NIKON CAMERAS- Which camera will you be most interested in? - Read the description before voting pls.

[thelordofthelight]

Edited the thread title!

That would be unfortunate if true. I like the folks here and the general vibe, and the forum guidelines say this subforum, general photo discussion, is for all cameras. If a topic title says Nikon I can ignore it, but if it doesn't say anything I assume it is for all.

 

[John Navitsky]

the funny thing is the most votes are for what is least likely for nikon to produce.

 

[flashpixx]

I don’t think it is more so Nikon now than it was in the beginning. When I joined the forum, not long after it was founded, I wasn’t shooting Nikon and it was heavily Nikon biased then. I’d say it is a bit less Nikon centric now but it does seem to be only because some of the previous Nikon shooters switched to Sony. Right now Nikon has no bodies other than the Z9 that are competitive so we are seeing more posts with wish lists or expressing frustrations. For about a year after the A1 was released we had posts with how amazing it was and why everyone should switch. It just goes in phases. Canon posts have been oddly absent and I have always wondered where the Canon shooters are.

This site owner doesnt shoot Canon

 

[JustinGriggs]

Honestly none of those sound particularly appealing given that I have the Z9, and in my magical Z8 I'd be looking at something kinda revolutionary high MP like the D800 was. My dream specs would be 60-80 MP, 16-bit raws, maybe even a base ISO of 32 to really leverage the dynamic range and colors. Basically a portrait/product/landscape beast. At that point though I might as well just go buy a Hasselblad

 

[Craig Yuill]

Well, I really like my D500, so a Z500 appeals to me in principle. A Z6III with 32MP sensor appeals to me as well. But It will be a while before I can afford such a purchase, should either camera be released as described.

 

[Griffym]

Only Nikon knows what their extensive market research says and what their long term strategy is. I have enough camera bodies.
I don’t need 60 mp , some people probably do, others think it needs to match what Sony or Canon have done.
Nikon needs a D500 replacement DX semi-pro 12 Fps, deep buffer, good autofocus, 3d tracking, good 4K video. Good entry price and battery grip availability.
Nikon also needs a highly competitive mid range set of cameras to do what the D850 did for DSLRS in mirrorless.

The Z9Sis at least 3 years away.

 

[thelordofthelight]

I think so too..most of the folks want a Z9 in a smaller form factor whereas Nikon will most likely release an A7R5 competitor. If that happens I'm not sure if there'll be enough gap between the Z7III and the Z8. Two similar cameras one with 45mp and the other with 60/80mp.

What will be interesting though is if Nikon can really make some meaningful changes to the Z6iii/Z7iii to match or exceed the performance of canon R5/R6, in which case we may have a true D850 equivalent in the Z mount.

the funny thing is the most votes are for what is least likely for nikon to produce.

 

[John Navitsky]

What will be interesting though is if Nikon can really make some meaningful changes to the Z6iii/Z7iii to match or exceed the performance of canon R5/R6, in which case we may have a true D850 equivalent in the Z mount.

i think they will. i think adding the new processor and sw to the z6 and z7 will make them very competitive with the canon and sony offerings in that segment

 

[Griffym]

John. [ most votes are for what is least likely for nikon to produce]

The established tradition (which will also be honoured this time) is:

• If they release the widely predicted thing - the trolls immediately announce Nikon is doomed because they are not being ‘innovative’
• If they announce something unexpected - the trolls announce it is not what anyone needs or wants. They then focus on all or any points of difference. E.G. One card slot*, too heavy, too big, too small to grip with big hands, non- floppy screen, a buffer which is too small, not a good enough focus system, not enough fps …etc.

* Of course you need 2 card slots if you use SD card slots. Cf Exp/ XQD - nup!

 

[fcotterill]

Only Nikon knows what their extensive market research says and what their long term strategy is.

1. This is the one factor we can have confidence in. We can also have some confidence in the clear intentions stated in their April 2022 Investor Report

I have enough camera bodies.
I don’t need 60 mp , some people probably do, others think it needs to match what Sony or Canon have done.

2.Nikon will have had to initiate development / fine-tuning of such a sensor approx 2-3 years previously to release of such a camera. It's more likely Nikon will build such a camera on the existing 45mp Z9 stacked sensor. This will sell more of the latter and the tech entailed in the Z9 autofocus, data-processing etc

Nikon needs a D500 replacement DX semi-pro 12 Fps, deep buffer, good autofocus, 3d tracking, good 4K video. Good entry price and battery grip availability.

