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Nikon Z6 vs Z6 II: which to buy?
Two generations of Nikon's first all-round full-frame Z body. The Z6 II keeps the Z6's 24.5MP sensor, viewfinder, screen and 4K/30p video, and adds a second EXPEED 6, faster bursts, Eye and Animal Detection AF from launch, a second card slot and a longer-lasting battery; the original Z6 is lighter.
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Side-by-side specs
| Nikon Z6 | Nikon Z6 II | |
|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 24.5MP full-frame backside-illuminated CMOS | Same |
| Processor | EXPEED 6 | Dual EXPEED 6 |
| ISO | 100–51200 | 100–51200 |
| Bursts | Up to 12 fps (Continuous H extended, 12-bit) | About 14 fps (Continuous H extended) |
| Autofocus | 273 points; -3.5 EV (-6 EV with low-light AF); Eye-Detection AF for stills added in firmware 2.0 | 273 points; Eye and Animal Detection in stills and video; -4.5 EV (-6 EV with low-light AF) |
| Stabilization | 5-axis sensor-shift VR, about 5.0 stops | 5-axis sensor-shift VR, 5.0 stops |
| Viewfinder | 0.5-inch OLED, 3.69M dots, 0.8x | Same |
| Screen | 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen, 2.1M dots | Same |
| Video | 4K UHD up to 30p; Full HD up to 120p; 10-bit N-Log over HDMI | 4K UHD up to 30p; Full HD up to 120p; N-Log and HLG output |
| Card slots | One CFexpress Type B / XQD | CFexpress Type B / XQD + SD (UHS-II) |
| Battery (CIPA, viewfinder) | EN-EL15b; about 310 shots | EN-EL15c; about 340 shots (energy saving off; about 400 with it on) |
| Weight | About 675 g with battery and card | About 705 g with battery and card |
| Launch price | Aug 23, 2018; $1,999.95 SRP body-only (US, Nov 2018) | Oct 14, 2020; $1,999.95 SRP body-only |
Specs from Nikon's Z 7/Z 6 and Z6 II online manual specifications, Nikon's Z6 II product page, Nikon's Z 7II/Z 6II online manual battery endurance page, Nikon's August 23, 2018 Z6 announcement, Nikon Inc.'s firmware 2.0 release and US launch releases; US launch prices from Nikon Inc. ✓ = advantage; blank = tie or not directly comparable.
Sample photos
Four photos taken with the Nikon Z6 and four with the Nikon Z6 II, shared on Wikimedia Commons under open licenses.
Who should buy which
Buy the Z6 if…
- You mainly shoot stills, and the same 24.5MP sensor, viewfinder and screen cover what you need.
- You want the lighter body: about 675 g vs 705 g with battery and card.
- One fast CFexpress/XQD card is enough for you.
Buy the Z6 II if…
- You shoot events or weddings and want a second (SD) card slot.
- You want faster bursts: about 14 fps vs 12 fps.
- You want Eye and Animal Detection AF in video as well as stills.
- You want more shots per charge: about 340 vs 310 (CIPA, viewfinder, standard settings).
Both bodies make 24.5MP files and share the viewfinder, screen and in-body VR, so the choice is mostly card slots, bursts, autofocus and battery life. See our full Z6 and Z6 II reviews, the Z6 II vs Z6III comparison, or all comparisons.
Where to buy
Nikon Z6
Nikon Z6: Launched at $1,999.95 in 2018 (Nikon Inc. US SRP; on sale November 16, 2018).
Check price (Renewed)Read the full Nikon Z6 review
Nikon Z6 II
Nikon Z6 II: Launched at $1,999.95 in 2020 (Nikon Inc. US SRP, October 14, 2020).
Check priceRead the full Nikon Z6 II review
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