I am by no means a professional shooter, what I got from this video is that it is not really about the gear, it's the photographer that makes the difference. I think both set of photos are excellent and hopefully someday we can drop the whole DSRL versus mirror less fight and concentrate on the images.
Yeah, ofcourse Nikon have more mirrorless systems in R&D. Let's hope they actually make it to market and don't get announced and then binned like the DL series did earlier this year. Nikon is doing everything it can at the moment to cut costs. Sales were down last year, they lost ILC market share, lens sales were down, compacts were down, the DL series was stillborn and the KeyMission cameras haven't sold. Everybody wants Canon and Nikon to enter the mirrorless market in a big way; competition is great for consumers. Nikon are more likely to do it than Canon as Canon seem to be far more interested in protecting their cinema line than actually making cameras than can compete with the competition, but Nikon simply might decide not to go there any time soon. Y'know this whole DSLRs are dying thing actually has some basis in reality. The overall DSLR marketshare has only declined a bit but since 2012 the actual sales have nearly halved. Mirrorless hasn't actually grown much in terms of units shipped (mirrorless as a whole, not just Sony) but since DSLR sales have declined and mirrorless sales have essentially held steady, the mirroress market has still increased by about 14%.
That's because most people are still stuck on "FF is the best" and Fuji has no FF mirrorless camera. Fuji owners love to boast that they have the best APC-S cameras though, though many still scoff at it because it is not FF. For years mirrorless cameras were considered joke cameras that would never amount to anything, and most certainly not any type of professional work that the DSLR peeps would say. But now that Sony has advanced the technology and supplied their technology to everyone's cellphones and their top notch sensors to everyone but Canon, & Leica, the rabid Sony fanboys are biting back at the DSLR snobs and naysayers. This is a war we have experienced before, when we were kids and when it was Genesis vs Super Nintendo. Now we're all grownups acting like fucking manchildren when it comes to camera gear and brands, fighting another pointless war. The real winners are the content creators and influencers that live off the chaos, and those that shill for their favorite companies in this ever shrinking and dying market. Let the manchildren fight! because there's a 95% chance that they are garbage photographers that shouldn't be taken serious in the first place, but instead are more like gear heads. Instead of focusing on the craft of photography or their own skills, they rather talk about what gear makes for a better photographer, while the real photographers are creating real art with everything from old "outdated" cameras, their cellphone cameras, or with the latest and greatest digital cameras.
true, i shoot a d800 and a sony a6500, but i also shoot a rb67 hahahahaha the one thing i learned in university is that gear doesnt mather it is just personal preference
@ Jospeh Broham You make many valid points. However, having shot with 3 different sized camera systems there is no way I could have gotten many of the images I have without FF. It depends on what the photographer wants to create through their vision and often in order to accomplish this gear matters 100%.
Manny, thanks for not being a brand fan-boy like so many others on the internet. Rational discussions are rare these days. Nikon, Canon and Sony all make fantastic cameras. It's like you said, use the gear that fits you and your shooting style. Keep up the great work Manny!
Old school photographers we like to use dslr’s when you look into the view finder you see the reality. The weight and the feel of holding a dslr is like your holding a real camera and doesn’t feel like a toy. Dslr slows you down a bit, with the mirrorless you just shot hundreds of photos and it all looks the same.
I always find it funny when people argue about color science like if people upload pictures straight out of the camera. Almost every photographer always edits their pictures way different from out of the camera.
I'm a Nikon shooter, but for portraiture that eye autofocus is a really big thing. When I look at these shots I see the D800 shots focussed on the face and the A7RII focussed on the eyeball. That's a big difference because it makes the portraits seem more intimate and it replicates what we see when we look someone in the eye: the eye (ball) in perfect focus and then a gradual fade-off in clarity away from that. Might be enough to make me get an A7RII just for that - though, yes it would be good to see the A7RII pitched against the D850.
