Nikon Announce Z6 II and Z7 II

I am still digesting the news, but these are the prices in the US:

• Z7 II, $3000 body only, actually down from the initial $3400 Z7 introductory price
  
• Z6 II, $2000 body only, same as that for the Z6 back in 2018
  

Both camera will have one XQD/CFexpress slot and one UHS-II SD slot. I kind of wish to have a dual use, SD or CFx Type A slot, but that didn't happen.

This is their info-mercial video on YouTube:

There is also an updated Z-mount lens roadmap through 2022. Apparently there will be a 85mm/f1.2, 400mm/f2.8 and 600mm/f4 lenses, although Nikon does not specify the maximum aperture. The implication is that a sports oriented Z body, perhaps in the same category as Sony's A9 II, is forthcoming, most likely in 2022 for the football/soccer World Cup.

This is the updated Z-mount lens roadmap, from Nikon Japan's web site:

• Z6 II Nikon | News | Nikon releases the Z 6II full-frame mirrorless camera
  
• Z7 II Nikon | News | Nikon releases the Z 7II full-frame mirrorless camera
  

I keep wondering why no one includes 180, 200 and 300mm prime lenses in native lens lineups for full-frame mirrorless (and Nikon also don't include 135mm but Sony do). The jump to 400mm f/2.8 is a bit too much for me. I generally like the most primes in the short to medium telephoto range. The 70-200/2.8 is great but a little harsh to my taste. I haven't used the Z version though; it could be an improvement from what I've seen.

Anyway, good to see Nikon launch these cameras. Burst performance improvement seems huge. I wonder how much of it is dependent on CFexpress cards.

I will consider the Z7 II but there are already so many lenses on the roadmap, and as I suggested, many of my favorites are missing. For primes I could go with 20/35/85 (1.8) but then they stop. 135, 200, and 300, please. Yes I get the popularity of zooms, and I use them as well but I like the out-of-focus rendering and weight of prime lenses.

I am also wondering about the WR-11b transciever. I saw images of it but not much detail. Will it be compatible with DSLRs via WR-A10? When will it be available?

180, 200 and 300mm prime lenses in native lens lineups for full-frame mirrorless

I guess their 120-300mm 2.8 VR is supposed to cover that range. and at a constant 2.8 you get not advantage unless they go to f2, which admittedly would be nice but expensive.;)

It seems like the Z IIs are what the Zs should have been two years ago. I remember testing the Z7 at the launch event here in Sweden and immediately realising they would not be ideal for bird photography. Thus, I got the D850 with a grip and have not regret my choice. Now, though, I might have gone with the Z7 II (depending on its viewfinder and af-perfomance in the field) over the D850 but I see little reason to upgrade right now other than to use the 14-30mm f/4. Used Z6/7 will depreciate more than the D850.

...Apparently there will be a 85mm/f1.2, 400mm/f2.8 and 600mm/f4 lenses, although Nikon does not specify the maximum aperture. The implication is that a sports oriented Z body, perhaps in the same category as Sony's A9 II, is forthcoming, most likely in 2022 for the football/soccer World Cup..

Is not that taking thinks a bit far, like the rumour sites usually do? What about slower PF lenses, perhaps a 400mm f/4 and 600mm f/5.6? I think there is a reason for Nikon not specifying the aperture of those lenses yet.

I guess their 120-300mm 2.8 VR is supposed to cover that range. and at a constant 2.8 you get not advantage unless they go to f2, which admittedly would be nice but expensive.;)

It doesn't address my desire for lenses that are light weight for the focal length and aperture. And it seems to follow the modern trend of supersharp and -contrasty images. This current style just hurts my eyes.

Is not that taking thinks a bit far, like the rumour sites usually do? What about slower PF lenses, perhaps a 400mm f/4 and 600mm f/5.6? I think there is a reason for Nikon not specifying the aperture of those lenses yet.

I agree with Shun's interpretation. It seems likely the 400 and 600 are intended to compete head-to-head with Sony 400/2.8 and 600/4 and Canon IS III 400 and 600mm superteles. And to launch such lenses calls for the appropriate camera body to be released as well.

