All the buzz today is the announcement of the New Nikon Z6 and Z7 Full-Frame Mirrorless Cameras!! This is huge news and is really going to impact Sony’s market share in the next few years I would say. This is awesome news for us Sony shooters, because Sony will be forced to let loose all the secret technology they have been potentially holding back in order to compete with the new competition!! Oh Yeah….
Basically in a nutshell, the Z7 is the 45.7mp higher resolution version and goes for ~$3400, and the Z6 is the more affordable 24mp unit which goes for ~$2000. Both these 1st generation mirrorless cameras from Nikon are coming out with pretty much all the features that matter . and are directly competing with the Sony A7R III and A7 III respectively. Unlike how Sony full frame mirrorless cameras started however, these new Nikon’s are almost at Sony’s level and even ahead in a few areas! That is extremely impressive to me and shows that Nikon really worked on these cameras for a long time before re-leasing half assed models. These units are ready to roll, and of course there is always room for improvement, but what a start!!
So what did Nikon decide to include in these new cameras that sets them apart from Sony in particular?
How about real deal weather sealing and a LCD screen on the top of the camera for starters. Two things I have been asking Sony to do since day one. Also the Nikon batteries from the D850 will fit in these cameras, so killer battery life and no need to invest in new chargers and things like that. The Z7 and Z6 also have a built in intervalometer which is a really great feature for advanced time-lapse stlye photography and video…
So what is missing from the Z7 and Z6?
They are missing Dual memory card slots which is shocking considering how well thought out and designed these cameras appear to be. Also missing the fully tilting screen for selfie style, Eye-AF, and Z Mount lenses which will take years to build up compared to what Sony is currently offering. Sony E-Mount Lens Guide this way >>
Z7 Key Features:
- 45.7MP FX-Format BSI CMOS Sensor
- EXPEED 6 Image Processing Engine
- UHD 4K30 Video; N-Log & 10-Bit HDMI Out
- 493-Point Phase-Detect AF System
- Built-In 5-Axis Vibration Reduction
- 0.80x 3.6m-Dot EVF with NIKKOR Optics
- 3.2″ 2.1m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
- 9 fps Continuous Shooting; ISO 64-25600
- Top-Panel Dot-Matrix OLED
- XQD Card Slot
- 8K Time-Lapse Mode; Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Weight = 1.49 lb / 675 g
- Price = ~$3400
Pre-Order the NEW Nikon Z7 (Click Here)
Z6 Key Features:
- 24.5MP FX-Format BSI CMOS Sensor
- EXPEED 6 Image Processing Engine
- UHD 4K30 Video; N-Log & 10-Bit HDMI Out
- 273-Point Phase-Detect AF System
- Built-In 5-Axis Vibration Reduction
- 0.80x 3.6m-Dot EVF with NIKKOR Optics
- 3.2″ 2.1m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
- 12 fps Shooting; ISO 100-51200
- Top-Panel Dot-Matrix OLED
- XQD Card Slot
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Weight = 1.49 lb / 675 g
- Price = ~$2400
Pre-Order the NEW Nikon Z6 (Click Here)
Z Mount Lenses
Nikon is introducing a few Z Mount lenses to launch with the new Z7 and Z6, but they have announced many more lenses to come!
First the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S Lens which goers for ~$1000, and you can get it with the camera as a kit for less money. Also we have the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Lens which goes for ~$600. Lastly we have the Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S Lens and heads up about a Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens is in development!! Manual focus only on that last lens, but wow that is crazy fast!!
A Nikon FTZ Lens Adapter similar to Sony’s LA-EA3, is also available and is going for ~$250. This way you can use all your Nikon F Mount lenses for the most part, as the new mirrorless Z Lens Mount line will have limited optics for some time. This is huge if you are a long time Nikon shooter with tons of quality F Mount glass in particular. You can also save money on this adapter by purchasing as a kit with the camera…
Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S Lens
Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S Lens
Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S Lens
Nikon FTZ Lens Adapter
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Relevant Press Links
Nikon – Official Z7 and Z6 Press Release
Nikon releases the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S, NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S, and the Mount Adapter FTZ, and develops the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct
Nikon Takes Giant Leap Forward with Z Mirrorless Camera System
DPReview TV: Nikon Z 7 Hands-On First Impressions (In Seattle!)
First Look | BH | Nikon Z 7 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera
Nikon Z6 & Z7 full-frame Mirrorless Camera Preview (vs Sony a7 III & a7R III, Nikon D750 & D850)
Check out this video below courtesy of Tony Northrup for a full breakdown of the new Nikon Mirrorless Z7 and Z6 Cameras. He does an excellent job, and I will add other videos as they come out for those that are interested in these new Nikon full frame mirrorless beasts…
Closing Remarks
Well guys, what do you think? Should Sony be worried? I think they should and luckily they have a few years head start on Nikon as far as lenses go. Sony really should drop a new camera announcement that dogs these two Nikon’s within the next few months I would say…After all these years of reviewing Sony cameras and lenses, I know they holding back some technology and/ or features!!
I also think Sony should drop a another lens roadmap teaser to insure the long term future growth of the E-Mount lens line to those considering investing in the system. Nikon is know for it’s huge lens line, but Sony not so much…
If I were a Nikon shooter I would be so excited about this, and I would be saying finally, thank you Nikon for not letting us down. Of course the cameras will evolve, so Nikon left some clear areas for improvement like Dual memory card slots and a fully tilt-able screen for example. Similar to Sony, Nikon made a calculated decision to leave room for a new better more refined model in the future. A marketing strategy that is very frustrating to us users, but expected by manufactures at this point in the game… Its just the way it is.
Again, please let me know what you think below in the comments area, and have a great day!!
Jay
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