Nikon D6
Announced February 12, 2020
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Strong
The Nikon D6 is a rugged, highly reliable workhorse designed specifically for professional still photographers who prioritize fast, precise autofocus and low-light performance. Although it represents a refined and dependable flagship, many see it as an incremental update that lacks the transformative leaps found in modern mirrorless competitors.
Weighted from 14 reviewer scores
Pros
- Highly reliable and fast autofocus system
- Exceptional low-light performance and color fidelity
- Extensive customization and professional control options
- High-speed performance with deep buffer and fast frame rates
- Extremely durable and weather-resistant build quality
Cons
- Limited video capabilities and poor live view autofocus
- Incremental update with few significant new features over the D5
- Sensor performance and frame rates fall behind some competitors
- Heavy, bulky, and expensive design
- Lacks modern hardware features like a tiltable screen
- Launch price $6,499.95 (USD)
- Sensor 20.8MP Full-Frame CMOS
- Video 4K 29.97p
- Stabilization None
- Burst 14 fps electronic 14 fps mechanical
What the Reviewers Say
All 14 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 8/10
I think the D6 title is appropriate, but only by a nose.
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Nikon built another great hammer with the D6. Hammer as in you can almost literally hammer nails with it due to the high build quality.
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[I]t's still the best single-digit Nikon pro body you can buy, and honestly, if I had it to do over, I'd buy it again.
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With full frame mirrorless cameras having come on in leaps and bounds these past few years, the Nikon D6's DSLR housing and operation feels like a bit of a throwback to traditional, less complicated times.
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If you want a camera purely for stills, and capturing fast action, the Nikon D6 is a powerhouse. The new AF system is fast and reliable, the ISO is unrivaled, and the cutting edge connectivity paired with clever software make this a powerful pro tool.
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For pro stills photographers who are already invested in the Nikon system, the Nikon D6 is a powerful, reliable workhorse of a camera.
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It's not to say that the D6 is a bad camera or that you can't create amazing images or that there aren't some advantages over the D5. I'm sure people are going to create amazing images with the camera.
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Nikon's top pro camera of all time: Extreme durability, survivability, mechanical quality and speed.
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[...] I like the Nikon D6. I like it for what it is. I like Nikon's color science, I like their low-light capabilities, I love the auto focusing on it.
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The D6 is an incredible camera, and probably the best camera Nikon have ever produced in my opinion.
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If you are used to using Nikon D3, D4, D5 and maybe D750 or D780, D6 is the next natural step. Then you get not only Nikon’s rawest sports camera, but also one of the best professional cameras right now.
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THIS IS BY NO MEANS a camera for everyone: the £6299 price tag will no doubt see to that.
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If this is it, if this is the last flagship DSLR from Nikon, this is quite a beast to go out with.
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The Nikon D6 literally has the best and the fastest autofocus that you can find in any camera right now.
