Nikon Z6 II
Announced October 14, 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
Nikon Z6 II is a capable all-around mirrorless camera that refines its predecessor with dual processors, dual card slots, and improved autofocus performance. While it offers excellent image quality and solid ergonomics, the camera faces stiff competition from systems with more advanced tracking and fully articulating screens.
Weighted from 34 reviewer scores
Pros
- Comfortable, ergonomic body design with durable weather sealing
- Reliable dual memory card slots including CFexpress support
- Excellent image quality with impressive dynamic range and low-light performance
- High-speed 14fps burst shooting with improved buffer depth
- Versatile USB-C charging and power delivery
Cons
- Limited tilt-only screen rather than a fully articulating display
- Middling battery life often requiring extra power solutions
- Video limitations including crop factors and external recorder requirements for 10-bit output
- Autofocus tracking performance lags behind leading competitors
- Inconvenient mix of different card types
- Launch price $1,999 (USD)
- Sensor 24.5MP Full-Frame CMOS
- Video 4K 29.97p
- Stabilization In-body IS
- Burst 14 fps mechanical
What the Reviewers Say
All 34 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- DPReview 89/100
Ultimately, you can expect the Z6 II to perform well in a wide variety of situations. If you’re used to the behavior of an older camera, the AF is likely to seem excellent.
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Nikon still needs to address some remaining issues with the Z6 II, but overall, it’s a clear step in the right direction. The camera handles very well, and the feature set contains thoughtful improvements compared to the Z6 for almost any genre of photography.
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It has been more than five years since Nikon launched its first full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Z6 and Z7.
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[T]he Nikon Z6II, with just a few minor improvements to the physical features and processor-based performance, is truly a camera we can hands-down recommend to almost all types of photographers.
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Like the Z6 before it, the Z6 II is an excellent camera, and as I write this, it's a better camera than the Sony A7 Mark III it competes against. But the problem is this: Nikon's left the Z6 on the market.
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The Nikon Z6 II is definitely an upgrade from the Z6 but I don't know if it's a substantial one.
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Like the Nikon Z 6, the Z6 II, offers great image quality, and great handling, but with added "oomph" as well as the convenience of an SD card slot.
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We were big fans of the original Z6 when it first came out, and Nikon has done a good job of adding just enough upgrades for the Z6 II to also make it a very good all-round camera, especially at the price point.
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Am I surprised with how well it did? Yeah, I'm pretty surprised that it did fairly well in the situation I was using it in with the settings I had on.
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In and of itself, the Z6 II is a formidable stills camera with impressive image quality, solid stabilization, incredible ISO performance, accurate autofocus, sturdy 12fps burst shooting with tracking AF (or 14fps with single-point) and respectable video.
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The mirrorless Nikon Z6 II offers small yet tangible updates to its predecessor, but it doesn't match the improvements in autofocus we've seen from competing systems.
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Nikon has taken one of our favorite mirrorless cameras and addressed its main weaknesses.
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So probably one of the biggest questions is should you actually buy this camera, and the short answer is absolutely.
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Nikon’s follow-up to its first-ever full-frame mirrorless, the Z 6II is proof positive that camera makers do indeed listen to their customers.
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I think it's still a fantastic camera.
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Now without a doubt the Nikon Z6 II is a great camera, especially if you compare to other comparable camera. For example, like the Canon R6, the Sony A7 Mark III, or this Panasonic S5 I'm using right now.
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The Nikon Z6 II is a very competent all-rounder in both photography and video settings. For someone looking for a tool to cover a multitude of needs it is a very good choice, batting above average on almost all grounds.
- Photo Review 9.0/10
Nikon has made some worthwhile improvements to what was already a very good camera.
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Like a trusty old pair of running shoes, there’s something reassuring about the Nikon Z6 II.
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A minor if not unwelcome upgrade to a fantastic camera, the Z6 II is a great middle ground, although if you're already bought into the mirrorless system, we'd wait for inevitable more considerable improvements.
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It's got the lens mount right, the quality right and, despite strong competition and not being a big upgrade over the original model, it's just exceptional in so many areas.
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[T]he 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.
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The Nikon Z6 ii is a superb camera. It builds upon what was already very good on the Nikon Z6 – but it now is an all-around better camera.
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It's light, easy to operate, good in low light and you get that color science, impressive dynamic range and image quality that Nikon is renowned for. Fantastic little camera, that is the Nikon Z6 II.
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The Nikon Z6 II is a really really powerful and expandable camera that really will, wherever your career in photography and video production goes, it will be up to the task of following you there.
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[T]his camera is a super win, I am this close to owning it, I love the image quality, I love the ergonomics, the buttons, the dials, I do wish that, sorry, the touch screen, the EVF are all pluses.
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Get this Z6 II instead of the Z7 II. The Z7 II doesn't run as fast, no one needs the Z7 II's extra resolution (24 MP is more enough for anything unless you really are printing 6 feet (2 meters) wide or more) and the Z6 II costs much, much less.
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The bottom line for me is that a bunch of small improvements are adding up to a much improved camera that I really enjoy using and I'm able to make some great images with, and it does its job for me, so that's great.
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[I]f you're not chasing bleeding edge specs and you want a camera that simply works and keeps on working, the Z6 II is a smart buy in 2025.
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If you're on Nikon and you want to stay with Nikon and you're moving from SLRs or maybe you have the Z6, the Nikon Z6 II is great. I definitely recommend it.
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It's a fun camera to use because it's comfortable, it's ergonomic, it's got a lot of settings that I really like.
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For the most part, I feel that the Mark II versions of the Z6 and Z7 bring the Z series into 2021.
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Nikon Z6ii really is the best travel camera you could choose.
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So although it may not attract a lot of new users to Nikon, I think the Z6 II is probably the first Nikon mirrorless camera that's worth upgrading to for many pro DSLR shooters.
