Nikon Z6 Review

November 29, 2018 | Amy Davies | Rating star Rating star Rating star Rating star Rating star

Introduction

Launched alongside the brand new Z 7 earlier this year, the Nikon Z6 is designed to be an “all-round” type camera which is cheaper than its slightly more advanced sibling.

Both of the cameras use the same outward design, with all of the major differences being evident in internal specifications. The biggest difference is in sensor resolution – the Z 6 offers a 24.5 megapixel full-frame sensor, compared with the 45.7 megapixel offering of the Z 7.

Other differences include the Z6 having a faster maximum frame rate (12fps compared with 9fps), and fewer AF points (273 vs 493).

At the time of writing, the Z 6 retails for around £2100 / $2100 body only, but it can also be bought as part of a kit with the 24-70mm f/4 “S” lens for £2800 / $2800. You can also buy it with the FTZ adapter which allows you to use the Z 6 with your existing Nikon F mount lenses.

Ease of Use

Nikon Z6
Front of the Nikon Z6

For the design of both the Z6 and the Z 7, Nikon has tried hard not to alienate its existing customer base of DSLR users. That means, anybody who is currently using one of Nikon’s high-end models and decides to make the switch to mirrorless should be able to get going straight away. In essence, the Z6 is just like a slightly miniaturised DSLR. Although size has been reduced, it doesn’t go too far with miniaturising, leaving you with something that is still very comfortable and well-balanced – particularly if you’re using it with heavy lenses. The handgrip is nice and chunky, while a covering across the whole camera body also has a really nice feel.

The Z6 has the same level of weatherproofing as the D850, while overall the build quality feels very high. It seems as though it would easily withstand a little bit of rough and tumble, as well as coping easily with shooting in a variety of different weather conditions.

Nikon Z6
Front of the Nikon Z6

Button wise, most of the Z6’s buttons are grouped on the right hand side of the camera, making one handed operation easy. The only exception to this being the playback and delete button. Along with all of the buttons, there’s also a joystick, which you can use to move focus points around the frame. It has a ridged coating which helps your thumb easily find it when looking through the viewfinder – as it’s not possible to use the touch-sensitive screen to set the AF point when shooting through the viewfinder, you’ll probably find that the joystick gets a lot of use.

If you’re coming to the Z6 from a Nikon DSLR, you’ll be very familiar with lots of the buttons here already, such as AF-On, Menu and the switch for flicking between shooting video and shooting stills. To the right of the new lens mount is two customisable function buttons which are useful for assigning oft-used settings to. A lens release button is also found in the same place.

Nikon Z6
Rear of the Nikon Z6

Speaking of the mount, the Z mount is entirely new for this range and features four connection points, rather than three of the F mount. It’s also larger, which facilitates very wide aperture lenses – such as the upcoming 58mm f/0.95 Noctilux lens.

Moving to the top of the camera, you’ll find another familiarity in the shape of the mode dial. From here, you can switch between the different shooting modes that the Z6 offers, including M/A/S/P as well as fully automatic. There’s space for three different groups of custom settings, which is very handy if you often find yourself shooting in a specific kind of situation, such as low light. A button in the middle of the dial must be pressed before you can rotate the dial, which proves to be useful for preventing accidental mode changes in your bag.

Nikon Z6
Top of the Nikon Z6

Twin electronic dials occupy the top right of the Z6 – again being very reminiscent of using a camera such as the D850 or D500. They can be used together to adjust shutter speed and aperture, depending on the shooting mode you’re in. They can also be used to adjust other settings when holding down other buttons – for example when holding down the ISO button, the rear dial adjusts sensitivity speed, while the front dial enables and disables Auto ISO.

As well as the ISO button, near the on/off switch, you’ll also find a dedicated video record button, as well as an exposure compensation button. On the top of the camera’s there’s also a very handy panel which shows a number of key settings, such as shutter speed, aperture, battery level, shooting mode and how many shots you’ve got left on the memory card.  

Nikon Z6
Tilting LCD Screen

Flipping to the back of the camera, and there are two ways to compose your image – either via the screen or the viewfinder. This being a mirrorless camera, the Z6 employs an electronic finder. At 3.6-million dots and with a huge 0.8x magnification it’s one of the best electronic viewfinders we’ve used, and is perhaps even though to convince even the strongest electronic viewfinder hater that it’s worthy of reconsideration. You get a very clear view of the overall scene, along with extra benefits over an optical finder – such as being able to preview how changes to settings will affect your overall image.

Meanwhile, the 2.1-million dot tilting touchscreen is also great to use. It’s a much better user experience than something like the A7 III, giving you the option to change AF point via the screen, as well as move around menus and make appropriate selections. Using the touchscreen in conjunction with the physical buttons is a great way to use the camera – depending on how best you like to work. One small disappointment is not being able to use the touchscreen when shooting through the viewfinder to select AF point, something we’re used to seeing from other manufacturers such as Canon and Panasonic. That said, the joystick works well enough for it not to be too much of a big deal.

Nikon Z6
The Nikon Z6 In-hand

A quick menu can be accessed by pressing the “i” button. In this menu you’ll find – by default – a set of commonly used settings. You can change the options which appear in this menu though, if you find there’s another setting that you often require quick access to.

One of the big advantages that camera like the Z6 bring over traditional DSLRs is their ability to shoot silently. Certain kinds of photographers, such as wedding or quiet sports photographers will likely find this function appealing – of course it’s not new to the mirrorless market, but if you were previously a Nikon DSLR shooter, having this option may open up several new shooting opportunities.

Nikon Z6
Front of the Nikon Z6

A key difference between the Z7 and the Z6 is the AF system. The latter camera uses a 273-point system – but on the plus side, the camera can shoot at 12fps, rather than the max 9fps that the Z7 can muster. While neither is likely to be the no.1 camera of choice for sports photographers, in practice, the Z6 seems to cope just a little bit better with very erratically moving subjects than the Z7. As we found with the Z7, it performs best when attempting to keep the subject under an active AF point (using Single-Point AF or Wide-Area AF), rather than activating tracking focus.

