The Nikon Z6 II is one of Nikon’s top mirrorless offerings, positioned as an excellent option for professional photographers, videographers, and advanced enthusiasts alike. It builds upon the success of its predecessor, the Z6, with a few key upgrades that make it an even more formidable tool in your kit.
In this Nikon Z6 II review, I’ll break down the features, performance, and overall value of the Z6 II, helping you determine whether it’s the right choice for your photography needs. Plus, I’ll explore how buying used from a reputable platform like MPB can save you money while offering peace of mind.
So, with that, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- Nikon Z6 II Review: Design, Build Quality, and Usability
- Nikon Z6 II Review: Image Quality, Autofocus System, and Shooting Features
- Nikon Z6 II Review: Solid Video Capabilities
- Nikon Z6 II Price
Nikon Z6 II Review: Design, Build Quality, and User Experience
The Nikon Z6 II retains the sleek, modern design of the original Z6. It’s compact for a full-frame camera, making it a great companion for long shoots or travel. The ergonomics are on point, with a comfortable grip that allows for extended use without fatigue. But, if you’ve shot with Nikon cameras in the past, this should be of no surprise. I have always sung the praises of Nikon’s ergonomics!
It also features weather sealing, so it’s resistant to dust and moisture. This is a huge bonus if you often shoot outdoors in challenging conditions like I do. The button layout is intuitive, too, with enough customization options to suit your needs if you’re a casual shooter, a pro who demands quick access to certain settings, or something in between. Check out the video below by Hudson Henry Photography to learn more about the menu system in the Z6 II:
The user experience on the Z6 II is top-notch, thanks to Nikon’s intuitive menu system and the ability to customize many of the buttons. Whether you’re new to Nikon or a long-time user, you’ll find the interface easy to navigate, and the customization options make it possible to tailor the camera to your specific shooting style. But the solid usability doesn’t stop there…
Electronic Viewfinder (EVF)
The electronic viewfinder on the Z6 II is another highlight. It has a 3.69-million dot resolution, providing a sharp and detailed view of your scene, allowing you to clearly see the subject as you frame up your shot. The EVF also displays real-time exposure adjustments, so you can see exactly how your settings will affect your shot before you press the shutter. This is an awesome usability feature, to say the least! This level of accuracy and detail is especially useful if you want to fine-tune your compositions or focus points without relying solely on the rear LCD.
Touchscreen and Display
The Z6 II features a 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen that’s bright, sharp, and responsive. Navigating the camera’s menus or selecting focus points is a breeze with the touch interface, and the tilt functionality is great for shooting from high or low angles. While the screen doesn’t fully articulate, its flexibility is still sufficient for most shooting scenarios, including street photography or vlogging.
Battery Life
Battery life on mirrorless cameras is sometimes a concern, but the Z6 II manages to hold its own. You can expect around 400-450 shots per charge, which is decent for a camera in this class. However, for extended shoots, having a spare battery or using a USB-C charger to top up between sessions is highly recommended. If you shoot a lot of video, Nikon’s MB-N11 external battery grip is a worthwhile investment, providing additional power and better ergonomics for long recording sessions.
Dual Card Slots
One of the most requested features from the original Z6 was dual card slots, and Nikon delivered with the Z6 II. It offers a CFexpress (XQD) slot and an SD UHS-II slot, giving you more flexibility for storage, backups, and redundancy. This makes the camera more suitable for professional use, where having an immediate backup is crucial.
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Nikon Z6 II Review: Image Quality, Autofocus System, and Shooting Features
One of the biggest selling points of the Z6 II is its 24.5MP full-frame sensor, which strikes a great balance between resolution and low-light performance. The images it produces are sharp, with excellent detail and dynamic range. Color reproduction is also top-notch, with natural skin tones and vivid landscapes.
Low-light performance is where the Z6 II really shines. Thanks to its back-illuminated (BSI) sensor, you can push the ISO to impressive heights without introducing too much noise. This makes the Z6 II a fantastic option for night photography or indoor shooting with limited light.
Nikon equipped the Z6 II with a 273-point hybrid autofocus system that blends phase-detection and contrast-detection for fast and accurate focusing. Eye and face detection have been improved over the original Z6, and the camera does a remarkable job of keeping up with moving subjects.
Low-light autofocus is where some systems struggle, but the Z6 II handles it well. In dim conditions, the autofocus remains responsive, making it a reliable choice if you’re an event photographer or if you frequently shoot in unpredictable environments.
Continuous Shooting
If you frequently shoot action, wildlife, or sports, the Z6 II’s 14fps burst mode will serve you well to get the quality shots you need. This impressive continuous shooting speed is backed up by a generous buffer, allowing you to capture dozens of RAW and JPEG images before the camera slows down. Whether you’re shooting fast-moving wildlife or the chaos of a sporting event, the Z6 II is more than capable of keeping up.
In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS)
The Z6 II’s in-body image stabilization (IBIS) system is a game-changer for handheld shooting. It offers up to five stops of stabilization, allowing you to shoot at slower shutter speeds without introducing camera shake. This feature is particularly useful in low-light conditions or when shooting video without a gimbal.
Additionally, the IBIS works with any lens, including those that don’t have their own stabilization, so you can enjoy steadier shots across your entire lens collection.
Connectivity Features
For photographers who want seamless connectivity, the Z6 II offers both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Nikon’s SnapBridge app allows for wireless image transfer and remote shooting, making it easier to share photos or control the camera using a smart device. The camera also has a USB-C port for fast data transfers and charging, which is handy when you’re on the go and need to keep shooting.
Keep Reading: Best Nikon Camera for Videography
Nikon Z6 II Review: Solid Video Capabilities
If you’re a hybrid shooter who dabbles in both photography and videography, the Nikon Z6 II is a solid choice. It offers 4K UHD video recording at 30fps, and if you need slow-motion capabilities, you can shoot at 120fps in 1080p. Get a complete review of the camera’s video capabilities in the video above by Gerald Undone.
One of the standout features is the ability to record 10-bit N-Log and HLG externally, giving you more flexibility in post-production. Additionally, the Z6 II’s in-body image stabilization helps ensure smoother footage, even when shooting handheld.
Nikon Z6 II Price
At its current price point of around $2,000 new, the Nikon Z6 II offers a fantastic balance of performance and value, particularly for hybrid shooters. However, if you want to save some money, consider buying used.
Platforms like MPB offer used Z6 II bodies and lenses at reduced prices, often with a six-month warranty and a seven-day return policy. For example, at the time of writing, you can get a Z6 II in like-new condition for $1,239. That’s not bad! You can even trade in your old gear to offset the cost or sell unused equipment outright, making it easier to upgrade without breaking the bank.
I’ve bought and sold cameras and lenses with MPB for years, and I’ve had a great experience every time. When buying gear, I’ve gotten good deals, and the gear I’ve gotten at my doorstep has been exactly as described. And when I’ve sold old gear to MPB, the process has been as smooth as silk. I’ve gotten a fair price for my gear, and MPB handles all the shipping – I just put my old gear in boxes, and off it goes!
So, if the Nikon Z6 II sounds like a good fit for you, browse MPB’s current selection, upgrade your kit, unload old stuff you don’t use anymore, and get out there to take your best shot!
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