Although Newsshooter might’ve been the first to see Nikon’s Eye AF in action at this year’s CP+ 2019, DPReview actually took along a Sony A7RIII with them to see how well Nikon’s new Eye AF, coming in a firmware update for the Nikon Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras, really compares side-by-side. At least under the environmental conditions set by Nikon on their stand.
Take a first look at Nikon’s upcoming Z6 & Z7 Eye AF
Officially, the new Z6 & Z7 firmware is still under development, although it’s scheduled for release in May. Amongst various fixes, several new features are being added to both cameras, including the addition of Eye AF. The folks at Newsshooter got a chance to have a brief play with the new firmware in its current state and speak to one of the Nikon reps about the feature during CP+ 2019.
12-Bit raw video is coming to the Z6 & Z7 and Nikon DSLRs to get CFexpress support
First teased last month at CES with the launch of the Nikon Z6 Filmmaker kit, Nikon has now officially announced that new firmware updates are coming for the Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z7 mirrorless cameras. One of the things this firmware update will introduce is RAW output via HDMI. Atomos has also now announced that the Atomos Ninja V will be able to record the 12-bit output to Apple ProRes Raw.
Another update mentioned before was that the Z6 and Z7 would also be getting CFexpress support. Well, Nikon has also now confirmed that their DSLRs containing XQD memory card slots (the Nikon D5, D850 and D500) will also receive CFexpress support in a new firmware update.
Nikon is offering up to $400 discount to convince you to go mirrorless with a Z6 or Z7
If you have planned to switch to Nikon Z mirrorless system, perhaps now is a good time. Nikon has launched a trade-in program which offers discounts on Z6 and Z7 cameras if you hand over your working DLSR or mirrorless. And on top of your old camera’s value, you will get up to $400 additional discount.
Tamron confirms Nikon Z6 compatibility with six of their Di & Di II lenses
Tamron has updated their list of Di and DI II series lenses confirmed to work with the Nikon Z6 and Z7 cameras. The firmware updates, which started to come in November 2018 had only been tested with the Nikon Z7 at the time, and Z6 compatibility was more of a “well, it should work” sort of thing.
Now, though, Tamron has tested and confirmed that the following six F mount lenses will work with the Nikon Z6 when used with the Nikon FTZ mount adapter if they’re running the latest firmware.
Nikon Z mirrorless cameras to get Eye AF, RAW video, and CFexpress support
So, it looks like the new Z mount 14-30mm f/4 S lens isn’t the only thing coming out of CES from Nikon today. They’ve also announced that three new pretty major features are coming to Nikon’s Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras in a new firmware update. And they’ve announced a filmmaker’s kit to take advantage of one of those features.
Which of these features is the biggest will depend mostly on what you use the camera for. For photographers, you’re getting Eye AF. For filmmakers, The Nikon Z6 and Z7 will soon be able to output ProRes RAW video when recorded externally to the Atomos Ninja V. Finally, Nikon is the first manufacturer to announce future support for the new CFexpress cards.
Nikon launches ultra-wide 14-30mm f/4 lens for Z series
At CES 2019 in Las Vegas, Nikon announced that Z series of lenses is going wide: NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S is the latest addition to the Z family. It’s not only the first ultra-wide lens for the Z system but also the world’s first ultra-wide full-frame lens that lets you attach filters on the front.
The first affordable third-party lenses for Nikon and Canon mirrorless cameras are now available
Last month, Chinese company KIPON announced the first line of third-party lenses for Canon EOS R and Nikon Z cameras. ELEGANT, a line-up of five prime lenses for both Nikon and Canon, is now available for ordering in case you want to treat your full-frame mirrorless camera with a new lens.
We’ve been writing it wrong. It’s “Z 6” and “Z 7” not Z6 and Z7, says Nikon
Sometimes, branding or naming products doesn’t always go as a company intends. They call it one thing, they want us to call it that thing, but then the general public calls it something else. Apparently, Nikon’s two new mirrorless cameras are a case of this.
According to Nikon, they’re not the Nikon Z6 and Z7, they’re the “Z 6” and “Z 7”. The space is, apparently, important, although the world doesn’t seem to care – or have noticed.
Kipon is releasing the first third-party lenses for Nikon Z and Canon R systems
Canon EOS R and Nikon Z are getting the first third-party lenses. Chinese company Kipon is releasing ELEGANT, a line-up of five prime lenses for both Nikon’s and Canon’s full-frame mirrorless cameras.
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