The State of Nikon After the Z6iii | Nikon Z5ii, Z7iii, Z500!?!?

[@patrickmcmahon818]

I’ve been shooting over 40 years, starting with Canon and switching to Nikon almost 30 years ago. I’ve gone from film to DSLRs and now mirrorless. Listening to most people on KZbin who talk about eye focusing have forgotten we started with 1 to 5 focus points and having to focus and recompose. I currently have a Z9 as my work camera and Z6 for backup and fun (ordered my Z6III and can’t wait) and have switched from single focus to eye focus. As far as I’m concerned, the top 3 or 4 camera companies all make great cameras each with their own strengths, weaknesses and quirks. Nikon just feels good in my hands, I know the layouts and menus and the quirks. These companies seem to always be playing catchup with each other or leapfrogging technology. I’m sticking with Nikon and over the past 30 years have no regrets.

[@RyanTroy]

yes its just growing pains. and i feel like every company goes through them

[@Telly26]

Thank you. I really want a DX cam with IBIS to open up more lens options.

[@VizionZine]

I have a slightly different take on the Zf. The Zf was literally the first Nikon I ever wanted and actually purchased. I adore it but I doubt I will ever buy another Nikon. The Zf is attractive very much to non-Nikon shooters. Fans of Fujifilm and Leica specifically. In my opinion that's one of the of the main reasons the Zf did well and continues to do well. The Zf works well as a platform for manual focus shooters who want to use vintage style lenses. If the Z6 III had come out before or at the same time even at the same price I still would have chosen the Zf over the Z6 III. That being said the Z6 III seems like a great hybrid camera for Nikon shooters who are interested in doing awesome video.

[@MrElthan]

Same here. Zf is finally different kind of camera in a sea of similar designs. Nothing wrong with Z6iii, it's another practical tool to do the job easier and better with less hassle. Definietly step in good direction for pros and those who rely on speed and accuracy. I prefer slower pace and prioritize experience over speed for what I do. I hope Nikon will keep improving this design and potentially bring more options (rangefinder?) and lenses with retro vibe.

[@VizionZine]

@@MrElthan A rangefinder style body would be cool and I think would do well for sure.

[@Digmen1]

Yes, as a Nikon fanboy I am very interested to see what camera Nikon will release next!

[@MysticApertureStudios]

Logically speaking, nikon should release an apsc kickass camera. An apsc with 10 bit video and photo bursts upto 60fps.

[@waynerm002]

Good video. Eye AF thing wasn't an issue to me when I got my first mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z6, as I was mainly shooting photos and just started dabbling in video. When shooting a person, we used to put that focus point on the person's eye and take the photo, something photographers had been done for years. Having eye AF certainly makes things better for video when shooting people and doing talking head videos as a solo creator. Prior to this you would need a person behind the camera to make sure the camera had the talent in focus all the time. KZbin spurred a lot of people to become creators, solo creators, which pushed the need for the eye AF technology. Certainly new shooters that didn't learn the techniques required for a photographer, saw the results of having the camera "focus for you", without you needing to move the focus point as a boon. Soon professional photographers saw the benefits as well however, if that failed you, you could fall back to single point focus and continue shooting. Image quality is of utmost importance and Nikon continues to perform there, so even without fantastic eye AF, people continued to shoot with Nikon. While things got better in the Z6 II for video, it wasn't as good as the competition and I like other creators sought out other brands to get the job done. The new generation of Expeed 7 based cameras have resolved this issues, I can vlog (thing is heavy though) with the Z8 and not worry about the camera losing focus. The Z6 III is going to make this easier and will bring more creators to Nikon. While we say the Z8 is a baby Z9, the Z6 III is the grown up brother to the Z8 and Z9, packing a number of their features plus, some of the new tech from the Zf that neither the Z8 or Z9 currently has. I plan on getting one to compliment my Z8.

[@Digmen1]

I did not go Zf as I wanted to wait for the Z6iii and I have a Nikon zfc (mint green) for my retro camera!

[@Telly26]

I was so tempted to get that in mint green. I wound up getting the Z fc with the 28mm SE lens kit. I do regret not getting the mint green. I could have later brought the 40mm SE (but at the time the 40 wasn’t yet made in retro form).