3. Such a camera should sell even more telephotos. However, the previous discussions of this Z90 invoke at least 2 factors: 1. the 200-600 replacing the 200-500 f5.6E, and 2. A DX stacked sensor will be a prerequisite to support the advanced features in the Z9 AF. A DX "Z90" should easily manage 20fps RAW, if not 30 fps, and use the Z9 dual data-path processing system, Z9 EVF: enabled with EXPEED7.

Nikon also needs a highly competitive mid range set of cameras to do what the D850 did for DSLRS in mirrorless.

4. see 2. above. Harder to justify more than 1 mid range MILC in the current market unless they have the additional stacked sensor. The Z9 AF has set a high bar, which a BSI Z6 or Z7 type sensor will struggle to support, even with EXPEED7.

5. Another important factor is the Z9 also kicked off what appears to be a fundamental change Nikon's in camera design - to part ways with the mechanical shutter. Will this become a trend as Nikon deploys Z9 level features "across the lineup of its Pro/Hobbysists" MILCs?

6. Nikon has a history of springing surprises.

The Z9Sis at least 3 years away.

7. Based on previous cameras, Nikon could release a Z9s next year, if they keep the same sensor + EXPEED7. Change layout of a couple of buttons perhaps [card cover ? ]? However, it's hard to suggest what significant updates are possible without changes to the sensor and dual data-path processing system... e.g. if they to increase RAW frame rates, for example.
The Buffer is probably the most logical and feasible feature to upgrade.

You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.

 

[Griffym]

Thanks for the response. I still own a D500. There is definitely plenty of potential demand for such a body. BTW I have never bought a DX lens for the D500. I just use my full frame telephotos on it.

Like you I am keen to see the 200-600 but it will need to have performance close to the 100-400.

There are so many issues for Nikon to work out. A lot does depend on supply and what sensors are available in quantity.

 

[jeffnles1]

I don’t think it is more so Nikon now than it was in the beginning. When I joined the forum, not long after it was founded, I wasn’t shooting Nikon and it was heavily Nikon biased then. I’d say it is a bit less Nikon centric now but it does seem to be only because some of the previous Nikon shooters switched to Sony. Right now Nikon has no bodies other than the Z9 that are competitive so we are seeing more posts with wish lists or expressing frustrations. For about a year after the A1 was released we had posts with how amazing it was and why everyone should switch. It just goes in phases. Canon posts have been oddly absent and I have always wondered where the Canon shooters are.

I was ready yesterday to plunk down cash on a Canon system. I'm finally ready to take the mirrorless plunge (guess one could say I'm not an early adopter). I saw the rumors of the potential that something may be perhaps announced in sometime in March or maybe earlier or maybe later by Nikon. Given the track record I'm not holding my breath but I can wait another month. However, the R7, 100-500, 24-105, and 100mm Macro Canon setup sure does make a compelling argument.

Before springtime is over, we may have one more Canon shooter in this group.

Jeff

 

[abc123brian]

I was ready yesterday to plunk down cash on a Canon system. I'm finally ready to take the mirrorless plunge (guess one could say I'm not an early adopter). I saw the rumors of the potential that something may be perhaps announced in sometime in March or maybe earlier or maybe later by Nikon. Given the track record I'm not holding my breath but I can wait another month. However, the R7, 100-500, 24-105, and 100mm Macro Canon setup sure does make a compelling argument.

Before springtime is over, we may have one more Canon shooter in this group.

Jeff

I actually considered switching back to Canon multiple times because of the R5 but I like the lenses Nikon offers better. Canon has nice lenses, and some are really small for what they are which is interesting, I just don’t like the smaller apertures of the cheaper options. Nikon’s missing competitive entry/mid range bodies and the 200-600 or other cheaper super telephoto options is frustrating. I think I could get along with the kit you mentioned, but I would swap the R7 for the R5.

 

[Ad Astra]

Don't mind as long as it is shutterless. Game changer for me is the Z9 has no shutter, Silence is golden, I think hides need a silent shutter free zones, like quiet carriages on trains.

