Recording Features
Connections
Play, Print and Edit Features
Battery Information
Downloadable Software

Recording Features

Overview: The Nikon Z 6II can produce stunning 24.5-megapixel still images and broadcast quality 4K video. The camera has the Nikon Z mount, and is compatible with Z-mount NIKKOR lenses. With the optional Mount Adapter FTZ, you can use F-mount NIKKOR lenses. No lenses are included in this "body only" kit.

Image Sensor: The Z 6II is equipped with an FX-format, 35.9 x 23.9mm CMOS image sensor with 24.5 million effective pixels (and 25.28 million total pixels). The Nikon FX format, with its native 3:2 aspect ratio, enables photographers to take advantage of the familiar perspective characteristics of 35mm film photography. The Z 6II is the first Nikon camera with dual EXPEED 6 processors for faster processing, more buffer capacity, and more overall speed.

Dust Reduction System: The camera has an integrated ultrasonic Self-cleaning Sensor Unit, which employs four different resonance frequencies to vibrate the optical low-pass filter and shake dust away from the sensor. Image sensor cleaning can be set to operate automatically when the camera is turned off or on, or can be operated from the camera's menu.

Magnesium Alloy Body: The Z 6II is made with rugged, durable, and lightweight magnesium alloy, the same material used in the original Z 6 and Z 7, as well as the D850 and D5 DSLRs. The Z 6II is almost 10% lighter than the Z 6, and maintains its outstanding balance and handling. The body is weather-sealed to resist dust, moisture, and electromagnetic interference.

Still Image Size/Quality: The Z 6II records still images in JPEG, TIFF, and NEF* (RAW) formats. It can also record in both NEF (RAW) + JPEG formats simultaneously. JPEG images can set to fine (1:4 compression), normal (1:8), or basic (1:16) image quality. Depending upon the selected format (image area), you can choose from the following image sizes:

NEF (RAW): There are several options to choose from when recording Nikon Electronic Format (NEF) photos. Uncompressed NEF images can be recorded in 12-bit or 14-bit depths. For smaller file sizes, you can shoot in NEF Lossless Compressed or NEF Compressed in 12-bit or 14-bit. The file sizes for each option is as follows:

Movies: The camera can record movies in MOV or MP4 formats with MPEG-4/H.264 advanced video coding and Linear PCM (for MOV) or AAC audio (for MP4). Audio is recorded using the built-in stereo microphone, or an external stereo microphone (connected via the provided 3.5mm mic jack). Image quality can be set to High or Normal. The available movie options include:

Future Firmware Upgrade: A future Z 6II firmware upgrade, scheduled for February 2021, will enable 4K Ultra HD movie recording at 60p. Recording will be in 8-bit and DX-Crop mode only.

Recording Media Options: The Z 6II has dual memory card slots. One slot can accommodate XQD or CFexpress (Type B) memory cards. The other slot is for SD, SDHC, and SDXC cards (UHS-I and UHS-II compatible). For movie recording and playback, CFexpress and XQD cards with a maximum data transfer rate of at least 45 MB/s, or SD cards rated UHS Speed Class 3 or better, are recommended. No memory cards are supplied with the camera.

Dual Media Slot Options: In the menu, you can choose which media slot serves as the primary slot, and which is the secondary, when memory cards are inserted in both the CFexpress/XQD slot and SD slot. The function of the secondary slot can be configured as one of the following:

• Overflow: The card in the secondary slot is used only when the card in the primary slot is full.
• Backup: The card in the secondary slot serves as an instant backup. Each picture is recorded twice, once to the card in the primary slot, and again to the card in the secondary slot.
• RAW primary - JPEG secondary: When shooting NEF (RAW) + JPEG images, the NEF (RAW) images are recorded to the card in the primary slot, while the JPEG images are recorded to the card in the secondary slot.

Touch-sensitive LCD Monitor: The Nikon Z 6II features 3.2-inch, 2,100,000-dot tilting TFT LCD monitor with a 170° wide viewing angle and 100% frame coverage. The monitor has an 11-level adjustable brightness control. The Z 6II features a Live View that lets you use the monitor in place of the camera's viewfinder to confirm your subject and composition while shooting. The touch screen can be used to position the focus point during live view, measure a value for preset manual white balance, and for typing. During playback you can swipe to view images, zoom in or out of images, view thumbnails, and view movies.