Despite the reduced number of focus points compared with its more advanced sibling, you still have a choice of almost the entire of the frame to focus on. Also in practice, it doesn’t seem to be noticeably more sluggish in the majority of shooting situations, and it locks on pretty much instantaneously for static subjects in good light. In low light, focusing is a little slower, but not unacceptably slow – a very bright focusing assist lamp is switched on by default, but you can opt to switch this off for more discreet shooting. In which case, focusing may take a little longer but it’s rare for it to give up altogether.

Nikon Z6
Front of the Nikon Z6

Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity are included, primarily designed for use with Nikon’s Snapseed app. After some early teething issues, on the whole using the app is a much more pleasant experience than when it first appeared a couple of years ago. You can use it to automatically send files over to your phone for sharing online, which is useful for social media aficionados.

One of the big controversies at the Z7 and Z6 launch was the decision to only include a single XQD slot. That’s likely to be less of a problem with the Z6, which is aimed more at consumers than professionals, but it’s still something to think about if you’re at all concerned about backup. It’s also worth considering that XQD cards are more expensive than SD cards, and you might find you want to buy a reader too. On the plus side, XQD cards facilitate faster shooting speeds and tend to be more robust than the average SD card, so you could consider it a good investment.

Nikon Z6
XQD Memory Card

At the time of writing, there are still just three native proprietary lenses for the Z mount. The 24-70mm f/4 S lens is likely to be very popular as a kit lens, but there’s also a 35mm f/1.8 S lens and a 50mm f/1.8 lens – the 50mm we are still waiting to see. Since launch, several third party manufacturers have announced intentions to supply Z mount lenses, while we can also expect Nikon itself to bring more to the market over the next months and years.

For anybody with an existing array of F-mount lenses, purchasing an FTZ adapter with the Z6 is a good idea. The adapter does not include a focusing motor within it, so only lenses which have focusing motors can take advantage of the Z6’s autofocus system, otherwise you’ll have to engage manual focus.

The Z6 has a battery life rating of 310 shots, according to CIPA, making it just a fraction less than the 330 shots of the Z7. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but it’s important to remember that the aggressive power consumption of a standard CIPA test is unlikely to be replicated by the average user. Instead, with good power management practices – such as turning the camera off when not in use – it’s unlikely most average users would need a second battery. If you’re a particularly rapid shooter, it’s certainly worth investing in a second battery, though. Like the Z7, the Z6 can be charged via USB – so another option could be to pick up a battery pack so you can charge on the go. If you’re an existing D850 owner, note that you’ll be able to use your existing batteries in either the Z6 or the Z7, but, you won’t be able charge them via USB.

Image Quality

All of the sample images in this review were taken using the 24.5 megapixel Fine JPEG setting, which gives an average image size of around 12Mb.

Although the Nikon Z6 features far fewer pixels than its sibling, the Z7, that doesn’t mean you should expect significantly lower image quality.

The first of the new generation S lenses are extremely impressive performers, so combining them with the Z6 results in some great images. We’re particularly keen on the 35mm f/1.8 lens, but the 24-70mm f/4 lens is a great all-round performer as a kit lens.

While the Z6 may not be up there for super detail as the Z7, the overall impression of detail is still excellent, while fine details can be seen when viewing at 100%. Such detail is very well maintained up until around ISO 6400, but shooting at higher speeds, such as ISO 8000 also results in more than usable images. Having fewer pixels than the Z 7 actually makes the Z 6 the wiser choice for low light shooting, with slightly less noisy images at high ISO speeds. You’ll start to see obvious examples of noise and loss of detail when looking at images shot at ISO 12800, but if you’re keeping images fairly small then it shouldn’t be a problem. Even those shot at ISO 25600 can be useable, depending on the shooting conditions. In-camera noise reduction applied to JPEG images is fairly natural looking throughout the sensitivity speed range, but if you’re keen to extract further detail, working with the Z6’s very malleable raw files is a good idea.

Engaging matrix-metering (others call it all-purpose) usually results in pleasing exposures that don’t require too much tweaking. Similarly, automatic white balance puts in a good performance when challenged with a range of different lighting conditions, including artificial light.

Like the Z 7, the Z 6 includes in-body image stabilisation – which marks it apart from Nikon’s own DSLRs, such as the D850. It gives you a great advantage when shooting handheld in low light to keep your shots as sharp as possible while using longer shutter speeds.

Noise

The base sensitivity of the Nikon Z6 is ISO 100 but you can go down to ISO 50 (L1.0) if you wish. At the other end of the scale, the highest native sensitivity of the Nikon Z6 is ISO 51200, but two boosted settings, ISO 102400 and ISO 204800, are also available.

JPEG RAW

LO 1EV (ISO 50) (100% Crop)

LO 1EV (ISO 50) (100% Crop)

iso50.jpg iso50raw.jpg

ISO 100 (100% Crop)

ISO 100 (100% Crop)

iso100.jpg iso100raw.jpg

ISO 200 (100% Crop)

ISO 200 (100% Crop)

iso200.jpg iso200raw.jpg

ISO 400 (100% Crop)

ISO 400 (100% Crop)

iso400.jpg iso400raw.jpg

ISO 800 (100% Crop)

ISO 800 (100% Crop)

iso800.jpg iso800raw.jpg

ISO 1600 (100% Crop)

ISO 1600 (100% Crop)

iso1600.jpg iso1600raw.jpg

ISO 3200 (100% Crop)

ISO 3200 (100% Crop)

iso3200.jpg iso3200raw.jpg

ISO 6400 (100% Crop)

ISO 6400 (100% Crop)

iso6400.jpg iso6400raw.jpg

ISO 12800 (100% Crop)

ISO 12800 (100% Crop)

iso12800.jpg iso12800raw.jpg

ISO 25600 (100% Crop)

ISO 25600 (100% Crop)

iso25600.jpg iso25600raw.jpg

ISO 51200 (100% Crop)

ISO 51200 (100% Crop)

iso51200.jpg iso51200raw.jpg

HI 1EV (ISO 102400) (100% Crop)

HI 1EV (ISO 102400) (100% Crop)

iso102400.jpg iso102400raw.jpg

HI 2EV (ISO 204800) (100% Crop)

HI 2EV (ISO 204800) (100% Crop)

iso204800.jpg iso204800raw.jpg

Low Light

The Nikon Z6 lets you dial in shutter speeds of up to 30 seconds and has a Bulb mode as well for exposure times of practically any length, which is very good news if you are seriously interested in night photography. There is an optional long-exposure noise reduction function that can be activated to filter out any hot pixels that may appear when extremely slow shutter speeds are used.

