    Camera bodies can be more compact.

Other System Considerations

Beyond lenses and adapters, Sony offers a full mirrorless ecosystem.  Their cameras already have grips from first and third parties.  More importantly, Sony’s system goes beyond two full frame cameras.   You can buy a cheaper older model as a backup.  There is a full selection of aps-c cameras.  There is the Sony A7sii for those looking for a more videocentric/low light mirrorless camera.  

Thus, if you want to pair a compact aps-c camera with a full performing full frame camera, you can do that with Sony.   

Pro for Sony:  More choices of various body types, sensor sizes, older value models.  

Comparing the Actual Cameras

Enough about the system differences.   Let’s start talking about the Sony A7riii side by side against the Nikon Z7.  Let’s talk about the Sony A7iii against the Nikon Z6.

Similarities Between All The Cameras

In many ways, the cameras are more alike than different.  This may be a new feeling for Sony owners but historically, a Nikon dSLRs were more alike Canon dSLRs than they were different.   Key similarities:

• IBIS:  In-body image stabilization.  Sony users have often bragged that all of their lenses were stabilized.  Welcome to the club Nikon.  
• Very similar body designs

Sony A7riii and Nikon Z 7 can pass as siblings

• Highly customizable buttons and controls
• Silent shooting
• Electronic  First Curtain Shooting
• Tilt screens
• 4K video

Nikon Z7 vs Sony A7riii

Before getting into specifics, globally there are no absolute game changing differences between the two cameras.   Both cameras appear to stand up very well next to each other.  Still, there are some differences to be appreciated if you are a consumer considering both models.  

• Sensor differences:   Sony has a 42mp sensor.  Nikon is using a variation of their D850 sensor:  45.7 megapixels.  Not only does the Z7 therefore have more resolution but it also has a true base ISO of 64.  Thus, the Z7 should perform better at low ISO and have more dynamic range at base ISO.   In real world shooting, both sensors deliver very similar performance.  Per DXOMark testing, the Sony sensor performs a bit better than the Nikon sensor at high ISO.
• Autofocus coverage differences:  They both have autofocus coverage of about 90% of the frame but the key difference is phase detect AF coverage.  The Sony A7riii has 399 phase detect points covering 68% of the frame.  The Nikon Z7 uses 493 phase detect points covering 90% of the frame.   This should give the Nikon Z7 the advantage at focusing using the edge of the frame.
• Autofocus implementation differences: Per reports, the Sony A7riii autofocus system is a bit more sophisticated with more modes to choose between.  Subject tracking is simpler to activate on the Sony.   Additionally, the Sony cameras allow for  creating custom autofocus overrides.  Nikon appears to have one key advantage:  When using single point AF, the Nikon Z7 keeps the focus point illuminated.  On the Sony cameras, the point becomes gray and only illuminates when the camera is actively focusing.  It can make the focus point difficult to find when trying to move it as shown below:

• Autofocus performance differences:   This will require more testing and reviews but some conclusions can be drawn from early reviews.  In AF-S modes, the Nikon Z 7 may be a tad faster than the already fast Sony A7riii.  The Sony system performs a contrast detect AF confirmation when shooting in AF-S and apparently the Nikon system relies less on this step, therefore speeding up the process slightly.   Meanwhile, according to Dpreview’s test with beta firmware, in AF-C burst shooting, the Nikon Z 7 would sometimes drift out of focus.  Overall, I suspect the AF performance between the two cameras is very close but the Sony might potentially have the edge in burst shooting with AF-C.  
• Face detect / Eye AF: Both cameras have face detect.  In the Nikon cameras, face detect is only active in Wide/Auto focus mode. In the Sony cameras, you can use face detect in every focus mode, where a face will override the selected focus points.   The big advantage of the Sony system is Eye-AF.  (Explained here.)  This is a valuable feature for people and portrait shooting as it can be more precise than face detect.   
• Body Differences: As shown above, the bodies are very similar.  The Nikon Z7 is just slightly taller and wider than the Sony.   The grip is a bit deeper and some of the buttons slightly larger.   The Nikon Z7 weighs in at 675g, a tiny bit heavier than the Sony A7riii at 657g.  While the differences are minor, it appears the Z7 should give a better ergonomic experience.  One issue with the Sony A7riii is that your right pinkie can dangle when holding the camera.  The slightly taller body of the Z7 should allow for it to be more comfortably handheld.  Both bodies are weather sealed but there are some well known questions about the quality of the weather sealing on the Sony.  The Z7 also has a top deck LCD display, absent from the Sony bodies.  
  

