Nikon Z6II Review

Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by Sharon Advik

Pros
  • Higher frame rates for movies (4K/60p vs. 4K/30p)
  • It can shoot more frequently (14 vs. 12 flaps/sec) to capture the exact second.
  • It can take more shots on a single battery charge, which makes it last longer.
  • It supports a more recent USB protocol, which speeds up data transfer (3.2 vs. 3.1).
  • An additional card slot is provided as a backup in case the memory card fails, giving you greater peace of mind.
  • It can take stylish shots for many genres of photography.
Cons
  • Lack of telephoto options
  • For ultra-high-resolution photos, the sensor-shift mode is not available
  • Customized button for clutter-free live view display
  • Lack of illuminated buttons
  • Drive mode can not be saved
  • The self-timer turns off by itself once the camera is turned off.
  • LCD is not tilt-flip

Nikon Z6II Review:

Overview:

Everyone lives a simple life where you can find ups and downs.

But the most important thing to consider is avoiding all the downs and succeeding.

What happens if you are unable to prevent all of your losses?

Have you ever thought about it? If not, let me tell you a secret way to follow the path of victory.

When I started doing photography, I thought of it as the most fun thing of my life. In the meantime, I met some new friends pursuing it as a career.

Among them was a girl who came into the field of photo and video to avoid grief in her life.

After meeting with her at different times, I asked her about her career story.

I asked her, and she not only told me the story but also about the story and features of her camera, which were as superb as my D780.

Her story started when her mother died, and she was left alone.

She began earning her living by joining a local street photography group.

She soon became famous, and everyone wanted her to cover their events, but she mostly likes to do street photography because, as per her choice, street photography is much better than covering some pre-planned events.

She used a Nikon Z6II, considered the best camera, for her street photography.

Nikon Z6II was not her first choice, but she became a camera fan when she started using it.

She was impressed by the camera’s results, and so was I. I’ll later share her story about the camera’s different features below.

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Date of launch:

As per their choice, Nikon introduces new cameras with almost similar features with a bit of change every month or year.

This incredible camera, the Z6II, was identical to the previous one introduced by Nikon, the Z6, which was also fantastic.

Besides these two cameras having similar features, Nikon introduced the new Z6II with a gap of 2 years and approximately two months.

The new Z6II was unveiled on October 14, 2020, and was available for purchase starting November 5, 2020.

Specifications:

  • Mirrorless system camera
  • Nikon Z mount
  • Interchangeable lenses
  • 3 MP- Full
  • 4k/60p video
  • ISO 100-51,200
  • Electronic viewfinder
  1. 100% vertical
  2. 100% horizontal
  • 2” LCD
  • 2100k dots
  • Tilting touchscreen
  • 14 shutter
  • In-body
  • Weather sealed
  • 410 shots per battery
  • FX image sensor format
  • Touch-sensitive TFT LCD
  • EN-EL15c Li-Ion battery
  • CMOS image sensor
  • 9mmx23.9mm sensor size
  • NEF RAW file format
  • JPEG file format
  • NEF RAW + JPEG file format
  • SD memory cards
  1. SDHC (UHS-II compliant)
  2. SDXC (UHC-II compliant)
  • CFexpress Type B memory card
  • XQD type memory
  • DCF 2.0 and Exif 2.31 file system
  • 8x (50 mm lens at infinity) magnification
  • 21 mm eyepoint
  • -4 to +2m-1 diopter adjustment
  • Automatic changing in monitor and viewfinder display
  • Electronically-controlled shutter
  • Mechanical shutter
  • Electronic front-curtain shutter
  • 1/8000 to 30 seconds shutter speed
  • 14 frames per second shooting speed
  • TTL metering supported camera image sensor
  • Luminosity locked at a fixed value
  • Selective active D-lighting
  • Hybrid phase-detection
  • -4.5 to +19 EV AF detection range
  • 273 single-point AF
  • i-TTL flash control
  • TTL exposure metering that uses the primary image sensor
  • 29 minutes 59 seconds maximum movie recording time
  • MOV and MP4 movie file format
  • 264/MPEG-4 advanced video coding
  • Linear PCM and AAC audio recording format
  • Built-in stereo
  • Snapbridge app connectivity
  • Version 4.2 Bluetooth
  • GPS supported by Snapbrige
  • Multiple language support
  • 87oz (705g) body weight
  • 32° to 104°F operating temperature

Body of Nikon Z6II:

Nikon Z6II is a versatile camera that gives edge-to-edge coverage.

The body of the camera is effortless to handle.

This camera, including batteries, is easy to operate with a maximum weight of 705g (1.55 lb/ 24.87 oz) even if the weather is not good, which means that if the environment is furious, you can still use it to capture the view because the camera is dust and splashproof.

This quality of the camera makes it essential for street photographers.

