Professional and amateur Nikon users are probably at their happiest these days. Nikon has released some impressive models over the last two years and added some incredible features every few months via firmware updates. This year, they’ve announced the Nikon Z6III, which, by all means, performs like a mini Z8. But if some recent reports turn out to be true, it seems like they have more surprises coming up soon.
We’ve often opined that the Nikon Z6 and Z7 series of cameras felt like Nikon was testing the mirrorless waters. The performance on the Z6 II and Z7 II cameras felt more like improvements that could have been achieved with firmware updates. But when the Nikon Z9 was released, it grabbed our attention. With each subsequent major firmware release, it felt like Nikon was giving us a brand-new model instead.
When the Nikon Z8 was released, it felt just like a battery grip-less version of the Z9, with only a few shortcomings compared to its elder sibling. These two cameras were the absolute best models for professional users of Nikon cameras. With the Z6 III launched a few weeks ago, amateur and prosumer users have what’s arguably a 24-megapixel version of the Z8 in many respects. You’d think that Nikon could sit back and relax for a while, given the 10-plus camera lineup they have in the mirrorless segment. But Nikonrumors reports that we could be seeing some more cameras coming up from them in the near future. We take a look at what those models could turn out to be.
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The Nikon Z7 III
This would be the most obvious guess for the next Nikon camera, but I really wonder if there’s any reason to introduce the third iteration of the Nikon Z7 series. The Z6 III was necessary as it introduced a slightly better grip, the Expeed 7 processor, and a partially stacked sensor to the Z6 series. However, doesn’t the Z8 already do whatever a 45-megapixel Z7 III could really be needed for? Is there a need for updating the Z7 series of cameras anymore, considering the Z8 is already a strong performer in the smaller body, high resolution category?
A Faster, Lower Resolution Version Of The Z9
We reported on this earlier this year, and with the Olympics just around the corner, we might see a new model of the Z9 being tested by sports photographers there. But this one could just be at half the resolution, theoretically enabling twice the output at twice the speed. Considering Nikon’s history of releasing variant models like the D1, D1x, and D1h, it’s plausible to envision a similar variant of the Z9. By maintaining the existing processor and hardware but reducing the sensor resolution by half, Nikon could effectively double the processing capabilities. This adjustment could enable the Z9s(?) to achieve an impressive 60fps or more in full-size RAW and JPEG formats. Imagine the potential of reaching 240fps in a lower-resolution JPEG mode, doubling the current 120fps at 11 megapixels.
A Rangefinder Style Z Camera
Look at what Panasonic did with the Lumix S9. Even if you aren’t a Lumix user, you’re still sure to find this camera among the most attractive models you’ve seen in recent years. Nikon should just get on this trend, too, and release a mirrorless rangefinder-style model. If they’d style it like their S2 35mm camera from yesteryear, I’d be one of the first to sign up on the pre-order list. But they’d certainly need to release more vintage-looking lenses to pair with it.
I wouldn’t blame them if they made it a fixed-lens compact camera to give the Fuji X100s series some competition. Nikon has had a patent for such a camera for at least a couple of years now. As long as Nikon doesn’t cripple any potential rangefinder by doing things like excluding video functionality, they could have a winner on their hands if they try this new digital design.
The Nikon D7
A couple of years ago, Nikon had to come out and issue a press statement to say it wasn’t abandoning the manufacture of DSLRs. It did this when a certain publication flirted with rumors of the discontinuation of Nikon’s DSLR manufacturing. While no new Nikon DSLRs have appeared to be released since then, is it a possibility that one of the two reported upcoming cameras by NikonRumors could be a DSLR? I’d personally say there’s a very slim chance of this happening, given the breakneck speed with which Nikon is releasing firmware updates and new cameras in its mirrorless lineup. Still, there’s a chance they might issue one final flagship DSLR, similar to what they did with the Nikon F6. If that should be the case, I wonder what the Nikon D7 could do in terms of features. The last thing they’d want is for it to deter more experienced pros from switching to the Z8 or Z9.
Whatever we might see from them next, it’s pretty clear that Nikon isn’t being the slowpoke it was not so long ago. That sort of attitude also keeps the industry competition healthy, and it certainly keeps Nikon fans and users like me interested in what’s coming up from them.