WOW – I’ve been getting a ton of e-mail asking me about the all new Nikon Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras for wildlife photography. Well, after spending the last couple of days looking over the specs, brochures, and hands-on reviews from the people lucky enough to get their hands on a pre-release model, I have some thoughts to share.
And they aren’t good, at least not for wildlife photographers. However, I’m gonna tell you what I think anyway!
As one additional note, Nikon may have never intended this camera for use in action or wildlife scenarios. I know the video is a bit negative on some of the shortcomings, but I also know that most everyone who reads this blog depends on the information to be accurate and honest, even if it’s not what they want to hear.
PS – If you enjoyed this post, I think you’ll REALLY like my e-books, Secrets To Stunning Wildlife Photography and Secrets To The Nikon Autofocus System. They’re filled with hundreds of pages of information just like this. Check ’em out – click here (hey, it’s free to look 🙂 )
I sold my z6 to get a D500. Even with latest firmware on the z6, the autofocus of the D500 is way better!
Im glad i got a D500
Thanks, Steve! I feel better now about returning my Z7 and buying the D850 instead. I shoot both wildlife and landscapes and have a lot of Nikon F glass and I thought it would be a good benefit to add a little VR to my lenses that lack it. I did not buy the new 24-70mm Z lens since I recently bought a new Nikon 24-70 f/2.8, a lens I love. However, after playing with it for a while with the lens adapter and various F lenses I found it very uncomfortable to hand hold with the adapter. Although I… Read more »
Sounds like a good decision. Since getting my Z6, my opinion hasn’t changed, I still think the D850 is a better choice. The lag can be annoying sometimes and I do miss shots because of it. And you’re 100% right – it is the future – can’t wait for the next step. I can see myself doing 100% mirrorless as soon as Nikon can match / exceed the Sony a9. Exciting times!
Hi Steve,
I recently read the blog from wildlife photographer Brad Hill (http://www.naturalart.ca/voice/blog.html) who is selling his D850 as he now uses a Z7. Both yours and his arguments are compelling, have you had any more thoughts on the Z7 since you published this appraisal?
I have since purchased a Z6 and have used it a bit – and so far, I still agree with my conclusions in the video. The Z6/7 are great, fun little cameras, but I sure wouldn’t replace a D500 or D850 with them for wildlife – especially if you want to do action. They can do action, but they just aren’t as good as the DSLRs yet. Also, I read Brad’s post and he does mention that if he could only have one camera – the Z7 or the D850, he’d pick the D850. However, he also has a D5,… Read more »
Thanks for the update Steve.
True would stick with the D850,D500, D4/D5 for sports and wildlife as the main shooting experience but if you doing hybrid shooting then the Z6 / Z7 and 5.5 fps is good (D810 had 5 fps). The Z6 is a superb camera and well worth the money, the Z7 with same price as D850 doesn’t feel as to be good value for money and if I had to choose for £3,500 between a D850 and Z7 would pick the D850. Hopefully with further firmware adjustments like using Cfe cards (maybe faster transfer speed compared to XQD) may mean the buffer… Read more »
Nikon Z7 REVIEW: Nikon’s First Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera
https://youtu.be/fRvoiXsBodk
I am disappointed! Never expected you to form opinions and publish them based on what you have read! I have always looked to you for info based on use and experience. Too many have prejudged the Z cameras based on heresay and preproduction models. I am not saying the Z cameras are wildlife cameras, though I have been reading reviews by pro wildlife photographers, but neither should you say they aren’t without using them. I have your excellent Autofocus book and benefitted because it comes from lots of time spent in use and research. Hopefully, you will give the Z… Read more »
I think Steve’s experience and years of hands on use of cameras in wildlife repeat wildlife is enough for a proper evaluation. When you review for a car, don’t you review the info based on our experience? Steve’s methodology seems like the intelligence way to assess proper functionality. He caveats his assessments based on the info he has at this time. Some folks are so disappointed when the results don’t meet their expectations.