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• Some minor LCD/EVF differences:  They both have similar EVFs with the same resolution but the Z7 is slightly larger with 0.80 magnification compared to 0.78 magnification on the Sony A7riii.  They both have touch LCDs though the Nikon Z7 touch screen will offer more functionality.  Additionally, the Z7 LCD is slightly larger and higher resolution.   The refresh rate on the Sony A7riii may be faster, but I have not confirmed this.  
  
• Burst Shooting differences:  At first look, the cameras are similar.  The Nikon Z7 can shoot at 9 frames per second, the Sony A7riii can shoot at 10 frames per second.  When you look more closely, you find that the Sony A7riii has some pretty significant advantages.   At the maximum frame rate, neither camera generates a live continuous view.   The Sony can use continuous autofocus, auto exposure and continuous live view at 8 frames per second, the Nikon Z7 tops out at 5.5 frames per second.   Additionally, the Nikon Z7 buffer is limited 18 14-bit compressed and 23 12-bit lossless compressed Raws while the Sony A7riii buffer can handle 28 uncompressed 14-bit RAW files.  So the Sony can effectively shoot faster and with a deeper buffer.   Because Nikon is using an XQD memory card, the buffer should clear faster than the Sony.
  
• Card Slots:  Nikon uses an XQD card which should be faster than SD cards on the Sony, but the Sony benefits from having dual card slots.   The Nikon Z7 only has a single card slot, meaning no backup card often demanded by professionals.
  
• Battery life: Considering Nikon is using a rather large battery, I was surprised to see it is only rated for 330 shots.  The Sony A7riii battery is rated for 530 shots when using the EVF and 650 with the LCD.  (In practice, both cameras will get far more than the rating).  
• Other Feature Advantages to Sony: “Slow and quick” video mode.  Pixel shift feature.   
• Other Feature Advantages of Nikon Z 7: 8K time lapses, built-in intervalometer, lossless raw compression.  
  
• Price:  The Z7 is priced $400 more than the current price of the A7riii though just $100 more than the launch price of the A7riii.  

Summary of Sony A7riii vs Nikon Z7

Subjectively, I’ll tell you what I consider to be the major pros of each of the two cameras:

Pros of the Sony A7riii:  Eye-AF, dual card slots, faster and better burst shooting, better AF implementation, longer battery life.

Pros of the Nikon Z7:   Better ergonomics, better AF coverage, base ISO of 64, lossless raw compression.  Likely better weather sealing.  

For some users, the Nikon Z7 may rationally be worth $400 more than the A7riii largely due to better ergonomics and the higher resolution sensor.  Others may feel that eye-AF and dual card slots trump the advantages of the Nikon.

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7iii

At first glance, these two cameras are very evenly matched.  They are both 24mp cameras and they are both priced at $2000.   