[@nethbt]

They already hit a winner with the ZF which I proudly own😊 I will eventually buy the Z6iii

[@visionz_n_media]

Nice video bro. I believe the ZF was aimed towards a specific audience. As a Fujifilm shooter, one of the biggest wants I’ve heard from others was to have that full frame retro vibe camera without paying Leica prices. That’s why I think the ZF did well. I’ve been shooting multiple brands since 2006 when I finally adopted Canon as a second brand to my Nikons. Since then, I shoot Nikon, Canon, Sony and Fujifilm. I have had the chance to see first hand how well each of these brands perform. With that said, I honestly have always preferred the image quality and workflow that I get from my Nikon and Fujifilm bodies for portraits. Canon and Sony have always performed the best in my use case for hybrid work and is the reason why I think so many content creators put them on a pedestal. As a photographer first, I know I can get the same shot with the same percentage of success no matter the brand, because I have used them all for so many years.

[@RyanTroy]

True. What all cameras do you own now bro?

[@visionz_n_media]

@@RyanTroy too many Nikon DSLRs to name Nikon Z5, Z6, Z8 Sony a6000, ZV-E10, ZV-E1, a7r2, a7r3 Fujifilm XT2, XH2 Canon DSLRs and I used to have the EOS R but got rid of it and probably gonna grab the R8 Olympus omd em10

[@jackstutts6439]

I've been shooting Nikon since the F3. Nikon is so familiar to me I don't want to leave it. My photography centers around wildlife, birds mostly. Currently I use the D500 with the 200-500 f5.6 lens. I had high hopes for the Z6iìi but was dissapointed by the sensor. 24 mp full frame is less resolution than the 21 mp dx sensor I have now. Not good for what I shoot. Give a weather sealed body with a 33 mp crop frame sensor, eye tracking auto focus, and ibis. I don't care about video or flippy screens. Just give me a mirrorless body that is a worthy successor to the D500. Nikon, are you listening?

[@tonyantoine5823]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! I still use my trusty D 750 and I’ve maintained great portraits over the years. Depending on your situation, 24 mp is more than enough. I’ve also been shooting Nikon for more than 30 years professionally. Technology is only as good as the photographer my friend.

[@dunksrnice]

Similar background. Started with the Nikon D40 to D90, D700, D800, D750 & now Z6II. Great hearing your history & story. Can’t wait for the Z6III. Feels like we’re up to times.

[@blackdiesel]

The D500 was Nikon's premier sports and wildlife camera. Most D500 users used the big primes for the dx crop. It cost $2k at the time of release and was near the top of Nikon's fastest cameras..

[@RyanTroy]

Sounds like some in body stabilization would be mandatory if they made the mirrorless version of it then right?

[@blackdiesel]

@@RyanTroy Of course. It was the DX version of the D5. So in today's line up it would be the dx version of the Z9.

[@artsilva]

I have a Z5 for strictly photography. I have the same idea as you for a Z5 II, build, form factor and Zf guts. I think it should be the one Photography heavy camera with minimal video specs since every other camera has great specs already, that will keep the costs down. 24MP is fine but since it would be Photo-centric I would like to see a 36MP sensor in the Z5 II, kind of like what the D800 and D810 was. It's a sweet spot resolution for all photography. Oh and maybe improve pixel-shift to have that High-Res option, take a page out of Olympus technology.

[@victorlim5077]

Great video, Ryan. My line of thinking is that Nikon needs to work on the DX line of cameras first. The current FX line is almost complete. Improve the Z50 (or launch even Z70) with newer partial stacked sensors.

[@PhilippeBOIS]

Z90 with new stacked sensor DX + light monobody Z9 and EVF of Z6III

[@MuphovieArts]

i wish 60mp and 16bit colours photo on the next z7iii. It would be game changer for studio portrait and landscape photo. Nikon can make it using the RED sensor.

[@RyanTroy]

I would love that

[@ekofotoz8260]

I got the ZF for the looks. I like vintage looking camera and I like shooting with manual lens. I would choose it over the Z6iii

[@JRodPhotoArt]

Well said Ryan. How cool would it be for Nikon to conduct a public relations information gathering system to help determine what the customers want in the next model of camera? Do you think Nikon is watching youtube? Maybe? Does Nikon follow the market to keep in business? Would be nice to know their plans or be involved. They have to keep making cameras or they will go out of business.

