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Introduction
This is an historical summary of all Nikon DSLR and mirrorless cameras. Click the links to individual reviews for details and comparisons. I cover 35mm and Pronea cameras as well as the Nikon 1 system elsewhere.
A year in digital cameras is equal to 25 regular years. A camera introduced 2-1/2 years ago may as well be 62 years old. It's completely obsolete.
This article reads backwards. The newest is on top. Click any photo to get to its review.
2022
Nikon Z30 and Nikon Z 16-50mm VR.
29 June 2022: No Viewfinder, 21 MP APS-C DX, 11 FPS, 4K/30, ISO 102,400, 3" flip LCD, 14.2 oz./404g with battery and SD card.
Check price.
2021
Nikon Z9 and Nikon AI Noct-NIKKOR 58mm f/1.2s on FTZ.
28 October 2021: FX Mirrorless, 45 MP @ 30FPS (20FPS in raw), 11 MP @ 120 FPS, 8K/29.97 video, 47.3 oz./1,340g with battery and one card, two slots for CFexpress type B or XQD cards, $5,496.95 at introduction. (Even as of March 2021 was in such demand that used ones sold for about $7,500 over eBay if you know How to Win at eBay.)
Only became orderable with full specifications and photos on 28 October 2021; Nikon teased us with just the model number "Z9" on 09 March 2021, and only revealed 30 FPS (but nothing else) on 16 June 2021.
Nikon Z fc and Nikon Z 16-50mm DX VR.
29 June 2021: 21 MP DX @ 11 FPS, ISO 51,200/204,800, 4K, 15.7 oz./445g with battery and SD card, $957 at introduction.
2020
Nikon Z7 II and Nikon Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S.
14 October 2020: 45MP FX Mirrorless, 10 FPS, ISO 102,400, $2,997, 24.9 oz./705g with battery and one card, has one SD card slot and a second XQD card slot that also works with CFexpress type B cards.
Nikon Z6 II and Nikon Z 24-50mm.
14 October 2020: 20MP FX Mirrorless, 14 FPS, ISO 204,800, $1,997, 24.9 oz./705g with battery and one card, has one SD card slot and a second XQD card slot that also works with CFexpress type B cards.
Nikon Z5 and Nikon Z 24-50mm f/4-6.
3.
21 July 2020: 24 MP FX Mirrorless, 4½ FPS, ISO 102,400, 23.8 oz./675g with battery and SD card, $1,397.
Nikon D6 and 24-70mm f/2.8E VR.
12 February 2020: 20MP FX, 14 FPS, ISO 102,400, two CFexpress card slots, 51.2 oz./1,450g with battery and 2 CFexpress cards, $6,497.
Nikon D780 and Nikon 58mm f/1.2 Noct-Nikkor.
07 January 2020: 20 MP FX, 7 FPS, 29.7 oz./840g with battery and card, two SD slots, $2,297.
2019
Nikon Z50 and 16-50mm VR DX.
10 October 2019: 21MP DX Mirrorless, 11 FPS, 15.7 oz./446g with battery and card, one SD card slot, $857.
2018
Nikon D3500 and included 18-55mm VR DX AF-P.
30 August 2018: 24MP DX, 5 FPS, $497 with lens.
Nikon Z7 and Z 24-70/4 S.
23 August 2018: 45MP FX Mirrorless, 9 (5.5) FPS, 23.8 oz./675g with battery and XQD card, $3,397, promised for 27 September 2018.
Nikon Z6 and Z 24-70/4 S.
23 August 2018: 24MP FX Mirrorless, 12 (5.5) FPS, 23.8 oz./675 g with battery and XQD card, $1,997, promised for late November 2018.
2017
Nikon D850 and 50mm f/1.4G.
24 August 2017: 45MP FX, 7 FPS, 32.2 oz./913g with battery and SD card, about $3,297.
The D850 updates 2014's D810 by adding the hot-rod AF system from the D5, 45MP and WiFi and bluetooth, but removing the built-in flash.
It has two slots: one SD and one XQD. LCD size is the same 3.2."
It also adds a rear thumb nubbin, flip touch LCD, partially lit buttons, a new "Natural Light" Auto White Balance setting and an "Auto" picture control setting that attempts to optimize each imager automatically depending on what it thinks is in the picture.
Nikon D7500 and 50mm f/1.4G.
12 April 2017: 21 MP DX, 8 FPS, 25.4 oz./720 g with battery and card, $1,249 or $1,747 as a kit with 18-140mm VR DX.
The D7500 has the image sensor, light meter and processor of the top-of-the-line DX Nikon D500 and puts them in a D7200 body, keeping the D7200 mode dial and AF system and adding Bluetooth, 4K video and a flipping touch LCD.
The D7500 has the D500's same crazy expanded ISO 50 ~ 1,638,400 range, and bumps frame rate to 8 FPS from the D7200's 6 FPS.
2016
Nikon D5600 and Nikon 35mm f/1.
8 DX.
10 November 2016 (delayed until 04 January 2017 in USA): adds Bluetooth and removes analog video outputs from the otherwise identical D5500.
24 MP, 5 FPS DX, $699 body-only.
Nikon D3400 and included 18-55mm VR AF-P.
17 August 2016: Adds Bluetooth to the D3300, but has only half the power in the built-in flash.
24 MP, 5 FPS DX, $650 with lens.
Nikon D5 with 85mm f/1.4 AI-s.
05 January 2016: Nikon's tenth professional SLR. Adds 12 FPS, radio strobe control and a touch screen. Has same AF system as D500.
12FPS, 20 MP FX, 4K video, 49.9 oz./1,415 g. with battery and two CF cards. $6,500 in either two CF-card slot version or two XQD-card slot version.
Nikon D500 and Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX.
05 January 2016: First DX to run at 10 FPS, but has no built-in flash.
Has same AF system as D5.
10 FPS, 20 MP DX, 4K video, 30.4 oz./860g with battery and XQD card, $1,999. or $3,070 for kit with 16-80 lens.
2015
Nikon D7200 and 58mm f/1.2 Noct-NIKKOR.
02 March 2015: Adds NFC and Wi-Fi to the D7100.
24 MP DX, 6 FPS, 27.0 oz./765g with battery and card (takes 2-SD), $1,199 body-only, $1,699 with 18-140mm.
Nikon D810A and 14-24mm f/2.8.
10 February 2015: For astrophotography; passes the 656 nanometer hydrogen alpha line.
36 MP FX, 5 FPS, 34.6 oz./980g with battery and CF card, $3,799.
It's the same as the D810, with a different IR-cut filter, ISOs starting at ISO 200, and the option for exposures as long as 15 minutes.
Nikon D5500 and Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX.
05 January 2015: 24 MP DX, 5 FPS, 16.6 oz./470 g with battery and card, $899 body-only.
The D5500 adds a touch screen to the D5300, and takes away GPS and two ounces of weight.
2014
Nikon D750 and 50mm f/1.4 G.
12 September 2014: 24 MP FX, 6.5 FPS, 29.7 oz./840g with battery and card, $2,300.
The D750 adds the superior AF system of the D810 to the D610, as well as more speed than either at 6.5 FPS. It also adds a flippy screen, Nikon's first on a full-frame DSLR.
Nikon D810 and 50m f/1.4 AF.
26 June 2014: 36 MP FX, 5 FPS, 34.6 oz./980g with battery and CF card, $3,300.
The D810 adds 5 FPS and a stereo mic to the old D800 and D800e.
Nikon D4S and 50mm f/1.4 G.
25 February 2014: 16 MP FX, 11 FPS, 47.3 oz./1,337g, $6,500.
The D4s is a D4 with a faster computer to allow more noise reduction to give a foolish ISO 409,600 setting, 11 frames per second up from 10, and a bunch of other small features changes. The D4S development was announced 07 January 2014 at CES 2014.
Nikon D3300 and 18-55mm VR II.
07 January 2014: 24MP DX, 16.2 oz./460g with battery and SD card, ISO 100 - 12,800 (25,600), 11-point AF, 3" LCD, 5 FPS, 1080p video, mono mic. $650 with lens; also comes in gray and comes in red for the same price.
A minor revision to the D3200 of 2012; adds a gray color version and 45g lighter; same AF and resolution as D3200.
2013
Nikon Df and 1970 Nikon GN Auto NIKKOR 45mm f/2.8.
05 November 2013: 16 MP FX, ISO 50 ~ 204,800, 5.5 FPS, 3.2" 921k dot LCD, no video or mic, 27.0 oz./765 g with battery and card. $2,749, or $3,000 with lens. Also comes in black.
Unlike every other Nikon DSLR ever, the Nikon Df is a completely new camera, taking the ergonomic brilliance of the Nikon FE and stuffing the digital guts of a D4 into it. The Df is an all-metal piece of excellence with real knobs and buttons, not the push-multifunction-button-and-spin-dial cost-cutting baloney of Nikon's SLRs since the 1990s.