• Sensor differences:   Both cameras have BSI sensors, 24.2mp for the Sony A7iii and 24.5mp for the Nikon Z6.   No real information about the Nikon Z6 image quality yet.   I would expect very similar performance from both.  
• Autofocus coverage differences:  They both have autofocus coverage of about 90% of the frame but the key difference is phase detect AF coverage.  While the Nikon Z7 beats the Sony A7riii in number of points, the reverse is true here.  The Sony A7iii sports 693 phase detect AF points compared to 273 points on the Nikon Z 6.  The denser coverage on the Sony A7iii should translate to better performance but testing will be necessary.  
• Autofocus implementation differences: See the discussion above of the Sony A7riii versus the Nikon Z7.  
• Autofocus performance differences:   As noted above, Nikon’s AF-S implementation may be slightly faster than Sony’s.   But the denser AF point coverage on the Sony A7iii should potentially translate into performance advantages.  
• Face detect / Eye AF: See the discussion above of the Sony A7riii versus the Nikon Z7.   Both cameras have face detect, though implemented a bit differently.  The Sony A7iii has eye-af, a really nice feature lacking in the Z6.
• Body Differences: See the discussion above of the Sony A7riii versus the Nikon Z7.
• Some not-so minor LCD/EVF differences:  This is one area where Sony cheapened the A7iii while Nikon gives the Z6 the same features at the Z7.  The Nikon Z6 offers a 0.80x EVF with 3.6 million dot resolution while the Sony A7iii offers 0.78x with 2.4 million dot resolution.   A similar difference extends to the LCDs:  The Z6 offers a 3.2″ LCD with 2.1 million dots of resolution while the A7iii provides a 3″ LCD with only 921,000 dot resolution.   The Z6 touch screen also offers more functionality than the A7iii.
  Burst Shooting differences:  At first look, the Z6 would appear to have an advantage with a maximum frame rate of 12 fps compared to 10 fps on the A7iii but a closer examination gives the Sony A7iii the advantage.     The Sony can use continuous autofocus, auto exposure and continuous live view at 8 frames per second, the Nikon Z6 tops out at 5.5 frames per second.   Buffer depth is unknown at this point.  Because Nikon is using an XQD memory card, the buffer should clear faster than the Sony.
  Card Slots:  Nikon uses an XQD card which should be faster than SD cards on the Sony, but the Sony benefits from having dual card slots.   The Nikon Z6 only has a single card slot, meaning no backup card often demanded by professionals.
  Battery life: The Nikon Z6 only rated for 330 shots.  The Sony A7iii battery is rated for 610 shots when using the EVF and 710 with the LCD.  (In practice, both cameras will get far more than the rating).  
  Other Feature Advantages to Sony: “Slow and quick” video mode.  
  Other Feature Advantages of Nikon Z 7: Built-in intervalometer, lossless raw compression.  
  Price:  Equal pricing

Summary of Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7iii

In my personal opinion, the important differences:

Pros of the Nikon Z6:  Better ergonomics, higher resolution LCD and EVF, lossless raw compression. Likely better weather sealing.  

Pros of the Sony A7iii:  Eye-AF, more AF points, better burst shooting, dual card slots and much longer battery life.

Considering they are the same price, I think you get a bit more for your money with the Sony A7iii.   But you do get a better body with the Nikon.  

Recommendations

These recommendations are only for those considering full frame mirrorless.  If you are currently shooting a dSLR and have no interest in mirrorless cameras, read no further.   In a few years, mirrorless may completely replace dSLRs but there is no reason to rush for the door.   For those who are intrigued by the advantages of mirrorless cameras…

If you are currently a Sony shooter:

There is no reason to look at Nikon.  Sony offers great cameras and great native lens selections.  Hopefully competition from Nikon will push Sony to improve their cameras, such as improving the ergonomics and offering lossless raw compression.   For now, if you haven’t already done so, you won’t regret buying the Sony A7iii or the Sony A7riii. 

See my recommended Sony A7iii starter kits.  

If you are currently a Nikon shooter….

I no longer see any significant reason to seriously consider changing brands.   Your main options are to go with Nikon Z now, using the FTZ adapter for much of your shooting, or wait a while.   Wait for more lenses or even wait for the next generation of Nikon Z cameras which hopefully start to offer features like eye-AF.   While Nikon may not currently have all the native lenses you might want, you can be confident they are coming and you can further enjoy great adaptability of your current Nikon lenses.  

In terms of which Nikon Z bundle to purchase, I’d strongly recommend getting the FTZ adapter bundled with the camera.  For a first native lens, I’d go with one of the primes over the zoom lens.  (Nikon Z7 options — Nikon Z6 options)  An F4 zoom lens won’t show off the best image quality of the camera and besides, shooting a stabilized prime lens will be a new experience for most Nikon shooters.

