Review: Nikon Z7 II

Conclusion

Pros

  • Very solidly constructed body that feels quite nice in the hand
  • Controls are well placed and make the camera easy to shoot with
  • Good EVF with nice large magnification
  • Excellent rear touch screen
  • Intuitive menu system
  • Single shot autofocus and zone tracking autofocus are quick and have excellent accuracy
  • Eye AF provides good accuracy for portrait work
  • In-Body Image Stabilization provides a solid 3 stops of extra handholdability
  • Good Wireless connectivity features and app experience
  • A wide array of photographic features, including focus shift shooting, a full-featured intervalometer, multiple exposures and more
  • Camera is responsive and doesn’t leave the user waiting on anything
  • Outstanding dynamic range
  • Excellent color response
  • Exceptionally clean images at base ISO, with good control of noise at higher ISOs

Cons

  • Tracking autofocus, subject detection and Eye AF for moving subjects lags significantly behind competitors
  • Subject detection limited to just people and pets
  • Controls are somewhat limited in customization in a lot of cases
  • Burst rates are slow in comparison to other cameras in its class
  • Eye sensor shows a significant delay when switching between composing on the rear screen and the EVF
  • Rear screen is only able to tilt in the horizontal orientation

The Z7 II has now been out for nearly 3 years, and when it was released, it didn’t make much of a splash. The biggest reason for this, in my opinion, is that it came out a few months after the outstanding Canon EOS R5, which had a similar resolution sensor, but significantly higher performance capabilities for sports and wildlife shooters, with much higher-end video specifications. The Z7 II is a well-specified body, but it does lag the competition in a few key areas.

The biggest offender here is the autofocus system, which is definitely a good step behind the Eye tracking capabilities from Canon and Sony. While the autofocus and mid-range performance metrics would make me look elsewhere for shooting action, I found the Z7 II to be a very capable body for most other types of shooting.

The outstanding image quality is the Z7 II’s biggest strength. Add in a very full feature set, comfortable ergonomics and good control layout and the Z7 II is a great camera for landscape photography, travel, architecture and most general purpose shooting. With the more capable Z8 and Z9 hogging the Nikon spotlight right now, the Z7 II can be had in great condition used for around $2,000. At that price, it’s an amazing body if you don’t need to shoot action. As such, it is highly recommended for photographers who don’t need the utmost in AF performance, but it’s a camera I’d pass on for those who shoot action as their primary focus.

Image Samples

Click on an image to enlarge

Rock House – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S @ f/9, ISO 64, HDR of 3 images
Railroad Spikes – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 37mm, f/5, 1/200s, ISo 200
Hibiscus – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 120mm, f/4, 1/100s, ISo 100
House Columns – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 20mm f/1.8 S @ f/1.8, 1/40s, ISO 400
Statehouse Puddle – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 20mm f/1.8 S @ f/10, 1/50s, ISO 100
Honey Run Rocks – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 20mm f/1.8 S @ f/10, 90s, ISO 64 (2 image focus stack)
Rock House Cliff – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S @ 18mm, f/8, 3s, ISO 64
Imported Longhorned Weevil – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S @ f/13, 1/100s, ISO 200
Lime – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 20mm f/1.8 S @ f/1.8, 1/500s, ISO 64
Summer Waters – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 39mm, f/14, 1/30s, ISO 64 (2 image focus stack)
Columbus Flagpole – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S @ 14mm, f/8, 1/250s, ISO 64
Laurel Falls – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 84mm, f/8, 90s, ISO 64
Honey Run Falls, Framed – Nikon Z7 II with Tamron Z 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 @ 300mm, f/6.3, 13s, ISO 64
Rotunda Floor – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 20mm f/1.8 S @ f/5.6, 1/15s, ISO 1600
Sandstone Steps – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S @ 14mm, f/9, 6s, ISO 64
Velvet Rope – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 20mm f/1.8 S @ f/6.3, 1/10s, ISO 1600
Sycamore Tussock Moth Caterpillar – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 120mm, f/4, 1/320s, ISO 800
Current – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 105mm, f/11, 1/125s, ISO 64
Stump and Plant – Nikon Z7 II with Tamron Z 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 @ 300mm, f/6.3, 1/200s, ISo 200
Purple Flowers – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 24-120mm f/4 S @ 120mm, f/4, 1/500s, ISO 400
Peace – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S @ 16mm, f/8, 1/125s, ISO 64
Rock House Window – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 14-30mm f/4 S @ 14mm, f/8, 4s, ISO 64
House Divided – Nikon Z7 II with Nikkor Z 20mm f/1.8 S @ f/1.8, 1/40s, ISo 200
If you enjoyed this review, please take a look at my other reviews in the Review Index.

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Comments

2 responses to “Review: Nikon Z7 II”

  1. John Smith Avatar
    John Smith

    That’s a terrific review, also the image samples are very lovely. I accidentally found this site as it was mentioend in the comments section at dpreview. So now, I have an additional photography-gear related website that I will bookmark and regularly check out for new content.

  2. C?lin Cozma Avatar
    C?lin Cozma

    Seeing so many negative reviews about the Z7 II, I sometimes tend to think that maybe it was better to buy something else. But basically I didn’t buy it for specs, but because I like the Nikon brand.
    If FG, FE2, F90x D90, D750 was good, this one is definitely perfect for what I do. I use it for travel and family photos, rarely, if my friends ask me to use it at events. For me, even if it were much faster, I would have no use for excess speed.

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