A Comment Or Two About The New Nikon Z6II and Z7II As Well As Fujifilm’s New Gear Introductions

Fujifilm X-T2; 16-55mm f/2.8 lens @ 33mm; 1/680th sec. @ f/8; ISO 400 (click to enlarge)

On Wednesday of this week Nikon introduced the Z6II and Z7II cameras as well as updating their lens roadmap.  They also introduced a new full featured vertical battery grip and a couple of other miscellaneous items.  On Thursday, Fujifilm introduced a new camera and three new lenses.  Here are a few general comments.  This post is not meant to be all inclusive or a review but just some initial thoughts about both introductions.

As far as the Nikon cameras go, I think these two cameras now have the upgrades that should have been in the original Z6 and Z7 bodies when introduced just over two years ago.  I guess Nikon heard their customers and provided the improvements that were most universal in nature.  The big story is dual card slots, which it seems everyone can't live without.  One is a CFExpress/XQD and the other is a UHSII SDXC card slot.  That should make a lot of photographers happy.

Nikon did add a second image processor which Nikon says will provide for better face and eye detection and faster focusing.  Also, related to focusing, Nikon added face/eye detect to the Wide Area Focusing mode which will narrow the AF target (from the entire frame) and, as they said, help the camera not pick the wrong focusing target.  They have improved and deepened the buffer, raised the frame rates and enabled USB charging power while using the camera.  Finally, they developed a new, full featured battery grip.  However, the new cameras both have the same sensors, same EVF, same LCD, same body and controls as the original two cameras.  

My reaction?  Well, I'm not quite yawning but I let out a big sigh.  As I said, all of this should have been in the original models.  I was hoping for some sort of surprise additional feature that would attract current Z6 and Z7 users to buy one of these, but it didn't come.  For current Z6 or Z7 users I don't see a major reason to buy one of these updated cameras unless there is a specific reason you need two card slots or a better vertical grip or such.  That said, the original Z6 and Z7 really are wonderful ‘picture making tools’ and these updated models make them even better and more utilitarian.  Also, I think these improvements will cause some Nikon photographers who have been hesitant to jump to mirrorless to now switch from their DSLRs or even to Nikon from another brand.  But for me, I’ll keep what I have.  My Z7 is terrific as is. 

For you Fujifilm users, the announcements seem to be a bit better.  Fujifilm announced the X-S1 camera body, which already had photos and specs leaked all over the Web.  Additionally, they confirmed the 10-24mm f/4 II lens, the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 lens and the 18mm f/1.4 lens.  Fujifilm also said in about two weeks there would be a significant firmware update for the X-T3.  Nice for the T3 users.

I'm kind of impressed with what Fujifilm has done with the X-S1.  I see it a quite a departure from other Fujifilm bodies.  It has a the shape of an X-H1 with the grip and forward positioned shutter button (my preference) as well as looking a bit more rounded.  It is not quite as small as the X-T30 but smaller than its larger X-T brethren.  I think it is a nice size coming from the perspective of an Olympus user—small but not too small.  IBIS is said to be 6 stops and in a new, smaller unit than is in the X-T4.  Same sensor, same image processor, same LCD and same focusing system as in the X-T4—down to -7 EV.  Impressive for a camera slated to sell for $999 US (but sure to be on sale before 2021 is out).  One disappointment is the use of the older 2.36 mp EVF but you can't give the X-S1 everything the X-T4 has or you won't sell any more T4s.  

One significant difference is that Fujifilm removed the Shutter Speed dial and replaced it with a PASM dial.  Add to that dial a full Auto feature and four (C1, C2, C3, C4) banks of settings.  The custom settings banks are something I use often in my Nikon and Olympus cameras.  To me, this feature is welcomed.  The Auto feature seems to employ some sort of AI in that it will analyze the scene (scene recognition), choose a film simulation most appropriate, adjust exposure, dynamic range, tone curve, clarity, color chrome effect etc., to maximize the image potential so that the images needs no further editing outside the camera.  And...it can be recorded in RAW as well.  The front command dial is retained for changing shutter speeds/apertures, etc. and there is a dial on the top left of the camera that is programmable as well.  

The new Auto setting  is a great goal for those JPEG shooters but I think it would be hard to program in all of the situations and how different photographers would want different looks.  I suspect this is for the more casual photography crowd (and mobile phone camera crowd) that is looking just to point and shoot and have images that are ready to go to Instagram or other social media.  I think this is the same thing Apple, Samsung and the other mobile phone companies have been doing.   

As for the lenses, the updated 10-24mm f/4 II is now weather resistant, has a marked aperture dial and the lens barrel is slightly modified.  Additionally, the IS in the lens has been improved by a stop to 3 stops.  That combined with a camera such as the X-T4 and it will give you 6.5 stops of stabilization.  Nice.

The 70-300mm f/4-5.6 is an interesting lens.  It has IS.  It doesn't appear too large.  It works with both the 1.4x and 2x tele-converters.  This could be a smaller travel substitute for the larger 100-400mm lens.

Fujifilm also introduced a nicely sized 18mm f/1.4 as a companion to the 16mm f/1.4 and the 23mm f/1.4.  They talked about low distortion and optically excellent.  Considering Fujifilm's past, I suspect it will be a great lens.

Finally, I like that Fujifilm is still pushing forward with their development of novel camera bodies and new, high quality lenses.  They don't seem to have slowed development efforts during this pandemic.  Fujifilm is getting to the point where, if I were to divest myself of my Olympus gear do to age, obsolescence and/or loss, Fujifilm is positioning themselves to have almost direct replacements for what I now carry in m4/3, with the exception of that wonderful Olympus 12-100mm f/4 lens.  I could see one day in the future always picking up Fujifilm gear whether to go out locally or travel for weeks.

For more information on both Nikon's and Fujifilm's introductions, I suggest you go to their sites and you'll find full press releases, photos, specs, etc.  I don't need to repeat them here.

Join me over at my website, www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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