Nikon Z6 Review: Unleashing the Power of Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera

Looking for a full-frame mirrorless camera to capture spectacular videos and photos? Then, the Nikon Z6 might be the one for you! Discover its features, benefits and drawbacks in this extensive review.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Nikon Z6 article cover photo

Key Features

Aug 23 2018

Announced

25 megapixels

Resolution

BrandNikon
Sensor TypeFull frame
SensorBSI-CMOS
Weight675g
MSRP$1999USD

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Overview of the Z6

Are you a photography enthusiast or a professional who’s looking for the perfect camera to match your skills? Nikon Z6 might just be the one that will blow you away! As one of Nikon’s mirrorless cameras, it features an impressive full-frame sensor that can capture 4K videos with outstanding clarity and details. Are you ready to learn more about this masterpiece of a camera? Keep reading and find out what makes the Nikon Z6 stand out from the competition.

Nikon Z6 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon Z6 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

High ISO performance
Large lens selection
273-point phase-detection autofocus
In-body image stabilization
4K video capabilities
Weather-sealed body
High-speed continuous shooting
12 fps burst mode
Stunning image quality
Compatible with F-mount lenses

Cons

Single card slot
Limited battery life
No built-in flash
No top-plate LCD
No dedicated exposure compensation dial
Limited autofocus settings in video mode
Limited native lens selection
Electronic viewfinder could be better
No built-in time-lapse intervalometer
Expensive compared to other mirrorless options.

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Nikon Z6

Weather sealed
Dimensions134 x 101 x 68mm
Weight675g
Thickness68mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Nikon Z6 camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the Z6 is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution2,100k dots
Body typeSLR-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 3.20" screen, with a display resolution of 2,100k dots. This makes the Nikon Z6 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Z6 includes a electronic viewfinder with 3,690k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.8x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Nikon Z6 has a 25MP sized BSI-CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 25 pixels. Nikon Z6 has a native ISO range of 100 - 51200 which can be boosted to 50 - 204800. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Aug 23 2018

Announced

100 - 51200

ISO Range

SensorFull frame
Extended ISO50 - 204800
Max resolution6048 x 4024 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

95 / 102

Color Depth

25.3 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

14.3 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

3299 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Nikon Z6 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain medium amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is average, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Z6 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: Full frame

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageXQD card
Battery Life330 shots
Battery ModelEN-EL15b
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Nikon Z6 supports XQD card with 1 slots for storage. This may suffice for everyday use. However, for professional applications such as wedding photography, it is not recommended as a memory card malfunction could lead to the loss of all footage.

Battery

The Nikon Z6 uses the EN-EL15b model of battery pack. This is rated for 330 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Nikon Z6 does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Nikon Z6 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of 1/8000s, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of n/a or an electronic shutter speed of n/a, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Nikon Z6 includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 273 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Nikon Z6?

The Nikon Z6 features a BSI-CMOS sensor

Is the Nikon Z6 weather sealed?

Yes the Z6 does have weather sealing.

When was the Nikon Z6 announced?

The Nikon Z6 was announced on Aug 23 2018

Does the Nikon Z6 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Z6 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Nikon Z6?

The Z6 has a native ISO range of 100-51200, which can be expanded to ISO 50-204800 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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