With Nikon introducing its second-generation Nikon Z6 II camera, our readers might be wondering about what has changed since the Nikon Z6. In this article, we will take a closer look at both generations of Z6 and see what has changed in terms of specifications.
Nikon Z6 and Z6 II Specifications Comparison
Both Z6 and Z6 II are targeted as general-purpose mirrorless stills cameras, thanks to their 24 MP sensor, fast continuous shooting speeds, and a robust hybrid autofocus system. However, when it comes to movie shooting capabilities, these cameras shine for serious videography needs as well, especially with their ability to be updated to shoot in 10-bit RAW video format (via a paid firmware upgrade). Nikon refined the Z6 II in many ways, so let’s see what has actually changed:
| Camera Feature | Nikon Z6 | Nikon Z6 II |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | August 2018 | October 2020 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 6 | Dual EXPEED 6 |
| Resolution | 24.5 MP | 24.5 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 6000×4000 | 6048×4024 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 36.0 x 24.0 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 51,200 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 50-204,800 | ISO 50-204,800 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | No |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | No | No |
| 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 | 12-bit raw and single-point autofocus at 14 FPS (no limitations at 12 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 43 frames (12 FPS) | 124 frames (14 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF | Hybrid PDAF |
| Autofocus Points | 273 | 273 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -6 EV | -6 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 | 8 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 10 (12 with paid upgrade) | 10 (12 with paid upgrade) |
| Raw Video | No (Yes, externally, with paid upgrade) | No (Yes, externally, with paid upgrade) |
| 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) | 4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External) |
| Video Recording Limit | 30 min | 30 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 1 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | CFExpress Type B | CFExpress Type B |
| Slot 2 Type | N/A | SD (UHS-II) |
| 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 | Single Axis |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8x | 0.8x |
| 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 3.1 |
| Battery Type | EN-EL15b | EN-EL15c |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 310 frames | 340 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 380 frames | 410 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | N/A | 450 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 675 g (1.49 lbs.) | 705 g (1.55 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 134 x 101 x 83 mm (5.3 x 4.0 x 3.2″)1 | 134 x 101 x 85 mm (5.3 x 4.0 x 3.3″)2 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $2000 (Check Current Price) | $2000 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices (Affiliate) | Nikon Z6 Used Prices | Nikon Z6 II 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 Z6 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. | ||
Analysis
These two cameras are pretty much identical physically:
Instead, most of the improvements on the Z6 II are delivered via hardware and firmware updates. First of all, the new Z6 II now comes with two EXPEED 6 processors, which improves many aspects of the camera, including its buffer, autofocus, and continuous shooting speed. The Nikon Z6 II is able to shoot up to 14 FPS vs 12 FPS on the Z6, but this is a small change compared to the buffer, which has increased significantly.
When shooting in 12-bit lossless compressed RAW, the Z6 II is able to shoot up to 124 images, which is roughly 3.5x more than what the Z6 is capable of. This means that with a continuous shooting rate of 14 FPS, you should be able to shoot for almost 9 seconds before the buffer fills up – that’s a huge difference, considering that the Z6 slows down at a mere 3 seconds.
Second, the autofocus system has been improved quite a bit. The Nikon Z6 II has a low-light sensitivity range of -4.5 to 19 EV, which is one stop better than what the Z6 can do. This should make the Z6 II more accurate to focus with in very dark conditions. In addition, the Z6 II gains two new AF features – the ability to perform Eye autofocus in Wide Area AF mode, as well as when shooting videos.
The Nikon Z6 II is now able to shoot 4K up to 60 FPS, although it is limited to a 1.5x crop (1080p and lower resolutions remain unchanged). It is also capable of outputting HLG and HDR via its HDMI port, which the Z6 cannot.
Those who heavily criticized the original Nikon Z6 for its single memory card slot can now relax – the new Nikon Z6 II comes with dual memory card slots. The first slot is able to take both CFexpress and XQD memory cards, while the second slot can take both UHS-I and UHS-II compatible SD memory cards. As with all other high-end Nikon cameras, you can use the two types of media for different purposes – you can set the cards to overflow, back up, or save RAW files in one, while saving JPEG to the second card slot.
