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Nikon Z7 II: Unlock the potential of this budget-friendly 45 MP full-frame camera for microscope photography – with our LM wide-field adapter solutions

Launched at the end of 2020, the Nikon Z7 II mirrorless full-frame camera is the successor to the popular and still highly capable Z7. Equipped with a powerful 45 MP sensor, it is a fast and versatile camera that is very well suited for use on a microscope, appealing specifically to photographers who seek excellent image quality and dynamic range at a solid price-performance ratio. Currently (2025), the Nikon Z7 II retails at below EUR 2,000.

Key features of the Nikon Z7 II:

• 45.7 megapixel BSI CMOS full-frame sensor
• Electronic shutter with speed ranging from 1/8,000 to 900 sec in photo mode
• Continuous shooting at up to 10 fps at maximum resolution (4K) with a buffer depth of over 200 frames
• ISO range 64 to 25,600 (expandable to 32 to 102,400)
• 4K 60 fps internal RAW video recording, Full HD video with 120 fps for 4x to 5x slow motion recording
• USB-C 3.0 port for file transfers, charging or continuous power delivery
• Dual slots for SD cards (1 slot accepting CFexpress Type B cards, 1 slot supporting SD SDHC/DSXC/UHS I and UHS II memory cards)
• HDMI type C port (clean HDMI) with 4K resolution (3840x2160, 30p)
• Tilting touchscreen LCD screen: 8.0 cm (3.2 inch) TFT colour LCD with 2.1 million pixels
• 5-axis in-body image stabilisation
• Lens mount: Nikon Z-mount

The state-of-the-art sensor technology of the Z7 II makes it exceptionally light sensitive and also delivers excellent dynamic performance. In microscopy, dynamic range is a really important aspect, as it is key to capturing the smallest details of a specimen. A camera with a high dynamic range preserves even minute differences in brightness or colour, which is essential for the accurate representation of samples. According to the independent online magazine DXO, the Z7 II’s dynamic range in photo mode even slightly outperforms that of its significantly pricier sibling, the Z8, and Nikon’s flagship model, the Z9. We think that the somewhat older BSI-CMOS sensor technology in the Z7 and Z7 II offers a better signal-to-noise ratio for still shots. The stacked CMOS sensor technology in the Z8 and Z9, on the other hand, coupled with the new EXPEED-7 processor, integrates the image sensor, processor and internal buffer into one compact unit, shortening the distance for the signals to travel and significantly speeding up readout and processing speed. However, when capturing single images of static specimens through a microscope in photo mode, the new stacked sensor design even slightly compromises dynamic range.

The image sensor of the Z7 II is highly sensitive to light, making it a good fit for challenging fluorescence microscopy tasks. For extreme low-light applications, the maximum exposure time can be set to a long shutter speed of 900 seconds (15 minutes).

Shown in the image: inner surface of a raspberry. Image taken with the LM photomicroscope, StackShot focusing rail, Helicon software and Nikon Z7 II

A new feature of the Z7 II is its two powerful Expeed 6 processors compared to the single processor in its predecessor. This improves many aspects of the camera, including its buffer and continuous shooting speed: the Z7 II is able to continuously shoot up to 10 frames per second at the highest resolution, with a buffer of up to 200 continuous exposures.

This makes it possible to capture fast-moving processes in sharp focus. The Z6 II, by comparison, can shoot at a higher frame rate of up to 14 images per second, but it does so at a resolution of only 24 megapixels. The autofocus performance has also been improved over the Z6 II, and although this is an advantage for general photography, it is irrelevant for microscopy work, because focussing is done by adjusting the microscope, not the camera.

The Nikon Z7 II can shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second with a minor crop of 1.1x, which is barely noticeable. The crop factor of the Z6 II when shooting 4K60 is 1.5x, which is effectively what you would get on an APS-C camera. To utilise the full potential of the camera when shooting video, the frame rate must be adjusted to 30 fps. By default, the maximum video recording time is set to 29 minutes and 59 seconds.

