Recording Features
Connections
Included Lens
Play, Print and Edit Features
Battery Information
Downloadable Software

Recording Features

Overview: The Z6 is the second camera in Nikon's new Z Series of mirrorless, full-frame digital cameras, following the flagship Z7. The Z6 can produce stunning 24.5-megapixel still images and broadcast quality 4K video. The camera has the new Nikon Z mount, and is compatible with Z-mount NIKKOR lenses. With an available mount adapter, you can use F-mount NIKKOR lenses. The package includes the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S zoom lens.

Image Sensor: The Z6 is equipped with an FX-format, 35.9 x 23.9mm CMOS image sensor with 24.5 million effective pixels (and 25.28 million total pixels). The Nikon FX format, with its native 3:2 aspect ratio, enables photographers to take advantage of the familiar perspective characteristics of 35mm film photography. You can choose to shoot in the FX format (36 x 24), or switch to 1:1 (24 x 24), 16.9 (36 x 20), or DX format (24 x 16).

Dust Reduction System: The camera has an integrated ultrasonic Self-cleaning Sensor Unit, which employs four different resonance frequencies to vibrate the optical low-pass filter and shake dust away from the sensor. Image sensor cleaning can be set to operate automatically when the camera is turned off or on, or can be operated from the camera's menu.

Magnesium Alloy Body: The Z6 is made with rugged, durable, and lightweight magnesium alloy, the same material used in the D850 and D5 DSLRs. The Z6 is 26% lighter than the D850, but maintains outstanding balance and handling. The body is weather-sealed to resist dust, moisture, and electromagnetic interference.

Still Image Size/Quality: The Z6 records still images in JPEG, TIFF, and NEF* (RAW) formats. It can also record in both NEF (RAW) + JPEG formats simultaneously. JPEG images can set to fine (1:4 compression), normal (1:8), or basic (1:16) image quality. Depending upon the selected format (image area), you can choose from the following image sizes:

Movies: The camera can record movies in MOV format with MPEG-4/H.264 advanced video coding and Linear PCM or AAC audio. Audio is recorded using the built-in monaural microphone, or an external stereo microphone (connected via the provided 3.5mm mic jack). Image quality can be set to High or Normal. The available movie options include:

Recording Media: The Z6 has a single memory card slot that can accommodate XQD and CFexpress (Type B) memory cards. Cards with write speeds of 45 MB/s (300x) or better are recommended for movie recording. No memory cards are supplied with the camera.

Touch-sensitive LCD Monitor: The Nikon Z6 features 3.2-inch, 2,100,000-dot tilting TFT LCD monitor with a 170° wide viewing angle and 100% frame coverage. The monitor has an 11-level adjustable brightness control. The Z6 features a Live View that lets you use the monitor in place of the camera's viewfinder to confirm your subject and composition while shooting. The touch screen can be used to position the focus point during live view, measure a value for preset manual white balance, and for typing. During playback you can swipe to view images, zoom in or out of images, view thumbnails, and view movies.

OLED Viewfinder: In addition to the LCD monitor, the Z6 has a 0.5", OLED viewfinder with approximately 3,690,000 dots, and 100% vertical and horizontal frame coverage. It has a diopter adjustment knob so you can set the viewfinder to your personal eyesight (with or without eyeglasses). The bright and sharp viewfinder makes focusing in low-light situations possible. The viewfinder offers approximately 0.8x magnification. An eye sensor near the viewfinder automatically switches between the monitor and viewfinder as you raise or lower the camera to your eye.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: The Z6 has built-in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac, 2.4 and 5 GHz) and Bluetooth (4.2), allowing you to wirelessly connect the camera to computers, smartphones, record location data from your device to your photographs, or tablets running the SnapBridge app. On the app, you can download pictures from the camera, or control the camera for taking pictures remotely. You can also connect an optional WT-7 wireless transmitter to the camera's peripheral connector for connecting to a wireless network.

Vibration Reduction: The Nikon Z6 features built-in Vibration Reduction (VR) in the camera. This 5-axis image sensor shift can be applied while shooting still images or movies. In the menu, you can select Normal VR (for static subjects) or Sport VR (for rapidly moving subjects), or Off. In addition, lens shift Vibration Reduction is available with certain VR lenses.

