Nikon Z7

The Nikon Z7 is a full-frame mirrorless camera from 2018 using the Nikon Z mount. Its sensor resolution suits photographers who print large, crop heavily, or both, from landscape shooters to studio workers.

At 675g with weather sealing, the body is equipped for outdoor shooting in dust and moisture. It measures 134 x 101 x 68mm.

Owning one takes a little planning. Images record to a single XQD card, and the battery rating means a spare battery earns its place in the bag on longer shoots.

The Optics score of 86 marks an exceptional stills package, built on a 45.7MP full-frame CMOS sensor with the Expeed 6 processor. It places the Z7 in the top 2% of cameras in our database for Optics. That resolution supports large prints and heavy cropping.

Sensitivity runs from ISO 64 to 25600, and the low base of 64 helps when shooting wide apertures in bright light, a common need for shallow depth of field outdoors.

Autofocus uses 493 points. In-body stabilisation reduces camera shake rather than subject movement, and the 1/8000s maximum shutter speed gives a fast option in bright light.

Burst shooting reaches 9fps at its maximum, a peak figure rather than a promise for every mode. Check the burst mode and conditions for the work you plan before relying on it.

Video earns a very good score of 83. The Z7 records up to 4K, and maximum frame rates reach 60fps, so confirm the exact combinations in the specification table before planning a shoot around a particular mode.

Clips record as MOV or MP4, so you can choose the file format that suits the project, whether footage is headed for editing or simply for storage and review.

In-body stabilisation helps handheld footage by reducing camera shake, though it will not steady a moving subject, since stabilisation counters camera shake alone.

A built-in timelapse mode handles interval shooting in camera, which suits gradual scenes like passing clouds or gathering crowds. Combined with 4K recording, it expands the video toolset for creative projects.

The Features score of 87 is a very good result. The 3.2-inch TFT touchscreen uses a 2.1-million-dot panel, and it tilts so you can frame from low or raised angles comfortably.

The 3.69M-dot electronic viewfinder gives a detailed eye-level view for judging composition and fine detail before you press the shutter.

Weather sealing guards against dust and moisture in normal outdoor use. There is no built-in flash, but an external flash is supported when a scene needs added light.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both included for wireless connection. GPS is absent, so the camera does not tag locations to files automatically; any tagging would need another device or workflow.

Storage and battery is the Z7's weakest area, and the score of 35 rates it limited. There is a single XQD slot, so no second card can record a copy while you shoot. If a card has a problem, the images on it are the only ones you have.

The EN-EL15b battery is rated at 330 shots. The rating does not guarantee real-world endurance, so long sessions with live view or video call for at least one charged spare.

USB charging lets you recharge the battery through a USB connection between shoots, a handy option on travel days when an outlet is available.