Underwater photography enthusiasts will appreciate learning about why the Nikon Z7 is becoming a top choice among photographers.
Nikon Z7 Underwater Camera Review: A Capable Contender
The Nikon Z7 camera has been tested in various topside conditions, including low light, autofocus, and dynamic range, and underwater tests have revealed its strengths and limitations. Here's a comprehensive review of the Nikon Z7 camera for underwater photography.
The Nikon Z7 camera, when combined with the Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 macro lens and an Ikelite macro port, produced impressive macro underwater shots. However, the flash sync speed of the Z7 camera is 1/200th, which can make taking good sun ball shots challenging.
In terms of autofocus, the Z7 camera performed well, particularly in low light conditions, but the continuous mode does not perform as well as expected for fast-moving subjects. The 3D tracking Auto Focus mode from the D850 is not available in the Z7, which may be a drawback for some photographers.
Underwater tests of the Nikon Z7 camera were conducted using an Ikelite Z7 Underwater Housing, dual Ikelite DS-161 strobes, an DL1 DS Link Nikon TTL converter, and a 45 degree viewfinder. Wide-angle underwater shots were taken with a Nikkor 8-15mm (circular) fisheye lens and a Ikelite compact dome port.
The Z7 camera has a noticeable level of noise, even at low ISOs, but the image quality was found to be excellent, with high detail and accurate colors. The Electronic View Finder (EVF) was not specifically mentioned in the text.
The video quality of the Nikon Z7 camera is said to be better than the Nikon D850, with a standout auto focus full-time function. The camera also features built-in 5-axis image stabilization, offering up to 5 stops correction, beneficial for handheld underwater shooting.
However, lens selection for Z-mount lenses is currently limited and not particularly suitable for underwater photography. There are only three Z-mount lenses available as of now, and none of them are particularly appealing for underwater photography. The FTZ adapter allows for traditional Nikon F-mount lenses to be used with the Z-mount.
In conclusion, the Nikon Z7 camera offers excellent image quality, strong autofocus, solid build, and good usability, but compared to other full-frame mirrorless cameras, especially newer flagship models, it has some limitations. The dynamic range of the Z7 camera is slightly inferior to the D850 in very low light situations, and the Ikelite 200DL housing for the Nikon Z6 and Z7 is a capable piece of equipment, but is still large and heavy. The Ikelite 45 degree magnified viewfinder works well with the electronic viewfinder on the Z7, allowing for a whole dive to be shot with the eye on the viewfinder. The Nikon Z7 camera has a well-designed user interface, with intuitive button placement and a quick learning curve.
- The Nikon Z7 camera, when employed for underwater photography, delivers impressive macro shots using the Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 macro lens and an Ikelite macro port.
- Taking good sun ball shots with the Z7 camera can be difficult due to its flash sync speed of 1/200th.
- During underwater tests, the Nikon Z7 camera's autofocus performed well, but the continuous mode struggled with fast-moving subjects.
- The Ikelite Z7 Underwater Housing, dual Ikelite DS-161 strobes, a DL1 DS Link Nikon TTL converter, a 45-degree viewfinder, and a Nikkor 8-15mm (circular) fisheye lens were used for wide-angle underwater shots.
- The Nikon Z7 camera produces images with high detail, accurate colors, and a noticeable level of noise, even at low ISOs.
- The video quality of the Z7 camera exceeds the Nikon D850's, boasting a standout auto focus full-time function and built-in 5-axis image stabilization.
- Currently, lens selection for Z-mount lenses is limited, making them unsuitable for underwater photography, but the FTZ adapter allows for traditional Nikon F-mount lenses to be used.
- In conclusion, the Nikon Z7 camera provides excellent image quality, strong autofocus, and good usability for underwater photography, but its limited lens selection and slight inferiority in dynamic range compared to other full-frame mirrorless cameras may deter some users. Despite this, the Ikelite 45-degree magnified viewfinder works well with the electronic viewfinder on the Z7, offering a whole dive of seamless shooting.