273-Point Autofocus System: The Z6 is equipped with a hybrid phase-detection/contrast Autofocus system with AF assist. With 273 focus points, you can select from the following AF-area modes: Pinpoint AF, Single-point AF, Dynamic-area AF, Wide-area AF (S), Wide-area AF (L), and Auto-area AF. You can choose from Single or Continuous Auto Focusing, or Manual Focusing.

Focus Lock: Focus Lock can be used to change the composition after focusing, making it possible to focus on a subject that will not be in a focus area in the final composition.

Release Modes: The release mode determines how the camera takes photographs. You can choose from the following shooting modes:

• Single Frame: camera takes one photograph each time the shutter-release button is pressed
• Continuous L: while shutter-release button is held down, the camera records 1 to 5 frames per second, as selected in the menu.
• Continuous H: while the shutter-release button is held down, the camera records continuously at up to about 5.5 frames per second.
• Continuous H (Extended): while the shutter release is held down, the camera records continuously at up to about 12 frames per second.
• Self-Timer: use self-timer for self-portraits or to reduce blurring caused by camera shake; you can set the self-timer to 2, 5, 10 or 20 seconds

Interval Timer Photography: The Z6 is equipped to take photographs automatically at preset intervals. Shooting will begin about 3 seconds after the interval is set or you can set a start time. You can select the number of intervals, and the number of shots taken per interval. The interval length can be set in hours, minutes, and seconds. You can also set up the camera to take a silent time-lapse movie, with the frame size, frame rate, and image area currently selected in the movie shooting menu.

Exposure Modes: The Exposure Modes determine how the camera sets shutter speed and aperture when adjusting exposure. You can choose from the following Exposure Modes using the top-mounted Mode Dial:

• Auto: A "point-and-shoot" mode in which the camera sets exposure and hue.
• Programmed Auto (P): The camera sets shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure according to a built-in program; recommended for snapshots and other situations in which there is little time to adjust camera settings.
• Shutter-Priority Auto (S): The user chooses the shutter speed while camera sets aperture for best results; use to freeze or blur motion. The shutter speed can be set from 30 to 1/8000 seconds.
• Aperture-Priority Auto (A): The user chooses the aperture while camera sets shutter speed for best results; use to blur background for portraits or bring both foreground and background into focus for landscape shots.
• Manual (M): The user controls both shutter the speed and aperture for complete control over exposure.
• User Settings (U1/U2/U3): You can assign frequently-used settings to these positions for quick recall.

Long Time-Exposures: When the M (manual) exposure mode is selected, you can choose between two Long Time-Exposure modes: Bulb and Time. During Bulb shooting, the shutter will remain open while the shutter-release button is held down. Bulb shooting is used for long time-exposure photographs of moving lights, the stars, night scenery, or fireworks (an optional tripod and optional remote cord are recommended to prevent blur). Time exposures start when the shutter-release button is pressed on the camera or an optional remote control. The shutter remains open until the button is pressed a second time.

Exposure Compensation: You can alter the exposure from the value suggested by the camera, making pictures brighter or darker. You can adjust the exposure from -5.0 to +5.0 EV in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV. Exposure compensation is available in P, S, A, and M modes.

Metering: The Z6 utilizes through-the-lens (TTL) metering using the camera's image sensor. You can choose one of the following metering methods:

• Matrix Metering: The camera meters a wide area of the frame and sets exposure according to tone distribution, color, distance, and composition for natural results.
• Center-weighted: The camera meters the entire frame but assigns greatest weight (75%) to the 12mm area in the center of the frame. The weighting can also be based on the average of the entire frame.
• Spot: The camera meters inside a 4mm diameter circle (approximately 1.5% of frame). The circle is centered on the selected focus area, centered on selected focus points.
• Highlight-weighted: The camera assigns the greatest weight to highlights to reduce loss of detail in highlights.

Multiple Exposure: This feature records a series of two to ten NEF (RAW) exposures in a single photograph. Multiple exposures can be recorded at any image quality setting, and produce results with colors noticeably better than photographs combined in an imaging application because they make use of RAW data from the camera image sensor.

