TXT: Shinya Kojima configuration: Editorial Department
Although it is PRONEWS with many video articles, I would like to review from the photographer's point of view this time.Nikon announced the new full -size mirrorless "Z 6II" on October 14, 2020.It can be said that a hybrid machine with a balance between still images and videos as a model that chooses the good points of the conventional Z 6 and enhances the degree of perfection.
I refuse first, but it hasn't evolved a lot of spectacular things, but what about it?As a benefit of dual (2 units) of the image processing engine "EXPEED 6", brush the usability of continuous shooting speed of still images and the basic performance of AF, and to the details, including double slots.I'm up.
This is a solid evolution model that has thoroughly improved dissatisfaction with feedback from conventional machine users.This brings the most important "security, security and room" for professionals who use the camera tools as a job.
Therefore, there is almost no difference from the conventional machine in terms of appearance, and it is only the "Z 6II" emblem that can be distinguished at a glance.
Below, let's focus on the points I felt.
"EXPEED 6" is the sixth generation of Nikon's image processing engine, which has been developing with the aim of reproducing faithful colors without being too flashy.In the conventional machine Z 6, the one that was one was equipped with duals in "Z 6II".
The first benefit is to improve continuous shooting performance.
If the image processing engine is turned into two, the processing speed increases.Of course, it's a natural story."Z 6II" has been speeded up from 12 -frame/second of the conventional machine to a maximum of 14 frames/second (at high -speed continuous shooting (expansion) 12 -bit RAW).By the way, the 14 -bit RAW I use is 10 frames/second.The continuous shooting speed 14 frames/second will be ranked higher among the full -size mirrorless cameras.
The second benefit is significantly increasing the number of continuous shooting frames.
With the interaction with the increase in the buffer (the area to be temporarily stored in the camera before writing on the memory card), the number of continuous frames that can be taken with a single shutter is about 35 to about 35 frames..It increased to 124 frames 5 times.
There are places that depend on the writing speed of the card, but when you want to re -shoot after continuous shooting, you can concentrate on shooting without worrying about "Oh ... the shutter stops ...".Apparently, the cooling time at the time of continuous shooting is also improving.
This means that, as well as fast -moving subjects such as athletes, motor sports, wild birds, portraits, gravure, and documentaries will have plenty of room for shooting.
I tried to measure the number of continuous shooting three times with two types of memory cards (CFEXPRESS and XQD) with different writing speeds.
When you repeat the continuous shooting, "HOT CARD" is displayed
In my opinion, the larger number of continuous shooting than the nominal value may be because of focus and exposure as a manual.In addition, the number of cards decreases when continuous shooting may be related to the heat generation of the card and the heat phenomenon of the CMOS sensor.
The third benefit is the realization of a double slot.
2 stabs CFEXPRESS and SD
It is equipped with two CFEXPRESS (Typeb) or XQD card slots and SD card (UHS-II compatible) slots.The role of each slot can be set for "sequential records", "backup records", and "RAW+JPEG division records".
The "backup record" and "RAW+JPEG split record" hear that professional users who are afraid of troubles such as writing errors and damage to memory cards have been strongly requested.This is one of the reasons why I was not able to switch from the optical SLR to the predecessor mirrorless.In order to increase the number of continuous shooting while increasing the high -speed continuous shooting performance, it would not have been realized without speeding up the operation processing by "dual EXPEED 6" without reducing the speed to each slot.
Let's look at the performance of AF.
If you use the "Wide Area AF (S)" mode to lock on a distant subject (this time a black car), the focus will not come off even if the subject comes in front of you.I think it's a pretty good AF.
Shooting in 5 frames/seconds of low -speed continuous shooting
In addition, although the number of 273 focus points is the same as the conventional machine, the low brightness performance has been improved.The limit of low brightness has been improved for one step in the past, and -4.AF is possible with 5 EV darkness.If you set it to "Low Light AF", AF is possible up to -6EV as before.
