Nikon Z6II Mirrorless Camera Resource Center

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Nikon Z6II with the NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens

Here, you will find everything I could scrape together about this gem of a camera. I love my Nikon Z6II mirrorless camera. It’s my main workhorse for professional assignments. As an event photographer, I’m often shooting in low light situations. Knowing that it will have the lowest noise from any of the cameras that I currently own (https://www.robertallen-photography.com/my-nikon-gear-list) gives me confidence that what I deliver to my clients will meet their requirements as to image quality. I hope this resource page serves as an inspiration as to what can be accomplished with the Z6II. After a little more than 30,000 photos taken with the Z6II (the most of any camera in my Capture One database), I have learned a thing or two about this camera and what it is capable of.

Here is the original Z6II press release from Nikon on 10/14/2020:

Nikon releases the Z 6II full-frame mirrorless camera: Advanced functions for both photo and video in pursuit of greater performance and reliability.

TOKYO - Nikon Corporation (Nikon) is pleased to announce the release of the Z 6II full-frame (Nikon FX-format) mirrorless camera for which the Nikon Z mount has been adopted.

The Z 6II is a full-frame mirrorless camera that supports superior video performance and enables a wide range of expression. Like the Z 7II also announced today, the Z 6II utilizes the large-diameter Z mount to take in rich light, achieving astounding image quality. It inherits the superior rendering capabilities of the Nikon Z 6, while further pursuing greater performance and reliability, responding to advanced still and video shooting needs. As a model that has evolved to thoroughly respond to user needs, the Z 6II inspires creativity and greatly expands the possibilities for imaging expression. The Z 6II supports the creative activities of professional and advanced amateur photographers, especially for shooting scenes that require a range of performance, such as video production and weddings; as well as for capturing subjects with rapid movement, such as people dancing, trains, and airplanes.

Nikon will continue to pursue a new dimension in optical performance while meeting users' needs, contributing to the development of imaging culture, with the hope of expanding possibilities for imaging expression.

Primary Features:

1.Video performance that supports advanced imaging production

The Z 6II supports 4K UHD up to 30p and full-HD up to 120p. Eye-Detection AF and Animal-Detection AF can be used with video recording, enabling easy and accurate focus on the intended subject's eye, whether the subject is human, cat, or dog. When the camera is connected to an external recorder via HDMI, 12-bit RAW video can be output in 4K UHD or full-HD format, allowing the abundant information to be utilized with color grading. Further, the N-Log function can be used with 10-bit output, while HDR video recording using the hybrid log-gamma (HLG) standard is also supported, responding to a variety of needs.

Additionally, support for 4K/50p/60p, and RAW video output on Blackmagic Design's external recorder is planned for 2021.

• The Atomos Ninja V supports Nikon RAW video output, and records videos in ProRes RAW format. Operation is not guaranteed with recorders other than the Ninja V.

• 4K UHD and full-HD RAW video output is possible with both FX- and DX-based movie formats.

• The RAW video output function can be enabled by a Nikon service facility for a fee.

• Footage is recorded only to the external device; it cannot be recorded to the memory card inserted in the camera.

2.Still photography further evolved for certain capture of decisive moments

Adoption of Dual EXPEED 6 processors increases the continuous shooting rate from the approximately 12 fps possible with the Z 6 to approximately 14 fps, while the number of shots possible with a single burst of continuous shooting has increased to roughly 3.5x that of the Z 6, from approximately 35 shots to approximately 124 shots. Further, AF performance has also been improved, enabling high-precision AF shooting in situations and places as dark as -4.5 EV. Eye-Detection AF and Animal-Detection AF are supported in wide-area AF (L) AF-area mode, making it possible to focus only on the eyes of the intended subject. The Z 6II is also equipped with a number of other new functions that pursue improved usability, including a function that maintains focus position when the camera is turned off.

3.Worry-free reliability in a variety of shooting situations

The USB power delivery function can be used not only to charge the camera's battery, but also to deliver power when the camera is turned on*1, enabling stress-free interval-timer shooting and capture of shots for use in time-lapse movies over extended periods of time. In addition, use of the newly released MB-N11 Power Battery Pack, convenient for vertical shooting, enables users to record approximately 1.9x*2 more stills and movie footage. Various functions allow for concentration during shooting. Newly adopted dual memory card slots support not only CFexpress (Type B) cards that are convenient for high-speed transfer of images (as well as XQD cards); SD (UHS-II) cards are also supported, realizing high-speed shooting workflow.

4.Other features

• An effective pixel count of 24.5 megapixels and a high-sensitivity performance of ISO 100-51200*1.

• Superior dust- and drip-resistance enables worry-free shooting in harsh environments.

• An electronic viewfinder which utilizes Nikon's superior optical and image-processing technologies to offer a clear and natural view.

• A large, 3.2-in., approximately 2100k-dot monitor with a tilting mechanism.

• Portions of the information display can be hidden with still-image shooting and video recording, allowing the preview of the scene and composition all the way to the edges of the frame.

• Simultaneous recording of time-lapse movies with interval timer shooting.

• A long-exposure manual (M*) mode that supports exposure times up to 900 s, convenient for shooting scenes that require long exposure time, such as starry skies.

• In-camera vibration reduction (VR) that provides camera-shake compensation equivalent to a 5.0-stop*2 increase in shutter speed.

• With MF, users have the option to change the rotation direction of the focus ring.

• The camera's firmware can be updated to the latest version via the SnapBridge app (Ver. 2.7) without using a computer or card reader.

Here are some inspirational videos about the Z6II from Nikon:

Four Nikon products, including the Nikon Z 6II mirrorless camera, honored with EISA Awards

TOKYO —

Nikon Corporation (Nikon) is pleased to announce that four of its products have been successful at the EISA Awards 2021-2022, presented by the Expert Imaging and Sound Association (EISA). The Nikon Z 6II full-frame mirrorless camera won the Advanced Camera award, while the Nikon Z 5 full-frame mirrorless camera received the Best Buy Camera (full-frame) award. NIKKOR lenses were also winners, with the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S receiving the Professional Telephoto Zoom Lens award, and the NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 given the Macro Lens award.

The Expert Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) is a collaboration between 60 expert magazines from 29 countries across the globe, specialized in the fields of photography, mobile devices, hi-fi, home theater audio, home theater display & video, and in-car electronics. For approximately 40 years, EISA has chosen and honored the best imaging products released in Europe over the previous year in a number of categories.

Link to the Nikon Z6II PDF brochure

Nikon Z6II brochure

If you have the Nikon Z6II, be sure to keep the firmware updated: robertallen-photography.com/blog/nikon-rolls-out-new-firmware-for-the-z6ii-and-z7ii-with-better-support-for-the-nikkor-z-28-135mm-f4-pz-cinema-power-zoom-lens 

After looking at 30K photos shot with the Nikon Z6II over the years, here are a few photos that I have had the pleasure of taking and have included in the gallery below:

Let me know in the comments below your thoughts on the Z6II and if you have the camera.