The wait is over; Nikon has entered the mirrorless arena. How does the new Z7 fare?

Caveat: This is not an extensive review, rather a review based on 5 days shooting street photography on assignment (predominantly in manual mode using focus peaking). Those who know me know I've been waiting for this! I was lucky enough to be one of the only people in the world to shoot with the Z7 pre-release (and the first person in Europe to even see it in person). So, how did it go?

First, some background information. 1) I've recently become an ambassador for Nikon (fistpump); I'm assuming some of you assume I am but a puppet. No. I will always be honest and everything I report here is my own opinion based off my experience with the camera and lens. 2) I was hired by Nikon Japan to showcase the technical aspects of the new 35mm ƒ1.8 lens and to provide sample images for its worldwide release. It was not to review the camera itself, and hence this is a preliminary review. Myself and a small team (thanks S, Y and F) walked the streets of Milan, shooting street photography under strict conditions (focus, subject matter, composition etc). Very challenging, but incredibly rewarding. 3) Due to it being a lens assignment—ultimate resolution is paramount—I was given the 45.7MP Z7 monster to play with. It was a pre production model, things may have changed since then. I'll be shooting at the launch event today and will update this post with any necessary changes. 4) I haven't had a chance to use the 24.5MP Z6 yet. When I do, I'll run it through its paces at a wedding and write a follow up review. 5) This is an important one. Due to shooting with a pre production model I had no software that could open the RAW files. Everything you see are JPGs direct from the camera (RAW were recorded also, when Adobe Camera RAW is updated I can access them). 6) There will be plenty of other sites that post all the detailed specs and photographs. As usual, I'm only concerned with how it works. 7) Again, due to the nature of this assignment I didn't explore the AF modes (tracking and whatnot) well enough to comment on them here. From my (very) short tests, they were excellent. I had 5 days to shoot and the assignment was demanding, I had little time to explore the camera fully. The same applies to shooting continuously (FPS), as I prefer to time street photography with a single shot. On with the show. Auto Focus I was expecting big things from Nikon here, as AF has always been a strong point. Happy to report that it is excellent. The center point hit pretty much all the time (I'm talking a VERY high percentage) - this below shot for example, a bird landed next to me on a car roof and I pointed the camera at it, guessing where the center point would be on the bird and hit the shutter. The whole process must have taken at most 1/4 of a second, and the result...

The outer points (full frame coverage) exceeded my expectations. The Z7 has a shade under 500 points. These were both shot using outer points, and in each case the focus was nailed for *every* shot in the series.

One of the most challenging aspects of AF is in backlit conditions. Happy to report that the Z7 is up to the task. This guy was running through the fountains (playing with his kids) at sunset. Quickly! The Z7 nailed the focus.

Low light AF is great, rated to -4EV. I didn't get too much time to test it fully so cannot comment with authority here. ISO Since I was focusing on the lens, I didn't have the time to 'properly' test the ISO. Not having access to the RAWs didn't help either. But what I can report, just by looking at the back of the screen - it's top quality. I was shooting a still life scene of a car at night and pushing 25,000. It looked like 3200. Still can't believe it. I'll see if I can find the shot, and if so, I'll add it here later. Dynamic Range Exceptional. Even on the SOOC JPGs. The camera's ability to render a scene is amazing. I can't wait to play with the RAW files to see how far then can be pushed and manipulated. As with AF, backlit conditions are an acid test as to how the camera can cope and reproduce dynamic range. Cheaper sensors will wash out very easily and lose detail and colour rendition. Take a look at this portrait (stopped this couple on the street for 30 seconds, they're not models), shot with the sun behind them and direct into the lens...

The skin tones are incredible. I specifically remember reviewing this shot on the back of the camera and looking up at S with my jaw literally hanging open. All of the skin detail is preserved along with both light and colour dynamic range. Another shot shooting directly into the sun...

Note both the shadow detail on the right hand side of the frame, and the highlight detail around the sunburst and clouds. Crazy good. The clarity and micro-contrast remains superb and note the quality of the flare (including the flare window reflections). Focus Peaking I'm a big—big—fan of focus peaking. It's my preferred way of shooting street (hyperfocal / full manual). Of all the mirrorless cameras to date, Fuji have sat at the top. Sony's is good, but not as accurate as the XT2. So when it came to testing the Nikon Z7, I was both excited and nervous.

The Nikon Z7 performed with aplomb. Exceptional focus peaking (hurrah!). I always test focus peaking wide open in difficult situations (with movement), as that's how you can really separate the wheat from the chaff. I was hitting focus easily at 1.8, over and over again. At higher apertures (I was shooting street at ƒ8-11 most of the time) it's even easier to use. Sharpness What. On. Earth. I was told that Nikon had developed a whole new mount for mirrorless, all for the image quality. I assumed that was marketing speak. I was wrong. The IQ on this is *insane*. I'm not talking about the ƒ8 sweet spot most lenses have either, I'm talking wide open. You don't need to stop down to get the sharpness you want. This shot, for instance, is taken at ƒ1.8...