I am surprised at the breadth and depth of your conclusions about cameras you have not seen or touched. And those who have touched & used them have emphasized that the cameras they used were pre-production units. A rush to judgement?
I see this comment – or similar – a lot and want to address it. The thing is, I have this weird ability to read something (like a spec sheet) and understand what it means. 🙂 I don’t need to handle the camera to know what a small buffer is like. I don’t need ot handle the camera to understand the frame rate limitations. In short, I don’t have to jump into a lake to know it’s wet. My only area of “speculation” – probably better thought of as concern – was the AF system and some of the initial… Read more »
This video, in German (!), seems to show excellent autofocus following mountain bikers. Anybody out there speak German? Please tell me what the guys says. Seems happy…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=t-nGejFGlO8
I am following this photographer, Stephan Wiesner. He got a Z7 on loan from Nikon Germany, and for what I can see seems to be quite impressed by it. He is still finishing his final review, as he took the camera also into the Swiss mountains to capture/film some acro yoga with it. As far as I can see the images and video looks very good. Also the battery life is much better then officially announced, and he is quite impressed by the image quality of the viewfinder as well as the pop up screen (espescially in bright sunlight). Waiting… Read more »
Thanks for the connection to Stephan Wisener. I liked what he had to say. It seems the buffer and batteries are not an issue for anyone that has actually used the camera. It also sounds like the focus tracking is as good as the Nikon d850. Sounds like an amazing camera. I had the chance to hold one at a Nikon event and it felt good, responsive, quick, and outstanding. I’ve ordered one to complement my Nikon d810. Ourstanding.
Nikon Is well aware of what it takes to produce an excellent action/wildlife camera. Witness the D5, D850, and D500. Not to mention their past bodies. It seems obvious that the Z7, and Z6 were not intended to fill that roll. just like the D800, and D810 they had a different target audience in mind. I’m using a D850, and D500 now. I’m considering a Z7 for a landscape camera. I use mostly PCE lens for landscape (19, 24, 45, and 85). It would be nice to have the in camera VR when I use them handheld. As it is… Read more »
You can talk about all the bigger camera’s all you want on which is better for wildlife, but I stick with my Nikon 7200 shooting in RAW and get all my pictures to pop, then I print them out on my Canon-Pro 100 printer on 13×19 size paper.
Personally I think the Nikon Z7 should be at least $600 cheaper then D850. I think easy fix for Nikon for the one XQD slot is to bring out A power grip with a XQD slot that would be an easy fix for that situation For everything else I don’t know maybe Nikon should recall there cameras they got out And refurbish them to higher standards just my thoughts. I think this is an embarrassing situation for Nikon to be in It looks like they have built a camera with better ergonomics then Sony But that it’s far is it… Read more »
Z6 & Z7 are overpriced there is only one card slot and apparently the autofocus is not up to snuff. Fact that there is no expensive penta prison and it’s being replace buy A EVF That should be a savings for the consumer but there’s not all I see is a higher profit margin for Nikon. I would have no problem buying accessory power grip if it had a XQD slot and head other functions with it What I understand is that Nikon has no intention of this but only a battery with no functions basically a brick. Looks like… Read more »
Correct me if I am wrong… The Z6/Z7 does not appear to have any contacts to connect a grip to. It has also been reported that the battery compartment does not have any special pins (other than power) in it that the batter pack could connect to. This all but confirms that the battery pack is just that and nothing more. With no controls in the battery pack this means that for those who want vertical grip controls a Z series model aimed at sports and fast action wildlife it will have to be a body with integrated grip. Based… Read more »
Steve, you make it very clear you have decided the Z7 is not suited for your ACTION aspects of wildlife photography QED. Wildlife photography is so much more. Worse, how can the Northrup youtube post qualify as a hands-on review? it is clear there are no reviews YET outside of these few Nikon Ambassadors who have used pre-production cameras and lenses for 2 weeks at most. And as you say, it is up to independent reviewers to get out responsible reviews. This will be weeks after release to get at a reliable understanding . Further, anyone can dismiss feedback from… Read more »
I believe the AF “Subject Tracking” that you described works the same way as in the Nikon1 J5. You need to click “ok” to start tracking and then click again to stop. It takes a bit of getting use to but after a while it becomes second nature and it works well. Evidently with the processor power of the Z cameras it will most likely work better than on the tiny J5.