[@RyanTroy]

Nikon watches youtube and read comments. they have a whole marketing team that is dedicated to finding people on youtube to work with. that's how they found me. I do believe that they care about what their users think and i've seen a big shift in the last 2 years from the company. But since it is a business i understand that they cant give us everything all at once. they have to put their rollout on a schedule to keep them in the green every year. We are all watching them create a line of cameras for the future and once they do we can sit back and watch them get updates on a schedule that we grow to memorize.

[@sdhute]

Greetings from a fellow IT person. I’d love to see sigma make z mount lenses. Thinking about getting back into Nikon with another z5. I primarily shoot street and an occasional street portrait. However now wanting to do more portraits.

[@RyanTroy]

they do make lenses but only for DX cameras unfortunately

[@bobbullethalf]

I just love Nikon!

[@phillurkin8245]

Absolutely spot on, bro! I really hope it'll happen! Cheers

[@RyanTroy]

Me Too! Thank you!!

[@Vromiaris778]

I’m patiently waiting for a DX with the Expeed7 and IBIS - I have a lot of DX glass, and I mainly shoot travel & street, so I need that lighter weight and lighter cost (I am not a professional) - the D7500 was perfect in DSLR (D500 body was a bit too big), so I am hoping for a Z70 or something like that. I shoot Z50 and I cannot shoot action shots at all! I had a D5300 before and my keep rate in action shots was 10x higher than the Z50.

[@jbtubman]

I am in almost exactly the same situation as you; D5300, then D7500, and a pretty comprehensive selection of DX lenses. I don't have much hope that there will be anything like a Z500, so I've been looking hard at a Zf (I want Expeed 7 and IBIS). But I can't afford to replace all my glass at once, and the Zf's resolution in DX crop is only about 10 MP. Same story with the Z6III. Serious DX shooters are being neglected by Nikon.

[@airtyme]

How do you make that much a year off photography?

[@RyanTroy]

I do really good in my city.

[@airtyme]

@@RyanTroy weddings?

[@RyanTroy]

@@airtyme Most of my income comes around March-June with graduations but i do Beauty Photography and Portraits.

[@russellwright9961]

@@RyanTroyThanks for your insight on this because I was wondering the same, and actually $40K is my goal as I’m in the same boat as you, my full time job is in IT. Also as you stated, the bulk of my income is made in that March-June period shooting Seniors and Proms. I shoot weddings, but I haven’t been shooting as many as before COVID, but I do have some plans to improve that. What’s your advice for getting into Beauty Portraits?

[@RyanTroy]

@@russellwright9961 105 macro lens and shoot between f/ 8-11 I have a few videos on the channel of how I light it and it’s super simple.

[@stkuj]

Glad to see Nikon stepping up! I shoot Sony and will be trying the z6iii out.

[@JasonLorette]

I'd love to have a Z8, but after conversion and taxes in Canada that camera is $6200! As it is the Z6III will be $3900...that's rough enough, but I can't wait to get my hands on one. My Z6II went in a river last summer (tighten that tripod people!!)...and now I can only turn it on and off by putting in or taking out the battery (Nikon said it wasn't repairable, which is odd)...it works still but that is a pain in the butt (and works for how long?).

[@RyanTroy]

I am so sad watching everyone with there Nikon Z6 iii while im here with two Z8s

[@JasonLorette]

@@RyanTroy I wish dude, I wish. 💰😂

[@TEN21Portraits]

I need the Nikon Z5II to be full frame though. Not like the ZFC.

[@RyanTroy]

I was speaking more of the Z5ii having the guts of the ZF like how the Z50 has the internals of the ZFC

[@cbmilne]

Hi Ryan, I have a range of Nikon including D500, Z6, Z8 & Z9. I agree, a Z500 needs in body stabilisation and should really be a scaled down Z8 in my opinion as it was the D500 was a Pro range body. Price point here in Australia is interesting. Z6iii - $4500, Z8 - $7449 (current special $6429) & Z9 - $9899. It will be interesting to see just what happens with the Z7 range megapixel wise and also if a Z500 is made. Everyone used to think the sweet spot was 36mp. Perhaps we will see this again?

[@VIDEOVISTAVIEW2020]

The prices you mentioned are insane. Looks like you have a higher tax rate their in Australia even if you consider the exchange rate for the US dollar.

