Nikon has just announced the second generation of their full-frame mirrorless bodies, updating the Z 6 and Z 7 to Z 6II and Z 7II. These feature updates improve some crucial areas of camera performance, but is it enough to keep them competitive? Check out the features that have changed and decide for yourself.
Firstly, the bodies are the same. Other than some slight differences to accommodate things like the new vertical grip (finally!), all the buttons and controls have remained in the same positions. This makes interoperability between cameras a breeze, but also reflects the very small degree of change involved in this update. With that out of the way, let's talk about what’s actually changed.
Dual Processors
The cameras now feature dual EXPEED 6 processors. These power a number of the camera’s features, so more power is always welcome. In this case, the greater available power has allowed for increased frame rates, with the Z 6II now able to shoot at 14 fps and the Z 7 at 10 fps.
More processing power also means higher potential frame rates for video. Now, the cameras can do 4K at 60p, up from the more limited 4K at 30p of the last generation. While this isn’t a class leading spec, considering other cameras are capable of 8K, it’s realistic and well implemented. I’d strongly expect less heat related concerns connected to this level of performance.
One final area of speed-improvements is with autofocus. In both regular and low light, performance has apparently been improved. Eye and face detect AF has been added to the Wide-Area (L) mode. Low light AF has an “improved… detection range”. Apparently the Z 7II can work down to a crazy low -3 EV.
To support the faster speeds, the buffer has been greatly expanded. In both cameras, the buffer size has more than tripled, a particularly impressive feat in a 45 megapixel camera where I never hit the buffer limit to begin with.
Small Enhancements
The single CFexpress/XQD card slot has finally been paired with an SD card slot. For me, this is way bigger than a single card. While I didn’t have reliability worries, I instead had an issue with the absurd cost of the XQD form factor for less performance-oriented shooting. I’m looking forward to just being able to throw a stack of SD cards in the bag when going for a hike or similar.
Video has received a host of additional updates, with support for 10-bit N-Log and HLG, as well as optional 12-bit ProRes raw. Even small changes like the ability to flip the orientation of focus rings to match other cine lenses show the attention to detail in this update.
The cameras also support USB power draw, enabling longer battery life than would be possible with just the built in battery. They mention “Portions of the information display can be hidden with still-image shooting and video recording, allowing an unobstructed view of the scene,” which hopefully refers to being able to finally get a clean, composition focused view via live view.
The cameras now support the MB-N11 vertical grip. Since release, the Z cameras have been missing a true, button rich vertical grip. This looks like a perfect option, intercompatible with both the Z 6II and Z 7II.
The cameras are available for pre-order now. The Z 6II retails for $1,999, and surprisingly the Z 7II has received a price drop from the Z 7 to just $2,999.
Sad.
I think dpreview best described this lackluster two year effort as a "subtle refresh". they needed a grand slam trailing 3-9 in the 8th inning and hit a grounder to second. Nikon Z system is the best argument against transitioning from d850 or other recent Nikon DSLRs.
it's the 8th inning, son. late in the game. maybe the z9 will be their last hope.
This is probably what makes me set aside my trusty D800 workhorse after all these years.
I was pretty much set on preordering this right away, but the prices in Europe are absurd. My local shop has their price set at $4300 here in Norway. Completely insane. Genuinely considering having this shipped to a friend in Canada, and shipping it to me here instead. What the hell. Hope the prices drop a little here once it's actually released.
That's crazy. I've been seeing high price complaints for a number of recently announced tech, including the 3080. Wonder if it's tariff or exchange rate related?
After thinking it through, a lot of it is because all taxes are included in the final price you see on websites. Tax isn't added at checkout. So because Norway has a 25% sales tax, that accounts for 25% difference when looking directly at the website. Then there's always regional differences, which can hike up the cost by a few hundred dollars give or take.
I guess I'm just not used to comparing prices internationally because I almost always buy local.
Yeah, that makes sense - 25% sales tax is ludicrous, though. 7% is bad enough around here. I was in Oslo one time, jet lagged, and thought I was doing the Eur/USD conversion wrong when my coffee was coming out to like $13.