Hi friend, what did you finally do or bought? I'm thinking the same, but aren't the single card slot, poor battery life and changing lenses brand deal breakers?
Absolutely true, you add a grip, 2 batteries and you are roughly on the same weight. So that was a pretty meaningless point. The grip of the DLSR is bulkier tho, which is still preferable.
Big D800 series grips are arguably more ergonomic to begin with though. I think "big" cameras aren't a big deal to carry around as long as they are ergonomic. I love how my D800 feels.
D800 has ergonomics /size perfectly dialed for many people based on what I've read in others comments dating back to its inception. I have not found a need to change. Most perfect of all nikon bodies I've used.Bought into Fuji X-series too but nothing beats D800 for feel and navigation of controls for me. I especially like nikon for having controls on both sides of cam. Some brands are too right-handed which for me equals slower composition.
Love how honest you're about everything my dude! Not holding it back! Why I highly respect you so much due to that and your thirst for educating the rest of your fans and subs and future subs!
Both are fantastic. I don't think one is way "superior" than the other. Both have benefits. I love my D800, but will say I do wish it had a couple things the a7rii has. However, I think the upcoming D850 is going to be absolutely killer. It actually addresses a few things earlier models in the D800 line of cameras don't have.
I can't tell the difference between the sets delivered by two great experienced photographers with a beautiful model. For portrait shoot, the continuous eye focus feature is great to have. You just can't beat that with point focus. Eventually, DSLR will be taken over by the mirrorless system.
For the SOOC shots the Nikon looked better. Both are extremely capable cameras. Looking forward to what Sony does with the rumored A9R. Hopefully it will add a second card slot and use XQD.
Really enjoyed your honest approach to the systems. I really believe that it comes down to preference, like you said. There may be slight technical differences, but by far the photographer will have most influence on the images, not the body. Great video!
Many, thanks SOOOO very much for this. I do own a D800 and LOVE, LOVE the image quality I get from it. I do NOT use "automatic" functions; all manual, so I think this very much helps on final outcome. I also am looking for another camera to replace my Nikon D7100 (orig. cam, I learned on) and have been renting the Sony A6400 (too damn tiny for my large hands/fingers) and will soon rent the A7II because of the price point right now (so hard to consider the A7Riii and native lenses, etc. right now). So, this video has really helped me to look beyond my personal experience and help to see WHICH Sony (and I shall) eventually buy. Need more infocus shots and stabilization as well. Many thanks for this comparative video. (Huie)
Tried the Sony but it's too small for my taste. Ideal camera would be a camera which is somewhere in between the Sony and the Nikon in terms of both weight and size.
Notification Squad what up hommies! I've been waiting for another video. I converted to mirror less best choice I've made in a long time. #lookingforward and upward always. #MannyFan
Good point Manny about using what best suits you. Some people feel the need to push their likes on others...as far as the images they both look great...it is hard to pick one over the other, so I say it is a tie as far as images.
I was like him then a friend brought his Canon EOS R to the studio and I messed around with it and fell in love. I still have my 5Dmiii but hardly ever use it.
Keith-Alexander Bailey I guess I can agree I don't think because of how much more weight the DSLR has then the mirrorless that gives you more stabilization is justifiable to say that the Nikon is better or other way around. I do think he would need more time to learn the system better but at the end of the day it's still about preference, whatever camera fits you best is the one that you should go with. They're both great cameras but if I had to choose I would go Mirrorless wit Sony. Although at this point I'm shooting GH5 Micro 4/3 lol which I happen to love.
The fact that you don't get consistent focus on a dslr with all lenses and throughout all focusing points is enough for me not to plan any dslr purchases. There's always that lens that doesn't focus very well wide open. They didn't implement focus fine tune for nothing. And fine tune doesn't always work by the way. Many lenses struggle with off center focus points on a dslr. On mirrorless, that problem doesn't exist.
