ELEVEN: The Twelve Links of Christmas 2022*: Nikon Z7II

Nikon Z7II

By 2020, the camera market had fallen to approximately 7.4% of what it was in 2011. That's a tremendous decline. Much of it is accounted for by the rise of decent cameras included in smartphones, which wiped out the market for high-volume digital point-and-shoots. In 2021, 93.8% or so of the remaining interchangeable-lens camera (ILC) market was divided between just five companies: in order, these are Canon, Sony, Nikon, Fuji and Panasonic—and the top three of those account for a whopping 83.7%. All the other brands, for example Ricoh, Hasselblad, OM System, Leica, Sigma, and many smaller and specialty brands, share only the remaining 6.2% of the market between them. In the top five, Canon, Sony, and Fuji have generally been increasing in market share in recent years, whereas Nikon and Panasonic's fortunes have been falling. It's worth pointing out that although Canon had more than twice the market share of its next-largest rival, Sony, Sony, with its formidable head start, was actually preeminent in 2021 in the all-important full-frame mirrorless subcategory.

Nikon, which was the premier professional brand from the 1960s to the 1990s, is no longer even one of "the Big Two." Although it retains outsized mindshare, especially among those of us of a certain age, it was overtaken by Sony in the late teens, and in 2021 fell sharply against its rival, to 13.7% versus Sony's 22.1%.

These numbers don't tell the whole story, though. Although very late to the field of full-frame mirrorless (FFM), Nikon got to start with a clean slate when it introduced the Z System in 2018—mostly full-frame with a few DX (APS-C) models, all mirrorless—with basic design specs that allowed its lens designers great freedom. As with Canon in 1991 when it introduced the EOS line, this initially caused some, er, adjustment among its existing clientele. Understandably—Nikon had stuck with the F-mount, with certain amendments, since the 1950s! However, the lineup has proliferated vigorously since then, and there doesn't appear to be a dog in the bunch. Nikons are much liked by our readership of experienced photographers and veteran amateurs. In particular, many feel that Nikon's engineers bested Sony in intangibles such as hand-feel, ergonomics, and control placements. And there's never been anything wrong with Nikkor lenses.

We tend to like and recommend "sweet spot" models as opposed to extremes (most portable, highest spec, etc.)**, and the sweet spot in the Z System you might say is shared by the 6 and 7 duo. The first half of the duo is the simpler and more basic but still very high-quality Z6 and Z6II. We recommend the former, which is on sale for $600 off this holiday season at B&H Photo with the standard very good zoom lens. It was cheaper to start with than the Z6II, which offers only a few incremental improvements that won't be reflected in the user experience for most. It's a relative bargain and is a very solid choice. Here's the link to a similar kit but with the more recent mark II version of the body. Meanwhile, the higher level Z7II is the latest version of the better-spec'd mid-line model with all the bells and whistles, for those with fatter wallets and/or more affection for special features and specific capabilities.

These cameras are below the Z9 in the Nikon line. However, note that both these cameras are far more capable, and capable of more beautiful results, than perhaps 99% of the digital cameras ever made. As appealing as it may be to chase "the best," it's worth it only if you have a specific need for something the highest model can do; just owning the extreme is a temporary feather in your cap in a constantly moving market, and nobody will be able to tell from your pictures that you parted with the premium. But by all means suit yourself: the Z9 is currently $5,496.95 at B&H.

Mike

*A list of a dozen beautiful gifty things in the spirit of the season.

**And pros, at whom the top models are targeted, seldom need advice from bloggers and YouTubers anyway.

Original contents copyright 2022 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below or on the title of this post.)

Featured Comments from:

Thomas Rink (partial comment): "To sum it up: The Z7II is a small but well-made and powerful camera. Ergonomics are great—it is almost impossible to change a setting by accident. Battery life is not a problem either, as I was able to shoot for three hours at about 0°C, and still had 50% charge remaining. In my opinion, this is definitely a fun camera!"

