Nikon z7 II review: Buy OR Not | Camera Critique

Are you looking for a mirrorless camera from nikon that completes your checklist? If yes, then here is the good news for you because we are come up with the Nikon z7 ii review.

Nikon has announced the powerhouse camera Nikon Z 7ii. This is a full-frame mirrorless camera and an updated version of the original Nikon Z7.

Although the Z7 and Z6 was Nikon’s first full-frame mirrorless cameras, and many might argue the company’s first serious mirrorless cameras, they avoided that ‘first generation’ feel. They are both excellent cameras. However, there’s one aspect that many photographers feel is a mistake for a high-end digital camera, they each only have one card slot. Happily, the mark II cameras correct this.

The original Z7 and Z6 got Eye-detection AF with Firmware V2.0. This was followed in February 2020 with a firmware update (V3.0) that extended the Eye detection to animals. However, this focusing only works with stills photography. But the mark ii have animal and human Eye-detection AF that functions in stills and video recording.

So, are you excited for the specifications?

Some of the leading Specifications :

• 45.7MP BSI sensor with native ISO 64
• 4K/60p video with 93% coverage of the sensor, or a ~1.08x crop
• 5-axis in-body stabilization (3-axis with adapted F-mount lenses)
• 10fps burst shooting with single-point AF
• 3.69M-dot EVF, 3.2″ 2.1M-dot rear screen
• -3EV focusing with F2.0 lens
• 1 CFExpress / XQD card slot, 1 UHS-II SD card slot
• New EN-EL15c battery, CIPA rated to 420 shots (LCD), 360 shots (EVF)
• Compatible with new MB-N11 battery grip with vertical controls

The Z7 II, being the high-resolution model in Nikon’s mirrorless lineup, is all about outright image quality. It remains one of the only cameras on the market that provides a low native ISO of 64 – this helps maximize dynamic range for high-contrast scenes like sunset or sunrise landscapes.

Key features that you should know :

Nikon’s opted to use the same full-frame 45.7MP backside-illuminated (BSI) sensor as is in the original Z7. This is a similar, but not identical sensor to the one that’s in the Nikon D850.

Nikon has paired the Z7II’s sensor with two Expeed 6 processing engines. That’s a first for Nikon, even its flagship DSLR, the Nikon D6, has a single Expeed 6 engine. However, the extra processing power is required to drive the Eye Detection and focusing in video mode. It also boosts the Z7II’s maximum continuous shooting rate from 9fps with the original camera to 10fps.

Further good news is that the Z7II can be used with external flashguns when shooting at the fastest frame rates. There’s also a new Wireless Remote WR-R11b to control a wireless flash set-up.

We’re going to dig deep into features of nikon z 7ii, but feel free to jump to any section that interests you.

Autofocus:

The Z7II has a hybrid autofocus system like the Nikon Z7, and unlike the D850 that uses both contrast and phase detection. This has 493 AF points which cover approximately 90% of the image sensor, enabling subjects to be tracked close to the edge of the frame.

It’s the same autofocus system as is in the Mark I camera and there are five AF point selection modes in both Single (AF-S) or Continuous (AF-C). In AF-S mode, there’s a choice of Pinpoint AF, Single-point AF, Wide-area AF (Small), Wide-area AF (Large) and Auto-area AF. However, in AF-C mode, this changes to Single-point AF, Dynamic-area AF, Wide-area AF (Small), Wide-area AF (Large) and Auto-area AF.

By default, in Auto-area AF, the Z7 II detects the subject automatically. However, a press of the OK button activates a tracking point. Position this over the subject and half-pressing the shutter release triggers the camera to track the subject. In AF-C (continuous autofocus mode), it adjusts the focus if subject distance changes.

Thanks to the new Dual processors, Nikon claims that the Z7II can focus in lower light than the Z7 and it’s now sensitive down to -4EV in Low light AF mode.

Video:

The Nikon Z7II can record 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) video as is the original z7. However, the maximum frame rate is from 30P to 60P, which is great news for slow-motion fans.

As before, it’s also possible to shoot Full HD video at up to 120p and Z7II can shoot time lapse movies.

Storage(memory card slote):

Most surprising thing with the Z7 was that it only has one memory card slot, and what’s more, it accepts XQD cards which aren’t in wide use in india. A firmware upgrade made it compatible with CFexpress cards as well.

Nikon went for an XQD/CFexpress slot to enable fast writing times and keep the camera’s size down, but a lot of photographers weren’t happy. The biggest concern was that having just one card port means that there’s no easy solution to back-up images. That’s a particular issue for wildlife photographers.

Happily, Nikon has decided to address this issue with the Z7 II and the new camera has two card slots. One slot accepts XQD or CFexpress cards while the other accepts SD-type cards and is UHS-II compliant.

The introduction of an SD card slot is good news for anyone upgrading from a Nikon DSLR that accepts the same media.
In the Z7 II, either card can be used for storage with one working as an overflow or back-up. It’s also possible to direct Jpeg and raw files to different cards and to copy images from one card to another.

Battery:

The Nikon Z7II is compatible with Nikon’s EN-EL15C battery. This is a higher capacity rechargeable battery than previous incarnations but it is backwards compatible in cameras that accept the EN-L15, EN-L15a and EN-L15b battery.

Build and Handling:

Despite the extra card slot the design of the Z7 II is identical to the Z7. Nikon has made the Z7 II from magnesium alloy and there are dust and weather-proof seals around all the joints and controls.

Because of the additional memory card slot and processing engine, the Z7II is 2mm / 0.1-inch deeper than the original camera. When you’re shooting, this small increase isn’t really noticeable.

