Nikon Z6

VERDICT

Nikon’s ‘mainstream’ mirrorless camera gets just about everything right

- Amy Davies

NIKON’S DYNAMICMIRRORLESS duo, the Z6 and the Z7, were announced simultaneously last year. The Z6 is the cheaper, lower-resolution model, designed to attract a wider range of potential users, while also bringing a couple of advantages beyond the lower price. The result is a superb, capable camera that demonstrates just how serious Nikon is about its new range – and which might be the most appealing camera of the past 12 months.

The Nikon Z6 houses a 24.5-megapixel, full-frame sensor, making it just shy of half the resolution of the 45.7-megapixel Z7. The build and handling of both models is, to the millimetre and gram, identical, with the same tilting screen, high-resolution electronic viewfinder and controls.

There are other key differences, however, including a faster frame rate on the Z6 (12fps to the Z7’s 9fps), and a slightly different AF system that still leaves you with a very capable 273 points.

The biggest difference between Nikon’s two models is the price. You can pick up the Z6 for a little over £2,500, or the Z7 for £3,699, both with the same 24-70mm f/4 lens. Neither is small change, but the Z6 falls more squarely into the realm of enthusiast affordability.

TAKING HOLD

The Z6 also demonstrates how Nikon has distilled the best features from cameras such as the D850 DSLR and made them available on a smaller, lighter body. That said, it’s still chunky and robust enough to be pleasant to use, with a decent-sized grip and buttons that are easy to hit, unlike what you see on cameras such as the diminutive Sony A7 III.