[@cbmilne]

@@VIDEOVISTAVIEW2020 Australia's tax rate is the 4th highest in the world with an average of 25%. The average tax rate for the developed world is 15.4%. Our government get rich and we struggle. Where I live the average price to rent a house is $850 per week.

[@VIDEOVISTAVIEW2020]

@@cbmilne singapore could have a better deal on cameras

[@hendrikmintarno]

maybe if they can produce Z7 mark 3 with partial stacked sensor like the latest Z6 (with 36mp resolution) can make the option much broader for Nikon video user.

[@johnw.3636]

I highly doubt the Z7III, if there is one, will go down in megapixels from 45. That wouldn't make any sense for Nikon to do. People just need to accept that.

[@johnpatricklim4509]

They also have to deal with the recent acquisition of RED....what are their plans with it....are RED going to have lenses with the F or Z mount....will RED's features be trickled down to the Nikon cameras or even the compressed RAW...are they going to licesed it to the other competitors....

[@RyanTroy]

i would love to see Reds Raw in a nikon camera

[@billhallsongs]

Wow Ryan what a great idea for Nikon to add in-body stalization for a Z vwersion of the D-500! It would enable ua to afford to use some faster/longwe older Nikon and third party lenses that do not have in lens stabllization without a tripod for wildlife (as long as we have an adapter for those older non Z mount lensea). Grear discussion! Thanks.

[@borlach321]

You make a good point, we are supposed to be photographers in the end.

[@Digmen1]

We are lucky as Nikon shooters that Nikon now has 3 of the top sellers. And I predict that the Z6iii will make it 4.

[@RyanTroy]

most definitely

[@OkwyUgonweze]

Am a nikon shooter but will tell you here that the canon R5 outsold every camera in its range.

[@Digmen1]

Later this year if Nikon trickle down the Z6iii technology to the Z5ii, they will have a killer range. And the combine parts into 2 or 3 models.

[@Scooter_123_abc]

Just something to ponder. At present the Z7 II is the lower price entry into a high resolution camera. Also consider that 46-50 mp is the sweet spot for what can be resolved by someone with 20/20 vision looking at an image display or print. Basically your eyesight is not good enough to see the difference between 46 and 60mp. The sole benefit for higher resolution is Crop Space. The weakness of the Z7 II is the AF system and that is a result of the Expeed 6 CPU's. The do not have enough processing power for good eye detect AF. So those AF improvements won't ever happen with a firmware update. All the Z7 really needs is an Expeed 7 CPU. That would allow all of the AF capabilities seen in the Zf and the Z50 II. It would also allow Nikon to continue to produce a low cost entry into the High Resolution camera. That alone could pull in a bunch of new users for Nikon.

[@RyanTroy]

Yeah that's a good point, the Z7 series has been held back by the older processors. Honestly I loved my Z7ii.. But after seeing they would probably never make a Z7iii and that the Z8 was going to be future i just went ahead and caved.

[@choobengteong]

Still waiting for the high end apsc from Nikon.

[@gaetanomaximus8650]

I also started with a D90, although a little earlier than you. Then a D7200. Now a Z6ii. They're all good. I'd LIKE a better camera, but I don't NEED one.

[@jakub.slovacek]

Hi Ryan, Great video. BTW i would love te see some love from Nikon in APS-C segmet as well. Are there any Nikon APS-C guys? Any news about Z50II or Z70 or Z90 or Z500? ... 5years since Z50 hit shelves of stores and still nothing 😅 Come on Nikon... Fuji Xh2s, Canon r7, Sony a6700... any ideas? ... it seems, that i will wait forever ⌛️⏳️⌛️⏳️⌛️⏳️ and also just a point to make... if you look at posts under Nikon z content videos, you see people commenting about APS-C successor or flagship. I think there is a market to APS-C Nikon bodies. They already have a perfect APS-C camera because... When people talk about what Nikon Z50 lacks, dual card, ibis, a little bigger body, which will grant you better ergonomics. All this is in Z5. Just release a new sensor (stackeh hopefully) and slap it in. Do not do anything else with it, and you have it!!! 😅😅 oh my. Why they already didn't do it? I relay do not know ... Nikon please. I use a6700 now but I miss my Z50 and Z30. It is just like Ryan said. We have Sigma and Viltrox now, we just need a better APS-C body. Hopefully nikon will read it 🙂 cheers guys 🫡

[@manilamartin1001]

I still love my z6ii but when I bought a sony a74 it was a new level of autofocus. I do love the z6ii still.

