Nikon Introduces Mirrorless Z System

Since most of us didn't watch the launch live does anyone know if there is a video of the launch somewhere?

Is there any information that describes the buffer size/capabilities for both the Z 7 and the Z6 ay maximum frames per second or various frames per second? Is the Z6 designed for action shooting vs the Z7?

The Z6 can capture up to 12 fps (with some limitations). Since it is a 24MP body and uses one XQD card, as long as you have one of the latest, fast XQD card (e.g. 2933x) and use 12-bit compressed RAW, I would imagine that the Z6 can write to the card faster than what it can capture so that buffer size doesn't matter.

 

The Z7 can capture up to 9 fps (again with some limitations), but since it is 45MP, I don't think it can write to XQD faster than it can capture, unless you resort to shooting only JPEG.

 

For the exact performance numbers, we need to wait until we get our hands on production models. 12 vs 14 bit capture, uncompressed, lossless compressed and lossy compressed make a difference too.

 

The Z6 seems to be the "economy" model. Its fps is higher mainly because it is "only" 24MP. It is not the equivalent of the D5.

Both B&H abd Roberts Camera have Live discussions scheduled as well. Received Emails from them. I'd guess every major vendor will have something if you care to check their sites.

Since most of us didn't watch the launch live does anyone know if there is a video of the launch somewhere?

If you go to the original link:

Nikon ｜ New Products Global Launch Event

 

It says the archive movie is coming soon.

 

The opening part is Nikon's CEO talking about Nikon's 101-year history, the Nikon F, D3 ....

I hope the Nikon FTZ Mount Adapter will allow the Nikor 600mm f4 lens to operate as quickly as it does with Nikon's DSLRs. Its reassuring that Nikon has not left the adapter to third party companies. The FTZ Mount Adapter has a tripod mount but does not look like it rotates. That would have been nice. I have no plans at this time to buy just yet but look forward to seeing this system evolve. Mirrorless is inevitable and this looks like a first decent firststep. What no $400 battery grip?

It seems natural that a Z-8 would incorporate a second card slot. I may have been a little rough on my first post, but the cameras do look good and as a mirrorless enthusiast and lifelong Nikon enthusiast I'm hoping for the best as competition will only strengthen the herd. I see that many Photographers still struggle at the notion of Mirrorless. As we've seen in just 3 years, the features and overall effort to make techno marvels is quite impressive. Finding ways to bring DSLR performance without a mirror is more challenging than first thought it seems, but getting so so close.

To those who do more street and travel maybe there are other options to consider. With so much competition in that space maybe Nikon was wise to not compete there.

Agree. Nikon should concentrate on what it does best. The Nikon brand is highly regarded with countless loyalists; so why muddy the water and risk becoming second-third best or worse?

Z7, 45MP, body only $3399.95

Believe it or not, it's already available at eBay from Japan, just at a higher price... link.

 

:)

Poor battery life, no SD or second XQD slot, delayed f/2.8 zooms that should have been available at launch, a manual focus lens nobody was asking for, and exorbitant UK pricing. But otherwise I quite like the look of them!

I read that the upcoming battery grip may hold two batteries so that should help a lot.

If I want a mirrorless perhaps I would buy the Z7.

Both cameras have the Fn1 and Fn2 buttons on the side of the lens mount.

I am happy with one card slot and am glad it is XQD. My concern is whether the AF system will match that of the D 500 and D 810-D850 for action, birds in flight type shooting. Reading the posts here so far about frames per second makes me pause about whether either the Z6 or Z7 will meet the needs of sports/action oriented nature photographers. If I were to purchase a Z6 or Z7 why would I want to get a battery pack? If I want small and light I want to keep it small and light. My big concerns are fps, buffer capabilities and AF.

2 batteries for 1.8X the shots.... work that out!

To me. It is a full frame camera. Like the Sony FF, there will be customers who go for a FF or a APS-C sensor camera. I think it is for those who want a mirrorless camera that feels like a dSLR.

 

For those who do street, vacation, travel type of photography. Nikon's only option is the Z6 or their DX dSLR the DX body weighs just as much as the Z6 right. Both which are on the larger size compared to other offerings on the market. I wonder what would happen to those users.

 

I feel this mirrorless camera caters to that dSLR user. It is a larger full frame and nothing else. Yeah .. what would happen to other users and Nikon's DX customers, would those customers continue to be satisfied with DX dSLRs.

Edited August 23, 2018 by RaymondC

Very interesting. Wonder about weight specs.

Kai Wong on YouTube says the Z7 weighs 675g. The Sony A7r3 on B&H says 653g.

Actually, the fact that it will take all of my lenses, makes it pretty interesting. If I weren't awash in cameras of numerous types...

I don't have that much lenses. With my camera club most people don't have much either. There is a old timer who shoots b/w film with a Leica M3 I think, no light meter he only has 5 lenses. With the digital guys (most), they generally only have 3 or 4 or maximum 5 lenses. Those who have that 300mm or 500mm or that 14mm are the outliners. I know no one that has Ai/AiS lenses at least they are not used often, including field trips that I have attended with them.

 

When I evaluate systems, so much good stuff second hand out there and that 2 or 3 lenses in all doesn't cost so much now.

In fact AI/AI-S should be fine because they don't AF with any camera any way. As far as metering? I don't really need it.

Kai Wong on YouTube says the Z7 weighs 675g

Hmm... that would be about 24oz. The D500 (which I love) weighs 30oz (just 6 oz more) with a battery and memory card (according to B&H specs). The Olympus EM1 Mark II (which I use for lightweight) is 20 oz with battery and memory card.

 

These may be unfair comparisons as the Z7 has desirable properties that other cameras lack, and vice versa. Ultimately, one needs to make a decision based on one's need and want.

If I want a mirrorless perhaps I would buy the Z7.

Here's a handson review. It looks attractive. Link.

How does the Z7's 8K chip make 4K video? Someone implied that it bins the whole FX area down to 4K, someone else thought it effectively DX crops so only records the middle? Surely it's the former?

How does the Z7's 8K chip make 4K video? Someone implied that it bins the whole FX area down to 4K, someone else thought it effectively DX crops so only records the middle? Surely it's the former?

The D5 and D500 make a center 3840x2160 crop to capture 4K video. In the case of the D5, it is very roughly a center DX crop, although obviously 4K video has a 16:9 aspect ratio instead of 3:2 for DX.

 

On the D850, it resamples the entire horizontal width of the sensor and scales it down to 3840 pixels across. I am quite sure that the Z7 does the same.

I would imagine both the 14-30mm/f4 and 14-24mm/f2.8 will have a bulging front element. Personally I would like to see a 16-35mm/f2.8 or f4 that can accept conventional front filters.

Nikon is showing mock-up models of the 24-70mm/f2.8, 14-30mm/f4 and the 58mm Noct lenses. At least according to the mock up, the 14-30mm/f4 does not have a bulging front element. That is good news, although I am quite sure that the 14-24mm/f2.8 cannot take conventional filters.

Nikon's brochure implies that both do full-frame 4K. Hmm.

 

I guess the issue here is the term "full-pixel readout" which is only available in a DX crop in the Z7 whereas the Z6 uses full frame, full-pixel readout to generate 4K. Perhaps there is line-skipping to achieve the full-frame 4K recording in the Z7 and not on the Z6. This could mean the full-frame 4K footage from the Z6 is better quality than from the Z7.

Edited August 24, 2018 by ilkka_nissila