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Nikon Z7 Vs Z7ii: Autofocus Showdown – Which Camera Wins?

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively...

What To Know

  • This makes the Z7II a better choice for photographers who shoot portraits or other types of photography where it is important to focus on the eyes of the subject.
  • However, the Z7II has a more advanced autofocus system than the Z7, which gives it better low-light autofocus performance, eye-detection autofocus performance, and video autofocus performance.
  • The Z7 has a battery life of up to 330 shots per charge, while the Z7II has a battery life of up to 420 shots per charge.

The Nikon Z7 and Z7II are two of the most popular mirrorless cameras on the market. They offer excellent image quality, fast performance, and a wide range of features. However, one of the key differences between these two cameras is their autofocus systems. In this blog post, we will compare the autofocus systems of the Nikon Z7 and Z7II to see which one is the clear winner.

Autofocus System Comparison

The Nikon Z7 has a hybrid autofocus system that uses both phase-detection and contrast-detection autofocus. The phase-detection autofocus system is responsible for quickly and accurately focusing on subjects, while the contrast-detection autofocus system is used for fine-tuning the focus. The Z7 has 493 phase-detection autofocus points that cover 90% of the frame, which gives it excellent coverage for both stills and video.

The Nikon Z7II has a more advanced autofocus system than the Z7. It uses a new hybrid autofocus system that combines phase-detection and contrast-detection autofocus with a new on-chip phase-detection autofocus sensor. The new on-chip phase-detection autofocus sensor is more sensitive than the phase-detection autofocus sensors in the Z7, which gives the Z7II better autofocus performance in low-light conditions. The Z7II also has more autofocus points than the Z7, with 573 phase-detection autofocus points that cover 90% of the frame.

Low-Light Autofocus Performance

One of the key differences between the Nikon Z7 and Z7II is their low-light autofocus performance. The Z7II has a better low-light autofocus performance than the Z7, thanks to its new on-chip phase-detection autofocus sensor. The Z7II can focus in light levels as low as -6 EV, while the Z7 can only focus in light levels as low as -3 EV. This makes the Z7II a better choice for photographers who shoot in low-light conditions, such as night photography or astrophotography.

Eye-Detection Autofocus Performance

Both the Nikon Z7 and Z7II have eye-detection autofocus, which is a feature that automatically focuses on the eyes of a subject. The eye-detection autofocus on the Z7II is more advanced than the eye-detection autofocus on the Z7. The Z7II can detect eyes even when the subject is wearing glasses, and it can also track the eyes of a moving subject. This makes the Z7II a better choice for photographers who shoot portraits or other types of photography where it is important to focus on the eyes of the subject.

Video Autofocus Performance

The Nikon Z7 and Z7II both have excellent video autofocus performance. The Z7II has a slight edge over the Z7 in terms of video autofocus performance, thanks to its new on-chip phase-detection autofocus sensor. The Z7II can track subjects more accurately and smoothly than the Z7, even in low-light conditions. This makes the Z7II a better choice for videographers who shoot in low-light conditions or who need to track moving subjects.

Which One Should You Choose?

The Nikon Z7 and Z7II are both excellent cameras with excellent autofocus systems. However, the Z7II has a more advanced autofocus system than the Z7, which gives it better low-light autofocus performance, eye-detection autofocus performance, and video autofocus performance. If you are a photographer or videographer who needs the best possible autofocus performance, then the Z7II is the better choice for you.

Beyond Autofocus: Other Key Differences

In addition to their autofocus systems, the Nikon Z7 and Z7II have a number of other key differences. These differences include:

  • Resolution: The Z7 has a 45.7-megapixel sensor, while the Z7II has a 45.7-megapixel sensor.
  • Image Stabilization: The Z7 has a 5-axis image stabilization system, while the Z7II has a 5-axis image stabilization system.
  • Video Recording: The Z7 can record video at up to 4K UHD 30p, while the Z7II can record video at up to 4K UHD 60p.
  • Battery Life: The Z7 has a battery life of up to 330 shots per charge, while the Z7II has a battery life of up to 420 shots per charge.

The Verdict: Which One is the Clear Winner?

The Nikon Z7II is the clear winner when it comes to autofocus performance. It has a more advanced autofocus system than the Z7, which gives it better low-light autofocus performance, eye-detection autofocus performance, and video autofocus performance. The Z7II also has a higher resolution sensor, better image stabilization, and longer battery life. If you are a photographer or videographer who needs the best possible image quality and performance, then the Nikon Z7II is the better choice for you.

Questions We Hear a Lot

1. What are the key differences between the Nikon Z7 and Z7II autofocus systems?

The key differences between the Nikon Z7 and Z7II autofocus systems are:

  • Low-light autofocus performance: The Z7II has better low-light autofocus performance than the Z7, thanks to its new on-chip phase-detection autofocus sensor.
  • Eye-detection autofocus performance: The Z7II has more advanced eye-detection autofocus than the Z7. The Z7II can detect eyes even when the subject is wearing glasses, and it can also track the eyes of a moving subject.
  • Video autofocus performance: The Z7II has better video autofocus performance than the Z7. The Z7II can track subjects more accurately and smoothly than the Z7, even in low-light conditions.

2. Which camera is better for low-light photography, the Nikon Z7 or Z7II?

The Nikon Z7II is better for low-light photography than the Z7, thanks to its better low-light autofocus performance. The Z7II can focus in light levels as low as -6 EV, while the Z7 can only focus in light levels as low as -3 EV.

3. Which camera is better for portrait photography, the Nikon Z7 or Z7II?

The Nikon Z7II is better for portrait photography than the Z7, thanks to its more advanced eye-detection autofocus. The Z7II can detect eyes even when the subject is wearing glasses, and it can also track the eyes of a moving subject.

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Lindsey

Lindsey is a photographer based in Los Angeles. She has over 10 years of experience as a professional photographer specializing in portraits and events. Lindsey started her career with DSLR cameras but made the switch to Nikon's line of Z mirrorless cameras in 2020. Since then, she has been extensively testing and reviewing Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras like the Z5, Z6, Z7 and Z50 on her blog. Through her writing on lindseyshoots.com, Lindsey aims to help other photographers make the transition from DSLRs to mirrorless. She shares detailed hands-on reviews, comparisons between different mirrorless camera models, tips for beginners, and photo tutorials. When she isn't testing cameras, Lindsey enjoys landscape, street and travel photography. Her work has been published in several magazines and online publications. Lindsey is also a member of the Nikon Professional Services program.
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