I hope you’re right – sounds kind of awkward to me. With 3D, you just put the AF point on the subject and start focusing, I don’t see how the Z6/7 was of doing it would ever be as quick.
You just saved me a bunch of $ time & headaches.
Hi Steve,
I moved from Sony to Nikon for the VR, and Nikon mirrorless had to surpass the A7-A9 ecosystem to be viable. They did not… right now, the Sony A9 is far better for wildlife than the Z cameras, and Flickr has lots of A9 shooters with the new 100-400 dedicated zoom doing as well as I am on the D500/200-500. I will be waiting for the Z9
Hi Steve,
NIKON Z6 AND Z7 – A Motor Racing PHOTOGRAPHER.
Extremely poor Hit-Rate.
Have a look at hit-rate of Chris running toward the camera with an adapted 70-200 F2.8 ED VR lens mounted via a FTZ adapter:
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-z7-first-impressions-review/5
A person running at 5 KPH.
Extremely poor Hit-Rate.
Imagine a Racing Car at 200 KPH ????????????????
I need HIGH Speed follow focus.
I also use the Nikon 70-200 F2.8 ED VR lens EXCELLENT LENS.
Regards
Snowy Smith
South Africa.
LOL, that’s the link I mention in the video. Honestly, not a single on of those shots look properly focused to me. Hopefully Nikon will get this fixed in the firmware before release (although, if they weren’t confident in it already, I doubt they would have given it away for testing).
Hi Steve, AGREE 100%. If those were my Motor Racing Shots I would have to BIN them all. I am NOT too worried about the single card slot as I use 2 Cameras and have a third one as back up. But the bad focusing is totally unacceptable. The frame rate is also a problem. When I have a car flying through the air end over end I am on full motor drive until the camera stops with the buffer. Nikon must fix this NIKON Z6 AND Z7 ASAP. At first I was very excited. Have a look at this… Read more »
Thanks for the honest and up front video. I’m confused over the Nikon fans all of a sudden being ok with a low battery life, the need to increase camera life via a grip, one card slot, and for now only 3 lenses. Sure, you can use the adaptor, IF it works as advertised. And the excuses as being pre production are annoying. When Sony released the A7Riii and A7iii they too were pre production models and had no AF issues, no buffer issues, no battery issues. And the Sony release parties were more challenging than Nikons. Tony and Chelsea’s… Read more »
While I generally like you work, message and teaching style, I’m wondering if you should have waited till you had a hands on experience before making a review as some of your thoughts / conclusions seem factually incorrect. While you were clear in disclosing your remarks are based on pre-production specs, I still feel for a such a new technology basing a review on specs can be pretty misleading. For example there seem to be are praises for auto focus, pin point focus, light gathering and resolution along with view finder quality ergonomics etc, from many who have had hands… Read more »
I did try to be clear that we don’t have the production camera yet. However, did you look at page I mention at DPreview of the guy running? I also watched the Northrup’s video and they seemed to have a similar experience with action. https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-z7-first-impressions-review/5 Most of the people I’ve seen praising the AF system are Nikon ambassadors. If you listen to them, you’ll not hear one drawback to this camera. DPReview had a Z7, they know how to test cameras, and the results on the page are simply not that good. Again, going with the info I have at… Read more »
I agree with Bill Klipp. In fact, I was about to write a comment like his…stressing the following: 1) I love your blog, your tests, your videos. You and Nasim are the best on the net whom I’ve found. Thank you very much. 2) since you are respected by many, including me, you need to have integrity and principles, because lots of people listen to your advice. Posting a negative review of a camera you have not touched is irresponsible, pure and simple. 3} Basing judgements on other people’s tests, on the Internet, on “preproduction “ cameras just is not… Read more »
Paul and Bill, I do understand your frustration here, I have been die hard Nikon guy for 40+ years and expecting the great breakthrough with Nikon Mirroless release, especially for all the hype leading to the actual announcement. I have read, view and listen every video out there to find my miracle Nikon ML camera but unfortunately it does fall short for my use, not talking about the single card but actual AF performance, choice of AF mode, buffer, etc So yes, I am disappointed and frustrated that after all this wait I have to wait another couple of years… Read more »
Thank you, Mukesh. Appreciate your text. I have nothing but high regard and respect for Steve. I just think no one is infallible, myself and Steve included.
