Z 6 + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S
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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Maker | Nikon |
| Type | Full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera |
| Released | 23 November 2018; 5 years ago (2018-11-23) |
| Lens | |
| Lens mount | Nikon Z-mount |
| Sensor/medium | |
| Sensor type | Back-illuminated CMOS sensor |
| Sensor size | Full frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm) |
| Sensor maker | Sony |
| Maximum resolution | 6048 x 4024 (24.5 effective megapixels) |
| Film speed | Native range of ISO 100-51,200 (expandable to 50-204,800) |
| Recording medium | XQD card CFexpress card |
| Focusing | |
| Focus | Single-servo AF (AF-S) Continuous-servo AF (AF-C) Full-time AF (AF-F; only available in video mode) Predictive focus tracking Manual focus (electronic rangefinder can be used) |
| Focus modes | Pinpoint Single-point Dynamic-area AF Wide-area AF (small) Wide-area AF (large) Auto-area AF |
| Focus areas | 273 points (single-point AF) with 90% coverage |
| Exposure/metering | |
| Exposure | TTL metering using camera image sensor |
| Exposure modes | Programmed Auto [P] with flexible program; Shutter-Priority Auto [S]; Aperture Priority Auto [A]; Manual [M] |
| Exposure metering | TTL metering using camera image sensor Highlight-weighted metering: -4 to +17 EV (ISO 100, f/2.0 lens, 20 °C/68 °F) |
| Metering modes | Matrix metering Center-weighted metering Spot metering |
| Flash | |
| Flash | No built-in flash |
| Shutter | |
| Frame rate | Up to 12fps in 12-bit RAW and single-point autofocus |
| Shutter | Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane mechanical shutter, Electronic front-curtain shutter |
| Shutter speeds | 30s - 1/8000s |
| Viewfinder | |
| Viewfinder | Quad-VGA (1280x960) EVF (3690000 dots) |
| Image processing | |
| Image processor | EXPEED 6 |
| White balance | Auto (3 types) Custom Cloudy Direct sunlight Flash Fluorescent (7 types) Incandescent Natural light auto Preset manual (up to 6 values can be stored, all with fine-tuning) Shade |
| General | |
| Video recording | 1080p video at up to 120 fps, and 4K video at up to 30 fps |
| LCD screen | 3.2-inch tilting TFT LCD with 2.1 million dots with touchscreen |
| Battery | EN-EL15b |
| AV Port(s) | USB Type-C, HDMI Type-C |
| Data Port(s) | IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac/Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy |
| Body features | In-Body Image Stabilization |
| Dimensions | 134×100.5×67.5 mm (5.28×3.96×2.66 in) |
| Weight | 585 g (body only), 675 g (body with battery and memory card) |
| Made in | Japan |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Nikon Z 6II |
The Nikon Z 6 is a full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera produced by Nikon.[1] The camera was officially announced on August 23, 2018, to be released in November. Nikon began shipping the Z 6 to retailers on November 16, 2018.[2] This was the second camera to use Nikon's new Z-mount system after the release of the 45.75 megapixel Nikon Z 7 in September 2018.[3]
This more-affordable 24.5 mega-pixel full-frame model offers nearly all of the same specifications as the Z 7. Aside from the lower resolution, differences include fewer phase-detection autofocus points (273 compared to 493) and an added anti-aliasing filter. The fewer mega-pixels allow for some benefits: a higher ISO equivalent, faster 12 fps (vs. 9 fps) drive speed, greater burst depth, and the ability to capture oversampled 4K video in full-frame up to 30 fps (and also in APS-C Crop, 10 MP APS-C still images can be captured) recording.[4][5]
Three Z-mount lenses were available by December 2018, the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S FX AF, the 35mm f/1.8 S FX AF and the 50mm f/1.8 S FX AF. The F-to-Z mount adapter accessory allows for using Nikon lenses from the digital SLR series with full compatibility.[6] In late 2018, Nikon also published a "roadmap" of lenses to be released between 2019 and 2021. A total of nine products were included in that list.[7]
A DSLR version of this camera, the Nikon D780, providing similar auto focus performance and video performance, was released in January 2020.
