Z7 vs Z6 & Z50: Interested in thoughts about equipment selection and use. I currently own and use the Z6/Z50 pair and am considering replacing both with Z7, Z7ii, or upcoming Z8. Some...

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Interested in thoughts about equipment selection and use. I currently own and use the Z6/Z50 pair and am considering replacing both with Z7, Z7ii, or upcoming Z8.

Some goals of change:

1. Higher image resolution to crop from…esp on FX camera w DX lens.
2. Downsize equipment inventory.
3. Eliminate need for xqd/cf cards…so I can edit without card holder.

One notable con: it is sometimes useful to me to have two bodies:

1. When traveling by auto keep 200-500 on Z50 for critters and 14-30 on Z6 for landscapes.
2. Backup when trip is primarily for photography.
3. Slightly lighter weight w Z50 for hiking.

I currently have excellent pairs of Z lenses for both: kit 16-50 & 50-250 for Z50 and 14-30 and 24-200 for Z6. Also use 200-500 w FTZ on Z50 for wildlife.

One thing that annoys me about the Z6 is that it only allows DX image area with DX lenses…and the DX image area is only about 10 MP. Z7s have same issue but at least the DX image area is 18MP.

Of course another option is to just trade the Z6 for one of the higher MP options.

Thoughts on options?

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

It makes absolutely no sense to use DX lenses on a Z7, especially since you have a Z50!

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

IMHO, your last stated option is your best bet. Trade in the Z6 for a Z7II.

I have, or had, all of the items you mention. The Z50 has a niche place in my inventory as a travel, social event camera, and only used for wildlife when the bigger bodies are not available. The Z7II, with the dual processors and higher MP, should be able to give you a more satisfactory wildlife experience than either the Z50 or the Z6, as well as producing wonderful landscape images.

The Z8 is a remote dream to which we can attach our hopes and wishes, but I would not base important decisions on my wishes for the future.

When I say "more satisfactory" wildlife shooting, please understand that I don't regard any of the Z bodies, except the Z9, as superior to the D500 for birding (my wildlife focus). But at least you would be able to use DX mode on the Z7II and still get reasonable results.

Why don't you rent or borrow a Z7II and give it a whirl?

Good luck!

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

IDguy wrote:

Interested in thoughts about equipment selection a... (show quote)

#1 -- Never go anywhere where you will be taking shots that can never be replaced with only one camera. Mechanical failure is always a possibility however remote that might be. Dropping a camera, having one stolen, or getting a camera wet are all possibilities that could ruin your outing. Keep one of the cameras you have and get a z7ii. For the z8, you will have to stand in line behind me!

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Bridges wrote:

#1 -- Never go anywhere where you will be taking shots that can never be replaced with only one camera. Mechanical failure is always a possibility however remote that might be. Dropping a camera, having one stolen, or getting a camera wet are all possibilities that could ruin your outing. Keep one of the cameras you have and get a z7ii. For the z8, you will have to stand in line behind me!

Of course I sometimes don’t forget my iPhone. And my wife more rarely forgets hers. Although, to one of your points, her previous one didn’t fare well when I dragged her into the ocean with it in her pocket. 🤪

An iPhone w multiple lenses is in my future and can serve as backup for most trips. So far GAS hasn’t prevailed there.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

SuperflyTNT wrote:

It makes absolutely no sense to use DX lenses on a Z7, especially since you have a Z50!

Maybe not to you. I sometimes used my DX lenses on my D800 w image areas up to full FX. For zooms you can get little or no vignetting over at least part of the zoom range even in full FX. For most DX lenses with the alternate image areas….disabled on the Zs.

The best lens is the one you have with you.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

ClarkJohnson wrote:

IMHO, your last stated option is your best bet. T... (show quote)

Thanks. That is the way I am leaning. And with that choice I can see what happens and dump the Z50 later if I find myself not using it.

Currently I use the Z 50 most because of its lighter weight plus its lighter weight lenses. I don’t have a wide angle for it but have F mount, FTZ, and 35 1.8 and 10-24…which I don’t use because for wide angle I prefer the Z6 w 14-30. I could use the 14-30 on Z50…but so far have not. Defeats weight advantage.

I already have an xqd and a CFb I can use with the Z7 ii as my back up and SD as primary. I prefer using SD because both my computers have SD slots and I need to use converter for xqd or CFb…two different ones.

My only concern originally with the Z7 (compared to Z6) was its low light performance. From what I have seen since it is almost as good at high ISO so not a concern.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

IDguy wrote:

Interested in thoughts about equipment selection a... (show quote)

Your cropped Z7 options are pretty much the same as the Z50.
So if desiring downsize equipment as you say Z7/II is a good logical choice.
If the Z50 were in the 24 mp range then you would start seeing a difference.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

The II is the way to go. The Z6 II and Z7 II are quite a bit better than the originals - according to reviewers. As for the Z8, from what I hear, that probably won't be coming around any time soon.

Considering the choices in your title, I would go (I did go) with the Z6 (II). The difference between the Z6 II and Z7 II is mainly MP. Are you willing to pay $1,000 for 21 MP?

Z6 II vs Z7 II - https://www.google.com/search?q=z6+ii+vs+z7+ii&oq=z6+ii+vs+z7+ii&aqs=edge..69i57j0i22i30l3j0i390l2j69i64.5379j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Don't forget about refurbished and used - KEH and MPB.

leftj Loc: Texas

IDguy wrote:

Interested in thoughts about equipment selection a... (show quote)

Get one of everything.

Warhorse Loc: SE Michigan

leftj wrote:

Get one of everything.

I'm sure the OP finds that helpful.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

jerryc41 wrote:

The II is the way to go. The Z6 II and Z7 II are ... (show quote)

Thanks. Have a quote from MPB to trade Z6 for Z7ii ($1700). Will check KEH and decide Monday. Need to confirm with MPB that it is Nikonusa.

The extra MP are most important for using DX lenses and substantial cropping. I’d rarely use DX lenses on the Z7 as long as I keep Z50. I often need to crop quite a bit with wildlife images…but I usually use Z50 for wildlife. I know the images I have from my D800 are noticeably sharper than Z6.

Probably will go that way for now and see how much I continue to use Z50.

leftj Loc: Texas

Warhorse wrote:

I'm sure the OP finds that helpful.

Yep - go big or go home.

Warhorse Loc: SE Michigan

leftj wrote:

Yep - go big or go home.

leftj Loc: Texas

IDguy wrote:

Thanks. Have a quote from MPB to trade Z6 for Z7ii... (show quote)

I'm having trouble believing mpb is offering you $1,700 for a Z 6 when you can buy new for less than that.