Warren Hinder: "I am fortunate to have both a Z7II and a Z9. Apart from the physical size differences, the ergonomics and functionality of the Z9 is near perfect. For landscape photography the Z7II is excellent, light, and well matched to the ƒ/4 Z lens range. For any action work, birding, etc., there is no comparison between the Z9 and Z7II. I never thought I would go back to a camera of this weight and size, but the Z9 is such a joy to photograph with. It reminds me every day why I have been a Nikon user for nearly 50 years."

Comments

[Alex G.]

The Z model that has the UI similar to a FE2 would have been such a temptation to me of it’d come out in 2014. But it didn’t and now I’m 8 years down the Fuji road, happy, and disinclined to re-enter the fold. I’m still a little upset about this. I loved Nikon but it felt like they didn’t love me back. Oh well, love my Fuji, my Nikon FE, and my bevy of cheap AI’d lenses.

[Thomas Rink]

I recently bought a Z7ii when it was significantly discounted. After years of rather formal work using a shift lens on a tripod-mounted camera, I wanted a small camera I could handhold for a more spontaneous approach. The Z7ii is very well suited for this! It is quite small and unobtrusive - about the size of a film SLR - has IBIS and handles high ISO settings well. I took pictures in near darkness using a 40mm lens, 1/2s at ISO 3200, handheld, and they turned out fine. Even at this sensitivity, the files are sufficiently clean to allow for opening of shadows by one stop!

I use Voigtländer M-mount lenses on an adapter: the 28mm f/2 and the 40mm f/1.4. Both lenses are tiny and fit into a coat pocket. Just hang the camera over your shoulder, and you can stroll around leisurely, unencumbered by a bag or a tripod, and take pictures in almost any light. How cool is that?

To sum it up: The Z7ii is a small, but well made and powerful camera. Ergonomics are great - it is almost impossible to change a setting by accident. Battery life is not a problem either, as I was able to shoot for three hours at about 0°C, and still had 50% charge remaining. In my opinion, this is definitely a fun camera!

[darlene]

If I were to go FFM, I would go the Nikon Z route! Until then, my Nikon is the F3/T.

[J D Ramsey]

There are many fanboy photo sites that praise the benefits of Canon and Sony endlessly. And there's no question but that certain sites that get their testing cameras for free from the camera companies know they won't continue to get them if they provide a bad review. Unfortunately many of those sites are unreliable, but they likely create a lot of sales for those companies.

Many professionals prefer the Nikon cameras because they continue to maintain their ergonomic features from one generation to the next (and their engineers have long refined the usability index of Nikon cameras) and they match or are so close to top-of-the-class in so many other features that the differences are minor at best. It is also recognized that the sensors in Nikon cameras (mostly produced by Sony - but a different division than the camera company) get the most out of those sensors, which are considered the gold standard.

Nikon also has determined that sales volume is not the most important measurement by which to go. Nikon has set its focus on margin and profitability. While they are no Apple, their latest business strategy is more Apple-like, and as a long time Nikon user I'm perfectly fine with that. Let the others chase the volume. As long as Nikon keeps producing quality cameras and lenses I'll lstay in its camp.

[Tim Wilson]

I got my first Nikon in high school in 1970, a black F which served me well through art school. My most recent Nikon was a D810 I bought when that model was new. I sold it after switching to FF mirrorless a few years ago. The only reason I didn’t choose a Z camera then, is that Nikon didn’t offer a 4:3 aspect ratio viewing mode (and still doesn’t). Neither Sony nor Leica did either in the spring of 2019, though Sony later made it a standard feature across the Alpha line. Panasonic had it from the start, and I ended up with a Lumix S1R, though I’ve since switched to Sony, with no regrets.

My opinion: There’s no reason why a digital camera with an electronic viewfinder shouldn’t allow a full range of aspect ratios for in-camera composition. I think Nikon missed the boat here.

[Earl Dunbar]

Maybe Nikon should make a digital S2/S3, with choice of colour or monochrome sensors. If they maintained margins, maybe they could give Leica some competition. I suppose the market is too small even for Nikon.

[David Comdico]

I purchased the older Z7 during Black Friday at a nice discount. I don’t shoot events or sports, the sensor is the same as the ii, and the focusing has been improved via firmware updates so it seemed a not-terrible decision. The past few years have been a blur for me so it seems appropriate that my “new” camera is from 2018.