Nikon releases Z6 II and Z7 II full-frame camera for 2199 and 3399 euros
Nikon has introduced the successors to the Z6 and Z7 released in early 2019. The most important innovations are the addition of a second image processor and the presence of a second card slot. The Z6 II costs 2199 euros and the Z7 II costs 3399 euros.
The Nikon Z6 II and Z7 II retain the sensors of their predecessors, namely a 24-megapixel sensor and a 45-megapixel variant. An important innovation is that the two cameras now no longer have a single, but a double Expeed 6 image processor. This gives the camera extra computing power, which entails some practical improvements. According to Nikon, the buffer capacity of both cameras has become more than three times as high and the buffer is also faster. In addition, the Z7 II can now shoot at 10fps instead of 9fps and with the Z6 II that is 14fps compared to 12fps with its predecessor.
The addition of the second image processor also leads to the ability to internally record 4k resolution images at 60fps. This frame rate was not possible before; the Z6 and Z7 got stuck at 4k30 or 1080p at 120fps. This 4k60 capability is present with the Z7 II from launch and comes with a small crop of 1.08x, while this option will be added to the Z6 II in a future firmware update and will be accompanied by an aps-c crop from the sensor. That update is expected in February next year.
The autofocus of both cameras has been slightly improved, with the addition of face and eye detection with the Wide area AF mode, while those autofocus options were previously only available with the Auto Area AF mode. In the latter mode, the camera determined what was to focus on, but with the Wide area AF mode, the part where the camera should focus can be determined. In addition, the cameras should now also be able to focus in slightly darker conditions, up to -4.5EV with an f / 2.0 lens.
Especially for professional users, Nikon has added the option to use a vertical battery grip with both cameras. For example, the new MB-N11 grip can be used, which has a shutter release button and controls for vertical shooting. This battery grip also has a USB-C connection, so that two batteries can be charged one after the other when this grip is disconnected from the camera. There are also two card slots, one of which supports CFexpress and XQD memory cards, while the other is intended for UHS-II-SD cards.
The Z7 II and Z6 II have a new EN-EL15c battery, which would allow the 420 and 410 photos to be taken respectively if the LCD on the back is used. If the otherwise unchanged viewfinders are used, that drops to 360 and 340. Nikon has also made it possible to make firmware updates over Wi-Fi via the Snapbridge app. The Z6 II will be released at the beginning of November for a suggested retail price of EUR 2199 and the Z7 II will follow at the end of this year for a suggested retail price of EUR 3399.