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Nikon D6 Review

The Nikon D6 is Nikon’s most advanced and capable professional camera, and it is the company’s flagship model. Unfortunately, it’s not cheap and somewhat cumbersome

Paul

The Nikon D6 is Nikon’s most advanced and capable professional camera, and it is the company’s flagship model. Unfortunately, it’s not cheap and somewhat cumbersome and large. The D6 is likewise an absolute overkill for the typical photography hobbyist. Still, it may be a good investment for somebody with a budget who enjoys photographing moving things, such as animals, athletes, or other moving subjects.

In many aspects, the Nikon D6 is an incremental increase over its predecessor, the Nikon D5, since it has the same 20.8-megapixel full-frame sensor as its predecessor. In addition, it comes with several good upgrades, including an enhanced autofocus system, a faster CPU, compatibility with CFExpress cards, and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, among other things.

If taken one at a time, several of these enhancements may appear somewhat unimpressive, yet, when taken collectively, they constitute a good makeover. They are also all contained in a body constructed like a tank and meant to survive almost everything you throw at it. The body is designed to withstand anything you throw at it.

$6,496.95
in stock
4 new from $6,496.95
12 used from $3,630.00
as of March 19, 2024 6:54 am
Amazon.com
Last updated on March 19, 2024 6:54 am

Nikon D6 Design

There is no getting past the fact that the Nikon D6 is a monstrously large and well-built camera. That in and of itself is not necessarily a negative aspect, but you shouldn’t think about this camera as something you’d take on trips or use daily. You also have a second set of basic controls on the vertical grip, making it easier to shoot portrait-format images. This is made possible because the camera has a large amount of available body space, which means it has many buttons. These buttons give you quick access to everything you want to change.

You shouldn’t expect to be able to operate this camera with just one hand. Still, most of the buttons and dials you’ll need to make typical adjustments, such as changing the aperture or the shutter speed, are located on the right-hand side of the camera. This enables you to make rapid adjustments with your right thumb and fingers, but the other buttons are often used for more in-depth adjustments or reviewing images.

A raised region on the top plate of the camera’s left-hand side features controls for selecting a metering mode, changing the shooting mode, and altering the bracketing mode. This area is also located on the left side of the camera. Additionally, there is a dial for selecting the drive mode, which allows for transitioning from single shooting to the many options for continuous shooting and the ‘silent’ mode.

Not only are there a lot of buttons, but there are also a lot of displays to choose from. There is, of course, the primary display, which response to touches, but there is a top plate LCD screen and a secondary, smaller LCD screen that is directly beneath the primary display. When you need to know at a glance how the camera is set up, these auxiliary displays are helpful for rapidly establishing how you have it set up since they provide crucial information about the camera’s settings.

Nikon D6 Features

The D6 is more of an evolution of an existing model, with some intriguing and helpful modifications, rather than a full-scale revolution, as is typical for highly high-end cameras. This is because the D6 has some fascinating and useful tweaks.

The Nikon D6 features the same 20.8-megapixel full-frame sensor as its predecessor, the Nikon D5, because it is constructed around the same sensor. However, it is essential to keep in mind the target audience for this camera if you are under the impression that the camera’s resolution is not exceptionally high compared to other models produced by Nikon.

It has a high enough resolution to allow for a respectable degree of cropping while still maintaining file sizes at a suitable size and operating well in low light, which is why many pros regard this type of pixel count as something of a “sweet spot.”

If you are a sports photographer responsible for sending back dozens of photographs to the news desk, you do not want the big, billboard-sized images that may be produced by cameras such as the Nikon D850.

Nikon D6 Performance

Even though the D5’s focus was already quite compelling, significant advancements have been made in this area with the D6. Even though the D6 is designed for pros, there is undoubtedly a case to be made that advanced amateurs with a particular fondness for topics such as wildlife should consider purchasing one (budget permitting, of course).

Both the process of acquiring focus and tracking subjects have been vastly enhanced. This is especially true when considering the various customization options available to configure the D6 to match your preferences precisely. If you are a wildlife or sports photographer, especially one who favors a DSLR setup over a mirrorless one, it is an excellent choice for those with a sizable budget.

Those who shoot human beings will find that the eye focus in auto-area AF and 3D tracking is also quite good. This is a beneficial feature. However, wildlife photographers may be less enthusiastic about it because it does not function with animal eyes. We can only hope that Nikon will fix this issue with the next firmware update, similar to what Sony has done in the past.

Nikon D6 The quality of the images and videos

We did not doubt that the D6’s image quality would be extremely high because its predecessor, the D5, utilizes the same sensor as its successor, the D6, but marries it with a superior CPU.

The decision made by the D6 to preserve what could be considered a relatively modest pixel count is beneficial to the camera’s ability to operate well in low light. Because of this, it will be especially appealing to professional photographers and individuals who use it for subjects like wildlife, where circumstances might often be on the dark side.

