Confirmed: Chinese manufacturer (probably Viltrox) will soon launch three Z-mount zoom lenses!

A reliable leaker on Weibo wrote this:

Chinese zoom autofocus lenses are under development. Mr. Ma has confirmed through news channels that two domestic brands are currently developing new zoom AF lenses. One of them has approved two full-frame zoom AF lenses and at least one APS-C frame zoom AF lens, and the first launch of the bayonet mount is E and Z.

In addition, the news of domestic F1.4 full-frame large aperture AF lens has been confirmed. If everything goes well, it is expected that one or two F1.4 large aperture AF lenses will be launched in 2024, ensuring one and striving for two, with commonly used focal lengths, and the first launch of the bayonet mount is E and Z.

Companies like Viltrox and 7Artisans already offer autofocus prime lenses. Making zoom lenses is much harder because the autofocus algorithm gets much more complicated. Now it seems like Chinese manufacturers tackled the issue and we are getting three Z-mount zoom lenses this year already!

My bet is that Viltrox will be the first Chinese company launching an AF zoom lens in 2025.

The web goes frenzy on the Z7III: Some claim it’s not coming, some claim to know the specs…


New Z6III  at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, FotoErhardt, WexUK

The new Z6III is a nice camera and that’s why some now question if a new Z7III is actually necessary. PetaPixel wrote that While the Z6 III Is Here, a Z7 III is Far Less of a Certainty:

The only way I can see Nikon can release the Z7 III is to change what photographers have come to expect from it. The only camera really “missing” from Nikon’s lineup is a video-focused system like Canon’s R5C, Sony’s a7S, or Panasonic’s S5 IIX.

On the opposite on Weibo people claim to know the Z7III si coming and is likely to have those specs:

– Accelerated FX-format 90.75MP BSI CMOS sensor
– Cross-pixel Super Pixel Package sensor mode with pseudo LPF (10.1M)
– Four image size selections: L/M/S/B (only L/B for RAW)
– EXPEED 7 processor
– Four-leaf button
– Easy-to-use two-axis multi-angle LCD screen, high-brightness EVF
– Optimized body grip
– 8-stage IBIS, enhanced gyro video electronic image stabilization
– Pixel shift high-resolution shooting
– Dual data stream AF system, updated AI focus algorithm and process, more powerful than Z 9 and Z 8 –
FX/DX-format 14-bit RAW mechanical shutter continuous shooting up to 14fps
– FX-format B-size 14-bit RAW electronic shutter continuous shooting up to 20fps
– HEIF/JPG electronic shutter continuous shooting mode: C30 (FX-B/DX-L), C60 (FX-B/DX-M), C120 (FX-B)
– High quality video sampling modes are 12K-FX, 8K-DX, 4K-FX
– 12-bit N-RAW recording up to FX 12K/30p and 4K/120p, DX 8K/60p
– Supports non-pixel-to-pixel N-RAW encoding
– Up to UHD 8K/30p and 5.4K/60p and 4K/120p H.265 10-bit 4:2:0 MOV video
– Supports 4K ProRes 422 HQ 10-bit MOV video up to 4K/60p, ProRes RAW encoding
– N-log2 with IPP2
– Precise shutter angle options
– Separation of project frame rate and shooting frame rate (S&Q in Codec)
– Two card slots, support CFexpress B, SD UHS-II
– Supports WiFi 2.4/5 GHz, Bluetooth LE connectivity
– USB-C fast charging and HDMI Type-A connectivity

My take is that nobody knows a thing about the Z7III and that all that this means is that it might be not coming any time soon.

 

New Nikon Z6III specs

The Nikon Z6III could be announced as early as next week. And here is the latest rumored spec list:

