Nikon Z 6 showing wide-diameter lens mount and full-frame sensor
Nikon Z-mount (stylised as ) is an interchangeable lens mount developed by Nikon for its mirrorless digital cameras. In late 2018, Nikon released two cameras that use this mount, the full-frameNikon Z7 and Nikon Z6. In late 2019 Nikon announced their first Z-mount camera with an APS-C sensor, the Nikon Z50. In July 2020 the entry-level full-frame Z5 was introduced. In October 2020, Nikon announced the Nikon Z6II and Nikon Z7II, which succeed the Z6 and Z7, respectively. The APS-C lineup was expanded in July 2021, with the introduction of the retro styled Nikon Zfc, and in October 2021, Nikon unveiled the Nikon Z9, which effectively succeeds the brand's flagship D6DSLR.[1] The APS-C lineup was further expanded with the Nikon Z30, announced at the end of June 2022.[2] The Nikon Z6III was announced in June 2024.[3]
Nikon SLR cameras, both film and digital, have used the Nikon F-mount with its 44 mm diameter since 1959. The Z-mount has a 55 mm diameter. The FTZ lens adapter allows many F-mount lenses to be used on Z-mount cameras.[4] The FTZ allows AF-S, AF-P and AF-I lenses to autofocus on Z-mount cameras. The older screw-drive AF and AF-D lenses will not autofocus with the FTZ adapter, but they do retain metering and Exif data. Z-mount cameras support metering as well as in-body image stabilization (IBIS) with manual focus lenses.
The 55 mm throat diameter of the Nikon Z-mount makes it the largest full-frame lens mount.[5][6] It is much larger than the F-mount and the E-mount used by Sony mirrorless cameras[7] but only slightly larger than the 54 mm of both the Canon EF and RF mounts. It is also slightly larger than the 51.6 mm diameter full-frame mirrorless Leica L-Mount.[8] The Z-mount has also a very short flange distance of 16 mm,[9] which is shorter than all mentioned lens mounts. This flange distance allows for numerous lenses of nearly all other current and previous mounts to be mounted to Z-mount with an adapter.
The Z-mount 58 mmf/0.95 S Noct lens reintroduced the Noct brand historically used by Nikon for lenses with ultra-fast maximum apertures.[10][11]
Nikon published a roadmap outlining which lenses are forthcoming when the Z-mount system was initially announced.[12] The roadmap has been updated multiple times.[13] As of November 2023 the current version of the roadmap indicates a 35 mm lens left to be released within 2023.[14][15]
CFexpress slots are backwards-compatible to XQD cards.
The supported video frame rates are: 24/25/30 fps when up to 30 fps are supported, while cameras supporting up to 60 fps also support 50 fps recording. Cameras supporting up to 120 fps also support 100 fps recording. Cameras supporting 100/120 fps recording can also record in x4/x5 slow motion directly (targeting 24/25/30 fps video frame rates), which means playback of the resulting video file is already in slow motion, without the need for editing.
Apart from the Z30, Z8 and Z9,[needs update] all cameras have a 30-minute length limitation for internal recording. External recording time is only limited by battery life.
External 10-bit recording can optionally use N-Log, a profile for recording video. The Z6II and Z7II also support external recording of 10-bit hybrid log gamma (HLG) video.
For the Z6/7 and Z6II/7II, the extra-cost 12-bit upgrade enables external recording of 12-bit ProRes RAW.[20] The resulting footage has greater dynamic range than 8- or 10-bit footage. However, the camera uses pixel skipping (which is necessary since ProRes RAW directly stores non-debayered sensor data) resulting in a somewhat softer image with more noise and more frequent appearance of moiré patterns compared to the full-width downsampling 8- and 10-bit modes.[21]
Nikon uses a new designation system for their Z-mount lenses. The older F-mount Nikkor designations are no longer used, though they overlap in some areas (e.g. the VR and DX labels). Nikon also introduced the S-Line branding for especially high-performance ("superior") lenses, which is akin to Canon's L designation or Sony's "G-Master" branding.
S-Line — High-end lenses. Not associated with any particular function, but S-Line lenses often have additional controls or a multi-function display.[22]
DX — Lens only covers the DX image circle. FX cameras will switch to DX crop mode.
