Nikon Z6 II and Z7 II cameras announced

Angled view of the Nikon Z6 II with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S zoom lens.  (Source: Nikon.)

The 24.5-megapixel Z6 II features a backside-illuminated CMOS sensor and dual EXPEED 6 processors. It also has dual memory card slots, one for CFExpress or XQD cards and the other for UHS-II SD cards. Its native sensitivity range spans from ISO 100 to ISO 51200, with expansion to ISO 50 and ISO 204800 available. Burst shooting is supported at up to 14 fps and the buffer memory can hold more than 100 frames; 3.5x the capacity of the Z6’s buffer. The 273-point phase-detection AF system includes Eye AF for humans and some non-human animals. The Z6 II supports 4K video recording at up to 60 fps plus HDR and HLG video recording as well as 1080/120p video. A firmware update scheduled for February 2021 will add 4K/60p support. Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE are provided along with USB-C charging, including while shooting. The Z6 II retains the body styling of its predecessor with a compact weather-sealed, magnesium alloy body, a deep handgrip, front and rear controls dials, a tilting LCD monitor and large central EVF. It weighs 705 grams with battery and memory card and measures 134 x 100.5 x 69.5 mm.

The table below compares the Z6 II with the previous model.

	Nikon Z6	Nikon Z6 II
Sensor	35.9 x 23.9mm (FX) BSI CMOS, 24.5MP, AA filter, 5-axis IBIS (CIPA rated  for 5 stops)
Processor	EXPEED6
Image files	JPEG Large or NEF. RAW, max. 6048 x 4024 pixels, Lossless Compressed or Compressed, 12-bit or 14-bit raw	Adds TIFF option
Burst rate	Max. 12 fps; buffer ?? JPEG, 36 lossless compressed 12-bit raw)	Max. 14 fps; buffer 200+ JPEG, 124 lossless compressed 12-bit raw)
Video	4K: 30/25/24p, 144 Mbps max; 1080: 120/100/60/50/25/24p	Adds DX crop  with 4K: 60/50P coming via firmware update
Shutter	Rated for 200,000 cycles; mechanical 30 sec to 1/8000 sec., electronic 30 to 1/2000 sec.;  electronic front curtain available
Exp.compensation	+/-5EV
ISO range	Native ISO 100-51200 (plus extensions to ISO 50, and 204800)
AF system	273-point selectable phase detection (-2EV to EV19 range), joystick/direction pad; touch AF	Adds face, eye & animal detection
Media	single SD (UHS-II compatible)	dual Type B CFexpress + SD (UHS-II compatible)
EVF	3,690,000-dot OLED EVF; 0.8x magnification, 21mm eye point, -4 to +2 dpt adjustment
Monitor	3.2-inch tilting (-45° to +90°) LCD touch screen, 2,100,000 dots
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2 ( both SnapBridge), USB 3.0, mic & headphone jacks	Adds optional MB-N11 Vertical Grip
Battery	EN-EL15b; CIPA rated for 310 shots/charge; USB charging	EN-EL15C; CIPA rated for 410 shots/charge; USB charging and power
Dimensions	134 x 100.5 x 67 mm	134 x 100.5 x 69.5 mm
Weight (incl. battery & card)	675 grams	705 grams
Current firmware	V. 3.11	V. 1.00

 

Angled view of the Nikon Z7 II with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S zoom lens.  (Source: Nikon.)

The Nikon Z7 II also represents a significant upgrade on the previous model, with a 45.7-megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor and no optical low-pass filter. It shares the dual EXPEED 6 processors and has the same dual memory card slots as the Z6 II and has a native ISO range spanning from ISO 64 to ISO 51200. Continuous shooting is supported at up to 10 fps while the buffer can accommodate 77 RAW image frames. The Z7 II boasts a 493-point phase-detect AF system with Eye AF for humans and some non-human animals and a range that extends to -3EV. It can record 4K 60p video and supports HDR and HLG video recording. The Z7 II sports a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body that measures 134 x 100.5 x 69.5 mm and weighs 705 grams with battery and memory card. Its 3,690,000-dot OLED EVF and a large 3.2-inch 2,100.000-dot tilting touchscreen LCD monitor are the same as in its predecessor. The table below compares key specifications of the two models.

	Nikon Z7	Nikon Z7 II
Sensor	35.9 x 23.9mm (FX) BSI CMOS, 45.7MP, no AA filter, 5-axis IBIS (CIPA rated for 5 stops)
Processor	EXPEED6
Image files	JPEG Large or NEF. RAW, max. 8256 x 5504 pixels, Lossless Compressed or Compressed, 12-bit or 14-bit raw; DX crop	Adds TIFF option
Burst rate	Max. 9 fps; buffer ?? JPEG, 18 lossless compressed 12-bit raw)	Max. 10 fps; buffer 100+ JPEG, 77 lossless compressed 12-bit raw)
Video	4K: 30/25/24p, 144 Mbps max in FF or Super 35 crop; 1080: 120/100/60/50/25/24p	Adds 4K: 60/50P, N-Log and HDR (HLG) support
Shutter	Rated for 200,000 cycles; mechanical 30 sec to 1/8000 sec., electronic 30 to 1/2000 sec., electronic front curtain available	Rated for 200,000 cycles; mechanical 900 sec to 1/8000 sec., electronic 30 to 1/2000 sec., electronic front curtain available
Exp.compensation	+/-5EV
ISO range	Native ISO 64-25600 (plus extensions to ISO 32, and 102400)
AF system	493-point selectable phase detection (-2EV to EV19 range), joystick/direction pad; touch AF	Adds face, eye & animal detection
Media	single XQD	dual Type B CFexpress + SD (UHS-II compatible)
EVF	3,690,000-dot OLED EVF; 0.8x magnification, 21mm eye point, -4 to +2 dpt adjustment
Monitor	3.2-inch tilting (-45° to +90°) LCD touch screen, 2,100,000 dots
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2 ( both SnapBridge), USB 3.0, mic & headphone jacks	Adds optional MB-N11 Vertical Grip
Battery	EN-EL15b; CIPA rated for 330 shots/charge; USB charging	EN-EL15C; CIPA rated for 420 shots/charge; USB charging and power
Dimensions	134 x 100.5 x 67 mm	134 x 100.5 x 69.5 mm
Weight (incl. battery & card)	675 grams	705 grams
Current firmware	V. 3.11	V. 1.00

To celebrate the launch of the Z 6II and Z 7II, Nikon Australia has also announced the new MB-N11. The MB-N11 is the first battery pack for the Z series with a shutter release, making it ideal for vertical shooting. Compatible with the Z 6II and the Z 7II, it offers the same stability and reliability with its comfortable hold and superior dust- and drip-resistant performance, along with USB power delivery and improved ergonomics for a seamless experience.

Nikon’s mirrorless camera and lens range. (Source: Nikon.)

The new Z 6II and Z 7II will be available in November and December, respectively. Pre-orders for the Z 6II will receive a bonus FTZ Adapter and EN-ELI5c Battery while pre-orders for the Z 7II will receive an SB 5000 Speedlight and EN-ELI5c Battery. These offers are for a limited time only, terms and conditions apply. Click here for details of all Nikon products.