Nikon Z7ii review and everything you need to know
By a professional photographer with 15+ years of hands-on experience · Updated 5th of January 2026.
Nikon Z7ii Review – Still Worth It in 2026?
Welcome to my Nikon Z7ii review and after over three years of real-world professional use, these are my Pros and Cons, how the Z7ii has worked for me on a professional level, and what I honestly think of it today.
The Nikon Z7ii doesn’t get the same hype as Nikon’s newer bodies, but I think that’s exactly why it deserves a proper long-term review. It’s often overlooked, sometimes dismissed as “older mirrorless”… yet in the right hands this camera is still an absolute weapon — especially now that prices have dropped.
The Z7ii isn’t a “mini Z8” or “budget flagship” and I don’t think it needs a label like that to be respected. I see it as Nikon’s high-resolution value king — a camera built for photographers who care about image quality, dynamic range, detail, and reliable professional features like dual card slots.
This is going to be a mostly positive Nikon Z7ii review, but there are absolutely a few limitations you need to know about — so come on, let’s dive in.
My full Nikon Z7ii Review video.
First impressions and how it feels
When I first picked up the Z7ii, what struck me most was how familiar it felt — in a good way. It didn’t feel gimmicky or over-designed. It felt like Nikon built it for photographers who actually shoot for a living.
Now, I’ll be honest: the grip is not perfect for everyone. Compared to newer bodies, it’s a little shorter, and depending on your hand size you may notice your little finger hanging onto that grip for dear life. For long shoots, that can matter — and it’s one of the reasons some people prefer the Z8 or Z6iii body design.
A simple solution to that for me was to buy an L bracket as it extends the grip a bit and also gives you that vertical mounting option.
That said, the Z7ii is light, balanced, and easy to work with for hours. With lenses like the 24-70mm f/2.8 S or 70-200mm f/2.8 S, it still feels surprisingly well matched — and on long days that lower weight is a genuine advantage.
So the first impression?
The Z7ii feels like a serious Nikon tool — not a toy, not a tech demo — a proper solid, serious camera plain and simple.
Build Quality
Build quality is reassuringly good. The Z7ii has a weather-sealed magnesium alloy body, and for professional work it absolutely holds up.
Buttons and dials feel tactile and confident, the rear display is sharp and bright, and everything about it feels like it was designed to survive real use rather than just look good on a spec sheet.
I’ve used my Z7ii in rain, wind, cold mornings and coastal conditions — and it has never skipped a beat. And as always: weather-sealed is not waterproof, but Nikon did a great job here.
A big bonus for me is the Nikon layout. If you’ve shot Nikon for years, muscle memory kicks in quickly. That familiarity matters on paid shoots when you don’t have time to fumble around in menus.
So from a build and feel perspective, the Z7ii still feels like a camera you can trust — and that’s half the battle.
Nikon Z7ii Price – Is It Worth It?
At the time of writing this Nikon Z7ii review, pricing has dropped dramatically compared to launch — and that’s exactly why the Z7ii is more relevant now than when it first came out.
It’s not cheap, but the value today is far better than it used to be. You’re getting a 45.7MP full-frame body with pro features and beautiful files, often for the price of mid-range cameras.
You can check the latest price on Adorama B&H and Amazon below.
For photographers who don’t need stacked-sensor speed, 8K video or flagship tracking — the Z7ii is now one of Nikon’s best price-to-performance deals.
Getting back to my original question and is the Z7ii still worth it in 2026? Well at these prices it’s not only worth it, I think this camera has been revived by the price decrease and its amazing specifications.
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Nikon Z7ii release date
The Nikon Z7ii was released on the 14th of October 2020 as an upgrade to the original Nikon Z7. The Z7ii offered some notable improvements and refinements, like the second card slot for example which for me was the main reason why I didn’t buy the Z7 all along. This upgrade was what finally got me to move from my beloved D850 over to mirrorless, or should I say that’s what started my journey anyway.
Features List
Image Sensor
- 45.7 MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor
- Dual EXPEED 6 image processors
- ISO 64 – 25,600 (native), expandable
- Outstanding dynamic range and detail
- Mechanical shutter with electronic shutter options
Shooting Performance
- Up to 10 fps continuous shooting
- 493-point phase-detect AF system
- Eye-detection AF for humans & animals
- Wide AF coverage across approx. 90% of the frame
- In-body 5-axis VR (up to 5 stops)
Video Capabilities
- 4K UHD up to 60p
- 4K oversampled from full sensor width (up to 30p)
- N-Log / HLG HDR support (external recording options)
- Clean HDMI output for external recorders
- Strong hybrid performance for photo-first shooters
Build & Handling
- Magnesium alloy body
- Comprehensive weather sealing
- Weight ≈ 705 g (1.55 lb incl. battery & card)
- Dual card slots: CFexpress Type B (or XQD via firmware) + SD UHS-II
- EN-EL15 series battery compatibility
- USB charging and power delivery support
Display & Viewfinder
- 3.69 M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
- Tilting touchscreen rear display
- Bright, high-resolution EVF for accurate manual focusing
Connectivity
- Wi-Fi (2.4 & 5 GHz) + Bluetooth
- USB-C support for file transfer and charging
- SnapBridge app integration (remote shooting & file transfer)
Extra Functions
- Focus shift shooting (focus stacking capable)
- Interval timer and time-lapse shooting
- Custom banks for photo and video setups
- Silent shooting mode
- HEIF 10-bit still support
Highlights
- High-resolution powerhouse with class-leading dynamic range
- Ideal for landscape, portrait, studio and commercial photography
- Dual card slots make it genuinely professional-safe
- Excellent value at today’s pricing compared to launch
Nikon Z7ii Positives – What This Camera Gets Right
My Nikon Z7ii review positives…
- Image Quality: 45.7MP files are beautiful — sharp, detailed, and incredibly flexible in post.