Hahaha I had the same experience as you when I first moved here many years ago. Most expensive latté I ever had! I won't deny that 25% is a lot of money, and it took a lot of getting used to. I'm Canadian, so I was used to 15%.
But in Scandinavia, taxes are a very small price to pay for the quality of life that is offered to all its citizens. They vote these taxes on themelves.
Another reason why 25% isn't really a big deal is because, if you have a company, LLC, sole proprietorship, etc, you can deduct VAT/Sales tax as a business expense, which is what I plan on doing anyway.
Use someone like panamoz.
If I could justify the expense...
If autofocus now are on the same level as Sony and Canon, I think these looks like great offerings. Z6ii is on pair with Sony A7iii.
At least for my part I need a photo camera that has ibis, dual slots, reliable af and eye-detect. Also in low light. For years Sony was the only offering. Now seems like Nikon is catching up. I hope so!
Definitely seems that they’ve addressed the biggest complaints I saw with these bodies from gen 1. I’ll be curious to see if that’s enough.
In all ways bar AF the Nikons are better and more use able than the Sonys and have a decent road map of glass
I don’t know about AF but shooting in continuous with eye detect I think maybe Sony is in class above. As a Sony shooter I find lenses expensive, but there are options from third party and second hand. With Nikon Z it’s like Sony five years ago. For those with legacy glass and adapter, a difrent story:) To me a small selection rather expensive Z glass.
Do you know if the Z7II video uses the full frame of the sensor, now? I haven't seen anything about it yet. It's one of the things that makes me consider the Z6II over the Z7II
I watched a video from Adorama today, and apparently the z7ii has better video capabilities than the z6ii. It will even do 4k60 at 95% of the sensor and the z6ii will have a 1.7 crop.
Respectfully, I think you are mistaken. It is the Z7II that has the 1.08x crop. The Z6II has full-frame video. It's what sets these two apart. Go z6 if you do video, Z7 if you shoot stills.
I don’t know why, but there’s something about the Nikon‘s I just like... tempting for sure.
Me too. I'm so glad I stuck with Nikon. I have friends who switched with all the Influencer hype. Then they missed Nikon saying there wasn't really anything they needed that the Nikons didn't do. So now they're back. I get that. Although I think if you're shooting very fast moving birds and sports the rumored Z8 or 9 is more for you when that comes lat next year.
The user experience is great, great menu, great grip, great buttons, great EVF, great size etc. Sony user experience is poor. Canon is great but you pay through the nose for it.
Fair points
-3 EV doesn't seem like "crazy low"?
-3 EV is what the Sony A7R IV has, I believe? So it's up to par with the latest competition.
To me it looks like the update which happened back then with the D800 to D810. That one was also dismissed by "the Internet" - but it was a very solid update. I'm seeing these updates very similar and have preordered the Z7II.
Agree , it's more of an update. However, a very good one. I have the D810 and compared to the D800 it's a snappier camera . It's more about refinement and I'm fine with that. The Z's are solids cameras and despite what the influencers say only needed a few things to improve such as another slot and AF.
B&H doesn't seem too bothered that they have been pre-selling the Z 7II at a $300 discount for the past eight hours.
Right? I got in on that and TBH got anchored to that price point. Whether or not they honor it might determine whether or not I keep it.
Same here. I emailed B&H to see if they would honor the price. If they don't, I still want to buy the body but I don't want to be sent to the end of the line. No answer yet.
Yeah, seems like a weird mistake if so, considering how long it’s been up for.
I have a Z6 and I would love that SD slot, but it's too late, they already got my money for 2 XQD cards. Someone needs to come up with a new meaning for that acronym, something about Xtra Dough, but the Q makes it tough.
Too late to buy a SD card ?
Important updates. And the best news is: no flip out LCD!
