Just minutes ago Nikon announced their first mirrorless cameras – Nikon Z6 and Z7. In the past month, each Wednesday, they were releasing a video teaser. These short promotional videos named “Travel of light”, “Mount”, “Body”, “Lens”, and “Photographers” created quite a hype for the upcoming cameras. And there is why. Nikon Z6 and Z7 are not revolutionary for the world by any means. Especially considering the current Sony, Fuji, Panasonic and Olympus cameras. But they are big step forward in Nikon’s thinking and future development as a camera company.
I believe no one argues that mirrorless is the future. In the last 10 years, starting with Lumix G1, mirrorless cameras went through many transformations and upgrades. Now they are close to dominate the photography community of professionals and hobbyists.
Nikon Z6 and Z7
Both models have identical bodies. All differences (besides the number 6/7 at the front plate) are inside – sensor size, frame rate, number of the focus points, etc. From everything what we know so far it is clear that Nikon’s new cameras will be direct competitors to Sony A7III and A7RIII.
Nikon Z6
The Nikon Z6 is the “lower” model of the two. This is targeted as a general-purpose mirrorless camera.
Nikon Z7
The Nikon Z7, on the other hand, is marketed as a more premium model, with superior auto-focus system and 493 focus points and 45.7MP backside Illuminated image sensor with no optical low pass filter (OLPF).
Nikon Z6 and Z7 Specification Comparison
It seems to me that the major differences are in sensor size (45.7 vs. 24.5 Mpx ), frame rate (9 vs. 11fps), and the number of focus points (493 vs. 273 AF points).
But let’s see the features next to each other:
Camera Feature | Nikon Z6 | Nikon Z7 |
Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | BSI CMOS |
Sensor Resolution | 24.5 Million | 45.7 Million |
In-Body Image Stabilization | Yes, 5-axis | Yes, 5-axis |
Sensor Size | 35.9 x 24.0mm | 35.9 x 23.9mm |
Image Size | 6000 x 4000 | 8256 x 5504 |
AA Filter | No | No |
Image Processor | EXPEED 6 | EXPEED 6 |
Viewfinder | Electronic / EVF | Electronic / EVF |
Viewfinder Type / Resolution | QVGA / 3.6 Million Dots | QVGA / 3.6 Million Dots |
Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
Viewfinder Magnification | Approx. 0.8x (50 mm lens at infinity) | Approx. 0.8x (50 mm lens at infinity) |
Built-in Flash | No | No |
Flash Sync Speed | 1/160 sec | 1/160 sec |
Storage Media | 1x XQD | 1x XQD |
Continuous Shooting Speed | 12 FPS | 9 FPS |
Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/8000 sec. | 1/8000 sec. |
Slowest Shutter Speed | 30 sec. | 30 sec. |
Exposure Metering System | TTL exposure metering | TTL exposure metering |
Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 64 |
Native ISO Sensitivity | ISO 100-51,160 | ISO 64-25,600 |
Boosted ISO Sensitivity | 204,800 | 102,400 |
Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF | Hybrid PDAF |
Focus Points | 273 | 493 |
Focus Peaking | Yes | Yes |
Video Maximum Resolution | 3840 x 2160 (4K) @ 24/25/30 fps | 3840 x 2160 (4K) @ 24/25/30 fps |
HDMI Out / N-LOG | 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI Output / Yes | 4:2:2 10-bit HDMI Output / Yes |
Zebra | Yes | Yes |
Audio Recording | Yes | Yes |
Monitor Type | Tilting TFT, Touch-Sensitive LCD | Tilting TFT, Touch-Sensitive LCD |
Monitor Size | 3.2″ Diagonal LCD | 3.2″ Diagonal LCD |
Monitor Resolution | 2,100,000 dots | 2,100,000 dots |
GPS | Via the SnapBridge app | Via the SnapBridge app |
Wi-Fi Functionality | Yes, IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac | Yes, IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac |
NFC | Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
Battery | EN-EL15b | EN-EL15b |
Battery Life | 310 shots (CIPA) | 330 shots (CIPA) |
Battery Life – movie recording | Approx. 10-15 min | Approx. 10-15 min |
Weather Sealed Body | Yes | Yes |
USB Version | 3 | 3 |
Weight | 20.7 oz. (585 g) | 20.7 oz. (585 g) |
Dimensions | 134 x 100.5 x 67.5mm (5.3 x 4.0 x 2.7″) | 134 x 100.5 x 67.5mm (5.3 x 4.0 x 2.7″) |
MSRP Price | $1,996.95 | $3,396.95 |
Are you Interested?
As this is just an announcement article, I plan to describe in details in a new post what my thoughts are about these new Nikon mirorrless cameras and lenses. Keep in mind that if you like them and decide to order them – now is the time. Considering the success of D850 and that it is almost one full year on back-order, I can assure you there will be huge lines for the new Z6 and Z7 as well. It is better to pre-order and then cancel if you change your mind, than to wait for months after that.
I put pre-order links for your convenience. If you buy, using our links, you will help and support our blog and our efforts to deliver interesting photography content.
Pre-order Links:
Nikon Z7 ($3,396.95): Amazon; Adorama
Nikon Z7 w/Z 24-70mm f/4 S ($3,996.95): Adorama
Nikon Z7 FX-Format Mirrorless Camera Body with Mount Adapter ($3,543.90): Amazon
Nikon Z6 ($1,996.95): Amazon, Adorama
Nikon Z6 w/Z 24-70mm f/4 S ($2,596.95): Amazon, Adorama
Nikon Z6 w/ Mount Adapter FTZ ($2,146.95): Adorama
Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S ($996.95): Amazon, Adorama
Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S ($846.95): Amazon, Adorama
Nikon Z 50mm f/1.8 S ($596.95): Amazon, Adorama
Nikon Mount Adapter FTZ ($246.95): Amazon, Adorama