As a professional photographer, you know that choosing the right camera is crucial for capturing stunning images that leave a lasting impression. Nikon, a renowned brand in the world of photography, offers a wide range of cameras to cater to different needs and preferences of photographers. In this article, we will compare two of Nikon’s top-notch mirrorless cameras – the Nikon Z7 vs Z7 II.
Nikon Z7 vs Z7ii: Key Features
Dual EXPEED processors: While both the Nikon Z7 and Z7II feature dual image processors, the Z7II has the advantage of dual EXPEED 6 processors, providing faster image processing speeds and improved overall performance compared to the Z7’s dual EXPEED 5 processors.
Dual memory card slots: Both the Z7 and Z7II have dual memory card slots, but the Z7II offers an additional CFexpress/XQD slot alongside the SD slot, providing more storage options and versatile backup capabilities.
Autofocus system: Both cameras boast a sophisticated hybrid autofocus system with a high number of focus points (493 points) and eye-detection AF for accurate subject tracking. However, the Z7II has a slight edge with improved low-light autofocus performance.
In-body image stabilization (IBIS): Both cameras feature in-body image stabilization, but the Z7II has an upgraded IBIS system that offers up to 5-axis compensation, compared to the Z7’s 3-axis IBIS.
Buffer capacity: The Z7II has an improved buffer capacity, allowing for longer continuous shooting at high frame rates, making it suitable for fast-paced action photography.
Video capabilities: Both cameras can capture 4K UHD video, but the Z7II has the advantage of full-pixel readout, which provides higher-quality video footage with reduced moiré and aliasing.
Connectivity options: Both cameras offer built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for seamless image transfer and sharing, as well as compatibility with the Nikon Webcam Utility. However, the Z7II also has a 10-bit N-Log option for advanced videography.
Weather-sealed body: Both the Z7 and Z7II feature a durable magnesium-alloy body with weather-sealing to protect against dust and moisture, ensuring reliable performance in challenging shooting conditions.
Nikon Z7 vs Z7ii Key Differences
The Nikon Z7 and Z7 II are both full-frame mirrorless cameras that offer exceptional image quality, advanced features, and superior performance. However, they do have some differences in terms of specs and features that may impact your decision when choosing between them. So, let’s dive into the detailed comparison and find out which camera suits your requirements better.
Design and Build Quality:
Both the Nikon Z7 and Z7 II feature a sleek and modern design with a magnesium alloy body that is weather-sealed, making them durable and reliable for outdoor shooting. They have a comfortable grip and well-placed buttons, providing easy access to important controls. The Z7 II, however, has a slightly larger grip, which offers a more ergonomic feel for extended shooting sessions.
In terms of dimensions, the Z7 II is slightly larger and heavier than the Z7, measuring 134 x 100.5 x 69.5 mm and weighing 705g (body only) compared to the Z7’s dimensions of 134 x 100.5 x 67.5 mm and weight of 585g (body only). While both cameras are compact and lightweight for full-frame cameras, the Z7 is slightly more portable and suitable for travel or on-the-go photography.
Both cameras feature a high-resolution electronic viewfinder (EVF) with a 3.6-million-dot OLED panel, providing a clear and detailed view of the scene. The EVF offers a 100% frame coverage and a high refresh rate, making it ideal for precise framing and focusing. Additionally, both cameras have a tilting LCD touchscreen with a 3.2-inch diagonal size and 2.1-million-dot resolution, allowing for easy menu navigation and image playback. However, the Z7 II’s LCD offers a slightly higher resolution and touch sensitivity compared to the Z7.
Sensor and Image Quality:
The Nikon Z7 and Z7 II both feature a 45.7-megapixel back-illuminated full-frame CMOS sensor, which delivers exceptional image quality with rich details, dynamic range, and low noise performance. The sensors have no optical low-pass filter, allowing for sharper and more detailed images. The Z7 II, however, has an additional advantage of a dual EXPEED 6 image processor, compared to the single EXPEED 6 processor in the Z7. This results in improved image processing speed, better buffer performance, and enhanced autofocus performance in the Z7 II.
