It’s a DSLR versus mirrorless showdown in this long-term camera comparison review. Which is superior?
They are two cameras that are capable of the highest full-frame image quality. The Nikon D850 and Sony a7R III are compared spec by spec in Tony and Chelsea Northrup’s latest video. From reliability to autofocusing performance, battery life to video quality, watch above to see how each fares.
As the video shows, going point by point over each feature’s performance really highlights how far Sony mirrorless cameras have come. In 2018 we are giving Sony the upper hand when it comes to battery performance? That’s going to turn some heads. I don’t know if photographers have been conditioned by the DSLR brands for years and years and years to not expect sweeping advancements in camera technology, but it’s interesting to me when I talk to people who think the performance of Sony cameras is still where it was a couple years ago. Electronic viewfinder woes, autofocus sluggishness, poor battery life; these are things that don’t reflect where mirrorless is actually at today.
Do you agree with the Northrup’s comparisons? Let us know in the comments below.
I mostly never agree with anything Northrup says to be honest.
He is not even able to shoot sharp video. Everything he shows into the cam is blurrrrred...
Cute
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Tony makes up facts in his videos, why would we trust his review of the cameras? He is worst than the president when he does need to be.
A good example was his Ansel Adams video, in the first two minutes he made up a fact, yes, Ansel Adams was a visionary who was able to see the Golden Gate Bridge while he was growing up, even though the bridge did not start construction until 35 years after his birth.
Unless you are new to all this, it inevitably depends on what lenses you have/use/need. Piddling differences in spec or performance are matters for concern only if you are extremely wealthy, or are launching all new gear, or if you are a journalist obliged to write a piece to get pelf to fill the plates on the dinner table .
I expect that a lot of readers are new; new to the concepts and application of mirrorless technology. I didn't have so many Canon lenses so I was willing to buy all new glass if the mirrorless technology was superior. Until you have used a Sony high end product like the A7R, A7 or A9, it's alot harder to understand just how revolutionary and amazing they are. Rent one for a week, like the other reviewer suggested. As you suggested, it's not so much about the specs.
The camera is just a tool, so I'm sure in proper hands both produce exciting results. However, that is tempered by how easy the camera is to use. I suspect I would struggle with the Sony, due to its small size (I won't even shoot my D800 without a grip).
The best camera depends on… what you shoot, how you shoot it, for how long, if you take the plane often, the hands you have, what you are use to, your technical knowledge… At some point, it's so personal that I don't get why people even do such videos. Just rent the camera, try it a week, and judge for yourself.
I use my Sony A7R III for nature, before I had the Nikon D810. The level of detail and focus get with the sony is at levels that I never thought to get even in small birds in the middle of trees.
In addition the Sony 100-400 G has an incredible sharpness, ability to focus at 1 meter distance and a stabilizer that allows me to shoot videos at 400mm freehand. With the D810 I could not do it even with monopod.
Very helpful guys, thank you and I do have a thought about what else could be evaluated. I seem to recall a number of bad reviews re: Sony's menu set ups and operating system, comments like "not intuitive" and "clumsy" come to mind. Perhaps this was with earlier versions of Sony, what do you think after using both?
You guys forgot to compare low light or higher iso results?
I frequently see reviewers give Nikon an edge because they offer more lenses than Sony. Who cares the number? Go to dxomark lens page and you will see that Sony, Sigma and Zeiss dominate the top rated lenses. Many of the Nikon lenses are older designs with less and worse technology. If you are buying either of these cameras, do you really care how many "lesser" lenses are in the Nikon lineup? 6 months ago I bought the A7RIII and 2 GM lenses. I can't imagine going back to a mirrored product. The Sony is a stellar performer and the glass is amazing. Nikon makes some great products to be sure, but IMO no one should pick a body or advantage a body based on just the number of lenses.