Can’t resist asking : if you can’t wait any longer, what shall you do? Z7? Sony? Stay with…what?
Best wishes.
Hi Paul,
thanks for the comment, for the short reply to your question, I do have Sony A9 and waiting for the Sony 400mm F2.8 GM , I was planning to purchase Nikon 400MM but with this disappointing release, I have decided to go ahead with Sony A9 and 400MM for now and will see in future, 4 or 5 years from now to see if Nikon release something I like in mirrorless. You can read about my frustration on the earlier comments I made on this post here,
https://backcountrygallery.com/nikon-z6-and-z7-a-wildlife-photographers-initial-perspective/#comment-11538
Best regards,
Mukesh
Thank you. Read your very informative link. You certainly have the experience!
My best friend has an A7R, and finds that the “pro” level lenses fog up internally when taken outside on a humid, not rainy, day!!! My Nikons do not. Perhaps you take your lenses outside in plastic bags till they warmup? Peculiar.
Seems like Sony lenses don’t measure up to Nikon, and the opposite for cameras.
Maybe I’ll just upgrade from D810 to D850. They’re not as heavy as this debate.
Hope Steve will let me go to Costa Rich with him now…
Hi Paul, thanks for the comments, I do use D850 and 600mm fl lens and it,s the best wildlife setup I have, you wouldn’t go wrong with D850,highly recommend. I haven’t experienced Fog issue with any of my Sony gmaster lenses, I use sony A9 side by side with D850 and happy with both. End of the day what you have in your hand and it works for you is the best camera setup, you are the one who is capturing image . BTW, I have never used any plastic bags or covers for any of the cameras, they all… Read more »
I understand your points and even agree with them to an extent, however, keep in mind that the vast majority of what I said in the video is based on Nikon’s own information – and even they did not show any action shots done with this camera. The only place I may have strayed a bit was relying on the hands-on info from other sources, although I was transparent about that. I have a video on the 500 PF (spec review) tomorrow you’ll like better. However, the truth is, I’m getting tired of doing gear reviews in general, so in… Read more »
Hi!
Thinking about this a lot..
I notice endorsements by, as noted, “Nikon ambassadors” who are unknown to me. I do NOT see endorsements by Nikon Ambassadors who are my heroes: Joe McNally (who, correct me if I am wrong) has positively evaluated (almost) all new high end Nikon cameras, and John Shaw.
Wonder why…
BTW – I’ve been a fan of John Shaw a long time, great guy. The problem with the ambassadors is that they never have an unkind word to say about the gear. Hard to take them seriously if they can’t give you the good and the bad IMO.
Joe McNally will be a Canon guy when he is called to cover the Pope’s Bar Mitzvah. He was complimenting the colors on the Z7 on Twitter yesterday.
HOWEVER he extensively tested and endorsed the pro Nikon DSLRs long in advance of their releases. The fact that he did not do so for the Z7 worries me. He may not criticize Nikon Z, but I doubt he would fully endorse anything he did not test and believe in. Same for John Shaw .
OMG – my bad – for some reason, I had Joe McNally and Scott Kelby mixed up in my head. LOL, it’s been a long few days…
Anyhow, yes, it is odd we haven’t heard from them.
Please, don’t stop doing gear reviews! I think they are the best I can find anywhere!
I’m planning on doing regular, full reviews for gear I plan to use, but not for everything that comes out. No more gear previews – ever.