[@RyanTroy]

Have you tried the Z8?

[@manilamartin1001]

@@RyanTroy yes, It is pretty awesome but heavy for weddings. I am excited for a z6iii

[@Uisci81]

A still focused camera, 60mp, image stabilization, new xspeed 7, articulating screen like z8 for $2600 would sell out

[@ruff1draft]

I am looking forward to seeing what the Nikon Z5 Mark 2 looks like. But I do know that the Nikon Z7 Mark 3 will be out before the Nikon Z5 Mark 2

[@RyanTroy]

I hope so!

[@shadyninja1]

I have used Nikon since 2002 and it has always been about the Nikon colours since my coolpix2500, D3200, D3300, D500, and presently the Z6. After the careful thought I'll skip the Z6 iii and get the Z8.

[@abdallahg7506]

i am really want a good camera i was about to buy z5 but I really wanted better camera but I didn't want jump to z6 ii because price difference is too much for me so after searching if z5 ii it will be to best camera I could choose with my budget btw I didn't have any camera before but I know too much about cameras and taking photos I already studied it and take courses xD

[@Commonyou7149]

Z6iii is more of a video camera than hybrid, as per Nikon's release after zf. They should have given zf a 40MP and a tilt screen😊.

[@russellwright9961]

No, the Z6III is a hybrid camera, one of the best in its class actually, and that’s what I’ve been waiting for. The specs on the Z6III are top notch for photography and video. Some argue that the megapixels aren’t enough, but what else do you expect at its price point. I think Nikon is on its way to having the best hybrid cameras on the market!

[@Commonyou7149]

@@russellwright9961 Let it be, if nikon was planning Z6iii with 24MP only with those video specs, they should have given the zf a photography boost. Little more MP with this af is what make nikon balanced. Now they have lot of 24MP cameras at same level Z6ii, Z6iii, z5, zf.. around the same price range.

[@russellwright9961]

@@Commonyou7149 I’ve honestly have always trusted Nikon’s Engineers, they have sone of the best in the business and I just feel there’s a legitimate reason why they chose 24MP in the design; it could be overheating or just any number of potential issues. Yes you make the point of these cameras being in the same price range, but when you look close they meet different needs. The Zf is a niche camera for those who may like retro style cameras 📷 and manual focus lenses. Now the Z6III is at the top of that price range for a reason and at the moment there’s no other camera period in its class with its specs and features…

[@Jviotr]

I think I really just want a Z5II, but sadly, I don’t think we will see it until 2026 at the earliest. I also thought about a Zf, but I’m not interested in retro style / ergonomics, so no go. I just think cameras are getting too expensive for enthusiasts. I paid $1650 for the D750 w/ 24-120 in 2018, and $999 for Z5 in 2022. Spending $2500 on a camera for a hobby is hard for me to justify.

[@RyanTroy]

What do you think they release next

[@ekofotoz8260]

Good point

[@Jviotr]

Tough call. I think either a Z7III, but wouldn’t be surprised if we see a Z9II in the next 12 months. I think both will come out before a Z5II.

[@SKDREDKY]

Nikon pro DX camera just a simple and smart idea. Ive been shooting z50 for 3 years. And i like the IQ, but its getting kinda old. I want to continue using beautiful DX lenses i have, but Nikon literally have no better camera in the DX lineup. Why there are no new cameras sub 2000$ range? So i decided to switch to z7 and if z50ii finally comes it will be nice duo in my opinion.

[@alexl150]

If they come out with a premium Dx and it doesn't have at least 3/4 or more of the resolution of z7/8/9 then its not worth it IMO. Until you can't take an Fx picture and crop in 1.5 and still have a larger picture than a Dx it's not worth the loss of light from the Dx sensor. That being said, I'd love a 38MP+ Dx and a 45MP z7iii.

[@angeloplayforone]

First person that understand the target market of the Z7 III. It should be 60 Mpx image sensor target for photographers without flippy screen but up/down tilting screen. This camera competes with that Sony A7rV and Fuji GFX medium frame cameras that has high megapixel count.

