Mileagemaker Loc: Jackson NJ

I have a Nikon Z-50 with an 18-50, 18-300 and 18-400. Thinking of buying a Sony RX10iv and selling my Nikon Z-50. Appreciate your comments.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Why??? I'm interested in your motivation.
--Bob

Mileagemaker Loc: Jackson NJ

Saw some birds in flight pictures taken with the Sony and was impressed with the sharpness and fast focusing at 600mm.

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

I would stay with the Z 50

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

The 18-300 zoom works out to about 16.5:1. The 18-400 zoom is close to 22:1. You may be expecting more from them than they are capable of delivering to you. You may be able to find a better-suited lens for about the same outlay as an RX10iv, which appears to be going for around $1400. I have not used any of the RX10s. I'll leave for someone with experience to say how well the Sony would do for birds in flight.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The Sony might be the cheaper option. None of your lenses would be classified as a wildlife lens. You might consider the larger question of your photography interests, the appropriate equipment, and the cost of the equipment.

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I have an RX10MIV and it’s great for what I use it for, which is mostly shoot wildlife from a kayak. It does great focusing tracking at 24fps and that Zeiss lens that gets me 24-600mm equivalent at f/4. That being said, if I had to get rid of a camera it would be the first to go. I’m not a fan of the ergonomics, especially electronic zoom. The raw files from that 1” sensor don’t compare with the M4/3 raw files from my OM-1, much less those 45mp FF raw files from my Z9 and Z7. Actually I’m getting ready to send my Sony in on my drop/spill extended warranty, (which I bought because I got the camera for kayaking). I haven’t submerged it but used it hard and though it’s “weathersealed” it is no where near as well sealed as the others. But what I was getting at, with it getting sent in I’ve been using my OM-1 with the 40-150 f/2.8 Pro and the 2X TC that gets me 160-600mm equivalent at f/5.6 and the results are better than the Sony, but I lose the close range stuff. Your 18-400 gets you a 27-600mm equivalent range but it’s a slower lens and IQ drops as you approach the 400 end.

leftj Loc: Texas

Maybe it was the photographer and not the camera.

neillaubenthal

Really depends on what you want. If a small bridge type stick it in your pocket camera with decent but not great shots due to the small sensor (bad) and longer effective reach (good) due to the small sensor…then maybe a good switch. But if you got an equivalent lens for the Z50 with its larger sensor…it will give you arguably better results…definitely better at 1:1 pixel peeping but maybe or maybe not at output depending on size, screen or print, etc.

ksmmike

IMHO.. BIF are difficult even at times with the best gear you can purchase. I've shot them for many years. I own a Z50 (not for BIF) and even though you can capture a decent BIF image now and again with that camera, I'm not sure you have the proper lenses for that topic. There is no reason at all why you can't capture BIF with Nikon. NONE. There is no reason you can't with the Sony. NONE. As long as you have the proper lens and camera for the proper subject. I'm not suggesting you go back to a DSLR, but a Nikon D500 with the proper lens will get you stunning BIF images.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the proper equipment will get you more keepers with any subject, but REALLY knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your current gear will get you images of just about any kind. I'm sure I could get some good images of BIF with my Nikon Z50 and just about any lens if I really worked hard at getting the image. Would I get more keepers with a Z9 and 400mm lens, no doubt.

Money will buy you more keepers. Experience and understanding your gear will get more better results. Just my opinion. I'm just as guilty as anyone of thinking better gear will get me better results, it will sometimes. More times, learning my gear will get me more keepers too.

Mike

Mileagemaker Loc: Jackson NJ

Thank you all for your comments.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

I have no idea why you have the lenses that you have. The 18-50mm is an OK general photography lens. Wide range zooms do nothing well and you have two of them!

You should think about the type of photography that you do. When you go out to photograph something choose the right lens.

In my Olympus kit, I have a wide angle zoom 8-18mm (FF equiv 16 - 36mm), A general purpose zoom 12-60mm (FF equiv 24 -120mm), a longer range zoom 40-150mm (FF equivalent 80-300mm) and a long telephoto 100-300mm (FF equivalent 200-600mm) I also have a 60 mm macro (FF equivalent 120mm) and some other prime lenses.

I like to do a lot of macro and close up work. The 60mm , 12-60mm and 40 to 150mm all function well for close ups (e.g. most flowers) The 12-60mm can makes some fine wide angle close ups. The 40-150mm can provide some additional reach mostly for perspective control. The 12-60mm is a fine general purpose zoom as well.

Again, think about what you want to photograph and choose lenses wisely. A review of your lenses is far more important than a new body.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Back a while ago I watched a father daugter doing wildlife with a Z50/200-500 combo & they showed some really nice photos. I don't remember them mentioning a keeper rate. Might want to borrow/rent/try one before making the move. Either way, have fun.

Canisdirus

If you want to do semi serious photography and just want to streamline your gear to one piece of kit to do birding...

The Sony RX10IV will do the job.

A simple answer to a simple question.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I have a Sony RX10IV and so does a retired professional friend of mine. Actually he recommended I purchase the Sony. I have since recommended a good friend purchase the Sony. I have found it will do with just the one lens about 99% of the photography I was doing with a Nikon D800 and a few lenses including some macro work. I still have a Nikon digital camera and a number of lenses for it I use occasionally but for someone wanting just one camera I cannot think of a better alternative than the Sony RX10IV.

Dennis