Low Light

lowlight.jpg

Active D-lighting (ADL)

D-lighting is Nikon's dynamic range optimisation tool that attempts to squeeze the full dynamic range of the sensor into JPEGs. Active D-lighting works “on the fly”, before the in-camera processing engine converts the raw image data into JPEGs. The available settings are Off, Low, Normal, High and Extra High, plus an Auto mode.

Off

adl_01.jpg
Low
adl_02.jpg

Normal

adl_03.jpg
High
adl_04.jpg

Extra High

adl_05.jpg

Auto

adl_06.jpg

Picture Controls

Nikon's Picture Controls are preset combinations of sharpening, contrast, brightness, saturation and hue. All 28 different Picture Controls can be tweaked to your liking, then saved and transferred to other cameras.

Auto

Standard

01-PictureControl-Auto.JPG 01-PictureControl-Standard.JPG
Neutral Vivid
03-PictureControl-Neutral.JPG 04-PictureControl-Vivid.JPG

Monochrome

Portrait

05-PictureControl-Monochrome.JPG 06-PictureControl-Portrait.JPG
Landscape Flat
07-PictureControl-Landscape.JPG 08-PictureControl-Flat.JPG

Dream

Dream

09-PictureControl-Dream.JPG 10-PictureControl-Dream.JPG
Pop Sunday
11-PictureControl-Pop.JPG 12-PictureControl-Sunday.JPG
Somber Drama
13-PictureControl-Somber.JPG 14-PictureControl-Drama.JPG
Silence Bleach
15-PictureControl-Silence.JPG 16-PictureControl-Bleach.JPG
Melancholic Pure
17-PictureControl-Melancholic.JPG 18-PictureControl-Pure.JPG
Denim Toy
19-PictureControl-Denim.JPG 20-PictureControl-Toy.JPG
Sepia Blue
21-PictureControl-Sepia.JPG 22-PictureControl-Blue.JPG
Red Pink
23-PictureControl-Red.JPG 24-PictureControl-Pink.JPG
Charcoal Graphite
25-PictureControl-Charcoal.JPG 26-PictureControl-Graphite.JPG
Binary Carbon
27-PictureControl-Binary.JPG 28-PictureControl-Carbon.JPG

Crop Modes

The Nikon Z6 is an FX camera, but it can also shoot in one of three other crop modes.

FX
FXcrop.JPG

DX

DX-crop.JPG
16:9
16by9crop.JPG

1:1

1by1crop.JPG

Sample Images

This is a selection of sample images from the Nikon Z6 camera, which were all taken using the 24.5 megapixel Fine JPEG setting. The thumbnails below link to the full-sized versions, which have not been altered in any way.

Sample RAW Images

The Nikon Z6 enables users to capture RAW and JPEG format files. We've provided some Nikon RAW (NEF) samples for you to download (thumbnail images shown below are not 100% representative).

Sample Movies & Video

This is a sample movie at the highest quality setting of 3840x2160 pixels at 30 frames per second. Please note that this 26 second movie is 408Mb in size.

This is a sample movie at the highest quality setting of 3840x2160 pixels at 30 frames per second. Please note that this 20 second movie is 321Mb in size.

This is a sample movie at the quality setting of 1920x1080 pixels at 60 frames per second. Please note that this 19 second movie is 126Mb in size.

This is a sample movie at the quality setting of 1920x1080 pixels at 30 frames per second. Please note that this 14 second movie is 45.7Mb in size.

This is a sample movie at the quality setting of 1920x1080 pixels at 120 frames per second. Please note that this 18 second movie is 281Mb in size.

Product Images

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Nikon Z6

Conclusion

It’s easy to see why Nikon held back the sale of the Z 6, putting the Z7 into the market a little earlier. For a large swathe of customers, the Z6 makes a lot more sense as a purchase – especially enthusiasts who are keen to save some cash.

As build quality is identical between the Z 7 and the Z 6, you get a premium camera no matter which you buy, but that is all the more impressive when you consider that the Z6 is available at just a snip over £2,000.

Image quality is fantastic, and it’s really only likely to be those that really desire to have a super high resolution sensor to work with that should discount the Z6 over the Z7. There are also benefits that the lower resolution brings – most notably better performance in low light and the ability to shoot at faster speeds.

Realistically, it all comes down to what kind of photographer you are. If you’re somebody who specialises in landscapes, or commercial work, the Z 7 is the obvious choice. If however, you’re somebody who does a bit of everything – landscapes, portraiture, action and so on, then the Z 6 is in all likelihood the best all-round camera on the market right now.

The closest competitor to the Z6 is the Sony A7 III, which is also a fantastic camera but lacks the impressive handling of the Z 6 – it does feature two memory card slots though. On the downside, a system that is brand new is always a bit of a risk, especially for amateurs, and especially when you consider the lack of native proprietary lenses.

However, if you’re an existing Nikon DSLR owner and you’ve got a host of lenses all ready to go, pairing them with a Z6 – at least while Nikon builds up its collection of S lenses – helps to allay those fears of a limited system somewhat.

We were extremely impressed by the Z 7, and the Z 6 impresses just as much – albeit in different ways. For the price, you get a fantastic camera and we can see this jumping straight to the top of many amateur and enthusiast photographers wishlists – and perhaps even finding a place in a pro’s kitbag too.

5 stars

Ratings (out of 5)
Design 4.5
Features 4.5
Ease-of-use 5
Image quality 5
Value for money 5

Main Rivals

Listed below are some of the rivals of the Nikon Z6.

Canon EOS R

The EOS R is Canon's first ever full-frame mirrorless camera, joining the likes of Sony, Nikon and Panasonic. Can it beat its main rivals, and is it a real alternative to a more traditional DSLR? Find out now by reading our in-depth Canon EOS R review, complete with full-size sample images, videos and more...

Fujifilm X-T3

The Fujifilm X-T3 is the successor to our Compact System Camera of the Year 2016 award winner, the popular X-T2. Can this new model really improve on what was already an outstanding camera? Find out now by diving into our in-depth Fujifilm X-T3 review...

