Nikon has finally confirmed the rumours that have been flying around for months with the live streamed announcement of the Nikon Z Series featuring not one but TWO new Nikon mirrorless cameras. Throw in the unveiling of three new NIKKOR lenses and the FTZ Mount, and Nikon have finally gotten into the mirrorless game.
If you, like us were up for the live announcement this morning, you will have enjoyed a journey through the history of Nikon as well as what the future holds for Nikon users. President and Representative Director, Kazuo Ushida made the official announcement of Nikon's jump into the mirrorless market with the Nikon Z series and explained the choice of name,
"Z represents the culmination of Nikon's relentless pursuit of ultimate optical performance and a bridge to a new chapter."
The announcement began with the unveiling of the new Nikon Z-Mount; this reinvented larger mount allows for groundbreaking and never before seen lens capabilities such as apertures as fast as f/0.95. This announcement was followed closely by the reassurance that the new Z-mount will be compatible with your F-Mount lenses by use of the new FTZ Mount (which we'll go into more depth on later) allowing you to use your beloved NIKKOR F-mount lenses with the new Nikon Z series.
Meet the Nikon Z Series new mirrorless cameras; the Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z7...
Featuring the same ergonomic design that Nikon users have come to know by touch, the new mirrorless Nikon Z Series features a compact and light-weight body that allows these cameras to truly become an extension of yourself. The addition of the latest image-processing engine, EXPEED 6 and Nikon FX-format CMOS sensors, the Z6 and Z7 allow you to capture sharper and clearer images than ever before. With 493 focal points in the Nikon Z7 and 273 focal points in the Nikon Z6, both of these new Z series cameras allow for broad coverage of 90% of your imaging area, both horizontally and vertically. The new Z series bodies feature Nikon's first in-camera vibration reduction which allows for seamless movement along five-axis.
An all-purpose FX-format camera with 24.5 effective megapixels, the Nikon Z6 supports a wide range of ISO 100-51200 standard sensitivities. The Nikon Z6 shoots full frame 4K UHD video and performs exceptionally well in dimly lit environments.
Key Features
- 24.5MP FX-Format BSI CMOS Sensor
- EXPEED 6 Image Processing Engine
- UHD 4K30 Video; N-Log & 10-Bit HDMI Out
- 273-Point Phase-Detect AF System
- Built-In 5-Axis Vibration Reduction
- 0.80x 3.6m-Dot EVF with NIKKOR Optics
- 3.2" 2.1m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
- 12 fps Shooting; ISO 100-51200
- Top-Panel Dot-Matrix OLED; XQD Card Slot
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Equipped with a powerful full-frame BSI CMOS sensor, the Nikon Z7 features 45.7 effective megapixels and an ultra-high ISO from a light sensitivity range of 64-25600. When combined with the new NIKKOR Z lenses (which we'll talk about in a minute) the Nikon Z7 helps you to achieve an unprecedented level of sharpness and detail in your images and video.
Key Features
- 45.7MP FX-Format BSI CMOS Sensor
- EXPEED 6 Image Processing Engine
- UHD 4K30 Video; N-Log & 10-Bit HDMI Out
- 493-Point Phase-Detect AF System
- Built-In 5-Axis Vibration Reduction
- 0.80x 3.6m-Dot EVF with NIKKOR Optics
- 3.2" 2.1m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
- 9 fps Continuous Shooting; ISO 64-25600
- Top-Panel Dot-Matrix OLED; XQD Card Slot
- 8K Time-Lapse Mode; Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
As promised let's take a look at the three new NIKKOR Z lenses announced this morning; the standard zoom NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, the wide-angle prime NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S, and the standard prime NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S. The new NIKKOR Z lenses take full advantage of the flexibility found in the new and larger Z Mount, which features an inner diameter of 55mm and a short flange focal distance of 16mm.
- A standard focal-length range from wide-angle 24mm to medium-telephoto 70mm
- Optical design that gives your images the sharpest resolution regardless of shooting distance
- A minimum focus range of 0.3m
- Features three aspherical lens elements, one aspherical ED element, and an ED glass element
- Retracting mechanism allows for easy transportation
- Nano Crystal Coating helps to reduce ghost and flare
- Fluorine coating to the lens front surface
- Optical design that gives you sharp resolution from the maximum aperture, when capturing point light sources in night landscape and a soft natural bokeh
- Two ED glass elements, and three aspherical lens elements
- Nano Crystal Coat to reduce ghost and flare
- Full lens, including moving parts sealed for protection from dust and drips
- Captures sharp and clear details from center frame to peripheral edges, regardless of shooting distance
- Soft and creamy bokeh at any shooting distance
- Two ED glass elements, and two aspherical lens elements
- Nano Crystal Coating to reduce ghost and flare
- New stopping motor (STM) gives you quiet and accurate AF control with both still image and movie recording
- Full lens, including moving parts sealed for protection from dust and drips
- Keep the unique characteristic of NIKKOR F Lenses applied to Z Mount system
- In-Camera Vibration Reduction available when attaching a NIKKOR F lens without built-in VR
- When using NIKKOR F lens with built-in VR, lens VR and in-camera VR work together to compensate for camera shake with use of three-axis VR
- Sections of adaptor sealed against dust and drips
- Light-weight yet tough
Pricing and Availability
In regards to pricing and availability, we'll be sure to keep you updated as soon as we receive pricing and availability. In the meantime, you can have a look at the full specifications and find out more information on the new Z Series lenses and Mirrorless Cameras on Orms Direct.