Nikon and Sony: What is the difference between Sony and Nikon? They both use the same sensors which is what makes the photo today in the digital world. Of course Nikon uses older...

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

What is the difference between Sony and Nikon?
They both use the same sensors which is what makes the photo today in the digital world.
Of course Nikon uses older generation sensors after Sony is done.
So why not go Sony with the latest sensors?
Just wondering?

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Having the "Latest and Greatest" boasting IMHO

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

For the majority of the kind of photography most people do, sensor quality is has become a mute point. Sensor size is still counts, but mostly in low light. People are getting great images on one inch sensors like used in the Sony RX line. But, lower light sports shooting, I think big sensors still matter.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

Architect1776 wrote:

What is the difference between Sony and Nikon?
They both use the same sensors which is what makes the photo today in the digital world.
Of course Nikon uses older generation sensors after Sony is done.
So why not go Sony with the latest sensors?
Just wondering?

Photography is loaded with trade-offs. Selecting a camera, like photography in general, involves evaluating many trade-offs, such as price, build quality, frequency of repair, features, compatibility with ones lens collection, etc. I use neither Nikon nor Sony, so I am not qualified to recommend either. But, I would note that one aspect of Sony that gets frequent press criticism is its convoluted user interface. There are good things and not-so-good things about both camera lines. So, obviously, people choose one or the other based on what is important to them.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

Architect1776 wrote:

What is the difference between Sony and Nikon?
They both use the same sensors which is what makes the photo today in the digital world.
Of course Nikon uses older generation sensors after Sony is done.
So why not go Sony with the latest sensors?
Just wondering?

"Of course Nikon uses older generation sensors after Sony is done
I'm not sure that is how it is.
While Sony does manufacture the sensors Nikon has maintained that they (Nikon) designs them.

Why go Sony? They are as apt as others to get out of the camera business. Remember Beta-max? My Sony Bravia smart TV is now stupid because Sony went against the tide with its smart interface and streaming sources like Amazon Prime are no linger supported.
Were I to feel Nikon might not be in my future I would look to Canon a hell of a lot sooner than I would Sony. If Sony decides to bail out of sensor manufacturing (fat chance but,) they are not the only pebble on the beach

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Architect1776 wrote:

What is the difference between Sony and Nikon?
They both use the same sensors which is what makes the photo today in the digital world.
Of course Nikon uses older generation sensors after Sony is done.
So why not go Sony with the latest sensors?
Just wondering?

This is a classic troll’s post. OP’s intended purpose is to stir up commentary and arguments. Don’t take the bait.

BebuLamar

Architect1776 wrote:

What is the difference between Sony and Nikon?
They both use the same sensors which is what makes the photo today in the digital world.
Of course Nikon uses older generation sensors after Sony is done.
So why not go Sony with the latest sensors?
Just wondering?

Nikon and Sony are 2 different companies. Nikon started out as an optical company. Sony started out as an electronic company. Sony was founded mostly by one man. Nikon doesn't really have a founder. They are the result of merging 3 different companies. Those kind of things I guess you don't care but really makes the different in their products. The sensors aren't everything. Even how the camera look is important.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

JD750 wrote:

This is a classic troll’s post. OP’s intended purpose is to stir up commentary and arguments. Don’t take the bait.

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

The Nikon D810 had a 36 megapixels Sony sensor. The same sensor is in the Pentax K-1. I was surprised that the D850 of 45.7 megapixels, is not a Sony sensor. I don't know if the upcoming D-6 sensor will be Sony? Sony probably will not sell their newest 61 megapixels sensor that's in the a7riv. They had to make a full frame mirrorless camera that had more megapixels than the Canon and Nikon. It's called the megapixels war. It sells cameras. I have heard that Canon has a 100 megapixels sensor. Not yet in Canon cameras. Sony does not have one that high. Yet.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

mas24 wrote:

The Nikon D810 had a 36 megapixels Sony sensor. Th... (show quote)

The D850 sensor is manufactured by Sony, designed by Nikon.
Same goes for the 36MP sensor in the D810, if the same senor is in a Pentax I wouldn't be surprised to hear they are paying something to Nixon. I doubt however that it's the same sensor,

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Sony is now making Nikon's high-end sensors. They've embedded a clever bug into the Nikon cameras with these Sony sensors: the Nikon DSLR suddenly dies after a encrypted number of flips of the mirror the sensor can detect as different from the original Sony mirrorless cameras. Just look online for 'Nikon Sudden Death Syndrome'. I've seen a thread where they think from your Nikon serial number you can identify the week number in the calendar year (01 -> 53) your camera is most likely to die. The syndrome isn't even very hush-hush.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

CHG_CANON wrote:

Sony is now making Nikon's high-end sensors. They'... (show quote)

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Rich1939 wrote:

The D850 sensor is manufactured by Sony, designed by Nikon.
Same goes for the 36MP sensor in the D810, if the same senor is in a Pentax I wouldn't be surprised to hear they are paying something to Nixon. I doubt however that it's the same sensor,

You are correct on the D850 sensor. Nikon designed it and Sony manufactured it. I do remember that DXOMark Sensor, gave it a 100 score.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Architect1776 wrote:

What is the difference between Sony and Nikon?
They both use the same sensors which is what makes the photo today in the digital world.
Of course Nikon uses older generation sensors after Sony is done.
So why not go Sony with the latest sensors?
Just wondering?

I talked to Nikon directly about this when I bought my D850. I made a statement similar to yours and he was obviously upset and was told Nikon has it's own very active sensor design department. All higher end sensors are made to Nikon's designs and specs by various manufacturers including Sony. He was very proud of the D850 sensor, which was one of the first to have the connections on the back of the chip.

I believe this rumor got started by the opening of Nikon cameras to look at the manufacturer's names stamped on the sensor. Sony does put their name on the sensors they make and sell to Nikon, but they are Nikon's designs.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The grass is always greener when captured with a Sony sensor.