Who Owns Nikon Z System?

Nikon announced the Z mount system on August 23, 2018, with two simultaneous camera launches: the Z7 and Z6. The Z mount was a radical departure from Nikon's legacy F mount, which had been in use since 1959. The Z mount features a 55mm inner diameter, the largest of any full-frame mirrorless mount, and a 16mm flange distance, the shortest of any full-frame mirrorless system. This combination allows for lens designs with apertures as fast as f/0.95.

The Z7 was the flagship model with a 45.7-megapixel backside-illuminated sensor, while the Z6 offered 24.5 megapixels at a lower price point. Both cameras used the EXPEED 6 image processor and featured in-body image stabilization, a first for Nikon. Nikon launched the system with three S-Line NIKKOR Z lenses: the 35mm f/1.8 S, 50mm f/1.8 S, and 24-70mm f/4 S. The FTZ mount adapter provided compatibility with over 90 F-mount lenses with full autofocus and auto-exposure functionality.

Nikon expanded the APS-C lineup in late 2019 with the Z50, a compact APS-C body using the same Z mount. The entry-level full-frame Z5 arrived in July 2020, offering an affordable full-frame option at approximately $1,400. October 2020 brought the Z6II and Z7II, which added dual EXPEED 6 processors, dual card slots, and improved autofocus. The APS-C lineup expanded further in July 2021 with the retro-styled Zfc, which featured classic control dials inspired by the Nikon FM2 film camera.

The defining moment for the Z System came in December 2021 with the launch of the Z9, Nikon's flagship professional mirrorless camera. The Z9 was the first Nikon camera to eliminate the mechanical shutter entirely, relying on a fast electronic shutter capable of 30 frames per second with a 45.7-megapixel stacked sensor. The Z9 was widely praised as a legitimate successor to the D6 DSLR and established Nikon as a serious competitor in the professional mirrorless market. Nikon subsequently released firmware updates that added 8K 60p video and improved autofocus, extending the camera's competitive life.

The Z8, released in May 2023, brought the Z9's stacked sensor technology into a smaller body at a lower price point ($3,799). The Z8 was positioned as a compact flagship for photographers who wanted Z9-level performance without the integrated vertical grip. It became one of Nikon's most successful professional camera launches.

The Z6III, launched in June 2024, introduced a world-first partially stacked sensor to the mid-range full-frame segment. With 24.5 megapixels, 6K 60p RAW video, and 120 frames per second burst shooting, the Z6III was priced at $2,199 and targeted the competitive hybrid shooter market. The Zf, also released in 2023, offered a retro-styled full-frame body with modern internals at $1,999.

The Z50II, launched in late 2024 at $1,009, became Nikon's best value APS-C camera. It features a 20.9-megapixel sensor, EXPEED 7 processor, and 4K 60p video. The Z5II, released in 2025, refreshed the entry-level full-frame lineup with the EXPEED 7 processor and improved autofocus at $1,699.

Nikon's acquisition of RED Digital Cinema in March 2024 for approximately $85 million (13.167 billion yen) has significant implications for the Z System. RED's compressed RAW video technology and color science are expected to influence future Z System cameras, potentially bringing RED's .r3d codec to Nikon mirrorless bodies. Nikon has already integrated RED technology into the Nikon RED ZR cinema camera, which records internal 6K R3D NE video.

As of August 2026, the Z System includes the Z9, Z8, Z6III, Z5II, Zf, Z50II, Z30, and Zfc. Nikon has completed all lenses from its September 2023 roadmap and released additional lenses beyond the roadmap. The NIKKOR Z lineup includes professional S-Line lenses, mid-range options, and the $8,000 Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct, the fastest lens in Nikon history.