Nikon Z7

The Z7 is Nikon's first foray into the brave new world of full-frame mirrorless cameras, and what an entry it is. Boasting 45.7 megapixels, 4K video recording, built-in image stabilsation, a 3.6-million dot EVF and a 2.1-million dot tilting screen, can the exciting new Nikon Z7 give market-leader Sony a run for its money? Find out by reading our in-depth Nikon Z7 review, complete with full size JPEGs, Raw files and movies...

Olympus OM-D E-M1

The Olympus O-MD E-M1 is a new professional compact system camera. Targeting its DSLR rivals, Olympus are promoting the E-M1 as a smaller and more capable camera. Read our expert Olympus E-M1 review to find out if it really can beat the competition...

Panasonic G9

Panasonic have enjoyed a lot of success with the video-centric GH5 camera, and now they've turned their attention to the enthusiast and professional stills photographer with the release of the exciting new G9. Read our in-depth Panasonic G9 review now to find out more...

Sony A7 III

The new A7 III is the most affordable Sony full-frame camera in the Alpha range, but as our in-depth review reveals, it's far from being the most basic. Find out why we think this is the best camera of 2018 (so far at least) by reading our in-depth Sony A7 III review...

Review Roundup

Reviews of the Nikon Z6 from around the web.

digitalcameraworld.com »

The Nikon Z6 is always going to be somewhat overshadowed by the more powerful and higher-resolution Z7, but actually it’s a much more versatile camera, as well as being much more affordable. On paper it could easily come across as being a little bit dull but worthy; in practice its finesse, performance and image quality are just awesome. Every camera has flaws and weaknesses, but the Z6 almost squeezes them out of existence.
Read the full review »

amateurphotographer.co.uk »

Not content with having just one model in the Z-series, Nikon has adopted a similar approach to how Sony entered the full-frame mirrorless market in late 2013 with the original A7 and A7R by releasing a second model to sit beside the Z 7 in the form of the Z 6. The two are identical in the way they share the same body design and use the same large-diameter, short back-focus lens mount, but the Z 6 is more of a general purpose model and presents a lower resolution sensor, less sophisticated AF system and faster continuous burst offering.
Read the full review »

camerajabber.com »

After extensive testing, I’m happy to say that the Z6 is exactly what Nikon bills it as. An excellent all-rounder. Its 24.5Mp sensor captures images with a good level of detail and attractive colours. Meanwhile, its AF system is fast and reliable and the burst depth is deep enough to make it useful for shooting sport. Add in the fact that the Z6 has the same solid weatherproof build and lovely handling as the high-resolution Z7, and I think Nikon has a success on its hands. The only downside is the single card port, but for many, especially those who started out shooting on film, it’s not a major issue.
Read the full review »

Specifications

Type

Mirrorless

Lens mount

Nikon Z mount

Effective angle of view

FX (full-frame)

Image sensor

CMOS, 35.9 mm x 23.9 mm

Dust-reduction system

Image Dust Off reference data (requires Capture NX-D); image sensor cleaning.

Effective pixels

24.5 million

Storage file formats

NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit (lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed); large, medium, and small available (medium and small images are recorded at a bit depth of 12 bits using lossless compression).
TIFF (RGB).
JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1 : 4), normal (approx. 1 : 8), or basic (approx. 1 : 16) compression; optimal quality compression available.
NEF (RAW)+JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats.

Picture Control System

Auto, Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape, Flat.
Creative Picture Controls (Dream, Morning, Pop, Sunday, Somber, Dramatic, Silence, Bleached, Melancholic, Pure, Denim, Toy, Sepia, Blue, Red, Pink, Charcoal, Graphite, Binary, Carbon); selected Picture Control can be modified; storage for custom Picture Controls.

Card slot

1 XQD card

File system

DCF 2.0, Exif 2.31, PictBridge

Viewfinder

1.27-cm/0.5-in. approx. 3690k-dot (Quad VGA) OLED with color balance and auto and 11-level manual brightness controls

Frame coverage

Approx. 100% horizontal and 100% vertical

Magnification

Approx. 0.8× (50 mm lens at infinity, -1.0 m-1)

Eyepoint

21 mm (-1.0 m-1; from center surface of viewfinder eyepiece lens)

Diopter adjustment

-4 to +2 m-1

Eye sensor

Automatically switches between monitor and viewfinder displays

Compatible lenses

Z mount NIKKOR lenses. F mount NIKKOR lenses with mount adapter; restrictions may apply.

Shutter type

Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal-plane mechanical shutter; electronic front-curtain shutter; electronic shutter.

Shutter speed

1/8000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, bulb, time, X200

Flash sync speed

X=1/200 s; synchronizes with shutter at 1/200 s or slower; Auto FP High-Speed sync supported

Release mode

Single frame, low-speed continuous, high-speed continuous, high-speed continuous (extended), self-timer

Frame advance rate

Up to 12 fps. Low-speed continuous: 1 to 5 fps. High-speed continuous: 5.5 fps. High-speed continuous (extended): 12 fps (14-bit NEF/RAW: 9 fps)

Self-timer

2 s, 5 s, 10 s, 20 s; 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 s

Exposure metering

TTL exposure metering

Metering method

Matrix metering.
Center-weighted metering: Weight of 75% given to 12 mm circle in center of frame; weighting can instead be based on average of entire frame.
Spot metering: Meters 4 mm circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point.
Highlight-weighted metering.

Metering range (ISO 100, f/1.4 lens, 20 °C/68 °F)

–4 to +17 EV (ISO 100, f/2.0 lens, 20 °C/68 °F)

Exposure meter coupling

CPU

Mode

Auto; programmed auto with flexible program (P); shutter-priority auto (S); aperture-priority auto (A); manual (M); user settings (U1, U2, U3)

Exposure compensation

–5 to +5 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV available in modes P, S, A, and M

Exposure lock

Luminosity locked at detected value

ISO sensitivity

ISO 100 to 51200
Can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 EV (ISO 50 equivalent) below ISO 100 or to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, or 2 EV (ISO 204800 equivalent) above ISO 51200
auto ISO sensitivity control available

Active D-Lighting

Can be selected from Auto, Extra high, High, Normal, Low, or Off

Multiple exposure

Add, average, lighten, darken

Other options

HDR (high dynamic range), photo mode flicker reduction

Autofocus

273 points (phase-detection, in single-point AF) / 90% coverage vertically & horizontally.

