Nikon Z6 vs Z6II Comparison | Which Should You Buy in 2021 

Which one do you think people should buy???

Great review, exactly what I needed. 1,300$ is crazy for such value.

I got a brand new Nikon z6 with the kit lens and the ftz adapter here in Europe for only 1.050€. couldn't be happier! Love it so far.

Great video, good info, and helped me a lot in terms of the differences of what I already have and the newer model.

I bought the Z6 not long after the Z6ii came out, and I'm still not sorry I went with the original Z6. I'm not a professional photographer, but I'll still shoot hundreds of photos in an outing. I shoot RAW + JPG*Fine (most memory space used per shot), and so far I have never ran out of room on my 64G XQD memory card (came with the kit). I do keep a spare on hand, just in case, but I haven't needed it yet. I bought a 50mm prime lens, and the video quality is outstanding for what I'm doing. Again... I'm not a professional photographer, so maybe there are small details I'm missing that I don't notice, but if a friend were asking which they should buy, I would recommend the original Z6 without even hesitating. I love this camera.

I’ve updated my Z6 to the new 3.40 firmware and it feels more reactive and grabs eyes/faces sooner than before. Unless Nikon bring out new firmware for the Z6 II that approaches Z9 performance, I’d recommend getting the Z6 if you’re happy with a single card slot. The only thing I do miss from the Z6 II is the auto EVF sensor switch off when the screen is open.

Good Afternoon, Great Dan Watson Video, thanks for sharing, have a great weekend

Thanks for the video. l loved the shots of the Ferrari 😍 With the price difference between the 2 cameras, you can buy a Nikkor z prime lens... I'm very happy with my z6. I use it for filming hiking videos, paired with a z24mm f1.8s. The camera has fallen MANY times and is still going strong (so is the lens). l got rain and snow on it, and filmed at -11ºC / 12.2°F temps. So far, so good. ATB!

I shoot digital from the day such cameras came into existence. Most of digi cameras were always single card cameras. Must say, never lost card content. Never. I understand it may happen ..... ( I may also die before I finish this post ... ), but so far it did not happened. And I am talking 25 years of shooting. Go figure ...Second, I don't understand why people get hung up on how many frames a second camera shoots. Strange. Lastly, I purchased Z6 for the discounted price for my BTS videos - and I am very happy with it.

I picked up the Z6 for that price last month , great value , I'm loving it

Have you ever tried "interval timer shooting" on the Z6II? My setting is A, auto ISO up to 51200, over 1000 photos. I have a random issue, first 10 to 20 photos are overexposed then it shows exposure back to normal gradually.

I'd love to have the car pic you shot at 23 seconds. that is amazing shot. let me know if I have it and how and where I can download thanks Dan

After watching your video,I ve made up my mind and I m going for the z6. 😊

Thank Dan - the 1080 information is so handy, I shoot social media content and everything goes on to Google Photo Albums including video, so good FHD is so useful. Not enough RU-vid reviews include this information. I tried the Panasonic S5II a couple of days ago, then I found out it doesn't have PDAF in 1080p 50/60 full frame, plus the 1080p isn't that great to start with. I was about to buy it, but a forum highlighted this drawback. Im hoping the Z8 / Z6III will also have good 1080p.

Love my z6ii. That sd card sold me, besides was new new

Awesome review man! What gimbal are you using for the z6ii I’m looking to start learning video and gimbal shopping for me z6ii.. what would you suggest?

U didn't mention major upgrade on the z6 ii , battery grip for extended shoot and usb charging while it shoot or records , this is a key for videographer , photographer who plan to use for a long period of time

I moved to Z 7 at FW 2, expecting lots of improvements still, but already enjoying the better glass and other mirrorless perks. FW 3 was already a lot better. Early last October, I replaced the Z 7 by the Mk ii - expecting a lot from firmware improvements still to come. You could say I bought an expectation or a mirage. If we look at the firmware in a camera from a computer science point of view and the architecture of the software modules, then my assumption was that FW1 for the Mk ii would still be comparable to FW3 of the Mk i. On a software architecture level, in a digital camera, several logical processing pipelines are happening and the software for the Mk i handles these concurrently - if there are three pipelines then each gets (say) 1/3rd of time and this rotates between them. For optimal use of a parallel processor architecture, the software implementing these pipelines has to be untangled and assigned to their own processor in a way that as little wait states between software modules will happen (when the code running on processor 1 needs something from code running on processor 2 - typically "time consuming" events). My assumption was that Nikon would need some time to untangle their software, still. This could positively impact AF as well. My prejudice of the Z AF system is that it is modeled after what is happening in, say, a D850 and that it marginally relies on non-AF photosite imaging. Some "computer vision" (a form of AI where software interprets digital images, so it can tell you what it sees) might support the phase/contrast photosite based AF greatly and running such problem solving on its own processor without interruption from the other pipelines would be beneficial. I remember somebody presenting his algorithm at TEDx, years ago, running that on a smartphone - and promising he would release his software into the public domain. In the meantime, the raw files and images are excellent - color space, dynamic range, low light performance. Note that the 7 may do as good as, or better than, the 6 at low light due to the absence of the low pass filter (low light is not the same thing as high ISO).

