The Nikon Z8 and Sony A7r V are some of the best cameras professional photographers can buy today. Both of them offer a plethora of features at fantastic price points. You can get exceptional photos from them in almost all conditions. Despite their high-resolution sensors, they do a more than competent job at video production, too. We compare their salient features and see what makes each camera so good.
Sony clearly led the mirrorless segment for many years until Canon and Nikon joined the party. Nikon’s first serious competitor to any Sony mirrorless camera had to be their Z9 flagship. They introduced the Nikon Z8 not long after, which initially looked and performed just like the Z9, minus the inbuilt battery grip. In our review, we noted that it was a capable performer across various segments:
- Sports photographers will shoot great photos with its autofocus system
- Event photographers can capture candid moments easily
- Bird and wildlife photographers can have a portable camera for conservation efforts and all
- Portrait photographers have a camera body that can deliver beautiful portraits with its portrait mode
- Landscape and architecture photographers have access to a great camera that can do almost anything they need it to.
We were pretty pleased on the whole with the way the Sony A7r V performed in our tests:
The a7r V takes everything we enjoy about the a7r IV and improves the user experience. Sony has added a new AI unit for faster and more accurate autofocus performance with a 10fps burst rate. It’s a night and day difference compared to the previous model. Sony has also added new AI based tracking modes to keep its status as one of the best offerings on the market. Photographers of all skill levels will enjoy these enhancements. Creatives will also appreciate the beautiful OLED screen with a 2nd main menu. Sony improved its auto white balance and has impressive in-camera metering. It features an enhanced IBIS, making long exposures handheld much more achievable. The best part is how little editing is required.
Both these cameras are designed for professionals and advanced enthusiasts demanding the best in image quality and performance. In this article, we compare them in detail to let you better understand which one you might prefer to invest in.
Innovations
I can’t say that the Nikon Z8 brought anything new to the table that the Z9 didn’t already have. But maybe that’s the best part about it. This camera is a mini Z9 at a better price point and smaller form factor, offering everything the Nikon Z9 did. Of course, with more firmware updates since then, the Z9 has added many more capabilities, clearly distinguishing itself as Nikon’s flagship. But the Z8 is still a fabulous performer with a lot more potential.
The Sony a7r V is the first of Sony’s alpha cameras to feature focus bracketing with focus stacking. The AF system also underwent an overhaul from previous generations and features an AI processing unit.
Ergonomics
A look at the ergonomics these two cameras sport
Thankfully Bigger Than Expected
Even though the lack of an inbuilt grip makes it significantly smaller than the Nikon Z9, the Nikon Z8 isn’t a small camera by any means. It’s slightly taller than the Z6/7 series of cameras, so you can comfortably grip it without needing a base plate. The top plate doesn’t have a raised dial like the Z9, so it feels much more flat out there. You get an additional focus point joystick at the bottom for portrait orientation. That’s something that you’d typically purchase an additional battery grip to get.
Familiar But Better
Seasoned Sony users will find the Sony a7r V to have a similar layout to the a7 IV. It is more compact and streamlined compared to the Z8. The grip is comfortable, but users of other camera brands might find the button layout on the a7r V less intuitive. The LCD is much better than the ones on previous models.
Build Quality
Believe us when we say that our build quality tests are done to test if manufacturers are sticking to their weather ratings. Not many publications will do this.
Deceptively Lightweight
The Nikon Z8 looks more robust than the Z6/7 series of cameras, but it is not significantly heavier. Nikon has managed to keep the weight of this camera to just 2 lbs by using carbon fiber composite and magnesium alloy for the body. It boasts what Nikon calls “premium” weather sealing and has the same temperature tolerance as the Nikon D6 and the Z9. The Nikon Z8 also has a shutter shield for when you need to change lenses and power the camera down. We know that some of you are skeptical of how well this works, but it’s always good to have it as an option on your camera.
Improved Dust Protection
Rain or dust, the Sony A7r V can just keep going and going. Sony has improved the dust protection system in the camera. During our tests, it got caught in a few late afternoon rainstorms, which the camera handled without hiccups. But we wouldn’t recommend using it in heavy downpours.
