Nikon Z7 II
Announced October 14, 2020
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Nikon Z7 II is a highly capable full-frame mirrorless camera that offers excellent image quality and a robust, weather-sealed build. While it provides meaningful refinements like dual card slots and improved autofocus over its predecessor, it remains a modest update that faces stiff competition from more advanced rival systems.
Weighted from 36 reviewer scores
Pros
- Flexible dual card slots and improved buffer performance
- Exceptional image quality and dynamic range with a 45MP sensor
- Effective in-body image stabilization
- Reliable, weather-sealed build quality with comfortable ergonomics
- Versatile video features including 4K 60p recording
Cons
- Autofocus tracking and subject detection trail behind top-tier rivals
- Limited screen articulation compared to fully tilting designs
- Video limitations including a crop at 4K 60p and reliance on external recording
- Modest iterative update with minor ergonomic or interface quirks
- Electronic viewfinder resolution is lower than competing models
- Launch price $2,999.95 (USD)
- Sensor 45.7MP Full-Frame CMOS
- Video 4K 59.94p
- Stabilization In-body IS, 5 stops (CIPA)
- Burst 10 fps mechanical
What the Reviewers Say
All 36 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 9.5/10
The Nikon Z7 II is truly one of the best full-frame mirrorless systems currently on the market.
- DPReview 89/100
It offers superb image quality, solid autofocus and good video specs. But it's only really its slightly lower price that makes it stand out from a very competitive group.
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The Nikon Z7 II is Nikon’s latest high-resolution full-frame mirrorless camera, and after spending considerable hands-on time with it, it’s clear that it’s another great camera from Nikon.
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Nikon could have taken the already very good Z7 and given us a meaningless boost in megapixels, but they instead focused on fixes that actually improve the usability of this camera.
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It feels like yesterday that Nikon entered the full-frame mirrorless market with the Z6 and Z7, but it is over six years ago.
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Ultimately I’ve been far more captivated by what the Z7 II can do for me, than what it can’t. And in the 10 months I’ve been shooting with it, its benefits have vastly outweighed any small gripes.
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The Nikon Z7 II is one of the best all-around full-frame mirrorless cameras on the market today, whether you’re a photographer, or you’re a photo+video type creator. It really is an excellent choice for almost every type of photography!
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The Z7II is absolutely going to show off the S lenses.
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The Nikon Z7 II may seem like a "subtle" update to the original Z 7, but it's offering a range of updates that make this camera an excellent all-round package.
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The “problem” Nikon has is that the original Z7 was so good, that while the new Z7 II is also excellent, it’s not a huge leap forward from its predecessor.
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If you’re looking for a highly capable full-frame camera perfect for capturing both images and video, the Nikon Z7 II is certainly worth considering.
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The tweaks and refinements to the Z7 II are certainly welcome, but we think Nikon could have done even more. As it stands it feels a little like a stopgap before we see an all-new model.
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The full-frame mirrorless Nikon Z7 II is a bit faster than its predecessor and supports dual memory cards, both important for pros. Its autofocus isn't quite as futuristic as its rivals, but it undercuts them on price, and its 45MP image sensor is still one of the best around.
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[T]he Nikon Z7 II is a modest refresh, but the dual processors, two card slots, improved autofocus and deeper buffers all help to keep it competitive with its slightly pricier rivals.
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This time, Canon wins. While the Z7 II has slightly better image quality, the R5 is superior in nearly every other way.
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The follow-up to 2018’s Z 7, the Z 7II isn’t a wholesale reinvention, but does include some notable improvements, such as a second memory card slot and a second image processor.
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Two months with the Nikon Z7 II, I like almost every single thing about this camera and there is very little to dislike, but you got to remember this is coming from someone that uses all cameras.
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I’m starting with Nikon’s Z7 II, a camera that has had a mixed reception since release, but offers a compelling combination of features and very high image quality at a reasonable price.
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For all-round performance and excellent full-frame image quality the Nikon Z7 II is a brilliant choice. Better value for money than much of its competitors it covers a wide range of features, ability, and imaging resolution which make it well suited to any kind of photography.
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If you’re somebody who mainly shoots static subjects and wants something which handles extremely well, produces beautiful pictures and has a good - and ever-growing - range of native lenses, then the Nikon Z 7II is an excellent choice.
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For controlled shooting conditions and tripod-based work, the Nikon Z7 II 2026 delivers files rivaling far more expensive systems.
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In an already crowded mirrorless camera market, the Z7 II checks off enough boxes to make a compelling offering for both Landscape and Wedding photographers in particular.
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The Nikon Z7 II, in my opinion, is the best landscape and just general out in the world travel photography camera available on the market today, especially when paired with the lenses from the Z series lenses, and the glass that they've been designing for is just absolutely [...]
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[T]he Nikon Z7 II is an absolutely fantastic camera, and it really will satiate probably 90 to 95 percent, if not more, of anybody's needs.
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If we didn't have the wherewithal to invest in Leica for our personal work, we'd invest in Nikon.
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The Z7 II is marvelous for nature, landscapes, posed portraits, science, architecture and just about everything except groups of people, sports or action.
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[T]he Nikon Z7 II is a do-it-all camera and from all high megapixels cameras out there, it is the cheapest.
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So if you want an all-round camera that does everything I probably wouldn't necessarily say this was the best camera to go for.
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It's a wonderful camera, excellent image quality, a joy to use, but it's not state of the art. [...] I love Nikon.
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Despite my initial difficulties, the user experience got better and better the longer I used the Nikon Z7 II. The Z7 II is the kind of camera you need to use for months or even years before you really get to know the ins and outs of it.
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The Nikon Z7 II is as relevant today as when it launched, holding its own amongst full-frame mirrorless cameras from any brand.
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Simply put: the Nikon Z7ii is still one of Nikon’s best high-resolution cameras for photographers who prioritise image quality, dynamic range and professional reliability — and at today’s prices it’s a serious bargain.
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The Nikon Z7 II may not be the best mirrorless camera in all aspects, but it beats most of the competition thanks to Nikon’s great sensor combined with the quality of lenses.
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The Nikon Z7 II gives you dual card slots, the deeper buffer, the better overall autofocus, as well as the ability to charge the camera via USB-C while the camera is in use.
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[T]he amount of features for time lapses is far above any other brand as far as I'm concerned anyway.
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Has it been a good camera for landscapes for me? The answer is yes, it definitely has.