 

[thelordofthelight]

Processor and AF algorithms, for sure and that's the bare minimum but the biggest qn is the sensor...the existing BSI sensors on the Z6/7 models are too slow for photographing action. That's where canon R5 and R6 are unique compared to even Sony. These 2 cameras have decent enough sensor scan speeds to make them usable to photograph action for anything other than extreme fast action like humming birds.

i think they will. i think adding the new processor and sw to the z6 and z7 will make them very competitive with the canon and sony offerings in that segment

 

[John Navitsky]

Processor and AF algorithms, for sure and that's the bare minimum but the biggest qn is the sensor...the existing BSI sensors on the Z6/7 models are too slow for photographing action. That's where canon R5 and R6 are unique compared to even Sony. These 2 cameras have decent enough sensor scan speeds to make them usable to photograph action for anything other than extreme fast action like humming birds.

i assume you mean.. with electronic shutter. they should work just fine with manual shutter i'd think

 

[thelordofthelight]

i assume you mean.. with electronic shutter. they should work just fine with manual shutter i'd think

Yes i meant electronic shutter. It is highly unlikely for these cameras to have a higher FPS in mechanical shutter. So, a decent sensor scan speed coupled with a better EVF implementation of slide show when shooting in continuous high will be crucial. The latter is a must for both mechanical and electronic shutter.

 

[RichF]

For my wife, 24 MP version of D9 with Z6 size body (#5)
For me, smaller version of D9 but really I want a Z9 with (1) 30 FPS Raw and (2) precapture all all FPS in raw.

 

[RichF]

It is one of the things that is more important to some than others. I rarely needed to go to a second battery on my Z7/Z7ii so it isn’t a big deal for me, but the extra size and weight of the Z9 makes it more of a hassle to carry/pack in situations.

Packing and carrying - agree. Holding and vertical grip, I prefer the size of the Z9. Thus I put up with size. Lack of vertical shutter button is a deal breaker for me. May be in the minority ..

 

[thelordofthelight]

For my wife, 24 MP version of D9 with Z6 size body (#5)
For me, smaller version of D9 but really I want a Z9 with (1) 30 FPS Raw and (2) precapture all all FPS in raw.

Both the features you wish on the Z9 should be doable with a firmware update is what I feel. At least in one of those HE formats. Hopefully Nikon will implement it in an upcoming fw update and that's something I'd be willing to even pay to upgrade. However, if they're already planning on a Z9 future update say 1 or 2 years from now, then they'll most likely not offer those features and rather save it for the next iteration.

 

[raptor photo]

How much would a potential Z8 cost? I just want something like a Z7iii with 45 mp but better than D850 AF and speed, with a much better viewfinder/no slideshow mode. I voted the Z8 option because it was closest to this.

 

[RichF]

Both the features you wish on the Z9 should be doable with a firmware update is what I feel. At least in one of those HE formats. Hopefully Nikon will implement it in an upcoming fw update and that's something I'd be willing to even pay to upgrade. However, if they're already planning on a Z9 future update say 1 or 2 years from now, then they'll most likely not offer those features and rather save it for the next iteration.

I have often wondered if there could be an opportunity for camera companies to offer paid software upgrades. The costs might be too high (handling and return shipping) plus the ill will and complication for firmware updates could put be the death knoll for this idea

 

[abc123brian]

I have often wondered if there could be an opportunity for camera companies to offer paid software upgrades. The costs might be too high (handling and return shipping) plus the ill will and complication for firmware updates could put be the death knoll for this idea

The issue I see is continuing support. If they need to add support of a lens or fix a bug, they would then need to test each version of the firmware to ensure there is no issues. While code could be copied and pasted or inserted from source control, you cannot guarantee that it will work without potential issues without testing. Would there be enough value in what they could charge for the effort it would involve and how would the end users perceive such a method?

 

[abc123brian]

Packing and carrying - agree. Holding and vertical grip, I prefer the size of the Z9. Thus I put up with size. Lack of vertical shutter button is a deal breaker for me. May be in the minority ..

It’s certainly an area of personal preference. Because I cannot leave the switch on for the vertical grip without inadvertently pressing the shutter button on it with the edge of my hand, I find it faster and easier to just use the camera like doesn't have the grip instead of turning the switch on for the grip controls when I rotate the camera.

 

[thelordofthelight]

If the Z8 happens to be a Z9 without grip, it's going to be tough for Nikon to price it right. On one hand people will expect it to be cheaper than the Z9 and on the other hand, Nikon already made the Z9 prices competitive compared to Sony A1 and Canon R3. I'd expect it to be about USD 500 cheaper than the Z9.

How much would a potential Z8 cost? I just want something like a Z7iii with 45 mp but better than D850 AF and speed, with a much better viewfinder/no slideshow mode. I voted the Z8 option because it was closest to this.