# Nikon Z6

The Nikon Z6 is a full-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera produced by Nikon. The camera was officially announced on August 23, 2018, to be released in November. Nikon began shipping the Z6 to retailers on November 16, 2018. This was the second camera to use Nikon's new Z-mount system after the release of the 45.75 megapixel Nikon Z7 in September 2018.
This more-affordable 24.5 mega-pixel full-frame model offers nearly all of the same specifications as the Z7. 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.
Three Z-mount lenses were available by December 2018, the Nikkor Z 24-70 mm f/4 S, the 35 mm f/1.8 S and the 50 mm f/1.8 S, all three covering a full-frame (FX) image size. The F-to-Z mount adapter accessory allows for using Nikon lenses from the digital SLR series with full compatibility. 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.
A DSLR version of this camera, the Nikon D780, providing similar auto focus performance and video performance, was released in January 2020.

## Reception

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 Z6 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".
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." The editors suggested that the Z6 may be preferable to the Z7 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."
One other criticism about the Z6 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.

## Update history

Nikon has released a number of firmware updates for the Z6. The Z6 and Z7 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.
| Version | Release date | Notes |
| 1.0 | 2018-11-23 | Initial firmware version |
| 2.0 | 2019-05-15 | Added eye-detection autofocus in stills mode Added auto-exposure tracking to 12 fps high-speed extended mode |
| 2.20 | 2019-12-17 | Added support for CFexpress memory cards Added option for paid (200 USD) 12-bit ProRes RAW external recording upgrade |
| 3.0 | 2020-02-17 | Added animal (dogs and cats) eye-detection autofocus in stills mode Added animal face-detection autofocus in movie mode Improved subject tracking autofocus |
| 3.10 | 2020-07-21 | Added support for updating the firmware of F-mount lenses through the FTZ Added support for remote control of external recorders using the Atomos protocol |
| 3.20 | 2020-12-17 | Added support for Blackmagic RAW recording to Blackmagic Design external video recorders on cameras with the RAW upgrade installed The ISO sensitivity of movies recorded in ProRes RAW can now be altered in Final Cut Pro X |
| 3.30 | 2021-04-25 | Added voice memo feature Added focus recall on wakeup option (restores last focus position instead of returning focus to infinity) |
| 3.40 | 2021-11-10 | Improved eye-detection autofocus Added support for new lenses (24-120/4S, 28-75/2.8, 400/2.8S TC VR) and the FTZ II |
| 3.50 | 2022-10-20 | Customizable control assignment for focus position recall Improved focus position recall |
| 3.60 | 2023-07-12 | Added support for MC-N10 remote grip |
| 3.70 | 2024-07-16 | Changed the default values for the following settings displayed when connecting wirelessly: Encryption keys The password displayed after the camera's default settings are restored Fixed an issue that would cause some buttons on the camera and MC-N10 to stop responding when the MC-N10 shutter-release button was used to start or end movie recording. |

## Video capabilities

The Z6 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 | 8-bit | Internal and external | Picture profiles incl. "flat" profile | FX DX | Pixel binning ? |
| 1920x1080 | 100/120 fps | 8-bit | Internal | Picture profiles incl. "flat" profile | FX | Pixel binning and downsampling |
| 3840x2160 | 24/25/30 fps | 8-bit | Internal and external | Picture profiles incl. "flat" profile | 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 | 10-bit | External | Picture profiles incl. "flat" profile N-Log | FX DX | Pixel binning and downsampling ? |
| 3840x2160 | 24/50/30 fps | 10-bit | External | Picture profiles incl. "flat" profile N-Log | FX DX | Downsampling ? |
| 3840x2160 | 24/25/30 fps | 12-bit | External | ProRes RAW (requires raw video upgrade) | FX DX | Pixel skipping |
| 1920x1080 | 24/25/30/50/60 fps | 12-bit | External | ProRes RAW (requires raw video upgrade) | FX DX | Pixel skipping |