I represented the impression of the darkness that I felt with the naked eye.Green square focus point
Actually taken with AF, exposure auto (ISO: 51200, 1/10, F4)
In fact, the notable point of this AF is that it supports "Hitomi AF" and "Animal AF" in "Wide Area AF (L)" mode.This is a function that has been operated only in the "Auto Area AF" mode.In "Auto Area AF", "Camera" detects the face, the eyes of the person, and the animal's eyes from the entire framing, but by adding this function this time, the "photographer" narrows down the detected area and the face that wants to focus is given in advance.Can be selected.If you have multiple faces, you can choose the person you want to focus.
i -menu AF mode switching menu screen
"Hitomi AF" and "Animal AF" in this "wide area AF (L)" also supported video shooting.You can continue shooting with the "touch AF" function of the back monitor and the face you want to focus.During video shooting, we want to focus on the behavior of the subject (for the person, the dog, and the cat), but by combining this AF function, it will be a powerful ally of one -man operation.
AF mode selection screen from the main menu
"Dual EXPEED 6" has also contributed to the improvement of these AF functions.
Another one after the focus topic.
It has a sober but nice function called "focus position maintenance function when the power is turned off".This is something that remembers the focus position of the lens even if you turn off the power.This function is useful when you want to turn off the power once to prevent the battery from consumption when shooting a landscape or starry sky.
Speaking of starry sky photography, "long exposure" is included, but unique new functions have been added.That is, it is possible to extend the shutter speed up to 900 seconds.This is a specification that displays the remaining time countdown on the upper LCD screen for a long exposure of 60 seconds or more.The camera counts without shooting a clock or stopwatch with one hand.
Those who have many requests for users along with the double slot are compatible with the vertical grip.This is a great deal of support for the author who often have portrait photography.
The battery power pack "MB-N11", which is scheduled to be released at the same time as "Z 6II", has a grip shape that fits into the hand even when shooting vertically, and has a good feeling.The arrangement of the selector lever and command dial does not feel uncomfortable even if you change it from the horizontal position to the vertical position during shooting.
Dustproof and drip -proof also have the same performance as cameras and lenses.
It is natural that the number of photos that can be taken increases because it stores two batteries, but it is noteworthy that it is a hot swap compatible with battery replacement.Of the two batteries, only the battery in the front can be replaced with the power turned on, so it is safe to shoot for a long time.
Even when the power is turned on, it supports hot swaps that can replace only the battery in the front by pushing down the yellow stopper.
In terms of power connection, it is good news that USB "power" to the camera itself has become possible.In the past, USB "charging" was possible when the power was turned off, but it became a USB "power supply" during shooting.In other words, it became possible to shoot while supply power from mobile batteries and personal computers.You can focus on shooting without worrying about the camera battery when shooting an interbal timer, a time -lapse video shooting, or shooting a tether (how to connect a camera and a personal computer USB cable and shoot while incorporating data).
There was also a request for blackout on the back monitor.When the display of the back monitor and the viewfinder was set to the "Automatic display and switching" mode, the back monitor may disappear when the viewfinder is blocked in some beats.This time, if the back monitor was slightly tilt (pulled out), it would not switch to the viewfinder, and the back monitor was always turned on.
In addition, a function to erase the icon and shooting information display of the viewfinder and back monitor has been added.Both still and videos are useful features when you want to pay attention to framing to every corner.
Focus points and REC signs and time codes during video shooting cannot be erased
Up to this point, it was a still image, but let's look at the video function.
Several other functions have been added in addition to the "Eye AF" and "Animal AF" in the "Wide Area AF (L)".At present, "Z 6II" supports UHD up to 30P and FHD is up to 120p.It is not cropped because UHD can shoot "full frame".And you can get abundant video information by reading all pixels.
In February 2021, DX base (1).It seems that a firmware update to 4K60p is planned while being cropped 5 times.
In the case of an external recorder via HDMI (10bit output), the following record format is possible.
ATOMOS Ninja V supports 12bit Raw, and 10-bit N-Log and HDR are ATOMOS Monitor Recorder (SHOGUN, NINJA, SUMO series).
It is also planned to support 12 -bit Blackmagic Raw output by firmware update and "Blackmagic Design Video Assist 12G HDR" external recorders.Both the 12bit RAW and the 10 -bit Log have excellent color processing resistance, so those who use color grading will have options.
Nikon has announced the "optimal solution" of what can be done as a full -size mirrorless.Although the CMOS sensor did not change, it responds firmly to the user's request by dualizing the conventional image processing engine "EXPEED 6".
It may be the "optimal solution" for professionals who are considering introducing a mirrorless camera for the first time in work and thinking about switching from an optical SLR camera.
Shinya Kojima
Blackmagic Design認定トレーナー、写真家、撮影監督。商業/自主映画では撮影監督として撮影・照明・カラーグレーディングも担当。Writer list