Think Nikon is done introducing new cameras?
I don't.
Yes, I know some of you will say Z30II, ZfcII, Z7III, and Z9II are the obvious ones to expect. In order of likelihood: (1) Z9II, (2) Z30II, (3) ZfcII, and (4) Z7III. The Z9II is a given and the Z30II is now more important as it in many ways could be a mini-ZR (same body design and simplification decisions, a little more stills than video oriented). I'm far less sure about ZfcII and Z7III, as both pose a bit of a dilemma for Nikon: pushing more Zfc's lowers Zf demand, while as I've pointed out many times you can't really make a Z7III without either lowering Z8 volume or introduced a Z8II.
But what about the non-obvious possibilities? The ZR opens up some obvious possibilities, for instance:
- Z3 — It doesn't take much adjustment to make an entry level, stills-oriented version of this small full frame body. Z5II image sensor, add an AE-L/AF-L button, ditch the video extras (audio hot shoe, headphone jack, etc.). Change the 1 2 3 buttons to DISP, Mode, and Picture Control (exposure compensation is touch or dial based). Maybe even just put in a tilting Rear LCD instead of articulating.
- ZRH — Use the Z8 image sensor and you have an 8K version of the ZR. We'd need more than just that, though. Open gate, anamorphic support, and false color display come to mind. Perhaps some additional external controls (AF-ON, Fn1/2?).
- Z7IIIR — Like the Z3, only with the Z7II image sensor. This partly answers the question of not competing directly with the Z8, as the simplifications would attract a different crowd than the Z8's complexity/nuance would.
- RED Honey Badger — Didn't expect that one, did you? This actually would be using an EXPEED7 coupled with RED's global shutter sensor and exposing better autofocus and Z9-generation functions and features, and sit between the ZR and the existing REDs.
So, just noodling, I can come up with seven clear camera possibilities Nikon could add before they launch the next generation (EXPEED8) cameras.
Nikon, of course, is not going to make seven more EXPEED7 (Z9 generation) cameras, though. We're more likely to see only one or two before they begin iterating in the EXPEED8 generation. So which two? If it were me, that would be Z30II and Z3, because neither really needs the next generation capabilities.
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Bonus: One reason why I've been thinking about Z3 and Z30II (and Z7IIIR) is that I'm working on my next book for the ZR. But it's not the book you might expect (e.g. Complete Guide). Instead, I'm writing a Configuring and Using a ZR for Still Photography book. There's several reasons for that. First, I want to try to point out the thing that Nikon won't do in marketing: the ZR is a remarkably good still camera. Nikon's reluctance to talk about that leaves people who think they might want to try that scratching their head. I'll do the scratching for you. Second, the video side of the ZR is so complex and requires much more set up that it would require a book of its own. The primary video attribute of the ZR is R3D raw files, and that also requires that I'd have to spend time with post processing and grading. I had already been working on a Mastering Nikon Video book, so I suspect that ZR video might end there.