I'm a D800 shooter for almost 7 years now. I know my next camera is going to be mirrorless, which means that at some point, I'm going to be buying all new lenses no matter what brand I go with. I just don't think this is quite enough to keep me with them. When you look at how good the AF & video is on the Sony & Canons, it's difficult to justify staying with them. Video isn't even a focus for me, but given that I buy one camera & hold onto it for years, it might be something I'll want to play with in the future. That said, I still absolutely love the images that come from Nikons. I've shot with the others, and there's just 'something' better about the images that comes from them. I really wish they were on an even playing field with the others, but they're just not at the moment which really bums me out...
You don't have to buy all new lenses at once with the adapter.
True, but then I'm just spending money on the adapter that I could have spent towards a lens. And at some point in the near future, that adapter will be only useful as a paperweight (to me).
Sometimes it comes for free and it will keep me from buying 5 lenses at once if I switch to the Z camera.
At B&H, if you add on the adapter to a body purchase, it's like $48 or something. Small change to be able to keep using my glass.
Interesting, I didn't know this.
I too am still holding on to my trusty D800, but I think the Z7II is what will finally make my put the D800 aside. They clearly state they've improved the focusing on the new release, so it will be interesting to see how they compare once it's released.
But apart from the autofocus, the rest of the specs seem to be on par with every other option out there, and the Z7II is cheaper than the Sony A7R IV, too. Not to mention the FTZ adapter apparently works flawlessly, so no need to get rid of your F-mount glass anytime soon.
Have you tried using it yet ? What are you trying to do that you can’t with the Nikons? I have a D810 and a Z6 and I love using both . The video on the Z6 is great .
I've played around with the Z6 a bit. As for what I'm trying to do that I can't with Nikon, honestly right now it's mainly the autofocus since I'm mainly a portrait photographer. Based on tests I've seen on both cameras, the Nikon system seems to be lagging behind the other two. I don't buy cameras more than every 5 years, so it needs to be solid for at least that long. And right now, Sony & Canon has them beat on eye AF & video. Maybe Nikon catches up, but I don't know how much longer I can hold out to see if that happens.
I don't think there is anything you can't do as far as video is concerned with the Z6ii. The Z6 is very good for video. It already had face detect for video and the Z6ii adds eye detect. For stills the Wide modes are amazing - I'm getting 95-99% in focus for equestrian events. I was at 67% with the D800E, 74% with the D810, and 90% with the D850 - stats for thousands of images.
What companies don't share is what happens when you miss Eye-Detect AF. Canon's amazing animal eye detect still misses a lot of the time. One birder reported missed focus 40-50% of the time. It's not reliable enough for me to count on. The Sony A9ii is good, but the A7riv is nowhere near as good with AF. Most of the YouTube testing I've seen fails to choose the right AF settings to optimize AF performance in the Z cameras.
If you are buying a camera every 5-8 years, for most of that time you won't have cutting edge features. But a skilled photographer has no problem in taking the Z6/7 and getting great photos. The gaps are things that are extremely difficult or that you don't shoot at all.
Check min 9:00 of this video below, I don’t know how good an AF system need to be to make people happy. https://youtu.be/36GxxqRuLOU
Wow, that was pretty impressive. Much more so than the older models, I think. I'd love to see another comparison similar to this one using the new camera. Starting at 14:35. https://youtu.be/gxqa_f6LsQI?t=875
Why is he using Eye Detect AF for a subject that is easy to follow and 10-15 feet away? If you are shooting stills instead of video, you would not use Eye detect at all and still have the eye in focus for 99% of the shots. The Z6ii/Z7ii Wide Modes with Eye Detect would be much more effective, and I don't think you'd miss with the Z6/Z7 wide modes today.
"Video has received a host of additional updates, with support for 10-bit N-Log and HLG, as well as optional 12-bit ProRes raw. Even small changes like the ability to flip the orientation of focus rings to match other cine lenses show the attention to detail in this update."
What am I missing, because this stuff was in the original Z6/Z7, was it not? 10 bit N-log certainly was and 12-bit prores raw was implemented as an optional upgrade (and it still is, apparently).
Good catch. They stuck that in the press release, but looking back, some of that functionality was already there.
Looking at the comparison specs, it would seem like the Z6/Z7 didn't have HLG / HDR Output? I could be mistaken.