Nikon Z7 and Z6 announced

At long last, Nikon has launched the Z7 and the Z6, the most interesting mirrorless cameras to date and perhaps, with it, the new age of mirrorless cameras.

Nikon Z7 

 

Nikon Z6

The new Z mount is the cornerstone of this system, with an eye towards fast prime lenses in the near future. Canon will follow shortly, however this looks like an amazing camera that I look forward to using. Is this the end of the DSLR? not yet, but its demise may be around the corner.

 The Z mount road map

From Nikon:

Mirrorless reinvented through the Nikon Z mount system

The Z mount system comprises mirrorless cameras featuring a new, larger-diameter mount, and compatible NIKKOR Z lenses and accessories. This system has been realized through the pursuit of a new dimension in optical performance. It has inherited Nikon's tradition of quality, superior imaging technology, great operability, and high reliability, all innovated from its digital SLR cameras.

At the heart of the new Z mount system is the new, larger-diameter mount, which unlocks further possibilities of lens design, greatly increasing capabilities in optical performance. The Z mount system will offer a variety of high-performance lenses, including the fastest lens in Nikon history, with f/0.95*. Additionally, the new mount adapter will enable compatibility with NIKKOR F mount lenses, adding to the range of choices for photographers.

The letter "Z" represents the culmination of Nikon's relentless pursuit of ultimate optical performance, and a bridge to a new chapter. It is about redefining possibilities to provide image-makers with tools to realize greater creativity.

Nikon will expand the value of mirrorless cameras through the pursuit of a new dimension in optical performance, and by upholding Nikon's tradition of quality while responding to the evolution of imaging technology. By providing image-makers with stimulating new products, Nikon will continue to lead imaging culture.

• *Within interchangeable lenses for Nikon SLR cameras and Advanced Cameras with Interchangeable Lenses.

Z 7 and Z 6 product overview

The Z 7 and Z 6 are equipped with a new backside illumination, Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor with focal-plane phase-detection AF pixels, and the latest image-processing engine, EXPEED 6.

The Z 7 has 45.7 effective megapixels, and supports a standard sensitivity range of ISO 64-25600. In combination with NIKKOR Z lenses, the camera achieves an outstanding level of sharpness and detail, all the way to the edges of the image.

The Z 6 is an all-purpose FX-format camera with 24.5 effective megapixels, and supports the wide range of ISO 100-51200 standard sensitivities. With superior performance at high sensitivities and full-frame 4K UHD movie recording with full pixel readout, the Z 6 responds to a variety of needs, such as shooting in dimly lit environments, and movie recording.

Primary features of the Z 7 and Z 6

• 1.Equipped with a new backside illumination Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor with focal-plane phase-detection AF pixels
  A backside illumination CMOS sensor, with focal-plane phase-detection AF pixels, has been adopted for both the Z 7 and the Z 6. The Z 7 has 45.7 effective megapixels, and supports the ISO 64-25600 range of standard sensitivities (reduction to the equivalent of ISO 32 and expansion to the equivalent of ISO 102400 is also possible). The Z 6 has a 24.5 effective megapixels, and supports a broad range of standard sensitivities, from ISO 100-51200 (additional reduction to the equivalent of ISO 50 and expansion to the equivalent of ISO 204800).
  
  
• 2.A hybrid AF system with focus points covering approximately 90% of the imaging area
  The Z 7 has 493 focus points* and the Z 6 has 273 focus points*, enabling broad coverage of approximately 90% of the imaging area both horizontally and vertically. This hybrid AF system uses an algorithm optimized for the FX-format sensor, and automatically switches between focal-plane phase-detection AF and contrast-detect AF to achieve focus. The use of NIKKOR Z lenses further increases AF accuracy with both still images and movies.
  • *With FX (36x24) format and single-point AF.
  
  
• 3.The new EXPEED 6 image-processing engine for sharp and clear imaging, and new functions that support creative imaging expression
  The Z 7 and Z 6 are equipped with the new EXPEED 6 image-processing engine. Employing the superior resolving power of NIKKOR Z and NIKKOR F lenses, subjects are rendered more sharply than ever before. Noise is also effectively reduced.
  Additionally, a mid-range sharpening option has been added to Picture Control sharpness parameters. This option, along with existing sharpening and clarity parameters, allows users to make various textures within the screen sharper or softer, for both still images and movies*. The cameras also offer 20 options of Creative Picture Control, supporting creative imaging expression. The effect level is adjustable from 0 to 100.
  • *Mid-range sharpness adjustment is only possible at "High quality" movie setting.
  