JPEGs captured straight from the camera exhibit excellent brightness and vibrancy while maintaining a low noise level. In addition, the all-purpose metering option delivers well-balanced exposures in most shooting settings. The automatic white balance setting holds colors mainly on the right side of the spectrum.

The Nikon D6 is a strong and dependable workhorse camera best suited for professional photographers already engaged in the Nikon system. Unfortunately, it is overkilled for most beginner snappers. Still, if you have a significant amount of cash burning a hole in your pocket, this is an excellent choice for several reasons.

Photographers who specialize in wildlife and sports photography and already have a cabinet full of Nikon lenses, for example, are likely to be enticed by the tracking AF performance of this camera. However, it is not without its flaws, with Live View focusing and video being particularly disappointing aspects of the product, while competitors Canon and Sony outperform it in important respects.

Nikon D6 Specs

MSRP$6499
Body typeLarge SLR
Max resolution5568 x 3712
Other resolutions3648 x 2432 (DX format)
Image ratio w h1:1, 5:4, 3:2, 16:9
Effective pixels21 megapixels
Sensor photo detectors21 megapixels
Sensor sizeFull frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm)
Sensor typeCMOS
ProcessorExpeed 6
ISOAuto, 100-102400 (expands to 50-3280000)
Boosted ISO (minimum)50
Boosted ISO (maximum)3280000
White balance presets12
Custom white balanceYes
Image stabilizationNo
Uncompressed formatRAW
JPEG quality levelsFine, normal, basic
AutofocusContrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View.
Manual focusYes
Number of focus points105
Number of cross-type focus points105
Lens mountNikon F
Focal length multiplier
Articulated LCDFixed
Screen size3.2″
Screen dots2,359,000
Touch screenYes
Screen typeTFT LCD
Live ViewYes
Viewfinder typeOptical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder coverage100%
Viewfinder magnification0.72×
Minimum shutter speed900 sec
Maximum shutter speed1/8000 sec
Aperture priorityYes
Shutter priorityYes
Manual exposure modeYes
Subject/scene modesNo
Built-in flashNo
External flashYes (via hot shoe or flash sync socket)
Flash modesNormal, redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, rear-curtain sync, off
Continuous drive14.0 fps
Self-timerYes
Metering modesMultiCenter-weightedHighlight-weighted spot
Exposure compensation±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps)
WB BracketingYes
FormatMPEG-4, H.264
Modes3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
MicrophoneStereo
SpeakerMono
Storage typesDual XQD/CFexpress slots
USBUSB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec)
USB chargingYes
HDMIYes (mini HDMI)
Microphone portYes
Headphone portYes
WirelessBuilt-In
Wireless notes802.11ac + Bluetooth
Remote controlYes (Wired or smartphone)
Environmentally sealedYes
BatteryBattery Pack
Battery descriptionEN-EL18c lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA)3580
Weight (inc. batteries)1450 g (3.20 lb / 51.15 oz)
Dimensions160 x 163 x 92 mm (6.3 x 6.42 x 3.62″)
Orientation sensorYes
Timelapse recordingYes
GPSBuilt-in

Nikon D6 Price and Buying

$6,496.95
in stock
4 new from $6,496.95
12 used from $3,630.00
as of March 19, 2024 6:54 am
Amazon.com
Last updated on March 19, 2024 6:54 am

Nikon D6 FAQs

Is the Nikon D6 worth the money?

The Nikon D6 is a high-end camera developed specifically for professional photographers who require speed, precision, and reliability in their equipment. It depends on the individual’s requirements and inclinations as to whether or not the investment is worthwhile.

What is the Nikon D6 good for?

Because of its quick autofocus, high burst rates, and sophisticated tracking capabilities, the Nikon D6 is an excellent choice for photographers interested in photographing athletics, action, or wildlife.

How old is the Nikon D6?

The Nikon D6 was one of the newest versions added to Nikon’s inventory of DSLR cameras when it was introduced in the year 2020.

Is Nikon D6 discontinued?

The Nikon D6 has not been put out of production and can still be purchased from official Nikon retailers.

Is the Nikon D6 mirrorless?

The Nikon D6 is not a standalone camera but rather a DSLR model.

Is Nikon D6 weather sealed?

The Nikon D6 does have a weather-sealing feature that protects it from grime and dampness.

Does Nikon D6 have auto mode?

The Nikon D6 is equipped with an automatic mode and a wide range of other photography settings tailored to various scenarios and user expertise levels.

What is the shutter life expectancy of the Nikon D6?

The Nikon D6 is expected to have a shutter life expectancy of approximately 400,000 actions throughout its lifetime.

Is Nikon D6 the best camera?

Because there are many different versions of high-end cameras available from various manufacturers, the question of whether or not the Nikon D6 is the finest camera depends on the requirements and preferences of the individual. Despite this, it is unquestionably one of the strongest competitors in the DSLR category.

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