Mirrorless camera question

I'm starting to look down the road at upgrades. My daughter and I both are using crop sensor DSLRs. The resolution is decent IMO, but the technology is inexorably moving on. I am considering something with a good bit higher resolution. Not sure that just going to a full frame is that big a bump. Most offer the same MP rating as what we have. I know, MP isn't everything, but they are an important part of the equation. I'm looking at the Z7. This should be a very significant jump in resolution, but I have one or two concerns beyond laying out several thousand dollars.

First and foremost, I had a chance to handle a Nikon Z a few months ago. Not sure which model. The owner complained about the lag between depressing the shutter, and the camera taking the picture. I got the impression it was similar to the lag my D3400 has when in LV mode. I believe I would find this a real obstacle, especially when shooting things like wildlife. It would also be hard for me to deal with after so many years of film cameras and the current DSLR with no lag. Is this the case with the Z7, and if so, how much of an issue is it for you?

The other issue is the viewfinder. I found it to be a little hard to be comfortable with. Of course, this was just a few minutes of playing around with the camera. How hard is it to adjust to the non optical viewfinder?

I'm also not too happy about the price of memory cards. I assume they went to something other than the ubiquitous SD card to support higher transfer speeds, but the price tag on the XQD cards is a shock. Not really a question, just an observation.

Not really looking to go out and buy something soon, but looking down the road. We already have one FX telephoto zoom, although that would require a converter to use on the Z. At a minimum I would have to buy a converter and a normal zoom in addition to the camera.

Clovishound said:

I'm starting to look down the road at upgrades. My daughter and I both are using crop sensor DSLRs. The resolution is decent IMO, but the technology is inexorably moving on. I am considering something with a good bit higher resolution. Not sure that just going to a full frame is that big a bump. Most offer the same MP rating as what we have. I know, MP isn't everything, but they are an important part of the equation. I'm looking at the Z7. This should be a very significant jump in resolution, but I have one or two concerns beyond laying out several thousand dollars.

First and foremost, I had a chance to handle a Nikon Z a few months ago. Not sure which model. The owner complained about the lag between depressing the shutter, and the camera taking the picture. I got the impression it was similar to the lag my D3400 has when in LV mode. I believe I would find this a real obstacle, especially when shooting things like wildlife. It would also be hard for me to deal with after so many years of film cameras and the current DSLR with no lag. Is this the case with the Z7, and if so, how much of an issue is it for you?

The other issue is the viewfinder. I found it to be a little hard to be comfortable with. Of course, this was just a few minutes of playing around with the camera. How hard is it to adjust to the non optical viewfinder?

I'm also not too happy about the price of memory cards. I assume they went to something other than the ubiquitous SD card to support higher transfer speeds, but the price tag on the XQD cards is a shock. Not really a question, just an observation.

Not really looking to go out and buy something soon, but looking down the road. We already have one FX telephoto zoom, although that would require a converter to use on the Z. At a minimum I would have to buy a converter and a normal zoom in addition to the camera.

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I have a Z6 and have had it for a while. I am considering a move to a Z7II because of the stuff I like to shoot. I do not know what the lag your friend talked about could be. However the Z bodies do take a bit to wake up and the do go to sleep quickly to save the battery. You can change the timing but I just try fiddling with it to keep it awake when I am concerned about the next shot.

The Z6 and Z7 have much improved focus systems over the first release of the bodies. Nikon continues to add enhancements to the cameras via firmware updates. These have been Great. Because of that the Z6 does better at capturing photos of my dog running around the yard. I do not do a lot of bird photography anymore. My 200-500 f5.6 and I do not get along as well as we used too. I think she has put on a bit of weight and I have a harder time packing her around. But I do like car shows, landscapes, some street photography, and architectural photos. I also take pictures at my church like events and baptisms.

You will be amazed by the low light performance compared to your current body. It still blows me away. I think you would enjoy the camera, but it is a big jump. The menus are different. You don't have to jump into a menu to change a setting. You can do it with buttons and dials. The view finder should be set up to present What You See Is What You Get. That means you don't have guess if you are under or over exposed. The body has image stabilization in 5 axis and you can do hand held at very low shutter speeds. But there are other added costs.

Hopefully you have FX glass today and not DX glass. Both can be used with the FTZ adapter but the DX glass sets your body back to DX automatically. If you buy the camera will you buy body only or will you get it with one of the "kit lenses," they are not really kit lenses like you got with your 3400. The adapter works great and the F Mount glass works great as well, but the native lenses are better. I only have my big lens F mount now all the rest are Z glass and Z glass is more expensive than F mount. You will need a reader for the XQD or CFexpress cards. I am using XQD Cards


I am sure I am leaving something out. But I will try and check in. If I had it to do over again I would have done it just as I did. I love the Z6. It suites me. The Z7!! is looking like it might be nice to have as well. Just not sure yet.

