Update: With the introduction of the Z5II, some of my commentary needed updating, so I've done that in place in this article. Consider these my recommendations as of April 3, 2025.
As a corollary to my Big Updates versus Small Updates article, if you're looking to buy new, does this still make sense for older Z System models? I'm going to take a strong stance here and say it's time to take some models off your buying radar. Let me go through the lineup that lingers:
- Zfc — Consider. You really have to prefer the legacy design and operation, and not want or need maximum performance to consider this camera. Otherwise you should think Zf for both (design/performance), or Z50II for just the latter (performance). I'm starting to think that the Zfc is really best only with small primes that have aperture rings (and can be manual focus). The more you desire excellent autofocus and other performance features, the more you should avoid the Zfc.
- Z30 — Consider. The Z50II now means that you only buy the Z30 because (1) price, (2) don't use EVFs, and (3) you really want small as possible. That also limits you to basically three lenses that truly make sense, the 24mm, 12-28mm, and 16-50mm DX lenses. The minute you break out of that narrow set, it starts to become "you saved US$300 to have handling issues."
- Z50 — Don't Buy. The Z50II is simply a better camera, hands down.
- Z5 — Consider. The original Z5 stays at the US$999 price while the Z5II comes in far more expensive, so if you're looking for an entry full frame camera at a modest price, the original Z5 is still the choice. It appears the original will stay on the market and thus remain Nikon's price leader for full frame.
- Z6 — Don't Buy. There's still some new ones out there lingering on shelves, plus this model is showing up regularly in under US$1000 refurbished. I suppose if you were considering a Z5 at US$1000 that you should rather consider a Z6 refurbished at the current US$750, since both cameras use the same basic tech (EXPEED6), but the Z6 has a bit more capability. Other than that, this model is done and gone as far as I'm concerned.
- Z6II — Don't Buy. This is trickier than you think. At the Z5II introduction, the Z6II was exactly the same price for a clearly lesser camera. Meanwhile, even if Nikon decides to discount the Z6II further—and I believe they will given the circumstances—you still have the original Z5 to consider at a lower cost without a lot of feature or performance penalty.
- Z7II — Consider. This might even be a no-brainer for some. We don't appear to have a Z7III on the horizon, and the Z8 is much more expensive, so the current US$2000 body price for a Z7II should appeal to someone that wants a decently solid high-pixel count camera. The landscape, architecture, astrophotography crowd isn't going to find that the older tech is holding the back in any significant way. Even for travel and portraits (at high pixel counts!) this camera is still workable. The alternative is what looks to be a long wait or a lot of extra cash (for a Z8).
The rest of the cameras in Nikon's lineup (Z50II, Z5II, Z6III, Z8, Z9, Zf) are all fine cameras, and with Nikon's latest technology. If one of those is the right model for you, buy away.