Nikon D5300 and Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX.
17 October 2013: 24 MP DX, 5 FPS, 3" flip LCD, 1080p video, mono mic, 30.0 oz./850 g with battery and card.
$799, or $1,400 with lens.
The D5300 is the same as last year's D5200, adding built-in Wi-Fi and GPS.
Nikon D610 and 50mm f/1.4 G.
08 October 2013: 24 MP FX, 6 FPS, 3.2" LCD, 1080p video, mono mic, 30.0 oz./850 g with battery and card, $1,999.
The D610 is the same as the D600, supposedly with a "new shutter" that begets 6 FPS and a 3 FPS "quiet" mode.
Nikon D7100 and 50mm f/1.8 AF.
21 February 2013: 24 MP DX, 6 FPS, 3.2" LCD, 1080p video, stereo mic, 26.8 oz. (759g) with battery, strap rings and card.
New in the D7100 were OLEDs for finder data display, a weird 1.3x crop mode inside the 1.5x DX frame, the first "i" button for controlling recent settings.
2012
Nikon D5200 and 35mm f/1.
8 DX.
06 November 2012: 24 MP DX, 5 FPS, 3" flippy LCD, 1080p video, 19.6 oz. (555 g) with battery and SD card. (USA release was delayed until 08 January 2013.)
Nikon D600 and 50mm f/1.4 G.
13 September 2012: 24 MP FX, $2,099, 5.5 FPS, 3.2" LCD, 1080p video, 30.0 oz. (850g) with battery and SD card.
Nikon D3200 and 18-55mm DX VR.
19 April 2012: 24 MP DX, $700 with 18-55mm VR, 4 FPS, 3" LCD, 1080p video, 26.9 oz. (498g) with battery and SD card.
Nikon D800 and D800E and 50mm f/1.4 G.
07 February 2012: 36MP FX, $3,000 and $3,300, 4 FPS, 3.2" LCD, 1080p video, 35.1 oz. (994g) with battery and SD card.
The D800 completely rewrites the book, and obsoletes most of Nikon's DSLR line. Yipee!
Nikon D4 and 50mm f/1.4 G.
06 January 2012: 16MP FX, 10 FPS, 47.3 oz./1,337g, $6,000. Pretty much only a D3¼ with less weight, more FPS, no big deal. What can be a big deal is the removal of the rear AF-area mode switch, replacing it with a button and dials instead.
2011
Nikon D5100 and Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX.
05 April 2011: Nikon D5100. 16MP DX, 4 FPS, 3" flippy LCD, 1080p movies. $799.95, available May 2011.
An updated D5000.
2010
Nikon D7000 and Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX.
15 September 2010: Nikon D7000.
16MP DX, 6 FPS, 3" LCD, movies. $1,199.95, available mid-October 2010.
New in the D7000 is two SD card slots, Nikon's first 2,016-segment RGB meter, two new programmable mode-dial positions, U1 and U2 (as copied from Canon's C1 and C2 instant-recall settings), a 39-point AF system, and two types of Auto White Balance.
Nikon D3100 and 18-55mm DX VR.
19 August 2010: Nikon D3100. 14MP DX, 3 FPS, 3" LCD, movies. $699.95 with 18-55mm VR, available mid-September 2010.
2009
Nikon D3s and 50mm f/1.4 G.
14 October 2009: The Nikon D3s is just a mid-product-cycle freshening of the D3. Both are 12MP FX 9FPS cameras. Price is $5,200.
The D3s adds video, a sensor cleaner, an additional 1.2x 8MP crop mode, dedicated INFO and Live View buttons, Quiet Mode, stupid-high ISOs to ISO 102,000, and $300 to the price of the D3.
Nikon D300s and Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX.
30 July 2009: The Nikon D300s adds movies, a dedicated INFO button and the QUIET mode to the D300.
Nikon D3000 and 18-55mm DX VR.
30 July 2009: The Nikon D3000 has a low-resolution 3" LCD and 10MP DX for $599, including an excellent 18-55mm VR lens. It's the worst Nikon DSLR ever made because it has very slow operation in most use, and has poor performance at high ISOs. The D40 of 2006 is superior and costs less.
Nikon D5000 and Nikon 35mm f/1.8 DX.
14 April 2009: The Nikon D5000 adds a flippy LCD screen, movies and 12MP DX for $730. It's slotted below the D90 but above the D40 from 2006.
2008
Nikon D3X and 50mm f/1.
4 G.
01 December 2008: The D3X is announced. It's identical to the original D3, except with 24.4MP and only 5FPS and lower ISOs.
Nikon D90 and 50mm f/1.4 AF-D.
27 August 2008: The D90, a 12MP DX mid-line DSLR for $999. Replaces D80, and is a huge improvement over the D80 because it jumps to Gen 2.
Nikon D700 and 50mm f/1.4 AF-D.
01 July 2008: The D700, a 12MP FX DSLR for $2,999.95. It's Nikon's top amateur camera.
Nikon D60 and 18-55mm DX VR.
January 28, 2008: Nikon D60 announced. Replaces D40x. DX
2007
Generations
There are vast differences in real image quality between Nikon's two generations of digital cameras.
Like most marketing organizations and repressive governments, camera makers keep most people in the dark by keeping them worrying about easy-to-understand things which make no difference, like pixels and ISOs which are easy to describe with just one number, instead of trying to teach people what really matters, which are the subtleties of how a picture actually looks.
Because camera makers have the masses worrying about pixels and bit depths, when Nikon makes significant advances, they're usually not obvious behind all the fluff.
The difference between generations is so significant that the best Gen 1 camera, the D2Xs, can't make pictures as good as the cheapest Gen 2 camera, the D90, in most real picture-taking situations.
First Generation
Nikon's first generation of digital SLRs started with the D1 of 1999 and continues in 2008 with the D40.
The first generation has only primitive picture and white balance adjustments.
Gen 1 cameras have an Optimize Image menu with crude controls allowing only two rudimentary options of "Enhance (+)" or "Moderate (-)" for saturation, and WB trims that extend only to ±3. There is no green/magenta adjustment for WB.
There were meaningless mentions of undefined modes I, II and III in the Optimize Image menu, but no clever dynamic range management as Gen 2 adds.
Gen 1 cameras are the D1 and D2 series, D40, D40x, D50, D70, D70s, D80, D100 and D200.
Second Generation
Nikon's second generation DSLRs started coming out in 2007 with the D3 and D300.
Second generation cameras offer the potential of significantly better real image quality because Gen 2 cameras add Nikon's Adaptive Dynamic Range (ADR).
Presuming its turned on, ADR allows Gen 2 cameras to render most real scenes much closer to the way our eyes see them, without all added contrast, blown highlights and blocked shadows common on film and Gen 1 cameras for most people.
If you're a pro who knows how, and actually controls his lighting perfectly, then you can get great results on Gen 1 cameras, but for most people who don't, Gen 2 cameras will give significantly better pictures.
The D90 has ADR on by default, and the D3, D700 and D300 need it turned on in the menus. I always shoot my cameras with ADR in NORMAL (or AUTO if available) for every shot.
Gen 2 cameras also are Nikon's first cameras to allow a full range of saturation and other image adjustments. Saturation and other values are set in direct units of up to ±3. These are set in the Picture Controls menus.
Gen 2 cameras have WB trims which extend 6 units in each direction, marked in blue and amber (not + and -) and allow green/magenta adjustment.
Gen 2 cameras offer five manual preset (gray card) WB storage settings, complete with icons and notes.
Gen 2 cameras magically and automatically correct color fringes caused by most lenses.
If you're a tweaker, this alone significantly improves corner sharpness.
The Gen 2 D90 is far, far better than the Gen 1 D200. I didn't have a D2Xs for comparison, but it would be the same as the D200. These shots are crops from the corner with the 18-200mm VR at 18mm. The D90 is as sharp as the D300. The D90 was focused elsewhere in this example. |
Gen 2 cameras are using the increased in-camera processing horsepower to do all these tricks. If you're wasting your time shooting raw, you will have to hope that whatever software you're using to open raw files is as smart as what Nikon is building into these cameras for free. Many off-brands of software can't do any of this.
There was never much reason for raw, and in Gen 2, even less. It's quite likely that using raw with a Gen 2 camera and most, if not all, software, will throw you back into Gen 1 quality.
It's not 2006 anymore. Most raw software does not do any of the clever things, like ADR, expanded color controls or totally automatic lens corrections, that are done in-camera.
Gen 2 cameras also have a super-sharp new 3" LCD screen.
Gen 2 cameras are the D3, D700, D300 and D90.
The D60 has ADR, but its stuck with the old Optimize Image menu and none of the other Gen 2 additions, so call it Gen 1.1 if you insist. I'm calling it Gen 1.