The Nikon teleconverters are only compatible with select Nikon Z lenses. They cannot be used in conjunction with the FTZ adapter.[24][25] Z-mount teleconverters cannot be mounted on top of each other.
The following lenses are compatible with the Nikon teleconverters:
Nikkor Z 400 mmf/2.8 TC VR S
Nikkor Z 400 mmf/4.5 VR S
Nikkor Z 600 mmf/4 TC VR S
Nikkor Z 600 mmf/6.3 VR S
Nikkor Z 800 mmf/6.3 VR S
Nikkor Z 70-180 mmf/2.8
Nikkor Z 70-200 mmf/2.8 VR S
Nikkor Z 100-400 mmf/4.5-5.6 VR S
Nikkor Z 180-600 mmf/5.6-6.3 VR
Mount adapters
[edit]Nikon F to Z-mount adapter, first generation
Nikon FTZ: The FTZ supports F-mount lenses on Z-mount cameras. Metering, IBIS and Exif metadata are supported with any F-mount lens, including manual lenses, while autofocus is only supported with AF-I, AF-S and AF-P lenses. Variable autofocus speed for video shooting is only supported with AF-P and select AF-S lenses. The FTZ adds 30.5 mm to the length of the attached lens, which is the difference in flange distance between the Nikon F-mount (46.5 mm) and the Z-mount (16 mm).
Nikon FTZ II: Same performance as the FTZ,[26] but without the integrated tripod foot for easier vertical shooting with the Z 9.[27]
Nikon specifies lens compatibility as in the following table. F-mount teleconverters can be used on compatible lenses, but the Z-mount teleconverters may not be used in conjunction with the FTZ.[28][29] For details on the lens types, refer to Nikon F-mount.
Numerous manufacturers offer purely manual lenses and lens mount adapters for the Z-mount. These do not interface electronically to the camera and do not support autofocus or automatic control of the aperture. Some manufacturers offer lenses and adapters with full electronic functionality (autofocus, automatic aperture control, Exif metadata etc.).[30] Third-party lenses and adapters often rely on reverse engineering the electronic protocol of a lens mount and might not work properly on new cameras or firmware versions. However, Cosina Voigtländer,[31] Sigma[32] and Tamron[33] licensed the mount from Nikon, enabling full compatibility.
The Fringer EF-NZ adapter provides full electronic integration (autofocus, image stabilization, aperture control).[75] The EF-NZ II revision removes the tripod foot for better handling with vertical grips (much like the FTZ II) and adds weather-sealing.[76]
The Techart TZC-01 also provides full electronic integration.[77]
The Viltrox EF-Z adapter appears identical to the Fringer EF-NZ.[78]
The Viltrox EF-Z2 has a built-in 0.7x focal reducer ("speed booster").[79]
The Megadap EFTZ21 provides full electronic integration and autofocus, with an extra configurable control ring and a lens function button (L-Fn).
The Techart TZG-01 adapts Contax G lenses with mechanical autofocus to Nikon Z. The Contax G system is somewhat similar to the older screw-drive Nikon AF system, but unlike the Nikon system, Contax G lenses do not have a manual focus ring. This makes Contax G unusually difficult to adapt to mirrorless cameras. It is not compatible with the Nikon Z 9 and Z 8.[80]
The Fotodiox LM-NKZ-PRN is another autofocus Leica M to Z adapter.[81]
The Megadap MTZ11 contains a focusing helicoid with 6.5 mm of extension which is used for autofocus. This range is sufficient to cover the full focusing range of lenses up to around 50 mm focal length.[82]
The Techart TZM-01 is similar to the Megadap MTZ11 and enables autofocus with M-mount lenses.[83]
The Techart TZM-02 is a refined version of the TZM-01 with better autofocus performance.[84]
The TTArtisan M-Z 6-Bit adapter doesn't provide autofocus, but has a reader for Leica's 6-bit lens codes. This makes 6-bit coded lenses behave like Ai-P lenses on the FTZ, except with no aperture control (as rangefinder lenses use pre-set apertures): EXIF data is automatically recorded, IBIS is set to the correct focal length and focus confirmation is supported.[85]
The Viltrox NF-Z is largely identical to Nikon's FTZ adapter, both in function and form. Like the FTZ, autofocus does not function with screw-drive AF/AF-D lenses.[86]
The Fotodiox Pro Fusion SNE-NKZ adapts lenses with autofocus and image stabilization, as well as lens function button support.