OLED Viewfinder: In addition to the LCD monitor, the Z 6II has a 0.5", OLED viewfinder with approximately 3,690,000 dots (Quad VGA), and 100% vertical and horizontal frame coverage. It has a diopter adjustment knob so you can set the viewfinder to your personal eyesight (with or without eyeglasses). The bright and sharp viewfinder makes focusing in low-light situations possible. The viewfinder offers approximately 0.8x magnification. An eye sensor near the viewfinder automatically switches between the monitor and viewfinder as you raise or lower the camera to your eye.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: The Z 6II has built-in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac, 2.4 and 5 GHz) and Bluetooth (4.2), allowing you to wirelessly connect the camera to computers, smartphones, record location data from your device to your photographs, or tablets running the SnapBridge app. On the app, you can download pictures from the camera, or control the camera for taking pictures remotely. You can also connect an optional WT-7 wireless transmitter to the camera's peripheral connector for connecting to a wireless network.

Vibration Reduction: The Nikon Z 6II features built-in Vibration Reduction (VR) in the camera. This 5-axis image sensor shift can be applied while shooting still images or movies. In the menu, you can select Normal VR (for static subjects) or Sport VR (for rapidly moving subjects), or Off. In addition, lens shift Vibration Reduction is available with certain VR lenses.

273-Point Autofocus System: The Z 6II is equipped with a hybrid phase-detection/contrast Autofocus system with AF assist. With 273 focus points, you can select from the following AF-area modes: Pinpoint AF, Single-point AF, Dynamic-area AF, Wide-area AF (S), Wide-area AF (L), and Auto-area AF (people and animals). You can choose from Single or Continuous Auto Focusing, or Manual Focusing.

Focus Lock: Focus Lock can be used to change the composition after focusing, making it possible to focus on a subject that will not be in a focus area in the final composition.

Release Modes: The release mode determines how the camera takes photographs. You can choose from the following shooting modes:

• Single Frame: camera takes one photograph each time the shutter-release button is pressed
• Continuous L: while shutter-release button is held down, the camera records 1 to 5 frames per second, as selected in the menu.
• Continuous H: while the shutter-release button is held down, the camera records continuously at up to about 5.5 frames per second.
• Continuous H (Extended): while the shutter release is held down, the camera records continuously at up to about 14 frames per second.
• Self-Timer: use self-timer for self-portraits or to reduce blurring caused by camera shake; you can set the self-timer to 2, 5, 10 or 20 seconds

Interval Timer Photography: The Z 6II is equipped to take photographs automatically at preset intervals. Shooting will begin about 3 seconds after the interval is set or you can set a start time. You can select the number of intervals, and the number of shots taken per interval. The interval length can be set in hours, minutes, and seconds. You can also set up the camera to take a silent time-lapse movie, with the frame size, frame rate, and image area currently selected in the movie shooting menu.

Exposure Modes: The Exposure Modes determine how the camera sets shutter speed and aperture when adjusting exposure. You can choose from the following Exposure Modes using the top-mounted Mode Dial:

• Auto: A "point-and-shoot" mode in which the camera sets exposure and hue.
• Programmed Auto (P): The camera sets shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure according to a built-in program; recommended for snapshots and other situations in which there is little time to adjust camera settings.
• Shutter-Priority Auto (S): The user chooses the shutter speed while camera sets aperture for best results; use to freeze or blur motion. The shutter speed can be set from 30 to 1/8000 seconds.
• Aperture-Priority Auto (A): The user chooses the aperture while camera sets shutter speed for best results; use to blur background for portraits or bring both foreground and background into focus for landscape shots.
• Manual (M): The user controls both shutter the speed and aperture for complete control over exposure. You can also set the shutter speed for long exposures, such as "Bulb" or "Time."
• User Settings (U1/U2/U3): You can assign frequently-used settings to these positions for quick recall.