The external measurements of the camera are 134x101x70 mm (5.28×3.98×2.76″).

The Nikon Z6II has a full frame-sized sensor with a Nikon Z mount and works incredibly.

Battery Choices of Nikon Z6II:

The camera’s working depends upon the batteries that work effectively in it. Long-lasting batteries are the choice of every person.

Every person wants to use a battery that takes less time to charge and works for an extended period.

The Nikon Z6II battery takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes for a full charge.

If the battery is completely exhausted, complete control may take six hours.

The camera can take 450 shots per battery, which is superb for someone who takes pictures and shoots videos on the streets, as one does not want to return just for charging.

The Nikon Z6II uses an EN-EL15c rechargeable battery from Li-ion.

The camera can also work with different batteries, such as EN-EL15b, EN-EL15a, and EN-EL15. EH-7P charging AC adopter and MH-25A battery charger charge the camera.

Battery Life based on the modes of the camera:

A camera has many different features, and the camera’s working is based on those features.

The battery life and the camera results are also based on various modes of these features.

Similarly, the life of a battery is also based on the methods of its features.

These modes include photo, movie, viewfinder, and monitor-only modes.

Based on these modes, the battery life is as follows:

Movie Mode Length Of Footage
·         Viewfinder only ·         Approximately 100 minutes
·         Monitor only ·         Approximately 100 minutes

 

Photo Mode Number Of Shots
·         Viewfinder only with energy-saving mode enabled ·         Approximately 400 shots
·         Viewfinder mode with energy saving mode disabled ·         Approximately 340 shots
·         Monitor only with energy-saving mode enabled ·         Approximately 450 shots
·         Energy-saving with energy-saving mode disabled ·         Approximately 410 shots

Lenses of the Nikon Z6II:

Nikon Z6II is a street camera capable of getting great recordings with variations in lenses.

That means that a person can use the camera easily with multiple lenses of their choice, and it will still work perfectly and give you the best visuals.

The lenses recommended for using the Nikon Z6II are used at different events and have specific features and results.

These lenses are almost considerable with a Nikon Z mount and can easily connect with the camera.

A friend recommended these nine lenses to me that give the best result when used with the Z6II.

These lenses with their qualities are as follows:

  • NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 (best lens for Nikon Z6II)
  • Nikon NIKKOR Z 35m f/1.8 (best landscape lens)
  • Sigma 85mm f/1.4 (best prime lens)
  • NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 (best zoom lens)
  • NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 (best wide-angle lens)
  • Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-200 f/4-6.3 (best all-rounder lens)
  • NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 (best video lens)
  • Nikon 500mm f/5.6 (best wildlife lens)
  • Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 (best sports lens)
  • Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 (best wedding lens)

All these lenses are perfect for performing their functions, and what else does a street photographer want?

This camera is worth purchasing if one can use different types of perfect lenses in a single camera.

The viewfinder of Nikon Z6II:

The viewfinder is considered an essential feature of a camera.

The viewfinder enhances the effects of your work while recording the beauty on the streets.

As it is regarded as the most important feature, most people purchase a new camera and always look for the type of viewfinder and lenses.

The viewfinder of the Nikon Z6II is a 3.68M-dot OLED viewfinder.

With a ratio of 1.27-cm/0.5, this Quad VGA viewfinder performs 100% on the horizontal and vertical sides.

The viewfinder magnification of the Z6II is 0.8x(50mm lens at infinity with the viewfinder eyepoint of exaggeration of 21mm dimensionally.

The viewfinder diopter adjustment is -4 to +2 m-1.

The eye sensor of the Nikon Z6II is controlled automatically.

It can switch between viewfinder displays and monitor automatically.

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Types of photography:

  • Portrait
  • Landscape
  • Wildlife
  • Sports
  • Wedding
  • Architecture
  • Commercial
  • Streetlife

The Nikon Z6II is considered the all-rounder camera used for different types of photography.

Because of its lens variations, the person can use it for various purposes.

Apart from the significant kinds of photography, the photographer can use it occasionally.

You can use the camera for streetlife, wildlife, and many other types of photography.

Streetlife photography has many stories behind it, and being a camera person.

Anyone can understand that recording those stories is a fancy experience, and you can only enjoy it if you have the best camera.

Nikon Z6II is the best camera that can tell those stories effectively.

You are wrong if you think this camera is just for use in streets or jungles.

I told some family members about this camera; they believed it was just for jungles.

But let me tell you something.

My camera was having some problems.

Here, I do not mean by an actual issue.

I just forgot to charge it. So, the first thing that came to my mind was to borrow the Z6II from my friend.

And believe me, it was beautiful in wedding photography.

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Shutter type of Nikon Z6II:

A camera’s shutter is needed to accept the light and allow it to appear on a film.

In this aspect, the shutter types are necessary for better results.

The Nikon Z6II is considered a success in this matter.

