As you can see from the title, the Internet is full of rumors for every possible/imaginable Nikon camera. Most of the specs are probably made up, the sources, as usual, are clickbait websites that have never ever reported anything reliable in the past. Here is a recap:
Nikon Z4
Nikon Z4 full-frame mirrorless camera without an EVF (just like the Sony a7c camera) – this rumor is based on an old Nikon patent that shows a drawing of a camera without an EVF. The patent/design in question (#1599291) was for the actual camera mount and not for the camera itself:
Here is the info I received recently from a new source: the Z4 camera is going to be smaller than Z5 with dimensions of 63mm x 129mm x 96mm and a weight of 565 grams. The Z4 is rumored to come without in-body image stabilization in order to cut on weight and price. Two new compact FX lenses with VR are supposed to be announced with the Z4: 16-24mm f/4-6.3 VR and 24-105mm f/4-7.1 VR. The Nikon Z4 is designed to be more like an FX-format “iCamera” – totally different UI and design, small and light (think Z50 but with an FX-format sensor), very well connected (apps and more).
NR’s take: remember that Nikon’s new strategy is to concentrate on high-end equipment, so we can basically forget any new entry-level products – they will be replaced by smartphones. There are just not enough profit margins for Nikon to stay in the low-priced, entry-level camera market. I see no space for another Z4 product line – the Z5 is sufficient in my opinion to cover the market segment below the Z6/Z7.
Nikon Z5II, Z6III, Z7III
Obviously, those models will be announced sooner or later. I think the main concentration for Nikon this year is the long waitlist for the Z9 cameras. Nikon simply does not have the production capacity to announce another new camera.
NR’s take: You can no longer use the previous Nikon release schedule as an indication to predict future product announcements as some websites suggest. We may see a new camera announcement towards the end of the year when all Z9 orders are fulfilled.
Nikon Z70
Again, another guess with a set of made-up specs:
- New DX-format BSI Stacked CMOS Sensor
- EXPEED 7 Image Processor
- AI-Based Subject Detection and Tracking
- Image Stabilization: Yes, Sensor shift 5 axis
- UHD 4k Video recording
- 2.36m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
- 11 fps with a mechanical shutter, 20 fps with electronic shutter
NR’s take: I think there is a very small chance for a new high-end APS camera, but I seriously doubt it will happen given the latest developments in the industry – Fujifilm got a big chunk of the APS-C market and even Sony appears to be pulling out of it.
Nikon FTZ III
Nikon has reportedly engineered a new FTZ III adapter, with full D-type F-mount support, using stepper motors to enable full AF on D-type F-mount lenses.
NR’s take: if there was a new FTZ III adapter, Nikon was going to announce with together with the Z9. What’s the point to release it later when we will have plenty of Z-mont lenses?
Again, I have no reason to believe any of those reports are correct. If anything changes in the future, I will post it online.
