Some thoughts on what I think was the best do-it-all cameras of the last decade as well as some of the contenders.
That camera is. . . The Nikon Z6.
Before that last firmware update, I think I would have to say either Fujifilm X-T3, maybe then the Sony A7III, and somewhere in there is the Nikon D850. I actually think the Nikon D850 was the best camera of the decade, but not the best do-it-all camera.
So why the Z6 and not the A7III or X-T3? | Specs
First off, I’ll say the A7III was the most important and iconic camera of the 2010s, like the 5DII was the most iconic and important camera of the 2000s.
However, a lot of that was because of timing and social influence. The Z6 defeats the A7III and X-T3 in just about every stills photography spec and comes in at $100 dollars less than the A7III. But specs aren’t everything and I can look past that for a few reasons.
The image quality was still good on the A7III and XT3 and we’re talking about results, that’s all that matters for a good for do-it-all. What situations can you use it in, and how are the results?
If you want to see some side-by-side specs between the A7III and Z6, you can see my comparison here.
There was only one thing the Sony A7III and X-T3 did better technically than the Z6, and that’s the peace of mind with the dual card slots.
I think the dual card slot thing was hyped up, straight up fear-mongering for clicks by the influencers that shop too much at Ebay and I think CFexpress solves a lot of the reliability problems. Even those Sony Tough cards are not failing on people and are great cards.
You also can’t say CFexpress is more expensive because, if you’re going off the fear-mongering philosophy you’ll need to buy two cards on the Sony and Fuji.
So I don’t consider dual memory cards an important thing for this type of do-it-all system, some specialized photography yes.
I would also say the Sony had a better, more reliable focus system, but again, that changed at the end with firmware updates on the Z6. Both systems, now are very good, there are some things I really like about Sony, and some things really like about the Z6 with the X-T3 lagging slightly behind late 2019. It’s a little better now with the new firmware.
On the photography side of things, the Z6 did end up surpassing the A7III and X-T3 on a bunch of little specs that pull it ahead, but that’s still not the reason I say the Z6 is better.
Video Performance
RAW Video is why the Z6 is a better do it all camera. It became a system that you could literally shoot extremely high-quality videos in a professional setting and for that reason, it’s a better system.
With stills, you could argue that the A7III and the Z6 produce very similar results, you can’t say that about the video.
The Fujifilm X-T3 does have very impressive video, 10-bit internal 400Mbps. When running internal video, the X-T3 is better than the Z6, but the Z6 can produce better stills. However, the XT3 has no suitable fast AF lenses for video.
The Sony A7III had and still has some pretty poor video performance and I think Sony does this intentionally to segment their system from their video cameras. Sony and Canon will continue to have this problem whereas Nikon and Fujifilm don’t make prosumer and pro cine cameras so they can throw all the crazy specs in their mirrorless cameras and the Z system looks like it was built for this.
Lens System
You can’t talk about a camera without talking about the whole system and again, I think the Z6 is fine here. They have a nice mix of lenses suitable for do-it-all photography. Although no 24-105 in the Z mount, so obviously you can get more specialized with some of the Sony lenses, but, F lenses work on the Z camera still. Does that count? I think but some people don’t like that. Still, I think most people could get by with what was available in the Z Mount by the end of 2019.
That’s not saying you can’t have more fun with the FE lenses available for the Sony A7III system, you can. Those AF Samyang lenses are fantastic and I have no plans to ditch the Sony system anytime soon.
And Fujifilm X-T3 lenses? If they updated their f1.4 lenses with WR and better AF, this would be a different story.
There are some things those Sony cameras are just great for and since Sony has such an aggressive update cycle on their cameras. You can buy slightly older cameras like the A7rIII at some great prices. This will always make the system very appealing and this is only going to get better going forward as camera companies struggle to introduce actual meaningful updates. Common, like you need 8k. 🙂
And clearly this is not a bash on the A7III camera. It almost was the best do-it-all camera and there are some video features like internal log that it does that the Nikon cannot. It’s just with the Nikon you can shoot flat, and it does have a better bitrate.
Here is a gallery from a recent adventure. In some of these shots it was pouring rain and the Z6 was still fine. 🙂 This was a mix between the Nikkor Z 50mm f1.8 S and the Z 35mm f1.8 S.
This year I’ll be shooting a lot more with the A7rIII when the weather is nice since I have no WR lenses for that system.
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19 comments
Much love for the Z6. As you know how much I like that camera. I think in the future I would probably get it with the 24-70f2.8 and the 85 1.8 and call it a day as my paid workhorse camera.
That would be a great setup, unless, Fujifilm starts making f2 zooms and releases that 50mm f1 asap.
I just stumbled upon your website and was very impressed by the thoroughness of your article comparing the Z6 to the A7III. It’s nice to hear some contrarian voices offering up real-world experience. Yours is literally the only review I’ve read which comes to this surprising conclusion. Looking at your spectacular photography, I can tell you’re not another internet spec measurebator either.
That said, I don’t see any video. Do you use your Z6 much for this purpose? Would I miss my (a6300) S-LOG footage if I upgraded to the Z series? Do you think the video autofocus is on par?
