What Nikon gets right

[Andrew Reid]

Thought I'd make a list, and it has ended up being quite big...

 

- That sensor filter stack is amazing, turns a mediocre soft-ish lens wide open into something much better

- Separate sensor readout on Z8 for the EVF, it's so effing fast... A real shot getter of an EVF

- Z-Mount... It has proved to be the most versatile of all mounts, in the history of the industry

- RAW video codecs, post RED-buyout they are clearly on top of the RAW game

- Sensor development... Although they're using Sony Semi, these are not off the shelf chips. The Z8/Z9 sensor is superior to even Sony's own flagship full frame sensor (in the a1/a1 II/CineAlta Burano)

- Heat management... 8K 60p RAW with not even a vent in the body (Z8, Z9)

- IBIS. The Zf takes things to new heights, even better than Panasonic. As good as OM-1, but full frame

- Rear screen... 3.2" may not sound a lot but it's appreciably larger than 3.0" on the Sony alpha cameras.

- Ergonomics. Once you get used to the Nikon controls and menus they are some of the most intuitive... Really fast to switch between stillls and video mode too... although like all cameras there are still quirks

- Affordable lenses... The Nikon 28-75 2.8, 40mm 2.0 SE, and 24-200mm travel zoom are all very high performing optically for the price. They have also allowed Sigma to bring their affordable APS-C range to Z-mount. Now do the same with the full frame ART lenses please Nikon!

- Autofocus performance. I think it edges out the other brands overall, or at least level with Sony. Superior to Canon, Fuji and Panasonic.

- Autofocus performance via adapters... The AF with Sony FE-mount lenses and Canon EF is excellent (Megadap & Fringer adapters).

- Range of video codecs, resolutions and crops... The list is almost never-ending on the Z8 and Z9. Very impressed with that side, now they just need anamorphic & open gate to complete it

- Colour science. It's super and the auto white balance system is very intelligent, as it was on their top-end DSLRs like the D5 and D850. The ability to add your own custom Fuji-style picture styles via Nikon Picture Control Utility is cherry on top (copy on from SD card).

- Extended oversampling in 4K/60p... Sony a1 pixel bins in this mode and even in 4K/24p. The Z8 is capable of downsampling from 8K/60p, a full pixel readout.

- Rolling shutter performance in 8K. Their flagship sensor is just crazy fast and it means you don't miss an obsolete mechanical shutter for photography

- Price/performance ratio. I think the full frame Zf is a real sweet deal, Z6 II by far the best video specs and codec in the mid-range and the Nikon Z8 brand new for $3500 is better value for money than the already good value Panasonic S1R Mark II, let alone compared to Canon or Sony. The equivalent specs from Canon (EOS R5 II) and Sony (a1 II) cost $5-6K.

It's all a big step from where Nikon were 10 years ago, let's get some perspective...

Canon, Sony and Panasonic were far out in front for video and Nikon had only 1" sensors in their mirrorless cameras!

The D750 was a decent start at taking video more seriously but only a 1080p DSLR with limited features, no phase-detect AF for video, no IBIS and so on. A much better stills camera than video.

The D800 had been a big success in the years earlier, but the 5D Mark II and III took the vast majority of the video attention.

D800 was definitely more a photographic success story.

This recent progress makes me wonder what Nikon can do with RED. It would be nice to have a Z8 C with REDcode, global shutter and built in e-ND.

It would also be nice if they update the Zf with the Z6 III sensor and N-RAW... Zf Mark II anybody?

[ND64]

I want them to make a FX3 killer with low noise 5k sensor, 120fps, active cooling, and RED codec/log. But they won't. They're much smaller a company than Sony, and have to spend the limited R&D budget on upgrading the current line up. And they have to ramp up their glass business too; they have much work to do: filling the gaps in still lenses, and develop cine lenses (they got curiosity from cinema community, now they need their attention). 

[MrSMW]

Right now, based on what is available and for my needs, Nikon probably does have the sweetest 3 camera option with the Z8, Z6iii and Zf.

I have come so close to flipping to that set up and the only thing that stopped me was the cost to change, but what with used prices as they are now, slightly more possible than it once was.

The Z8 is a near perfect pro stills camera for me, the Z6iii a video workhorse and the Zf an excellent ‘fun’ hybrid option that straddles the other two.

I already have the Zf, a pair of MAGA hat adapters, 3x Tamron lenses and the 40mm f2 SE, so for me to flip, cost aside, it’s not actually that big a step.

I hate you @Andrew Reid 🤬

[MrSMW]

The only thing really missing for me with Nikon is they still lack the ability to burn in a LUT?

Plus do they have open gate in at least 6k? I'm not sure and haven't checked.

Realistically, I don't think I can do anything this year and am happy and set with what I have all things considered, but after this season, a switch to Nikon could be on that cards and the LUT thing could swing it for sure as that is a HUGE part of my workflow these days.

[Andrew Reid]

Does the Z6 III have open gate?