  
• 4.An electronic viewfinder that utilizes Nikon's superior optical and image-processing technologies to offer a clear and natural view
  The electronic viewfinder adopted for the Z 7 and Z 6 is comfortable and easy to use, comparable to optical viewfinders. Both cameras are equipped with an electronic viewfinder for which an approximately 3690k-dot OLED panel has been adopted. The electronic viewfinder has, respectively, frame coverage and magnification of approximately 100% and 0.8x, as well as an approximately 37.0° diagonal viewing angle. It draws on Nikon's superior optical and image-processing technologies, ensuring a clear and comfortable view comparable to that of optical viewfinders, with reduced aberration and minimum eyestrain, even during extended shoots. Furthermore, a fluorine coat that effectively repels dirt has been applied to the eyepiece protection window. In addition, the menu can be displayed in the electronic viewfinder, allowing users to quickly view and adjust a variety of shooting settings, including ISO sensitivity, AF-area mode, and Picture Control, all while looking through the viewfinder.
  
  
• 5.An ergonomic design unique to Nikon that enables intuitive operation
  The Z 7 and Z 6 have inherited the superior operability that Nikon has cultivated over the years through its development of cameras. The bodies are compact, while boasting a firm grip that is easy to hold, and buttons such as that for the sub-selector, AF-ON, ISO, and exposure compensation are all placed so that they can be operated swiftly and easily. Additionally, a display panel has been positioned on the top part of the camera, where information about settings can be displayed, the same as with high-end digital SLR camera models.
  
  
• 6.Movie functions such as 10-bit N-Log that captures a wide dynamic range, and timecoding, responding to professional needs
  The Z 7 and Z 6 support recording of not only full-frame 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)/30p movies using the FX-based movie format, but also Full-HD/120p movies. Sharper 4K UHD movies are made possible, using the full-pixel readout.*¹ Additionally, Active D-Lighting, electronic vibration reduction, and focus peaking can be used with 4K UHD and Full-HD movie recording. Nikon's original N-Log can also be used with 10-bit*² HDMI output. The cameras utilize extensive color depth and twelve-stop, 1300% dynamic range to record a wealth of tone information from highlights and shadows for more effective color grading. Timecode support*³ makes synchronizing video and sound from multiple devices easier. Additionally, the control ring built into NIKKOR Z lenses can be used to quietly and smoothly adjust settings such as aperture and exposure compensation.
  • *1DX-based movie format with the Z 7.
  • *2Simultaneous recording of 4K UHD movies with 10-bit output to the camera's memory card is not possible.
  • *3Not available when shooting slow-motion movies.
  
  
• 7.Nikon's first*¹ in-camera vibration reduction with approx. 5.0-stop*² effectiveness
  The Z 7 and Z 6 are equipped with in-camera vibration reduction (VR). The VR unit provides compensation for movement along five axes. The effects of vibration reduction are equivalent to a shutter speed up to approximately 5.0 stops*². This function can also be used effectively with NIKKOR F lenses, including those not equipped with a VR function, with the Mount Adapter FTZ (sold separately)*³.
  • *1Among interchangeable-lens cameras.
  • *2Measured in accordance with CIPA standards (using the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, with zoom set at the maximum telephoto position).
  • *3The level of compensation achieved when a NIKKOR F mount lens is used is not as high as that of a NIKKOR Z lens.
  
  
• 8.Other features
  • Same level of strength and durability, as well as dust- and drip-resistance, as the Nikon D850, offered in a compact body
  • An 8-cm/3.2-in., approximately 2100k-dot touch-sensitive LCD monitor, with a tilting mechanism
  • Silent photography function eliminates shake and noise caused by shutter release
  • Peaking stack image function*¹ enables confirmation of the area in focus after shooting using focus shift, which is convenient for focus stacking*²
  • High-speed continuous shooting (extended)*³ at approximately 9 fps (Z 7) and 12 fps (Z 6) captures fast motion
  • Interval timer photography that makes 8K (Z 7) time-lapse movie creation*² possible
  • An extended low-light metering range*⁴ allows users to easily capture scenes such as the transition from sunset to starry night sky, using aperture-priority auto mode
  • Built-in Wi-Fi^® for direct connection to a smart device using SnapBridge
  • Built-in Wi-Fi^® makes the transfer of images and movies to a computer possible
  • Support for existing digital SLR camera accessories such as the WT-7/A/B/C Wireless Transmitter (available separately) for transferring images and movies at high speed over a wired or wireless LAN, and radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting, which makes flexible multi-flash photography possible
  • *1Can only be confirmed using the camera with which focus shift was performed.
  • *2Third-party software is required.
  • *3Continuous H (extended) in 12-bit RAW, JPEG, or TIFF format.
  • *4With interval timer shooting or time-lapse movie recording with silent photography and exposure smoothing enabled.

Development of the MB-N10 Multi-Power Battery Pack

The MB-N10 Multi-Power Battery Pack that is currently in development will hold two EN-EL15b batteries, effectively increasing the number of shots possible and/or movie recording time by approximately 1.8x. It will provide the same level of dust- and drip-resistance as the Z 7 and Z 6, and will support USB charging using the EH-7P Charging AC Adapter.

Ross

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