Nikon D850 vs Nikon Z7

Perhaps you are considering both these models.   Each has some pretty distinct advantages.   If you are looking for a camera capable of good video autofocus, get the Nikon Z7.  If compactness is important to you, the Z7 is much smaller and lighter than the D850.  So you can get the D850 image quality in a smaller package with the Z7.  On the other hand, if you are primarily a stills shooter and don’t mind a larger camera, then the D850 has some major advantages including deeper buffer, dual card slots and a more sophisticated autofocus system.   

Current D750 owners…

As a former D750 owner, I’m a bit torn here.  Nikon hasn’t given D750 owners a natural upgrade except the much more expensive D850.  So the question for D750 owners who are ambivalent about mirrorless, is the Z6 an upgrade from the D750 or purely a lateral move?

Going from the D750 to the Z6, you lose dual card slots but go from SD cards to a QXD card.   You go from 6.5 frames per second to a maximum frame rate of 12 fps, but only 5.5 frames per second with full AF/AE and live view.  You get a touch screen, Snapbridge, far improved live view and video autofocus.   The big question mark is the IQ difference.   

If I was still a D750 owner and excited about mirrorless, I’d buy the Z6.  On the other hand, if I was simply looking for an upgrade from the D750, I would wait for IQ tests of the Z6.  DXOMark.com is likely to test the IQ within a few weeks of its release.   Wait and see if the IQ is a noticeable improvement from the D750.  If not, and if I’m not thrilled by the idea of an EVF, single card slot, etc… then I’d stand pat.  

For Canon Shooters…

Canon will certainly be following Nikon down the mirrorless road.  So you have the option of patience.  That said, Canon sensors don’t offer quite the image quality of Sony and Nikon sensors.  Thus, you may have a desire to switch brands entirely apart from mirrorless versus dSLR.   In my opinion, the Sony A7riii is already a better camera than anything offered by Canon.  For Canon shooters, I would suggest either patience or going to Sony.   Simply put, your Canon full frame lenses will adapt quite well on to the newest Sony bodies.   If you switch to Nikon, you won’t be able to use your Canon lenses and you won’t have many native options available to purchase.  Sony would let you choose between using your Canon lenses or purchasing from a pretty complete lens lineup.

For Uncommitted shooters…

If you are considering a $2000+ camera, you probably already own a dSLR or mirrorless camera.   By “uncommitted,” I am referring to people who aren’t already deeply invested in full frame lenses of one of the big three systems.   If you’re an aps-c shooter considering full frame, you will likely need to buy mostly new lenses anyway.   Staying in your current system may allow you to keep a flash or some accessories, you may be able to use aps-c lenses in crop modes.  But ultimately, changing systems won’t be especially costly.  

For uncommitted shooters picking their first full frame camera, I would recommend strongly considering mirrorless.  As I explained here, mirrorless is where we are going.   Mirrorless has inherent advantages over dSLR, which I believe will start to die.  

If looking for mirrorless full frame and not already committed to a system, I see the two best options:

• Sony Alpha camera:  While the Nikon Z cameras have some advantages, they just don’t yet have the full system.   If you’re already committed to Nikon, you have F-mount lenses to adapt.  If you are starting from scratch, I don’t see a reason to go to Nikon…… yet.
• Wait.   Within 12-36 months, there will be many more options.  You can see how built up the Nikon system has become.  The second generation Nikon Z cameras will iron out any flaws from the first generation.  Canon should be deeply in the game by then as well.  

Conclusion

Which camera wins, Sony or Nikon?   The truthful answer is the customers win, customers of both Sony and Nikon.   I know there are fanboys out there who want their chosen brand to beat the other brands.  They want vindication for having chosen their particular brand.

The reality is, we benefit when the competing brands are great.  As a Sony shooter, I would actually benefit if Nikon came out with a far superior camera:  The competition would drive Sony to improve their products even more.