jcwall396 Loc: Roswell, GA

Up front confession: Yes, I have GAS. I have a Nikon D780 with a handful of lenses and I am very happy with the camera. Takes great photos and never gives me a problem, so I don't "need" another camera.

Having said that....I'm thinking about adding a mirrorless camera to my war chest and have been looking at the Nikon Z6ii. I've read, however, that the Z6ii is more adept at video and the Z7ii is more adept at stills. I very rarely ever shoot video with the D780 so still quality is more important to me. But the Z7ii shoots 45MP and those are huge file sizes vs. the Z6ii. The Z7ii is also quite a bit more expensive.

What are your thoughts on the Z6ii vs. the Z7ii? Is there anything else the Z7ii offers that's worth the cost difference over the Z6ii?

leftj Loc: Texas

Unless you're making very large prints there is no need for 45mp.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Since you already have a D780, I would suggest the Z7 II as a better upgrade than a Z6 II as the Z7 his a 45 MP body. It's not only about print size, but more about cropping ability, at least for me as a sports shooter. For that amount of money, you might add the Z9 to your list of possible cameras, depending on what you shoot/want to shoot. All depends upon what you're willing to spend and what you want to accomplish. Presently, I am using a pair of Z6s and a pair of Z9s for all my work. No DSLRs for me! Best of luck.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

It starts with what you shoot. If it's landscapes, then a higher mp camera is more desirable, but you can take overlapping shots with a lower mp camera and stitch them together in post to get a similar result. The Z7ii goes from ISO 64 - 25600, where the Z6ii is ISO 100-51200. The ISO 64 capability provides for greater dynamic range and allows for lower shutter speeds in normal light to soften, say, moving water. Of course you can add a filter to do something similar. If it's wildlife / birding / sports / action, you want a better AF system. The Z7ii has 493 focus points compared to the Z6ii with 273 focus points, both have the same AF modes including human and animal eye tracking. The Z6ii fires at 14fps compared to the Z7ii at 10fps, which is better for action. For video, the 7ii does 4k at 60fps, the 6ii does 4k at 30fps. Both do full HD at 120fps. In general, the Z6ii is a bit better in lower light than the Z7ii. DxoMark.com rates the Z7ii sensor at 100, same as the D850, and the Z6ii at 94.

Most people buy more camera than they really use, kind of under the assumption that a more expensive camera will take better photos, maybe for status, I don't know. A better idea might be to buy a camera that fits your skill level and what you shoot. No one but you can make that determination.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

The Z-6II and Z-7II are basically the same camera with the major difference being the sensor. I chose the Z-6II because I don’t need 45 MPs.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

I think you are fine with the D780. It uses the same sensor as the Z6ii. Personally, I would spend the money on more glass, or don’t spend it at all.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

As always, I recommend reading reviews and comparisons. You don't want to spend a lot of money and then regret that you didn't spend a bit more for something that would be better for you. The people reporting below do this for a living, and they have a lot of experience comparing cameras.

https://photographylife.com/nikon-z6-ii-vs-z7-ii
https://www.imaging-resource.com/cameras/nikon/z7-ii/vs/nikon/z6-ii/
https://cameradecision.com/compare/Nikon-Z7-Mark-II-vs-Nikon-Z6-Mark-II
https://www.t3.com/us/news/nikon-z6-ii-vs-nikon-z7-ii
https://mirrorlesscomparison.com/nikon-vs-nikon/z6-vs-z6ii-vs-z7-vs-z7ii/

YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Nikon+Z6ii+vs+Z7ii

therwol Loc: USA

I'm a big fan of more megapixels. My only two DSLR cameras have been a D810 and D850. I like the ability to crop and lose very little in terms of quality. But that's me. If I were buying another camera and going mirrorless I'd buy the Z7ii. While the D780 is a fine camera and actually takes fine video if you can live without a viewfinder, both of the cameras you mention have IBIS or image stabilization built into the body. This is huge. Don't forget too that the Z lenses are considered to be better than the equivalent F mount lenses. The choice between the two cameras really comes down to megapixels.

Spirit Vision Photography Loc: Behind a Camera.

Consider staying with the D780, unless you must have the increased megapixel count.

https://cameradecision.com/compare/Nikon-Z7-Mark-II-vs-Nikon-D780

User ID

Both or nothing. Really. And if that means go with nothing, well and good. Neither of them is a reasonably complete camera.

BTW, the *real* price of cards will shock you, especially with dual slots.

jcwall396 Loc: Roswell, GA

Thanks SO MUCH for the feedback, all of you. This is great information to read, and I certainly appreciate the links to comparisons. I'm going to go look at all of those next. Speaking of memory cards - has anyone had experience with that CFexpress Type B / XQD card? I took a peek at the pricing on B&H and yes, it's up there. What is so special about these...?

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

These are commodity items. Pricing is based on two parameters...capacity and speed.

therwol Loc: USA

Faster than SD cards. CFexpress TypeB is faster than QXD, which is faster than SD. You only need to consider these faster cards if you buy a new camera. Your D780 cannot use them.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Walking away from a current model like the D780 to get just another current model in mirrorless is almost the very definition of GAS. The Z6II is the same 24MP in a mirrorless body. Do you need two 24MP full-frame bodies? Will you use two 24MP bodies, especially when one is mirrorless? Upping the resolution to 45MP and removing the mirror, how much of an impact will that have on your photography? Do you really think you'll ever go back to 24MP DSLR after you've shot mirrorless at 45MP?

So, find how much your D780 will fetch used. Decide how much you can spend on a mirrorless camera. The net amount is the difference such a change will cost you in $$$$. Will changing from a current model to something else deliver $$$$ much of a difference?

jcwall396 Loc: Roswell, GA

Thank you for this! And you are spot on, it's essentially the same camera without a mirror. Now I'm thinking about that Z7ii instead....I am keeping the D780, but I'm thinking you might be right - it may go the way of the do-do bird once I start shooting with a 45MP camera.