White Balance: White balance is used to preserve natural colors under different types of lighting. You can choose one of the following white balance options: Auto (3 options), Natural Light Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 options), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, or Shade. You can also choose a color temperature from a list of values (2500K-10000K), or manually set the white balance using the subject, light source, or existing photograph in the memory card as reference. The White Balance Fine Tuning feature allows you to compensate for variations in the color of the light source or to introduce a deliberate color cast into an image by adjusting the amber, blue, green and magenta color settings.

Bracketing: Bracketing automatically varies exposure, flash level, Active D-Lighting (ADL), or white balance slightly with each shot, "bracketing" the current value. You can set the increment to 1/3, 2/3, 1, or 1.3 EV, and the number of shots to 2, 3, 5, 7, or 9. In exposure, flash level, and ADL bracketing, multiple shots are required to complete the "bracket" as the camera will vary the settings with each shot. With white balance bracketing, the camera creates multiple copies of each photograph, each with a different white balance. Bracketing can be combined with continuous shooting or the self timer modes.

ISO Sensitivity: ISO Sensitivity is the digital equivalent of film speed. You can set the ISO Sensitivity to Auto or Manual. You can manually select settings of ISO 100 to ISO 51200 in steps of 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV. For special occasions, expanded settings of Lo 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 EV (equivalent to ISO 50) below ISO 100, or to approximately 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, or 2 EV above ISO 51200.

Picture Controls: The camera offers seven preset Nikon Picture Controls. You can choose a Picture Control according to the subject or type of scene:

• Auto: The camera automatically adjusts hues and tones based on the Standard Picture Control. Complexions of portrait subjects are softer, and foliage and sky colors are more vivid than Standard.
• Standard: Standard processing for balanced results; recommended for most situations.
• Neutral: Minimal processing for natural results; recommended for photographs that will later be extensively processed or retouched.
• Vivid: Pictures are enhanced for a vivid, photo-print effect; recommended for photos that emphasize primary colors.
• Monochrome: Takes monochrome photographs.
• Portrait: Process portraits for skin with natural texture and a rounded feel.
• Landscape: Produces vibrant landscapes and cityscapes.
• Flat: Details are preserved over a wide tone range; good for photos that will be retouched or processed later.
• Creative Picture Controls: You can choose from the following: Dream, Morning, Pop, Sunday, Somber, Dramatic, Silence, Bleached, Melancholic, Pure, Denim, Toy, Sepia, Blue, Red, Pink, Charcoal, Graphite, Binary, and Carbon.

Color Space: The color space determines the gamut of colors available for color reproduction. You can select either sRGB for photos that will be printed or used "as is" with no further modification, or Adobe RGB for images that will be extensively processed or retouched after leaving the camera.

Active D-Lighting: Active D-Lighting preserves details in highlights and shadows, creating photographs with natural contrast. Active D-Lighting offers the following application strength levels: Auto, Extra High, High, Normal, Low, and Off.

Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS): The Z6 does not have a built-in flash. Optional flash units can be attached to the camera's accessory shoe. The camera supports the Nikon Creative Lighting System when used with CLS-compatible flash units, such as the SB-R200, SB-300, SB-400, SB-500, SB-600, SB-700, SB-800, SB-900, SB-910, and the new flagship flash SB-5000. The following flash modes are supported: Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow rear-curtain sync, Slow sync, and Off.

Flash Control: The camera supports the following Flash Control modes: TTL, Auto external flash, Distance-priority manual, Manual, and Repeating Flash.

Flash Compensation: Flash compensation is used to alter flash output from -3 EV to +1EV in increments of 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV to change the brightness of the main subject relative to the background. Flash output can be increased to make the main subject appear brighter or reduced to prevent unwanted highlights or reflections.

FV Lock: This feature is used to lock the flash output, allowing photographs to be recomposed without changing the flash level and ensuring that the flash output is appropriate to the subject even when the subject is not positioned in the center of the frame. The Flash output is adjusted automatically for any changes in ISO sensitivity and aperture.

