Photography

Nikon boosts processing power for second gen Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras

Nikon boosts processing power for second gen Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras
The Z6 II (shown) and Z7 II full-frame mirrorless cameras offer more power, speed and precision than their predecessors
The Z6 II (shown) and Z7 II full-frame mirrorless cameras offer more power, speed and precision than their predecessors
View 10 Images
The Z6 II comes with a built-in stereo microphone, or external mics can be mounted to the shoe
1/10
The Z6 II comes with a built-in stereo microphone, or external mics can be mounted to the shoe
The Z6 II features a 24.5-MP full-frame sensor and dual Expeed 6 image processor setup
2/10
The Z6 II features a 24.5-MP full-frame sensor and dual Expeed 6 image processor setup
The Z6 II (shown) and Z7 II full-frame mirrorless cameras offer more power, speed and precision than their predecessors
3/10
The Z6 II (shown) and Z7 II full-frame mirrorless cameras offer more power, speed and precision than their predecessors
Nikon describes the Z6 II as its most versatile Z series camera to date
4/10
Nikon describes the Z6 II as its most versatile Z series camera to date
In addition to the second generation Z6 and Z7 full-frame mirrorless cameras, Nikon has also launched a new battery grip, which includes a hot-swap chamber that allows users to swap out one battery while continuing to shoot
5/10
In addition to the second generation Z6 and Z7 full-frame mirrorless cameras, Nikon has also launched a new battery grip, which includes a hot-swap chamber that allows users to swap out one battery while continuing to shoot
The Z7 II features two Expeed 6 image processors for up to 10 frames per second continuous shooting
6/10
The Z7 II features two Expeed 6 image processors for up to 10 frames per second continuous shooting
The Z7 II full-frame mirrorless camera benefits from a 3.2-inch tilting touch panel
7/10
The Z7 II full-frame mirrorless camera benefits from a 3.2-inch tilting touch panel
The Z7 II offers 493 phase-detection autofocus points with 90 percent frame coverage
8/10
The Z7 II offers 493 phase-detection autofocus points with 90 percent frame coverage
Th Z7 II is built around a 47.5-megapixel full-frame image sensor
9/10
Th Z7 II is built around a 47.5-megapixel full-frame image sensor
The Z7 II comes with one CRExpress/XQD slot and one SD card slot for workflow flexibility
10/10
The Z7 II comes with one CRExpress/XQD slot and one SD card slot for workflow flexibility
View gallery - 10 images

Nikon went full-frame mirrorless around two years ago with the launch of the Z6 and Z7 cameras, and has now announced the second generation – with more processing power, more features and "more of what users want."

"These are the cameras that many have been waiting for from Nikon," said the company's Jay Vannatter. "The new Z 7 II and Z 6 II demonstrate our commitment to listening to customer feedback, while also establishing the new standard for performance, quality and versatility for every type of creator, photographer or filmmaker."

The first feature of note here is that Nikon has managed to cram two Expeed 6 image processors for increased processing speed and a boost to burst shooting speeds and buffer capacity. Though the megapixel count for both cameras remains the same as before – at 45.7 for the Z7 II and 24.5 for the Z6 II – and light sensitivity specs don't budge either, continuous shooting at full resolution gets a bump from 9 frames per second to 10 fps in the Z7 II and 12 fps to 14 in the Z6 II. And the new Z7 also rocks more than three times the buffer capacity of its predecessor, while the new Z6 bumps that up to 5x more than the model before it.

Th Z7 II is built around a 47.5-megapixel full-frame image sensor
Th Z7 II is built around a 47.5-megapixel full-frame image sensor

The autofocus system has been improved too, now making eye and face detection available in Wide-Area AF (L) mode, and the low-light AF detection range has been expanded so that focus can be acquired in conditions as low as -3 EV5. The Z7 II features 493 phase-detect AF points with 90 percent frame coverage, while the Z6 II offers 273 phase-detect AF points.

On the video front, 4K UHD video at up to 60p is available at launch for the Z7 II, with a firmware upgrade adding that functionality to the Z6 II in February 2021. The second gen cameras are the first from Nikon to support both eye-detection autofocus and animal-detection AF for video recording, and for filmmakers used to manual focusing with cine lenses, Nikon has included the ability to reverse the focus ring orientation as they go.

Creators have been given more detail, dynamic range and contrast to work with in post-production thanks to 10-bit N-Log and HDR output, while more control can be had with an optional 12-bit ProRes RAW upgrade.

Elsewhere, both cameras benefit from a weather-sealed, magnesium-alloy build for shoots in all conditions, up to five stops of shake compensation are available from the in-camera vibration reduction system, and there's now a CFExpress/XQD slot and an SD card slot.

Nikon describes the Z6 II as its most versatile Z series camera to date
Nikon describes the Z6 II as its most versatile Z series camera to date

The cameras can draw power from a USB power source while in use to save on battery life, there's 802.11n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 for wireless data transfer and remote operation, long exposure up to 900 seconds is available for taking in the night sky, and the second generation models are compatible with the Nikon Webcam Utility beta software that allows them to be used as a high quality webcam.

Users can currently choose from 16 Z-mount lenses, but Nikon is planning to increase that to 24 by the close of 2021.

As before, the first model to go on sale will be the Z6 II in November for a body-only price of US$1,999.95 or with a NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 lens for $2,599.95. The Z7 II will follow a month later for $2,999.95 body only, or $3,599.95 with the same kit lens as the Z6.

Product pages: Z6 II, Z7 II

View gallery - 10 images
1 comment
1 comment
sidmehta
Sample pics, please.