The Nikon Z6 was Nikon’s first, full-frame Z mount 24MP camera. Five years later, they released the retro-style Zf, another 24MP full-frame Z-mount camera, but under the hood, it’s an enitrely different beast. Although the Z6 is still a great camera, Nikon made some serious improvements with the Zf. How different is the Nikon Zf compared to the Z6? Read on to find out!
Nikon Z6 vs Nikon Zf Specs
| Camera Feature | Nikon Z6 | Nikon Zf |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | August 2018 | September 2023 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 6 | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 24.5 MP | 24.5 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 6000×4000 | 6048×4032 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 36.0 x 24.0 mm (Full Frame) | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 5.94µ | 5.9µ |
| 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 | 30 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 12 FPS | 14 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 12 FPS | 14 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | None | 14 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 43 frames (12 FPS) | Over 200 frames |
| 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 (12 with paid upgrade) | 10 bits |
| Raw Video | No (Yes, externally, with paid upgrade) | No |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 30 FPS | 60 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 120 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | No | 1.5x crop at 4K 60p (4K 30p has no additional crop) |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External) | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 30 min | 125 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 1 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | CFExpress Type B | SD (UHS-II) |
| Slot 2 Type | N/A | 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 |
| USB Type | Type C 3.1 | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Battery Type | EN-EL15b | EN-EL15c |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 310 frames | 360 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 380 frames | 380 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | N/A | 430 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 675 g (1.49 lbs.) | 710 g (1.57 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 134 x 101 x 83 mm (5.3 x 4.0 x 3.2″)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 | Nikon Z6 Used Prices | Nikon Zf Used Prices |
| 1The Nikon Z6’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 15mm were added to the Z6’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. | ||
Summary and Recommendations
The Nikon Zf seems to be an incremental improvement over the Z6, but the reality is far different. Released after the Nikon Z9, the Zf incorporates many of the autofocus improvements from the Z9. So although the Zf is not a stacked-sensor camera like the Nikon Z9 or Z8, it has a very decent autofocus system. Of course, the Z6 doesn’t have poor autofocus by any means, but the Zf is so much better, especially when it comes to moving subjects.
The Zf also has better low-light autofocus sensitivity. The Z6 can certainly become a bit slow in dim situations, whereas the Zf will be a bit more snappy. The video specs have also been upgraded. Again, the Z6 already outputs pretty nice video, but in the Zf you get an upgrade from 8-bits to 10-bits, which will make a significant difference in grading difficult footage. The Zf can also do 4K60 whereas to the Z6 only did 4K30, though the 4K60 on the Zf is unfortunately cropped.
There are a few other upgrades on the Zf such as a longer recording time, pre-burst (JPEG only), and a longer minimum shutter speed. All of these features make the Nikon Zf a much more well-rounded camera than the Nikon Z6 ever was, and thus the Zf will be a significant upgrade for Z6 users. That’s not bad for the same MSRP!
What does the Nikon Z6 offer over the Nikon Zf?
- Cheaper at used prices
- Normal-style camera body
- Lighter weight (35g lighter. It’s not a lot, but every bit helps.)
What does the Nikon Zf offer over the Nikon Z6?
- Much better autofocus, though not as good as the flagship Z9 or Z8
- Better video
- Two card slots, which is better for redundancy and backup
Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
Photography Life is part of the eBay Partner Network and B&H’s affiliate program. When you make a purchase through the affiliate links in this article, we can be compensated with a percentage of each sale. If you found this comparison useful, buying anything through these links allows you to support Photography Life at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our efforts!