Nikon Finally Enters Full-Frame Mirrorless Market With Z6 and Z7

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Nikon Z 6 with Adapter and 28mm lens

With the introduction of its new Z6 and Z7 full-frame mirrorless cameras, Nikon has expert reason to believe that late is better than never. Nikon and Canon have given Sony gratuitous reign until now in the growing market for mirrorless cameras for serious photographers, while traditional DSLR sales have slumped. Finally, Nikon shooters don't have to think nearly jumping transport to take advantage of the smaller camera bodies, hybrid autofocus, EVF, and other features mirrorless designs bring.

Nikon's new Z7 SEEAMAZON_ET_135 See Amazon ET commerce is essentially a mirrorless version of the Nikon D850, while the less-expensive, lower-resolution Z6 is still feature-packed with an impressive 12 fps shooting speed. Both cameras feature Nikon'south new Z-mount, requiring either the employ of one of Nikon's new Z-mount lenses or an adapter for F-mount lenses.

Nikon Z6 And Z7 Specs

You'd be forgiven for confusing Nikon's new Z 7 and Z 6 with a DSLR if you just looked at the back Both the Z6 and Z7 feature a total-frame (FX-format) BSI CMOS sensor, with the Z7 offer 45.7 MP at an ISO range of 64-25600, and the Z6 has 24.5 MP and an ISO range of 100-51200. Both cameras utilise Nikon's latest EXPEED 6 processor, which is used to back up features like an AI-enhanced in-camera sharpening capability. The Z7 has 493 focus points, with the Z6 offer 273. In both cases, the focus points encompass most 90 pct of the epitome area — a welcome upgrade for those of us who always feel limited by the coverage of the phase-detect focus points on our DSLRs.

The EVF in the cameras sounds impressive, and Nikon says it is comparable with an optical viewfinder in paradigm quality and viewing experience. The EVF features a 3690k-dot OLED and offers full-frame coverage at .8x magnification. A fluorine coating helps repel clay and grit.

Forth with the larger Z-mount, Nikon has added in-torso vibration reduction, promising an impressive five-stop effectiveness. It works with the new Z-mount lenses, and also with F-mount lenses when they are used with Nikon's new FTZ Adapter. In cases where the F-mount lens has its own VR adequacy, they volition work in tandem. While the cameras feature a modern USB-C port, along with both HDMI and mini-DisplayPort, one feature that volition irk many photographers is Nikon's insistence on providing just a unmarried, XQD-format slot in the cameras. While XQD cards are fast and reliable, they are used by most no 1 except Nikon, aren't as cheap equally SD cards, and require a specialized card reader. For those who don't need the ultimate in video recording functioning or rugged handling capability, they are an added expense and annoyance.

Goodies For Videographers

Nikon Z 7 showing the new FTZ adapter for F-mount lenses Both cameras can record 4K UHD/30p and 1080/30p video. In some cases the full-pixel readout is used and downsampled, producing sharper videos. Videographers will too appreciate the ability of the new cameras to record 10-bit output in Nikon'southward Northward-log profile to the HDMI port (the cameras obviously can't record full 4K UHD in 10-fleck to the internal memory card). Nikon says its Due north-Log contour provides 12 stops of dynamic range. I take mixed feelings almost vendors introducing their ain versions of Log profiles. I'm sure it helps optimize the output for the sensor in use, only information technology also ways new LUTs are needed to do color grading.

Combined with the control rings on the new Z-mount lenses and quieter overall operation, it should be easier to capture commercial-quality sound and video with the Z-serial cameras than it has been with Nikon's DSLRs.

Price And Availability

The Nikon Z7 volition transport starting time, starting September 27, for $3,400 for the camera, or $four,000 for a kit that includes the new Z-mountain 24-70mm f/4 lens. The Z6 is scheduled to ship in November, priced at $two,000 for but the photographic camera, or $two,600 with a lens. This positions them essentially as direct replacements for the electric current Nikon D850 and Nikon D750.

At present Read: Nikon D850 Field-Tested, Our Staff's Favorite Cameras, and Putting Telephone Cameras To The Test.