I also see that the Z6 III gets a new colour mode... Flexible Color which allows you to create your own in-camera Nikon colour profiles in NX Studio with the full colour grading controls you find in Resolve.

[Andrew Reid]

4 hours ago, MrSMW said:

I hate you @Andrew Reid 🤬

[Jahleh]

More Nikon fuel to the fire. 

In case you are interested how S5ii, GH6, GH7 and Z6iii look on one timeline, here’s a video from footage we shot last year.

About first 2/3rd of the video is shot with S5ii and GH6, and the rest with Z6iii and GH7. Edited and color corrected in Resolve UHD 2020 ST.2084 (PQ) 1,000 nit timeline on a M3 Macbook Pro with P3 ST 2084 display preset. Exported to H.265 80Mbps with HDR10+ metadata embedded. 

 

Resolve color space transform:

GH6, GH7, S5ii: input color space Panasonic Vlog or with Lumasweet LUTs

Z6iii: Color space transform from Rec2020 NLog to Rec2020 ST.2084

 

Camera codecs and resolutions:

GH6 and GH7: 5.8k25p open gate, 5.7k50p and 4k100p

S5ii: 6k25p open gate, also with Sirui Saturn 1.6x in 2.40:1 AR, 4k50p

Z6iii: 6k50p and 4k100p NRaw, 5.4k50p and 4k100p H.265 NLog

 

Lenses:

GH6: Olympus 75mm F1.8, 25mm F1.8, 20mm F2

GH7: same than GH6 and Nocticron 42.5mm F1.2

S5ii: S Pro 50mm F1.4, 100mm F2.8, Sigma 35mm F2, Sirui Saturn 1.6x 75mm T2.9

Z6iii: S 50mm F1.2, 85mm F1.8, 40mm F2

 

The video is shot in various lighting conditions on different locations through the 4 seasons, while S5ii IBIS, AF and Estabilization firmware updates were also tested when they were released. AF was used on some of the clips with S5ii and GH7 and almost on all clips with Z6iii. 

 

And last, it’s mainly a bouldering video. In bouldering you try to climb up a specific spot of rock. The more difficult the boulder is for you the more you have to try and fail, until you may succeed. As a bonus you get to enjoy nature, what views and joys it has to offer, and capture those memories too. 

 

[CyclingBen]

@Jahleh I didn’t think there would be a very noticeable difference. On a 4K Sony OLED TV in HDR those Nikon shots just look like a whole other level. Whole video looks great, but is amped up to 11 with the Nikon. The highlight roll off and color gives the image a larger than life feeling.
 

Watch Jimmy Chen slowly come to the Nikon side for his upcoming docs with Alex Hanold.

[andrgl]

I'm tempted to buy a Z6 III with an E-mount adapter for the Sigma 28-45mm F1.8.

Would prefer to have a native option.

[Jahleh]

1 hour ago, CyclingBen said:

@Jahleh I didn’t think there would be a very noticeable difference. On a 4K Sony OLED TV in HDR those Nikon shots just look like a whole other level. Whole video looks great, but is amped up to 11 with the Nikon. The highlight roll off and color gives the image a larger than life feeling.
 

Watch Jimmy Chen slowly come to the Nikon side for his upcoming docs with Alex Hanold.

Thanks! Pretty much the same feeling I had when watching the video from LG OLED. I’ve shot and graded VLog for 4 years now, and last year or two to HDR in Resolve, just for fun, but never got VLog look quite as good as NRaw or NLog. VLog may have more DR but somehow it does not grade as nicely with my grading skills.

With NRaw mild NR can save slightly under exposed shots, but you get flickering if shadows are raised too much. Vlog has noise too, and S5ii footage can’t be pushed as much as original S5 could. 
 

Definitely have to check Jimmy Chin’s Nikon footage. 

[CyclingBen]

8 minutes ago, Jahleh said:

Thanks! Pretty much the same feeling I had when watching the video from LG OLED. I’ve shot and graded VLog for 4 years now, and last year or two to HDR in Resolve, just for fun, but never got VLog look quite as good as NRaw or NLog. VLog may have more DR but somehow it does not grade as nicely with my grading skills.

With NRaw mild NR can save slightly under exposed shots, but you get flickering if shadows are raised too much. Vlog has noise too, and S5ii footage can’t be pushed as much as original S5 could. 
 

Definitely have to check Jimmy Chin’s Nikon footage. 

I think Jimmy is officially / unofficially a Canon guy, at least that’s what he is always seen using in the behind the scenes sections of those docs. Just made me think a Z8 or Z9 could be in his future.
 

Bertie Gregory is one doc maker who I have seen use a Z8 out in the wild, he’s also a RED user so that makes sense. I’m sure there are many others as well Bertie is just the most recent example. 
 

It seems like Nikon really is going to transform their whole company with the RED acquisition, they will always be a photo / optics company first but all of the hints are there that they are going to hitch their wagon to the cinema / video star and either thrive and come out on top or fail and be bought out and sold for scraps to Sony / Canon and private equity. 
 

