I-am-mirrorless

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_Z6_front

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).

Z7-with-lens

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 FeatureNikon Z6Nikon Z7
Sensor TypeBSI CMOSBSI CMOS
Sensor Resolution24.5 Million45.7 Million
In-Body Image StabilizationYes, 5-axisYes, 5-axis
Sensor Size35.9 x 24.0mm35.9 x 23.9mm
Image Size6000 x 40008256 x 5504
AA FilterNoNo
Image ProcessorEXPEED 6EXPEED 6
ViewfinderElectronic / EVFElectronic / EVF
Viewfinder Type / ResolutionQVGA / 3.6 Million DotsQVGA / 3.6 Million Dots
Viewfinder Coverage100%100%
Viewfinder MagnificationApprox. 0.8x (50 mm lens at infinity)Approx. 0.8x (50 mm lens at infinity)
Built-in FlashNoNo
Flash Sync Speed1/160 sec1/160 sec
Storage Media1x XQD1x XQD
Continuous Shooting Speed12 FPS9 FPS
Fastest Shutter Speed1/8000 sec.1/8000 sec.
Slowest Shutter Speed30 sec.30 sec.
Exposure Metering SystemTTL exposure meteringTTL exposure metering
Base ISOISO 100ISO 64
Native ISO SensitivityISO 100-51,160ISO 64-25,600
Boosted ISO Sensitivity204,800102,400
Autofocus SystemHybrid PDAFHybrid PDAF
Focus Points273493
Focus PeakingYesYes
Video Maximum Resolution3840 x 2160 (4K) @ 24/25/30 fps3840 x 2160 (4K) @ 24/25/30 fps
HDMI Out / N-LOG4:2:2 10-bit HDMI Output / Yes4:2:2 10-bit HDMI Output / Yes
ZebraYesYes
Audio RecordingYesYes
Monitor TypeTilting TFT, Touch-Sensitive LCDTilting TFT, Touch-Sensitive LCD
Monitor Size3.2″ Diagonal LCD3.2″ Diagonal LCD
Monitor Resolution2,100,000 dots2,100,000 dots
GPSVia the SnapBridge appVia the SnapBridge app
Wi-Fi FunctionalityYes, IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/acYes, IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac
NFCYesYes
BluetoothYesYes
BatteryEN-EL15bEN-EL15b
Battery Life310 shots (CIPA)330 shots (CIPA)
Battery Life – movie recordingApprox. 10-15 minApprox. 10-15 min
Weather Sealed BodyYesYes
USB Version33
Weight20.7 oz. (585 g)20.7 oz. (585 g)
Dimensions134 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

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