Nikon Z 6 II Hands-on Review

In this episode, Dave Paul tests the Nikon Z 6 II for a portrait and food photography shoot. Watch to find out what he thinks about the latest upgrades included in the Mark II version of this mirrorless camera series.

Videography by Brendan Schmidt

Instagram:
Evelyn Drake: @tcstvev
Dave Paul: @tcstvdave
Main: @thecamerastore

#Nikon #Z6ii #Z6

[AGag]

Seems no one wants to review this camera for wildlife so here goes. Compared to the Z6, the Z6II is vastly improved. Shooting with the Nikon 200-500 and the Tamron 70-200F2.8 G2 the II acquired focus more quickly and stuck on the subjects much more consistently than the previous version. I used the Wide Animal focus mode in CA-F. Panning shots were easy to capture and consistent while birds coming at you head on was better but not D500 level. With BIFS the Z6 would acquire but as quickly lose the subject but the Z6II "sticks" better.
Since Adobe hasn't updated RAW for this camera, a workaround is to change the camera model from Z6_2 to Z6 in the exif and Lightroom will work. I prefer doing this to using Nikon's Capture NX software.

I have the Meke MK Z7-G extended grip on both cameras and fit perfectly which to me means there's no difference in grip size. Even if your evf is in "automatic display switch" mode, if you pull out your LCD just a little, the camera won't switch to EVF mode when shooting at waist level. Battery level is improved. The Z6 accepted my third party batteries but the Z6II did not. I don't know if that's for all third party batteries. That was also the case for the Z5.

While I like this channel, shooting food can be shot with most decent cameras from the last ten years. Seems channels rush to get ahead with "previews, hands-on impressions, first hand look" instead of digging in and doing Steve Perry type reviews.

[elwelkin]

I own a z6 and ordered z7ii pair with my 105mm f1.4e amazing! If people can't take good pictures with any 2019-2020 camera is not a camera problem is user failure.. even mobile phones take amazing pictures but people just want to sit and let the camera do it all

[ryanconstable]

I upgraded from the d7000 to the z6 ii, and this camera is amazing. The D7000, I wouldn't trust the iso over 400 and the autofocus failed me often. How quick I can autofocus now with the Z6 II and the sharpness of the images (especially with the great high iso capability) has made this a great upgrade for me. I'm in the Coast Guard and just got some great images of our gun shoot today. Now to get the Z mount 85mm f1.8....

[atxrich]

It's a minor update, but substantial enough to keep the camera competitive. It essentially addresses many of the Z6's shortcomings that I'm willing to come off the fence and pick one up. My hope is future firmware will continue to enhance the camera's features.

[cotswoldphotographers]

I’m very happy with the dual card slots and the fact that they’re different doesn’t bother me. I prefer the cf express/xqd anyway and the fact that the redundancy slot can be a cheaper widely available format is useful IMO. I really like the ability to slow the shutter speed down and makes long exposure photography less hassle as does the additional low light capabilities. Great work Nikon at an incredibly competitive price 😀

[tasercs]

I have watched so many videos about ZEEE it is so nice to hear ZEDD! Now I just need to change the entire world to NICK-ON instead of N-EYE-CON .
Great video. Well edited, good pace and full of useful info. The lack of pointless backing music is so rare and so appreciated - thanks.

[venom]

That food looks so good I just ate and I’m hungry again. The Nikon did a great job. 👍

[MichaelLaing]

I think the upgrades are welcome and whilst I am more tempted with the Z 7II, I will still hold off buying. But at least Nikon are listening and that is a positive. I can see a bright future with this mount because of the lenses but I still don't like the shortness of grip and thumb grip and that is enough to put me off. So Nikon are nearly their but I will wait for now.

[flickrchannyuk]

For me, I totally happy with the Z 6II specs. I prefer that they have kept the same resolution EVF and added an SD card slot with the current (good value) price point, rather than up the EVF resolution and add extra size and price with the dual XQD slots.

[Pokemon-n]

Battery EL-15 C Here C does not mean capacity. But it is version. Earlier batteries were EL-15 then EL-15a for D-800 then EL-15 B for Z6 and EL-15 C for Z6 II which has recharging facility in the camera.

[BluesImprov]

I'm going to "upgrade" from a Nikon D7100 to the Z6 II. . .So YEAH. . .For me it's a definite "upgrade" and at a price that makes it well worth buying. . .Good review with useful criticisms, but I'm getting this camera for sure!

[barclayjb]

Thanks Dave. I am glad that Nikon improved on the Z6. I don't see a reason to upgrade my Z6 to the new Z6ii. I wish the view finder was more accommodating to eye glass wearers. A software option to shrink the image in the view finder would be a welcomed option.

[andyvan]

one more IMPORTANT upgrade point, there is an extension of the non- Bulb long exposure duration, from 30" to 900" (15 minutes, for those not mathematically inclined :-) ) which when combined with the z series 20 mm 1.8 lens makes a great combo for astro photography.

[balintk.]

Do you think the Z6ii could be on par with the D500's autofocus and tracking capabilities?
I am thinking of switching to full frame from my beloved D500 or maybe keep it as a second body.
Finally the fps and buffer size seems good enough.

[richpoinvil]

Z6 owner here. I have no plans to upgrade at this time. I would have liked to see increased AF performance. The higher megapixel count of the Z7II might be worth it but we'll see. When I need flawless AF, I'll go to my D500 or, a little less so, my D810. In the end I might hold out for what is coming next year.

[natedagreat]

Seeing the af in this video compared to now is quite astonishing the eye detection with the latest firmware picks up and locks on to the eye from much further distances now your subject face can be super small in the frame and it still picks up the eyes. The Yellow box can be much smaller as subjects goes further away.

[ChrisBoland]

Thanks for the nice review. My biggest disappointment is that the "coming soon" 4K 60p will have a very big crop. It means if you shoot stills and video you have to move your feet and recompose between the two.

[torekvalheim]

Nice video!!! Since the xqd cards are a lot more expensive, are there any xqd to sd adapters, so that you can use sd cards in both slots ? Thanks for posting 🙂

[stevenwilson]

Thanks for this, very helpful and thorough description of good and bad points. Well produced video.

[Noksus]

Nearly everyone is saying the camera should have a higher resolution EVF but no one explains why. I have this camera, it's my first mirrorless and coming from an OVF for the first time, I see no reason for a higher resolution EVF. I get that other cameras may have a higher resolution EVF but what is the advantage? It doesn't impact image quality, you should punch in to 100% anyway if you're manually focusing or use focus peaking. So, why do people complain?