Why I Left Sony for Nikon After Eight Years

Belted Kingfisher perched in a tree

After eight years with Sony and one year shooting Nikon, I share what drove me to switch and what matters for wildlife photography.

One year ago, I made a decision that surprised many photographers: I switched from Sony to Nikon for my wildlife photography. After eight years shooting Sony cameras and thousands of hours in the field with their gear, I traded my A7R V and lens collection for Nikon's Z9 system.

The switch wasn't quick. Eight years gives you time to understand a system's strengths and problems. After twelve months with Nikon, I can say this was one of my best gear decisions.

The Firmware Strategy That Changed Everything

I didn't switch for better image quality. I switched because Nikon actually updates their firmware. Sony wants you to buy a whole different camera.

I have confidence, based on their track record, that Nikon will add features to cameras instead of trying to get me to purchase a new one. Take focus bracketing as an example. The Sony A1 never got this feature through firmware updates, even though the hardware could handle it. Sony chose not to add it.

This pattern repeated throughout my eight years with Sony. Features that could work on existing cameras stayed exclusive to newer models. Sony's strategy is clear: buy the latest camera to get the latest features.

Nikon takes a different approach. The Z9's version 4.0 update added pre-capture that changed how I shoot fast-moving wildlife. Nikon didn't save this feature for the next camera model. They gave it to existing Z9 owners for free.

This matters when you invest tens of thousands of dollars in a camera system. I want my camera to get better over time, not become obsolete the moment a new model launches. Nikon's firmware updates add real value to cameras I already own.

The Z9 keeps getting new features through updates. My investment stays current longer. Sony's approach meant constantly feeling like I needed to upgrade to access features my current camera could technically handle.

Wildlife Lenses That Solve Real Problems

Nikon's wildlife lens lineup convinced me to switch. After a year of use, these lenses work better than I expected.

The 600mm f/4 TC with Built-in Teleconverter

The 600mm f/4 TC VR S shows what modern lens design can do. The built-in 1.4x teleconverter changes this lens from 600mm f/4 to 840mm f/5.6 with a simple switch. No fumbling with external teleconverters. No lost image quality. No extra weight in your bag.

I've used this feature hundreds of times this year. When photographing birds that suddenly move farther away, I flip the TC switch and keep shooting. The autofocus works just as well at 840mm. Image quality looks the same as the native 600mm setting.

Sony's 600mm f/4 is a good lens, but it doesn't have this built-in teleconverter. External teleconverters work, but they're slower to use and easier to lose in the field. After eight years of carrying separate teleconverters in my Sony kit, Nikon's built-in solution saves time when wildlife photography requires quick changes.

PF Lens Technology Cuts Weight

Nikon's Phase Fresnel (PF) lenses solve a problem every wildlife photographer faces: carrying heavy telephoto lenses on long hikes.

The 400mm f/4.5 VR S PF weighs just 2.54 pounds. Sony's closest option, the 400mm f/2.8, weighs twice as much at 5.25 pounds and costs much more. For photographers who hike miles to reach shooting locations, this weight difference changes what's possible.

I've carried the 400mm PF on 8-mile hikes without the shoulder pain that hurt me with heavier Sony telephotos. The image quality stays excellent despite the lower weight. Some photographers worry about the PF element creating problems, but I haven't seen any issues in my shooting.

At 2.54 pounds, this lens is light enough for handheld shooting through long days. Sony's 400mm f/2.8 makes better bokeh but the weight penalty isn't worth it for my style of wildlife photography.

What Sony Did Better

Eight years with Sony taught me to appreciate what they do well. There's one feature I miss.

Physical Aperture Rings

Sony's 35mm f/1.4 GM and 50mm f/1.4 GM lenses have physical aperture rings that give tactile feedback for exposure adjustments. The tactile feedback lets you change aperture settings and get physical confirmation that they changed.

Nikon's Z lenses use only electronic controls for aperture adjustment. The control rings on Nikon Z lenses can be set for aperture control, but they don't have physical detents. With the Nikon system there have been many times when I have accidentally changed the aperture via the control ring and not realized it.

This difference matters most for street or travel photography, where you need to make quick aperture adjustments while moving. For landscape photography, I'm typically on a tripod and moving much slower, so I don't disturb the aperture setting. For wildlife photography, the electronic controls work well since I typically shoot wide open or at specific f-stops I know by heart.

The lack of physical aperture rings on Nikon Z lenses is my only real complaint after one year of use. It's a small issue compared to the firmware and lens advantages, but worth noting for photographers who value tactile controls.

One Year Later: No Regrets

After twelve months shooting only Nikon, I don't regret leaving Sony behind. The combination of stable firmware updates and practical wildlife lenses has improved my photography workflow.

The built-in teleconverter on the 600mm f/4 TC has changed how I approach wildlife photography. Instead of carrying multiple lenses or external teleconverters, I can adapt to changing situations with a simple switch. This flexibility has helped me capture shots that would have been impossible with my previous Sony setup.

Nikon's PF lens technology makes long telephoto lenses practical for hiking photographers. The weight savings are real and noticeable during full-day shoots. Combined with the Z9's excellent battery life, I can shoot longer without getting tired.

The firmware stability gives me confidence that my camera will work the same way every time in the field. I don't hesitate before installing updates, wondering what features might break or change without warning.

Sony makes excellent cameras and lenses. Their system keeps improving quickly. The physical aperture rings on select GM lenses beat Nikon's electronic-only approach. But for wildlife photography, Nikon's current Z system better matches how I shoot and what I need in the field.

Check out my wildlife portfolio to see the images I've captured with Nikon's Z system over the past year. Prints of these photographs are available for purchase, showing the image quality possible with modern Nikon Z cameras and lenses.