Nikon Z6 II in the test: professional system camera with twice the processor power

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Nikon was able to convince in tests with the system cameras Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z7, but the competition has since stepped up.

That's why Nikon is bringing an update for the two full-frame cameras.

It starts with the Nikon Z6 II - the “Computer Bild” test clarifies what the update will bring.

Nikon Z6 II again with 24 megapixels

The Nikon Z6 II takes over the image sensor from its predecessor Z6, Nikon has added more image electronics, and the Z6 II gets two image processors (Expeed 6).

In terms of image quality, the double processor power doesn't make a big difference at first glance, both the images of the Z6 and the Z6 II look great, regardless of the light.

Even in dim light, great photos can be taken with both cameras, the photos of the Z6 II are a bit better, especially in low light (see photo gallery).

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The more complex image electronics of the Z6 II ensure sharper photos with a very high ISO setting: At ISO 6400, the Z6 II performed significantly better in the measurements than its predecessor, the Z6.

With a lower ISO setting, the difference is smaller, since the image processing in the camera plays a lesser role here.

A (somewhat) better image quality is only one advantage of the new image electronics, it also brings more speed.

Nikon Z6 II: More speed for series

In addition to more processor power, Nikon is also installing a larger buffer memory in the Z6 II.

If the Z6 ran out of breath after around 45 frames per second and it slowed down to write the data to the memory card, the Z6 II easily manages 180 to 200 photos in series without slowing down.

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After 200 photos, she takes a short compulsory break, but a quick luffing of the trigger finger is enough, then she can continue immediately.

The more powerful electronics not only increase endurance in series, but also increase the speed once again: if the Z6 managed a good 9 frames per second in the test for series shots, the Z6 II achieved a whopping 13 frames per second.

The Nikon Z6 II has more autofocus options: Face and eye recognition now also works with the large measuring field (Wide-L)

Source: Computer Bild

This puts the Z6 II almost on a par with the much more expensive Nikon D6 professional single lens reflex.

However, it is in a different league when it comes to adjusting the focus of the autofocus (better than all system cameras) and should therefore remain the first choice for professional sports photographers.

Nikon Z6 II with better autofocus

In a system camera, the same sensor also means the same autofocus measurement technology.

Here the Nikon Z6 II takes over the phase change measurement with 273 measuring points from the Z6.

But with a system camera, the image electronics also play an important role for the autofocus, because here the subject is recognized and the autofocus is adjusted accordingly, for example by selecting the measuring field.

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The autofocus of the Z6 II benefits from a slightly more precise subject recognition and offers a new measuring mode: Up until now (Z5, Z6, Z7) the eye and face recognition only worked when the automatic focus area recognition was switched on over the entire image, whereas with the Z6 II it was also with the single measuring field Wide-L (see picture above), which only covers part of the picture and can be moved by the photographer with a fingertip or joystick.

Useful for group photos, for example, when the focus at a wedding should be on the bride and groom and not on guests in the background.

In addition, eye and face recognition can now be selected using the auto focus button.

With the older models Z6 and Z7 this setting is in the camera menu.

This time with two card slots

The housing of the Nikon Z6 II is extremely similar to the previous models Z6 and Z7: The basic construction is the same, an elaborately sealed magnesium housing is supposed to keep out dust and moisture.

The sensor sits in an image stabilizer that can stabilize all lenses.

From the front, the Z6 II can only be distinguished from a Z6 or Z7 by the lettering.

The larger flap on the back is new - there are now two slots for memory cards: One for ultra-fast CFexpress cards such as the Sandisk Extreme Pro CFexpress, one for SD cards with UHS-II technology.

Not only can cheaper SD cards be used, but storage on both cards at the same time is also possible - a backup option that many event and wedding photographers appreciate.

New to photography: The Nikon Z6 II has a power-saving mode.

That should ensure a higher endurance.

To do this, the camera reduces the refresh rate of the display

Source: Computer Bild

The viewfinder is identical to that of the Z6 and Z7 and shows with 1280x960 pixels (3.69 million pixels at the manufacturer, since the subpixels for red, green and blue are counted here) a picture in top picture quality: with a very detailed representation and very precisely Colour reproduction.