The Megadap ETZ11 is similar to the Techart TZE-01/02 and adapts lenses with autofocus and image stabilization support. In contrast to the Techart adapter, the ETZ11 can be mounted on the Z 50 and Z fc.[87]
The Megadap ETZ21 and ETZ21 Pro are improved versions of the ETZ11, and provide full function E-mount support, including autofocus, image stabilization, full-time manual focus, and support for programmable lens buttons and aperture rings.
The Meike Mount Adapter ETZ is compatible with a wide range of Sony, Tamron, Sigma and Meike lenses with Sony E-mount, and supports autofocus, aperture control, EXIF and image stabilization.[88]
The Techart TZE-01/TZE-02 allows mounting Sony E-mount lenses on Z-mount cameras with full electronic integration. This adapter cannot be mounted on the Z 50 or the Z fc.[89]
Nikon Z cameras use the same iTTL flash system as Nikon DSLRs, which remains fully backward compatible and with third-party flashes and flash transmitters.
The Z 9 and Z 8 use the same circular 10-pin accessory port (for a remote shutter release, external GPS receiver etc.) as previous "pro-grade" Nikons, while the Z 5/6/7 use the rectangular 8-pin accessory port introduced with the D90 and used on most other Nikon DSLRs since. The Z 30/50/fc do not have an accessory port.
Most Z cameras use the same batteries of their "peer" DSLRs:[90]
The Nikon Z 5, Z 6, Z 7 use EN-EL15/a/b/c batteries, which were introduced in 2010 with the Nikon D7000. The Z 8 does not officially support the original EN-EL15 battery, only the subsequent a/b/c versions (although the "Li-ion20" variant of the EN-EL15 does work in practice[91]). In-camera charging using USB-C is only compatible with EN-EL15b/c batteries.[92]
The Nikon Z 9 uses EN-EL18/a/b/c/d batteries, introduced with the Nikon D4. In-camera charging using USB-C is available from the EN-EL18b onwards (introduced in 2017).[93]
Only the Nikon Z 50, Z 30 and Z fc use a new battery type, the EN-EL25. Previous entry-level DSLRs like the D5600orD3500 used the EN-EL14.
Battery grips are available for several models:[94]
The MB-N10 is compatible with all versions of the Nikon Z 5, Z 6 and Z 7, but is purely a battery grip with no vertical controls.
The MB-N11 is only compatible with the Nikon Z 6II and Z 7II and adds vertical controls.
The MB-N12 for the Nikon Z 8 also has vertical controls.
The MB-N14 for the Nikon Z 6III also has vertical controls.
Nikon does not offer grips for the Z 50, Z 30 and Z fc.
The MC-N10 is a remote-control grip for the Z 6II, Z 7II, Z 8 and Z 9. It connects through a USB-C cable to the camera and replicates the right-hand controls of the camera body. It is designed for film applications and uses an ARRI rosette-type mount.[95]
^"Nikon Z 6II". Nikon. Retrieved 14 November 2021. 4K UHD/50p/60p to be supported from February 2021 with firmware update, available in DX-based movie format.
^Butler, Richard; Rose, Carey (21 March 2021). "Nikon Z7 II review". dpreview. Retrieved 14 November 2021. the Z7 II is rather more competent than its predecessor, and now includes 4K/60p capture with a slight (1.08x) crop
^"Nikon FTZ & FTZ II Lens Adapter". Ken Rockwell. 6 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021. The FTZ and FTZ II are the same [...]; they each work exactly the same as the other.
^"SIGMA launches interchangeable lenses for Nikon Z Mount system". Sigma. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023. This product is developed, manufactured and sold under the license agreement with Nikon Corporation. [...] the lens also supports [...] in-camera aberration correction
^Hogan, Thom (2 June 2023). "Z8 Batteries". Z System User. Retrieved 17 June 2023. Official Nikon support: EN-EL15a, EN-EL15b, EN-EL15c. Works but not supported: EN-EL15 (with Li-ion20 marking). Does not work: EN-EL15 (with Li-ion01 marking).
