Nikon Z 6 vs Nikon Z 6II

Updated: 18/3/2024

Prologue

I replaced one of my Z6’s with a Z6II back in summer of 2021 as some of my paid assignments required me having to pass the images on a SD card to the client immediately, and it was just easier to shoot to two slots rather than fiddle around copying the files from my XQD/CFe card to a SD card via my laptop.

Seamless Transition

As the physical dimensions are almost identical (if I recall correctly I think the Z6II put on a little bit of weight with a 1mm growth in depth somewhere), with exactly the same physical button layouts on both bodies, it was easy to move on from the 1st generation Z6 to the Z6II without having to reprogram muscle memory for the button layout.

Also all external accessories (like the Z-GR1 and the batteries) work for both cameras too, so additional purchases or replacements were not required.

Minute Tweaks to Menu System

While they both run on the older menu system (I am guessing all the Expeed 6 cameras are on the same system?), the Z6II do have some extra settings, such as voice memo or portrait impression. Nevertheless it was easy to set up both cameras to behave identically.

One particular difference to take note of, especially for users who use Eye-AF often, is how the menu system for Eye-AF in the Z6II is unique to the Mark II bodies - subject eye detection for humans and animals are individual focus modes tied to either Auto-Area AF or Wide-Area AF (L), so you have to scroll through the list of AF modes to select them. The Z6 uses a menu option to turn on or off subject detection, which is then coupled to only Auto-Area AF.

Higher Capacity Battery and USB Power

The Z6II comes with a slightly higher capacity EN-EL15c battery, as compared to the Z6, which comes with the older EN-EL15b battery. While the batteries are all interchangeable between the bodies, having a higher capacity means longer battery life, so it is definitely a very welcomed change.

On top of that, the the Z6II also allows to be USB-powered (there’s a specific setting called “USB Power Delivery”) when connected to a power source, which will then limit the drain from the battery. The Z6 only allows USB charging of the battery, but does not draw power from USB power sources directly when turned on.

Improved Responsiveness

The Z6II feels much snappier to boot up as compared to the Z6 when turning the switch on. In all honesty while the Z6’s boot-up was not instantaneous like the DSLRs I had prior, I quickly got used to it and did not find it much on a hindrance. The snappier feel of the Z6II definitely brings the overall experience closer to the DSLR performances that we are used to.

The way the lens boots up also seems to have changed between the two bodies - the Z6 would see a quick “chatter” of the aperture blades, whereas the Z6II would just bring the aperture wide open and then to whatever working aperture you are at.

AF Performance

The Z6II seems to me to have more confident AF performance right out of the box, regardless whether it is in Single Point AF or using one of the Eye-AF modes. However the Z6 has seen several firmware updates as of writing, and while I would still give the edge in AF performance to the Z6II, the performance between the two bodies are much closer now than before, especially when Eye-AF is used.

Subject detection is also available in video recording modes for the Z6II, but not for the original Z6.

Image Quality

Both the Z6 and the Z6II use the same sensor and same generation CPU (Expeed 6), so I do not expect, and also did not find, any meaningful differences in the images produced by them - both retain plenty of detail with rich tones, and hold up very well in high ISO ranges too.

That being said, some people do mention that the Z6II solved the problem of banding and visible PDAF sensor marks, that was once the bane of the Z6’s initial reviews as people tried lifting shadows by 5 or 6 stops just to see how the sensor holds up.

Usage with Flashes

While both bodies would perform and react similarly when used with a manual-only flash or transmitter in its hotshoe (i.e. only a single middle flash pin), when using a flash or transmitter with Nikon communication protocols (i.e. 4-pins on the flash), the Z6 would automatically turn Live View Exposure Preview off, whereas with FW1.60 on the Z6II, it can be set to turn off automatically when a flash is detected, or remain always on regardless of flash usage. This option is very useful when using flashes for fill-light or when shooting in heavily backlit situations, so definitely I am very pleased this option has been implemented on the Z6II. (more about this here).

Final Thoughts

The Z6II does include certain small tweaks and minor changes under the hood to make it a more refined camera compared to its predecessor. However if one is OK with using a single XQD/CFe slot, I think the original Z6 is definitely worth looking at as it offers similar levels of performance of the Z6II at a much lower price point now.

As of writing the Z6II is still my main workhorse camera (usually paired with the Z 24-120/4), and I have no issues or reservations in reaching out for it for any of my assignments.