Nikon is finally here with its first professional, full-frame mirrorless cameras: the Z6 and the higher-megapixel Z7.
UPDATE: Pre-orders now open. Order now to get in line before everyone else.
We’ve waited for a long time for this, and now, after watching Sony from afar, tonight Nikon announced its answer to Sony’s rather successful a7- and a9-series cameras. The Z6 is Nikon’s low-light, mid-resolution body, high frame-rate body while the Z7 is a high-resolution equivalent. Alongside the Z-mount system, Nikon also introduced a new AF-S 500mm f/5.6E PF ED VR compact, super-telephoto lens with the standard F-mount. But let’s dive right into the specifications for the Z cameras.
Nikon Z6
- $1,995.95, $2,599.95 with 24-70 f/4 kit lens
- Available late November 2018
- 24.5 MP full-frame sensor
- ISO 100-51,200 (expands to 204,800)
- 273 AF point, Hybrid PDAF, 90-percent viewfinder coverage
- 3.6M EVF
- 3.2-inch, 2.1M touchscreen
- 12 fps
- Video: Full HD at 120p, 4K at 30p, N-LOG profile (4:2:2 10-bit HDMI)
- Focus peaking and zebra stripes
- 5-axis image stabilization
- Single XQD card slot
- Weather-sealed body
- Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- EN-EL15b battery (supports both EN-EL15a/b)
- Weighs 585g (similar to Sony a9 with battery)
Nikon Z7
- $3,399.95, $3,999.95 with 24-70 f/4 kit lens
- September 27 availability
- 45.7 MP full-frame sensor
- ISO 64-25,600 (expands to 102,400)
- 493 AF point, Hybrid PDAF, 90-percent viewfinder coverage
- 3.6M EVF
- 3.2-inch 2.1M touchscreen
- 9 fps
- Video: Full HD at 120p, 4K at 30p, N-LOG profile (4:2:2 10-bit HDMI)
- Focus peaking and zebra stripes
- 5-axis image stabilization
- Single XQD card slot
- Weather-sealed body
- Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- EN-EL15b battery (supports both EN-EL15a/b)
- Weighs 585g (similar to Sony a9 with battery)
The Nikon Z6 and Z7 share the same bodies, EXPEED 6 image processor, and overall system compatibility. The sensors’ resolution, autofocus point count, frame-per-second performance, and ISO performance are the only differentiating factors. Of course, it’s clear Nikon went all-out on features, including its first in-body stabilization system in any of its bodies. Full weather sealing and 4K video (although not at 60p) round out some of the higher-end features, but there is one rather glaring issue for some professional shooters: even though it supports XQD cards, there is only one card slot.
Lenses
The crown jewel of the Nikon Z lens system is the in-development NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S NOCT. Nikon also announced three lenses that will be available at or soon after the launch of the system: the NIKKOR Z 35mm and 50mm f/1.8 S lenses alongside a 24-70mm f/4 S lens. The S-Line designation is “reserved only for lenses which have cleared…stricter quality control,” which is beyond the standards of any of Nikon’s previous lenses. All S-Line lenses include Nikon’s high-end Nano Crystal Coating. A full lens roadmap (naturally subject to change) spans the next couple years and shows plans for more than a dozen new lenses.
The NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S and 24mm-70mm f/4 S will be released September 27 for $849.95 and $999.95, respectively, along with the Z7 and the FTZ F-mount adapter for Z-mount lenses ($249.95, but $100 off when purchased with a Z 6 or Z 7 before the end of the year). The 50mm f/1.8 S will come in late October for $599.95.
To wrap this up, here are most of the Z6 and Z7 system product photos:
Yeah but even then it's an expensive gadget.
You can get a whole M43 kit for that money.
How about a menu system that makes sense? Better ergonomics and button placement. A native adapter. More pixels! Better mount...... I switched from 5D4 to A7RIII and HATE Sony.
More pixels is the only argument (a horrible one) but you omit all other advancements Sony has that Nikon didn’t follow up with a response for.
No eye AF, forcing you to use an adapter (and Sony has native adapters which you said they don’t) and you’re paying more for a system that doesn’t keep up with a camera they released last November...but paying more for it.
This is a failure
How crazy would it be when
Nikon also releases a Canon EF Mount adapter for the Z mount! :)
Ahh, i would love to see the stir up of temptation, loyalty and opportunities in the market!
I see nothing that both olympus or sony has done, are those phase detection points cross type? are the larger frame mout really necessary, are a 58mm f 0.95 that necessary on a full frame camera, why not add dual axis estabilization with the nikon vr lens as have olympus and sony done?
Well i guess we have to wait and see if it really works, or only come under the bridge of sony and olympus tech.
Looking forward to the "I just sold my Sony for the new Nikon mirrorless camera" articles and videos. Which will last up to "3 reasons I sold my Nikon mirrorless for the new Canon rig". It's nice to see the hustle in these camera companies but the cost will prohibit me from dipping my toes in full frame mirrorless. I'll let someone else help them recoup their research and first-line manufacturing costs. The nice thing is the used full-frame DSLRs that are going to hit the market at hopefully great prices as folks trade up or sideways into the mirrorless game with Sony, Canon and Nikon.
I don't see anyone converting to Nikon over this. This camera just isn't cost effective unless you already have Nikon glass.
As a Nikon D850 owner there is little to entice- same imager-same FPS- and a single card slot for a pro is a BIG mistake ( not just as backup- i shoot events where I hand off a card to a ‘runner’- with no 2nd slot I wouldn’t have my own copies of the RAWs...). I think gen 2 might be worth a look. (It is nice to see 10bit for the video side of course)
Just the video AF and lightness when mounted on a gimbal. The only 2 things that makes this better than my D850.
