Is the Nikon Z8 and new Nikkor Z 180-600mm lens any good for hand held video? First Impressions

In this video I show some first hand held bird wildlife video clips using the Nikon Z8 and new Nikkor Z 180-600mm F/5.6 6.4 VR lens. I discuss my initial impressions of this setup compared to the Sony A7IV and Sony 200-600 G lens.
Timecodes
0:00 - Intro
0:02 - Welcome
0:32 - In this video I show first hand held video clips
1:08 - Why I returned the Sony 200-600mm G lens?
1:27 - First thoughts on the Nikon Z8 and Nikkor Z 180-600mm F/5.6 6.3 VR lens
2:15 - Conclusions
2:33 - Thanks

[@Mr09260]

This is the best Current Combo available now >> I have been Nikon since 1971 and this Camera Lens is best

[@georgemeimaris]

Nikon stabilization is incredible. I had a z5 but autofocus was not good at all so i got a7iv with 200-600. Now with z8 and the new firmware i am tempted to get this exact set up

[@SeanMcChannel]

Thanks George. The Z8's recent firmware 2.0 update with bird subject detection is definitely a significant improvement to AF performance - and the other firmware updates are a bonus. Nikon is at least providing substantial firmware updates - unlike Canon and Sony. The Bird eye detection is now on par with Canon R6II subject detection in my testing so far (Canon R6II I understand was Canon's latest auto focus borrowed from the Canon R3).
Before the firmware update I was a little uncertain about Nikon's AF subject detection of small birds being on par or better than competition from Canon or Sony, but since using 2.0 firmware some more, the AF performance is for small birds (eg. humming birds, chickadees) is very good.
No camera system AF is perfect with complicated backgrounds, but I am satisfied with my decision to get the Nikon Z8 system over the Sony A7IV I sold. Plus I can use good old EF glass I have with the Z8 using the awesome Fringer EF to Z adapter, and Nikon has not locked down it lens mount system to native Z lenses.
Sure the Z8 is more expensive than the Sony A7IV, but it is a camera body with much improved specs, handling, features and performance. I don't mind the larger Z8 camera body size vs the Sony A7IV, so it is a good fit for me. Going by Nikon's Z8 sales, it seems it is a good fit for many others as well.

[@georgemeimaris]

I would love to have a bigger body, my only concern was autofocus. So you find it better or the same with the A7Iv ?

[@SeanMcChannel]

@@georgemeimaris With firmware 2.0 the bird AF beats the Sony A7IV (and Canon R5) and matches the Canon R6II in my opinion in real world use. If a subject is very small in the frame, then technically the Z8 may be slightly inferior in subject detection in such cases as the Sony A7IV has 759 auto focus points vs Canon R6II's 1053 auto focus points vs Z8's 493 auto focus points. But in the real world use, I don't see that as so significant - do you really need to take a shot if the subject is that small in frame that the number of auto focus points would have a major impact? I don't.
From my research of the AF performance before purchasing the Z8 (I purchased it before FW2.0) I came to the conclusion that the AF is probably on par with the Sony A7RV (although I have not used the A7RV myself, I ruled out the A7RV as the video is crippled by the slow readout of the sensor resulting in absolutely terrible rolling shutter (sensor read out speed so slow on A7R5, Z8 also does much better in photos frames per second). So overall I find the Nikon Z8 video AF to be better than my experience with the Sony A7IV.
Perhaps I could have played with the Sony A7IV more but I definitely don't regret selling the A7IV. I did not have many E mount lenses so that made my decision to change systems easier. I liked what Nikon was doing with the Z9 and Z8 and took the plunge in Nikon system. I hedged my best by getting the Canon R6II (for its lighter weight for hiking and it's AF performance while waiting for Z8's FW2.0) I prefer the Canon R6II over the Sony A7IV based on my experience with it - although I may be biased as I was a long time Canon shooter (Canon 5D, 5DmkII etc)
Overall, the Z8 beats the A7IV hands down in my opinion in so many area - photo frames per second, video capture - it is not even a close competition - No rolling shutter in Z8 compared to terrible rolling shutter on the a7IV (readout speeds like 4ms for the Z8 Vs 28-35ms for the A7IV for 4k), Z8 also offers 8k-60p no crop raw for recompose of shots for 4k, waveforms and raw internal capture. I prefer my Canon R6II to Sony A7IV - those two are really direct competitors.
The Z8 is like Nikon flagship Z9 camera in smaller body. Z8 costs a lot more than Sony A7IV - but I don't regret upgrading and purchasing the Z8.
I would recommend finding a friend with a Z8 setup or renting a Z8 setup to test it for yourself - especially if you are heavily invested in Sony E mount - it may be worth the few $s to do so.
(Sorry about long comment = I plan to do more videos on my Z8 experience == just got to get the time to do so)

[@georgemeimaris]

Really appreciate your answer, I am closer to selling my A7iv know😂 I will just w8 for the next Nikon sale 😂

[@chukimenorca69]

Hello, I also just bought the Nikon Z8, in video quality it seems much superior to the Sony A1. In image quality I don't notice any differences, even most of the time I think that the Nikon surpasses the Sony. Also, from what I'm seeing from fellow photographers, the Nikons are stronger and more durable than the Sony ones. I am now considering buying this Nikkor Z 180-600 lens and I will almost certainly do so this month. Greetings and thanks for the video

[@SeanMcChannel]

Thanks for the comment. Enjoy your Nikon Z8 setup. I have no regrets moving from Sony to the Nikon Z8, except that recently work and weather has interferred such that I just have not had a lot of time lately to enjoy using 😞. Hopefully I can change that in the next week or so.😃

[@user-oe5jl2br6u]

Good stuff. Have you considered comparing the Z8 vs A1 and A93?

[@SeanMcChannel]

Hi. Yes - I don't have access (other than rental perhaps) to Sony A1 50MP (retail C$8499) or Sony A93 25MP(retail C$8299), but I would not reasonably consider them for most normal users (except pros and those with money to burn) as they are both far more expensive than the Z8 (retail C$5200), like 50% more expensive! The Sony A7RV (C$5300) is the closest competitor in Sony line up on basis of specs and price to the Nikon Z8.

[@lewcehjitl3282]

How’s battery life? The a7rV has better ibis than Nikons whole Mirrorless system.

[@SeanMcChannel]

The A7RV is a great camera. The Z8 is also a great camera (which made camera of the year 2023). Every camera as pros and cons.
The Z8 battery life is adequate - who would not want larger battery capacity for any system? If one needs to shoot tons of video just have another battery to swap or use a camera cage with external USB powerbank which I guess heavy video users would do anyway.
I have not tested the a7RV ibis in detail, but I doubt it is that much better than Nikon Z8 in real world use. I have not tested other Nikon mirrorless cameras IBIS so can't confirm or deny your comment.
Perhaps I may rent a A7RV sometime and do a side by side comparison of IBIS, but from my own experience, the Nikon Z8 +180-600 Z lens IBIS +VR stabilization performance is vastly better than the Sony A74 + 200-600 G lens IBIS+OSS stabilization performance. That I have tested.
No camera's IBIS is perfect. Nikon Z8 is not a vlogging camera. Neither is Sony's A7RV a vlogging camera - A7RV rolling shutter is terrible. Every camera as pros and cons.
Do you have a video showing the better performance of the Sony A7RV IBIS vs Nikon Z8 IBIS?
I am not a fan boy of Sony or Nikon or Canon. I just use a camera that I have available and prefer to use for a particular situation. The 'best' camera is the one you have with you.
Enjoy your Sony A7RV - it is a great camera from what I have seen. Cheers.