I don’t have a problem with Steve’s review. If anything specs tend to overstate real capabilities so if Steve found a spec that alone is unacceptable (like battery life, FPS, etc.) then in reality the camera will perform to an even lower value. However, view the Nikon Ambassadors comments during the Nikon panel discussions. If these discussions were all that I had to rate the Z6 and Z7 I would come away with the key selling points being how the camera “feels” and the “lens adapter”. Really? These features were stated more than any other features of the camera. Steve… Read more »
Hi Steve,
Thank You for the excellent Review.
I am a Motor Racing Photographer.
I need HIGH Speed follow focus.
I must be able to see the Cars and Bikes in every frame.
These cameras are absolutely useless for Motor Racing.
My cars and Bikes can be doing up to 200KPH.
I have used Nikon my whole life.
Maybe Mirrorless OK for underwater photography.
For Mountain Landscape Photography I use PENTAX 6×7 cameras and lenses.
Regards
Snowy Smith
South Africa.
Hey Steve nice to see a review focusing on a certain subject style (wild life) when it seems all the reviews I have seen are for “general” photography. I think Sony created this “phase” of mirror less cameras and they did a great job, there is nothing wrong with this type camera and for someone just getting into DSLR type cameras or up grading from “point and shoot” they are great tools especially if you have just 1 or 2 lenses. Seems like subconsciously everyone is thinking WEIGHT so lets look at that aspect. Converting grams to ounces Z7 20.6… Read more »
Excellent video. I really like the analysis, in particular how you have chosen to focus on what can be evaluated by looking at the specs and been cautious about any conclusions that requires real world testing. I am not very surprised that you aren’t too impressed so far, this has never been a professional camera to me, nevertheless a wildlife camera. I think Nikon are very well aware of the fact that they can’t make the best mirrorless camera in the world on first attempt and have aimed this at high level enthusiasts. That makes much sense for the Z6,… Read more »
Agree, this is just the beginning. In a couple years, we’ll probably be raving about the quality of these cameras – at least, I hope so 😀
Given the strength and range of mirrorless offerings currently available, IMO Nikon doesn’t have two years to get up to speed. It had to come blasting out of the gates now, not limping.
The thing is though, the cameras don’t seem that bad – just not a good match for wildlife work at the moment. I have faith that we’ll see something for wildlife action down the road 🙂
I am surprised at the breadth and depth of your conclusions about cameras you have not seen or touched. And those who have touched & used them have emphasized that the cameras they used were pre-production units. A rush to judgement?
I thought I was pretty clear throughout the video that I was basing this on specs and pre-prodution tests. I was receiving an overwhelming number of e-mails and messages from people asking if they should sell their D850s and D500s to finance this new mirrorless camera, so I though a video was in order.
Also, although the camera is more then the sum of it’s specifications, those specification CAN tell you some valuable information without handling the camera. I don’t have to jump into a lake to know it’s wet.
Thank you Steve for the useful remarks. I photograph birds using the d500. This is the almost perfect camera to me with some exceptions. Loud shutter sound the birds dont like and fly away. Second, I wish better low light performance because I often use 1/1000 shutter speed and hope to get good results, let say at ISO 6400. It seems Z6 and Z7 will solve my first issue. The second one we dont know yet. There are many disadvantages as you mentioned. I will not buy Z6 or Z7 at the moment. Question. Are they going to replace the… Read more »
No clue on the next pro body – but I’m guessing it won’t be mirrorless. However, we could see something like a D6 and a Z9 – a pair of pro bodies, one mirrorless, one DSLR. Just guessing…
Thanks for your comments, I agree. I use both a D810 based system as well as an Olympus E-M1 Mk2 based system and, apart from MP, my E-M1ii, for about $1,400 less, blows the Z7 out of the water in terms of specs and performance, eg. 10-12 actual fps with C-AF with the mechanical shutter and up to 18fps with C-AF using the electronic shutter with no appreciable EVF lag. Oly has been in the mirrorless game for years now and has solved many of the problems Nikon is dealing with now. I so wanted this mirrorless Nikon to be… Read more »
Thanks Steve..also the EVF is not comfortable when looking for hours at birds, too much eye strain for me. Any chance you review the 500 PF? very tempting..if a lot sharper than my 200-500
Interesting about the EVF – I’ve heard this a few times. Yes, I will be reviewing the 500 PF – a preview first, then real world tests once mine comes in.