The Z6ii lost the ability to adjust shutter speed using the rear command disk in all modes including S and M. I can change shutter speed with the front command disk in S and M modes by flipping the main/sub command disks into the custom control settings. I can also change shutter speeds in S and M modes using the touchscreen. Therefore, the issue appears to be exclusively related to the back command disk. I have reset the camera to default settings to make sure the menu setting is not the problem. The camera firmware has been updated to version 1.30. The new camera was purchased earlier this year. I was able to adjust the shutter speed with the back command disk before updating the firmware. Has anyone had this problem? I'm trying to determine if it's a mechanical issue or a firmware update issue. I searched Google for the issue to see if it was related to the last firmware update to version 1.30 and didn't see any posts about the update

I asked this question in your previous Z6 video, any answers? I think the "Z's" are the best-looking and built mirrorless cameras in the category. Sony A7iii is not as well built and Canon R5/6's have a fake (too-colorful) video output. Btw, Dan goes the Z6ii use the full-frame when outputting 60fps over HDMI to a recorder (Ninja V) or crop as in-camera recording. Thanks!

I hope you don't mind asking you another question? You were able to help me make up my mind in terms of buying the Z6ii, which I am close to having the funds for. My question is the lens I will get, I am mostly a landscape guy and what I am looking at is the Nikon Z14-30f4 S. Is this a good choice?

Thank you, this has made my mind up yo grt the z6. The z62 does seem to have slightly better specs, but they don't seem to justify the huge price difference.

You can get the z6 mk1 for 939 in exelent condition

I've a Z6 - Thanks for your video, I don't need tu upgrade with Z6 II

And u can get the og z6 used for an additional ~$300 off

I was fortunate to pick up the Z6, 24-70 f4 and an FTZ adapter for 3000 Australian Dollars in a Boxing Day sale. I took the plunge not unhappy as it will pair with my Z50 beautifully. Thank you for your video.

I have the new Mercedes AMG GTR I went out with my new Z7II and with the Northern California backdrop it was heaven and a great way to learn the system. And with the car I got there fast :)

so i enjoy night sky shooting and landscape photography ive seen alot of folk like the z6 for night sky shooting.. what do you think i should save for the z6 or the z6ii ? videos im not really worried about i do have a drone and a go pro for that and i do not do much videos

I am saving up to go fill frame i hand thought about the Z5 but the Z6 has a BSI censor which has started to attract me. And ofcourse the Z6 is cheaper than the Z6II , the autofocus performance is making me think again and again but i love shooting landscapes so AF won't matter much

Great review but these specs completely leave out that the z62 does 4x slow motion in full HD as opposed to only 2 times with the Z6. Another big reason I'm going with the II

Honestly, I much prefer using the XQD card slot vs SD, as you mentioned they are much faster and safer, I have never heard from anyone that they've had issues with the XQD, while it happened to me several times a few of my SD cards failed on me in the middle of wedding videography, upgrading from Nikon D810 which was a beast, the Z6 took my videography into to the third level I would say, I still use my Nikon D500 as back up and it takes XQD card, yes they cost more but we both know they have a reason, and it's more professional, protects you from magnetic shocks and believe me that's a big deal, it can happen anytime, both cameras are great, yes the Z6ii has more options, however, the same size, same screen, same censor, there is no big comparison with the auto focus literally it's the same, spend your extra money on glass 😁

Hi Dan Just looking ar the Z line up V1 & 2 and I am a bit confussed in relation to the card types. In relation to the CF Express slot, is it purely for that type of card - or will a SD card fit the same slot? Even Nikon site does not explain it well. Also I have read that you cannot have the screen with no icons, or at least minimal items showing when shooting - I shoot with a A7iii and I can select what is displayed -all icons or user selected icons,- can you advise Thanks in advance

I’d invest in the Z6ii mainly because of the upcoming firmware updates. There will definitely be huge differences once 2.0 and 3.0 updates come around.

