The eternal conundrum - Canon or Nikon (mirrorless)

Fairyrose

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Hello All,

Please forgive me for posting another gear question.

I’m in the market for a full frame camera. I already own the Fuji XT20 and XT3 but have decided that I’d like to treat myself to a FF for landscape and also some experiment with flowers, insects in addition to hopefully also appreciating full frame for just pictures of the kids and the dog in the park... although I suspect that I’ll be more likely to use the XT3 for that.

I’ve narrowed it down to mirrorless (don’t quite see the advantages of a traditional DSLR as battery life isn’t a great concern to me and the optical view finder to me adds nothing over and above the EVF on mirrorless).

I’ve sold my Nikon D7500 - never liked it, was a mistake from the start - the colours never popped and I just couldn’t get excited about taking it out with me.

I don’t like the ergonomics of the Sony a7iii, also not keen on the Sony colours, so that rules out one of the prime contenders in the mirrorless market.

I’ve narrowed it down to the Nikon Z6 or the Canon EOS R. Pros and cons as I see it - Nikon have just released a major firmware update making the eye autofocus a breeze (I tried it in a shop). The ergonomics are ok but not ideal. But the size is more appealing than the Canon which is big once you put a lens on (!).

The EOS R is better in terms of ergonomics, the (eye) autofocus is ok but the lens sizes are enormous! Having said that I’ve already got the Fuji which I can use when I need smaller.

The Nikon has IBIS which is appealing for handheld shots (landscape and family) and the Canon doesn’t, but for ‘serious’ landscape shots on a tripod I’d turn that off anyway.

So much for the tech side - as far as I can tell. There’s probably much more to note and I have watched every YouTube video going - but these are the points I’ve noted. Now the emotional side - I cannot get excited about the Nikon, not sure why. Maybe the square design and finding it boring looking, meh... sorry Nikon lovers!

Any thoughts from you guys much appreciated!
 
If I had to pick between the Nikon Z6 or Canon EOS R, I would probably swing towards the Nikon Z6 as it fits better in my hands compared to the Canon EOS R. :D
 
Having handled both cameras, you are in a better position than I to make a decision, but I moved (about a year ago) from Fuji entirely (unlike you) to the Nikon Z6, and I love it. Getting used to the controls (non-mechanical) took a bit of getting used to, but I do find the IQ to be streets ahead of my X-H1 and X-T2 - at least, using RAW files. I'm not the least bit concerned about things like eye AF, being a landscape/industrial-scape photographer, but I really appreciate the IBIS. Again, better than the X-H1. I would never now buy a camera without some sort of stabilisation.

But as I said, I've never even considered the Canon let alone handled one.
 
it strikes me that having tried the two systems already, you have the same problem with the z series as you did with the d7500 (doesn't excite you to use) and that you already have a preference for the canon. You also have a contingency plan for when the eos-r is too bulky, so for me it seems obvious that the canon is the one you want and will actually get excited about using.
 
Both have there merits, but I doubt you will get the "appeal" to go out and use it as much as the Fuji gives you. Those analogue controls just seem to make the whole experience more tactile.

So, if you want a camera with good IBIS and you want to enjoy the experience, look at the X-T4. If you're not worried about the way it feels, I'd go for a Z7 with the bigger sensor. If you are changing to FF to get the best of what that delivers, go big or go home!
 
From what I read between the lines, you have a G.A.S itch for FF. (The xt-3 is a very capable camera). The sensor on the Nikon is a bit better than Canon and for editing it would give you a bit more shadow recovery. However as it’s a bigger camera ergonomics are going to be more important. Perhaps you are better off waiting to see what Canon releases in the R6 as you seem predisposed towards Canon.
 
If I had to pick between the Nikon Z6 or Canon EOS R, I would probably swing towards the Nikon Z6 as it fits better in my hands compared to the Canon EOS R. :D

Thanks - the Nikon isn’t bad but my pinkie has nowhere to hold on to![emoji4]
 
From what I read between the lines, you have a G.A.S itch for FF. (The xt-3 is a very capable camera). The sensor on the Nikon is a bit better than Canon and for editing it would give you a bit more shadow recovery. However as it’s a bigger camera ergonomics are going to be more important. Perhaps you are better off waiting to see what Canon releases in the R6 as you seem predisposed towards Canon.

Yes a definite case of GAS. There’s no denying it [emoji23] And you’re right I kinda like the Canon more but the lenses are soooo huge! I may regret it. Sigh.
 
Both have there merits, but I doubt you will get the "appeal" to go out and use it as much as the Fuji gives you. Those analogue controls just seem to make the whole experience more tactile.

So, if you want a camera with good IBIS and you want to enjoy the experience, look at the X-T4. If you're not worried about the way it feels, I'd go for a Z7 with the bigger sensor. If you are changing to FF to get the best of what that delivers, go big or go home!

Thanks - Not sure IBIS is such a deal breaker for me. I’m quite happy with the xt3 but want FF for that different experience [emoji4]
 
it strikes me that having tried the two systems already, you have the same problem with the z series as you did with the d7500 (doesn't excite you to use) and that you already have a preference for the canon. You also have a contingency plan for when the eos-r is too bulky, so for me it seems obvious that the canon is the one you want and will actually get excited about using.

I think you’ve looked into my soul!
 
Having handled both cameras, you are in a better position than I to make a decision, but I moved (about a year ago) from Fuji entirely (unlike you) to the Nikon Z6, and I love it. Getting used to the controls (non-mechanical) took a bit of getting used to, but I do find the IQ to be streets ahead of my X-H1 and X-T2 - at least, using RAW files. I'm not the least bit concerned about things like eye AF, being a landscape/industrial-scape photographer, but I really appreciate the IBIS. Again, better than the X-H1. I would never now buy a camera without some sort of stabilisation.

