Thank you so much for sharing! I’m enjoying the information. I’m Graphic Designer and will be share this to my Friends! Wonderful blog and amazing design and style.
Lula Finch
September 17, 2021 9:38 am
Loved reading your article. All the facts have been explained clearly. Thanks for sharing.
Michael
September 6, 2021 9:06 am
Great review! I wonder how this camera compares to the fuji gfx 50r. Which do you recommend? I mainly do landscape and portrait photography. I wonder how the image quality compares.
Karma
August 26, 2021 9:57 am
Thanks for this great review. I stumbled on it while trying to determine the Z7ii JPEG file size. I enjoyed the comparisons to other cameras. Wonder how you compare the Z7ii to the Sony A7Riii (yes, I indicated 3, not 4). I ask because this version of the sony more closely matches the MP sensor size of the Nikon Z7ii. I have learned a bit about pixel pitch and how that impacts dynamic range and light sensitivity. I am more apt to go with the Nikon over the A7Riii because it is a bit newer model although a different brand. But, at the moment, they both are higher rated on DXO mark, than the Sony A7Riv or even the Canon EOR R5. All depends on what is important to the photographer. I need image quality and the ability to crop. I am not as concerned about max FPS and not interested in Video at all. But, I do want the best in auto-focus. Sony has great auto-focus, but their manual focus interface is lacking. Thanks again!
KEVIN
June 26, 2021 9:24 pm
GREAT REVIEW. I’m kinda reentering the photo landscape after a wee bit sabbatical. Having tough time making a decision between nikon z7ii or sony a7r4. I tend to lean towards wildlife/portrait and some landscapes. Any suggestions? Thanks for the great site and information.
Dr FPD Cotterill
June 17, 2021 4:29 am
Thanks for a comprehensive review with respect to typical uses of the Z7 II. It is arguably the best camera for serious landscape photography. Unfortunately, the Z II series is still weakened by underwhelming trimming by Nikon of essential features. On one hand, these cameras now offer ~10 different AF modes; on the other it remains impossible to use these efficiently where and when really needed: ie shooting active subjects, including “non-sitting” portraits. This gap in Custom features remains their main failure for wildlife in my experience.
It is disappointing you allow to Nikon to get off from its persisting failure to expand the options in Custom settings to assign at least 1 other AF Mode to a Fn Button. As they stand one can only use a single AF Mode at any time (sure AF-modes can be scrolled using Record+Front dial, but this is too slow).
The Lens-Fn button on a high end telephoto (eg 70-200 f2.8E FL, 500 f4E PF) are also muted, and thus they are useless with all the existing Z cameras. With Fn1 and Pv, this Lens-Fn is set to one of 4 AF Modes on my D850 [Custom Menu f1: AF-area mode + AF-On]. Relying on this powerful customization built into these Nikon DSLRs dictates no camera qualifies for wildlife photography if it lacks these features; especially a modern Nikon camera priced at
Even if these Zed cameras lack the powerful scope of Photobanks and Custom Banks of Pro DSLRs, this should not be a pathetic excuse to ignore expanding the capabilities of the Custom menus. Nikon made the same mistake with the underwhelming Custom Options of the D780, which could be an excellent ILC for shooting wildlife and sports, especially in lowlight conditions.
It is features/functions “under the hood” of a camera that today matter more than ever, because advances in sensors and AF technology have leveled off. These ILCs offer the photographer many options. Too many reviews dwell on spec sheets and little more. It is rare to read a review that drills into how experienced photographers actually use a relatively high spec camera on the more challenging subjects (eg active subjects). To stand above the hoi polloi of internet influencers, the discerning reviewer is challenged to dissect out and criticize missing features/functions less obvious because they are buried under the hood and not displayed in official spec sheets. These criticisms matter more than ever as advances in sensors and AF technology has leveled off.
As many of us know too well, Nikon has its irritating traditions. The one is crippling the options assignable to Control buttons (eg Fn2/Fn3) of all its cameras (unlike CaSony’s). It is frustrating Nikon continue to ignore such obvious, in fact simple additions, which would improve the scope and performance of their new cameras. They own all the code empowering key features in the D500 and D850. Fortunately, a Used D850 [$2000-2300] is a bargain, a Used D500 even more so [$1200-1400 vs $3000 ]. At every opportunity, Nikon deserve to be hammered for these failures.
Jan Arell
June 14, 2021 11:19 am
I ordered the z 7 ii this morning, plus the 14-30mm. This afternoon I find this brilliant article that confirmed that I made the, for me, right choice. Cheers! Jan, Sweden
Bob
June 1, 2021 2:44 pm
What a great article guys! One of the best and most comprehensive articles I have seen to date on this camera.
I unfortunately lost all my cameras and accessories in one of the wildfires in California. So I am starting all over again. I really like the Z7ll and plan to purchase it because of the outstanding picture quality of the 45MB sensor. I do plan on using the camera sometimes for video and I am concerned about memory card speeds. I have read your article about memory cards but cannot find anything in regards to speed needs for 4K 60fps video recording. I know the Z7ll has larger built-in buffer than the Z7, so what minimum write speed of a card to I need to do occasional 4K video on the Z7ll?
Larry
May 17, 2021 2:05 pm
Fantastic review. You checked all the boxes why Nikon is in a difficult position in terms of the demands of sports and wildlife. Firmware updates could rectify some of the issues like object auto tracking and birds’ eye auto focus which are available on current models of their competitors at similar prices. FPS and Buffer Capacity can only arrive, hopefully, with the Z9 and at more than twice the current prices. The R5 will then be priced at half the price for the same specifications. I currently shoot the Z7 ll for everything accept wildlife for which my R5 is dedicated. This is a solution which many Nikon users are and will be choosing. I do believe that Nikon has already lost the competition for the action photography market segment and they know it.