Long Time-Exposures: When the M (manual) exposure mode is selected, you can choose between two Long Time-Exposure modes: Bulb and Time. During Bulb shooting, the shutter will remain open while the shutter-release button is held down. Bulb shooting is used for long time-exposure photographs of moving lights, the stars, night scenery, or fireworks (an optional tripod and optional remote cord are recommended to prevent blur). Time exposures start when the shutter-release button is pressed on the camera or an optional remote control. The shutter remains open until the button is pressed a second time. There is even a setting for extended shutter speeds of up to 900 seconds (15 minutes) for tracking the paths of stars.

Exposure Compensation: You can alter the exposure from the value suggested by the camera, making pictures brighter or darker. You can adjust the exposure from -5.0 to +5.0 EV in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV in still photo mode, and -3.0 to +3.0 EV in movie mode. Exposure compensation is available in P, S, A, and M modes.

Metering: The Z 6II utilizes through-the-lens (TTL) metering using the camera's image sensor. You can choose one of the following metering methods:

• Matrix Metering: The camera meters a wide area of the frame and sets exposure according to tone distribution, color, distance, and composition for natural results.
• Center-weighted: The camera meters the entire frame but assigns greatest weight (75%) to the 12mm area in the center of the frame. The weighting can also be based on the average of the entire frame.
• Spot: The camera meters inside a 4mm diameter circle (approximately 1.5% of frame). The circle is centered on the selected focus area, centered on selected focus points.
• Highlight-weighted: The camera assigns the greatest weight to highlights to reduce loss of detail in highlights.

Multiple Exposure: This feature records a series of two to ten NEF (RAW) exposures in a single photograph. Multiple exposures can be recorded at any image quality setting, and produce results with colors noticeably better than photographs combined in an imaging application because they make use of RAW data from the camera image sensor.

White Balance: White balance is used to preserve natural colors under different types of lighting. You can choose one of the following white balance options: Auto (3 options), Natural Light Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 options), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, or Shade. You can also choose a color temperature from a list of values (2500K-10000K), or manually set the white balance using the subject, light source, or existing photograph in the memory card as reference. The White Balance Fine Tuning feature allows you to compensate for variations in the color of the light source or to introduce a deliberate color cast into an image by adjusting the amber, blue, green and magenta color settings.

Bracketing: Bracketing automatically varies exposure, flash level, Active D-Lighting (ADL), or white balance slightly with each shot, "bracketing" the current value. You can set the increment to 1/3, 2/3, 1, or 1.3 EV, and the number of shots to 2, 3, 5, 7, or 9. In exposure, flash level, and ADL bracketing, multiple shots are required to complete the "bracket" as the camera will vary the settings with each shot. With white balance bracketing, the camera creates multiple copies of each photograph, each with a different white balance. Bracketing can be combined with continuous shooting or the self timer modes.

ISO Sensitivity: ISO Sensitivity is the digital equivalent of film speed. You can set the ISO Sensitivity to Auto or Manual. You can manually select settings of ISO 100 to ISO 51200 in steps of 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV. For special occasions, expanded settings of Lo 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 EV (equivalent to ISO 50) below ISO 100, or to approximately 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, or 2 EV (equivalent to ISO 204800) above ISO 51200.

Picture Controls: The camera offers seven preset Nikon Picture Controls. You can choose a Picture Control according to the subject or type of scene:

• Auto: The camera automatically adjusts hues and tones based on the Standard Picture Control. Complexions of portrait subjects are softer, and foliage and sky colors are more vivid than Standard.
• Standard: Standard processing for balanced results; recommended for most situations.
• Neutral: Minimal processing for natural results; recommended for photographs that will later be extensively processed or retouched.
• Vivid: Pictures are enhanced for a vivid, photo-print effect; recommended for photos that emphasize primary colors.
• Monochrome: Takes monochrome photographs.
• Portrait: Process portraits for skin with natural texture and a rounded feel.
• Landscape: Produces vibrant landscapes and cityscapes.
• Flat: Details are preserved over a wide tone range; good for photos that will be retouched or processed later.
• Creative Picture Controls: You can choose from the following: Dream, Morning, Pop, Sunday, Somber, Dramatic, Silence, Bleached, Melancholic, Pure, Denim, Toy, Sepia, Blue, Red, Pink, Charcoal, Graphite, Binary, and Carbon.