Streaming Webcam: Using Nikon's Webcam Utility software, you can use the camera to live stream high quality video on many of the popular video conferencing software platforms. You will need to connect the camera to your computer via the included USB cable. The camera's microphone will not capture sound, so a separate microphone is needed, plugged into the computer's microphone port. Optional accessories include a tripod or other mount, and a constant light source. The software works with many of your favorite streaming apps, including Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, Facebook Messenger, and Microsoft Teams. Nikon's Webcam Utility is compatible with Windows 10 Home, Pro, or Enterprise (64-bit only) and macOS Big Sur (Version 11), macOS Catalina (Version 10.15), macOS Mojave (Version 10.14), and macOS High Sierra (Version 10.13).

Connections

HDMI: The camera features a mini-HDMI (Type C) output for connecting the camera to an HDTV or other high-definition video device via an optional HDMI cable.

SuperSpeed USB: The Z6 has a SuperSpeed USB Type-C connector. This high-speed USB port can be used for downloading photos to your computer or connecting the camera to a printer. With the included AC adapter, you can charge the battery in the camera through the USB port. A 24" USB-C cable is included.

Microphone: The camera has a 3.5mm input for an external microphone, such as the Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone. The sensitivity of a connected external microphone can be set in the menu.

Headphone: The camera has a 3.5mm stereo headphone output to allow you to monitor audio during movie recording.

Accessory Terminal: The Z6 has an accessory terminal for connecting other optional accessories, such as the MC-DC2 Remote Cord, GPS Units (GP-1 or GP-1A), and the WR-R10/WR-T10/WR-1 Wireless Remote Controllers.

Included Lens

Overview: The Nikon Z6 kit includes the Nikkor 24-70mm f/4 S, a versatile standard zoom lens that is ideal for both still images and movies. The lens is sealed to prevent dust and moisture from entering, especially around the moving parts of the lens barrel. the lens comes with front and rear lens caps, a lens hood, and soft lens case. It will accept 72mm screw-on filters.

Focus Mode Switch: The lens features a two-way switch that lets you choose between Auto focus (A) or Manual focus (M). If the camera is set to Manual Focus mode using camera controls, you must adjust the focus manually, regardless of the setting on the lens.

Control Ring: The lens has a smooth operating Control Ring that has numerous functions, depending upon the setting of the Focus Mode switch. If the switch is set to M (manual), the Control Ring rotates to adjust focus. If set to A (auto focus), you can perform the Control Ring function selected in the camera's menu. In the Z6, for example, you can use the lens Control Ring to adjust the power aperture, focus mode (M/A), or Exposure Compensation.

Electromagnetic Diaphragm: The lens has an electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism in the lens barrel which provides accurate aperture blade control during auto exposure.

Nikon Technologies: The Nikkor 24-70mm f/4 S lens is equipped with the following Nikon technologies:

• Stepping Motor (STM): NIKKOR Z lenses incorporate a stepping motor to give you fast and accurate auto focusing. The drive system is whisper quiet, making the lens ideal for recording movies.
• IF Lens: NIKKOR IF lenses focus by shifting only the internal lens elements. Internal Focusing lenses do not change in size during AF operation, and are typically more compact, lightweight, and capable of closer focusing distances.
• Aspherical Lens Elements (AS): The lens contains curved non-spherical lens elements to reduce aberrations. They are used to correct distortion in wide angle lenses.
• Aspherical - Extra-low Dispersion Elements (AS-ED): The lens features Aspherical - Extra-low Dispersion glass lens elements, developed by Nikon to correct chromatic aberrations.
• Nano Crystal Coat (N): Nikon's Nano Crystal coating helps eliminate internal reflections and ghosting effects caused by red light. It also reduces lens flare caused by light entering diagonally into the lens.
• Fluorine Coating (FLC): The lens features Nikon's fluorine coating on the front element to repel smudges and fingerprints, dust, and water droplets. The lens is easy to clean, and can withstand frequent wiping. The coating is also anti-reflective, which helps you achieve clear images.
• Super Integrated Coating (SIC): The lens features a multi-layered coating of the optical elements.

Lens Hood: The Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-70 f/4 S comes with the HB-85 lens hood. The hood helps to block stray light from entering the lens from the sides, causing flare or ghosting. It also protects the front lens element from rain and snow, or accidental impact. When mounted, the lens hood adds approximately 1-13/16" to the overall length of the lens. When not in use, you can reverse-mount the lens hood.