Both cameras have a native ISO range of 64-25600, which can be expanded to ISO 32-102400, allowing for excellent low-light performance and reduced noise in high ISO settings. The Z7 II, with its dual processors, offers a slightly improved ISO performance with cleaner images at higher ISO settings compared to the Z7.
Autofocus and Performance:
The Nikon Z7 and Z7 II both come with Nikon’s advanced autofocus system, which utilizes 493 on-sensor phase-detection autofocus (AF) points that cover approximately 90% of the frame horizontally and vertically. This results in fast, accurate, and reliable autofocus performance, even in low-light conditions. The Z7 II, with its dual processors, offers an improved autofocus performance with faster subject acquisition, better tracking, and improved low-light AF sensitivity compared to the Z7.
Both cameras also offer Eye-Detection AF and Animal-Detection AF, which are highly useful for portrait and wildlife photography, respectively. The Eye-Detection AF can accurately track and focus on the subject’s eyes, ensuring sharp and well-focused portraits. The Animal-Detection AF, on the other hand, can detect and track the eyes of various animals, making it easier to capture stunning wildlife shots.
In terms of burst shooting speed, the Z7 has a maximum continuous shooting rate of 9 frames per second (fps) in its High Extended (HX) mode with the electronic shutter and 5.5 fps with the mechanical shutter. On the other hand, the Z7 II offers a slightly improved burst shooting speed, with up to 10 fps in its HX mode with the electronic shutter and 4.0 fps with the mechanical shutter. The increased burst shooting speed of the Z7 II can be beneficial for capturing fast-moving subjects or for sports and action photography.
Buffer capacity is also an important consideration when it comes to burst shooting. The Z7 has a buffer capacity of approximately 23 RAW files or 77 JPEG files, while the Z7 II has an increased buffer capacity of approximately 50 RAW files or 200 JPEG files. This means that the Z7 II can sustain longer continuous shooting without the need for frequent pauses to clear the buffer, making it more suitable for extended burst shooting scenarios.
Video Features:
Both the Nikon Z7 and Z7 II offer impressive video capabilities, making them suitable for videography as well. They can shoot 4K UHD videos at up to 30p or Full HD videos at up to 120p, providing high-quality video footage with excellent detail and dynamic range.
The Z7 and Z7 II both feature in-camera 5-axis image stabilization (IBIS), which helps in achieving steady handheld videos and reducing camera shake. The IBIS system compensates for pitch, roll, yaw, X, and Y-axis movements, providing smooth and stable footage, even in challenging shooting conditions.
Additionally, both cameras have N-Log and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma) picture profiles, allowing for better dynamic range and color grading in post-production. The Z7 II, however, has an advantage of offering 10-bit 4:2:2 HDMI output, compared to the 8-bit 4:2:0 HDMI output of the Z7. This means that the Z7 II can produce higher-quality video output for professional video production, allowing for better color depth and gradation in post-processing.
Connectivity and Battery Life:
Both the Nikon Z7 and Z7 II come with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing for seamless image transfer and remote control using the Nikon SnapBridge app. The Wi-Fi connectivity also enables easy sharing of images to social media platforms or cloud storage for quick and convenient image sharing.
The battery life is an essential factor to consider when choosing a camera for your photography needs. The Z7 II has a slight advantage in this aspect, as it offers a better battery life compared to the Z7. The Z7 II can take approximately 420 shots per charge, whereas the Z7 can take approximately 330 shots per charge. However, it’s important to note that actual battery life may vary depending on various factors, such as shooting conditions, settings, and lens usage.
Lens Compatibility:
Both the Nikon Z7 and Z7 II come with Nikon’s Z-mount, which is a new lens mount specifically designed for Nikon’s mirrorless cameras. The Z-mount offers a larger inner diameter and shorter flange focal distance, allowing for better optical performance, improved autofocus capabilities, and increased flexibility in lens design.
One of the advantages of the Z-mount is its backward compatibility with Nikon’s F-mount lenses, which are used on Nikon’s DSLR cameras. With the FTZ Mount Adapter, which is sold separately, users can mount and use their existing F-mount lenses on both the Z7 and Z7 II without losing autofocus and exposure functionalities. This makes the transition from Nikon DSLR to the Z-series mirrorless system seamless and convenient for existing Nikon users who have invested in F-mount lenses.
