I don't see a lot of sense in a stills camera without an EVF. The only exception would be if they give it the 45mp (or even a 60mp) sensor and position it as more of a landscape camera - on a tripod I can live without an EVF and the bigger rear screen might actually be kind of nice.
But I expect this will rather be entry level Panasonic S9 style. There seems to be an audience for these types of cameras in Asia..
Very interested in this! If Nikon gives us a body with the Zr screen (maybe of the flip up as opposed to flip out variety), a few more manual controls, and the Z6 III sensor, while keeping it around 500g, I'd probably pick one up. Basically a beefed up full frame Ricoh GR with interchangeable lenses.
mklass wrote:
If Sony can put a viewfinder on a small camera, why can't Nikon?
A high-quality detachable EVF that mates with the hot shoe would be more interesting - even more so if it had a tilting and rotating adapter like the Fuji GFX.
RoamingScott wrote:
I’ll hold out hope that most of the rumor is wrong and it’s EVF-less because it’s a Coolpix A successor.
This would be my guess as well. Nikon appears to be missing out on the renewed popularity of p&s cameras with the younger demographic. Canon, Ricoh and Fuji appear to be constantly sold out based on reports.
It's not worth hand wringing until there are real details.
Note, however, how many people are picking up the ZR and commenting on how fun it is to use for stills. I know Nikon-exclusive shooters wouldn't know it (assuming you have no ZR experience), but having a really big, bright, colorful LCD screen can change your mind about using a rear screen.
Cliff L. wrote:
A high-quality detachable EVF that mates with the hot shoe would be more interesting - even more so if it had a tilting and rotating adapter like the Fuji GFX.
I'd go all-in on a Z-body like that immediately!
Lately, I've been working more and more with the rear LCD, or rather, perspectives that are ideally suited to it, so a body with a larger rear LCD, like the Zr, but photocentric, would be interesting for that purpose.
However, Nikon won't get me without an EVF.
I'd be happy with one as an accessory, and I'm willing to pay a premium for it.
RoamingScott wrote:
Note, however, how many people are picking up the ZR and commenting on how fun it is to use for stills. I know Nikon-exclusive shooters wouldn't know it (assuming you have no ZR experience), but having a really big, bright, colorful LCD screen can change your mind about using a rear screen.
Do you think there's a chance this could be usable with manual focus?
nightnight wrote:
Very interested in this! If Nikon gives us a body with the Zr screen (maybe of the flip up as opposed to flip out variety), a few more manual controls, and the Z6 III sensor, while keeping it around 500g, I'd probably pick one up. Basically a beefed up full frame Ricoh GR with interchangeable lenses.
Nikon product management is sometimes weird, but it is not THAT weird. A product like that makes no sense to me. Seems like you want a Zf with a Z6iii sensor.
glassartist wrote:
I thought it a strange rumor as well. But Steve Perry makes a reasonable argument for it as a wildlife method here
And a number of people like the Z30 as a carry around casual tool (as well as the ZR) being similarly used.
That is what the primary function of the rear LCD has always been for me. Stopped buying right angle viewfinders the moment those flip-out LCDs came out.
But he explicitly dismissed the Z6iii as unsuitable for his work. The 24MPx FX sensor can be limiting for wildlife. On the other hand if Nikon released a 40Mpx Z camera with a DX sensor the wildlife photogs will shit their pants and line up to buy it. I will sell my Z8 and buy such a camera in a heartbeat if it ever came out. But I am pretty sure Nikon thinks that the built in 1.4x TC gives everyone who wants such a camera the opportunity to own one, yet how many are willing to shell out $14k for a lens?
I'm interested in this, partly because I've ordered a ZR to use mostly for stills. Happy to follow up on how that goes, but there are three prevailing factors.
1) Nikon has the best manual focus assist tools out there. The ZR has a zoom rocker that makes this even better
2) it's really the only compact FF option for Nikon. I just far prefer what I get from Nikon cameras and lenses, so this makes that possible in a small travel/lightweight friendly option
3) That screen!
I love viewfinders, but the reality is that I actually rarely use it when shooting events. I almost only ever use the EVF now to peep the photos I've taken. A bigger screen helps with that. With the variable angles of todays screens, using the screen over the EVF is better is most scenarios. It just offers so many more angles to work with. The ZR screen is bright and large, making this even better.
The biggest downside for me to the ZR is the 24mp sensor. I really like the A7Cr, but it kinda sucks for manual focus, but that 61mp sensor in such a tiny package is amazing. There are other obvious downsides the ZR: No back button AF, no ISO control button, no front function buttons. So, count me in for a photo dedicated version even sans EVF.
There are some interesting ideas here for a stills camera like Nick says, and there are a bevy of really basic quality of life things missing too. On the flip side of his list:
1) Power switch MUST be on the same side as the shutter button, needing two hands to power up the camera means missed shots
2) In current implementation, small form factor flashes completely block the power button, see point 1
3) No mech shutter can really be a problem these days with low quality LED lights everywhere around us, plenty of examples of this sensor banding in eshutter mode
4) No AF-On or similar button
Couple small tweaks would go a long way! I'd love to see the rocker on more bodies.
Sounds like the Panasonic S9, a stripped down shutterless camera that fits the description of a small and thin camera, which would put it under the Z5ii and priced around or under that. That also means we can throw out expectations of it getting resolution more than 24MP. If they want to give us more resolution for free I'll gladly take it, but I'm not holding my breath on that.
GroovyGeek wrote:
Nikon product management is sometimes weird, but it is not THAT weird. A product like that makes no sense to me. Seems like you want a Zf with a Z6iii sensor.
Flip up screen because I personally find it preferable for stills (though I know opinions vary widely on this), Z6 III sensor for a more useful completely silent shutter mode. Neither of these are dealbreakers for me, but I'd definitely like to see them.
The controls and size/weight are the big things. A proper AF On button, maybe a dedicated exposure comp dial, a traditional Nikon on/off switch, some programmable Fn buttons that could be reached one handed. Then throw in a native Z mount 35 2.8, small but built to the same quality as the S primes, and I'll happily be first in line.
When Thom Hogan reported on the release of the ZR he commented on how he thought Nikon marketing was missing the boat by only stressing its video performance and ignoring its stills capability. An upcoming release of a stills oriented ZR might explain it.