Color Space: The color space determines the gamut of colors available for color reproduction. You can select either sRGB for photos that will be printed or used "as is" with no further modification, or Adobe RGB for images that will be extensively processed or retouched after leaving the camera.

Active D-Lighting: Active D-Lighting preserves details in highlights and shadows, creating photographs with natural contrast. Active D-Lighting offers the following application strength levels: Auto, Extra High, High, Normal, Low, and Off.

Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS): The Z 6II does not have a built-in flash. Optional flash units can be attached to the camera's accessory shoe. The camera supports the Nikon Creative Lighting System when used with CLS-compatible flash units, such as the SB-R200, SB-300, SB-400, SB-500, SB-600, SB-700, SB-800, SB-900, SB-910, and the new flagship flash SB-5000. The following flash modes are supported: Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow rear-curtain sync, Slow sync, and Off.

Flash Control: The camera supports the following Flash Control modes: TTL, Auto external flash, Distance-priority manual, Manual, and Repeating Flash.

Flash Compensation: Flash compensation is used to alter flash output from -3 EV to +1EV in increments of 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV to change the brightness of the main subject relative to the background. Flash output can be increased to make the main subject appear brighter or reduced to prevent unwanted highlights or reflections.

FV Lock: This feature is used to lock the flash output, allowing photographs to be recomposed without changing the flash level and ensuring that the flash output is appropriate to the subject even when the subject is not positioned in the center of the frame. The Flash output is adjusted automatically for any changes in ISO sensitivity and aperture.

Streaming Webcam: Using Nikon's Webcam Utility software, you can use the camera to live stream high quality video on many of the popular video conferencing software platforms. You will need to connect the camera to your computer via the included USB cable. The camera's microphone will not capture sound, so a separate microphone is needed, plugged into the computer's microphone port. Optional accessories include a tripod or other mount, and a constant light source. The software works with many of your favorite streaming apps, including Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, Facebook Messenger, and Microsoft Teams. Nikon's Webcam Utility is compatible with Windows 10 Home, Pro, or Enterprise (64-bit only) and macOS Big Sur (Version 11), macOS Catalina (Version 10.15), macOS Mojave (Version 10.14), and macOS High Sierra (Version 10.13).

Connections

HDMI: The camera features a mini-HDMI (Type C) output for connecting the camera to an HDTV or other high-definition video device via an optional HDMI cable. The HDMI output is not available for 1920 x 1080 120p or 100p, or 1920 x 1080 slow-motion movies, or if the camera is in Movie mode while connected to a computer running Camera Control Pro 2 software.

SuperSpeed USB: The Z 6II has a SuperSpeed USB Type-C connector. This high-speed USB port can be used for downloading photos to your computer or connecting the camera to a printer. With the included AC adapter, you can charge the battery in the camera through the USB port. A 24" USB-C cable is included.

Microphone: The camera has a 3.5mm input for an external microphone, such as the Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone. The sensitivity of a connected external microphone can be set in the menu.

Headphone: The camera has a 3.5mm stereo headphone output to allow you to monitor audio during movie recording.

Accessory Terminal: The Z 6II has an accessory terminal for connecting other optional accessories, such as the MC-DC2 Remote Cord, GPS Units (GP-1 or GP-1A), and the WR-R10/WR-T10/WR-1 Wireless Remote Controllers.

Play, Print and Edit Features

Auto Image Rotation: Photographs taken while Auto Image Rotation is set to "On" contain information on camera orientation, and allow the images to be rotated automatically during playback, or when viewed using the downloadable NX Studio software.

