In the rumour-hype-cycle of the just announced Nikon Z6III, I had written off the 7III as impossible and unnecessary. The idea was that the Z8 made the Z7III redundant. Well, that was until I thought about the pricing and realised there is space in the lineup for a new 7 series, at least in terms of pricing.
There is almost certainly enough demand globally for a high megapixel version of the Z6, something like a 60mp+ sensor, with the same AF system, slower frame rate, and intended for the studio, landscapes, etc, but also fitting the needs and wants of many enthusiasts.
A 7III would fit in the lineup based on the pattern that is apparent from current NZ pricing at least, if there is a roughly $1,400 price difference between models:
- Zf $3,800
- Z6III $5,200
- Z7III $6,600
- Z8 $8,000
Based on the standard pricing on the Nikon NZ website (body only):
- Zf $4,000
- Z6III $5,400
- Z7III $6,800 <– this kinda fits
- Z8 $8,200
So what? Even if the pricing indicates there is a gap in the lineup, I am missing Nikon’s data on demand, which really is the crucial factor. However there are pretty clear signals that there is potential demand for a high resolution body:
- Given the complaints online about the Z6III’s 24mp sensor and it being referred to as “low resolution”. There were some analysts (both in the industry and keen amateurs) who were certain there would be a megapixel increase and expected 33mp or higher.
- The seemingly popular and beautiful Fuji medium format cameras which happily occupy a niche of “affordable” medium format that no other manufacturer is playing in.
- Since Nikon’s D800, Sony, Canon, and Nikon have all included a megapixel beast in their lineup in some form.
- While really high megapixels are probably not needed by the vast majority of photographers, and especially hobbyists, that doesn’t matter. That is part of deciding on and buying a camera, and for some folks they want megapixels, rationality be damned.
- High megapixel full frame cameras, rightly or wrongly, do have their image quality compared to medium format image quality.
- The 7 series are beloved for their image quality by their target consumer.
The US, Chinese, European, and Japanese markets are incomprehensibly huge to me as someone living in a country of barely 5 million people. Even in a global downturn, those economies are awash with folks with the disposable income for luxury items, such as a new camera every few years.
Additionally, the 6 and 7 series aren’t just products built on the same product platform, they are the same body with a different sensor and adapted software for managing the sensor. The economies of scale must be favourable for the Z7III even if it sells in considerably lower quantities, given that the margin on a 7 series is potentially higher than on the 6III.