Nikon Z6

The Nikon Z6 is a full-frame mirrorless camera released in 2018. Nikon built it around the Z mount, so lens choice centres on the native Z range.

The body weighs 675g and measures 134 x 101 x 68mm, which keeps it manageable in a bag or on a strap for a full day out.

In-body stabilisation steadies handheld shooting and 4K video extends the camera beyond stills, so one body covers both disciplines. Weather sealing also helps keep dust and moisture at bay outdoors.

The 24.5MP full-frame CMOS sensor provides plenty of resolution for prints and generous room to crop. The Expeed 6 processor handles those files, and sensitivity spans ISO 100 to 51200, so you can keep shooting as the light fades without immediately reaching for a flash.

Those fundamentals underpin an Optics score of 83, which we rate as exceptional, and place the Z6 in the top 5% of cameras in our database for Optics. Autofocus offers 273 points, and the top burst rate reaches 12fps as a maximum rather than a sustained figure.

In-body stabilisation cuts camera shake, which lets you use slower handheld shutter speeds and still expect sharp frames. The 1/8000s maximum shutter speed is on hand when you want wide apertures in bright conditions.

The 3.69-million-dot electronic viewfinder gives a detailed live view of the scene, since it draws on the sensor's output rather than an optical path.

The Z6 records 4K video, its maximum resolution. The top frame rate is 60fps. Those specification maxima feed a Video score of 83, which we rate as very good.

Built-in timelapse assembles a sequence of frames into a finished movie inside the camera, so you can shoot clouds or a sunset without extra software on your computer.

Footage records in either MOV or MP4, giving a choice of file formats for different projects.

In-body stabilisation helps handheld footage by smoothing out camera shake as you move with the subject. One constraint to plan for is the fixed rear screen: filming yourself or shooting from waist level is easier with an external monitor than with the screen alone.

Handling centres on a 3.2-inch TFT touchscreen with a 2.1-million-dot panel. Touch input lets you place a focus point and move through menus directly on the screen, and these display and touch features contribute to a Features score of 87, which we rate as very good.

There is no built-in flash, so dim scenes rely on high ISO or a flash unit. The camera does support external flashes, so you can add one when the light drops.

Wifi and Bluetooth are both built in, giving the camera short-range wireless connection options.

The weather sealing helps guard against dust and moisture, though it is not a waterproof rating, so treat it as breathing room rather than a licence for a downpour. GPS is absent, so location tagging has to be done another way.

Storage and battery are the weak areas behind a Storage & Battery score of 35, which we rate as limited. There is a single XQD slot, so no second card for overflow or an in-camera copy of your files.

XQD is the only card system the camera takes, so make sure you own compatible cards and a reader before a shoot rather than assuming your SD stock will work.

The EN-EL15b battery carries a 310-shot rating. That figure is not a promise for every situation, so for a long event or a travel day a charged spare is a sensible part of your kit.

USB charging is supported, so you can top the battery up from a USB power source between locations.