Thank you for your informative reviews!
I’ve been gearing up for video on this channel. I do shoot a lot with my Z6, but just bRoll which has no purpose at this point.
The Z shoots a flat mode internally with is pretty close to a Log, but to shoot log you have to go external HDMI out for some reason. I think because it needs to be 10-bit for the way Nikon is doing it. Can’t remember exactly why.
As far as the A6300, I use to own that camera for about a year. The Z cameras do the thing like the Canon cameras where AF behaves a lot differently in video mode and video tries to slow down for smoother focusing transitions. I can’t remember if the A6300 did that. I rarely shot video with that camera for the year I had it. But Z AF is very good.
And yes, S-Log is better, but the Z camera does have about 50% better bitrate. So you might be able to make up for that with the flat profile the Z camera has and you’ll have IBIS.
Here is what the Nikon Flat looks like. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/5330d9979a01c1fd77f75fdd7645be32cb5de2aceacd2de8f707784d90f358c8.png
Also, you might want to rent a Z50 or get some test footage from the Nikon. If you’re use to working with Sony, Nikon colors are very different and it could force you to change your color grading workflow if you have something setup and tight.
Thanks for your replies! It looks like I’ll need to get my hands on both before making a decision. I would agree with you that the Nikon has a lot going for it in terms of real-world use vs. specs on paper.
Hey Alik, I really enjoy reading all of your articles and your honest/detailed responses on everything. Since you have access to the main cameras I’m looking at, I do have a question. First, I’m looking for a camera to get better quality photos of my family/vacation locations (e.g. better photos in lowlight than our current camera G7x mark ii), and I’m intrigued to get a camera that has more flexibility. I’ve been impressed with your reviews of the Nikon Z6 and Fuji X-T3. I’m not looking at the professional lenses, just the practical ones like you also seem to love such as the 50 1.8 for Nikon that don’t cost a lot. I’m wanting at least an APS-C size sensor. My question is this: how much of a physical size difference and image quality in general will there be between the Nikon (with A lens like the 24-70 f4 or 50mm 1.8) vs Fuji with the 18-55mm 2.8-4 or 35mm f2)? I’m basically wanting a great lens for family portraits/low light, a walk around zoom for when I don’t have time to swap lenses and maybe one telephoto for when my son plays sports. I dont have a camera store nearby to try these out in person so I was hoping you can provide some insight to someone like me who is a newbie in photography. I was initially leaning towards the Fuji system since I assumed the trade off between physical size and image quality would be worth it to me (I.e. I would bring a smaller camera out more often) and I ASSUMED the Fuji system would be smaller than FF, but I’ve seen a few of your comments saying the size isn’t that different between the two systems. Is that true with the types of lenses I’ve mentioned? Is the size really indistinguishable that I wouldn’t notice? Like I said, I’m not looking at acquiring a lot of lenses so that might way in on your thoughts. Can you explain the physical size difference between those systems with those lenses as well as image quality in general or any other thoughts you have for a non professional person just wanting better images for his family. I know they are both great cameras but if there really isn’t a size difference like I thought then I might lean towards the Nikon. Or even another camera you’d recommend like the Z50. Thanks in advance!
I would go with the Fujifilm if I was in your position. I’ve gone Nikon because I do a lot of shooting at night in the rain and Fujifilm doesn’t have those fast weather-sealed lenses yet. I shot and still shoot just Fujifilm a lot and would go back to using it for everything once they get faster WR lenses. Fujifilm gives you the flexibility to go smaller. Even though a lot of the zoom lenses and everything is only slightly little smaller and sometimes cheaper than the Nikon stuff, the system has lenses that are very small which is still pretty cool and very useful. Nikon still has not made any small lenses for the Z system and the system is overall noticeably heavier (depending on the lens) Some Z lenses like the 14-30 are pretty small and light probably on par with the Fujinon 10-24.
Right now, I’m in Hollywood working and I only have my Z camera with me, and it’s just a little big and heavy to carry around every day as I’m walking around going to and from work. I don’t mind the extra weight for when I’m actually going out to shoot, but when I’m just bringing it to have it, it’s a little cumbersome. I would much rather have my XT3 with a small light prime. I actually brought my XT2 but left it at my brother’s house but have an X100V coming for next week. I really like X-T3. It’s so cheap right now and does so much and has great video. I would go with an Xt3 instead of a Z50 because Fujifim is all in on APS-C, Nikon is not. Also, if you’re thinking of a Z6, for that price you could do that X-T4 and get the IBIS and other improvements.
It’s hard for me to recommend Z6 or XT3 though because I like both systems for different reasons. But I still believe APS-C is better for most people or even light pros.
There is a difference in image quality mostly in low light high ISO. At ISO 6400 the Z6 is just cleaner. None of that is game-changing though.
Again there is a size difference but it depends a lot on the lens. It’s just not like it was back in the Nikon DLSR days. The Z6 is heavier than the Xt3 because of the IBIS and bigger battery. The T4 is a bit heavier than the T3 though.
