Building on the success of the Z 6, the Z 6II is Nikon’s next-generation mirrorless camera that is a fantastic tool for a wide range of users, including professional wedding photographers who want to switch between shooting stills and cinema-grade video.

Inside the magnesium alloy weatherproof body is a 24.5Mp backside illuminated full-frame CMOS sensor which is paired with dual EXPEED 6 processing engines. This exciting combination enables a maximum continuous shooting rate of 14 frames per second (fps) with full autofocusing and autoexposure function. The Z6 II can also record up to 200 JPEGs or 124 12-bit uncompressed RAW images in one burst, giving plenty of scope to capture action.

As with the Z 6, the Z6 II has a hybrid focusing system that uses phase and contrast detection, with 273 points covering 90% of the sensor. However, thanks to the extra processing power, the low-light autofocusing operates at down to -6EV with an f/2 or faster lens. Also, the enhanced Eye-Detection and Animal-Detection AF can be used during video recording. Further good news for video-shooters is that 4K 60P capability will be coming with a firmware update that is currently scheduled to arrive in February 2021.

Like the Z 7II, the Z 6II has two memory card slots, one that accepts the robust and super-speedy XQD or CF express cards and the other that accepts the popular SD-type cards and is UHS-II compliant for fast writing times.

The Nikon Z 6II is available body only and five different kit options:

Z 6II + FTZ Mount Adapter
Z 6II + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S

Z 6II + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S
and FTZ Mount Adapter

Z 6II + NIKKOR Z 24-200mm
f/4-6.3 VR

Z 6II + NIKKOR Z 24-200mm
f/4-6.3 VR and FTZ Mount Adapter

The arrival of the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S completes the ‘trinity’ of lenses for Z series cameras - the other two optics are the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S and NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S.

Thanks to the wide Z mount, the constant f/2.8 aperture and Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings, the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S is capable of capturing breath-taking images. It’s also the world’s shortest full-frame f/2.8 wide-angle zoom lens. And, despite its wide coverage, it can accept 112 mm screw-on filters as well as gel filters in its rear slot.

Sealed against dust and moisture the new lens features smooth and silent autofocus. There’s also virtually no focus breathing or focus shift during zooming, making it ideal for video as well as stills.

The Z 7II is an evolutionary advance from the Z 7, perfect for professional photographers who need unparalleled image quality and detail resolution. It features the same 45.7Mp full-frame backside illuminated CMOS sensor as the Z 7 but it’s paired with dual EXPEED 6 processors to enable even faster shooting, enhanced autofocus performance and the ability to record 4K video.

Despite its high pixel count, the Z 7II can shoot at up to 10fps for up to 200JPEGs or 77 12-bit uncompressed RAW files in a single burst. If you need the ultimate image quality, it can capture 14-bit RAW files at up to 9fps with the same burst depth. And, thanks to the dual memory card slots, you can have double storage capacity or in-camera back-up.

In addition, the 493-point hybrid autofocus system is sensitive down to -4EV for improved low-light performance, plus Eye-Detection and Animal-Detection AF both operate in video mode as well as when shooting stills.

Like the Z 6II, the Z 7II has a 0.5-inch type 3690k-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with Nikon’s excellent optics for a crystal-clear view, and a fast refresh rate to minimise blackout when shooting at high speed. There’s also a 3.2-inch 2,100,000-dot tilting touch-screen with customisable screens for intuitive control and fast setting adjustments.

Naturally, Nikon’s SnapBridge technology is built in the Z 6II and Z 7II and the free SnapBridge app now enables you to update your camera’s firmware via your smartphone or tablet.

The Nikon Z 7II is available body only and three kit options:

Z 7II + FTZ Mount Adapter

Z 7II + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S

Z 7II + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S
and FTZ Mount Adapter

Constructed from 17 elements (including two ED and three aspherical glass elements) in 15 groups and with both Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings, the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S has superb resolving power and is set to become a legendary optic.

It has the honour of being the first f/1.2 Z prime lens, which makes it ideal for low-light situations and gives incredible control over depth of field. Furthermore, when shooting wide-open, it’s capable of capturing elaborate bokeh along with finely-detailed point light sources and it delivers truly exceptional sharpness from edge to edge.

Its handling is boosted by a silent control ring, a customisable Fn button and an OLED panel that enables quick, easy confirmation of key shooting information.

Plus, with smooth, silent autofocusing, next to no focus breathing and extensive weather-sealing, it’s as at home shooting professional-level video as it is high-end stills.

Ronan, a photographer and director, put the Z 6II to test on a dance film shoot. “A lot of my work,’ she says, “is capturing real people in a stylised way that creates aspirational imagery. It’s very common that clients will ask for photography and video in the same shoot. The Z 6II is a smaller camera so makes it easier to move around and to follow movement. It’s easy in the hand, so easy to work with. It’s also really great for movement. Because of the continuous shooting mode it’s ideal for capturing things like jumping and explosive moments. A camera like the Z 6II opens me up to shooting video without a cinematographer.”

“The Z 6II can convey the emotion and the natural feeling of a place,” says travel photographer Marion Payr, AKA Lady Venom. “The art of travel photography is to show a place with its magic but still keep it close to reality. With the Z 6II, I discovered new possibilities, shooting after sunset and before sunrise, in low light. My gear has to work for me, it has to be lightweight, it has to be easy to use and also it has to not limit my creativity. The Z 6II is going to help me enjoy my travels more, to be a better travel photographer and also a better traveller. I think these things go hand in hand.”

In her work as a photographer and visual artist, Delphine creates iconic visions of black women, something she never saw when she was growing up. When on set, she says, “the Nikon Z 7II is like an extension of myself. It gives me the freedom to be more present and to not keep going back to the computer. It gives me the freedom to trust the colour and to trust the light. Using the Eye Detection means I can focus on the eyes with no stress. I used to use manual focus because I was scared to not have the right focus, but the results when using Eye Detection are outstanding.”

Proving that full-frame camera gear doesn’t have to be cumbersome, the NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 which is available separately or as a kit with the Z 5, weighs just 195g and has a retractable design that reduces its length to a tiny 51mm from the mount flange. It also accepts 52mm filters, so even its accessories are small.

The new lens is constructed from 11 elements in 10 groups and features two ED and 3 aspherical elements to maintain image quality into the corners, minimise distortion and keep chromatic aberration under control. There’s also a minimum focus distance of 0.35m throughout the zoom range.

Focusing is quiet and focusing breathing reduced. And, making the most of the Z series customisation opportunities, the lens’ control ring can be set to adjust aperture, exposure compensation or ISO. Top stuff.

Although billed as an entry-level full-frame mirrorless camera, the 24.3Mp Nikon Z 5 boasts a host of features that give it a higher-end feel. For example, its hybrid autofocus system has 273 user-selectable points and there’s Eye-Detection and Animal-Detection AF along with dual UHS-II compatible SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots, in-camera 5-axis Vibration Reduction (VR) and 4K video shooting, plus microphone and headphone ports.

The Z 5 has the same 0.5-inch 3690k-dot OLED electronic viewfinder as the Z 6, Z 7, Z 6II and the Z 7II, which is accompanied by a 3.2-inch 1,040,000-dot tilting touchscreen. This is a camera that should not be underestimated.