  • The Nikon ℤ6 III is expected to be the best camera in its category
  • Nikon model N2214
  • New 24.5 MP BSI sensor specialized for low light and high dynamic range
  • New processing engine (EXPEED 7?)
  • 6k size 6048 x 4032 full-frame 12-bit NRAW
  • 4k60 full ProRes RAW
  • Full HD movie at 240fps (8-bit crop)
  • New higher resolution EVF: 5.76m dot
  • Improved vari-angle LCD screen
  • 14 fps mechanical, 20 fps electronic shooting (RAW, 14 bit)
  • 120fps stills jpeg
  • 37-120min record time
  • 1/16000 shutter speed
  • Mechanical & electronic shutter
  • 293/297 AF points
  • Updated focus algorithm (better than ℤ8/ℤ9?)
  • Near 100% AF coverage of the frame
  • 7 or 8-stop VR (same system as the Nikon ℤf)
  • Pixel-shift (previously reported here)
  • CFexpress+SD memory cards
  • PSAM Dial
  • Hybrid body design between the ℤ6 and ℤ8 (bigger than the current ℤ6/7 but smaller than the ℤ8) – see this post
  • The playback button is in the same place as ℤ8 (bottom right), as opposed to ℤ6II, which is on the top left side of the camera
  • Camera body size and overall dimension are similar to the Nikon ℤ6II: 3-5mm longer width becuase of the LCD hinge and a few mm thicker
  • The overall height (bottom to the EVF) remains the same but the actual camera is 2-3mm taller
  • The grip button layouts and design look similar to the Nikon ℤ8 apart from the command dial which is the same as the ℤ6II
  • All other button layouts are the same as the ℤ6II
  • The ℤ6III logo is on the top, just like on the ℤ8/ℤ9
  • ℤ logo in the front is also like the ℤ8 but below the current ℤ6II focus sensor
  • The ℤ6III body overall is about 30-40g heavier than the Z6II
  • The ℤ6III body inherits the design from the ℤ8 – this is why a few months ago I reported it as a mini-ℤ8 (the Nikon ℤ6III is a mini ℤ8, the Nikon ℤ8 was a mini ℤ9)
  • USB-C 3.0 (SuperSpeed)
  • HDMI A version 2.1 (full-size HDMI)
  • WiFi 2.4/5 GHz, Bluetooth LE Connect support
  • Better ergonomics compared to the ℤ6
  • New cooling design
  • Weight: 700-750g
  • Battery EN-EL15
  • Nikon MB-N14 battery pack
  • Several new features not seen in other Nikon cameras, including online firmware updates
  • Price: around €3,000 in Europe (less in the US)
  • Official announcement: next week (June 10-12 )
  • Shipping is expected to start in mid-July.
  • The current Nikon ℤ6II will be in production until the end of the year (heavily discounted)
  • A new version of Nikon NX Studio with support for the ℤ6 III is expected to be released soon
  • The new ℤ6III will be available as a body only or in a kit with the 24-70mm f/4, 24-120mm f/4, and a third unknown lens

via NR

Nikon Z6III rumored to be announced between June 10/12

The new Nikon Z6II is finally coming around June 10-12. The rumored specs so far are:

Pixels: 24.5 megapixels
Processor: EXPEED7
Stabilization: 7 stops
Shutter: 1/16,000 sec
AF: 299 points
Video: 12-bit N-RAW recording 6K/60p & 4K/120p
4K H.265 10-bit MOV video, ability to upsample 4K FX to 6K or 4K DX up to 120p.
Burst: Up to 40 frames per second in FX format, 120 frames per second in DX format.
Viewfinder: new high-resolution 5.76 megapixel viewfinder.
Card slot: Supports CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II cards
Battery: EL-15″ battery
High-Resolution Pixel Shift Photography
Easy-to-use multi-angle LCD screen
Shutter angle fine adjustment options, distinction between project frame rate and shooting frame rate
Support for 2.4/5 GHz WiFi and Bluetooth LE connectivity
USB-C fast charging and HDMI Type-A connectivity
Look inherited from the Z 8, smaller than the Z 8
Micro-logo on top (same as Z 8 and Z 9)
PASM wheel

via NR

Confirmed: Nikon Z6III to be announced within the next few weeks

One of my trusted sources saw the camera and confirmed it’s coming soon!

Still no reliable specs tough…all we have are those “Weibo” specs:

Pixels: 24.5 megapixels
Processor: EXPEED7
Stabilization: 7 stops
Shutter: 1/16,000 sec
AF: 299 points
Video: 12-bit N-RAW recording 6K/60p & 4K/120p
4K H.265 10-bit MOV video, ability to upsample 4K FX to 6K or 4K DX up to 120p.
Burst: Up to 40 frames per second in FX format, 120 frames per second in DX format.
Viewfinder: new high-resolution 5.76 megapixel viewfinder.
Card slot: Supports CFexpress Type B and SD UHS-II cards
Battery: EL-15″ battery
High-Resolution Pixel Shift Photography
Easy-to-use multi-angle LCD screen
Shutter angle fine adjustment options, distinction between project frame rate and shooting frame rate
Support for 2.4/5 GHz WiFi and Bluetooth LE connectivity
USB-C fast charging and HDMI Type-A connectivity
Look inherited from the Z 8, smaller than the Z 8
Micro-logo on top (same as Z 8 and Z 9)
PASM wheel”