The tech used is vitally important to the outcome. A stacked sensor is better in almost every way except cost and power usage. Honestly, your argument will stand up to a use case of non-action photography, but when the action picks up, the needle swings clearly to the stacked sensor. Not to mention, the other improvements that come from being able to move data off the sensor at significant faster rates. This clearly is an advantage that has a bit of runway to use.
Like you said, setting the tone is offering a better value for money. Nikon has done just that here. I can't see how this body will not have a clear advantage on the entire mid to upper end of the market. Its a match for any flagship, only coming up short to them by the slightest of margins, all while costing significantly less. Its spec'ed better than all of its peers in many categories with two significant exceptions (slightly behind Canon and Sony in AF, and Sony's A7R5 in resolution), at only a slight price bump.
You didn't follow my point well. In theory, a BSI sensor can capture 100% of light whereas a FSI can capture up to ~80% but DXO (love it or hate it) compares the R5 sensor vs A7Riii/iv and Z7 at the time of release...
"Current state-of-the-art BSI-CMOS sensors used in the Sony A7R III and IV and in the Nikon D850 and Z 7 (and in the new Z 7 II), and in Panasonic Lumix DC-S1R, offer lower noise levels and occupy the top positions in overall sensor dynamics in the 30-60 MP range. However, as we can see in the table below, the new 45 MP EOS
R5 sensor has excellent maximum dynamic range at base and it is close to the best-in-class (BSI) sensors throughout the ISO range."
Announced at the same time as the Canon EOS R6, the pro-oriented Canon EOS R5 is the current top-of-range model in Canon’s mirrorless EOS R system.
www.dxomark.com
A stacked sensor in theory will be the fastest read speed / less rolling shutter. Flash sync speed in eshutter is a good measure I guess but the sensor mp will also affect the read speed. but I am struggling to find one site that has been able to measure all the sensors - especially for stills.
For 8k video both the A1 and R5 are about 16ms.
I just don't see how this body is just a matter fact release. I don't see this release being any less significant than the R5, A9, D500, or 5D in the past. No one has ever given the market flagship performance at mid level prices (the R5 was probably the closest, with the A9's elevated price being a close second).
You have given 2 examples in the last 3 years to prove that the Z8 is unique?
We'll see if I'm right or wrong fairly soon, because Nikon is planning to flood the stores with a fairly strong supply from the release date. I feel like the proof will be in its adoption.
Every new release will have some supply to support pre-orders. Some better than others. Having a feeling is one thing... there have been some where the shipping dates have slipped because of supply problems. The proof will be in their market share and profitability.
Personally, I think its a good thing you don't care about the hardware advancement shown on the Z8, at the price point. I honestly don't think Canon is going to match this hardware decision for years to come. I really hope I'm wrong on this one, but I'm not holding my breath.
The Z8 is 3 years later than the R5. At no point am I saying that the Z8 is a bad camera. I am saying that technology in theory doesn't always translate to significant improvements in practice or whether they are even relevant to the majority of users given the cost disadvantage.
Each OEM will leap frog the other at times and Canon was late to the mirrorless party. The R5 leapfrogged everything else until the A1 and then Z9 which were much more expensive.
The R5ii is rumoured... how about you comment once it is released vs Z8
Nikon have a market share issue. I hope that they can become competitive over the long term and are not using lower prices to gain market share impacting their ability to innovate in the future. 3 strong competitors is good for everyone.