Customers are spoiled for choice when it comes to full frame hybrid cameras, but how do three of the major bodies compare against one another, and which one is right for you?
The fact that the Sony a7 III continues to be included in these comparisons almost three years after it was announced is a testament to how many features Sony managed to cram inside it. And Jared Polin is absolutely right: the sheer number of third-party lenses available makes it the best choice for anyone making the first steps into the world of full frame who wants to avoid spending a small fortune in order to kit themselves out with glass. Polin mentions Tamron and Sigma, but you can add Samyang/Rokinon and Viltrox to that list as well.
Speaking of Viltrox, Polin doesn’t mention that Nikon now has its first third-party lens available to purchase in the shape of the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8. At just $399, it’s significantly cheaper than the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S (currently discounted by $100 to $696.95), and if it compares well to the Sony version, it will make an excellent choice for those on a budget.
Anyone leaning towards the Sony a7 III might want to keep in mind that the a7 IV is due to be announced in the middle of next year. If you need to figure out whether you should grab a cheap a7 III now or wait until its successor arrives in the summer (we assume), check out this article.
Are you in the market for a new full frame camera? Let us know which one gets your choice in the comments below.
Compressed version: Sony a7 III Sony Tamron Sigma Samyang/Rokinon Viltrox Viltrox Nikon Viltrox NIKKOR Z Sony Sony a7 III a7 IV a7 III
This is so true when I think about a purchase I don't think about what others think of the brand I choose. I chose it because it fits my needs. For me I switched from Canon to Sony after college (I'm 23 and a film graduate so I need great video and photo) and I don't regret it. And even if the other brands "beat" Sony I'm not going to freak out and switch back. I'm going to hope my brand continues to improve.
Jared Polin has gone from a professional photographer to ‘professional’ YouTube social media camera news/gear presenter (no idea how much paid photography he does these days). Like all Youtube and social media ‘photography personalities’, there isn’t an infinite amount of interesting and new information on the subject of photography so, in order to keep the content flowing, a lot of videos are opinion pieces and camera gear comparisons. Fstoppers take the genius move of featuring other peoples videos in order to create content (just a friendly dig ;-) ).
If you read these articles without a large degree of cynicism, anyone would think that a camera was a vital piece of world conquering apparatus put on this planet to help cure all disease known to mankind; solve wars and famine and get rid of Trump. All it does, FFS, is to plonk an image onto a sensor - and it can't even do that without a lens. Get real.