The Nikon Z6 II and Nikon Zf have very different physical designs, but a lot of their headline specifications are shared: 24.5 megapixel sensors, 14 FPS RAW bursts, 4K 60p video, and more. What exciting new features does the Nikon Zf bring to the table, considering that it’s three years newer? And which one of these cameras is right for you? This comparison will answer your questions.
Nikon Z6 II and Nikon Zf Specifications
| Camera Feature | Nikon Z6 II | Nikon Zf |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | October 2020 | September 2023 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| Image Processor | Dual EXPEED 6 | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 24.5 MP | 24.5 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 6048×4024 | 6048×4032 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 5.94µ | 5.94µ |
| Low Pass Filter | Yes | Yes |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | Yes | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 51,200 | ISO 64,000 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 50-204,800 | ISO 50-204,800 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | Yes |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | No | Yes (JPEG only) |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/8000 | 1/8000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 900 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 14 FPS | 14 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 14 FPS | 14 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | 12-bit raw and single-point autofocus at 14 FPS (no limitations at 12 FPS) | 14 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition |
| Autofocus Points | 273 | 273 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -6 EV | -8.5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/200 |
| Curtain to Protect Sensor at Shutdown | No | No |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 8 bits | 10 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 10 bits (12 bits with paid upgrade) | 10 bits |
| Raw Video | No (Yes, externally, with paid upgrade) | No |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 60 FPS | 60 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 120 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | 1.5x crop at 4K 60p (4K 30p has no additional crop) | 1.5x crop at 4K 60p (4K 30p has no additional crop) |
| Video Recording Limit | 30 min | 125 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | CFExpress Type B | SD (UHS-II) |
| Slot 2 Type | SD (UHS-II) | Micro SD (UHS-I) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.2 in | 3.2 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 2.1 million dots | 2.1 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Single Axis | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8x | 0.80x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 3.69 million dots | 3.69 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Type | EN-EL15c | EN-EL15c |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 340 frames | 360 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 410 frames | 380 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | 450 frames | 430 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 705 g (1.55 lbs.) | 710 g (1.57 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 134 x 101 x 85 mm (5.3 x 4.0 x 3.3″)1 | 144 x 103 x 59 mm (5.7 x 4.1 x 2.3″)2 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $2000 (Check Current Price) | $2000 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices (Affiliate) | Nikon Z6 II Used Prices | Nikon Zf Used Prices |
| 1The Nikon Z7 II’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 15mm were added to the Z7 II’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
| 2The Nikon Zf’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 10mm were added to the Zf’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
Analysis
Simply based on the specs above, you can already tell that the Nikon Zf is an improvement over the Nikon Z6 II. The high-resolution sensor-shift mode (a first on a Nikon camera) is very welcome for tripod-based landscape photography. Meanwhile, the fully-articulating LCD is a great usability and videography feature. And for action photography, the Nikon Zf has the benefit of a 30 FPS pre-release burst (albeit JPEG-only), as well as an improved autofocus system.
Then there are the differences in camera body designs. Every photographer is a bit different, but it’s hard not to like the Zf’s beautiful, retro-themed design and extensive manual controls (note the dedicated dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation, plus two additional command dials). By comparison, the Nikon Z6 II’s design is more utilitarian – but in practice, it feels short on dials, meaning that the Zf is actually more functional and not just more aesthetically appealing.
I should also mention that, this time, the specifications list alone doesn’t tell the whole story – the Nikon Zf’s advantage is even greater in practice.
Beyond the Specs
Some of the Nikon Zf’s biggest and best features don’t shine clearly in a specifications list. So, I’ll go through the highlights here.
First, the Nikon Zf has a totally redesigned in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system compared to the Nikon Z6 II. The Zf manages a CIPA-rated 8.0 stops of stabilization, compared to just 5.0 stops on the Nikon Z6 II. Furthermore, the Nikon Zf’s image stabilization system can be set to prioritize stabilization in the area of your focus point – meaning that for subjects near the edge of the frame, the difference between the two cameras will be even greater.
Another major improvement on the Nikon Zf is its autofocus system. Yes, the spec sheet shows some advantages for the Zf here, but the differences in practice are much greater. After all, the Nikon Zf inherits the world-class AF system of the Nikon Z8 and Nikon Z9, including subject recognition algorithms and built-in 3D tracking. This should make it a much more desirable camera for sports and wildlife photography compared to the Z6 II.
Speaking of autofocus, the Nikon Zf also has a “Touch Fn” option that allows you to control the EVF’s autofocus point directly via the rear LCD touchscreen. This has been a highly-requested feature among Nikon photographers for ages, and it’s finally here with the Zf for the first time.
In short, the Nikon Zf has more advantages over the Z6 II than it may have seemed at first glance, which I suppose is a benefit of the camera’s newer release date.
You can read our article on 11 Things You Should Know About the Nikon Zf for a more detailed analysis of these features and more.