Apart from all the good qualities of the camera, the Nikon Z6II also has different shutter types that give impressive results in street photography.

The shutter of the Nikon Z6II is an electronically controlled shutter with a vertical-travel focal plane.

The camera also has a mechanical shutter, an electronic front-curtain shutter, and an electronic shutter.

The speed of the shutter is 1/8000 to 30 seconds, which can change quickly.

The flash speed of the shutter is up to 1/200 seconds, and upon synchronizing them, the camera can slow the flash speed.

The shutter and the flash are supported by auto FP high-speed sync.

The continuous shooting speed of the Nikon Z6II based on its shutter and flashing speed is 14 frames per second.

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The exposure of the Nikon Z6II:

Nikon Z6II is based on a TTL metering exposure metering system supported by the camera image sensor.

The highlighted metering range of the Z6II is fabulous.

The scope of the metering system starts from -4 EV and goes up to +17 EV with an ISO of 100.

This exposure metering system is based on an f/2.0 lens with an operating temperature of 20°c.

The luminosity of the camera is locked at the detected value, which the camera manufacturers fix.

The image sensor of the Nikon Z6II:

The image sensor is my friend’s favorite part to talk about. She only wants to discuss an image sensor whenever we discuss any topic.

Apparently, according to her thinking, she has the camera with her, which has the best image sensor of her.

According to her, the image sensor of Z6II is the best of all.

Undoubtedly, the 35.9mm x 23.9 mm image sensor gives the best results equal to streetlife or wildlife photographers’ demands.

According to her, street life has multiple hidden stories, and to bring them forward in a fantastic way is to record them with a camera that has 24.5 million effective pixels and is based on CMOS sensor type.

According to her, the sensor is also dustproof, the camera’s best feature.

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The image area of the camera Nikon Z6II is based on the image format:

The image format includes the following:

FX-format and DX-format with different sizes.

It makes the camera compatible with various kinds of photography.

The file format of the Nikon Z6II:

The file system of the Nikon Z6II is DCF2.0 and Exif 2.31.

The file format of a camera depends upon the type of memory card that supports the camera.

The file format of the Z6II is a bit complicated, in my opinion, but the people using the camera are impressed by it quickly. It is supported by NEF (RAW) 12 or 14 bits.

The camera also supports JPEG.

The JPEG-Baseline compliant is available in optimal quality compression—the values of JPEG format concerning their sizes.

  • Fine (1:4) approx.
  • Normal (1:8) approx.
  • Basic (1:16) approx.

When these two formats combine, they couple up to form a new design, the NEF (RAW) + JPEG, in which the photographer can present a single recording in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG format.

Resolution and movie metering:

The movie metering of the Nikon z6ii is based on TTL exposure with a maximum recording time of 29 minutes and 59 seconds. MOV and MP4 support the movie file format.

The camera also supports H.264/MPEG advanced audio coding. Linear PCM and AAC formats help with movie audio recording.

Based on the movie format, the resolution of the recording differs from the working and movie file format of the camera.

ISO sensitivity:

The ISO sensitivity is set up to 100 to 51200.

There are different methods to control ISO sensitivity.

It can be controlled manually and automatically when the sensitivity level reaches a fixed point.

The active D-lighting feature of the camera also has variations in it.

The user can easily set them up as per their wishes.

The dynamic D-lighting bracketing is also available in the camera. The active D-lighting can be selected from

  • Auto
  • Extra high
  • High
  • Normal
  • Low
  • Off

Autofocus system of the camera Nikon Z6II:

The autofocus system of the camera is needed in all aspects.

If you cover any event or under an open sky, all you need is an autofocus system that helps the photographer focus on the natural beauty.

The photographer gets more considerate of what to capture and what not to capture.

The camera’s autofocus system is essential for street life or wildlife photography.

In this instance, the Nikon Z6II performs the task well.

The camera also gives effective low-light results with a hybrid phase-detection autofocus system.

As discussed above, the camera is protected from the surroundings, so it is worth buying this camera.

The world demands a photographer out in the dark with a superb lens, camera resolution, and an incredible autofocus system.

Different types of lens servos are compatible with the autofocus modes of Nikon Z6II.

The detection range of the autofocus of Nikon Z6II is from -4.5 to +19 EV, consistent with an f/20 lens. The types of autofocus that are available in the Nikon Z6II are:

  • Single-servo AF (AF-S)
  • Continous-servo AF (AF-C)
  • Full-time AF (AF-F) movie mode only.

Professionals can also control the camera’s autofocus manually.

For that reason, photographers can use the electronic rangefinder.

AF-Area mode:

Like many other modes, the 273-point autofocus of the Nikon Z6II also has variations in the manners of the AF-Area.

Those modes are listed below.