Thanks for all the input. There appears to be a lot to like about the Z7. I can deal with getting new lens. We currently have an FX long zoom. The worst thing about this is that I will likely upgrade my daughter's system. At that point it may be difficult to use the old crop sensor system myself. Oh well, I'll jump off that bridge if and when I get to it.

I really like the Z7, my first high MP camera. I don't notice any lag, but I haven't shot a DSLR in probably 7-8 years.

I got hooked on mirrorless with the Nikon J series and moved to Olympus for about 4 years since Nikon didn't get into a larger sensor on mirrorless for a while. Once there were more Z lenses I came back and got the Z7. I really like the detail, ability to make large prints and the IQ overall with the new Z lenses.

To help you more, it would help us to know your goals. I have no problem shooting wildlife with a Z7, I don't need 20 frames per second. To me, the autofocus is fine for BIF, but I'm mostly shooting large birds. Fx and the high MP is great for landscapes. I love the ability to crop more and have larger files to work with.

The Z 7 really shines with great glass, I've decided to only use the Z series since I was starting over anyway. I have the 20mm 1.8, 50mm1.8 and 70-200mm 2.8, the Quality is amazing! Can't wait for the 400 f4.

Clovishound said:

Thanks for all the input. There appears to be a lot to like about the Z7. I can deal with getting new lens. We currently have an FX long zoom. The worst thing about this is that I will likely upgrade my daughter's system. At that point it may be difficult to use the old crop sensor system myself. Oh well, I'll jump off that bridge if and when I get to it.

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Something else worth considering as you look at Z7 is the Z5 to move fully into the Z mount. It is an amazing camera and might be a good choice to allow you both into the Z mount. it is a 24 Megapixl camera that is good in low light but is not as powerful as the Z6 or 7. The body is $1300 right now. It also uses SD cards.

In any event I think you will love the Z7. I think it will blow you away. I wish you well in the process.

Well, like I said in the last post, this will likely be an upgrade for my daughter's system. She shoots a variety of subjects. She likes wildlife, but seems to excel at what I would consider "art" pictures. Often this is something I wouldn't think about shooting. Something like an architectural feature, or a closeup of something others would just pass by. Often it doesn't work, but often it turns out to be something really appealing. Looking at what she shoots has me taking pictures I would never have before. She does seem to take a lot more pictures with the 70 - 300 than the normal zoom, but would need a normal zoom. I also see something like a 105 macro in her future at some point. Just not sure I would be happy with a crop sensor camera after having a high resolution camera in the family. Back in the day, I was more partial to medium format, if I didn't need a telephoto or the speed and maneuverability of a 35mm SLR.

Her photography sounds very interesting. The Z7 would be the perfect choice. The 70-300 would work with the FTZ adapter.

As for glass, the Z glass is so sharp, but it is not inexpensive. That 105 looks and I am leaning toward the 100-400. When I am considering a lens I like to go to “Ricci Talks” on YouTube. He is a you tube employee but he shoots straight. He takes shots and reviews images. He is all about Z camera bodies and glass. Matt Irwin is another guy that I like watch on YouTube.

I wish you well.

I'm looking hard at the Z5 right now. If I jump on that, it will probably be my camera. Talked with Clovispup today, and she isn't ready to switch cameras any time soon. If I get the Z5, she can try out the Z system at her leisure. The biggest downside is that I would have to get a telephoto for the Z. I might have to go with another 70-300 like the one the Pup currently has, mounted with the FTZ adapter. Haven't really researched any aftermarket lens offerings. Nikon doesn't seem to have any affordable telephoto lenses for the Z.

Well, I had a doctors appointment this afternoon. Got good news and thought I'd drop by the local Best Buy and look at a Z5 in person. One ended up following me home. Got a 24-70 F4 S series lens to go with it. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to spend some money on a telephoto some time soon. I'll miss not having something to reach out with. Battery is on charge now.

I would like to post my impressions of this camera over the next few days. Not sure where to post them. There is no Z5 section. It's close enough to the Z6, I suppose I could post there. The generic Mirrorless section looks like it should be for the smaller point and shoot mirrorless.

Clovishound said:

....I would like to post my impressions of this camera over the next few days. Not sure where to post them. There is no Z5 section. It's close enough to the Z6, I suppose I could post there. The generic Mirrorless section looks like it should be for the smaller point and shoot mirrorless.

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Sorry ... that's on me. I just have to figure out how to create a new subforum.

Well, hurry up then, I've got a bunch of impressions on my new toy, I mean camera, that are burning a hole in my pocket.

Just kidding, take your time. My comments will wait.

Clovishound said:

Well, hurry up then, I've got a bunch of impressions on my new toy, I mean camera, that are burning a hole in my pocket.

Just kidding, take your time. My comments will wait.

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Feel free to start a new discussion under one of the other Z subforums or in the Mirrorless subforum. Once a new Z5 subforum is created, those discussions can easily be moved. Just label Z5 in your thread's topic so it's easy to find, please.