Detection range

-2 to +19 EV (-4 to +19 EV with low-light AF)

Lens servo

Autofocus (AF):
Single-servo AF (AF-S), Continuous-servo AF (AF-C), full-time AF (AF-F; available only in movie mode); predictive focus tracking.
Manual focus (M):
Electronic rangefinder can be used

Focus points

273 (single-point AF)

AF-area mode

Pinpoint, single-point, and dynamic-area AF (pinpoint and dynamic-area AF available in photo mode only); wide-area AF (S); wide-area AF (L); auto-area AF

Focus lock

Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF) or by pressing the center of the sub-selector

Camera VR

5-axis image sensor shift

Lens VR

Lens shift (available with VR lenses)

Flash control

TTL: i-TTL flash control; i-TTL balanced fill-flash is used with matrix, center-weighted, and highlight-weighted metering, standard i-TTL fill-flash with spot metering

Flash modes

Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, slow rear-curtain sync, off

Flash compensation

-3 to +1 EV in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV available in modes P, S, A, and M

Flash-ready indicator

Lights when optional flash unit is fully charged; flashes as underexposure warning after flash is fired at full output

Accessory shoe

ISO 518 hot-shoe with sync and data contacts and safety lock

Nikon Creative Lighting System

i-TTL flash control, radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting, optical Advanced Wireless Lighting, modeling illumination, FV lock, Color Information Communication, Auto FP High-Speed Sync, unified flash control

White balance

Auto (3 types), natural light auto, direct sunlight, cloudy, shade, incandescent, fluorescent (7 types), flash, choose color temperature (2500 K to 10,000 K), preset manual (up to 6 values can be stored), all except choose color temperature with fine-tuning

Bracketing types

Exposure, Flash, White balance, ADL

Movie - metering

TTL exposure metering using main image sensor

Movie - metering method

Matrix, center-weighted, or highlight-weighted

Movie - frame size (pixels) and frame rate

3840 x 2160 (4K UHD); 30p (progressive), 25p, 24p.
1920 x 1080; 120p, 100p, 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p.
1920×1080 (slow-mo); 30p ×4, 25p ×4, 24p ×5.
Actual frame rates for 120p, 100p, 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, and 24p are 119.88, 100, 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, and 23.976 fps respectively; quality selection available at all sizes except 3840 x 2160, 1920 x 1080 120p/100p, and 1920 x 1080 slow-mo, when quality is fixed at high.

Movie - file format

MOV , MP4

Movie - video compression

H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding

Movie - audio recording format

Linear PCM , AAC

Movie - audio recording device

Built-in stereo or external microphone with attenuator option; sensitivity adjustable

Movie - ISO sensitivity

Auto: Auto ISO sensitivity control (ISO 100 to 51200).
P, S, A: Auto ISO sensitivity control (ISO 100 to Hi 2) with selectable upper limit.
M: Auto ISO sensitivity control (ISO 100 to Hi 2) available with selectable upper limit; manual selection (ISO 100 to 51200 in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV) with additional options available equivalent to approximately 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, or 2 EV (ISO 204800 equivalent) above ISO 51200.

Movie - Active D-Lighting

Can be selected from Same as photo settings, Extra high, High, Normal, Low, or Off

Movie - Other options

Time-lapse movies, electronic vibration reduction, time codes, movie log output (N-Log)

Monitor

8 -cm ( 3.2 –in.) diagonal. Tilting TFT touch-sensitive LCD with 170° viewing angle, approximately 100% frame coverage, and color balance and 11-level manual brightness controls. Approx. 2100 k-dot.

Playback

Full-frame and thumbnail (4, 9, or 72 images) playback with playback zoom, playback zoom cropping, movie playback, photo and/or movie slide shows, histogram display, highlights, photo information, location data display, picture rating, and auto image rotation.

USB

Type C connector (SuperSpeed USB). Connection to built-in USB port is recommended.

HDMI output

Type C HDMI connector

Audio input

Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5 mm diameter; plug-in power supported)

Audio output

Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5 mm diameter)

Accessory terminal(s)

Can be used with MC-DC2 and other optional accessories

Wi-Fi (Wireless LAN) standards

IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac

Wi-Fi (Wireless LAN) operating frequency

2412 to 2462 MHz (channel 11) and 5180 to 5320 MHz

Wi-Fi (Wireless LAN) maximum output power

2.4 GHz band: 7.0 dBm. 5 GHz band: 12.1 dBm

Wi-Fi (Wireless LAN) security

Authentication: Open system, WPA2-PSK

Wi-Fi (Wireless LAN) range (line of sight)

Approximately 10 m (32 ft) without interference; range may vary with signal strength and presence or absence of obstacles

Bluetooth standards

Communication protocols: Bluetooth Specification Version 4.2
Operating frequency: Bluetooth: 2402 to 2480 MHz. Bluetooth Low Energy: 2402 to 2480 MHz
Maximum output power (EIRP): Bluetooth: 1.9 dBm. Bluetooth Low Energy: 0.4 dBm

Supported languages

Bulgarian, Czech, Danish, German, English, Spanish, Greek, French, Italian, Hungarian, Dutch, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Romanian, Serbian, Finnish, Swedish, Turkish, Ukrainian, Arabic

Battery

One EN-EL15b rechargeable Li-ion battery; EN-EL15a/EN-EL15 can also be used, but note that fewer pictures can be taken on a single charge and that charging AC adapter can be used to charge EN-EL15b batteries only

AC adapter

EH-5c/EH-5b AC adapter (requires EP-5B power connector, which is available separately)

Tripod socket

1/4–in. (ISO 1222)

Dimensions (W x H x D)

Approx. 134 x 100.5 x 67.5 mm ( 5.3 x 4 x 2.7 in.)

Weight

Approx. 675 g (1 lb. 7.9 oz.) with battery and memory card but without body cap; approx. 585 g/1 lb. 4.7 oz. (camera body only)

Operating environment - temperature

0 °C to 40 °C (+32 °F to 104 °F)

Operating environment - humidity

85% or less (no condensation)

Supplied accessories

BF-N1 Body Cap, DK-29 Rubber Eyecup (comes attached to camera), EN-EL15b Rechargeable Li-ion, Battery with terminal cover, MH-25a Battery Charger (comes with either an AC wall adapter or power cable of a type and shape that varies with the country or region of sale), AN-DC19 Strap, HDMI/USB Cable Clip, UC-E24 USB Cable, BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cover.

