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Features

Did Nikon Drop the Ball By Giving the Nikon Z7 and Nikon Z6 a Single XQD Slot?

Chris Gampat
No Comments
08/27/2018
3 Mins read
Nikon Mirrorless D5

Last Updated on 08/27/2018 by Mark Beckenbach

The single XQD card slot on the Nikon Z6 and the Nikon Z7 have been a hotly contested point of conversation for days now.

Before anyone thinks all I’m trying to do is be a Sony Champion or just sling some mud, please hear me out and know that I don’t think that Nikon’s decision could be all that awful of an idea. “Really?” you say?! Yes, although Sony themselves eventually gave up on the Memory Stick Duo format that was pretty awful, the better part of me likes to think Nikon and consumers who actually purchase the cameras are going to approach this situation in a much different way.

Editor’s Note: Some of this may be taken as a hard dose of the #truth.

You’ll Stop Using the SD Card Slot on Your Computer and Use the USB Cable Instead

So why would photographers complain about using a new card format? Well, they probably spent a lot of money on all the cards they have already. That and if you’re like me, you only buy computing devices that have SD card slots in them. Otherwise, they’re a waste of time. But years ago when I went from SD card cameras to CF format cameras (and now SD again) I ended up using the USB cable or a card reader when I needed to. It was an expense, specifically a business expense, you write off as technology on your taxes.

In the long run, was it useless? Yes. But in the short term it’s what I needed and I’ll never regret it. You’ll do the same thing if you go for the Nikon Z7 or the Nikon Z6.

The Card Will Probably Never Leave the Camera

You’ll put the card into the camera, you’ll use the cable, and that will be the end of it. You’ll never see or think about the card again the way so many photographers do. Why? Again, you’ll use the USB cable. If not, then pretty much every modern computer will have USB ports for you to connect a card reader. That’s it.

Nikon Will Work with Retailers to Create Bundle Packs with Cards

Knowing how savvy Nikon can be with rebates and such, they’re bound to work with retailers on bundle deals. You know: buy the camera then get a tripod, a bag, a UV filter that you’re never going to use, a memory card or two, and maybe something else. All these retailers have house brands where they try to push their own products. Those are the ones you’ll get.

But Why No Dual Slots?

This perhaps is the biggest question. The reason why Nikon didn’t put Dual slots into the cameras is a baffling one. They’re larger than Sony’s cameras and even Fujifilm’s. Why no two XQD or XQD and SD? Granted, I’ve never had a memory card fail on me while doing a job that I haven’t been able to recover the data from. But I guess all that means is that, well, photographers will need to look into data recovery! In fact, I think everyone should have some sort of solution to begin with, especially if you’re doing this professionally or even semi-professionally.

Lastly: This Camera Series Is to Win Back and Keep Their Own Customers

Yes, it’s true. They’re trying to keep their current customers happy who have cameras with XQD slots.

camera dual slots dual spots memory card nikon nikon z6 nikon z7 SD card slot usb XQD
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Chris Gampat

Chris Gampat is the Editor in Chief, Founder, and Publisher of the Phoblographer. He provides oversight to all of the daily tasks, including editorial, administrative, and advertising work. Chris's editorial work includes not only editing and scheduling articles but also writing them himself. He's the author of various product guides, educational pieces, product reviews, and interviews with photographers. He's fascinated by how photographers create, considering the fact that he's legally blind./ HIGHLIGHTS: Chris used to work in Men's lifestyle and tech. He's a veteran technology writer, editor, and reviewer with more than 15 years experience. He's also a Photographer that has had his share of bylines and viral projects like "Secret Order of the Slice." PAST BYLINES: Gear Patrol, PC Mag, Geek.com, Digital Photo Pro, Resource Magazine, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Finance, IGN, PDN, and others. EXPERIENCE: Chris Gampat began working in tech and art journalism both in 2008. He started at PCMag, Magnum Photos, and Geek.com. He founded the Phoblographer in 2009 after working at places like PDN and Photography Bay. He left his day job as the Social Media Content Developer at B&H Photo in the early 2010s. Since then, he's evolved as a publisher using AI ethically, coming up with ethical ways to bring in affiliate income, and preaching the word of diversity in the photo industry. His background and work has spread to non-profits like American Photographic Arts where he's done work to get photographers various benefits. His skills are in SEO, app development, content planning, ethics management, photography, Wordpress, and other things. EDUCATION: Chris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University with a degree in Communications in Journalism in 2009. Since then, he's learned and adapted to various things in the fields of social media, SEO, app development, e-commerce development, HTML, etc. FAVORITE SUBJECT TO PHOTOGRAPH: Chris enjoys creating conceptual work that makes people stare at his photos. But he doesn't get to do much of this because of the high demand of photography content. / BEST PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Don't do it in post-production when you can do it in-camera.
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