Thank you so much for sharing! I’m enjoying the information. I’m Graphic Designer and will be share this to my Friends! Wonderful blog and amazing design and style.
Loved reading your article. All the facts have been explained clearly. Thanks for sharing.
Great review! I wonder how this camera compares to the fuji gfx 50r. Which do you recommend? I mainly do landscape and portrait photography. I wonder how the image quality compares.
Thanks for this great review. I stumbled on it while trying to determine the Z7ii JPEG file size. I enjoyed the comparisons to other cameras. Wonder how you compare the Z7ii to the Sony A7Riii (yes, I indicated 3, not 4). I ask because this version of the sony more closely matches the MP sensor size of the Nikon Z7ii. I have learned a bit about pixel pitch and how that impacts dynamic range and light sensitivity. I am more apt to go with the Nikon over the A7Riii because it is a bit newer model although a different brand. But, at the moment, they both are higher rated on DXO mark, than the Sony A7Riv or even the Canon EOR R5. All depends on what is important to the photographer. I need image quality and the ability to crop. I am not as concerned about max FPS and not interested in Video at all. But, I do want the best in auto-focus. Sony has great auto-focus, but their manual focus interface is lacking. Thanks again!
GREAT REVIEW. I’m kinda reentering the photo landscape after a wee bit sabbatical. Having tough time making a decision between nikon z7ii or sony a7r4. I tend to lean towards wildlife/portrait and some landscapes. Any suggestions? Thanks for the great site and information.
Thanks for a comprehensive review with respect to typical uses of the Z7 II. It is arguably the best camera for serious landscape photography. Unfortunately, the Z II series is still weakened by underwhelming trimming by Nikon of essential features. On one hand, these cameras now offer ~10 different AF modes; on the other it remains impossible to use these efficiently where and when really needed: ie shooting active subjects, including “non-sitting” portraits. This gap in Custom features remains their main failure for wildlife in my experience.
It is disappointing you allow to Nikon to get off from its persisting failure to expand the options in Custom settings to assign at least 1 other AF Mode to a Fn Button. As they stand one can only use a single AF Mode at any time (sure AF-modes can be scrolled using Record+Front dial, but this is too slow).
The Lens-Fn button on a high end telephoto (eg 70-200 f2.8E FL, 500 f4E PF) are also muted, and thus they are useless with all the existing Z cameras. With Fn1 and Pv, this Lens-Fn is set to one of 4 AF Modes on my D850 [Custom Menu f1: AF-area mode + AF-On]. Relying on this powerful customization built into these Nikon DSLRs dictates no camera qualifies for wildlife photography if it lacks these features; especially a modern Nikon camera priced at
Even if these Zed cameras lack the powerful scope of Photobanks and Custom Banks of Pro DSLRs, this should not be a pathetic excuse to ignore expanding the capabilities of the Custom menus. Nikon made the same mistake with the underwhelming Custom Options of the D780, which could be an excellent ILC for shooting wildlife and sports, especially in lowlight conditions.
It is features/functions “under the hood” of a camera that today matter more than ever, because advances in sensors and AF technology have leveled off. These ILCs offer the photographer many options. Too many reviews dwell on spec sheets and little more. It is rare to read a review that drills into how experienced photographers actually use a relatively high spec camera on the more challenging subjects (eg active subjects). To stand above the hoi polloi of internet influencers, the discerning reviewer is challenged to dissect out and criticize missing features/functions less obvious because they are buried under the hood and not displayed in official spec sheets. These criticisms matter more than ever as advances in sensors and AF technology has leveled off.
As many of us know too well, Nikon has its irritating traditions. The one is crippling the options assignable to Control buttons (eg Fn2/Fn3) of all its cameras (unlike CaSony’s). It is frustrating Nikon continue to ignore such obvious, in fact simple additions, which would improve the scope and performance of their new cameras. They own all the code empowering key features in the D500 and D850. Fortunately, a Used D850 [$2000-2300] is a bargain, a Used D500 even more so [$1200-1400 vs $3000 ]. At every opportunity, Nikon deserve to be hammered for these failures.
I ordered the z 7 ii this morning, plus the 14-30mm. This afternoon I find this brilliant article that confirmed that I made the, for me, right choice.
Cheers!
Jan, Sweden
What a great article guys! One of the best and most comprehensive articles I have seen to date on this camera.
I unfortunately lost all my cameras and accessories in one of the wildfires in California. So I am starting all over again. I really like the Z7ll and plan to purchase it because of the outstanding picture quality of the 45MB sensor. I do plan on using the camera sometimes for video and I am concerned about memory card speeds. I have read your article about memory cards but cannot find anything in regards to speed needs for 4K 60fps video recording. I know the Z7ll has larger built-in buffer than the Z7, so what minimum write speed of a card to I need to do occasional 4K video on the Z7ll?
Fantastic review. You checked all the boxes why Nikon is in a difficult position in terms of the demands of sports and wildlife. Firmware updates could rectify some of the issues like object auto tracking and birds’ eye auto focus which are available on current models of their competitors at similar prices. FPS and Buffer Capacity can only arrive, hopefully, with the Z9 and at more than twice the current prices. The R5 will then be priced at half the price for the same specifications. I currently shoot the Z7 ll for everything accept wildlife for which my R5 is dedicated. This is a solution which many Nikon users are and will be choosing. I do believe that Nikon has already lost the competition for the action photography market segment and they know it.
Please review Nikon Z6 ii..
Coming soon, keep an eye out!