Nikon D6

The Nikon D6 is a large DSLR from 2020, built around a full-frame sensor and the Nikon F mount. It is a big, heavy camera at 1450 grams, so it is one you carry with intent rather than slip into a small bag.

Its strengths point toward demanding, fast-moving work. A burst rate of up to 14 fps, weather sealing and built-in GPS suit action and location shooting, while the optical viewfinder gives a direct, lag-free view of the scene.

Owning it means access to the F-mount lens range and dual card slots for flexible storage. There is no in-body stabilisation, so steady handheld results depend on technique or stabilised lenses.

At the heart of the D6 is a 20.8 megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor paired with the Expeed 6 processor. The shutter reaches 1/8000 of a second, fast enough to freeze rapid motion and helpful when you want wide apertures in strong light.

Speed is the real story. The camera shoots at up to 14 frames per second, a maximum rate for burst shooting. The 105-point autofocus system offers a wide choice of focus points when framing a subject.

The ISO range runs from 100 to 102400, providing settings that stretch from bright daylight to dim indoor events and evening matches. Where the usable limits fall within that span is a matter of subject, light and conditions.

One omission to plan around: there is no in-body stabilisation. Lenses with their own stabilisation help, otherwise expect to manage shutter speed and stance for sharp handheld results.

The D6 records video at up to 4K resolution, and frame rates reach up to 60 fps. Those are separate maximums rather than a guaranteed 4K 60 recording mode. Files are recorded in MPEG-4 or MOV formats.

Video shooting on the D6 comes with some practical limits. The fixed screen complicates low or high camera angles, and with no in-body stabilisation, handheld footage benefits from a stabilised lens or a support rig.

The dual card slots are useful here as well, extending the media available before a card change during longer recordings. Power comes from the same EN-EL18c battery used for stills.

A built-in interval timer supports timelapse work, letting you assemble sequences from stills captured over hours without an external remote.

Handling centres on the optical pentaprism viewfinder for stills work, backed by a 3.2 inch LCD with live view when you prefer to shoot from the screen. The display is sharp at 2359000 dots and responds to touch, so settings and focus points can be adjusted directly.

The screen is fixed in place, so composing at ground level or overhead becomes a matter of judgement. Photographers who regularly work at unusual angles will notice this most.

Connectivity includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, alongside built-in GPS that can tag files with location data, useful for travel, wildlife and documentary work.

The body is weather sealed against dust and moisture, though this is not the same as waterproofing. There is no built-in flash, but an external flash can be mounted when artificial light is needed.

Two card slots accept CFexpress and XQD media, so a long assignment is not limited to the capacity of a single card. The dual arrangement also gives some flexibility in how storage is handled.

The EN-EL18c battery is rated at 3580 shots, a test figure rather than a guarantee of real-world endurance, but one that points to extended shooting between charges. Many photographers will still carry a spare for multi-day work.

USB charging is supported, so the battery can be topped up from a compatible charger or power source between jobs. Plan around downtime for charging rather than expecting to shoot and charge simultaneously.