In other respects, the Z7II looks and feels the same as the Z7. Both cameras feel very comfortable in my hands.

I find that the textured thumb-ridge on the back of the Z7 II gives excellent hold and my thumb fits neatly between the rear grip and AF-On and joystick controls just to its left.

That puts the mini-joystick control within convenient reach to shift the AF point and navigate around the menus – although the easiest way to move around the menu and make setting selections is to tap on the screen.

Control Arrangement:

Nikon’s experience in camera design really shines with the Z6 and Z7, in my opinion, they have the best handling of any Nikon interchangeable-lens camera. Nothing has changed with the Nikon Z7 II.

To the left of the top-plate, the Z7 II has an exposure mode dial with the usual PASM options along with an Auto setting and three user-specific modes.

There are front and rear/top command dials for selecting the exposure settings.

Next to the shutter release, there are buttons to access the sensitivity (ISO) and exposure compensation controls, which means it’s easy to adjust these parameters when you’re looking in the viewfinder. However, I like to use the Custom menu on Nikon Z-series cameras to set the manual focus ring on the lens (or the control ring if there is one) to adjust exposure compensation. I find it more intuitive and quicker to use.

Near the lens mount, between it and the grip, there are a couple of function (Fn) buttons, I find the Fn1 button useful for accessing the white balance options quickly. With the Z7II, Nikon sets the Fn2 button to access the AF options by default. With the Fn2 button pressed, rotating the rear command dial takes you through the focusing modes (Single (AF-S), Continuous (AF-C) and manual (MF)) while the front dial is used to select the AF point selection mode (Pinpoint AF, Single-point AF, Wide-area AF (Small), Wide-area AF (Large) and Auto-area AF etc). This enables you to activate the Eye detection and switch between human and animal Eye detection without going into the Info menu.

A switch on the back of the camera around the Display button allows you to switch between stills and video mode.

User Interface:

One of the reasons why I like the Nikon Z-series interface so much is because they don’t have an Info AND an ‘I’ button on their back like the D850 and other DSLRs. Instead, they just have an ‘I’ button and the options accessed via it by default are useful.

Those options are also interactive and customizable so you can use it the ‘I’ screen to access the key features that you need and change settings. Furthermore, there are different options available for the ‘I’ menu in stills and video mode – that’s something that other manufacturers are only just waking up to.

Nikon knows its audience and in addition to the touch-control capability, there are plenty of physical controls.
So, its time to check the real performance.

Performance & Comparison:

Even though the Z7 II is now able to max out at 10fps, that still leaves it lagging behind the likes of the Canon EOS R5, that can shoot at up to 12fps with its mechanical shutter, 20fps if it is handling large 60-megapixel files. While that sort of puts it behind you elect to use the electronic shutter. That said, it’s identical in speed to the A7R IV, thd its rivals (especially when it’s limited to single point AF), 10fps might still be enough for most disciplines. 

The 493-point hybrid AF system inside the Z7 II is a very solid performer. Using both phase and contrast-detect AF the Z7 II finds focus very quickly, while as we found with the Z6 II, human/animal face and eye detect modes work very well. Train the Z7 II on your subject and even against the busy backgrounds and it’ll lock-on and automatically switch between faces or individual eyes. Predictive focus tracking is also good on the Z7 II, enabling you to maintain focus on your subject as it moves around the frame. Viewed in isolation and the AF system on the Z7 II is very impressive, but against the likes of the EOS R5’s incredibly sophisticated AF, it’s not quite there.

Nikon users shooting action are probably still best served by the company’s D850 and D6 DSLRs – while they can’t match the 90% coverage of the Z II, their advanced tracking AF certainly has the edge.

Photo

There are no nasty surprises when it comes to image quality, having seen variations of this sensor used in both the Z7 and D850. The level of detail achievable is impressive, while the wide dynamic range means there’s plenty of flexibility in the raw files. It’s possible to recover good amounts of shadow detail, while the Z7 II’s Matrix metering does a good job of aiming to preserve the highlights. 

The Z7 II’s in-body image stabilization (IBIS) is a strong performer, delivering 5-stops of compensation. This means that shooting at slow shutter speeds and still coming away with a sharp shot is very much a reality when shooting with the Z7 II. It’s not just a benefit for stills though as it can be harnessed when shooting video as well. Provided you keep movement down to a minimum where possible, you can come away with some incredibly smooth 4K footage.

Final words(Verdict):

In the last I can only say that the nikon Z7 II is an excellent camera that produces high-quality images. It also resolves one of the main concerns of the Z7 – its single memory card slot.

Expectations for an autofocus system have moved on since the Z7 was announced in August 2018 and Nikon has done a good job with firmware updates, but the Z7II’s extra processing power takes things a step further.

Consequently, the Z7 II’s AF system is more responsive, especially in low light. Its Eye-detection is also helpful, but it lags behind the performance of some of the competition including the Canon EOS R5 and Canon EOS R6 which have astonishingly good Eye AF for humans and animals.

Given the processing power of the Z7 II, it wouldn’t surprise me if we see some firmware upgrades that improve its Eye-detection capability over the coming months.

I’m impressed that Nikon hasn’t ploughed ahead with a single card slot, but instead changed the shape and size of the Z7II – albeit slightly. That would’ve been a costly affair, but it’s the right move.

In my opinion, the Nikon Z7 II doesn’t offer enough to entice existing Z7 users to upgrade (next-generation camera rarely do), but it’s a very attractive camera for any Nikon DSLR-shooters looking to swap to a mirrorless model. Its control arrangement and handling are refined but still familiar, it’s well-built and weatherproof, and its menu system is logical.