The D3000 has ADR and Gen II Picture Controls, but it has a crummier 3" LCD screen and does not correct lateral color fringes, so I'll call it Gen 1.5.
2007
Nikon D3 and 50mm f/1.4 AF-D.
23 August 2007: The D300 and D3 are announced for November sale. Both have new 3" LCDs with live viewing.
The D3 is another milestone with Nikon's first 24x36mm sensor, dubbed FX.
It runs 9FPS for $5,000. The D3 replaces the D2Xs. Nikon's press release on the D3.
Nikon D300 and 18-200mm VR DX.
The D300 is an evolution of the D200, now with a 12MP DX sensor and 6-8 FPS for $1,800. $1,800 oddly is a price increase $300 over the D200. The D300 replaces the D200. Nikon's press release on the D300.
Nikon D40x and 18-55mm DX II.
05 March 2007: The D40x is announced to fill a vacant price point in Nikon's line. It is the same as the excellent D40, but with 10MP DX instead of 6MP, but a slower sync speed of 1/200 vs. 1/500, a slower default ISO of 100 vs. 200, and a $200 higher price than the D40. The D40x was introduced to let Nikon fill in a price point in its camera line for competitive purposes. Personally I prefer the less expensive D40. See also the Megapixel Myth.
2006
Nikon D40 and 18-55mm DX II.
16 November 2006: The D40 is announced for Christmas at $599 with included excellent 18-55mm II lens. It is the smallest, lightest and least expensive Nikon DSLR ever. It started shipping on November 30th, 2006. 6MP DX.
Nikon D80 and 35mm f/2 AF-D.
09 August, 2006: The D80 is announced. 10 MP DX, 3 FPS for $999. The D80 is a D70 body and mechanics with the sensor and LCD of the D200.
Nikon D2Xs and 17-55mm f/2.8 DX.
June 2006: The D2Xs is announced, a slight improvement to the D2X. Same 12 MP DX and 5FPS and weird crop mode. $4,700.
2005
Nikon D200 and 18-200mm VR DX.
01 November 2005: the D200 is announced. It's a groundbreaker at 10MP DX and 5 FPS at $1,699. It shipped in December 2005 as promised. It was on backorder until about October 2006. The D200 starts a new level in the Nikon line between the plastic D70 and the pro D2X.
Nikon D70s and 18-70mm DX.
Nikon D50 and 18-55mm DX.
22 April 2005: The D70s and D50 are introduced. The D70s is a D70 with slightly larger screen. The D50 is a D70 with a couple of features removed. The D50 is still 6MP DX but only 2.5 FPS.
The D70, D70s and D50 are great cameras new or used, but replaced by the two-year-newer D80 of late 2006.
Nikon D2Hs and Nikon 35mm f/1.
8 DX.
16 February, 2005: The D2Hs is announced: 8 FPS DX, 4 MP, 2.5" LCD.
It's a minor revision of the D2H at a bargain price of $3,500. This makes a used D2H or new D2HS a great buy for sports. They are the same as the more expensive D2Xs, just faster with a few less pixels.
2004
Nikon D2X and 17-55mm f/2.8 DX.
16 September, 2004: the D2X is announced. 12MP DX, 5 FPS, $5,000. The D2X also has a bizarre cropped 7 MP, 8 FPS mode. Most of what the D2X does is replaced by the D200 in 2005. I'd get a used D2X if the price was right. It's Nikon's top of the line. I prefer the D200 for smaller size and a couple of more features.
Nikon D70 and 18-70mm DX.
February 2004: Nikon shows the D70 at PMA. It's lightweight, 6MP DX, 3 FPS and a groundbreaker at $999. The D70 is a huge improvement over the D100 in almost every way except having no accessory vertical grip. All this, and it's priced less, too! The D70 fixes the dust problem by moving the CCD filter further away from the CCD. This throws dust out of focus and makes it much less of an annoyance than on the D1 series cameras.
The D70 replaced the D100.
Nikon was going to discontinue the D100, but instead decided to keep making the D100 because they discovered they could get a higher price than the D70 just because of the model number. People who equated price with quality kept buying D100s because they cost more.
2003
December, 2003: Nikon announced the development of the D70.
Nikon had little to say other than the D70 would be cheap. Nikon was still inventing the D70 and had none to sell. Nikon made the announcement to get people to wait instead of fleeing from Nikon to Canon's inexpensive Digital Rebel.
Nikon D2H and 17-55mm f/2.8 DX.
22 July, 2003: The D2H is announced. 4.1 MP DX, 8 FPS, $5,000. The D2H was a new design with a much improved Li-Ion battery and a new flash exposure system. The D2H is a bargain used and a fantastic camera for sports.
2002
Nikon D100 and 18-70mm DX.
21 February, 2002: The D100 is announced. It's 6 MP DX and 3 FPS for $1,999. This is Nikon's first lightweight amateur DSLR camera. It was an N80 with digital guts.
It wasn't available for sale until June, 2002. It was a sellout with long waiting lists for a year after its introduction.
In May 2003 the D100 dropped to $1,699. In December 2003 it dropped to $1,499 where it stayed for a year or two. In May 2005 it dropped to $999.
Forget the D100, but snap one up if you can get a screaming deal.. The newer D70 and D50 work better. The D100 required messing with a wheel and knob to make critical adjustments. The newer cameras have direct entry buttons. The newer cameras have two years of extra wisdom in their firmware and just do everything better. Flash exposure isn't very good on the D100. See a comparison here. The D100 used the same EN-EL3 Li-Ion battery of the D50 and D70.
2001
Nikon D1H and 17-35mm f/2.8. Nikon D1X looks the same except for model number.
05 February 2001: Nikon announces the D1X and D1H, improvements to the D1. Performance was honed, a few features were added and price remained at $5,000.
They both replaced the numerical menu system with easy to understand menus in English.
The D1H kept the 2.7 MPDX sensor and increased speed to 5 FPS.
The D1X slowed to 3 FPS, but increased resolution to 5.3 MP. The resolution of the D1X is still decent in 2006. It used a bizarre CCD with twice the horizontal pixel density of the D1. Image quality was, and still is, extremely good because it had 4,024 horizontal pixels on the CCD. It had to do less Bayer interpolation and thus has much better image quality than one would expect in its 3,008 x 2,000 pixel images.
Don't buy either of these today regardless of price.
They had awful battery systems. I had a D1H. They only run for about 250 shots on a charge. The batteries are huge, heavy Ni-MH packs which require constant babying in charging. The packs have protuberances which make them painful to carry in a pocket. They lose charge if left unused. Even a freshly charged battery would indicate almost dead after a few shots. Most D1, D1H and D1X users including myself lived with the viewfinder indications turning off, indicating almost dead battery, after just a few shots. They also had awful flash exposure. Many photographers had to revert to non-TTL exposure modes because the TTL mode was so flaky. Dust was a horrible problem because the CCD cover filter was too close to the CCD. At almost any aperture you'd see dust clearly on the image. They were state of the art in their era (2001 - 2003), but that era is long gone.
1999: The World's First Practical DSLR
Nikon D1 and Nikon 35mm f/1.
8 DX.
15 February 1999: Nikon announced it was working on "a new professional class, high-quality digital Single Lens Reflex Camera."
15 June, 1999: Nikon announces the D1, the world's first practical DSLR. It is the first practical DSLR because it's the first DSLR with good enough image quality for print (2.7 MP DX), fast enough (4.5 FPS) and priced low enough ($5,000) and functional enough to be sensible to use daily as a primary camera. It's also the first DSLR made with Nikon electronics in a Nikon body, by Nikon.
It replaced film at forward-looking newspapers.
Forget about it today, regardless of price. For the same price you can get the greatly improved D1H or D1X, neither of which are worthwhile today either. The D1 is confined to the dumpster of history (and collectors) because its battery system is a pain, and its menu structure requires interpreting numerical custom functions.
It requires a cheat sheet to decipher. Flash exposure performance is awful. Get one only as a landmark camera to collect. The D1 is the landmark. The D1 is the camera that replaced film at newspapers.
The D1 is unique in having a 1/16,000 top shutter speed, since its shutter is also electronic. That's how it gets a 1/500 sync speed. If you use the PC sync terminal or a non-dedicated flash so the D1 doesn't know you've got a flash attached; sync goes all the way to 1/16,000!
Nikon announced no new DSLRs for a couple of years.
1998
The similar E3 and E3S came out, still based on a big klunky Fuji body. They were still only 1.3 MP (1,280 x 1,000 pixels). SCSI interface. Still about $20,000.
These relics are worth about $300 in 2006. Don't bother using them for serious photography.
1996
A minor upgrade, the E2N and E2NS came out and was still about $20,000.
These relics are worth about $300 in 2006. Don't bother using them for serious photography.