It seems like the Z IIs are what the Zs should have been two years ago.

Well, someone's got to do the development work and money has to come in from somewhere to pay for it, so manufacturers often launch slightly immature products to the market and then refine them in subsequent versions. This isn't anything new. If you look at the D1, for example, or Sony A7, or Canon R; each of these products seems crude compared to the current versions. It would have been great to have a D850 in 1999 and just buy one digital camera for use for 20 years.

I remember testing the Z7 at the launch event here in Sweden and immediately realising they would not be ideal for bird photography. Thus, I got the D850 with a grip and have not regret my choice.

Nothing wrong with that; the D850 is a great camera. The Z cameras have other advantages such as eye-detect AF (which hopefully should work well in the second versions), no requirement for autofocus fine tuning, better LV and video AF, and somewhat better quality lenses available in some segments. The D850 and D6 do great when photographing fast telephoto action and have a broad native lens line available. Different tools for different applications.

Does the Z7 ii have a high res mode via the VR stabilizer or similar?

I haven't noticed it being mentioned in the Nikon literature, so probably not. I think personally such features have serious limitations as if anything moves in the scene, there will be artifacts. I guess for product photography, multi-shot pixel-shifting modes can be useful.

So the specs are out now. What's the differences?

Dual card slots, vertical grip option (with controls and apparently hot-swappable batteries), more shots per charge, increased maximum burst depth, improved AF and subject acquisition, shorter viewfinder lag and faster refresh, faster frame rates in video, eye and face detection in wide-area AF mode, 1 stop improvement in low-light AF sensitivity, ...

I read on another forum that there is now the possibility to turn off the information display in the viewfinder. I will see if I can find a Nikon quote for this.

I know this is slightly off-topic but the Natural History Museum's Wildlife Photographer of the Year grand prize winner was shot with the Z7 and 50/1.8 lens:

The Embrace | Wildlife Photographer of the Year | Natural History Museum

I haven't noticed it being mentioned in the Nikon literature, so probably not. I think personally such features have serious limitations as if anything moves in the scene, there will be artifacts. I guess for product photography, multi-shot pixel-shifting modes can be useful.

Thanks. Yes makes sense - but heard it may be on the new features list but could not find it mentioned. I have the Z7 but will missing this update I think. I'm almost tempted to help Nikon's sales but my money is not that abundant!

I am still digesting the news, but these are the prices in the US:

• Z7 II, $3000 body only, actually down from the initial $3400 Z7 introductory price
  
• Z6 II, $2000 body only, same as that for the Z6 back in 2018
  

Both camera will have one XQD/CFexpress slot and one UHS-II SD slot. I kind of wish to have a dual use, SD or CFx Type A slot, but that didn't happen.

 

This is their info-mercial video on YouTube:

 

There is also an updated Z-mount lens roadmap through 2022. Apparently there will be a 85mm/f1.2, 400mm/f2.8 and 600mm/f4 lenses, although Nikon does not specify the maximum aperture. The implication is that a sports oriented Z body, perhaps in the same category as Sony's A9 II, is forthcoming, most likely in 2022 for the football/soccer World Cup.

 

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In Europe:

Z6 II = 2.200€

Z7 II = 3.400€

So, the cameras are much cheaper in the USA looking at the exchange rate (1$=0.85€) and should sell for:

2000$ = 1.700€

3000$ = 2.550€

European countries prices include VAT which in Finland is 24%. $3000*1.24 converted to € is 3164. Price displayed by Nikon is 3499€ in my country. So there is a difference but it is not out of this world. European customers could save some money by ordering from the US. But I suspect large stores in UK, Germany or the Netherlands may have less expensive stock than Finland.

Ordering from the US is not always possible "we don't ship to your country" but when they do, you have to pay import taxes here.

I think personally such features have serious limitations as if anything moves in the scene, there will be artifacts. I guess for product photography, multi-shot pixel-shifting modes can be useful.

Indeed. Even a tree or flower moving slightly in the breeze can cause very strange artefacts. Or a change in lighting that spreads shadows.

So as far as 3D subjects, you're basically stuck with buildings in constant light or still-life studio subjects of some sort.

