NIKON Z6 :: Hands on Review

The Nikon Z6 is a 24 megapixel, full-frame mirrorless camera from Nikon.

This video is sponsored by Squarespace

As the baby brother to the high megapixel Nikon Z7, the Z6 has several advantages to its lower resolution including low-light performance, faster burst-rate and video at full resolution with no cropping of pixel binning.

While not quite on par with the Sony A7 III in terms of autofocus, the Nikon Z6 has many features that make this an excellent performing camera and an alternative with an adaptable lens selection.

In this hands-on review, we'll explore all of the features of this camera including sample images and video footage. I really am impressed with what Nikon have delivered. Its a solid start to a promising mirrorless system.

• 24.5 Megapixel, FX-Format BSI-CMOS sensor
• EXPEED 6 image processor
• 273 phase detection points
• Built in 5-axis image stabilization
• 12 fps shooting
• ISO 100-51200
• UHD 4k video up to 30p
• N-log and 10-Bit HDMI video output (8-bit internal)
• 4k Timelapse

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* FTC - Nikon loaned me the Z6 for this review. They also paid my expenses to go to Florida for the media event. There was no further financial compensation and the opinions here are my own.

Ted Forbes
The Art of Photography
2830 S. Hulen, Studio 133
Fort Worth, TX 76109
US of A

[RC]

That one card slot stuff, I have been shooting millions of pictures (a lot of sport and weddings) and I never had a failure. The trick is, say Goodmorning to your camera’s and they will be good for you😉

[DouglasWiseRogers]

The image quality on this is so CLEAN! My goodness

[LavikkaPhotography]

I must be hard core. i have 3 cameras with dual card slots but I live on the edge and only use one card!!!! Yeah thats right! Edgy!

[pahountisg]

in my opinion the best looking out of them all :) A small tank. ( Canon user here )

[Life_Is_A...]

Came here from the Tony & Chelsea review of the z6. Man this is so much more professionally made.

[LMoProVisualComm]

5 years later and I've yet to have a card failure with (1) card slot... I'll report back 5 years from now...

[jeffbird]

" Henri Cartier Bresson didn't have dual card slots." My favorite Ted Forbes quote.

[Crazyism]

Try to push ISO button and front dial for auto ISO.

[aebonstudio]

Thank you for using 10 bit. Too many people overlook this pivotal feature.

[JFernandezStudios]

I have to say this review was excellent man. Thank you. I’ve been a Nikon user for almost a year now. And I had thought about doing a switch to Sony. But after this video I think imma save money for the z6 now. I appreciate your video thank you

[Ed-lzjv]

When you created this video.... all the focus firmware upgrades were not installed, they have made it a lot better in 2024. I may buy back in with the Z6 USED. Like my Fuji T5 . but Nikon Z FF is flat out superior output

[davidmoore]

The Nikon mirrorless camera before was 1"/CX sized not APS-C I think?

[christroy]

Nikon Z6 user tip - you don't need to go into any menus to toggle auto ISO and change ISO.. You can switch to auto ISO simply by holding the ISO button and rolling the secondary control nob - no menu needed. ;)

[stevepuddlejumperpilot]

I really enjoyed this video. I bought my Z6 a year or so ago, just didn't like it because it "wasn't a DSLR", and bought a D780 because it was a DSLR. Starting to come around to the mirrorless system, little by little, and your presentation got me excited about learning the Z6. Thank u for uploading this.

[MichaelLaing]

The card slot issue doesn't bug me as much in the Z6 as it does the Z7 because of the massive difference in price. Ergonomics, I am not nearly as impressed with the Z series as everyone else. Where I have to disagree is, where you are saying you can't compare this to a Sony because it is a first generation camera. Nikon have waited years to release this camera and it should have been a great camera because they have had time to develop the camera and see the mistakes Sony have made, and whilst the ergonomics (for most) seem to be better than Sony's, they completely screwed the pooch, by not having a battery grip and will only have a battery pack.

Also whilst I can't say I am a fan of the 1 series of cameras, the one big positive you could say about those cameras was the AF was great, right off the bat and you can't say that about the Z6 or Z7, they are really just adequate.

Overall, the Z6/Z7 are not bad camera's (there are very few really bad cameras now days). But Nikon should have got this right, right out of the box and they haven't. Through from their lens line up (the 58mm should have been available right from the get go), though to the average AF, to the single card slot and lack of battery grip. It just all feels rushed, which given the time Nikon have had to get this camera together, just feels amateur.

[TomMasonPhoto]

Great Video Ted - Very much looking forward to getting one of these myself for video. As a nikon shooter with a boat load of lenses, being able to adapt them and gain the benefits of mirrorless is going to be awesome. My D850 will still be my king for most work, however this will give nice flexibility and new video options! Cheers, Tom

[BokehMarket]

This was actually a fantastic review. Very concise, dispelled with all the bs, and really highlighted the positives without ignoring the negatives. Thank you

[Tompie]

One thing that's come into my calculations vs Sony is that when you factor in the kit lens, the Z6 is actually $300 cheaper ($2600) than the Sony equivalent (A7III w/ Zeiss 24-70 = $2900). And the reviews I've been able to find suggest that the Nikon 24-70 S actually outperforms the Sony/Zeiss 24-70. In fact you can add the price of the FTZ adapter and an XQD card and the Z6 still comes out slightly cheaper. Of course there's the Sony 28-70 kit lens, but that's not even in the same league and a camera as good as the A7III deserves better.

[lewismuzzio]

FINALY! somebody speaking positively about the Z cameras. I got sick to hear the pundits self labeled photography experts trashing the Z system. I preordered the Z 6 for I have 50 legacy Nikkor glasses and would like to use the in body VR. I am also curious to see how that 12 FPS drive goes. Did you have a chance to shoot action shots on tracking at 12FPS? Thanks for your great job on this video!

[philipcook]

Brilliant review. Looked at so many yet your was the best. You answered so many questions. Thank you!