1995
Digital SLRs are still science experiments, but in series production for special events. Nikon finally makes its first commercialized DSLR, over twenty years after America invented digital cameras.
It was called the Nikon E2 and E2S. They weren't Nikon bodies at all. They were hacked out of Fuji bodies with Nikon electronics! Bizarre internal reduction optics helped restore the field of view, with weird effective apertures. PCMCIA card memory. About $20,000 and only 1.3 megapixels, which is why they don't count as practical cameras.
These relics are worth about $300 in 2006. Don't bother using them for serious photography.
1991
Digital SLRs are still custom built laboratory experiments.
NASA had some Texans hack an F4 to fly on the STS-48 shuttle mission. It had a 1MP black-and-white sensor and recorded to a Texas-sized hard drive hacked to the bottom of the F4. See it here. Nikon had nothing to do with this as far as I know. It was the Texans who played Frankenstein with a stock F4 body.
Kodak sold the $13,000 1.3 MP DCS-100, hacked into an F3HP body.
1990
Kodak shows a hacked Nikon body with a Kodak sensor at Photokina called the DCS. It was 1 MP and cost $25,000. It shipped in 1991.
Kodak kept trying through about 2003, and gave up after the 14n.
These and later model Kodaks were popular for some news events, but most newspapers that had them threw them away when the D1 came out in 1999.
1973
Kodak created the first digital camera in Rochester, New York, USA.
It was big and scary and certainly didn't run on batteries. Nikon had nothing to do with this, although Kodak probably used a Nikkor lens.
More Information: This site also has an excellent history of digital Nikons.
© Ken Rockwell. All rights reserved. Tous droits réservés. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.
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The biggest help is when you use any of these links when you get anything. It costs you nothing, and is this site's, and thus my family's, biggest source of support. These places always have the best prices and service, which is why I've used them since before this website existed. I recommend them all personally.
If you find this page as helpful as a book you might have had to buy or a workshop you may have had to take, feel free to help me continue helping everyone.
If you've gotten your gear through one of my links or helped otherwise, you're family. It's great people like you who allow me to keep adding to this site full-time. Thanks!
If you haven't helped yet, please do, and consider helping me with a gift of $5.00.
As this page is copyrighted and formally registered, it is unlawful to make copies, especially in the form of printouts for personal use. If you wish to make a printout for personal use, you are granted one-time permission only if you PayPal me $5.00 per printout or part thereof. Thank you!
Thanks for reading!
Mr. & Mrs. Ken Rockwell, Ryan and Katie.
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Digital Camera Comparison Chart
Select the specs of your dream camera and then scroll down to see matching cameras.
Canon EOS Rebel T7
Price: $479.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 15:56 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon EOS Rebel T8i
Price: $899.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 15:57 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon EOS M50 Mark II
Price: $699.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 21:16 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony ZV-E10
Price: $798.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 17:20 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony Alpha a7IIK
Price: $998.00 as of Oct 8, 2022, 05:27 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.3 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Kodak Printomatic
Price: $49.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 15:55 PST - Details
Resolution: 5 Megapixel
Display: n/a inches
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ300K
Price: $447. 99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 17:33 PST - Details
Resolution: 12.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Panasonic Lumix FZ80K
Price: $397.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:05 PST - Details
Resolution: 18.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon EOS Rebel SL3
Price: $699.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 16:38 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Kodak PIXPRO Friendly Zoom FZ43
Price: $137.99 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:33 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.15 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Sony ZV-1
Price: $748.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 22:42 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony Alpha 7 IV
Price: $2698.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 09:46 PST - Details
Resolution: 33 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon EOS RP
Price: $1299.
00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 18:08 PST - Details
Resolution: 26.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony Alpha a6400
Price: $1079.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 07:30 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 2.95 inches
Polaroid Snap Touch
Price: $157.88 as of Oct 8, 2022, 00:05 PST - Details
Resolution: 13 Megapixel
Display: 3.5 inches
Panasonic LUMIX G85
Price: $697.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 09:03 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon PowerShot SX740 HS
Price: $399.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 07:37 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.3 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Panasonic LUMIX G7
Price: $597.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 22:42 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Olympus Tough TG-6
Price: $499.
99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 07:15 PST - Details
Resolution: 12 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon EOS 90D
Price: $1599.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 23:51 PST - Details
Resolution: 32.5 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
DJI Pocket 2
Price: $499.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 17:59 PST - Details
Resolution: 64 Megapixel
Display: unknown inches
Kodak Step Touch
Price: $129.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:49 PST - Details
Resolution: 13 Megapixel
Display: 3.5 inches
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-W800
Price: $183.00 as of Oct 8, 2022, 05:36 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Canon EOS M6 Mark II
Price: $999.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 17:22 PST - Details
Resolution: 32.5 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Panasonic Lumix S5
Price: $1997.
99 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:42 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony a7 III
Price: $1998.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 09:46 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 2.95 inches
Canon EOS M200
Price: $549.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 08:15 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony Alpha a6400
Price: $1298.00 as of Oct 8, 2022, 00:37 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 2.95 inches
Ricoh WG-70
Price: $376.49 as of Oct 7, 2022, 13:08 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Polaroid iXX090
Price: $79.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 23:09 PST - Details
Resolution: 20 Megapixel
Display: 2.8 inches
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II
Price: $629.
00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 08:10 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon EOS R
Price: $1899.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 16:42 PST - Details
Resolution: 30.3 Megapixel
Display: 3.15 inches
Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80
Price: $397.99 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:39 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.3 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Panasonic Lumix DC-G95
Price: $797.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 07:38 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.3 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Ricoh GR IIIx
Price: $1049.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 06:31 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.24 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony DSC-QX10/B
Price: $474.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 18:08 PST - Details
Resolution: 18.2 Megapixel
Display: n/a inches
Nikon COOLPIX B500
Price: $346.
95 as of Oct 8, 2022, 02:59 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony DSC-W830
Price: $262.49 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:18 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Polaroid iS048
Price: $39.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 15:58 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 2.4 inches
Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III
Price: $749.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 05:46 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Kodak PIXPRO AZ421
Price: $199.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 08:40 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.15 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Kodak PIXPRO Friendly Zoom FZ55
Price: $99.99 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:29 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.35 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Kodak PIXPRO SP360
Price: $72.
84 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:15 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.36 Megapixel
Display: 1 inches
Nikon D3400
Price: $710.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 23:57 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon EOS Rebel T100
Price: $329.00 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:32 PST - Details
Resolution: 18 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Nikon D7500
Price: $1179.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 07:30 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.9 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Panasonic LUMIX ZS100
Price: $497.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 22:55 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon COOLPIX P1000
Price: $996.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 05:45 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Canon PowerShot SX70 HS
Price: $599.
99 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:37 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.3 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony Alpha 7C
Price: $2098.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 09:32 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 2.95 inches
Sony Alpha a5000
Price: $499.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 22:54 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony RX100 VII
Price: $1298.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 12:26 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon EOS R6
Price: $3599.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:42 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon EOS 6D Mark II
Price: $2499.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 17:59 PST - Details
Resolution: 26.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon EOS R
Price: $2899.
00 as of Oct 8, 2022, 00:30 PST - Details
Resolution: 30.3 Megapixel
Display: 3.15 inches
Fujifilm X-T4
Price: $2199.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 19:03 PST - Details
Resolution: 26.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon Z fc
Price: $1096.95 as of Oct 8, 2022, 00:59 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.9 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ401
Price: $164.99 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:35 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.15 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV
Price: $799.99 as of Oct 8, 2022, 02:44 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.3 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon EOS Rebel T6
Price: $495.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 16:37 PST - Details
Resolution: 18 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Vmotal Mini
Price: $45.
69 as of Oct 7, 2022, 23:09 PST - Details
Resolution: 12 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon Z50
Price: $996.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 23:59 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.9 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Panasonic Lumix DC-G9
Price: $1297.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 07:35 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.33 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon EOS R5
Price: $4999.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 09:46 PST - Details
Resolution: 45 Megapixel
Display: 3.15 inches
Canon EOS Rebel T3
Price: $499.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 23:50 PST - Details
Resolution: 12.2 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Nikon Z 7II
Price: $3596.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:21 PST - Details
Resolution: 45.7 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Fujifilm X-T30 II
Price: $999.
00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 23:16 PST - Details
Resolution: 26.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon Coolpix W300
Price: $704.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 09:43 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon PowerShot G5X Mark II
Price: $899.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 20:39 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony a7S III
Price: $4896.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 17:22 PST - Details
Resolution: 12.1 Megapixel
Display: 2.95 inches
Canon EOS M100
Price: $499.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 11:57 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony DSC-RX100M III
Price: $748.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 22:42 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3.0 inches
Canon EOS M6 Mark II
Price: $1349.