Total pixels

25.28 million

Image size (pixels)

FX (36x24) image area
(L) 6048 x 4024 ( 24.3 million), (M) 4528 x 3016 ( 13.7 million), (S) 3024 x 2016 ( 6.1 million).
DX (24x16) image area
(L) 3936 x 2624 ( 10.3 million), (M) 2944 x 1968 ( 5.8 million), (S) 1968 x 1312 ( 2.6 million).
1 : 1 (24x24) image area
(L) 4016 x 4016 ( 16.1 million), (M) 3008 x 3008 ( 9.0 million), (S) 2000 x 2000 ( 4.0 million).
16 : 9 (36x20) image area
(L) 6048 x 3400 ( 20.6 million), (M) 4528 x 2544 ( 11.5 million),(S) 3024 x 1696 ( 5.1 million).
Photographs taken during movie recording at a frame size of 3840 x 2160: 3840 x 2160
Photographs taken during movie recording at other frame sizes: 1920 x 1080

News

Nikon has announced the release of two full-frame, Nikon FX format mirrorless cameras, the Z7 and Z6, as well as NIKKOR Z lenses, featuring a new, larger-diameter mount.

The Z7 has 45.7 effective megapixels, and supports a standard sensitivity range of ISO 64–25600.

The Z6 is an all-purpose FX-format camera with an effective pixel count of 24.5 megapixels, and supports the wide range of ISO 100–51200 standard sensitivities, plus full-frame 4K UHD movie recording with full pixel readout.

The MB-N10 battery pack that is currently in development will hold two EN-EL15b rechargeable Li-ion batteries.

The Nikon Z 7 will be available September 27 for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $3399.95* for the body-only configuration, or for $3999.95* SRP as a kit with the new NIKKOR Z 24-70 f/4 S lens. The Nikon Z 6 will be available in late November for the $1995.95* SRP for the body only configuration, or for the $2,599.95* SRP with the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S lens kit.

Nikon UK Press Release

Nikon introduces the new Z mount system, and releases two full-frame mirrorless cameras: the Z7 and Z6

London, United Kingdom, 23rd August 2018: Nikon is pleased to announce the release of the full-frame, Nikon FX format mirrorless cameras, the Z7 and Z6, as well as NIKKOR Z lenses, featuring a new, larger-diameter mount.

Details regarding the NIKKOR Z lenses can be found here.

Mirrorless Reinvented through the Nikon Z mount system

The Z mount system is comprised of mirrorless cameras featuring a new, larger-diameter mount, as well as compatible NIKKOR lenses and accessories. This system has been realised through the pursuit of a new dimension in optical performance. It has inherited Nikon’s tradition of quality, superior imaging technology, great operability, and high reliability, all innovated from its digital SLR cameras.

At the heart of the new Z mount system is the new, larger-diameter mount, which unlocks further possibilities of lens design, increasing greater capabilities in optical performance The Z mount system will offer a variety of high-performance lenses*, including the fastest lens in Nikon history with f/0.95. Additionally, the new mount adapter will enable compatibility with NIKKOR F mount lenses, offering photographers more choice.

The letter “Z” represents the bridge to a new chapter. The Nikon Z is about Nikon’s relentless pursuit of ultimate performance. It is about redefining possibilities and providing photographers with tools to realise greater creativity.

Nikon will expand the value of mirrorless cameras through the pursuit of a new dimension in optical performance and by upholding Nikon’s tradition of quality while responding to the evolution of imaging technology. By providing photographers with stimulating new products, Nikon will continue to lead imaging culture.

*Within interchangeable lenses for Nikon SLR cameras and Advanced Cameras with Interchangeable Lens

Z7 and Z6 product overview

The Z7 and Z6 are equipped with a new backside illumination full-frame, Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor with built-in focal-plane phase-detection AF and the latest image-processing engine, EXPEED 6.

The Z7 has 45.7 effective megapixels, and supports a standard sensitivity range of ISO 64–25600. In combination with NIKKOR Z lenses, the camera achieves an outstanding level of sharpness and detail, all the way to the edges of the image.

The Z6 is an all-purpose FX-format camera with an effective pixel count of 24.5 megapixels, and supports the wide range of ISO 100–51200 standard sensitivities. With superior performance at high sensitivities and full-frame 4K UHD movie recording with full pixel readout, the Z6 responds to a variety of needs, such as shooting in dimly lit environments, and movie recording. 

Primary features of the Z7 and Z6

1. Equipped with a new backside illumination Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor with built-in focal-plane phase-detection AF

A backside illumination CMOS sensor, with built-in focal-plane phase-detection AF points, has been adopted for both the Z7 and the Z6. The Z7 has an effective pixel count of 45.7 megapixels, and supports ISO 64–25600 range of standard sensitivities (reduction to the equivalent of ISO 32 and expansion to the equivalent of ISO 102400 is also possible). The Z6 has an effective pixel count of 24.5 megapixels, and supports a broad range of standard sensitivities, from ISO 100–51200 (additional reduction to the equivalent of ISO 50 and expansion to the equivalent of ISO 204800).

2. A hybrid AF system with focus points covering approximately 90% of the imaging area

The Z7 has 493 focus points* and the Z6 has 273, enabling broad coverage of approximately 90% of the imaging area both horizontally and vertically. This hybrid AF system uses an algorithm optimised for the FX-format sensor, to automatically switch between focal-plane phase-detection AF and contrast-detect AF with focusing. The use of NIKKOR Z lenses further maximises AF accuracy with both still images and movies.

*With FX (36×24) image area and single-point AF enabled.

3. The new EXPEED 6 image-processing engine for sharp and clear imaging and new functions that support creative expression

The Z7 and Z6 are equipped with the new EXPEED 6 image-processing engine. Employing the superior resolving power of NIKKOR Z and NIKKOR F mount lenses, subjects are rendered more sharply than ever before. Noise is also effectively reduced.

