Nikon Z6 II vs Nikon Z7 II Complete Comparison: Which One to Buy?

Nikon Z6II and Nikon Z7II are members of Nikon’s Z series of cameras. They might look identical, but notable differences will make choosing the best camera a much more complex process than you might think.

In this article, we’ll compare the Nikon Z6II and the Nikon Z7II based on their specifications, design and features, sensors, image quality, and more to help you decide on the best camera. 

Let’s get started!

At a Glance

The Nikon Z6II outperforms the Nikon Z7II in noise performance at high ISOs and has a 40% faster shooting capability in high resolution.

It also offers continuous autofocus when recording movies and has NFC for easy file transfer.

Additionally, the Z6II is cheaper than the Z7II.

For photographers who prioritize video features and low-light performance, the Nikon Z6 II is the better choice.

However, if you prioritize high-resolution still image quality, the Nikon Z7II is the way to go.

It’s important to note that each photographer’s needs and preferences may vary, so it’s crucial to carefully consider all specs and characteristics before making a decision.

Key Takeaways

Ultimately, consider your specific needs and budget to make the best decision for your situation.

Key Specs Comparison

If you’re in the market for a mirrorless camera that can handle both still photography and video, you might want to consider the Nikon Z6II. 

It boasts some impressive features like a 24 MP sensor, 273 focus points, and a speedy 14 FPS continuous shooting mode. 

However, if you’re looking for a more specialized camera, the Nikon Z7II might be the better choice for you. With its 45.7 MP sensor and hybrid autofocus system, it’s perfect for tracking subjects when recording 4K videos.

In terms of design, the Z6II and Z7II are similar to their predecessors, the Z6 and Z7.

However, they do have some key differences. For one, they both feature dual EXPEED 6 processors, which makes them more powerful than their predecessors. 

Additionally, Nikon added a second SD UHS-II memory slot and dials and buttons to the battery grip, making it easier to manipulate the camera in challenging lighting conditions.

Key Takeaways

Overall, both cameras are great options, but if you want a more well-rounded camera, go with the Z6II, and if you need something more specialized, the Z7II is the way to go.

Design and Features: Z7II for High-Resolution, Z6II for Stills and Video

Introduced back in 2018, the Z6 and Z7 quickly became popular due to their impressive handling, performance, and image quality.

But the Z6II and Z7II, which came out in late 2020, are even better than their predecessors.

One thing to note is that Nikon chose to stick with the old designs for the Z6II and Z7II, meaning they have the same rugged metal bodies and weather sealing as their predecessors. 

This is great if you plan on doing some outdoor photography, as the cameras can withstand rain, snow, and wind without ruining your shot or damaging the internals.

One small change you might not notice at first is that the Z6II and Z7II are slightly larger than the earlier models because of the added card slot feature.

However, this extra slot is a highly requested feature, and now you can use either a CF Express / XQD card or an SD UHS-II card for extra storage.

The control layout, onboard stabilization, weather sealing, and rear view screens are all identical between the two cameras.

They also share the same autofocusing features, flash modes, and silent modes for discreet shooting. 

However, the Z7II has a 45.7 MP sensor while the Z6II has a 24 MP sensor, making it the more specialized camera if you’re looking for a higher resolution.

The only downside to both cameras is their size and weight. The Z6II and Z7II weigh in at 705g with a body thickness of 70mm, making them a bit bulky to carry around all day. 

Key Takeaways

But with all these similarities, where are the differences, you ask? 

Well, the Z7II is the more specialized camera for high-resolution photography, while the Z6II is a great all-around camera for stills and video.

Sensor Comparison: Choosing the Right Camera Based on Your Needs

Nikon’s second-generation cameras aren’t entirely new models, and it’s not surprising that Nikon didn’t change the sensors on Z6II and Z7II.

But the sensors are where most of the glaring differences come in for people looking to make a purchase.

Nikon Z6II and Z7II have full-frame sensors, making them superior to the smaller AP-C chips. However, one thing that stands out between these two cameras is their resolution. 

As previously mentioned, Nikon Z7II comes with a 45.7 MP sensor, while Z6II has 24.5 MP.

While there’s a huge difference in the resolution power, Z6II offers a versatile pixel count that will impress most users.

Despite having 45.6 MP, Z7II doesn’t live up to its expectations when making heavy shadow recovery.