[@jamesjackson4264]

I think it will have the floppy screen if produced. The reason being the z6/7 have always had the same body.

[@johnyoung1606]

I agree with nearly all of the things that You said :) :) :)

[@nicedward7544]

Is a z7iii confirmed? I almost feel like it will be stepping on the heels of the z8.. The only way i can figure them doing it is making it a more stills oriented camera with higher mp sensor and not have as great of af and video features as the z8... Which i hope they don't..i just want the z7ii with better af lol.

[@8Rames]

From Nikon D100 , D200,D300s D7100 D610 D750 Z6ii Now Z6 iii im still with Nikon....

[@TEN21Portraits]

Fuck it, global shutter Z7II lmao 60MP

[@russellwright9961]

Global shutter is coming, just nit sure which model Nikon will start with, but I do like the idea of the Z7III being a high MO camera…

[@LMoProVisualComm]

Imagine if the Z7iii became a MEDIUM FORMAT instead... That would be sick!!!

[@TheLocalredhead]

Don't tease me

[@LMoProVisualComm]

@@TheLocalredhead I be having dreams about that shí+🤦🏾‍♂️

[@marcusgrandon3640]

Z7ii = Z8. I don’t think a new Z7 is in the cards.

[@RyanTroy]

we will see

[@marcusgrandon3640]

@@RyanTroy I hope I'm wrong. I was holding out with my D810 unitl six months ago, when I just couldn't wait, so I moved to the mirrorless world with a Z8. And I'm I glad that I did! Of course, there is no other choice for a high megapixel Nikon at that weight and size. A smaller weight and 60 megapixel camera would be nice in a Z7iii. Historically, the 6's and 7's are released side-by-side and that didn't happen this time. Not that I like it. It's just what we have.

[@albertjimenez7896]

The Nikon Z7 III is widely anticipated as the next major release. It's certainly something to be excited about. However, I feel that a retro-style Nikon Z5 II with a flip screen costing about $1500 might attract a lot of new customers in their twenties, as Ryan Troy noted, not everyone can afford $4000 for a camera. Regardless of their recent triumphs, Nikon might gain immensely in this area. Now is the ideal moment for Nikon to involve younger people and guarantee long-term survival.

[@natureredux1957]

Sorry Troy, a $2500 24MP camera is NOT throwing the Kitchen Sink into a product. Yes, I get those that are going to love the Video features. I get those that are gong to love the improved EVF. But again, $2500 for a newly released 24MP FF camera ain't throwing the Kitchen sink in. Also, how can they not have proper RAW Pre Capture in 2024. How does this really compete within Nikon's own lineup with currently the price difference being $1000 between it and the 45MP Nikon Z8. So after the initial batch sell outs, then much more clarity will be shown on just how well this Camera is actually being received. Early good sales were expected given the disappointment of the z6/z6ii by comparison. But I am very interested to see how sales hold up. I am far more interested in a Proper Z500 using the same TECH as the Z6iii including the New EVF. Wayyyyy more interested in a proper Z500.

[@johnw.3636]

How can there not be RAW pre-capture in 2024? You say that as if it's existed for a decade. Nikon can do no right by people. Lol

[@HoLeeChit11]

24MP is ample. Why do people always go on about ultra high MP’s. Any idea what all those extra MP’s do to your computer? They eventually fry its brains. Joke 😄. But really, 24 is enough.

[@johnw.3636]

@@HoLeeChit11 Exactly!!! People are never satisfied. And most of the people complaining don't even really need the extra resolution for what they shoot. Lol

[@natureredux1957]

@@johnw.3636 So you exactly have NO idea what you are talking about. Even 45MP doesn't really work in Crop Mode. Only the Sony a7r Series with the latest 61MP gives one that 26MP Crop Mode Resolution. So basically any 24MP sensor is useless in that context. So essentially you are saying that you don't really shoot wildlife and or really always LIMIT yourself. LOL indeed.

[@natureredux1957]

@@HoLeeChit11 Enough for YOU is different then enough for anyone else. Why do people always want to go on and on about what they THINK what should be enough for everyone. I have ZERO problem with who it is enough for. But I do know that for a significant enough folks, it clearly isn't. Especially consider the PRICE.