Nikon Will Introduce Two New (Refreshed?) Mirrorless Full Frame Cameras This Week; What I Would Like To See Improved

One of my favorite Nikon Z7 images (click to enlarge)
Nikon Z7; 24-70mm f/4 S lens @ 70mm; 1/100th sec. @ f/6.5; ISO 400

Nikon has announced that this Wednesday, October 14, 2020, they will introduce two new mirrorless full frame digital cameras.  From the information Nikon posted to their website, these two cameras will not be new in the sense that they are altogether two new models (such as a Z8 or Z9), but updates of their current Z7 45mp and Z6 24mp mirrorless cameras.  I suspect the changes in these two cameras will be similar to what Canon and Sony did with their cameras.  For example, Canon produced the 5D, 5D Mark II, 5D Mark III and 5D Mark IV.  Sony started with the A7, then improved the camera with each subsequent model—the A7II and A7III.  Each was not an entirely new camera but a nice, attractive upgrade to the previous model with improvements and additional features.

I bought my Nikon Z7 in April, 2019, mainly for a project I was preparing to undertake at the time, and have made over 6000 images with it to date.  Contrary to what some say, I think the Z7, as well as the Z6, are terrific cameras and really don't deserve the most of the criticisms they received.

Internet and YouTube influencers' attitudes seem to be "every camera should be all things to all people" instead of each camera being a tool developed for a more narrow audience.  For example, you don't buy a Pentax K1 if you are a low light, high speed sports photographer.  You buy Canon 1DX Mark IV, a Nikon D6 or a Sony A9II.  Likewise you don't buy a camera with a 20mp sensor if you are trying to resolve extreme detail.  The right tool for the right job.

In this mindset, I bought the Nikon Z7 because I needed a high resolution camera for my project but also serve me well for my general nature, landscape and travel photography.  I didn't buy it to use for my wildlife and bird photography.  I don't need 45mp for birds in flight.  Thus, my conclusion that the two Nikon mirrorless cameras were targets of too much criticism.  Not all criticism, but more than they deserved.  They both had some deficiencies, niggles I call them, some of which Nikon fixed with firmware updates.  Focusing speed, eye autofocus, animal autofocus, etc. has been greatly improved over when the cameras were initially introduced.  Some critics seem to ignore these major focusing upgrades, however.

After using my Z7 for a year and a half and being on the cusp of Nikon introducing improved versions of the two cameras, here are the things I found that were annoyances for the types of photography I practice and how I think Nikon could improved upon two cameras that already provide extraordinary image quality, excellent dynamic range, very low noise at reasonably high ISOs, great color profiles with more controls and versatility than will ever be needed by most of us.

First, the feature, or lack thereof, that garnered the most criticism about these two cameras was having only one memory card slot.  To me that issue has been way overblown.  Until recently, all digital cameras had only one card slot.  Film cameras only took one roll of film.  It never was an issue until now.  Memory card failures in general are rare and the memory card format Nikon chose, XQD, are extremely robust, if not the best we've ever had when it comes to lack of failures.  After searching on the Internet, I have found only one documented failure in all the years that they have been in use.  Recently, a certain YouTube angry photographer stated he had two XQD card failures, but frankly I don't believe him as the odds of one failure by any individual is tiny and the odds of two failures is astronomical.  Generally, the XQD cards are extremely reliable.  That said, a second card slot would be welcome for general principles.  But obviously only one card slot was not a deal breaker for me and many, many other photographers.

Colonial Williamsburg Re-Enactor (click to enlarge)
Nikon Z7; 24-70mm f/4 S lens @ 25mm; 1/80th sec. @ f/8; ISO 64

Here are some niggles I've found while using my Z7:

An alternate and simplified horizon indicator such as a single line across the EVF or LCD as is implemented in Fujifilm cameras.  Nikon only provides a very useful 3D horizon leveling icon but when it is brought up on the LCD or EVF, it is very distracting and obscures too much of the image.  In other words, its not something you would keep present on your screen for reference all the time.  You engage it, level your camera, then disengage it.  The current 3D horizon lines are good for tripod shooting but not so good for handheld shooting.  This could be fixed in a firmware update.

The ability to turn off all icons on the EVF/LCD so one can see the image and nothing else.  Currently, there is always some data presented on the screen so if you want to just evaluate your image without any of it blocked by data, you are out of luck.  This is an easy firmware fix, I would think.

Blinkies for blown highlights before pressing the shutter.  Now, I believe, they are only visible when viewing an image during playback.  Another easy firmware fix.

The ability to see both the histogram and the aforementioned horizon line on the EVF/LCD.  Now you choose between one or the other.

No EVF/LCD blackout while in Focus Shift mode (called focus bracketing on other cameras).  Right now when you employ Focus Shift, the LCD goes black for the entire series of exposures and you can't see what progress the camera is making, which makes handheld focus bracketing next to impossible.  Using my Olympus of Fujifilm cameras, for example, I can handhold focus bracketing because I can see what the camera is doing, how the focus is shifting and it gives me a reference point for keeping the camera still while it goes through the series of exposures.

One of the benefits of mirrorless cameras is the ability to preview depth of field with a half press of the shutter.  Nikon doesn't allow you to preview apertures smaller than f/5.6.  What gives?  That is really limiting and makes no sense.  In order to preview smaller apertures, one has to assign Depth of Field to a function button, then depress it to see what is actually in focus in your camera.  You then have lost that function button that you would have liked to have assigned to another function.  That needs to change.

A few more options to assign functions to buttons (and another button would be nice as well).  Often times one wants to assign a certain function to a button but the firmware won't allow it.  Many cameras restrict this, however, but it would be nice for increased flexibility.

That is about it for me.  Everything else about the Z7 meets or exceeds my needs.  For my kinds of photography:

I don't need more buffer.

I don't need faster focus.

I don't need zero noise at incredibly high ISOs.

I don't need a huge heavy battery grip (as smaller is better, in my opinion).

I don't need fast focus in extremely low light.

I don't need more frames per second.

I don't need better or more video.

I don't need a fully articulating LCD screen (in fact don't ever want one).

All this is just me.  Your mileage is certain to vary with your individual needs.

I guess my expectations are modest and I'm very appreciative to have all the abilities that my photographic tools now provide for me.  Unfortunately, that can't be said about many photographers as they always find fault, want more and will never be happy.  Too bad as that kind of attitude can ruin your enjoyment with photography.  Be thankful for what you have.

I'm interested in seeing what Nikon does with the updated versions of these two models.  I'm not in the market for either but I have never ending interest in just about all things photographic.  I hope they hit a couple of home runs with them as Nikon can use the positive press and increase in sales.

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

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

All content on this blog is © 2013-2020 Dennis A. Mook. All Rights Reserved. Feel free to point to this blog from your website with full attribution. Permission may be granted for commercial use. Please contact Mr. Mook to discuss permission to reproduce the blog posts and/or images.