The Nikon Z6 ll can produce low-light photos much better, but the Nikon Z7 ll has an advantage when producing sharper photos because it lacks an anti-aliasing feature.

The sensors might not have been changed in both cameras, but there’s an overall improvement in ISO noise performance.

You should also note that the sensitivity range of Z6II and Z7II differ slightly. As a result, Z6II offers an ISO range of ISO 100-51,200, and you can expand this to 50-204,800.

Z7II, on the other hand, features a lower ISO setting of 64. The camera hit 25,600 at its best standard range. But Z7II is similar to Z6II since you can extend its range to 51,200. 

Key Takeaways

In summary, the Nikon Z6II and Z7II both feature full-frame sensors, with the Z7II’s 45.7 MP sensor delivering sharper images.

The Z6II‘s 24.5 MP sensor, on the other hand, is superior for low-light photography.

Both cameras offer improved ISO noise performance, with only minor differences in ISO range.

So, depending on your needs, one of these cameras might be a better choice for you.

Autofocus: Both Have a 90% Hybrid PDAF System, With Z6II Performing Better in Low-light Conditions

Both cameras feature the Hybrid PDAF autofocus system, which has greatly improved their overall performance.

However, there is a clear difference between the Z6II and Z7II, as the former has 273 phase-detection points, whereas the latter has 493 points.

The good news is that both autofocus systems cover 90% of the frame. While the Z6II might seem modest here, it performs exceptionally well in low-light conditions.

Z6II can focus in light conditions as poor as -4.5EV, while Z7II delivers -3EV even with its f/2 lens.

But the cameras feature a low-light AF mode, improving performance in poor lighting conditions. Z6II performs better than Z7II, delivering up to -6EV, while Z7II can only focus on –4EV.

While both cameras are very good at what they do in terms of autofocus, they do tend to lag behind when compared to more modern cameras that do the same thing. 

For example, if you lose focus on your subject, you will need to manually select your target and then refocus the lens on them. 

Losing focus on the subject of your photo can happen more than a beginner photographer might think, so you will have to reset your focus for high-action scenes regularly.

Key Takeaways

In summary, the Nikon Z6II and Z7II boast a Hybrid PDAF autofocus system that covers 90% of the frame, with the Z6II having an edge in low-light conditions.

However, it’s worth noting that both cameras may struggle when refocusing on a lost subject compared to newer camera models.

Images/Videos: Z7 II for Portraits, Z6 II for Burst Photography

Factors to Consider: Type of Photography You Plan to Do

So here is a good question that you need to ask yourself any time you make a camera purchase. 

What type of photography do I plan to do? A landscape photographer will want a different camera than someone focusing on portraits or product photos. 

Determining the type of work you will primarily do will help you determine if the images and videos your chosen camera will produce will look good. 

Nikon Z7 II: Perfect for Portraits and More

For portrait photography, the Nikon Z7 II has a large full frame that gives you a much larger depth of field, a high-resolution sensor at 46.0 MP to give you room for cropping your shots, and image stabilization to reduce camera shake and give you sharper and cleaner portrait. 

Additionally, with the sensor being what it is in terms of resolution, you can print out larger portrait photos without losing all the finer details. 

It also comes with around 45.7 megapixels per frame, meaning that you can get higher resolution photos when compared to the 24.5 megapixels in the Nikon Z6 II.

If you are shooting outside on a very sunny day, then you will be happy to have the built-in electronic viewfinder, which lets the camera stabilize to reduce the camera shake.

Plus, it means that trying to read an LCD screen in the sun is a thing of the past. 

The ergonomic design of the camera means that it is comfortable to use for a long time, and it is much easier to physically change the camera’s settings with the attached buttons and knobs.

All these benefits carry over to fields like sports photography, landscape photography, and street photography, especially with the face-detection feature that catches on and focuses on the face of the person you are pointing the camera to automatically. 

As long as you can handle the fact that it is a larger and heavier camera, you will be able to carry the Nikon Z7 II anywhere!

Benefits of Nikon Z6 II: Bigger Pixels, Anti-Aliasing Filter, and Faster JPEG Shooting

The Nikon Z6 II has the same specs in terms of producing good-quality images and videos for different types of photography, but it also has some differences. 

