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Home → Cameras and Lenses

Nikon Z6 vs Z6 II

By Nasim Mansurov 42 Comments
Published On October 14, 2020

With Nikon introducing its second-generation Z6 II camera, our readers might be wondering about what has changed between these two cameras. In this article, we will take a closer look at both generations of Z6 and see what has changed in terms of specifications. More in-depth information about the Z6 II will be provided in our future review of the camera.

Nikon Z6 vs Z6 II

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 FeatureNikon Z6Nikon Z6 II
Sensor Resolution24.5 MP24.5 MP
Low-Pass FilterYesYes
Sensor TypeBSI CMOSBSI CMOS
Native ISO SensitivityISO 100-51,200ISO 100-51,200
In-Body Image StabilizationYes, 5-axisYes, 5-axis
Sensor Size35.9 x 24.0mm35.9 x 24.0mm
Image Size6048 x 40246048 x 4024
Image ProcessorEXPEED 6Dual EXPEED 6
EVF Type / ResolutionQVGA / 3.6 Million DotsQVGA / 3.6 Million Dots
EVF Coverage100%100%
EVF Improved Refresh RateNoYes
EVF Improved Viewfinder BlackoutNoYes
Viewfinder Magnification0.8x0.8x
Built-in FlashNoNo
Flash Sync Speed1/200s1/200s
Storage Media1x CFe / XQD1x CFe / XQD + 1x SD UHS II
Continuous Shooting Speed12 FPS14 FPS
Camera Buffer (12-bit Lossless)35124
Max Shutter Speed1/80001/8000
Min Shutter Speed30 secUp to 900 sec
Autofocus SystemHybrid PDAF, 273 pointsHybrid PDAF, 273 points
Low-Light Sensitivity-3.5 to +19 EV-4.5 to +19 EV
Eye AF in Wide Area AFNoYes
Eye AF in VideoNoYes
Video Maximum Resolution4K @ up to 30p, 1080p @ up to 120p4K @ up to 60p, 1080p @ up to 120p
4K Video Crop1.01.0 (30p), 1.5x (60p)
HDMI Out / N-LOG4:2:2 10-bit HDMI Output / Yes4:2:2 10-bit HDMI Output / Yes
HLG / HDR OutNoYes
Articulating, Touch LCDYes, TiltingYes, Tilting
LCD Size / Resolution3.2″ / 2.1 Million Dots3.2″ / 2.1 Million Dots
Wi-Fi / BluetoothYes / YesYes / Yes
Intervalometer + Timelapse MovieNoYes
Firmware Update via SnapbridgeNoYes
BatteryEN-EL15bEN-EL15c
Battery Life (CIPA)310 shots340 shots
Battery Life (Video)85 min100 min
Battery GripMB-N10MB-N11
Battery Grip ControlsNoYes
Continuous External PowerNoYes
USB Power + TransferNoYes
Weather Sealed BodyYesYes
USB VersionType-C 3.1Type-C 3.1
Weight (Camera Body Only)585g (20.7oz)615g (21.7oz)
Dimensions134 x 100.5 x 67.5mm (5.3 x 4.0 x 2.7″)134 x 100.5 x 69.5mm (5.3 x 4.0 x 2.8″)
MSRP$1,999 (check price)$1,999 (check price)

While the two cameras look almost identical physically, 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 looks like the new Nikon Z6 II has a lot of great improvements to offer over its predecessor. I am looking forward to testing the Z6 II as soon as it becomes available.

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Filed Under: Cameras and Lenses Tagged With: Nikon Mirrorless, Nikon Z6, Nikon Z6 II

About Nasim Mansurov

Nasim Mansurov is the author and founder of Photography Life, based out of Denver, Colorado. He is recognized as one of the leading educators in the photography industry, conducting workshops, producing educational videos and frequently writing content for Photography Life. You can follow him on Instagram and Facebook. Read more about Nasim here.

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Srinivasa Krishnan
Srinivasa Krishnan
October 14, 2020 3:14 am

I’m more curious to see whether there is a considerable improvement in the AF speed while using F lenses with the FTZ on the Z6-II and Z7-II.

4
Reply
Alan
Alan
October 28, 2020 7:23 am

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?

2
Reply
Bjorn Vink
Bjorn Vink
October 14, 2020 10:19 am

Hi Nasim, the Z6 already has an intervallometer, time lapse internal baked mov/mpeg and interval pictures. Actually the Z6 is the best time lapse camera you can get since it even masters the immense change in light during day to night time lapses extremely well

2
Reply
Nasim Mansurov
Nasim Mansurov
Author
Reply to  Bjorn Vink
October 15, 2020 3:57 pm

Bjorn, while the Z6 already has them, it cannot shoot a timelapse and produce a video file at the same time – the Z6 II can.

0
Reply
David R
David R
Reply to  Bjorn Vink
January 28, 2021 4:26 pm

Thanks for pointing that out, I was wondering. I need an intervalometer but don’t need the the on-board ability to turn the sequence into a video file.

0
Reply
Vincent Wong
Vincent Wong
October 15, 2020 7:18 am

I am surprised that the Z6 II has much better low light sensitivity than Z6, Z7 and Z7 II. It is in par as Nikon D6 (-4.5EV), Z6II is a capable multiple purpose camera, except that Nikon should work on higher resolution sensors like Canon and Sony.

1
Reply
Thomas N.
Thomas N.
Reply to  Vincent Wong
October 16, 2020 9:23 am

I wouldn’t interpret too much into it until we really see how it behaves. The step from -2 to -3 in the D750 was achieved just by pushing the sensors closer together ending up with a smaller AF sensor area coverage. These figures are marketing figures – just as phantastic resolution figures.

-1
Reply
Mark
Mark
October 14, 2020 12:14 pm

I believe the article is incorrect in it’s statement “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!”
I think the contact points are located in the battery chamber & the grip extends up into the chamber.

1
Reply
Michael Steinbach
Michael Steinbach
Reply to  Mark
October 14, 2020 12:20 pm

You are correct.

0
Reply
Nasim Mansurov
Nasim Mansurov
Author
Reply to  Mark
October 15, 2020 3:56 pm

You are right, the battery connections are in the grip. Still, the Z6 II has them, while the predecessor does not…

0
Reply
Pavlos H
Pavlos H
March 23, 2021 9:09 am

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?).

0
Reply
John M. Gilbert
John M. Gilbert
February 6, 2021 11:54 am

Instead of downloading firmware through snapbridge can you still use the conventional method?

0
Reply
Tom Carroll
Tom Carroll
Reply to  John M. Gilbert
March 5, 2021 12:37 am

Yes, you can.

0
Reply
Patrick C
Patrick C
December 13, 2020 12:00 am

Hi Nasim, can I check one point – does Z6 already have “EyeAF in video”?

0
Reply
Sebastiano Rametta
Sebastiano Rametta
November 2, 2020 8:17 am

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!

0
Reply
Tom Carroll
Tom Carroll
Reply to  Sebastiano Rametta
March 5, 2021 12:39 am

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.

0
Reply
Ross Marks
Ross Marks
Reply to  Sebastiano Rametta
March 19, 2021 10:01 pm

With a DX lens on a Z6 (or Z7) you see the DX view taking up all the EVF.

0
Reply
Petr
Petr
October 22, 2020 3:20 am

Cool upgrade for weddings and sport photographers. I dont need it yet – because both camera have same sensor and same viewfinder.

0
Reply

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