I also like the weight of my DSLR. I've never used a mirrorless so I can't really compare but I've always leaned towards heavier everything. I hope we can meet at Samy's camera this weekend. Either way great video man. Keep up the good work.
I'm looking for first "big" camera and I don't understand one thing. Sony A7 is ranked higher than Nikon D800, yet portraits from D800 seems 50% better in this video. I'm interested in portraits, street photos. D800 used has the same price tag as A7ii used. Is this video something unusual or D800 is simply better?
I have always shot Nikon DSLRs and I love the way they handle but if you throw a Sony or a Canon in my hands I can still use it pretty well. I'm also just a camera nerd and love using them all. It's goo to be well rounded in other words.
Nice little video, and some great images from both photographers (and respective gear) I own both of these bodies - when it comes to a staged portrait shoot with models I take the A7Rii when it comes to anything that moves fast (kids, dogs etc) the D800 comes along. Use what works for you and your shooting style.
I always say that any high and medium segment camera has enough to make good photos, the current problem is that we only look at the photos with the zoom on the computer and we do not print even 20% of our photos, if we did we would give ourselves realize that any mid and high segment camera is more than good. The best thing is to invest in good lenses, the cameras are computers that sooner or later you will change driven by consumerism, that is what I always have very clear ...
The D800 is now $200+ cheaper than the A7RII in the used camera market. Another thing to consider is the low pass filter which for portrait/fashion/wedding photographers will find it necessary.
Good video I have noticed that on both your vids with Nikon and canon the colors are warmer than Sonys I shoot all Sony myself and I love all the features. I also shot primarily on manual so I love everything about my cameras never regretted the investment. Enjoyed the video keep it up.
nikon finally answered the a7rii with the new d850. Coming from the d800 to the a7rii myself, love the smaller form factor of the sony, IBIS and video features. Eye Af is great as well.
Great video Manny as always! I've looked at this video and the previous shootout with the 5D Mark IV and what I can say is that the Photographer>Gear!! Yes the Canon and Nikon may have produced better color in skin tones but if you look at all the re-edited pics, Manny's own always look more professional and better! So as Manny said choose the gear that suits you! Always look forward to your content Manny, keep up the great work!
i think both have Sony sensor, so image quality is very good. But again i think different between dslr and mirrorless are speed, focus speed and eye focus ( especially for video )..
Appreciate the honest opinions in this video. Frankly, the nikon has a little richer colors than Sony in 3 portraits. Others are even. - from a Sony shooter
The Nikon pictures look better nobody can touch Nikon when it come to pictures but for video the Panasonic GH3 GH4 GH5 looks really good but the video from the Nikon is really good also but for video i like the mirrorless look but nikon have the Z7 mirrorless camera and the pictures and video look amazing so in my opinion Nikon is number one.
Great video Manny. I think the photos from both systems looked incredible! I currently shoot Nikon. Im about to start transitioning over to the Fuji system, but at this point there's really no way I could completely change over now. Maybe in another year or two I could since I shoot a lot of sports. I think mirrorless technology will be where I need it to be by then and then completely switch over to mirrorless at that point.
I know this is an old video but just looking at the A7ii and maybe moving from Nikon. I downloaded files and the difference is huge! Manny, do you think the 2 shots are a fair comparison of what the 2 cameras can do? The Nikon shot looks soft when viewed next to the sony file. It doesn't look like it missed focus, it just looks soft over all.
I love your videos Manny! I just have a question. I have a sony a6300 and want to upgrade to full frame. Which would be the better camera, A7 or the A7ii. I mostly do portrait photography. Thanks.
Hey I love the videos please don't stop. Definitely do the educational stuff too. If the next portrait shootout could put the A7R2 up against the Nikon D850 I would love to see that. But as always brother you are doing a great job and I look forward to these videos.