00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 16:42 PST - Details
Resolution: 32.5 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Fujifilm X-S10
Price: $1749.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 19:05 PST - Details
Resolution: 26.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon D5600
Price: $939.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:17 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Nikon D5300
Price: $798.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 15:59 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Panasonic LUMIX DMC-G7HK
Price: $897.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 22:42 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon PowerShot SX420 IS
Price: $399.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 15:57 PST - Details
Resolution: 20 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon EOS R6
Price: $2799.
00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 08:08 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Fujifilm X-T30 II
Price: $1299.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 23:19 PST - Details
Resolution: 26.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Minolta ProShot MN67Z
Price: $397.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 07:29 PST - Details
Resolution: 20 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Ricoh GR III
Price: $870.16 as of Oct 7, 2022, 07:39 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.24 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon PowerShot SX540 HS
Price: $414.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:05 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.3 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony Alpha a6300
Price: $1390.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 16:31 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS200
Price: $647.
99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 08:53 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Fujifilm X-T4
Price: $2199.00 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:40 PST - Details
Resolution: 26.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony RX0 II
Price: $698.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 22:42 PST - Details
Resolution: 15.3 Megapixel
Display: 1.5 inches
NIKKOR Z 5
Price: $2096.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 08:44 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.3 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Ricoh Theta V 360
Price: $984.97 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:35 PST - Details
Resolution: 12 Megapixel
Display: n/a inches
Aberg Best
Price: $40.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 22:42 PST - Details
Resolution: 21 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Ricoh Theta SC2
Price: $296.
95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:47 PST - Details
Resolution: 12 Megapixel
Display: n/a inches
Nikon COOLPIX A10
Price: $288.00 as of Oct 8, 2022, 05:00 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.1 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Sony Alpha a6100
Price: $728.05 as of Oct 7, 2022, 15:35 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 2.95 inches
Canon EOS 80D
Price: $1298.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 09:32 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9
Price: $797.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 21:16 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.3 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
GoPro Hero10
Price: $529.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 11:05 PST - Details
Resolution: 23 Megapixel
Display: 2.27 inches
Sony Alpha a7 III
Price: $2198.
00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 10:11 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Price: $3799.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 08:46 PST - Details
Resolution: 30.4 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Sony Cyber-Shot W810
Price: $288.88 as of Oct 8, 2022, 00:18 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Panasonic LUMIX DC-ZS70
Price: $397.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 23:39 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.3 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony Alpha a6600
Price: $2451.59 as of Oct 7, 2022, 11:29 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 2.95 inches
Canon EOS 800D
Price: $899.00 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:41 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon D7500
Price: $1396.
95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 11:33 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.9 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Nikon Z 6II
Price: $2596.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 16:32 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.5 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
Price: $1399.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 21:13 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.4 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony DSCh400/B
Price: $199.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:30 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Panasonic Lumix LX100 II
Price: $797.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 15:18 PST - Details
Resolution: 17 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon Z fc
Price: $1196.95 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:43 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.9 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon D3500
Price: $729.
00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:18 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ252
Price: $259.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:27 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.15 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Panasonic Lumix DC-FZ1000 II
Price: $847.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:04 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony Alpha a6000
Price: $654.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 10:43 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.3 Megapixel
Display: 3.0 inches
Ricoh Theta Z1
Price: $1059.99 as of Oct 8, 2022, 03:54 PST - Details
Resolution: 20 Megapixel
Display: n/a inches
Nikon Coolpix P950
Price: $889.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:06 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Sony RX10 IV
Price: $1698.
00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 16:41 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon D3300
Price: $529.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 22:08 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3.0 inches
Fujifilm X-S10
Price: $1999.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 05:43 PST - Details
Resolution: 26.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
Price: $497.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 22:43 PST - Details
Resolution: 12.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon D5500
Price: $899.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 08:44 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Panasonic DMC-ZS60
Price: $399.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 20:39 PST - Details
Resolution: 18.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sigma fp
Price: $1599.
00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 23:16 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.6 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Canon EOS 70D
Price: $1299.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 11:33 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Kodak PIXPRO FZ53
Price: $189.99 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:13 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.15 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Kodak PIXPRO Astro Zoom AZ652
Price: $369.00 as of Oct 8, 2022, 00:00 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.68 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon Z7
Price: $3396.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:21 PST - Details
Resolution: 45.7 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Leica Q2
Price: $4904.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 23:30 PST - Details
Resolution: 47.3 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony a7S III
Price: $5696.
00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 17:19 PST - Details
Resolution: 12.1 Megapixel
Display: 2.95 inches
Canon PowerShot ELPh235
Price: $289.99 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:46 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Kodak Friendly Zoom FZ152
Price: $167.60 as of Oct 8, 2022, 02:11 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.15 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
Price: $1599.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:29 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.4 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Olympus PEN E-PL10
Price: $649.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 15:57 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon PowerShot SX410 IS
Price: $349.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 09:52 PST - Details
Resolution: 20 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon D3200
Price: $848.
00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 22:09 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3.0 inches
Nikon COOLPIX W100
Price: $376.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 08:19 PST - Details
Resolution: 13.2 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Panasonic LUMIX FZ2500
Price: $897.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 07:46 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Panasonic Lumix DC-G9
Price: $1211.38 as of Oct 7, 2022, 18:08 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.33 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon D5200
Price: $694.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 16:32 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon COOLPIX P900
Price: $1099.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:03 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Panasonic Lumix DC-G100
Price: $647.
99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 17:22 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.3 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon COOLPIX S33
Price: $449.99 as of Oct 8, 2022, 04:49 PST - Details
Resolution: 13.2 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VI
Price: $1198.00 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:36 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VA
Price: $998.00 as of Oct 8, 2022, 00:18 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Fujifilm X-T3
Price: $1999.95 as of Oct 8, 2022, 02:57 PST - Details
Resolution: 26.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon COOLPIX S3700
Price: $199.98 as of Oct 7, 2022, 08:10 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Price: $3769.
00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 11:33 PST - Details
Resolution: 22.3 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Ricoh Theta S
Price: $430.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 07:36 PST - Details
Resolution: 12 Megapixel
Display: n/a inches
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1
Price: $2399.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 19:15 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Nikon D5300
Price: $1149.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 13:10 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Canon EOS 77D
Price: $1249.00 as of Oct 8, 2022, 02:30 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Leica D-Lux 7
Price: $1404.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 22:06 PST - Details
Resolution: 17 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Panasonic DMC-TS25D
Price: $269.
98 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:44 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.1 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Canon EOS 6D
Price: $2498.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 11:33 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon COOLPIX A300
Price: $329.98 as of Oct 7, 2022, 16:34 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Canon EOS 80D
Price: $1589.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 11:33 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon COOLPIX B700
Price: $799.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 23:40 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony Alpha a7 II
Price: $1099.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 23:02 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.3 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
Price: $589.
95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:43 PST - Details
Resolution: 12.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Insta360 One X2
Price: $499.99 as of Oct 8, 2022, 03:54 PST - Details
Resolution: 18 Megapixel
Display: 1.33 inches
Nikon COOLPIX B600
Price: $759.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 07:28 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III
Price: $2499.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 16:42 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.4 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Fujifilm FinePix XP140
Price: $514.95 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:43 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.4 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Vivitar ViviCam V54
Price: $20.00 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:35 PST - Details
Resolution: 5.1 Megapixel
Display: 1.4 inches
Canon PowerShot SX530 HS
Price: $348.
99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:03 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.0 Megapixel
Display: 3.0 inches
Ricoh WG-60
Price: $392.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:03 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Vivitar ViviCam VF126
Price: $34.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 15:58 PST - Details
Resolution: 14.1 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Polaroid i20X29
Price: $71.99 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:37 PST - Details
Resolution: 20 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Vivitar ViviCam iTwist S124
Price: $99.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 11:32 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.1 Megapixel
Display: 2.4 inches
Bell+Howell WP10
Price: $83.63 as of Oct 7, 2022, 15:55 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 2.4 inches
Nikon COOLPIX S7000
Price: $399.
00 as of Oct 8, 2022, 02:48 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Olympus TG-Tracker
Price: $579.99 as of Oct 8, 2022, 03:53 PST - Details
Resolution: 8 Megapixel
Display: 1.5 inches
Vivitar ViviCam VXX14
Price: $79.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 15:58 PST - Details
Resolution: 20 Megapixel
Display: 1.8 inches
Vivitar ViviCam F128
Price: $31.23 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:36 PST - Details
Resolution: 9 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Samsung NX3300
Price: $749.97 as of Oct 7, 2022, 12:08 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.3 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Bell+Howell S20HD
Price: $59.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 17:18 PST - Details
Resolution: 20 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Leica V-Lux (Typ 114)
Price: $1859.