  • Pinpoint
  • Single-point
  • Dynamic-area AF
  • Wide-area AF (S)
  • Wide-area AF (L)
  • Wide-area AF (L-people)
  • Wide-area AF (L-animals)
  • Auto-area AF
  • Auto-area AF (people)
  • Auto-area AF (animal)

*The pinpoint,single-point, and dynamic-area AF are only available in photo mode.

Photographers can lock focus by pressing the shutter-release button halfway or the sub-selector’s center.

Flash under control:

The best part of the camera while you take pictures is the flash.

If you get enough moments while capturing the photos, the result and effect of those images and recordings will differ.

The Nikon Z6II camera comes with a TTL and i-TTL flash control.

This flash controls and balances the fill-flash and uses a matrix system to enhance the quality of the pictures.

The center-weighted and highlight metering makes it easier for the camera user to control the flash and its speed.

Flash modes:

The flash sync modes of the Nikon Z6II are based on variant modes, which are as follows:

  1. Front-curtain sync
  2. Rear-curtain sync
  3. Red-eye reduction
  4. Red-eye reduction with slow sync
  5. Slow rear-curtain sync
  6. Slow sync
  7. Off

White balance:

When I started photography, I did not know much about it, but when I got close to some photographer friends, I learned much more about photographic effects.

I learned about white balancing when I met a girl using a Nikon Z6II for her street photography.

As discussed above, I have told you about many experiences I shared with her during this photography career.

I will share a funny incident.

One day, we both were sitting in our camp, and as usual, she was taking her photos from the trip.

I noticed there were some differences between the results of both cameras.

This was when she realized that although I am very much into cameras, I still do not know much about them.

She started telling me about the white balance feature of both cameras, which, as per the updates, was better in my camera, although I do not know how to use it.

The white balance of the Z6II can do a lot of work.

It changes many effects of the image and makes it look more cinematic and fantastic.

Following are the types of white balance that are available in the Nikon Z6II:

  • Auto (3 types)
  1. Cloudy
  2. Direct sunlight
  3. Flash
  • Fluorescent (7 classes)
  • Incandescent
  • Natural light auto
  • Preset manual
  • Fine-tuning
  • Shade

The camera also comes with white balance bracketing.

Playback functions of the Nikon Z6II:

  • Auto image rotation
  • Entire frame and thumbnail (4,9 or 72 images)
  • Highlights
  • Histogram display
  • Location data display
  • Movie playback
  • Photo or / movie slide show
  • Photo information
  • Picture rating
  • Playback with playback zoom

Interface:

The camera interface refers to the type of connectors used for connecting the camera with the battery, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. The USB type C connector, i.e., the super speed connector, is a built-in USB port.

The USB port that professionals recommend is considered the most incredible USB port.

The HDMI type C connector is also used to connect the camera.

Similarly, photographers can use the accessory terminal easily with MC-DC2.

The stereo is built-in for output and is also present in the camera.

The camera’s audio input is supported by a stereo mini-pin jack with a diameter of 3.5mm.

The Wi-Fi functionality of the camera depends upon the region and the countries you live in.

  • IEEE 802.11b/g/n (Available in Africa, Asia, Bolivia, and Oceania)
  • IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac (For use in Europe, USA, Canada, Mexico)
  • IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a (Other countries in the USA)

Does the Nikon Z6 II have image stabilization?

The Nikon Z6 II inherits the excellent in-body image stabilization system of the Z6, which permits photographers to shoot handheld at moderately long shutter speeds without racing into a blur from camera shake. Its excellent image stabilization lets me seize sharper photographs at slow shutter speeds. I find it tremendous for sports pictures as my daughter’s instructional institute hired me for annual sports activities week video and picture shoots of various games like soccer, volleyball, and race. Seizing the 200m race was challenging; however, its photograph stabilization made me do my paintings brilliantly.

Is Z6II waterproof?

The body is solid, and the weatherproofing can help save your camera from minor contact with water. Nikon Z6 II has environmental sealings on its body, making it a climate-resistant digital camera, presenting resistance to moisture and dust entering the digital camera. If you like outdoor photography and need to use your digicam in extreme situations, the Nikon Z6 II will serve you nicely. If you connect this type of Nikon Z6 II weather-sealed lenses to your camera, you may have a high-quality all-climate package. Leavenworth, Washington, is exceptionally recognized as an alpine village from a Bavarian fairytale. I took this camera there and got beautiful pics despite the unpleasant climate. A slight rain occurs all day long.

Conclusion:

The Nikon Z6II is considered the best camera for recording the video of streets and taking beautiful pictures of nature.

The camera is based on CMOS format and has three different types of SD cards.

A Nikon Z mount supports the camera and can be used with other lenses.

Having a long-lasting battery, one can use the camera in harsh weather.

The most crucial factor of the camera is its friendly resolutions and magnification that create the best result that any person has ever dreamt of.

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