Specifications:

• Type of Mount: Nikon Z mount
• Focal Length: 24-70mm
• Focal Length Scale: Graduated in millimeters (24mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 70mm)
• Filter Diameter: 72mm
• Maximum Reproduction Ratio: 0.3x
• Lens Construction: 14 elements in 11 groups (including 1 ED lens element, 1 aspherical ED element, 3 aspherical elements, and elements with Nano Crystal Coat, and a fluorine-coated front lens element)
• Closest Focus Distance: 0.99' (11.88") from focal plane at all zoom positions
• Focusing Method: Internal Focusing System
• Diaphragm: Rounded 7-blade
• Aperture Range: f/4 to f/22
• Angle of View:
  • FX Format: 84° - 34°20'
  • DX Format: 61° - 22°50'
• Dimensions: Diameter 3.046" Length 3.666" (4.263" w/lens caps)
• Weight: 17.7 ounces

Play, Print and Edit Features

Auto Image Rotation: Photographs taken while Auto Image Rotation is set to "On" contain information on camera orientation, and allow the images to be rotated automatically during playback, or when viewed using the downloadable NX Studio software.

Playback Menu: The playback menu contains the following options:

• Delete: allows you to delete the current image or all the images in the selected folder or folders
• Playback Folder: allows you to play back the images in the current folder, all folders created with the Z6, or all folders on the memory card
• Display Options: choose from either a detailed display of information or a basic display of information
• Image Review: When this setting is enabled, the camera displays the image on the LCD monitor after the picture is taken.
• After Delete: choose the picture displayed after an image is deleted (next, previous, continue)
• After Burst: Choose whether the camera displays the first or last photo in the burst after photos are taken using continuous release mode.
• Rotate Tall: portrait photos are displayed in tall orientation during playback
• Slide Show: allows you to play back images one after the other in a slide-show fashion. You can select the type of images to display, and how long each photo will be displayed, and if audio will be played.
• Rating: You can rate pictures from zero to five stars, or mark them for later deletion.

Full-Frame Playback: During Full-Frame playback, you can view all the pictures stored on the memory card one at a time.

Thumbnail Playback: This feature allows you to view four (2x2), nine (3x3), or 72 (9 x 8) images at once on the LCD monitor so that you can search for an image quickly.

Playback Zoom: During single-image and thumbnail playback, you can zoom in on the selected image. You can zoom in up to 24x for large images, up to 18x for medium images, and up to 12x for small images. Once the image is enlarged, you can move it around on the LCD monitor using the multi selector.

Retouch Menu: The Retouch Menu allows you to create trimmed, resized or retouched copies of the photographs you have taken on the memory card. The Retouch Menu gives you the following editing options: NEF (RAW) processing, Trim, Resize, D-Lighting, Red-eye correction, Straighten, Distortion control, Perspective control, Image overlay, Trim movie, and Side-by-side comparison.

Image Comment: The camera allows you to input up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text and save it to a recorded image. The comment can be viewed in the downloadable NX Studio software as metadata.

PictBridge Printing Capability: Using the supplied USB cable, you can connect this camera directly to a PictBridge compliant printer. PictBridge is a standard that allows you to connect a PictBridge compliant camera directly to a PictBridge compliant printer and make prints, regardless of brand.

Battery Information

Battery: The Z6 is powered by the EN-EL15b Lithium-ion battery (7.0 V, 1900 mAh, 14 Wh). A fully-charged EN-EL15b can provide enough power for approximately 310 shots (380 with monitor only) or 85 minutes of movie footage. The battery charges in approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes using the supplied MH-25a battery charger.

Downloadable Software

NX Studio: No software is included in the box with the camera. NX Studio is a new all-in-one software for viewing, processing, and editing your still images and videos. The software integrates all the benefits and functions of Nikon's ViewNX-i and Capture NX-D into a highly functional single software solution. With NX Studio, you can edit your photos using picture controls, white balance settings, and exposure compensation for RAW data. New features include color control points to adjust a specific area of a photo, and a retouch brush feature for advanced color correction. NX Studio works with JPEG, TIFF, and NEF (RAW) files. NX Studio is available as a free download, and works with the following Operating Systems: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and macOS Big Sur (ver.11), Catalina (ver.10.15), and Mojave (ver.10.14)