Nikon Mirrorless Cameras
The Nikon mirrorless camera naming convention is designed to be straightforward, primarily using the letter Z to denote the camera line and a single digit to indicate the Sensor Size and Tier (much like their successful DSLR naming system).
All current Nikon mirrorless cameras use the Z-Mount for lenses.
Nikon Z-Series Mirrorless Naming Cheatsheet
1. Primary Distinction: Sensor Size & Tier
The single digit used after the "Z" is the most important indicator of the camera's class and sensor size.
| Sensor Size | Model Structure | Tier and Purpose | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Frame (FF) | Z 9, Z 8, Z 7, Z 6, Z 5 | High-End Professional to Entry-Level FF. | Better low-light performance, higher dynamic range, typically larger bodies. |
| APS-C (DX Crop) | Z 50, Z 30, Z fc | Advanced Enthusiast to Entry-Level/Vlogging. | Smaller, lighter, and more affordable. Lenses are also marked "DX." |
2. Full Frame (Z-Series) Tier
In the Z-series, lower numbers indicate a higher-end camera (following the old Nikon DSLR hierarchy).
| Model | Tier & Purpose | Focus/Specialization |
|---|---|---|
| Z 9 | Flagship Professional | The ultimate professional camera for speed (action/sports) and high-end video. Integrated vertical grip. |
| Z 8 | Pro/High-End Hybrid | Essentially a Z 9 sensor/processor in a smaller body. Top-tier stills/video hybrid performance. |
| Z 7 | High-Resolution Enthusiast | High-megapixel, resolution-focused stills camera (e.g., Z 7 II is the second generation). |
| Z 6 | All-Rounder/Speed Hybrid | Balanced resolution, high-speed shooting, and excellent video features. The workhorse (e.g., Z 6 II). |
| Z 5 | Entry-Level Full Frame | The most affordable full-frame body; often lacks some pro video/speed features of the Z 6/7 lines. |
3. APS-C (DX Format) Models
These models are aimed at enthusiasts, travelers, and content creators looking for a compact, versatile system. The naming uses a three-digit structure.
| Model | Tier & Purpose | Focus/Specialization |
|---|---|---|
| Z 50 | Advanced Enthusiast DX | The first and most established DX mirrorless model. Excellent balance of stills and video. |
| Z fc | Retro/Heritage Style | Functionally similar to the Z 50, but uses a classic, dial-based, physical control system with a vari-angle screen. |
| Z 30 | Vlogger/Video Focus | The most compact body, lacking a viewfinder to save space/cost, and heavily focused on video, vlogging, and streaming. |
4. Generation/Mark Number
Unlike Sony and Canon, Nikon currently uses a simple roman numeral suffix to indicate the generation for existing models.
| Naming | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Z6 | First Generation | |
| Z6 II | Second Generation | Indicates an iterative upgrade to the processor, speed, and video features. |
| Z7 II | Second Generation | |
| Zf | N/A | Follows the heritage design of the Z fc, but is Full Frame. The "f" stands for "Fusion" or "Feeling." |