GEAR
NIKONZ 7 TEST
THE VERDICT
HOW IT RATES Features: 9 It has the lot – from image stabilisation to 10-bit Log, apart from4K 60p. Performance: 8 Great footage at all ISO settings and incredible autofocus in stills and video Handling: 8 The EVF blackout is a bit of an issue but it handles as well as any mirrorless camera Value formoney: 8 It costs a similar amount to a D850 or a Sony A7R III, but the lenses aremore pricey at launch OVERALL RATING: 8/10 A great debut full-frame mirrorless camera with amazing video AF and image quality Pros: Video AF, 10-bit external output Cons: Lack of lens choice, rolling shutter in 4K
Nikon’s first full-frame mirrorless camera is compact, has great image quality, AF and shooting speed, in-camera stabilisation, and it handles well. But the Z 7 is obviously Nikon’s first attempt at a mirrorless body, and there are teething troubles, mainly viewfinder blackout in continuous stills shooting and the rolling shutter in 4K full- frame video. The range of new lenses is limited at present, but they’re high quality and it bodes well for the future. For now you’ll be using your older glass, which might not get the best from the system in quality or handling. The camera certainly improves on many aspects of the D850, and for video shooters it has 10-bit output with Log, image stabilisation and fantastic autofocus. The price compares well with similar full-frame competition like the Sony A7R III. Finally, a realistic choice for full-frame mirrorless fans.
there is a small jump in quality, but only beyond 800 ISO and with close examination. Dynamic range seemed identical when comparing shots, as did exposure latitude. For stills, it’s really just a minor bump in image quality rather than a generational leap. For video, the camera records 4K from the whole width of the sensor, or from a Super35-size crop. With so many pixels on the sensor, the full-frame footage has to remove some of the information to get down to 4K size and therefore can struggle at higher ISO settings, and there is some rolling shutter. In Super35, the image is using all the pixels and oversampling, and rolling shutter is virtually eliminated. The camera records 100Mbps H.264 8-bit internally but 10- bit 4:2:2 in N-log over HDMI for maximum quality and dynamic range. There’s also a view assist function so you can see a corrected version of the images rather than the flatter Log footage. To make it a more useable video camera, there is focus peaking and highlight warnings, and it can record timecode. But the ace is its video AF, which does not have quite as many advanced options as it does for stills but is phase-detect – a far better option than older contrast- detect systems, and it also works with lenses via the Nikon FTZ adapter. It works very well, right up there with the latest Sony and Canon systems, meaning it’s actually useable for video in many circumstances. The video AF itself is the reason for any D850 users to make the swap to the Z 7. Another big advancement is the use of in-body five-axis vibration reduction. Add to the mix the 10-bit output, and it’s by far the best Nikon ever for video users.
ABOVE Fewer buttons means controls need to be mapped to the main function buttons or the on-screen menu.
More information
BELOW The Z 7 has face detection – but no eye detection...
www.nikon.co.uk
“Tomake it a more useable video camera, there is focus peaking and highlight warnings”
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WINTER 2018 PRO MOVIEMAKER
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