Nikon Z7 in Dental Photography

Finally, the long-awaited Nikon Z7 is available and we could do some first tests.

The Nikon Z 7 is the company’s high-end full-frame mirrorless camera. It features a 45.7MP BSI-CMOS sensor, a hybrid AF system with 493 points and 90% coverage and 5-axis in-body image stabilization. The rugged body is similar in design to the D850 DSLR and is fully sealed against dust and moisture. It features a 3.68M-dot electronic viewfinder and tilting 3.2″, 2.1M-dot touchscreen LCD. An OLED panel on the top plate displays current shooting settings. Photos are stored on an XQD card.

Side by side the Nikon D850 and the Nikon Z7 look like “brother and sister”. The two cameras are very similar but still different. The Z7 has a smaller, lighter form factor and an electronic viewfinder (covering only 90%), while the D850 has a better battery life and an optical viewfinder (covering 100%). Another key difference between the two cameras is storage media – Nikon decided to go with a single XQD memory card slot on the Z7 instead of two memory card slots that we see on the Nikon D850. For video shooters, the Nikon Z7 is also a better option, thanks to 4:2:2 10-bit recording with N-Log, which is absent on the D850. Another feature difference is the number of autofocus points, which favors the Z7, although that doesn’t mean the Z7’s autofocus system is actually faster or more reliable (yet to be tested

Since the D850 currently sells for $3,300, and the Z7 sells for $3,400, the question is, which camera is the better choice for your photography? Well, it depends upon your needs.

Let’s get back to dental photography. The D850 and the Z7 offer many features and options you don’t really need in dental photography. Personally, I shoot always in DX mode. This gives you a better control of proportions, frame, and light. It also reduces the file size, keeping quality high.

Our first test shots show no really big difference between the two cameras. Images have been taken using manual mode – Nikon SB200 flashes mounted on an OWL bracket using the 105mm on the D850 and the 85mm DX on the Z7 – WB set to 5300 K – Image control set to Neutral.

After working with the Nikon Z7 for almost 2 months now, I find that the electronic viewfinder is a real relief at work, especially with the focus peaking displayed. Especially for eyeglass wearers, this is an improvement. In the digital workflow, the individually configurable Wifi data transfer has proven to be extremely useful. It is possible to define a specific folder on the computer for storing the images.