Additionally, a mid-range sharpening option has been added to Picture Control sharpness parameters. This option, along with existing sharpening and clarity parameters, allows users to make various textures within the screen sharper or softer, for both still images and movies*. The cameras also offer 20 options of Creative Picture Control, supporting creative expression. The effect level is adjustable from 0 to 100.

*Mid-range sharpness adjustment is only possible at “High quality” movie setting.

4. An electronic viewfinder that utilises Nikon's superior optical and image-processing technologies to offer a clear and natural view

The electronic viewfinder adopted for the Z7 and Z6 is comfortable and easy to use, comparable to optical viewfinders. Both cameras are equipped with an electronic viewfinder for which an approximately 3,690k-dot OLED panel has been adopted. The electronic viewfinder has, respectively, frame coverage and magnification of approximately 100% and 0.8×, as well as an approximately 37.0° diagonal viewing angle. It draws on Nikon's superior optical technologies and image-processing technologies, ensuring a clear and comfortable view comparable to that of optical viewfinders, with reduced aberration and minimum eyestrain, even during extended shoots. Furthermore, a fluorine coat that effectively repels dirt has been applied to the eyepiece protection window. In addition, the i menu can be displayed in the electronic viewfinder, allowing users to quickly view and adjust a variety of shooting settings, including ISO sensitivity, AF-area mode, and Picture Control, all while looking through the viewfinder.

5. An ergonomic design unique to Nikon that enables intuitive operation

The Z7 and Z6 have inherited the superior operability that Nikon has cultivated over the years through its development of cameras. The bodies are compact, while boasting a firm grip that is easy to hold, and buttons such as that for the subselector, AF-ON, ISO, and exposure compensation are all placed so that they can be operated swiftly and easily. Additionally, a display panel has been placed on the top part of the camera, where information about settings can be displayed, same as with high-end digital SLR camera models.

6. Movie functions such as 10-bit N-Log that enables wide dynamic range, and timecoding that respond to professional needs

The Z7 and Z6 support recording of not only full-frame 4K UHD (3840 × 2160)/30p movies using the FX-based movie format, but also full-HD/120p movies. Sharper 4K UHD movies are made possible, using the full-pixel readout.*1 Additionally, Active D-Lighting, electronic vibration reduction, and focus peaking can be used with 4K UHD and full-HD movie recording. Nikon’s original N-Log can also be used with 10-bit*2 HDMI output. The cameras utilise extensive colour depth and twelve-stop, 1,300% dynamic range to record*3 a wealth of tone information from highlights and shadows for more effective colour grading. Timecode support makes synchronising video and sound to footage recorded across multiple devices easier. Additionally, the control ring built into NIKKOR Z lenses can be used to quietly and smoothly adjust settings such as aperture and exposure compensation.

*1 Excluding FX base movie format for the Z7

*2 Simultaneous recording of 4K UHD movies with 10-bit output to the camera's memory card is not possible.

*3Not available when shooting slow-motion movies. .

7. Nikon's first*1 in-camera vibration reduction with approx. 5.0-stop*2 effectiveness

The Z7 and Z6 are equipped with in-camera vibration reduction (VR). The VR unit provides compensation for movement along five axes. The effects of vibration reduction are equivalent to a shutter speed increase of approximately 5.0 stops*1. This function can also be used effectively with NIKKOR F lenses, including those not equipped with a VR function, with the FTZ mount adapter (sold separately)*3.

*1 Among interchangeable-lens cameras

*2 Measured in accordance with CIPA standards (using the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S at the telephoto zoom position).

*3 The level of compensation achieved when a NIKKOR F mount lens is used is not as high as when a NIKKOR Z lens is used.

8. Other features

•           Operation system that is inherited from Nikon digital SLR cameras enables intuitive operation of buttons and switches

•          Same level of strength and durability, as well as dust- and drip- resistance, as the Nikon D850, offered in a compact body

•           An 8.0-cm 3.2-in., approximately 2,100k-dot touch-sensitive LCD monitor, with a tilting mechanism

•           Silent photography eliminates shake and noise caused by shutter release. A new peaking stack image function*1 allows the user to confirm the correct settings after focus shift shooting. A simulated monochrome image using focus peaking technology emulates how the depth of field will look after all images are combined to a focus stack in editing software*2

•           High-speed continuous shooting (extended)*3 at approximately 9 fps (Z7) and 12 fps (Z6) captures fast motion

•           Interval timer photography that makes 8K (Z7) time-lapse movie creation*2 possible

•           An extended low-light metering range*4 allows users to easily capture scenes such as the transition from sunset to starry night sky, using auto exposure

•           Built-in Wi-Fi® for direct connection to a smart device using SnapBridge

•           Built-in Wi-Fi® makes the transfer of images and movies to a computer possible

•           Support for existing digital SLR camera accessories such as the WT-7 wireless transmitter (available separately) for transferring images and movies at high speed over a wired or wireless LAN, and radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting, which makes flexible multi-flash photography possible 

*1 Can only be confirmed using the camera with which focus shift was performed.

*2 Third-party software is required.

*3 Continuous H (extended) in 12-bit RAW, JPEG, or TIFF format

*4 With interval timer shooting or time-lapse movie recording with silent photography and exposure smoothing enabled.

Development of the MB-N10 Battery Pack

The MB-N10 battery pack that is currently in development will hold two EN-EL15b rechargeable Li-ion batteries, effectively increasing the number of shots possible and/or movie recording time by approximately 1.8×. It will provide the same level of dust and drip resistance as the Z 7 and Z 6, and will support USB charging using the EH-7P charging AC adapter.

Information regarding the release of this product will be announced at a later date.

Trade names (companies, products, services, etc.) are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

Image Gallery

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First Impressions

Photography Blog attended the London, UK launch of the new Nikon Z7 and Z6 mirrorless cameras - find out what we thought by reading our detailed first impressions...

After weeks of teasers, Nikon has finally announced not one, but two full-frame mirrorless cameras. Both cameras use the same body, but have two different sensors – one 45.7 megapixels, and the other 24 megapixels, and a couple of other differences.

Alongside the two new models, Nikon is also launching three lenses which are all designed to fit a brand new Z-mount. An adapter will also be available which means existing Nikon F-mount lenses can be used with the new cameras.

