After months of rumours and speculation Nikon have announced the details for their
new, full frame, mirrorless camera system.
The camera will be available in two versions, the Z7, available from September 2018,
followed by the Z6 in November.
Both cameras use the same body which is smaller than traditional DSLRs, has a contemporary
look with a deep grip and dials that will feel familiar to Nikon users. The body
is also weather sealed.
The major innovation from Nikon is the brand new ‘Z’ mount for lenses. This replaces
the ‘F’ mount which Nikon has used for nearly 60 years. The new ‘Z’ mount is larger
than other lens mounts allowing more room and coverage to the full frame sensor.
Nikon has also announced the FTZ lens adaptor that will allow up to 360 ‘F’ type
lenses to be mounted to the new cameras.
NIKON Z7
The Z7 will be the flagship mirrorless model with a whopping 45.7 megapixel sensor,
which Nikon says will give a better image quality than even the D850.
Nikon have also added the new Expeed 6 processor to both models.
Autofocus on the Z7 has 493, phase detection, autofocus points that will give a 90%
coverage of the frame.
The Z7 has an ISO range of ISO 64-25600, similar to the D850.
Shooting rate for the Z7 is at 9 frames per second with full autofocus.
Probably the biggest addition to this camera is the in body, 5 axis, stabilisation,
this the first time Nikon has used in body stabilisation, preferring in the past
to produce VR lenses instead.
On the video front the Z7 will shoot 4K at up to 30 fps, using the full size of the
sensor. It will shoot 1080p at up to 120 fps. Nikon have also introduced N-Log profiles
for direct video to an external recorder.
There is also the 8K timelapse feature that is found on the D850.
The Z7 will be available from September 2018 at £3399 ($4000) for the body only or
£3999 when bundle with the 24-70mm lens.
NIKON Z6
Launching in November 2018 the Z6 will be the baby brother to the Z7.
Both cameras share the same basic body and dials with the new Z mount for lenses.
The Z6 will sport a 24.5 megapixel sensor and the Expeed 6 processor.
ISO range for the Z6 is ISO 100-51200
Autofocus has 273, phase detection, autofocus points.
The Z6 out does the Z7 with its shooting rate of 12 frames per second.
Once again Nikon have included the 5 axis, in body stabilisation.
Video wise the Z6 matches the Z7 with 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 120fps.
The Z6 come out in November 2018 at £2099 ($2500) for the body only or £2699 with
the 24-70mm lens.
SINGLE CARD SLOT
Both of the new models the Z6 and Z7 have a single, XQD card slot that will be CF
express card compatible after a future firmware update.
Although many cameras have only a single card slot most Nikons, in recent years have
had dual slots, this may seem like a backwards step.
Dual card slots are great for backing up images in case of a card failure but more
importantly with video becoming almost as important as stills photography the ability
to assign one card slot for stills and the second for video maybe something that
people will miss.
S-LINE LENSES
Nikon’s new ‘Z’ mount means that this new system requires new lenses, with this in
mind Nikon have also announced the S-Line lens range.
On launch in September three new S-Line lenses will be available these are a 24-70mm
f:4 zoom, a 50mm f:1.8 and a 35mm f:1.8 prime.
There is also a timeline map from Nikon that shows the date of other lens releases.
The new ‘Z’ mount will allow for faster brighter lenses than the old ‘F’ mount did,
including a 58mm f:0.95 Noct lens due in 2019.
