The Z 7 brings a fully capable but lightweight mirrorless camera to Nikon shooters. The two relatively inexpensive native lenses I own, the 24-70 f/4 and the 14-30 f/4 are remarkably sharp and a pleasure to use due to their light weight. Current Nikon users acquiring one of the Z cameras should not discount the value of the owner´s manual and the even more complete Reference Manual, available online, to fully and competently use the Z 7. Although much is similar to other Nikon menus, there are enough differences that it is not intuitively obvious how to utilize all of the camera features. Once underway the camera is fun and a pleasure to use.

I just got back from a 7,000 mile loop going from southeast states to northwest Montana, first extended trip with my new Z7 and 24-70 f4. I can honestly say it never left my side. Using D800 and 28-70 f2.8 in the past I always weighed (no pun intended) whether to carry the D800/lens/tripod combo or use a smaller point-and-shoot. With the Z7 and 24-70 f4 I could easily carry it on extended hikes and get as sharp pictures hand-held as with the D800/tripod with much less weight. The real time white balance was very helpful, focus stacking was great. The silent exposure option proved valuable with some moose, deer, and bird photo opportunities. The customizable touch screen menu was helpful in quickly managing options not available with the dials. Usability was tough at first, but I actually ended up preferring the button layout and functionality over the D800, especially for things changed on the fly and viewed thru the viewfinder, like ISO, exposure compensation, and viewing images with magnification. I did have some trouble tracking birds in flight, some failures and some successes, but conversely I actually could autofocus on Jupiter for a night shot with a 500mm lens, and get the planet´s bands and 4 visible moons in the image. Just a phenomenal improvement over the D800. Haven´t used a D850 so can´t compare features there, but the Z7 provides phenomenal images and a light year leap in usability over the D800.

I had Nikon cameras for the last 10 years and I´m glad that that I can still use my F-Mount lenses with the FTZ adaptor, which always works well. What I don´t like about the FTZ is that I had to pay for it when I bought the camera whereas now they give it away for free, which is not fair to the early adopters. The Z7 has an incredible image quality, easy menus and a great view finder. What I didn´t like about the Z7 is that in my opinion the battery grip should have been available at least a year earlier than now and it lacks the shutter button that everyone is used too. When I shoot with Z mount lenses focusing is fast and everything in video mode works better. I have nothing to complain when I have a photo shoot of persons, but when it comes to fast subjects like aerobatics airplane and military jets at the air show, there is where the AutoFocus couldn´t keep up with all the situation and I ended up to by a Nikon D500 just for a better AF suitable for fast action. I think that as first mirrorless Nikon did a good job and future new models will have an improved autofocus comparable to the pro dslrs. Finally, one of the reason why I immediately bought the Z7 when it came out was the announcement of the “Noct”, I really wanted that lens badly although manual focus, but now that the 8K price has been officially announced I know that I will never have it, since in my opinion it just costs double of what it should be.

Just came back from Africa. The Z7 exceed all my expectations. Fast and accurate focus with excellent exposure. Also the camera took a beating, but came back looking new.

Traded in my D850 for the Z7 and no regrets. Love the EVF and having less issues with good exposure. I also like the ability to preview in the viewfinder. Only downside with upgrade is I lost some shutter speed and the illuminated button when I shoot at night.

Small, light, F lenses work well and the pictures are fantastic. What´s not to like?

Produces great files with which to work. Great dynamic range. Fast and accurate auto focus. Only issue was hard to remove particle (of unknown origin) which adhered itself to sensor.

With the kit lens the Z7 weighs almost 2 pounds less than my D850 with the 28-300 lens (including the Kirk L mount).I used the Z 7 as my ´walking around´´ camera on a recent trip to France and didn´t even take the D850 out of the bag. It doesn´t do everything the D850 does but does some of the same things better. My only gripe is that, as a back button shooter, I inadvertently hit the ´´subselector´´ sending the focal point skittering off to the side or the corners and haven´t been able to figure out how to keep it centered.

Wonderful camera. Easy to use, easy to carry on street photography projects. Wish it were slightly small with lens attached. Very pleased overall.