Furthermore, Nikon has been actively expanding its Z-mount lens lineup, offering a wide range of high-quality lenses specifically designed for the Z7 and Z7 II. These Z-mount lenses are optimized for mirrorless cameras, providing excellent image quality, faster autofocus performance, and advanced features such as in-lens optical stabilization. The growing selection of Z-mount lenses gives users more options and flexibility in choosing lenses that suit their specific photography needs.
Price and Value:
When it comes to price, the Nikon Z7 and Z7 II are both premium cameras, and their price points reflect that. The Z7 II, being the newer model with some improved features, is slightly more expensive than the Z7. However, it’s important to consider the overall value and performance of these cameras in relation to their price. You can find the price of both cameras visiting online stores like Nikon, Amazon or Walmart.
Nikon Z7 Pros and Cons:
In summary, here are some pros and cons of the Nikon Z7 and Z7 II:
Nikon Z7 Pros:
High-resolution 45.7MP full-frame sensor for excellent image quality
Advanced autofocus system with 493 AF points and Eye-Detection AF
5-axis in-camera image stabilization (IBIS) for steady handheld shots
Weather-sealed body for durability in challenging shooting conditions
Excellent electronic viewfinder (EVF) with high resolution and large magnification
4K UHD video capability with N-Log and HLG picture profiles
Backward compatibility with Nikon’s F-mount lenses using FTZ Mount Adapter
Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for easy image transfer and remote control
Large selection of Z-mount lenses optimized for mirrorless cameras
Nikon Z7 Cons:
Slower burst shooting speed of 5.5 fps with mechanical shutter
Smaller buffer capacity compared to Z7 II
Nikon Z7II Pros and Cons:
Nikon Z7 II Pros:
Improved burst shooting speed of up to 10 fps with electronic shutter
Increased buffer capacity for longer continuous shooting
10-bit 4:2:2 HDMI output for higher-quality video
Better battery life compared to Z7
Backward compatibility with Nikon’s F-mount lenses using FTZ Mount Adapter
Large selection of Z-mount lenses optimized for mirrorless cameras
High-resolution 45.7MP full-frame sensor for excellent image quality
Advanced autofocus system with 493 AF points and Eye-Detection AF
5-axis in-camera image stabilization (IBIS) for steady handheld shots
Weather-sealed body for durability in challenging shooting conditions
Excellent electronic viewfinder (EVF) with high resolution and large magnification
4K UHD video capability with N-Log and HLG picture profiles
Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity for easy image transfer and remote control
Nikon Z7 II Cons:
Slightly higher price compared to Z7
Similar resolution and image quality as Z7, so minimal upgrade in image performance
Limited availability of Z-mount lenses compared to Nikon’s F-mount lenses
Conclusion:
In conclusion, both the Nikon Z7 and Z7 II are exceptional cameras that offer outstanding image quality, advanced autofocus capabilities, and a robust build quality. They are well-suited for professional photographers and advanced enthusiasts who demand high performance and versatility in their photography.
The Nikon Z7 is a proven performer with a 45.7MP full-frame sensor, excellent image stabilization, and a weather-sealed body. It’s a reliable choice for those who prioritize image quality and need a capable camera for various genres of photography, including landscape, portrait, and commercial work. With the availability of the FTZ Mount Adapter, it also offers seamless compatibility with Nikon’s extensive lineup of F-mount lenses, providing a wider range of lens options.
On the other hand, the Nikon Z7 II offers some significant improvements over its predecessor, including a faster burst shooting speed, increased buffer capacity, and improved video output quality. It’s an excellent choice for sports, wildlife, and other fast-action photography, where high-speed burst shooting and extended buffer capacity are crucial. The improved battery life also makes it more suitable for extended shooting sessions. However, it’s worth noting that the differences between the Z7 and Z7 II may not be significant enough for existing Z7 users to upgrade, as the image quality and resolution remain the same.
