Nikon Z6
The Nikon Z6 is a 24.5 MP full-frame sensor camera that shoots at 12 frames per second at full resolution in H+ mode and records at 4K 30,25 or 24 fps and 1080p up to 120fps. It has an in-built WiFi and Bluetooth and 10-bit HDMI output for external monitors.
| Price | ||
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $1995 (body only), $2599 (w/24-70 F4 lens) | |
| Body type | ||
| Body type | SLR-style mirrorless | |
| Sensor | ||
| Max resolution | 6048 x 4024 | |
| Other resolutions | 3936 x 2624 (DX crop), 4016 x 4016 (1:1), 6048 x 3400 (16:9) | |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 5:4, 3:2, 16:9 | |
| Effective pixels | 25 megapixels | |
| Sensor photo detectors | 25 megapixels | |
| Sensor size | Full frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm) | |
| Sensor type | BSI-CMOS | |
| Processor | Expeed 6 | |
| Image | ||
| ISO | Auto, 100-51200 (expands to 50-204800) | |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 50 | |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 204800 | |
| White balance presets | 12 | |
| Custom white balance | Yes (6 slots) | |
| Image stabilization | Sensor-shift | |
| Image stabilization notes | 5-axis | |
| CIPA image stabilization rating | 5 stop(s) | |
| Uncompressed format | RAW | |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, normal, basic | |
| Optics & Focus | ||
| Autofocus |
|
|
| Manual focus | Yes | |
| Number of focus points | 273 | |
| Lens mount | Nikon Z | |
| Focal length multiplier | 1× | |
| Screen / viewfinder | ||
| Articulated LCD | Tilting | |
| Screen size | 3.2″ | |
| Screen dots | 2,100,000 | |
| Touch screen | Yes | |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | |
| Live view | Yes | |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic | |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% | |
| Viewfinder magnification | 0.8× | |
| Viewfinder resolution | 3,690,000 | |
| Photography features | ||
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec | |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/8000 sec | |
| Aperture priority | Yes | |
| Shutter priority | Yes | |
| Manual exposure mode | Yes | |
| Subject / scene modes | No | |
| Built-in flash | No | |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) | |
| Flash modes | Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off | |
| Continuous drive | 12.0 fps | |
| Self-timer | Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 secs) | |
| Metering modes |
|
|
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) | |
| WB Bracketing | Yes | |
| Videography features | ||
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 | |
| Modes |
|
|
| Microphone | Stereo | |
| Speaker | Mono | |
| Storage | ||
| Storage types | XQD card | |
| Connectivity | ||
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) | |
| USB charging | Yes | |
| HDMI | Yes (mini HDMI) | |
| Microphone port | Yes | |
| Headphone port | Yes | |
| Wireless | Built-In | |
| Wireless notes | 802.11ac + Bluetooth | |
| Remote control | Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone) | |
| Physical | ||
| Environmentally sealed | Yes | |
| Battery | Battery Pack | |
| Battery description | EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger | |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 310 | |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 675 g (1.49 lb / 23.81 oz) | |
| Dimensions | 134 x 101 x 68 mm (5.28 x 3.98 x 2.68″) | |
| Other features | ||
| Orientation sensor | Yes | |
| Timelapse recording | Yes | |
| GPS | None | |
First things first, if you are a Nikon user, then you may have probably heard of the Nikon D750. It was among the top selling full frame cameras from Nikon. Well, think of this as the mirrorless version of that camera, but with a few tweaks.
Spec wise, this camera is rocking a 24.5 MP full frame sensor which Nikon call the FX Format
Shoots at 12 frames per second at full resolution in H+ mode (12 bit RAW or JPEG) without the need for an external battery pack. Records at 4K 30,25 or 24 fps and 1080p up to 120fps. Hmm canon…
Has in built wifi and Bluetooth and 10-bit HDMI output for external monitors.
Design wise, just like most cameras, we have a ton of controls on the top. The MODE dial, the dial for adjusting shutter speed, the record, ISO and shutter button are all at the top. It is smaller in size compared to the Nikon D750. The sub selector and AF on button are in the same position as the D850
On the left is the card slot. On that note, it uses XQD cards for storing the photos and videos, taking with the camera. And since, it shoots at a higher bitrate for videos and higher MP count for photos, this is very necessary. The one I have here is from SONY and it has read and write speeds, for up to 400MB/s
The front of the camera also houses most of the buttons and controls that you will mostly be using.
On the left side is the MIC input and headphone jack, the USB type C port, the HDMI port and this port that I have no idea what is for. All these are covered with a nice rubber which seals the ports from dust and water splashes.
There are 2 additional functional buttons at the front which you can customized to whatever photo or video settings you like white balance, colour profiles, etc, but I haven’t found myself, not once, ever using them. The opposite end is the button to press down when switching out lenses.
This is how to camera looks at first glance, but because, I don’t have a lens cover at the moment, allow me to use an adapter on it so I can cover up the sensor. Sorry, it still looks bulky from the side cos of the additional FTZ adapter, but for protection sake, please bear with me.
The sensor is the most important and expensive part of the camera, so it’s best to protect it, and unlike DSLRs, which has mirrors in them, which in turns protects the sensor, this, does not. Hence, the name mirrorless.
