Nikon Z6
Manufacturer: Nikon Type: camera Sensor: Full-frame (FX) 35.9 x 23.9mm BSI CMOS Resolution: 24.5MP Year introduced: 2018 Key feature: First Nikon full-frame mirrorless; 5-axis IBIS; no-crop 4K video; wide Z-mount compatibility
Overview
The Nikon Z6 was one of two cameras that marked Nikon’s entry into full-frame mirrorless photography, announced alongside the higher-resolution Nikon Z7. With a 24.5-megapixel FX-format sensor, 12 fps continuous shooting, and an ISO range of 100-51,200, the Z6 was positioned as the more versatile and video-friendly sibling. For underwater photographers, it offered Nikon image quality in a smaller mirrorless body with the convenience of an electronic viewfinder and 5-axis in-body vibration reduction ([1]).
The new Z-mount featured an exceptionally wide 55mm mount diameter (17% larger than F-mount) and a very short flange distance, enabling maximum aperture designs down to f/0.95. Critically for existing Nikon underwater shooters, the Z6 maintained full compatibility with Nikon F-mount lenses via the FTZ Adapter, meaning that the entire library of underwater-proven Nikon glass could be used. Even non-VR lenses gained 3-axis stabilization through the camera’s IBIS system ([2]).
The Z6 recorded UHD 4K at 30fps using the full sensor width with no field-of-view crop, and could output 10-bit N-log UHD 4K over HDMI. A paid firmware upgrade ($199.95) later added ProRes RAW output via Atomos recorders, along with CFexpress card support ([3]). Firmware 3.00 (February 2020) brought significantly improved subject-tracking AF, bringing the Z6’s AF behavior closer to Nikon DSLR 3D-tracking, along with animal face and eye detection ([4]).
Nikon Z 6II
In October 2020, Nikon announced the Z 6II with dual EXPEED 6 processors, dual memory card slots (CFexpress + SD), improved low-light AF down to -4.5 EV, and 14 fps continuous shooting with 5x the buffer capacity of the original Z6. The Z 6II added 4K 60p video (via firmware update) and Eye-Detection AF for video recording. Priced at $1,999.95, it shipped in November 2020 ([5]).
Housing Availability
The Z6 attracted housing support from virtually every major underwater housing manufacturer, with most housings compatible with both the Z6 and Z7 due to their identical body design. All housings supported both Z-mount and F-mount lenses (with FTZ Adapter).
- Ikelite: 200DL housing announced October 2018; ABS-PC construction with DL port system, depth rated to 60m. Supported both manual and optional TTL strobe control ([6]).
- Nauticam: NA-Z7 shipping November 2018 at $3,450. Used N120 port system compatible with existing Nikon DSLR ports. Featured two lens release buttons (F-mount and Z-mount), manual optoelectrical flash trigger, EVF/LCD switch lever. Depth rated to 100m ([7]).
- Sea&Sea: MDX-Z7 announced November 2018. Compatible with existing MDX-series ports and gears. Featured dual-gear focus/zoom dial for F-mount and Z-mount lenses. Supported Optical YS Converter for TTL. Weight 2,700g, depth rated to 100m ([8]).
- Nimar: MPZ7 PRO housing shipped November 2018 ([9]).
- Seacam: Silver housing shipped July 2019. Compatible with Seacam’s standard port system for both F and Z mount lenses ([10]).
- Aquatica: Housing announced August 2019 ([11]).
- Hugyfot: Housings for Z6/7 and Z6/7 II announced March 2022. Machined from solid aluminum, finished with Cerakote ceramic polymer thin film coating, depth rated to 100m ([12]).
For the Z 6II, updated housings shipped from Sea&Sea (March 2021), Seacam (March 2022), and Aquatica (March 2022) ([13], [14], [15]).
Timeline
- 2018-08: Nikon announces the Z6 and Z7 as their first full-frame mirrorless cameras with the new Z-mount system.
- 2018-10: Ikelite announces 200DL housing for Z7/Z6 ([16]).
- 2018-11: Nauticam ships NA-Z7 housing ($3,450) ([17]). Sea&Sea announces MDX-Z7 ([18]). Nimar ships MPZ7 PRO ([19]).
