NIKON Z 6II

Nikon’s full-frame update is a case of evolution rather than revolution

- Adam Waring & James Artaius

The Z 6II replaces the original Z 6 from 2018 as Nikon’s enthusiast-level full-frame mirrorless camera. With a 24MP sensor, it hits the sweet spot between resolution and processing power, and for many users is a preferable option to the professional-grade Nikon Z 7II, which comes with approximately double the megapixel count.

The Z 6 ticked many of the right boxes, so what we see here is very much a refinement rather than anything radically new, including incremental improvements to speed and functionality after Nikon listened to user feedback on the Z 6.

Externally there’s little difference between this new camera and its predecessor – the only giveaways are the ‘II’ nomenclature next to the Z 6 logo, and a marginally deeper battery door. To accommodate some of the internal changes, it’s a couple of millimetres deeper and weighs in at 20 grammes heavier.

1 There’s a pair of user-definable Fn buttons on the front, but most users will be happy with the defaults of selecting white balance and focus mode/area.

2 The Z 6II’s 24.5MP image resolution is unchanged from the Z 6’s, but twin processors boost the burst-shooting rate.

3 The 3,690k-dot EVF is clear enough, but its 60Hz refresh rate feels creaky next to the 120Hz offered by rival cameras.

4 The choice of a tilting rear LCD, rather than a fully articulating screen, will disappoint vloggers.

5 There’s a joystick for precise autofocus, although you can of course still select your focus point by tapping the touchscreen.