And since this is a fairly new camera from Nikon, it comes with the new Z mount for Z lenses which are said to gather more light and sharper images at all time.
But if you want to use older F mount lenses with this, you’ll need an FTZ adapter of which is said to have support for over 90 F Mount lenses, and still maintain all the sharpness.
The adapter is from Viltrox, I believe, and you need this to be able to mount all the older Z mount lenses from Nikon on their newer cameras. More like Canon with the adapter for the new RF system.
I always confused myself with how to cover these things. I’m a canon shooter, 80% of the time and the direction for covering up the lens and cameras is the opposite for Nikon.
The trigger for switching from photo to video on the right top, right next to the AF-On button and joystick. Then on the opposite side is the preview button and trash button.
Note that, you can turn the MODE dial, until you hold down the button in the center. So, don’t force it.
There’s also the Nikon hotshoe mount and the LCD screen, which shows you your current shooting settings. I had to dim up the brightness of the camera recording this, just to compensate for the flicking on the screen
This is also a full frame sensor, which is a lot bigger and better than what most beginner crop cameras, that most of you watching this now are using. Hey, I use a crop sensor camera, the Canon T3i/600D, so don’t feel intimidated.
The Nikon Z6, uses the EN-EL 15b battery which most high-end Nikon cameras use as well. The D7000, D750, D850, and the likes. Unfortunately, 3rd party batteries of this type, for some reason do not always work on the camera. So, be sure to get your batteries from Authentic Nikon Shops.
Speaking of battery, there is the option to charge the camera using a regular USB type C connector. This is great if you only have one or two batteries and you’re moving from one point to another, you can quickly charge it up using a power bank, get to the location and then start shooting again.
And the inclusion of a USB type C is another thing I love about this camera. The XQD cards aren’t very common and so, are their card readers, but with this, in case you forget your card reader at home, you can still quickly transfer your photos and videos using any type C cable.
Slot in the battery the right way and turn on the camera. The location of the ON/OFF switch isn’t something I have been a fun of. I guess, the placement should make it easier to reach with the index finger but, it just doesn’t work for me.
One cool thing about the touchscreen is being able to use it, virtually, everywhere on the camera, even in the settings. Unlike, some other brands, which don’t allow that.
The tilting screen, also, not a fun of, it is cool using it in landscape mode, whether tilted up or down, which makes more sense than a flip out screen. But for portraits, it doesn’t do me any good, especially if you want to shoot at a low angle.
The LCD viewfinder is also bright enough for shooters who prefer this to the LCD on the back, I don’t. but hey, that option is there. And with that, you get to see your shutter speed, ISO and aperture, just like any other DSLR or mirrorless camera.
The button on the left side of the viewfinder is what is used to trigger the viewfinder display on or off. And with it you can choose between, using both the viewfinder and LCD screen on the back, use only the viewfinder or turn it off completely. Now, anytime you press this button, you’ll notice an infrared light at the top here, SMH, well, our eyes don’t see infrared lights, don’t know why I brought it up. But what it does is, it detects when your face is near the viewfinder and then automatically switches to that.
Let’s pair this with the 50mm, f1.8 and go take some few pictures. I have a friend here, Tiiti from previous photoshoots to help me out with this one. I was pleasantly surprised with how the photos turned out with every click of the button. They all look vivid and sharp. And that bokeh in the background is so beautiful. The camera has compensation for shooting lower than ISO 100 in case you’re in a harsh sunny condition like in this photo right here, and with a full frame sensor and better technology, shooting indoors with a higher ISO is also still great. There is, the general greenish tone in most photo, but that’s something with most, if not all Nikon cameras. Just like how canon photos are more magenta looking. But hey, this is something you can easily to just correct with whatever photo editing software you use.
Here’s a video test for you, still paired with the 50mm lens from Nikon.
Focusing with this camera is phenomenal. So, when Nikon announces the Z6 MKII with a more improved autofocus system, I was a bit confused. I mean, the focusing isn’t smooth like what you see with Canon’s Dual Pixel Autofocus, but this is faster, like, point it to your subject and it instantly gets the focus for you.
Speaking of autofocus, the camera has over 273 autofocus points and 4 ways to choose from. We have a wide autofocus area, a smaller one, a single point autofocus or the all-round fully auto-area AF,
With the inclusion subject tracking, eye detection AF and a Nikon’s new animal detection AF.
But I did notice that, when the camera is focusing on a subject, you can’t really use it. Here, I had the camera a bit too close to the subject so it couldn’t focus, and as it was struggling to, I try to change the recording mode to 4K, 30fps, but it wouldn’t let me.
So, is this camera, any good? Well, the Nikon Z5 is advertised as among the best entry level full frame camera for beginners. But with that, you sacrifice a few things, like the LCD screen up top and a better, more reliable autofocus system. And note, that the Z5 uses usual SD cards we are used to and love so much. So, if I can recommend the Z5, then definitely get the Z6. It has a more improved autofocus system which is key for shooting videos, especially. With a price tag of around GHc 7,000 for the body only, this is a great camera and I would most highly recommend it. Thanks to Paul Duse from PDY Photography for lending me this camera to review. I’ll leave his YouTube channel in the description for more photography tips and tricks.
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