- 2019-07: Seacam ships Silver housing for Z6/Z7 ([20]).
- 2019-08: Aquatica announces housing ([21]).
- 2019-12: Nikon releases firmware 2.20 adding CFexpress support and optional ProRes RAW output ($199.95) ([22]).
- 2020-03: Firmware 3.00 adds improved subject-tracking AF and animal detection ([23]).
- 2020-10: Nikon announces Z 6II with dual processors, dual card slots, 4K 60p ($1,999.95) ([24]).
- 2022-03: Hugyfot announces housings for Z6/7 series with Cerakote finish ([25]).
References
Sources
- Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2018: Nautical Ships Housing For Nikon Z6 And Z7 Mirrorless Cameras ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2018: Nautical Ships Housing For Nikon Z6 And Z7 Mirrorless Cameras ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 17, 2019: Nikon Adds Prores Raw Support To Z6 And Z7 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 19, 2020: Video Nikon Z6 Subject Tracking Af Testing By Manny Ortiz ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 14, 2020: Nikon Announces Z 6ii And Z 7ii Mmirrorless Cameras ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 29, 2018: Ikelite Announces Housing For The Nikon Z7 Mirrorless Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2018: Nautical Ships Housing For Nikon Z6 And Z7 Mirrorless Cameras ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 16, 2018: Seasea Announces Mdx Housing For Nikon Z6 And Z7 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 23, 2018: Nimar Ships Mpz7 Pro Housing For Nikon Z6 And Z7 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 9, 2019: Seacam Ships Housing For Nikon Z6 And Z7 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 1, 2019: Aquatica Announces Housing For Nikon Z6 And 7 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 2, 2022: Hugyfot Announces Housings For Nikon Z6 7 Series ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 24, 2021: Seasea Ships Housing For Nikon Z6 Ii And Z7 Ii ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 30, 2022: Seacam Ships Housing For Nikon Z6 Ii And Z7ii ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 16, 2022: Aquatica Ships Housing For Nikon Z6 Ii And Z7 Ii ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 29, 2018: Ikelite Announces Housing For The Nikon Z7 Mirrorless Camera ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 15, 2018: Nautical Ships Housing For Nikon Z6 And Z7 Mirrorless Cameras ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 16, 2018: Seasea Announces Mdx Housing For Nikon Z6 And Z7 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Nov 23, 2018: Nimar Ships Mpz7 Pro Housing For Nikon Z6 And Z7 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Jul 9, 2019: Seacam Ships Housing For Nikon Z6 And Z7 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Aug 1, 2019: Aquatica Announces Housing For Nikon Z6 And 7 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Dec 17, 2019: Nikon Adds Prores Raw Support To Z6 And Z7 ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 19, 2020: Video Nikon Z6 Subject Tracking Af Testing By Manny Ortiz ↩
- Wetpixel article, Oct 14, 2020: Nikon Announces Z 6ii And Z 7ii Mmirrorless Cameras ↩
- Wetpixel article, Mar 2, 2022: Hugyfot Announces Housings For Nikon Z6 7 Series ↩
- Nauticam ships housing for Nikon Z6 and Z7 mirrorless cameras (article) ↩
- Ikelite announces housing for the Nikon Z7 mirrorless camera (article) ↩
- Sea&Sea announces MDX housing for Nikon Z6 and Z7 (article) ↩
- Nimar ships MPZ7 PRO housing for Nikon Z6 and Z7 (article) ↩
- Seacam ships housing for Nikon Z6 and Z7 (article) ↩
- Aquatica announces housing for Nikon Z6 and 7 (article) ↩
- Nikon adds ProRes RAW support to Z6 and Z7 (article) ↩
- Video: Nikon Z6 Subject Tracking AF testing by Manny Ortiz (article) ↩
- Nikon announces Z 6II and Z 7II Mirrorless Cameras (article) ↩
- Hugyfot Announces Housings for Nikon Z6/7 Series (article) ↩
- Sea&Sea Ships Housing for Nikon Z6 II and Z7 II (article) ↩
- Seacam Ships Housing for Nikon Z6 II and Z7II (article) ↩
- Aquatica Ships Housing for Nikon Z6 II and Z7 II (article) ↩