Would probably get the Z6, it'll be a good video body and a sub travel camera when off work.
While I am not a video guy- serious pros usually don’t rely on AF for video anyway... so a little weight saving...
Does this mean that - at least electronically and theoretically- Nikon could provide a log 10 bit video out for the D850??? I’m not holding my breath of course....
I didn't have any firm plans to switch until my D850 was dead. I was certainly hoping that the mirrorless offering would be good enough for me to consider trading out, but while they both look like excellent cameras, the lack of dual slots is simply a deal breaker for me. I hope that they fix that issue by the time I'm in the market for a new camera.
"D850 dead"?!?! What happened?
I think he means "Until my D850 die"
Considering it's not even a year old you will be able to buy the 10th gen of mirrorless
Ah I see, I'm reading it that way now.
Canon please don’t even try to match this. LOL...They need to make a way better camera than this.
Yes, though I remember dropping off film in batches in case the lab screwed up a commercial gig.
Unfortunatley I can only like your comment once.
The number of complaints about the single xqd slot is amazing. Sure, cards can fail but they do so rarely. My guess is most of the people complaining don't actually need two cards but are convinced they do. Plenty of pro's shoot day in and out using tethering which is more unreliable than a single card slot. If you shoot weddings or press, sure - if not you're probably just fine with only one xqd (which is more reliable than an SD card).
Nikon said these cameras would be a leap ahead of existing FF mirrorless cameras. Instead of being a "leap ahead" of the already 1 year old A7r3, the Z7 is arguably still behind at a higher price. Except for Nikon loyalists that want mirrorless and will not change brands, who's going to buy the Z7?
I posted early this morning, only to see its not on here now....colluded?? Ok, the readers digest version, I am a Nikon fanboy. But what I have read and and watched, by time your get all the “stuf” I need , I will need about about $4k going with the cheaper model. I know what you make is great quality Nikon, but you shot yourself in the foot now. Ugg Nikon. Thinking these camera bodies will be on discount in 18 months, like 30% or more. You teased me to much, Fire the PR firm and ad agency, now. Had you included the gizmo to connect other F lenses would have helped. One slot. No doubt it will be a find body, well made, etc. This a prosumer gear. Your prices are way off. This whole deal should be about $1,500 gizmo included for the cheaper body. 80% of us guys don’t need 45 mega stuff. We just want a lighter camera , easy to travel with and not so much stuff to carry. Nikon you are $500 bills off target. And snapbridge??? Take that software to the swamp.....gee. So this is my rant at Nikon I had hoped would get it right. Think I am going to Sony, whe new version of their cheaper one is replaced. I can pick the currrent version then for about $1.200.
I wouldn't mind 2 card slots, but I don't even need 1 for 90% of my work.
I shoot tethered to a computer for corporate still life.
I'll be shooting to an external recorder for 10-bit and Log for corporate videos.
For now (until more lenses become available and prices come down a little bit) I could see how having one of these bodies could compliment an SLR kit. I love my D750 and 90% of the time it gets the job done but there are times when image stabilization or more resolution would really come in handy. I could see how having a z body and FX lens adaptor in your bag could expand your range of options without taking up much space or weight. That way you get the battery and handling advantages of the DLSR and then when you need to shoot video or handhold at slow shutter speeds or just go for ultimate sharpness then you pull out the Z. Nothing beats a classic DSLR for speed and run and gun shooting. Mirorless cameras such as these have really great display options, no, shutter shake, no prism, IS, etc.. and in my opinion work really great if you are trying to slow down a little like you would with MF or LF. Ironic I know because the bodies are so small but to me these cameras make a lot of sense for someone who likes to take their time to compose.
One last thing, the bodies and lenses are so expensive! The lenses especially! I'm sure the prices will come down but in the meantime I can only assume that the high price point indicates that these are high end Nikon products meant for professionals/advanced amateurs.
Yikes - as a gh5 user for video and a 5d3 user for stills - I had big hopes for the Nikon release to drive competition from the other brands. No 4k 60fps? 10 bit only externally? Gh5 with metabones looks like a more cost effective option than this.
Totally agree! The full frame sensor is exciting but if it can’t shoot the same frame rates and internal 10 but, it really falls far behind the Panasonic. I’ll be curious to see how the dual Stabilization holds up if the Nikon can even do that. Also a bummer about it not having a flip screen because it won’t be able to easily be used by a lot of gimbals that block the back of the camera.
Wow, these really are Sony clones.
Well...this is disappointing. Nikon...spend less on marketing, more on researching what people that shoot actually want.
The one card slot thing doesn't bother me at all. I've never had one fail and never understood how having one fast slot like CFast or XQD or whatever and one crappy slot like SD makes a camera professional? Nearly every camera out there today has one pro and one "am" slot. I love the new Nikon so far and would gladly trade mt A7RIII for a Z7.
They missed a great opportunity to one up Sony and use a tilt and swivel screen. On the positive side this will bring more competition to the market and hopefully cause other manufacturers to respond. Except Canon who seem to be stubbornly walking towards the grave.
I couldn't be happier with my a7RIII, but I'm glad Nikon (and soon Canon) are finally taking the mirrorless game seriously. More options means more innovation. If the lens adapter provides solid AF, Nikon's going to have a lot of pretty happy customers
So when is the Z8 coming?