When it comes to firmware features, it is great that the Nikon Z6 II is able to shoot timelapses while being able to simultaneously create videos from the timelapse files – something I was personally looking forward to. Another firmware tweak is the ability to shoot up to 900 seconds without a remote (the Z6 is limited to 30 seconds). Speaking of firmware, the update process has been greatly simplified. You can now load firmware directly into the camera from the Snapbridge app on your smartphone without having to download a file to a memory card first, then loading it into the camera.
The new EN-EL15c battery delivers better capacity compared to EN-EL15b, and with the more efficient processing power of the camera, you are able to get more juice out of it. Although the number of still images when using the EVF has only gone up from 310 to 340 shots (per CIPA), shooting video continuously adds 15 minutes of extra power, which is great.
The new MB-N11 battery grip is nothing like the MB-N10 battery pack – it has real buttons and dials, as well as an extra USB Type-C port. Since the Z6 II has proper connections on the bottom of the camera, it is now capable of managing a real battery grip with controls! If you are wondering why a second USB Type-C port is needed, that’s because the camera can now be continuously powered via its USB port. This means that you can power up the camera through the USB Type-C port on the grip, while using the camera’s other port for things like file transfers. Even the USB Type-C port on the camera by itself is dual-purpose now according to Nikon, so you can simultaneously charge the camera while also running the camera as a webcam.
The addition of new hardware added a little to the total weight of the camera and made it 2mm thicker. It is a very minor change, which most Z6 shooters will probably never notice. In fact, the cameras look practically identical side-by-side, so if you shoot with both, you will probably need to look at the label on the front of the camera to see which one you are shooting with.
The Nikon Z6 II comes with other minor improvements, such as better EVF refresh rate and blackout, but Nikon has not yet provided any numbers for me to be able to quantify the differences.
Overall, it the new Nikon Z6 II has a lot of great improvements to offer over its predecessor. You can read more in our complete review of the Nikon Z6 II. Or, if you’re after an even more recent camera, check out how the Z6 II compares with the latest Z6 III.
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Love the review, thanks. I have a D7200 and want a Nikon z. I photograph alot in music venues and was looking at the Z6 and 6ii. Is there much difference and can I ad a adaptor for my DX lenses.
Thanks
Nem por isso
Since the laterest z6 firmware upgrade what are the differences between the 2 cameras?
After the 3.4 firmware update the Z6 is much better in AF and is very close to the Z6 II
There are a couple of minor mistakes/misleading comparisons. The Z6 has an intervalometer. The camera can be charged via USB. I am not sure what ‘transfer” means, but if it is moving files, what else is a USB good for? There is Eye AF in wide area, if not as sophisticated as the Z6II.
I suspect there are improvements in the functionality, but they get kind of buried in the ambiguity of the categories.
Nassim,
In his latest video, Steven Perry, noted that the startup time for the Z6ii was noticeably faster. Have you noticed this?
This alone might motivate me to upgrade given all the other improvements that already had me on the fence. I can’t tell you how many shots I’ve missed because of the time it took the camera to startup.
He did note thot oddly the time to startup was longer if the grip was attached (firmware fixable?).
Instead of downloading firmware through snapbridge can you still use the conventional method?
Yes, you can.
Hi Nasim, can I check one point – does Z6 already have “EyeAF in video”?
General question for Nikon Z, but specifically for Z6/Z6II.
What will the EVF display when a Dx (APS-C) only lens is attached via FTZ?
Will I be able to see the sensor-cropped Dx image covering the whole EVF, or will EVF show a cropped image too?
Thx in advance!
When I attach the only two F-Mount DX lenses I have (Sigma 18-35 & 50-100) to the camera, I lose the option of switching between the different views that you get with full frame lenses. FX/DX/16:9/5:4/1:1 and the image fills the viewfinder. This is also true when you attach Nikon Z mount DX lenses to the camera.
With a DX lens on a Z6 (or Z7) you see the DX view taking up all the EVF.
I’m not sure anyone can answer this question, or if there is an answer at this point prior to the release of the Z6 II: Will the Z6 II be able to track birds in flight and other action subjects as well as the D500? I’ve compared the D500 to my Z7 and the D500 is much better at tracking and keeping a bird in focus while panning? Any opinions on this?
Cool upgrade for weddings and sport photographers. I dont need it yet – because both camera have same sensor and same viewfinder.