- Dynamic Range: This is one of the Z7ii’s biggest strengths. Shadow recovery is excellent and highlights roll off smoothly.
- Colour Science: Nikon colours and skin tones are still a joy to edit.
- Dual Card Slots: Essential for professional work. This alone is a major reason the Z7ii beats the original Z7.
- Build Quality: Solid, weather-sealed, dependable.
- Stabilisation: IBIS makes handheld shooting far more forgiving.
- Value Today: Pricing now makes this camera a real bargain for the right shooter.
In short, the Z7ii is a high-resolution workhorse that still delivers incredible results — but nothing is perfect, so let’s talk about the negatives.
Nikon Z7ii Negatives – What Holds It Back
No Nikon Z7ii review would be complete without mentioning its downsides:
- Autofocus Tracking vs Newer Bodies: Eye AF is good, but tracking and subject detection aren’t in the same league as EXPEED 7 cameras.
- Buffer Limitations: 10 fps is nice, but RAW bursts can slow once the buffer fills.
- Video Isn’t Flagship-Level: 4K60 is useful, but this isn’t a dedicated video monster like the Z8/Z9.
- Grip (for some hands): If you have larger hands, it can feel a little short over long sessions.
- Battery Life: Decent, but mirrorless still benefits from spare batteries on long days.
None of these are deal-breakers — they just define what the Z7ii is (and isn’t) best at.
Image Quality – The 45.7MP Sensor Still Shines
At the heart of the Z7ii is a 45.7MP full-frame sensor that still produces stunning results today. Detail is excellent, dynamic range is outstanding, and RAW files are incredibly flexible.
Highlights roll off smoothly, shadows hold detail well, and Nikon colours make skin tones and natural scenes easy to work with. For me, that “Nikon look” still saves time in editing because files don’t need heavy correction to look right.
This camera shines for:
- landscapes
- portraits
- studio and commercial work
- architecture
- anything where detail and tonal flexibility matter
Autofocus Performance – Better Than People Think
Autofocus is one of the areas where the internet tends to be overly harsh on the Z7ii — and yes, newer cameras are better. But the Z7ii is still perfectly capable if you set it up correctly.
Eye detection works well for portraits. General AF is fast and accurate in good light. Where you’ll notice the gap is in:
- very fast action
- complex subject tracking
- very low light with certain lenses
So is it “bad”? No.
Is it as good as a Z8 or Z6iii? Also no.
But for most professional photography genres outside of high-speed sport/wildlife, it’s more than capable.
Video Capabilities – Still Useful, But Know the Limits
The Z7ii is a strong hybrid camera for people who shoot mainly stills but want solid video options. 4K60 is there, quality is good, and the camera can absolutely be used professionally for video depending on your workflow.
Where it falls behind newer bodies is codec flexibility, high-frame-rate options, rolling shutter control and overall video-focused tools. If video is your main income stream, you’ll appreciate what the Z8/Z9 class offers. If video is secondary, the Z7ii will still do a great job.
Card Slots and Battery life
Card slots
Dual card slots (CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II) are essential for professional peace of mind. Being able to back up images in-camera is huge for weddings, events, or anything you can’t repeat.
Battery life
Battery life is fine, but on full-day shoots I’d always carry spares. USB charging is a great bonus when travelling or working on location.
A few more reviews you might be interested in…
Long-Term Reliability
Over the three years I have used the Nikon Z7ii it has proven itself to be extremely reliable. It’s been through real working conditions both harsh and out in the weather and also on fast paced fashion shoots where every shot just has to be right and the Z7ii just always delivered great photograph and to this day it still does.
I trust it not only with my photography but with my name and reputation and that is what matters more than any spec list or latest tech.
Nikon Z7ii Review Conclusion
So after three years of real-world use, where does this Nikon Z7ii review land?
Simply put: the Nikon Z7ii is still one of Nikon’s best high-resolution cameras for photographers who prioritise image quality, dynamic range and professional reliability — and at today’s prices it’s a serious bargain.
It’s not a flagship action camera and it won’t beat the Z8 or Z6iii for autofocus tracking, burst depth or video power — but it was never meant to. The Z7ii is a camera for photographers who want clean, detailed files and a dependable body that gets out of the way and lets you shoot.
If you’re considering buying the Z7ii in 2026, my advice is simple:
If your work suits it — go for it. You’ll get incredible results for the money.
You can check the price on Adorama here
Check the price here on B and H
Check the price on Amazon here.
Thanks for reading my Nikon Z7ii review and don’t forget to check out my YouTube videos where I have loads of helpful Nikon setup guides, lens reviews and real-world shooting tips.
See you out there,
Kieran.
About the Author
Kieran is a professional fashion and commercial photographer with over 15 years of experience and a long-standing passion for landscape photography.
He works with photography gear in real-world, professional environments where reliability, performance, colour accuracy and durability matter most.
His reviews reflect the practical demands of both paid client work and the creative freedom of his own personal projects.
Nikon Z7ii Review : Is it still worth it in 2026?
Welcome to my Nikon Z7ii review and after over three years of real-world professional use, these are my Pros and Cons, how the Z7ii has worked for me on a professional level, and what I honestly think of it today.
4.18
Pros
- Brilliant image quality
- Great build quality
- High Dynamic range
- Cheap for what you get.