For handling large volumes of data, the Nikon Z7 II comes with dual memory card slots, one of which accepts high-speed CFexpress Type B cards, a necessity for capturing footage in the highest possible quality. When it comes to microscope work, however, we recommend controlling the camera remotely from the PC/Mac and saving the images directly to the hard drive. This not only simplifies editing but significantly increases workflow efficiency.

In terms of connectivity, the Z7 II features a USB 3.0 Type C port, which, in addition to transferring data, can also be used for power delivery and for charging the camera’s powerful EN-EL15c Li-ION battery. For video output, it uses a mini HDMI (type C) port, which allows export of the camera’s Live View feed to a large high-resolution external monitor. Of course, the Z7 II also supports 4K (Ultra HD) mode.

The camera body is attached directly to the microscope with our LM adapter solutions, which feature an integrated optical element. Although the preferred method is to attach the camera to the phototube of the microscope, it is not a problem if the microscope doesn’t have one.

On microscopes without a phototube, the camera can be attached to the eyepiece tube. To do this, one eyepiece is removed and the camera-adapter unit is put into its place. Because the Z7 II is relatively lightweight (it weighs only 700 grams), it can even be attached to delicate microscopes without running into stability issues.

As an alternative to controlling the camera remotely from the PC, the large, flexible TFT LCD touchscreen is a convenient option. It can be flipped out, allowing for a clear view of the display from a wide range of viewing positions. The touchscreen display is also used for menu navigation. However, we still suggest using a remote shutter release to avoid any unwanted motion blur.

To enhance image quality, depth of field and resolution in microscopy or macroscopy, professionals often turn to focus stacking: multiple images are taken at different focus distances and combined into a stack, which is then processed with a special software tool to create one perfect composite image. It is not uncommon for a stack to consist of more than 100 individual frames. To automate this process, photographers often use a motorised focusing rail (z-axis). The camera and the motorised rail can be efficiently controlled from the PC using a special software tool, for example the popular the Helicon Remote software. This technique is particularly effective with the Z7 II, which is also on the software’s compatibility list.

Particularly when it comes to focus stacking, the Nikon Z7 II emerges as the premier choice. As the most affordable model of Nikon’s Z series, it features a large, high-quality 45 MP sensor with a wide dynamic range. Budget-conscious photographers may even turn to the used market for its older sibling, the 2018 Nikon Z7, as a more economical, yet capable option.

Example application with the LM photomicroscope, Cognisys StackShot focusing rail, Helicon Remote software and Nikon Z7 II 

What are the differences to the slightly higher-priced Nikon Z8?

• Both cameras have a full-frame sensor with the same sensor resolution of 45 MP.
• The camera body of the Z 7 II retails at a highly attractive price point of around EUR 2,000 (as at 2025).
• The Nikon Z8 uses the new stacked CMOS sensor technology and an EXPEED-7 processor, a major factor behind faster processing speeds for both for still image and video: faster shutter speed up to 1/32,000 sec, faster burst shooting, faster autofocus, improvements in Ultra HD (4K/8K)video shooting.
• When capturing single images of static specimens through a microscope in photo mode, the Z7 II slightly surpasses the Z8 in dynamic performance.
• The Z8 no longer has a physical mechanical shutter; it uses a fully electronic shutter system to capture images and videos. The Z7 II has both a mechanical and a digital shutter, with shutter speed topping out at 1/8,000 sec.
• The body of the Z7 II is more compact and lightweight than that of the Z8.

Conclusion: The Nikon Z7 II is a powerful full-frame camera with a high pixel-count sensor and is very well suited for microscopy. Particularly at weaker magnifications, as is the case with stereo microscopes, the high resolution of 45 MP is a big advantage, allowing minute details to be captured with exceptional clarity. The Z7 II offers an excellent price-performance ratio, with a high-performing sensor that excels in both dynamic range and light sensitivity, and when it comes to taking still images of static subjects, it performs just as well as Nikon’s more expensive Z8 and Z9 models. However, for capturing moving objects under the microscope or producing high-resolution Ultra HD (4K / 8K) video, these professional-grade cameras are a better alternative, as they offer even more performance and speed for these advanced imaging requirements.