I have a fuji GFX50r and still have my old D800 with Zeiss distagon glass. The character it has is stunning. Smaller files and still look great in print. Although the GFX produces amazing quality images, the D800 is faster and far more fun to shoot with. An optical viewfinder beats mirrorless any day of the week. Mirrorless is crap and I say that as a mirrorless user.
Squarespace thinks they're getting their name out there so people will use them, but I pay extra for RU-vid Premium to avoid the ads and their trick to use photographers to advertise their crap only puts a bad connotation with their name. I would NEVER consider using them for that reason. And what the hell did that girl do to her arm??? I don't think I'd want to look at that while getting a hand job.
The sooc colors of the A7R II are really ugly compared to the D800! I didn't expect that! It almos looks like a totally wrong choosing White Balance. Where the white balance on both of the camera's on daylight settings?
Thanks For This! (specifically on the Raw file sample) Currently on a Japan trip at the moment and looking for either a used D800 or D600. Gathering what I can online and tinkering with the file you uploaded is making me lean more towards the 800 :-)
I would be more worried if the present file formats, e.g. JPEG, Tiff, BMP, PNG, etc., became obsolete rather than having a camera with eye-auto focus. EVF's, mirrorless, etc. I';;take my Pentax anytime.
The D800 is a beautiful camera and is one of the best I have used, though the A7 sounds good to me and is cheaper, I don't know which one to get haha 😂
Thanks for the video! Another great job as usual. Manny, your friend is a TYPICAL DSLR shooter. They are used to a specific way of shooting and EVERYTHING NEGATIVE he said about the Sony reflected that. He went into his time with the A7RII with his mind already made up and I get the feeling that NOTHING would have changed it. I know that personally, after literally decades shooting SLR's then DSLR's that I would NOT go back to DSLR's again for professional purposes. That's just how good my PETSONAL experience has been with the Sony system.
I'm surprised, I was expecting this to be another Sony is is so much better than DSLR video. Although you didn't really look happy with what he was saying at least you have done an honest video. I think it proves that there is still a market for both and although mirrorless may well be the future it just isn't there for everyone yet. I shoot with both and at this moment in time I could not see myself switching to mirrorless fully as there are just a few things that bug me with it. It is forcing companies to rethink though, would silent mode and many other features of the D850 be there without the competition... it's a good time to be a photographer, enjoy!
JaseEvoX : I think once full frame mirrorless cameras begin to appear in a Canon 6D Markii body style we'll see a new wave of photographers making the switch. Namely the ones who prefer a large grip and a body that balances well with a large lens and a full sized speedlight mounted on camera for event work. If only Sony would adopt the Canon 6D Markii form factor for one of their e-mount cameras and stuff it full of their latest technology, I'd be very interested myself.
JaseEvoX I remember like yesterday, photographers saying digital cameras are inferior to film. Now, look where film is. DSLR technology has reached it's maximum potential since it is a physical mirror that is moving. It is inferior to straight up light registering directly through a sensor. This is the baby steps of mirrorless and look at the more advanced features. Canon and Nikon will still be the kings in 5-10 years since they have the immense lens lineup, customer support, weathersealing etc but if they don't switch to mirrorless quick they will end up like Nokia.
Hey Manny, saw you roving the Sony Booth at Photo Plus on Thursday morning (fat guy holding the A7r3). I'm a newer sub and just saw this video pop up on my feed. Just wondered if you were going to give your thoughts on the D850. I know you are a Sony shooter but just wondering if you are going to keep reviewing other options out there. I'm sure you could probably get a loaner from B&H or Adorama if you link them. Maybe try it with the Nikon 70-200 and Mitakon 85 f1.2. I wholeheartedly agree with the point of this video being just shoot with what you are comfortable. The perfect camera is in the eye of the beholder. It's about your image, not your gear.
In this video I see very clear the camera gear doesn't matter but the photographer, in raw file nikon was much better as the a7rii but after the edition, pictures from the a7rii became far better than the nikons pictures, so nikon camera whit sony photographer skills equal big bang.