What it is useful for though is film copying, where you can get an 18,000 pixel wide digital copy of a medium-format negative or transparency. With a 'true optical resolution' as good as the lens fitted allows.

Epson scanner owners, eat your hearts out!

Ordering from the US is not always possible "we don't ship to your country" but when they do, you have to pay import taxes here.

Right, but even with those it would have still been a bit cheaper. But you're right, Nikon USA seems to have placed restrictions on cameras and B&H won't ship a Z7 II to my country. I have to wonder what happened to market economy and global trade. Nikon seem to be artificially maintaining price differences between regions. I understand there is longer than 1 year warranty in Europe (due to EU regulations as well as national legislation which can be even more stringent) and of course they have to translate manuals and camera firmware to the numerous languages in Europe and then there can be higher costs of employment as well. These could contribute to the higher prices. But on return, I've had very good service from Nikon during all these years. Still, I'd love to buy gear at US prices.

Dual card slots, vertical grip option (with controls and apparently hot-swappable batteries), more shots per charge, increased maximum burst depth, improved AF and subject acquisition, shorter viewfinder lag and faster refresh, faster frame rates in video, eye and face detection in wide-area AF mode, 1 stop improvement in low-light AF sensitivity, ...

 

I read on another forum that there is now the possibility to turn off the information display in the viewfinder. I will see if I can find a Nikon quote for this.

I think the main improvements are:

1. Dual memory card slots: while it is not necessarily an important feature for everybody, for some, such as certain wedding photographers, this is a must. I think it was a surprising miss in the first-generation Z6 and Z7, although after 4 years with XQD cards, I have a lot of confidence with them myself and don't necessarily use dual cards any more.
   
2. Dual Expeed 6 processors: which means better AF, somewhat a weakness in the first gen Z6 and Z7. How much that is improved needs to be tested. I should point out that AF on my Z6 has improved with the various firmware upgrades this year.
   
3. A real vertical grip, and no doubt third-party clones will soon appear.
   

Otherwise, the sensors are essentially the same as the first generation. I think it is getting harder and harder to improve sensors now.

The 400mm/f2.8 and 600mm/f4 are critical lenses for sports. The 400mm/f2.8 is important for night and indoor sports. I don't think those 400mm and 600mm lenses will be PF. A 600mm/f5.6 PF sounds good on paper, but it will be much bigger than the 500mm/f5.6 PF and harder to hand hold. That is why like Sony's 200-600 is f6.3 on the long end.

To me, whether Nikon (and Canon) will move to mirrorless for their flagship sports cam is important. If the newly introduced D6 will be replaced in 2 years or so, there is really no point to invest in the D6 and F-mount super tele any more. Therefore, the fact that Nikon is telegraphing Z-mount super-teles by 2022 is significant.

I am somewhat disappointed that the 2nd memory card slot is SD (UHS-II) only. If one shoots at a high frame rate, even an expensive UHS-II SD card (about $100 for 64G) will still be the bottleneck. I really wish to have a dual SD/CFx Type A option like the Sony A7S III since CFx Type A is much faster, although expensive. However, for still subjects, SD cards are inexpensive.

Right, but even with those it would have still been a bit cheaper. But you're right, Nikon USA seems to have placed restrictions on cameras and B&H won't ship a Z7 II to my country. I have to wonder what happened to market economy and global trade. Nikon seem to be artificially maintaining price differences between regions. I understand there is longer than 1 year warranty in Europe (due to EU regulations as well as national legislation which can be even more stringent) and of course they have to translate manuals and camera firmware to the numerous languages in Europe and then there can be higher costs of employment as well. These could contribute to the higher prices. But on return, I've had very good service from Nikon during all these years. Still, I'd love to buy gear at US prices.

Where have you been? Nikon has long protected dealers in specific national markets. Apart from vendors refusing shipping to foreign customers, Nikon usually refuses warranty service coverage to cameras not purchased in a given national market from authorized retailers. That tactic amounts to a sizeable disincentive to purchase Nikon products abroad or from gray market sellers. "Market economy" and "global trade" are the usual cheapskate refusals to cope with realities. Access to cut-rate pricing isn't covered by human rights legislation.