Here's a corner crop...

Which is this much of the frame...

Remember, this is a SOOC JPG that has been compressed and optimised for the web. On my main screen at full resolution it's amazing - and that's without sharpening! I cannot wait to get my hands on the RAW files and sharpen properly. The sensor on this beast is huge, and now I see why. It really is next level stuff for a camera of this size folks. Those who demand ultimate IQ - look no further. This camera will be perfect for still life, landscape, portrait photographers. For anyone who craves ultimate IQ, actually. All in an ergonomic and functional body. Bokeh Again, next level. Back to the bird, and keep in mind we're looking at shots from a 35mm lens...

Note the way the the transitions from front to back (as the bokeh becomes more prominent) are seamless. Also note how the bokeh is smooth for both highlight and shadow elements (in the trees). That's not easy to do. I've never seen bokeh this good at 35mm. Can't wait to try the 50mm and the 58mm ƒ0.95. Time for the porcelain penguin...

Smooth isn't it? Seamless, in fact. The transition as you go deeper into the frame (further from the lens) is phenomenal. This lens is absolutely stellar and just oozes quality. The sensor and lens system is a new design, akin to medium format in the way bokeh (depth) is rendered. I recall hearing that ƒ1.8 on this system is roughly equal to ƒ1.4 on full frame. That'll be extremely useful for the upcoming 24-70mm ƒ2.8 (it'll look like ƒ2) and I can't even imagine how the Noct 58mm ƒ0.95 will render. Handling Now we're getting to the nitty gritty. How does it handle? Nikon ergonomics have been a strong point for years, and the Nikon Z7 follows that tradition. It's solid, professional and sturdy. Must admit I was drooling over the build/production teaser. Anyone else want a chrome version? As with the D750, the grip is deep and offers great control and stability. The body and lens balance is perfect.

Battery Life Just to re-iterate; I was using a pre production model. The battery usage wasn't fully optimised at that point, and I was told it would be improved when released. Having said that, I was getting around 800-1000 images per battery. Update: I've just finished presenting and shooting at the Nikon UK launch event in London. The official rating is around 330 shots per battery. I have no idea how they ended up at that figure as I had shot a shade under 500 images at the event and only 1/5th of the battery was used. All good there!

Viewfinder & EVF Big, bright, fast, sharp (as a tack) and super smooth - high FPS. I believe this is the best viewfinder and EVF to date. It makes composing and executing shots like this great fun...

Silent shutter The benefit of an electronic shutter! Super handy for getting in close and being discreet, not just for street, but for emotionally charged moments at weddings.

Being dual shutter, the Z7/6 also has a mechanical shutter that is not prone to the usual problems of an electronic shutter (such as banding) - you get the best of both worlds. On that note... Flicker reduction We were shooting in a train station in Milan under the dreaded fluorescent lights. Green/purple bands and whatnot. S took the camera from me and mentioned he'd turn the flicker reduction system on. I assumed it was a gimmick. I was wrong...

Perfect - no banding whatsoever! When in this mode, the camera automatically detects the frequency in which the lights are operating and adjusts the shutter to match it with a synergistic setting, instantly. Magic. Image Stabilisation 5-stop internal vibration reduction. Not only that, but the internal VR works *with* the VR on a lens. Crazy. Here's a night time landscape shot hand held wide open at ƒ1.8, ISO 1600 and 1/20th.

So good! The 100% crops from this image are mind blowing (don't have time to do that for you as I'm off to Lake Como to shoot and don't have the source files). Other Stuff The lenses are small, light and the 35mm has an expensive feeling focus ring. Great torque.

Double Exposures now have an image overlay! Fun times ahead.

Single card slot. The only chink in the armour, I'd much prefer a backup card in the body. XQD is a very reliable format, but still, the omission of a second slot (I'm assuming for size) is an odd one at this price point and target market. This will be the talking point for many professionals, especially those who shoot on location and/or travel. Dual slots = peace of mind. * Please read the updates that follow the conclusion.

Pricing. The Z7 is £3399 and the Z6 is £2099 (!). Very competitive. The 35mm (the best I've used) is under a grand at £849! The 50mm is £599 (!!). Very surprised about the pricing considering how good these lenses are. If the 35mm launched at £2500 I'd have understood why. Bargain.

FTZ Mount lets you use all of your current Nikkor F-Mount lenses with full ability (AF and whatnot). Boom!

Following on from that, all Nikon flashes are compatible straight out of the gate. Sonic boom! No need to invest in another flash system. It will be very easy to add a Z7 or Z6 to the collection and transition to the new stuff over time.

Z7 vs Z6 in a nutshell: 45.7 vs 24.5MP; Max 9FPS vs 12FPS; ISO 50-25000 vs 100-50000. Reminds me of the D750 vs D800/D850. Maximum resolution and IQ vs maximum speed and ISO. Bumped into the Queen of England in Milan, she gave me a wave...