95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 21:18 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX1R II
Price: $3298.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 14:22 PST - Details
Resolution: 42.4 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon Coolpix A1000
Price: $729.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 13:56 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Leica Q (Typ 116)
Price: $8950.98 as of Oct 7, 2022, 21:06 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon COOLPIX L840
Price: $299.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 09:46 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.0 Megapixel
Display: 3.0 inches
Panasonic LUMIX GH5M2
Price: $2097.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 08:00 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.3 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Pentax K-70
Price: $714.
53 as of Oct 7, 2022, 16:19 PST - Details
Resolution: 24.24 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Nikon COOLPIX AW130
Price: $668.95 as of Oct 7, 2022, 08:29 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.0 Megapixel
Display: 3.0 inches
Fujifilm X100V
Price: $2449.00 as of Oct 8, 2022, 05:00 PST - Details
Resolution: 26.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Ricoh Theta M15
Price: $267.49 as of Oct 7, 2022, 21:15 PST - Details
Resolution: 6.4 Megapixel
Display: n/a inches
Sigma dp1 Quattro
Price: $918.58 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:36 PST - Details
Resolution: 29 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Pentax Optio RZ-18
Price: $209.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 22:54 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Fujifilm XF1
Price: $449.
00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 17:54 PST - Details
Resolution: 12 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5
Price: $2024.22 as of Oct 7, 2022, 16:28 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.33 Megapixel
Display: 3.2 inches
Polaroid iS426
Price: $69.99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 13:42 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 2.4 inches
Olympus PEN E-PL8
Price: $634.32 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:34 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.1 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Sigma dp0 Quattro
Price: $999.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 12:24 PST - Details
Resolution: 29 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Leica X-E (Typ 102)
Price: $1795.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 15:02 PST - Details
Resolution: 16.5 Megapixel
Display: 2.7 inches
Vivitar ViviCam T324N
Price: $33.
94 as of Oct 7, 2022, 18:59 PST - Details
Resolution: 12.1 Megapixel
Display: 2.4 inches
Samsung EX1
Price: $338.49 as of Oct 7, 2022, 08:30 PST - Details
Resolution: 10 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Polaroid T737
Price: $98.98 as of Oct 8, 2022, 04:36 PST - Details
Resolution: 7 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Vivitar ViviCam X137
Price: $49.99 as of Oct 8, 2022, 01:36 PST - Details
Resolution: 10.1 Megapixel
Display: 2.4 inches
Ricoh G900
Price: $642.26 as of Oct 8, 2022, 03:56 PST - Details
Resolution: 20 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Ricoh G800
Price: $1115.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 16:39 PST - Details
Resolution: 16 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Ricoh GXR S10
Price: $499.
99 as of Oct 7, 2022, 22:48 PST - Details
Resolution: 10 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
Canon PowerShot SX620 HS
Price: $455.00 as of Oct 7, 2022, 21:12 PST - Details
Resolution: 20.2 Megapixel
Display: 3 inches
| Nikon has a lot of digital SLR cameras. Sometimes you can go crazy choosing the right option for yourself. Also, it is very difficult to understand the range of cameras. There are a large number of cameras that are professional on the one hand and amateur on the other. I split all cameras into 4 classes :
Here is my camera class breakdown:
Main distribution criteria: Nikon Pro line of camera classes. A useful plate with the dates of camera announcements. Green indicates Nikon FX full-length cameras.
The following cameras also exist with the Nikon F mount: Fujifilm FinePix S1 Pro, S2 Pro, S3 Pro, S3 Pro UVIR, S5 Pro, IS Pro, Kodak DCS PRO 14n (and its modifications) and Kodak DCS Pro SLR / n (and its modifications) You can see which cameras use the same sensor here. My calculations for Nikon CZK performance can be found here. The letters S, H, X, E in the names of cameras Nikon
Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. See the catalog of modern lenses at Moyo.ua. ConclusionsUsing my plate, you can immediately determine which class Nikon digital SLR camera belongs to. Given that each new round of evolution (from left to right) only improves camera performance, choosing the best option becomes quite simple.
The material was prepared by Arkady Shapoval. Add a comment:Add a comment | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2-F/1.4 
These cameras do not have automatic modes, are weatherproof, use fast CF memory cards and special connectors for control. They can do everything the same as advanced amateur cameras. 
Increase. 
01.2008 
02.2020 
For example Nikon D40\D40x, D1\D1x, D2x, D2xs, D3\D3x. 
Look for me on Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram. See discounts on cameras here. Comparative test Nikon D850, Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z7. Read on Pixel24.com
Specs comparison
Last year, Nikon introduced the Mirrorless Full-Frame Z System, making it clear to brand fans that the mirrorless future is here! We have already tested the Nikon Z 6 and Nikon Z 7, but decided to return to them again. Now let's do a comparison test with the Nikon D850 to show the strengths and weaknesses of DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. In the test, we will try to focus on the most non-obvious differences. It will be interesting!
More recently, Nikon released a firmware update for mirrorless cameras, giving them autofocus for the eyes and improving autofocus in general.
We will also pay attention to this. Let's start traditionally with a formal comparison of characteristics.
NIKON Z 7 / 85.0 mm f/1.4 settings: ISO 64, F8, 2 s, 85.0 mm equiv.
Two important parameters were not included in our list of characteristics: the volume of the buffer and the availability of dust and moisture protection. There is no information on them in the specifications. Therefore, during the test, we will measure the volume of the buffer experimentally. About dust and moisture protection, we can confidently say that all three cameras have it, although it is not mentioned in the official specifications.
Now let's look closely at the rest of the items in our table. The first and obvious conclusion is the use of similar matrices in Nikon D850 and Nikon Z 7. They have the same resolution of 45 megapixels, the same maximum shooting speed. But these matrices cannot be called identical.
Nikon D850 does not have phase detection autofocus on the matrix in Live View mode, but mirrorless cameras do. Perhaps it was this technological difference that prevented the company from releasing full-frame mirrorless cameras earlier.
NIKON D850 / Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/4G ED VR Nikkor settings: ISO 200, F4, 1/4000 s, 200.0 mm equiv.
The DSLR Nikon D850 has fast phase detection autofocus through the optical viewfinder. And even though its dots do not cover the entire area of the frame, the Multi-CAM 20K sensor used here can be called one of the best DSLRs in the world. Judging autofocus based on dry numbers, we do not single out a leader.
If we talk about the indisputable advantages of mirrorless cameras, then we need to mention the advantage in the form of a five-axis stabilization system based on sensor shift, smaller dimensions and, in general, a higher burst shooting speed.
But we agreed to pay attention to non-obvious "little things"! Therefore, we add here the new Nikon Z mount. Firstly, it allows you to use fundamentally new optics with cameras (we will mention its advantages later), without limiting the use of lenses from DSLRs through the FTZ adapter. Secondly, its size is significantly larger, which simplifies the creation of unique ultra-fast lenses.
At first glance, the video capabilities of all three cameras are close (we will note practical differences below). Unlike some competitors, they can shoot 4K video from the entire width of a full-frame sensor. And mirrorless cameras can additionally output a 10-bit N-Log signal to the HDMI output. However, cameras cannot record on an N-Log flash drive.
In the analysis of the characteristics, we note a huge gap in the resource of one battery charge. For some, this parameter may be decisive. However, in the test we will return to this issue once again, having already gained practical experience in shooting.
Design features
Bayonet
The Nikon F mount has been around since 1959. As the photo industry developed, it acquired new features: automatic aperture control, mechanical and then electronic autofocus drive, etc. However, there is a limit to everything: when the F mount was developed, no one even knew about the appearance of digital cameras, and even more so about video shooting on such cameras. That it has survived to this day, meeting the needs of today's photographers, is a Japanese engineering marvel.
Therefore, the creation of a new Z-mount looks like a timely and logical step from Nikon. It has a larger diameter, shorter working distance and fully electronic control of all lens systems, its diameter makes it possible to implement sensor-shift stabilization.
Potentially, the Z-mount allows the use of a larger sensor in future cameras.
I wonder if this is why all existing lenses with a Z mount have an “extra” letter S in their name? .. Is it worth waiting for medium format cameras and a new line of optics with a Z mount? Official Nikon does not give such answers.
When you turn off the camera and change the lens, the shutter in mirrorless cameras remains open, which makes it easier for dust to enter the sensor. Let me remind you that the mirror Nikon D850 prevents this from being lowered by a mirror and a closed shutter. Indeed, dust on the matrix Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z7 appears much more often. But we must pay tribute to the cleaning system built into the camera: it works very efficiently, often making it possible to do without blowing the matrix with a pear in the field.
Stabilization
Nikon Z 6 and Nikon Z 7 have an optical image stabilizer that eliminates 5-axis shaking (up-down and right-left tilt, up-down and right-left linear shift, rotation around the optical axis ).