Playback Menu: The playback menu contains the following options:

• Delete: allows you to delete the current image or all the images in the selected folder or folders
• Playback Folder: allows you to play back the images in the current folder, all folders created with the Z 6II, or all folders on the memory card
• Display Options: choose from either a detailed display of information or a basic display of information
• Dual-Format Recording PB Slot: You can choose the slot from which dual-format pictures recorded with RAW primary-JPEG secondary selected for the Secondary Slot Function are played back.
• Image Review: When this setting is enabled, the camera displays the image on the LCD monitor after the picture is taken.
• After Delete: choose the picture displayed after an image is deleted (next, previous, continue)
• After Burst: Choose whether the camera displays the first or last photo in the burst after photos are taken using continuous release mode.
• Rotate Tall: portrait photos are displayed in tall orientation during playback
• Slide Show: allows you to play back images one after the other in a slide-show fashion. You can select the type of images to display, and how long each photo will be displayed, and if audio will be played.
• Rating: You can rate pictures from zero to five stars, or mark them for later deletion.

Full-Frame Playback: During Full-Frame playback, you can view all the pictures stored on the memory card one at a time.

Thumbnail Playback: This feature allows you to view four (2x2), nine (3x3), or 72 (9 x 8) images at once on the LCD monitor so that you can search for an image quickly.

Playback Zoom: During single-image and thumbnail playback, you can zoom in on the selected image. You can zoom in up to 24x for large images, up to 18x for medium images, and up to 12x for small images. Once the image is enlarged, you can move it around on the LCD monitor using the multi selector.

Retouch Menu: The Retouch Menu allows you to create trimmed, resized or retouched copies of the photographs you have taken on the memory card. The Retouch Menu gives you the following editing options: NEF (RAW) processing, Trim, Resize, D-Lighting, Red-eye correction, Straighten, Distortion control, Perspective Control, Monochrome, Image Overlay, or Trim Movie.

Image Comment: The camera allows you to input up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text and save it to a recorded image. The comment can be viewed in the downloadable NX Studio software as metadata.

Battery Information

Battery: The Z 6II is powered by the included EN-EL15c Lithium-ion battery (7.0 V, 2280 mAh, 16 Wh). The battery charges in approximately 2 hours and 35 minutes using the supplied MH-25a battery charger. The estimated battery life for the EN-EL15c is as follows:

Optional MB-N11: The Z 6II is compatible with the optional MB-N11 Power Battery Pack, which attaches to the bottom of the camera and provides additional battery capacity for long shooting sessions. The MB-N11 holds two EN-EL15c batteries (as well as EN-EL15, EN-EL15a, and EN-EL15b batteries) and increases battery performance by 1.9x. It also has a vertical shutter button, plus main and sub command dials, AF-ON button, sub selector, and Fn buttons to make it easier and more natural to shoot in portrait orientation.

Downloadable Software

NX Studio: No software is included in the box with the camera. NX Studio is a new all-in-one software for viewing, processing, and editing your still images and videos. The software integrates all the benefits and functions of Nikon's ViewNX-i and Capture NX-D into a highly functional single software solution. With NX Studio, you can edit your photos using picture controls, white balance settings, and exposure compensation for RAW data. New features include color control points to adjust a specific area of a photo, and a retouch brush feature for advanced color correction. NX Studio works with JPEG, TIFF, and NEF (RAW) files. NX Studio is available as a free download, and works with the following Operating Systems: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and macOS Big Sur (ver.11), Catalina (ver.10.15), and Mojave (ver.10.14)

Camera Control Pro 2 (available for purchase): This software remotely controls most functions of the camera from a computer connected via USB, or through wired or wireless LAN. It supports LiveView, Picture Controls, and the Viewer, which allows you to preview and select images prior to transfer to a computer.

Wireless Transmitter Utility: This software lets you connect the camera to networks via wired or wireless LANs.

SnapBridge: This mobile application for iOS and Android devices is the fastest and easiest way to get the photos on your cameras onto your smartphone or tablet for sharing with others and uploading to social media sites. You can send photos from the camera to your smartphone automatically or manually, control the camera remotely using your smart device, and save photos to free cloud storage. SnapBridge is available from the Apple App Store for devices running iOS 11.0 or later, and from Google Play for Android smartphones and tablets running Android 5.0 and up.

Webcam Utility: Webcam Utility lets you use the Nikon Z 6II as a webcam when connected to a computer via USB. The software is only available for Windows 10 (Home, Pro, Enterprise), and macOS versions 10.15 (Catalina), 10.14 (Mojave), and 10.13 (High Sierra).