Ease Of Use
If you’re a Nikon Z9 user adding the Z8 as a second body, you’ll find it fits right in with your workflow and handling. There are a few niggles that should be ironed out in future firmware updates, such as the inability to assign a custom button to change the subject detection mode quickly. That variable angle LCD is a much welcome addition, something that it borrows from the Z9.
The Sony a7r V thankfully has the newer series of menu systems, something that older models were often flogged online for lacking in user-friendliness. The 9.44-million dot EVF in this model is among the best in any camera we’ve seen to date. The 61-megapixel sensor allows you ample room to crop comfortably.
Autofocus
Let’s compare the autofocus!
Supreme AF Tracking
Z6 and Z7 series camera users will find the Nikon Z8 a massive upgrade. Much of that is due to the Expeed 7 processor, which gives an incredibly improved autofocus tracking system. It’s the best ever, only otherwise seen in the Nikon Z9 and now the Nikon Zf. It can rarely give a false sense of assurance, where the subject turns out ever-so-slightly out of focus. I do feel though, that this is something that will be corrected in a firmware update. But whatever genre of photography you do, this camera can keep pace with any fast-moving subject. It’s bound to be a favorite with sports and wildlife photographers.
AI Autofocus Tracking
The a7r V does an excellent job keeping up with portrait subjects. It takes a load of worry off you, expertly tracking faces as they move in and out of obstacles. You can take a backseat most of the time as the AI in this camera cleverly does a lot of accurate focusing for you. It easily keeps up with the 10fps burst rate. In May 2023, Sony added Vehicle/Train, Airplane, and even Insect tracking.
Image Quality
Among The Best Today
There’s really not much to complain about with the results the Nikon Z8 gives us in any condition. The colors are reminiscent of the ones we loved from the Nikon D3 and D700 cameras. High ISO images can show high noise levels in Adobe Lightroom under poor lighting conditions. Shoot RAW here to be able to massage the files to the maximum. Nothing that a little Denoise can’t fix. See more images taken with the Nikon Z8 here.
Colorful And Sharp Results
Straight out of the camera, the Sony a7r V files are pleasant. The AI autofocus tracking really aids in getting such crisp, contrasty results. Portraits look great without seeming overly sharpened. Color noise is noticeable at ISO 3200, but only if you’re pixel-peeping. When was the last time you had your face all the way up to your laptop screen anyway? If you want to see just how incredible the dynamic range of the Sony a7r V is, check out this link for more images.
Conclusion
Summarizing our thoughts
Nikon’s Upping Their Game
People often felt that the Nikon Z6 and Z7 series of cameras compromised Nikon’s full potential. That turned out to be true when the powerhouse Z9 was released. The Z8 continues that belief as it gave us many of those features in a smaller body and at a better price. We feel it should have been released a few months earlier than it did, but better late than never. It’s the best option for Nikon users looking to step up their photography and videography game without spending extra bucks for the Z9. With Nikon adding more lenses to its Z-mount lineup this year, photographers now have much to choose from. The Z8 is a no-brainer purchase for any Nikon professional using mirrorless cameras today. Interested in buying one? Check it out on Adorama.
Allround Goodness
Whether you’re an existing Sony a7 series user or someone looking to upgrade to a higher resolution sensor camera, the a7r V is a compelling choice. Sony has done much to help you get the best images in camera with this model. The BIONZ XR Image Processing engine provides 8 times more processing power than the a7r IV. The 15 stops of dynamic range help with post-processing when needed. You can take up to a 240-megapixel image with their pixel shift tech. Sony keeps providing firmware updates to make this a better camera in small increments. Head over to Adorama to grab yours today.
The Nikon Z8 and Sony A7R V are two of the most formidable contenders in the high-resolution camera segment today. Brand loyalty will undoubtedly play a large part in which one you might go with. Either way, you’re investing in a camera that can and will provide excellent results.