EVFs aren’t all created equal. Look at the G9’s – 120 fps refresh rate, 100% coverage and high magnification.
The Z series EVF is supposed to blow the others away. Experience of course will be the judge.
Thanks Steve, Appreciate the honest review of preview here. I have been shooting wildlife with Nikon D850, D500, 600 FLE, 300 PF and Sony A9+ 100-400 GM lens. My next lens is 400mm 2.8 and I was holding off to purchase it because wait for the Nikon Mirrorless, given the my experience with Sony A9, I am sure that future is mirrorless and all major camera company will eventually changeover to MILC. Just for the quick background, I have been using Nikon for 40+ years now and Sony for 2 years so I am the person follows the latest technology… Read more »
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a higher performance Z series camera in the next year or so – I sure hope so anyway. The problem is, the A9 is really, really good. Sony could really knock it out of the park with the MKII version (adding weather sealing, maybe improving menus) and put Nikon in a real bind.
Steve, I am hoping for the same but as you know all these super telephotos are very expensive and changing the system takes time and lose of investment so we all have to make hard decision some time. The release of Z7 did it for me, I have ordered the Sony 400MM F2.8 GM which I expected to receive in end of September and see how it performs, I am not investing any more money in to Nikon system until they prove me that they are serious about Mirrorless. I can not support the Z7 with ridiculous price and underperforming… Read more »
I hear ya. The new 400 2.8 from Sony is tempting for sure – 2 lbs lighter than the Nikon version and the A9 is a fantastic performer. It should work out well.
While I would like mirrorless, I’m not in a huge hurry either so I’m going to stay put for the time being.
Thanks, Steve, for a well thought out critique of the Z series. While I would consider these for video work (over a Sony) because I have lots of compatible Nikkor glass, I specifically upgraded to the D850 from my D800E for the vastly improved AF system (which I understand better thanks to your book). I saw the DPreview video with the runner, but watched it on an iPad. I will now go back to the video on my Mac to carefully look at each frame. Also in that video and others I’ve watched in the last couple of days, it… Read more »
Nice review of sorts Steve, I for one am sticking with my D500 for the forseeable future.
Like you though, I hope that Nikon eventually bring out a mirrorless system that will ultimately see the demise of the DSLR.
The big question is however……..when will this be and at what cost. The Z6/Z7 are very costly “Enthusiast” camera’s.
I’m guessing that when Nikon do bring out a Pro Mirrorless camera the price tag will be at least $2000 dollars more than the Nikon D5.
Given where Nikon is with photo technology I’m sure they know how to solve all of the limitations that you point out. Nikon probably is starting the marketing process of enticing the buyers with an upgrade every two or three years like they have with all of their camera series and have an excuse to charge more with each new addition. Outside of the electronic view finder what is different in technology of all the other parameters then what is in the DSLRs? I will keep my D850.
Bought a Olympus E-M1 in 2015 to have a mirrorless camera with internal 5-axis stabilization and to take advantage of its MFT f/2.8 zoom lenses. The 40-150mm f/2.8 MFT (FX 80-300mm f/2.8) weighs only . The Olympus 300mm f/4 (FX 600mm f/4) weighs only 3.25 lbs and costs $2500 versus my Nikon 600mm f/4 at over 8 lbs and costing over $12,000. Where mirrorless should provide benefits is with continuous autofocus while shooting video and that is what should be evaluated and compared to the Sony Alpha a7 III, Fujifilm X-T2, and Panasonic DG-GH5S. This is also where there should… Read more »
Thanks for the honest review. I am sticking with my D850 and D500. Love them both. Also the weight savings is not that much in the bodies–I think I figured it at about 8 ounces. Please correct me there if I am wrong.