But as I said, I've never even considered the Canon let alone handled one.

Thanks - I’m not intrigued by the XH1s for some reason- aren’t they more suited to video than stills? Sorry that’s probably unfair.... what do you live about the Z6?
 
Thanks - Not sure IBIS is such a deal breaker for me. I’m quite happy with the xt3 but want FF for that different experience [emoji4]
It also a more expensive experience in most cases :D lol
 
Thanks - I’m not intrigued by the XH1s for some reason- aren’t they more suited to video than stills? Sorry that’s probably unfair.... what do you live about the Z6?
The whole package is similar to the weight for the similar setup on the X-H1 yet feels more balanced. The images are clearer and sharper with very little processing. Not that I thought there was anything wrong with the Fuji images until I saw the results from the Nikon. And I think the IBIS is better - and yes, I know that IBIS can add a premium to the price, but it’s worth it to me being a tripod hater (despite owning three of the beasts). However, had the X-T4 been available at the time it might have been a different story.
 
Neither, both are very much the also rans in a market of excellent products.

If Sony is out I would consider the L mount Alliance if for nothing else it’s :cool: name
 
I would consider the L mount Alliance if for nothing else it’s :cool: name
It's interesting in some ways how many times people have tried to standardise lens mounts. Just some of the attempts I can remember...
  • Leica thread: the 39mm coupled rangefinder mount was a defacto standard from the 1930s until the 1980s.
  • Pentacon/Pentax thread: The M42 SLR mount was another defacto standard from the 1950s to the 1980s.
  • T: a simple adapter to fit a lens to a camera without control linkages.
  • T-4: as above but with a linkage to aperture control.
  • Enna: a system to allow lenses to fit both M42 screw and Exakta bayonet cameras.
  • Tamron: several iterations of an interchangeable mount system including linkages to aperture and metering.
  • Four Thirds: common set of standards agreed by 7 companies (but only Olympus and Panasonic/Leica used it).
  • M43: second version of Four Thirds for fully electronic cameras.
I'm sure this list is incomplete and that there are many more to come.
 
I wouldn't worry about in-camera colours, you make your own by tweeking in post. RAW or JPEG.
 
I wouldn't worry about in-camera colours, you make your own by tweeking in post. RAW or JPEG.
True, but it does help if the ooc colours are close to what you imagine they should be. The science is fine, but we all see/interpret colours differently.
 
True, but it does help if the ooc colours are close to what you imagine they should be. The science is fine, but we all see/interpret colours differently.
This makes sense..... for example people tout that the standard OOC JPEG's from the Fujifilm system are great..... I have to agree :)
In some cases this means less post-processing work.
 
True, but it does help if the ooc colours are close to what you imagine they should be. The science is fine, but we all see/interpret colours differently.

Yes, colour is subjective but it is also firmly rooted in science - the same science that all camera manufacturers use. You're then free to modify to taste however you like, either in-camera or in post-processing. You can even modify the camera's base profiles if you really want to.

It's just that bald statements like 'Canon colours are best' are complete nonsense. Of all the many variables that effect colour very significantly, the camera is the least of our worries. Check the video linked above and see just how subjective and inconsistent our perception of colour really is. Whatever you may think of Our Tony, he's technically pretty solid.
 
Colours are absolutely subjective.

I considered a few different systems in my move from Sony, and ended up going for Canon.

Part of the reason for this was because (like Fuji) I love the way Canon handles colour.

Of course any camera can produce great colour and tone, but I personally find that I prefer certain brands. This then equates to less time processing to get a result I like.
 
Thanks - I’m not intrigued by the XH1s for some reason- aren’t they more suited to video than stills? Sorry that’s probably unfair.... what do you live about the Z6?

Nope, the H1 is great for photography, it's all I use it for. I think I used the video feature on it 3 times max, and that was just because it was there, certainly didn't buy it for the video side. IMO, it is the best APSC camera on the market, as a complete all-rounder. It's got the best build, the nicest shutter mechanism, the IBIS is pretty decent and end IQ is too. It won't match FF, but it's more than a match for any APSC camera out there

As for the original Q - I've not had my hands on either the Z line or the R but atm, if I had the money I'd go with a Z6, but maybe hold out a bit longer. Canon have an R model on the way with IBIS
 
Landscapes and Flowers? Spend the money on the 10-24 and a macro for the Fuji :)

I've recently gone Fuji/Sony setup ( recently a Sony A7ii for that FF itch) and I'm more likely to use grab and use the Fuji, because it's just, awesome!
 
I don’t like the Sony colours. Sorry!
This always prevented me from moving to Sony tbh but after learning more about colour science and trying raw samples online I’ve now got Sony files to near as dammit match my Nikon ones.

I don’t know if you’ve followed my ‘saga’ on here trying to find an all in one solution rather than running two systems (Nikon Z7 and Olympus EM1-II) but I went around the houses and very nearly pulled the trigger on Fuji. In the end I’ve gone with the Sony A7RIV (the first Sony mirrorless I’ve actually liked the ergonomics of) and so far so good. I’m actually really pleased with the output, every bit as good as my Z7 imo.

But back to your question Nikon Z or Canon EOS R. Tbh if you’re happy with the ergonomics of both I’d base my decision on the lenses and lens roadmap. Yes you can use their equivalent adapters but as much as I thought I’d be happy doing so I found it’s not ideal (YMMV). Imo the canon lineup isn’t as good as Nikon’s, and some of their lenses are crazy expensive (Nikon Z mounts aren’t exactly cheap though).
 
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