The preliminary review by Imaging-Resource in the U.S. offered this summary of its conclusion after preliminary testing had been completed: "Overall, the Nikon Z6 is shaping up to be a very nice, all-around, enthusiast-grade mirrorless camera. ... I'm having a hard time finding any sizable criticism for the Z6. The image quality is fantastic, ... and the build quality is superb. The camera ... was easy to pick up and operate without much, if any, confusion. ... The camera feels great, works great and produces great photographs. I honestly can't ask for much more." The only negative comment at that time was that the Z 6 offers only a single XQD card slot; such cards were still quite expensive at the time and a single slot does not provide any "backup security".[8]
Digital Photography Review rated the camera's sensor as providing excellent resolution and high ISO performance, "though on rare occasions you may see banding if shadow areas are brightened ... While fine detail isn't as well preserved at low ISO or at high ISO as the best of its peers, the Z6 generally strikes a nice balance between noise and detail. Low light Raw performance is competitive with the best of its peers, which is to say it's essentially class-leading."[9] The editors suggested that the Z 6 may be preferable to the Z 7 for some photo enthusiasts. "While the Nikon Z7 may garner the most attention, the cheaper Z6 may actually prove the more impactful of the two cameras, since it'll be within reach of a larger number of photographers. And, since it captures oversampled video without a crop, it might be a more logical choice for video shooters than the higher-resolution Z7."[10]
One other criticism about the Z 6 is its autofocus system being inferior to that of Canon and Sony's offerings, as well as its DSLR predecessors, such as the Nikon D750 and Nikon D780.[11]
Nikon has released a number of firmware updates for the Z 6. The Z 6 and Z 7 have - so far - always received largely identical changes and share the same firmware version numbers. Some reviews of these cameras have been updated to reflect new autofocus features and improved autofocus performance over time.[12][13]
| Version | Release date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 2018-11-23 |
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| 2.0[14] | 2019-05-15 |
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| 2.20[15] | 2019-12-17 |
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| 3.0[17] | 2020-02-17 |
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| 3.10[18] | 2020-07-21 |
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| 3.20[19] | 2020-12-17 |
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| 3.30[20] | 2021-04-25 |
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| 3.40[21] | 2021-11-10 |
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| 3.50[22] | 2022-10-20 |
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| 3.60[23] | 2023-07-12 |
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The Z 6 can internally record a range of 1080p and 4K video formats. External recorders can be connected via a HDMI type C connector. The Z6 always provides a "clean-feed" output without any on-screen displays in video mode.
| Resolution | Frame rate | Bit depth | Recording mode | Available picture profiles | Sensor area | Sampling mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1920x1080 | 24/25/30 fps | 8-bit | Internal and external | Picture profiles incl. "flat" profile | FX DX |
Downsampling ? |
| 1920x1080 | 50/60 fps | Internal and external | FX DX |
Pixel binning ? | ||
| 1920x1080 | 100/120 fps | Internal | FX | Pixel binning and downsampling | ||
| 3840x2160 | 24/25/30 fps | Internal and external | FX DX |
Downsampling ? | ||
| 1920x1080 | 24/50/30 fps | 10-bit | External | Picture profiles incl. "flat" profile N-Log |
FX DX |
Downsampling ? |
| 1920x1080 | 50/60 fps | External | FX DX |
Pixel binning and downsampling ? | ||
| 3840x2160 | 24/50/30 fps | External | FX DX |
Downsampling ? | ||
| 3840x2160 | 24/25/30 fps | 12-bit | External | ProRes RAW (requires raw video upgrade) | FX DX |
Pixel skipping[24] |
| 1920x1080 | 24/25/30/50/60 fps | External | FX DX |
Media related to Nikon Z 6 at Wikimedia Commons|
Nikon Z-mount timeline
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PROCESSOR:
EXPEED 6 |
Dual EXPEED 6 |
EXPEED 7
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