The stabilization system is based on matrix shift. The matrix itself does not move along five axes. Vibration compensation is achieved by shifting the matrix along three axes. If a stabilized lens is attached to the camera, both stabilization systems will be used to achieve maximum efficiency.
Nikon D850 looks more modest. It can only use the stabilization system in lenses, significantly inferior in this regard to mirrorless cameras. Only some macro lenses have a four-axis stabilization system, the rest eliminate vibrations only along two axes. But let's test the effectiveness of both camera systems.
NIKON D850 / Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8E ED VR Nikkor settings: ISO 1600, F2.8, 1/50s, 50.0mm equiv.
Increasing shutter speed does not degrade sharpness to at least 1/13 s. At ⅙ s, detailing is slightly reduced, increasing shutter speed to ⅓ s wastes all the advantages of a 45-megapixel matrix.
A shutter speed of 0.6 s is non-working for handheld shooting. The stabilization system in the lens made it possible to realize a gain in three exposure steps.
And now let's take the Nikon Z 7 with the new Nikon Z 24-70mm f / 2.8 S lens. Recall that the lens itself does not have a built-in stabilizer, only the stabilization system in the camera is activated. We immediately note the higher detail of the picture at an open aperture: 9The 0062 Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S is a big winner over the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED.
Let's start with the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED stabilized lens DSLR. In general, we consider that a safe shutter speed for handheld photography is a value inversely proportional to the focal length: 1/50 s at a focal length of 50 mm. The camera easily fulfills this value, giving a relatively sharp picture.
The result with increasing shutter speed is much better than what we saw with a DSLR.
Consistently high-quality images can be obtained handheld at shutter speeds up to ⅙ s inclusive. The first slightly blurred frames in the series appear at ⅓ s, but even with this value you can get a photo with good sharpness.
NIKON Z 7 / NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S settings: ISO 640, F2.8, 1/50 sec.
At ½ s, the burst rate increases to about 50%, but sharp shots are still present. Only with shutter speeds of more than a second, the stabilization system can not cope. So the stabilization system fulfills the declared efficiency in 5 exposure steps confidently! In this, mirrorless cameras have a clear advantage over DSLRs.
Memory cards
The question of memory cards for Nikon cameras is a thorny one. Some time ago, the company began the transition to the promising and fast XQD format.
If in Nikon D850 such a slot was supplemented with a more familiar SD with support for fast UHS-II cards, then in Z 6 and Z 7 only XQD remained, so when buying a camera, the photographer will inevitably have to get a new card and card reader .
However, there are rumors on the net that in the future it is possible to release firmware to support CF Express memory cards (they can be produced in the XQD form factor). If this happens, then Nikon will definitely outsmart the rest of the manufacturers, throwing a bridge to a promising future now. Unfortunately, firmware V2.00 did not include such an update.
Interface and ergonomics
Ergonomics
Mirrorless cameras are smaller than DSLRs, and that's a fait accompli. You can say as much as you like that a difference of a couple of centimeters means nothing, but in a bag such cameras take up significantly less space.
In the compartment of the photo backpack where I usually “lived” the charger for the D850 batteries, a Nikon Z 7 fits! And in the hand, the new Z-ki feel much more compact.
Let's make a reservation right away: the advantage in the size of the cameras does not affect the size of the optics.
You should not expect compactness from the entire mirrorless photo system, since the size of the lens depends primarily on the frame format, and here it is identical to DSLRs.
Let's make a reservation right away: the advantage in the size of the cameras does not affect the size of the optics in any way. You should not expect compactness from the entire mirrorless photo system, since the size of the lens depends primarily on the frame format, and here it is identical to DSLRs.
Although the developers tried to repeat the grip familiar to Nikonists in the Z-series, the reduced dimensions of the camera did not allow this to be 100%. With heavy lenses, mirrorless cameras nod more strongly and put more pressure on the top of the hand with a one-handed grip, and this reduces the efficiency of working with control dials. If you support the lens with your left hand, the problem goes away. And the weight difference of 300 grams feels very good: even with heavy optics, the mirrorless camera is lighter and more compact, especially if you carry it on a shoulder strap.
You can feel that the developers tried to make the transition to mirrorless as painless as possible for conservative fans of the Nikon brand. The main buttons and selectors responsible for the shooting process remained in place. In the zone of influence of the index finger: turning on the camera, front control dial, ISO button, exposure compensation and start video recording.
Thumb habitually gropes for a slightly modified rear control dial, AF-ON button, AF area selection joystick, navigation pad.
The two programmable buttons Fn1 and Fn2 on the front panel also remained roughly in place. And then the interface differences begin. Because whatever one may say, but mirrorless cameras have a different principle of sighting, information output, and therefore use an optimized interface.
Interface Differences
Nikon D850 is largely designed for "old school" photographers who meticulously read manuals and books on photography, who know and can use combinations of buttons and control dials.
It allows you to change many parameters without leaving the viewfinder by holding down one of the buttons and rotating the control dial. In this case, the photographer must navigate by the numbers and icons in the viewfinder or on the monochrome LCD display. In other words, it is important not only to know what each button is for, but also what customization options it offers and how they are displayed. Agree, in the age of colorful animated interfaces for mobile applications, it looks complicated ...
The monochrome display on the top panel is the basis of the interface Nikon D850 . Most shooting parameters are quicker and more convenient to change with this small screen.
Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 are slightly friendlier. After all, they do not have an optical viewfinder, but only an electronic viewfinder and display that are identical in their capabilities.
In mirrorless cameras, all parameters are displayed and changed on the main display or in the viewfinder.
The concept of blind control, when the main parameters are changed by pressing a button and turning the control dials, has not gone away. But it has been supplemented and strengthened with an updated quick on-screen menu (called by the i button). The menu has become much clearer and clearer than it was with the Nikon D850. Naturally, its items can be selected and programmed via the menu. And now it is a full-fledged element of quick camera control without leaving the viewfinder. Therefore, the i button took pride of place between the joystick and the navipad, right under the photographer's thumb.
On-screen menu in the Nikon Z6 viewfinder
The reduced number of buttons and more active use of on-screen interfaces has made it possible to reduce the number of programmable controls. If there were 12 of them in Nikon D850 , then only seven remained in Z-cameras.
For the same reason, the large monochrome display on the top panel is out of work.
It was not completely abandoned, replacing it with a smaller OLED screen. It still displays the main settings, but it may no longer participate in camera control, because the same information is more clearly presented on the main screen or viewfinder.
Let everyone decide which interface to choose. All I can say is that I found it easier to control the many camera settings in the viewfinder of the Z 6 and Z 7 than on the D850's monochrome display.
Touch control
Touch control via the main screen has become a logical development of the user-friendly interface. Let me remind you that it is available in Nikon D850, and in Nikon Z 6, and in Nikon Z 7.
Conservative in many ways, the Nikon D850 provides the photographer with a tilting touch display.
Using the touch interface, you can select the autofocus area and release the shutter, navigate menus, and scroll through and zoom photos.
The sensor responsiveness of the Nikon D850 seemed slightly lower than that of mirrorless cameras.
Sight
Whereas the Nikon D850 allows you to literally look through the lens using the optical viewfinder, the Nikon Z 6 and Nikon Z 7 show the photographer the image of the future frame on the screen or in the electronic viewfinder. This is the fundamental difference between cameras.
Modern technologies have allowed mirrorless cameras to almost completely get rid of "childhood diseases" in the form of image display delay. Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 give a completely live picture in sight mode. If there is a display lag, then it is practically not fixed by the eye. The image does not strobe, does not distort when panning either on the screen or in the viewfinder.
EVF level indication
3.69 resolution EVFmillion dots gives a level of detail that makes the picture completely realistic: differences in the perception of the electronic and optical viewfinder are minimized.
The maximum brightness of the electronic viewfinder is comfortable to work even in bright sunlight. On a sunny day, the picture roughly corresponds in brightness to what is seen in the Nikon D850 viewfinder with an f / 2.8 lens, on a cloudy day it almost corresponds to the brightness of the optical viewfinder with an f / 1.4 lens.
EVF Live Histogram Display
The mirrorless EVF and screen clearly outperform the D850's optical viewfinder when it comes to information. Peaking to facilitate manual focusing, live histogram, finally, exposure and white balance of the future frame - all this is not in the excellent optical viewfinder of the Nikon D850, but it is in the electronic viewfinders and on the screens of the Z-series cameras.
Information displayed in the viewfinder Nikon D850
But in fairness, we note that in Live View mode, the Nikon D850 SLR almost catches up with mirrorless cameras in terms of capabilities.
The picture on the screen is devoid of delay, there is also a two-axis electronic level, a histogram and peaking. But the speed of this camera in Live View mode is still lower. Focusing on the contrast principle, the Nikon D850 is slower to focus. After the picture is taken, the Live View display does not return immediately. The lag behind mirrorless cameras is very noticeable in practice. It can be seen that Live View is a secondary, auxiliary mode of operation for the D850.