Thanks Steve, I watched the B&H live review (replay) and the three pros, none were wildlife photographers, all seemed to like the camera. They seemed to think the AF system worked great but mostly they were shooting portrait, landscape and a little “easy” action (a runner parallel to camera). All the photos looked great of course. Low light shots also looked very good and a a few brief videos too. The sports pro photographer said he would/could use the cameras in his work but not how(?). The wedding and concert event photographers were excited and loved their brief time shooting… Read more »
Thanks Steve. Lets hope the unknowns are better. I am not going to buy the first camera out of the gate and I will wait to see how it does in the field. Since I rely on my D500 for wildlife, I am merely looking for a landscape upgrade to my D610. Sounds like the Z7 is still in the running. But so is the A7
Your opinion on the Z7 not being a wildlife (or even sports) body were spot on. I’ll continue to use my D850 for those types of shooting. I had planned to use the Z7 with a 17-35 for landscape only. However, I learned from you video that the Z7 may also be invaluable for shooting closeups with long telephoto zoom lenses since focus and lens calibration is no longer an issue. Yippee.
Thank, Steve. Straight talk as always.
I may be wrong about this, but since you need to use an adapter with your current lenses, the front-to-back distance should be close to what we have now with our DSLR, not any significant amount smaller?
Keep up the good work.
Yup, exactly. The distance from the flange on the adapter to the sensor is the same as it is on any Nikon DSLR. You only get to take advantage of the short flange distance with “S” lenses.
Good critique Steve! Thanks for doing this. I almost pulled the trigger with all the hype but backed out. Hope to take one of your seminars soon.
I appreciate your in depth look, specifically the AF capability as it applies to wildlife photography. I personally will wait for the Gen 2 of the Z7 since I’m pretty happy for the moment. I really hope a lot the buffering and AF can be improved via firmware updates, which will be huge. What I’m most intrigued about with the Z series is the Z mount. The wider mount will eventually lead to the production of much faster glass. I’ve heard an f/0.95 i58mm is already in development made possible by this mount, and I’ve heard that the new native… Read more »
I agree – there is a ton of potential. Hopefully some of the shortcomings can be addressed with firmware, although FPS and buffer are dependent on hardware. AF though might have hope.
What about Panasonic G9? Same problems?
I’ve never used one, so no clue on that one, sorry.
How do you feel about Panasonic G9? Same problems?
Well thought out and honest summary. I always appreciate your candidness..
Thanks again.
Very valid points from an independent thinking reviewer . I am intrigued and excited about the in-camera VR , I could use that feature in a couple of telephoto lenses I have.
It is refreshing to hear some straight talk about the Z7 for once. The concerns you raised are likely those shared by many of us and for me the discussion on AF was most informative. That is something I hadn’t yet thought in-depth about. Here is hoping that the firmware released with the production model addresses these and we all are pleasantly surprised by improvements over the pre-released software. I’m sticking with my D850 and D500 for now.
Sweet summary on these Steve.
Hi Steve, Thanks for your video on the Z 6 and Z 7. Based on all that I have read I agree completely with your conclusions at this moment. Right before I got your email, I had just emailed my Nikon retailer to take my name of the pre order list as the buffer, AF and frames per second specs made both cameras unsuited for my needs. I will stick with my D 500 and D 810.
Thanks Steve. Nice to hear your views on this from a wildlife perspective. I wasn’t planning on moving mirrorless for a couple of years or so, maybe by that time nikon will have a real pro body with af performance/buffer/fps that is at least up to the standards we have today.
To me it’s a lot to do about nothing , I shoot landscapes , and wildlife locally . I am currently working with a D810 I got 2 years ago Christmas time I own older lenses Like a 300 mm F4 ,pin drive lens I have had for 12 years , just sold my d7100 . This past Christmas I bought a 14 mm -24mm f2.8 Nikkor for astro work . Being 66 years old I supplement my income with sales of Images I print on a 44 ” Canon printer a IPF8300 for myself and a handfull of friends… Read more »