Looking set to tackle the might of Sony’s full-frame mirrorless dominance, these models are quite possibly Nikon’s most important announcement of recent years. Other important features to note include a 3.6-million dot EVF, a 2.1-million dot tilting screen, 4K video recording, 5-axis image stabilisation in the camera itself, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and in-camera charging via the USB port.

The cameras will have two separate sales-start dates. The Z7 is to go on sale first, in September, for £3,399 body only, while the Z6 will be available to buy from November for £2,099.

Ease of Use

Nikon Z7 and Nikon Z6

In terms of design, Nikon has very much stuck with what it knows, creating something which looks like, in essence, a smaller DSLR. It keeps the body of the camera(s) chunky enough to be comfortable to use, while still reducing the size somewhat. Importantly, it remains relatiively well-balanced even if you choose to use heavier lenses. The layout of the buttons and so on is also extremely similar to existing Nikon DSLRs – if you’re already used to using a Nikon DSLR you should very comfortable using either the Z7 or the Z6 (which are exactly the same on the exterior).

There’s also weatherproofing, which is claimed to be to the same level as the D850, while the overall build quality feels very robust and well-made.

On the back of the camera, the majority of the buttons are found grouped on the right hand side. You’ve also got a joystick which you can use to move focus points around the frame – it’s also got a ridged coating to help you easily lay your thumb on it when using the viewfinder.

Nikon Z7 and Nikon Z6

Otherwise there’s very familiar (to Nikon DSLR owners) buttons in the shape of an AF-On button, Menu button and a switch for flicking between shooting video and shooting stills.

On the top of the camera is a mode dial for quickly moving between the various exposure modes the camera offers. You’ll find M/A/S/P as well as a fully automatic option, plus space for three different groups of custom settings. In order to move the dial, you’ll need to hold down a button in the middle of the dial – which helps to prevent accidental changes in bags and so on. Also on the top you’ll find a dial for changing certain settings depending on the shooting mode you’re in, which can used in conjunction with a secondary dial built into the camera’s grip – so again it’s very much like using a DSLR.

Around the on/off switch is a video record button, ISO button and exposure compensation button, while the shutter release is found in the centre of the switch.

A top panel displays key shooting settings, such as shutter speed, aperture, ISO and so on.

Nikon Z7 and Nikon Z6

A high-resolution, class-leading, 3.6-million-dot EVF is used on both cameras, offering 0.8x magnification. In use, the EVF is fantastic, with lots of detail and an extremely pleasant view of the scene. Similarly, both cameras use a 2.1-million dot tilting touch-sensitive screen. You can use this to make various selections in either the main or quick menu (which is accessed by pressing the “I” button on the back of the camera). You can also use it to select a specific focus point around the frame – one disappointment is that you can’t use the touchscreen in conjunction with the electronic viewfinder, though.

Aside from the differences in resolutio, another difference between the two cameras is the AF system. The higher resolution Z7 uses a 493-point phase detection AF system, while the Z6 uses a 273-point phase detection AF system. The Z7 offers 9fps shooting, while the Z6 can manage 12fps.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity are included in both the cameras, with Nikon claiming that connections should be more stable than those seen in previous cameras thanks to a dedicated processor. We haven’t yet had chance to put this to the test, but it’ll be a welcome improvement if stability between the camera and Nikon’s free Snapbridge app could better.

Nikon Z7 and Nikon Z6

A little controversially, Nikon has decided to equip both the Z6 and the Z7 with just a single XQD card slot. So far, the only other cameras on the market to use XQD cards are Nikon’s high-end DSLRs, so for many buying the Z7/Z6, they’ll also have to factor in the expense of additional memory cards and readers. Having a single slot also means no back-up or overflow storage. Nikon says that the reason for this is because there isn’t enough room for two XQD card slots, and, research suggests that relatively few photographers use a second card slot for backup. Having an SD card slot for the second slot wouldn’t be as fast as an XQD card. Still, it’s likely to cause some contention with photographers – especially professionals.

At launch, just three Z-mount lenses are announced – a 24-70 f/4, a 35mm f/1.8 and a 50mm f/1.8.  The new lens mount will not include a built-in autofocus motor, so, while that means it is compatible with Nikon’s extensive back catalogue of lenses, only those with focusing motors inside them will be compatible with the Z7/Z6’s autofocusing system.

Image Quality

Nikon Z7 and Nikon Z6

Although we have had a chance to try out the Z7 cameras, we were not permitted to take away any photos for close examination, as only pre-production models were available.

However, early indications from looking at shots on the screen look very promising – as well as some of the sample images taken by photographers who have had early access to the camera.

Images appear to be exceptionally sharp, with excellent colours (particularly skin tones), while dynamic range and overall exposure looks very good too.

We’ll of course be keen to put it properly through its paces as soon as a full production sample becomes available.

Early Verdict

Nikon Z7 and Nikon Z6

Obviously we have had to wait some time for Nikon’s entry into the full-frame mirrorless market.

Although Nikon has attempted mirrorless before, with its ill-fated Nikon 1 system, this time it feels as if it has got the formula right. It seems to have stopped worrying about cannibalising DSLR sales, and is actively looking towards the future of photography.

For now, it’s likely that the Z6/Z7 will be mostly of interest to early adopters, but it’s an extremely interesting and promising first attempt. To say that we are excited to fully put the new camera(s) through their paces is an understatement – watch this space.

Hands On

Want to see exactly what the new Nikon Z7 and Z6 full-frame mirrorless cameras look like in the flesh?

Check out our extensive hands-on gallery of photos of the Nikon Z7 and Z6 FX format cameras now.

A gallery of hands-on photos of the Nikon Z7 and Z6 full-frame mirrorless cameras.

Image Gallery

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Preview Images

Ahead of our full review, here are some sample JPEG and Raw images taken with a full production version of the brand new Nikon Z6 compact system camera and the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f4 S kit lens.

A gallery of sample images taken with the new Nikon Z6 compact system camera.

Nikon Z6 Sample Images

Sample RAW Images

The Nikon Z6 enables users to capture RAW and JPEG format files. We've provided some Nikon RAW (NEF) samples for you to download (thumbnail images shown below are not 100% representative).

Sample Movie & Video

This is a sample movie at the highest quality setting of 3840x2160 pixels at 30 frames per second. Please note that this 26 second movie is 408Mb in size.

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