Recommendations
The Nikon Z6 II and Nikon Zf have a lot of similarities, but the deeper you dive, the more advantages you’ll find for the Zf. To me, these advantages are pretty overwhelming, especially if both cameras are the same price – and the list prices are the same, although the Nikon Z6 II will surely be given more aggressive discounts than the Zf over time.
Even if the price difference were several hundred dollars, though, my recommendation would be to get the Nikon Zf. It’s simply a more capable camera for almost any situation… landscape photography (due to the high-resolution pixel shift), wildlife photography (due to the much-improved autofocus system), videography (due to the articulating rear LCD and better IBIS), and so on.
It’s not that the Nikon Z6 II is a bad camera, and if both cameras are placed side-by-side and set to the same camera settings, you’ll get essentially identical images out of them both. But when you compare their more advanced features, it’s no contest – I would go with the Nikon Zf. The only reason to avoid it is if you hate the retro theme – and really, who could hate such a beautiful design?
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The Zf looks great, but while I still have the Z6 I’m waiting for the 6III which should be even better than the ZF.
Hi Jason, I live in Ottawa, Canada, your hometown. I use a Nikon D850 with a sigma art 50 lens and I only shoot in museums, mostly paintings, where there is usually limited light. I can’t use a tripod. As the years go by, I move around a bit more and generally have to shoot at a speed of 1/125. I’m not sure whether to buy the ZF or the Z6 ii with a Nikkor Z 50 lens. I’ve been told that these cameras are better suited to low light. Thanks in advance for your good advice. Jean-Paul
Jean-Paul
Thank you so much for your review!
And yes, I fully agree!
I sold my D780 with all the lenses (holy trinity, 105 micro 1:1, 100-400, 35 f1;8) and bought the Z f and Z fc wirh all the similar z-lenses.
What to say. Lot of money but full satisfaction. I am happy with my decision. Very happy.
To manage absolutely sharp pics with the z f @ 100-400 and 1/30 s free handed is really a pleasure.
The trigger for that change was not a study of hundreds of characteristics (I did that for sure), it was the Retro Design. I am 63 years and the design of both bodies z f and fc shoot me back into my twenties and blind control of the camera without deep diving in menus.
It is, for sure, a very individual evaluation.
Best regards from good old Germany
HP
Thank you for the review. And thank you for posting a pic of the Zf with the 26/2.8. Zf looks minimalist cool with that small pancake. Really great to see the vast improvement between the Z6ii and Zf. I can just imagine how great the Z6iii could potentially be.
I really don’t understand why everybody is so enthusiastic about this camera… No U1, u2, u3 dial, handling must be terrible because of the old fashioned ergonomics, pre shoot only JPEG, no handheld High resolution option, no decrease in resolution… I don’t hear anything about improved menus…
My feeling is that people are ecstatic due to the AF abilities in a 2K body. Nikon’s been depriving people of an affordable body with AF on the level of the competition for some time.
Note that the ZF is missing a port for intervalometer/ remote .
That is a major downside for astrophotographers, and probably should be added to the article.
It may have Bluetooth connectivity for remote control, as do the Z30, Z50, Z6, Z6 II, Z7, Z7 II, Zfc. E.g., these bodies are listed as being compatible with the Nikon ML‑L7 Bluetooth Remote Control.
It will need to wait while I upgrade other things. (2 lenses, one computer) That means the Zf is a few years away.
The Zf has the huge advantage of the Expeed 7 along with the autofocus compatibility with the Z9/Z8.
I like my z6ii as a walk around fun camera when I do not want to carry a heavy camera like the Z9.
However the Zf has a very appealing retro look, manual dials, the metal parts, and a compact size which all add up to a more relaxed style of shooting. For me it a Zf would be a backup camera and so a small size is an advantage.
If I continue to have a second camera body at all, I want it to be a different type of experience. There is no point owning 2 identical cameras and having a very compatible but different style of camera body is a bit like having different lenses.
The Zf may be a much better unit technically, but for the next 3 or 4 years I will continue to use my trusty Z6ii until I can move the Zf to the top of my wish list.
I’m very happy with my Z6ii but it definitely had a few shortcomings. Fully articulating screen, 10-bit/n-log internal & improved AF are absolutely on my wishlist. Z8 was really overkill for my needs (love the idea of 12-bit raw video but the bitrate is not very practical), it’s great to see 10-bit internal on Nikon without needing to spend Z8/9 money. I also think due to the competitions specs, Nikon needs to release the “Filmmaker” upgrade as a free FW update in order to compete.
Still very impressive though! Looks like the best bits of the Z8 but smaller and cheaper. Bodes well for a potential Z6iii/Z7iii, hopefully something that has 4K60 no crop also and it would be even more amazing
Looks promising, although I’m not so sure about the grip. Any idea of whether it supports focus stacking?
It does have focus stacking!