These cameras has CFX cards but lacks internal 10 bit N log recording. Is there any point in purchasing CFx cards if this is the case

4.46 There is no difference in light whatsoever with this kind of cropped images. What happens is that only a fraction of the sensor is read out, but this very area is still lit exactly as if the whole sensor was read out. This should not be confused with what happens to APS-C sensor cameras, where, for a given resolution, the size and pitch of photocytes is smaller, which can result into a darker picture for the same settings.

I can't quite understand how expensive the cf express card is. It's just NAND flash memory. If you look at the price of NVME, you can see how absurd this is. How cheap, stable, and good would it be if it was bundled in a raid with a built-in storage device! 512GB maybe $300?

What about the Z5 vs Z6?

So you are saying, if you shoot portrait photography, the Z6 and the Z6ii are the same when it comes to focusing?

Love the colours, what Lut do you use?

Hey. You're awesome.

Started shooting video using Z6 with both Z lenses and FTP legacy lenses (the later better for focus pulling with a RHINO Arc II) but I found the ProRes RAW difficult to process as Apple FCPX never provided a profile for Nikon… so I used Sony CIN but rarely came out with consistent results under - slight - changes under controlled indoor LED lighting… Then came Covid and had to put but all aside. Now I am trying to get back into IT (indoor shooting theatre under controlled lighting and I’m trying decide to 1.) get a 2nd Z6 2.) get the upgraded Z6ii or get a Sony 7iii (and a couple of Sony Lenses) and shooting on my Ninja V so I still have the latitude to post fix exposure and color grading… Open to opinions!

z7ii or z6ii. which of the two cameras has better ibis?

Great content, pacing and presentation. *subscribe*

Another option: a Z5 and a Z50 together. No full-frame 4k @30fps, but the gain of a second camera angle is likely way more useful for most people. And of course the best option: the Z9.

Can anyone speak to the 4k quality from a first hand experience with the z6?

Why is the Z6 ii cheaper than the Z6 now? On Nikon website

What kind support will you get from Nikon ?

Please sajest me wich one I will by for Cinematography. Sony a7ii vs z6 ii vs canon R5

So you’re saying the older Z6 does NOT use SD cards? Ok that’s weird. Any material differences in dynamic range?

Hi, I have a Z6 so can I use CF express card.

May I ask what mode are you using on the RSC2 and if you have the IBIS on or off when using gimbal

2023: CF Express Type B are cheaper than SD UHS II

Z6II if you afford it, Z6 if not. It's that simple.

Does the first z6 do 4k60 now?

I still feel like SD cards are the future, because they keep upgrading the standard to be better than all others and they are way smaller to boot. Any other format is kinda a waste.

So what would be your view on Z6 v Z5 ?

Why was this sale better than the black Friday sale right now 😭

so I can't use sd cards in the original z6...?

Same iso performance?

AF is good but not in the same liga as Canon and Sony 😉

Z6ii or r6?

I simply carry 3 cards with my Z6 and after a certain amount of images I just drop in a new card

Sent you a DM on IG. :)

Why do I feel like I get way more fps than 5.5 ?

no way 600 extra , i put on my Z6ii and use my good old sd card ahhaah

Z6 II for the future upgrades and the potential of dual Digic 6 processors as compared to Z6.

This is all about video and a big advert for his Ferrari shoot, disappointed

Stick to your Nikon dslr... Or Go for Sony/Canon mirrorless

Nikon really dropped the ball with the XQD/CFE single slot thing. What the hell were they thinking? They certainly would've sold a lot more Z6 if they included the SD slot from the get go. An average enthusiast would be scared to spend $150+ on a damn 64 gb storage card geez

Paying a $1200 premium for 3 memory cards for the Z 6 is just nuts. Sorry but unless you can deduct the expense against income tax it makes no sense to do that.

Sounds like a bright idea to buy into a new camera mount system that has basically 5 native lenses?? Releases one new lens every year on average, and cuts off third-party support. At this stage, doesn’t really matter how good the cameras are if it’s gonna take 5 to 8 years just to get the holy Trinity of lenses.

Consider delaying your audio by about 100 mS. You're just a tad out of sync'.

Neither..get the R5 instead.