Nikon Z7
Announced August 23, 2018
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 is a formidable, well-built mirrorless camera that delivers outstanding image quality and dynamic range through its 45.7MP full-frame sensor. Although its debut as a first-generation system includes some limitations like a single card slot and occasionally inconsistent autofocus tracking, it remains a highly capable and ergonomic choice for photographers invested in the Nikon ecosystem.
Weighted from 34 reviewer scores
Pros
- Exceptional image quality, resolution, and dynamic range from the 45.7MP BSI-CMOS sensor
- High-performing electronic viewfinder with excellent clarity and detail
- Effective in-body image stabilization for handheld stills and video
- Wide autofocus point coverage and seamless integration with F-mount lenses via adapter
- Comfortable, DSLR-like ergonomics and robust weather-sealed build quality
Cons
- Reliance on a single XQD card slot lacks redundancy for professional workflows
- Autofocus tracking performance can struggle with erratic movement or low light
- Limited buffer depth hinders high-speed burst shooting
- Battery life is not class-leading and can be inconsistent in real-world use
- Tilting screen lacks full articulation for versatile portrait or vlog shooting
- Launch price $3,399 (USD)
- Sensor 45.7MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS
- Video 4K 30p
- Stabilization In-body IS
What the Reviewers Say
All 34 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- DPReview 89/100
The Nikon Z7 is an extremely well-rounded digital camera and suitable for a wide range of photographic and video needs. It packs outstanding image quality and very good 4K video in a lightweight, well-built package with in-body image stabilization.
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In nearly every way in both lab and real-world testing, the Nikon Z7 was competent or excelled, performing incredibly well in a wide variety of situations.
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Ultimately the Z7 is an impressive start to the Z-system and one that’s very satisfying for a version-one product. Nikon’s hit the ground running with a camera I greatly enjoyed using and can easily recommend, particularly if you own existing F-mount lenses.
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As we have seen from the past, launching a new system is not an easy task and it usually takes two to three generations of cameras to finally appeal to the masses.
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The Nikon Z7 is a really expensive piece of kit, but a very accomplished one, and I'm having a great time testing it out so far.
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Here’s my final verdict on the all-around ease of use, features, and advantages plus weaknesses of the Nikon Z7:.
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I really still enjoy using this camera. Of all these cameras to choose from, I like playing with this one a lot.
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The Nikon Z 7 offers the best technology from Nikon's DSLRs but in a more compact mirrorless camera body, with a high-resolution electronic viewfinder, and a 45.7mp full-frame BSI CMOS sensor that delivers excellent image quality.
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Although Nikon has attempted mirrorless before, with its ill-fated Nikon 1 system, this time it feels as if it has got the formula right. It seems to have stopped worrying about cannibalising DSLR sales, and is actively looking towards the future of photography.
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When we first reviewed the Z7, it was one of the best high-resolution, full-frame cameras you could buy. Rather than attempting to protect its DSLRs, Nikon went all-out to make a professional mirrorless camera that felt like a traditional Nikon – and in most ways, it succeeded.
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With straight fives for features, build & handling and performance, the Nikon Z7 is an instant classic. It’s a superb (and superbly made) mirrorless camera.
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The Z 7 is the best full-frame mirrorless camera for photographers invested in the Nikon system, but some quirks prevent it from attaining class-leading status.
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The Nikon Z7 may not be the prettiest camera, and it's certainly not cheap either, but it's still a formidable debut model in the Z system.
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The Nikon Z7 is for users who need high resolution stills as well as market-leading video features. The feel and operation of the Z7 are superior for total professional control, and those used to a DSLR will find it an easy move to a Nikon mirrorless camera.
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Between Nikon and Canon, I'd have to give the trophy here to Nikon. Discounting the higher resolution of price, the Nikon Z 7 is a better all-round camera.
- Digital Trends 8/10
3D tracking performance may be disappointing, the flash sync speed is slightly lower, and you’ll have to make do with a single card slot, but the Z7 is an excellent camera that exceeds our expectations for a first-generation model in a brand new series.
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The Z7 is an impressive camera, with outstanding image quality, and support for a bevy of lenses. Nikon may be selling the Z7 now, but it clearly as an eye for the future.
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Most Nikon fans will be impressed with the Nikon Z7. It is a very capable camera, as are most Nikon DSLR cameras, which brings Nikon users to a tough choice - do they start investing in the new the mirrorless system or do they stay with the DSLR system.
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The Nikon Z7 viewfinder shows one of the best views of any EVF. The 0.5” EVF unit shows 0.8X magnification, which is nearly the largest of any digital camera.
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This Nikon Z7 is an amazing camera, especially if you think of it as the first piece of the puzzle, rather than the flagship mirrorless camera from Nikon.
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This is just a lot of camera for the money.
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Back with the Nikon 1, Nikon was one of the first to use phase detect autofocus on the sensor, and it was fast and accurate. But it was also clear that there were things that the engineering team weren't allowed to do with the Nikon 1.
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No, it isn’t as good as the Sony A7R III, despite costing 400 bucks more, but realistically, Sony had a freakin’ five-year head start.
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The Nikon Z7 has the world's highest technical image quality in a mirrorless camera simply because it has all of the highest resolution and sharpness and, most importantly, unbeaten color rendition. No digital camera takes better pictures than the Z7.
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The Nikon Z 7 is a formidable player in the mirrorless game. Now, people were saying, "Well, it has this, it doesn't have this," is the Sony, they're comparing spec to spec.
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The Z7 doesn’t feel like a first-generation camera – in so many ways, it is a Nikon D850 in a streamlined, mirrorless format, with some extra features thrown in for good measure.
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Nikon clearly has invested the Z 7 with excellent quality and good usability engineering.
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It behaves as you’d expect, when you’d expect, with no surprises or glitches.
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The Z 7 exceeded my expectations in terms of still photography. It has become the camera that I grab most often, and that's saying something.
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This is a really good first.
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It’s the whole package that distinguishes the Nikon Z 7—the combination of high image quality and an enjoyable user experience. It’s not perfect, but it’s darn close to everything a mirrorless camera should be: user-friendly in almost all aspects and versatile.
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I worked on some files and I was really impressed about the dynamic capabilities of this Nikon Z 7.
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[O]verall, I'm very impressed with it. I am glad that Nikon has managed to come back with a modern camera, modern technology, and catch up.
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[T]he Z 7 is a very strong and competent first generation offering from Nikon that offers a very strong proposition, particularly for landscape photography where I personally feel it really really excels.
