Trading Sony A1 for Nikon Z8: What Did I Lose?
For those who don't know, I officially switched from Sony to Nikon over a year ago. "Officially switched" means my main camera changed (from the A1 to the Z8), though I still use Sony in lower segments, like the A7R5 or A7CR.
A 14-Year Sony Journey
Having used Sony for 14 years, starting with DSLRs, then DSLTs, and finally mirrorless cameras, I'm quite familiar with Sony. With that level of familiarity, switching systems was difficult because I had to relearn the operation on a new system. However, with Sony's recent stagnation, aimed at exploiting users, I began to get disappointed. Coupled with Nikon's efforts, I could see and appreciate this black and gold team more.
Early Encounters with Nikon
As a store owner, I have the opportunity to experience many cameras. I'd tried the Nikon D700, D800E, and D850 around 2018-2021. But as a mirrorless user (small, light, fast, good video), I'd lost interest in DSLRs long ago. Those Nikon DSLR cameras didn't impress me, even though the image quality was good and the body was sturdy.
The ZF Spark
At the end of 2023, the ZF was released, and Hiep Tinhte lent me one for a week. I was quite surprised by Nikon's changes. From a stubborn brand that didn't care about user feedback, it had become a progressive brand that listens and changes. When COVID hit, facing the risk of survival, they had to change. Nikon Z is stronger, with better specs, better video, and more up-to-date features. Plus, being able to use an adapter to use Sony lenses was quite interesting. I liked it and thought about buying a Nikon Z as a secondary camera for my Sony A1.
First Impressions of the Z8
Then Nikon VN lent me a Z8 and a 70-200 f2.8 S lens for a trip to Phu Quoc. Because I wasn't used to the controls, I didn't take any photos I liked. However, my impression of the Z8, a fast, powerful, meticulous camera with a beautiful screen, great video specs, and a lower price, was truly impressive. So, I spent money to buy a Z8 to experience it longer (I wouldn't dare mess around with borrowed equipment). But at this point, I was sure that the Z8 would only be the A1's "side piece."
The Z8's Allure
But my experiences with the Z8 were truly overwhelming: full utilization of my existing Sony lens collection (emphasizing that some lenses perform even better than on a Sony body), cheaper and faster CF-B cards that can be "modded", and video specs that exceeded my needs. For photographers, changing lenses is a headache, but changing bodies is easy. Switching from the A1 to the Z8 not only meant I didn't have to change my existing E-mount lens system, but I could also use both Z and F lenses from Nikon itself - even more lens options. Officially switching systems was being considered.
A1 Fatigue
At this point, the A1 started to lose its "wow" factor for me. Although it took fast and beautiful pictures, the video experience was very disappointing: the screen didn't flip horizontally, it overheated quickly, it didn't shoot internal raw, it couldn't shoot 8k60, and CF-A cards were expensive and had low capacity. On the other hand, the Z8 fulfilled all those disappointments. I said goodbye to the A1 and welcomed the Z8 as my main camera. The NiNy ideology was officially born - using a Nikon body and Sony E-mount lenses.
Unexpected Discoveries
The longer I used the Z8, the more interesting things I discovered that Sony didn't have, culminating in a ground-breaking discovery recently: Nikon doesn't limit the max fps (number of frames per second) for third-party lenses and can use tele-converters for third-party E-mount lenses (something Sony "forbids" lens manufacturers from doing with E-mount lenses) - a very interesting finding, to the point that many individuals and foreign websites have shared it.
Z8 Advantages
The advantages of switching from the A1 to the Z8 can be summarized as follows: you can downgrade the firmware yourself (for both the body and the lens), the body is cheaper, memory cards are better and cheaper, there are more lens options, there is no fps limit when using third-party lenses, you can use Sony's own TC for third-party E-mount lenses, the screen display is more beautiful and accurate, the body is sturdier, you don't get your hands in the way when using large lenses, there's a keyboard backlight, and especially the video specs are much, much, much better (including less overheating). As for the design, I personally think Nikon looks more modern, but maybe it's because I've used Sony for so long that I'm used to it, now I'm more excited about "new things" (however, the ZF is really great, Sony doesn't have anything that looks that good!).
The Drawbacks
While there are many benefits to switching systems, there are also drawbacks. First, I don't like the high-end Z lens system because it's heavy and has fewer options, so I still use high-end Sony lenses. But when playing with such great lenses, the Z8 body becomes "crappy" (I jokingly call the Z8 a "body for"). Accepting the use of an adapter means I also encounter some issues, such as the adapter sometimes not working smoothly (although the rate is quite low and I can still control it, even when shooting difficult subjects like airplanes or birds in flight, it's still fine), and the likelihood of sensor dust is also high. Also, the Z8 is bigger than the A1, it's more comfortable to hold, but when you're tired or your hands are sore, it can be a burden. In terms of image quality, while the Z8 and A1 are similar, Sony still has some cameras with better image quality, such as the A7R5, so I still occasionally "cheat" with the A7R5 when I need max-quality images. As for AF, Nikon is still one step behind Sony, so the speed of the Z8 is only on par with the A1, compared to cameras with AI AF like the A9iii or A1ii, it is not as good, and the max fps of Nikon currently only reaches 20fps (while the Sony A1/A1ii is 30fps and the A9iii is 120fps - when using Sony lenses).
Returning to the Fold (and Back Again)
But playing with the Z8 didn't stop me from missing Sony. So last year, when Sony was preparing to release the A1ii, I pushed the Z8 away to clear the way for the A1ii, hoping that the A1ii would have more improvements. But no, when I found out that the A1ii's specs didn't have any significant improvements, I was extremely disappointed and decided to bring the Z8 back.
Content Creation Considerations
The story of the gains and losses of equipment is above, and there's also a story of the gains and losses of the individual in the field of content creation! Nikon VN stopped playing with me (because I decided to follow the "heretical" path that the company will never accept), Sony VN didn't like me (because I often poke fun at them) probably hates me even more now. In return, I am being paid more attention by other companies, because I am... quirky and willing to experiment, so I can create things that other content creators don't. There are definitely more "gains" in this area :))) And I'm still... having fun 😀
The Future is NiNy?
Currently, I am very happy with the NiNy Z8, and with the roadmap and achievements that Nikon Z has achieved, I think I will still be playing Nikon for quite a long time. But who knows what the future holds 😀 if any company throws me a bunch of money and says "Hey Di, here's some money for you, take my stuff and use it", maybe I will really use it 😕 as long as they don't make me praise falsely, as long as they let me criticize when the product has shortcomings, then I accept everything 😃
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