Scribblings About Things
Nikon Z50II, Z5II, Z6III and Zf Firmware Updates Released
Nikon has released minor firmware updates for the Z50II, Z5II, Z6III and Zf.
The new firmware can be downloaded directly from their official pages listed below:
This is a minor firmware update which brings about some text changes for Nikon Imaging Cloud connection procedures.
The Z5II’s update also includes some minor changes to SnapBridge and the d13 custom menu item.
Nikon Z5II Hands-On Experience at Nikon Plaza
Earlier today I managed to try out the new Nikon Z5, which was announced last week (my writeup on the announcement here), at Nikon Plaza in Tokyo.
I made some very interesting observations, and also managed to get some confirmation regarding the specifications from the ground staff at the showroom.
Usually before the actual release date, the demo sets placed in the Nikon showroom usually have a strict policy of prohibiting bringing back the shooting data (be it RAW or JPG) as sometimes the sets are still based on pre-production firmware and they do not want such data to be floating around.
However the Z5II’s demo sets were all unrestricted so to speak - you could bring your own SD card and test it out with the camera, after which you could bring the shooting data back home. Hence I am quite certain the demo sets in the showroom now, even though it is before the official release date, are all on final firmware version (Ver 1.00 when I checked the camera settings).
So to start my little report, I think the Z5II is as what most people expect it to be: very simply put it is a Zf in a modern body.
It comes with the BSI 24.5MP sensor used in the Z6, Z6II, and Zf, and couples it with the EXPEED 7 so it gets all the new autofocus goodies as well as speed enhancements across the board. Compared to the Zf, the performance (autofocus and image quality) of the two bodies are very similar, if not identical, and most of the differences lie with the exterior hardware - the retro design Zf with all the dials, or the modern Z5II with more buttons and a good comfortable grip.
With that in mind, here are some of my observations:
The Z5II’s viewfinder can go really bright - manual settings can be set from -5 to +8, and extended to Hi 1 and Hi 2
Its firmware is practically identical to that of the Z50II, and also that of Zf’s firmware 2.00 - and yes that particular confusing menu item is also now properly labeled as “Record Camera Orientation”
The picture control button at the top is customizable (same as the Z50II)
The camera has put on a little weight since its EXPEED 6 days, but the grip is a bit beefier and more comfortable to hold.
The IBIS locks down in place (similar to the Z5/6/7/6II/7II) when powered off, unlike the Zf which floats around when powered off.
I mentioned in my Z5II’s announcement post here that I noticed how the length of the base was identical to that of the EXPEED 6 siblings, and was curious about whether the older accessories made for the EXPEED 6 bodies could work with it.
The Z-GR1 grip fits perfectly, and does not have any odd angles of protrusions of any sorts. I guess the reason its compatibility has not been officially announced is because of the VP1 extension - the Z-VP1 attaches without issue but will interfere with the full range of motion of the vari-angle screen. I guess there might be a Z-VP2 in the works? Nevertheless, I am really ecstatic that the Z-GR1 fits as I really like this grip.
The fit of the Z-GR1 means that most of the other baseplate accessories for the Z5/Z6/Z7/Z6II/Z7II should have no issues fitting since the base is the same size. However for L brackets, similar to the Z-VP1, do take note that the vari-angle screen may not get full movements when the vertical portion of the L brackets are attached. Just remember that anything not officially announced or supported do run a risk of slight incompatibility, so do test them out at your own risks.
The MB-N10 is a slightly different story - physically it fits, but since it is not officially supported I was not allowed to try to fit the MB-N10 into the demo sets in the showroom. I guess maybe one of the camera stores may be a bit more adventurous once they get their demo sets in….
Also regarding the other issues that I wanted to confirm,
The SD card slots are both UHS-II compliant. However I was not given actual write speeds capable of the camera - perhaps after the camera is released some of the memory card testers would be able to provide data on write speeds of the camera in single card mode and dual-card backup mode.
The sets in Japan are Japanese only, similar to that of the Z50II. However according to the staff there would be an optional paid service upgrade to add additional languages to the camera. While there is still no official word on this, I am definitely glad that this is an option since well, I definitely prefer to run through my settings in English than having to subconsciously translate everything.
I think this is a really highly competitive camera, especially in its price bracket, and in my short time spent with it I am quite confident that it could make a good replacement for my current Z6II workhorse.
Let me ponder over it a while more and decide during the upcoming lull period.
Nikon Z5II Announcement and Opinions
The Nikon Z5II has just been officially announced, and camera shops in Japan will begin to accept preorders for the camera from 10 April.
The official press release and specifications of the camera can be viewed here:
As I had expected and anticipated, the Z5II is pretty much a Z5 body updated with Zf internals (plus some nice surprises here and there).
Here is a brief summary of the major changes of the Z5II over the Z5:
24.5MP BSI sensor, ISO 100-64000, similar to that of the Zf
Expeed 7 CPU
Faster and more sensitive AF - claimed to be 3 times faster than the Z5 and being able to focus in -10 EV situations
Subject detection modes similar to that of the other Expeed 7 bodies
7.5 stops of IBIS
Up to 14 FPS RAW with mechanical shutter
3.2-inch 2.1 million dots flip screen, similar to that used in the Zf
3.69 million dots EVF, with improved 3000 cd/m2 brightness (similar to that of the Z8/Z9)
Picture control button (similar to that in the Z50II)
Video improvements include 12-bit N-RAW, FX 4K30p from 6K oversampled video, 4K60p in crop (DX) mode, up to 125minutes of continuous video recording
Some of the features of the Z5 are kept with the Z5II, for better or worse, namely:
Dual SD card slots (but does seem like both are UHS-II capable)
No top LCD panel
No mode dial lock
I think this model is an essential and very important part of Nikon’s Z lineup. On one hand it would be the entry level Expeed 7 FX body, thus attracting new users to the ecosystem with a sleuth of features is a key point in securing these new purchases. On the other hand, for many users (like me) who do not need the high frame rates or video specs, this is essentially the perfect Z6II replacement (although I am a bit sad with the lack of top screen though).
So far on paper it is very much what I expected it to be, and am looking forward to testing it out in the showroom before making a decision to pre-order or not (because you know, the Z8 strap lug fiasco..)
Here are some things that I cannot confirm now, and am planning to check them out when I get to test the camera:
According to the specs sheet, the base length is identical to that of the Z5 (and Z6/Z7/Z6II/Z7II) - and it lists both the MB-N11 and MB-N14 as compatible accessories. Does this mean that the Z-GR1 is a perfect fit for it too? (P.S. it does not fit the Z6III perfectly due to a change in length of the base plate)
Is the set in Japan available in Japanese language only (like the Z50II) or does it have English menus too?
How customizable are the buttons? (Z50II level of customization or the slightly crippled Z6III level?)
Are both SD card slots able to write at full UHS-II speeds?
Weather sealing and weather resistance information [Update: Just checked the press material again and seems like it is properly weather sealed]
I am definitely stoked that for now this sounds like a perfect replacement for my Z6II workhorse (minus the top screen, yeah I know I sound like a broken record), especially so if the Z-GR1 is able to fit it perfectly.
And also I guess I need to reconsider my little APS-C plan too.