In Live View mode, the Nikon D850 screen is as informative as mirrorless cameras. And its resolution is even higher!
Nevertheless, the optical viewfinder has indisputable advantages. It is more comfortable to work with him in extreme conditions. For example, when shooting at night, it does not blind the photographer like the display or electronic viewfinder of mirrorless cameras. And when combined with the D850's glowing buttons and the practicality of the monochrome display on the top panel, shooting becomes really convenient and easy.
For this night shooting, I preferred a DSLR, because in almost absolute darkness in its viewfinder you can at least roughly see the stars and the horizon line, compose the frame. Luminous buttons and a screen on the top panel allow you to conveniently change shooting parameters, they do not blind your eyes.
NIKON D850 / 16.0-35.0 mm f/4.0 settings: ISO 3200, F4, 30 s, 16.0 mm equiv.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
The wireless capabilities of all three cameras are very close, especially after updating the Nikon D850 firmware to version 1.01. The cameras can be paired with mobile devices via Bluetooth as well as connected via Wi-Fi using the SnapBridge app.
The main convenience of working with two interfaces is that the camera is constantly connected via the energy-efficient Bluetooth protocol and can be connected to a mobile device via Wi-Fi directly from the application.
Even if the camera is turned off and is in your photo bag, you can take your smartphone out of your pocket and transfer pictures from the camera, for example, for publication on a social network. You don't even need to take the camera out for this. Very comfortably!
The second possibility is remote recording. An important difference between the Nikon D850 and Nikon Z 6 and Nikon Z 7 mirrorless cameras is that a DSLR only allows remote photography, while mirrorless cameras can record video when controlled from a smartphone.
The image from the camera to the mobile device is transmitted with a very low delay, about a third of a second. During photography, you can remotely change the white balance, the current exposure parameter, enter exposure compensation, select the autofocus area by touching the smartphone screen. During video shooting on mirrorless cameras, additional settings are not available.
A Bluetooth-tethered phone can share its coordinates with the camera, acting as a GPS logger.
Some of the images in our test are GPS-tagged.
Image quality
Test ISO
for comparing the quality of the image Nikon D850, Nikon Z 6 and Nikon Z 7, our standard test was carried out for all the lords for all. . We specifically chose a scene that is full of bright lights and deep shadows, as well as characterized by relatively low light - these are the shots most often shot at high ISO. All three cameras use the same lens to put them in the same conditions. So let's go!
NIKON Z 6 settings: ISO Lo, F8, 5 s, 85.0 mm equiv.
NIKON Z 7 settings: ISO Lo, F8, 8 s, 85.0 mm equiv.
NIKON D850 / Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G settings: ISO Lo, F8, 8s, 85.0mm equiv.
The minimum sensitivity for Nikon D850 and Nikon Z 7 starts from ISO 32 (ISO 31 is written in EXIF), and for Nikon Z 6 - from ISO 50.
For all three cameras, these values are expandable, that is, obtained programmatically from higher ISO. This somewhat narrows the dynamic range in the area of overexposure (clearly noticeable on the example of hard gradients on the arch of the bridge on the right).
NIKON Z 7 settings: ISO 64, F8, 4 s, 85.0 mm equiv.
NIKON D850 / Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G settings: ISO 64, F8, 4 s, 85.0 mm equiv.
NIKON Z 6 settings: ISO 100, F8, 3 s, 85.0 mm equiv.
NIKON Z 7 settings: ISO 100, F8, 3 s, 85.0 mm equiv.
NIKON D850 / Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G settings: ISO 100, F8, 3 s, 85.0 mm equiv.
Increasing ISO to the lowest native value dots all the i's: gradients become smoother, and in overexposures, even in JPEG, much more shades and details are preserved.
At this value, the cameras give an absolutely smooth and noise-free picture in JPEG and RAW.
The detail of all cameras can be called high, but the advantage of the 45-megapixel Nikon D850 and Nikon Z 7 is obvious. Both 45-megapixel models cope with these details easily, demonstrating identically high picture quality.
Up to ISO 400, cameras produce almost the same picture in terms of noise: they are not present in either bright or dark areas; neither RAW nor JPEG.
For the first time, monochrome noise makes itself felt at ISO 800. It appears in the form of fine pixel-by-pixel “sand” in the sky. In Nikon Z 6, this effect is less pronounced.
At ISO 1600, noise begins to take over the shadows, eating fine details and tonal transitions. This value remains fully operational: the resolution of all three cameras is still enough to print large format images even without processing, but their technical quality will be lower than at the minimum ISO.
The next height is ISO 3200.
The situation with noise in the shadows naturally worsens: the detail of the shadows drops, the tonal transitions are erased. Noise in RAW is less pronounced on the Z 6, and the highlights of the frame look a little cleaner on this camera. But the final detail of the other two cameras is still higher. In-camera JPEG is good for all three models, it can be printed in a relatively large format without additional processing.
The threshold value can be called ISO 6400. The fight against noise dramatically reduces the contrast and detail in the shadows. With Nikon Z 7 and D850, this trend is more pronounced. Pictures can still be used for printing and processing, but the advantage of high resolution is beginning to fade before our eyes. The cameras are almost comparable in their capabilities.
ISO 12800 provokes active noise reduction. The JPEG image of the Nikon Z 7 and Nikon D850 becomes blurry, low-detailed and low-contrast. The lower resolution Nikon Z 6 looks more advantageous, the final detail of the frame is close to that of more multi-megapixel counterparts.
And yet, such a JPEG is applicable only as a last resort for reportage shooting. From RAW, by fine-tuning noise reduction, you can get a better result, still suitable for printing in a not too large format or publishing on the web.
ISO 25600 widens the gap between the 24MP Z 6 and its 45MP cousins. Frames with Z 6 can be used to a limited extent, for example, for publication in social networks. And the Z 7 and D850 show too much noise artifacts.
Higher sensitivity values, including expandable ones, should be used only in case of emergency, when the task is to fix the moment at any cost.
Summing up the intermediate result, it is necessary to note the very confident performance of all three cameras in low light conditions, where the 24-megapixel Nikon Z 6 became the predictable winner by a small margin. The two 45-megapixel cameras, in turn, showed a significant advantage in the level detail at low and moderately high ISO.
The shot was taken at a relatively high ISO and further corrected in the RAW converter, the exposure was greatly increased, the shadows were lightened.
This did not lead to degradation of the image and the appearance of strong noise.
NIKON Z 7 / NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S settings: ISO 800, F2.8, 15s, 24.0mm equiv.
Dynamic Range
We couldn't find a clear leader in the shadow pulling issue: all three cameras show excellent flexibility when processing RAW files. Frames shot at low sensitivity can be safely lightened by three steps and even a little more. It is noteworthy that this does not lead to a sharp increase in noise, but it shows new details in the pictures (pay attention to the space under the bridge in the lower right corner of the frame).
When stretching the lights, all three cameras also behave in approximately the same way. Subjectively, it seemed that the Nikon Z 6 renders overexposure a little worse: in the pictures from this camera, the yellow color of the building in the background did not recover so well. But the difference is very small.
In general, all three cameras give new details when lowering the exposure by about one and a half steps in the RAW converter (we traditionally use products from Adobe). Further darkening of the pictures shows neither color nor structure: pay attention to the white lilac flowers in the background.
But in combination with a huge margin in the shadows, this is an excellent result. You just need to trust the camera exposure meter. He tries to avoid overexposure that cannot be pulled out.
Each of the cameras allows you to easily move the Shadows and Highligts sliders apart when processing RAW, plus additionally edit the exposure in addition. The resulting effect from such a "rubber" RAW can be compared with HDR processing.
Continuous shooting
Buffer parameters are not specified in the specifications of the cameras we tested. Representatives of Nikon can be understood: there may be too many settings and discrepancies here.
In order for photographers to have some sort of starting point for evaluating the continuous shooting capabilities of the Nikon Z 6, Z 7 and D850, we conducted our own test. All cameras include shooting in RAW with lossless compression, 12-bit color depth.
Nikon Z 6 honestly works out its maximum speed of 12 frames / s, accommodating exactly 30 RAW files in the buffer. After that, the shooting speed decreases, new shots are taken as the buffer is freed. Fast XQD cards proved to be the best: writing images from the buffer to the card takes less than 10 seconds from the start of the series. In JPEG, the duration of a continuous burst at maximum speed is more than 4 seconds, or about 50 frames.
Automatic exposure and autofocus remain functional between burst shots. The picture in the viewfinder lags a little in relation to reality - between the frames of the series, the last shot taken is shown. At lower burst speeds, a blackout appears, like in a DSLR, but the picture becomes more alive.