But regarding the XT4 + 35 f2 & 18-55 vs Z6 + 24-70 & 50 1.8, do you think the IQ is comparable?
For body + zoom, it’s 917g for Fuji and 1085 for Nikon, with the body + prime total weight being 777g for Fuji and 1000g nikon. Doesn’t seem that big of a difference regarding price and weight.
It’s not with the zooms. So yeah, I still like FF for my zoom kits. But having the option to go small and is still really nice with the Fujifilm just in case someone every wants to switch it up.
I don’t have the zooms so I’m not sure how those are comparable in terms of IQ, I’m a Canon zoom guy. 😉 But that Z 50mm f1.8 gives you an APS-C dof look of a 35mm f1.2 lens on the Fujifilm system, so it’s not really compatible. To make that that lens on Fujifilm, you would probably need to be a similar size. The Rokinon 35mm f1.2 is pretty big, only a little smaller than the Nikon Z 50mm f1.8 but it doesn’t have AF. So If Fujifilm tried to match that lens it would also be big and heavy.
So it’s tough to compare and is kind of one of those things that the photographer has to figure out. I hope Nikon makes some nice f2.8 small lenses. It’s so hard for me to decide between the Z6 or something like the X-T4. They’re both so good and unique in their own way. 🙂
Thanks once again for your reply Alik. I hope you don’t mind that I use your commentary box as a way for me to interact with other photographers and reflect on my purchases since I really like your non BS approach and therefore value your feedback a lot.
I loved using the XT3 and the XT4 seems even better but don’t you think that apart from the X100, XPro and XE lines that offer something unique, the XT line is in a tough spot now? I say this because if we look at prices, it will cost 1800€ in Europe which is similar to the Z6 (Z6 is actually cheaper), A7III or even an A7RIII in grey market, and what are the standout features for stills that the XT line has over those cameras for Fuji to justify their price? I focus on stills because I know nothing about video specs.
And when we look at lenses it gets even harder to justify imo, since the 1.4 and 1.2 primes are a bit outdated now, even though they render beautifully, but the price is the same as new Z glass or the good Sony 1.8 primes.
Whats your feedback so far regarding the 3.0 AF update for the Z system?
The firmware 3.0 update is amazing. I’ve actually never had a problem with the Nikon AF to begin with but now tracking has improved and it’s so much easier to use so I find myself self-using that mode more. It now feels like a very complete focus system.
Thanks for your advice Alik. And yours too Pedro. I do have one more quick question If you don’t mind. In terms of low light iso performance, could you give us an estimate at the differences between the Z6 and X-T3 (also kind of looking at X-T30 as well) for those primes, the 1.4 and f2 for Fuji and f1.8 for Nikon. I realize the Z6 is better, but by how much? E.g. how high of an iso will you personally go with both cameras? Just curious as that’s our main limitation now, we aren’t satisfied with low light performance of our G7X for indoors and night shots.
Check out the studio comparison tool on DPReview. That will give you a better answer than I can.
But, you’ll get more light on an f1.4 lens than on an f1.8 lens so the difference gets made up on the Fujifilm system a little. It’s not a full stop but using ff1.4 lenses on the Fuji system will get you close to the Nikon with f1.8 lenses in terms of grain and noise. I try not to shoot more than ISO 6400 unless I go black and white with the edits with the f1.4 or f1.8 lenses. The difference between f1.4 and f1.8 is I think about 2/3rds of a stop. So the Nikon will still have a slight edge in low light performance.
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/image-comparison?attr18=daylight&attr13_0=nikon_z6&attr13_1=fujifilm_xt30&attr13_2=fujifilm_xt3&attr13_3=canon_eosr&attr15_0=raw&attr15_1=raw&attr15_2=raw&attr15_3=raw&attr16_0=6400&attr16_1=6400&attr16_2=6400&attr16_3=6400&normalization=full&widget=1&x=-0.8670901151250495&y=0.16691523922031884
Thanks for your help and advice! I’ve decided to definitely go the Fuji route. Since talking with you, a few people have actually recommended a used X-T2 or even the X-T30 (if I can love without weather sealing) since this is my first Fuji camera so I’ve been comparing those the past few days. Hopefully I can make my decision soon so I can start shooting lol
Great photographs!
I love the FTZ adapter for my Z6. I prefer to shoot Z-mount whenever possible because the Z lenses are better, but in my experience AF-S lenses work like native. I regularly shoot my 28mm 1.8G with my 50/1.8S. The other day I used the tilt/shift 24mm lens with great results.
The Nikon F lens system is huge and its easy to rent specialist lenses almost anywhere in the world. And I predict a wonderful second hand market for AF-S lenses on the used market. Already today I can buy a nice 70-200mm 2.8VR II for under 1000$.
I see more and more Sony and Fuji lenses on the used market but they are nowhere near Canon and Nikon. Btw I use that same 28mm f1.8G, along with some others, on my film camera, the Nikon F100 which feels and operates similarly to my Z6 even though it came out in 1999 and takes Kodak Ektachrome.
Yep. I’ll probably buy some more F lenses soon for fun. There are some old gems out there.