Nikon, it appears, is showing us they didn’t buy RED to settle a patent issue. Nikon bought RED to refocus the whole company. 

[IronFilm]

On 3/8/2025 at 11:53 AM, Andrew Reid said:

It's all a big step from where Nikon were 10 years ago, let's get some perspective...

Canon, Sony and Panasonic were far out in front for video and Nikon had only 1" sensors in their mirrorless cameras!

The D750 was a decent start at taking video more seriously but only a 1080p DSLR with limited features, no phase-detect AF for video, no IBIS and so on. A much better stills camera than video.

The D800 had been a big success in the years earlier, but the 5D Mark II and III took the vast majority of the video attention.

D800 was definitely more a photographic success story.

When considering the big picture perspective of Nikon's history, let's not forget:

Nikon D90 => the first ever DSLR with video capabilities. 

Nikon D500 => the first ever (non-cine) DSLR with 4K video capabilities. 

Nikon D5200 => a banger of a FHD DSLR for a low low price:

https://www.eoshd.com/review/nikon-d5200-review/ 

https://www.eoshd.com/news/nikon-d5200-vs-canon-5d-mark-iii/ 

https://www.eoshd.com/news/is-the-cheap-nikon-d5200-a-better-option-than-d800-for-video-no-moire-aliasing-and-good-detail/ 

  

6 hours ago, CyclingBen said:

It seems like Nikon really is going to transform their whole company with the RED acquisition, they will always be a photo / optics company first but all of the hints are there that they are going to hitch their wagon to the cinema / video star and either thrive and come out on top or fail and be bought out and sold for scraps to Sony / Canon and private equity. 
 

Nikon, it appears, is showing us they didn’t buy RED to settle a patent issue. Nikon bought RED to refocus the whole company. 

"refocus" 😉

Yes, seeing Nikon level AF coming to the future RED cameras will be nice.  

[fuzzynormal]

4 minutes ago, IronFilm said:

When considering the big picture perspective of Nikon's history, let's not forget:

Nikon D90 => the first ever DSLR with video capabilities.

I've written that having any camera is "good enough" and video creatives should just go to work and make stuff?

That wasn't really possible with the D90.  Lord knows I tried.  Totally f'ed up a shoot with Stan Lee trying to make that thing work. Ooops.

[Emanuel]

9 hours ago, andrgl said:

I'm tempted to buy a Z6 III with an E-mount adapter for the Sigma 28-45mm F1.8.

Would prefer to have a native option.

This is more or less a similar dilemma to me... In love with that piece made of glass, Z8 (vs S1RII) becomes an alternative for using it along E-mount... A strong minus for L-mount ecosystem without adapters to be compatible with.

[IronFilm]

1 hour ago, fuzzynormal said:

I've written that having any camera is "good enough" and video creatives should just go to work and make stuff?

That wasn't really possible with the D90.  Lord knows I tried.  Totally f'ed up a shoot with Stan Lee trying to make that thing work. Ooops.

For sure, when saying "any camera" is good enough you do need to put an asterix next to that (either literally, or implying it). With it probably saying "within the last ten years". (for context, the Nikon D5200 is from 2012! So you could probably have an even more generous time frame than "within the last ten years") 

 

[Andrew Reid]

16 hours ago, IronFilm said:

When considering the big picture perspective of Nikon's history, let's not forget:

Nikon D90 => the first ever DSLR with video capabilities. 

Nikon D500 => the first ever (non-cine) DSLR with 4K video capabilities. 

Nikon D5200 => a banger of a FHD DSLR for a low low price:

https://www.eoshd.com/review/nikon-d5200-review/ 

https://www.eoshd.com/news/nikon-d5200-vs-canon-5d-mark-iii/ 

https://www.eoshd.com/news/is-the-cheap-nikon-d5200-a-better-option-than-d800-for-video-no-moire-aliasing-and-good-detail/ 

  

"refocus" 😉

Yes, seeing Nikon level AF coming to the future RED cameras will be nice.  

Without wanting to drag the topic off into DSLRs, I was talking about Nikon's history in mirrorless cameras starting with the 1" sensor 1 Series cameras.

The DSLRs from Nikon were never all that popular with video users. T2i > D90, 5D II > D800 and any number of cameras > D5200 but at the D5300 / D750 stage Nikon did at least start to take video more seriously.

But ever since the Z9 they have been giving us way more.

The Z6 III, Z8, Z9 and Zf are all better than Canon for video.

Z8 > R5

Z6 III > R6 II

Z9 > EOS R3/R1

Zf > whatever Canon has for the same price

Just overall better specs and handling.

So that's a big reversal since 10 years ago and the DSLR era for Nikon.

RED purchase only going to supercharge this trend.

They are ahead of Panasonic on value for money, specs and sensor tech, including especially AF and codecs.

They are ahead of Canon on specs, handling, ergonomics, mount, and dare I say it also value for money.

Ahead of Sony on some things too but perhaps not in terms of sales or user numbers.

And Fuji is a different kettle of fish altogether so it's harder to compare.