Thanks to the more powerful electronics, it should react faster and display the image with a shorter delay - this was rarely noticeable in comparison with the already quite fast display of the Z6: For example, with the Z6 II, the display in the viewfinder was a bit for series images at maximum speed more fluid.

4K video at 60 FPS comes later

The Z6 was good when it came to filming, but the Nikon Z6 II still does it again - with an improved autofocus, better subject recognition and 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) with 60 frames per second.

The speed boost will not come until 2021 with a firmware update.

Until then, the Z6 II will film in 4K at a maximum of 30 frames per second.

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The image quality is already top quality straight out of the camera: crisp and extremely detailed, the Z6 II, like the Z6, is one of the best cameras.

The Z6 II also offers professional functions such as video recording in HDR, with 10-bit color depth or in RAW format, but only in conjunction with a recorder connected via HDMI such as the Atomos Ninja V.

If you want to play with depth of field when playing videos, the Z6 II is spot on, it uses the entire sensor width when filming and then calculates the image down to 4K resolution (3840x2160 pixels).

With the aperture open, this ensures a very shallow depth of field.

Nikon Z6 II lasts a long time

The EN-EL15 series batteries are used in many Nikon cameras, such as the Nikon D780 and Nikon D500 single-lens reflex models, but also in all full-frame system cameras from Nikon (Z5, Z6 and Z7).

Like the Z5, the Z6 II comes with the fourth version of the battery: EN-EL15c.

A decisive improvement over the previous model: The EN-EL15c stores more electricity (16 watt hours instead of the previous 14 watt hours).

The battery lasts a long time despite the more powerful electronics: When filming in 4K, it takes a good two hours to empty.

When taking pictures, it depends a lot on how the pictures are taken - series pictures hardly swallow any electricity, long excursions into the menu settings or many individual pictures with subsequent viewing of the pictures put more strain on the battery.

If you want, you can activate a power-saving function for taking pictures in the menu, but even if this is switched off, most photographers should get through the day on one battery charge.

The USB power supply helps with longer studio recordings.

If a USB-C power supply is plugged into the Z6 II, the camera draws its power through this socket, the battery remains charged.

If you want to take long photos away from power outlets, you can use the MB-N10 battery grip or the MB-N11 vertical format grip.

Both take two batteries, the more expensive MB-N11 offers additional controls for portrait format shots (shutter release, autofocus joystick, dials), but does not fit the older models (Z5, Z6, Z7).

Location data automatically via smartphone

A matter of course with current Nikon cameras: The Nikon Z6 II comes with WLAN and Bluetooth.

This allows the camera to be controlled via smartphone or tablet with the free Snapbridge app (available for Android and Apple).

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On request, Snapbridge automatically transfers a reduced version of the pictures taken to the mobile phone via Bluetooth - the pictures are reduced to 1620x1080 pixels, but that is large enough for Facebook & Co.

If you want to know later where a photo was taken, simply leave the "Synchronize position data" function switched on in the app under link options.

The camera then fetches the location data from the smartphone and writes it to the photo files.

However, the camera and app switch the connection to sleep mode after about an hour.

If you haven't used the camera for a long time and want to have location data in your photos again, simply start the app once with the camera switched on and ready to record.

The location data is then transmitted fully automatically - very conveniently and much easier than with other manufacturers.

Conclusion:

The Nikon Z6 II delivers photos and videos in top quality - even in very little light and very high ISO settings.

The professional system camera reacts quickly and is easy to use.

In series production, the Z6 II is very fast with up to 13 frames per second and lasts a long time - a clear advantage over its predecessor.

Also improved: the autofocus reacts a little faster and recognizes the subject more precisely.

Still top: the viewfinder and display are nice and large and show a very detailed picture.

The camera housing sits comfortably in the hand thanks to the large handle and the pronounced thumb rest.

The built-in image stabilizer compensates for any wobbles caused by the photographer.

Strengths:

Top image quality even in very little light, very high video quality, very large, very detailed viewfinder, very detailed display, auto focus reacts very quickly

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Weaknesses:

4K video with 60 frames per second only after firmware update

Test grade:

good (1.6)

Price:

from 1999 euros

Test results Nikon Z6 II

Source: Computer Bild

This article comes from a cooperation with "Computer Bild".

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