For example, the pixels are much bigger in the Z6 II, and the addition of the anti-aliasing filter does reduce the moire in photos than can occur, at the cost of image sharpness though. 

Additionally, if you like taking your photos in bursts, the Nikon Z6 II has a faster JPEG shooting filter, and it can take up to 14 frames per second, while the Nikon Z7 II takes 10 frames per second.

So if you like to shoot a lot of photos in a very short amount of time, the Nikon Z6 II is the best camera for you. 

Capturing Great Videos with Nikon Z7 II and Z6 II

So head to head, for the most part, the photos they take are the same. However, what about video?

Sure, the Nikon Z7 II and Nikon Z6 II aren’t video cameras, but they do have the potential to shoot great videos for your needs.

These cameras boast desirable features for both still shooters and filmmakers, and it all comes back to the sensor. 

The full-frame sensors are perfect for cinematography, and they both come with a cool feature that more and more filmmakers are taking advantage of.

They come with an Eye-Detection tool that sets the cameras to find and then focus on the eyes of any person or animal (mostly dogs and cats) within the frame. 

You can even select and customize the part of the camera that the feature searches for, perfect for those who want to keep the camera and focus on the star of the film! 

This eye detection tool also comes complete for both stills and video, and they both also support Hybrid Log Gamma for immediate playback if you have an HDR display.

Finally, the built-in image stabilization is a massive benefit to filmmakers who don’t want to deal with the camera shake ruining their action scenes. 

If you want to film a chase scene or a scene where you and the actors are moving around at top speed, this is perfect for you.

You don’t need a tripod or a shoulder rig. You can just shoot and know that your movies will be shake-free.

Key Takeaways

Overall, the Nikon Z7 II is perfect for portraits and the Nikon Z6 II is better for burst photography, while both cameras offer desirable features for filmmakers such as Eye-Detection and built-in image stabilization.

Lenses: Both Share the Same Mount with 37 Available Lenses

The Nikon Z7 II and Nikon Z6 II come equipped with the same Nikon Z lens mount, so they come with the standard 37 lenses you can use on your full-frame sensor. 

Because both cameras come with sensor-based image stabilization, all of the lenses will be perfectly stabilized in the bodies of the cameras, allowing for perfect pictures without any movement.

When comparing the type and number of lenses, both cameras are practically identical to one another.

They’ve got the standard, wide angle, and telephoto zoom and prime lenses in the same numbers, but they also have lenses like superzoom and macro prime.

So if you want to go crazy with different lens types, both cameras have you covered for any type.

However, they lack some of the more specialized lenses, including the wide-angle fisheye prime lens, the perspective control prime lens, and the telephoto mirror prime lens, so if you are looking for those, you need to look for a different type of camera that offers those particular lenses.

Key Takeaways

Overall, the Nikon Z7 II and Nikon Z6 II share the same lens mount and have 37 lenses available. They lack some specialized lenses but offer a variety of options.

Connectivity: Easy connectivity on Z7 II and Z6 II

Once the pictures have been taken and the film has been filmed, getting the film off of the camera and into a compatible device can either be a headache or a straightforward process (as many photographers have learned). 

But with the Nikon Z7 II and Nikon Z6 II, the connectivity is very easy, and you can connect with just one smart app.

Effortlessly Connect and Share Your Photos

The SnapBridge app allows you to make wireless connections between your camera and your smart device (such as a smartphone or tablet), and you just need to download the application.

Other apps and software from Nikon, such as Webcam Utility for live streams, NX studio for image processing, and the Nikon Image Space app for instant access and transmission to the cloud, are also compatible. 

The Magic of SnapBridge App

Another key feature of using this application is that once you take your photos, you will be able to share and upload them to email or your social media accounts from the device, just like you would share them if you were on your phone.

This application is perfect if you are the type of photographer who likes to take a few shots and then pick the perfect one and share it.

No need to download them to your computer or phone first. Instead, you can point, shoot, and share your photos with the same camera and device!

Say Goodbye to Headaches and Hello to Easy Connectivity

You can also use a standard USB-C port for both the Nikon Z7 II and Nikon Z6 II to charge the batteries and also to connect to a computer or other compatible device, perfect if you prefer a wired connection.

You can make the connection both wirelessly over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for both cameras, and the setup is the same as any other wireless connection. 

The device, the app is on, and the camera both need to be on the same network to recognize one another, and once that is done, you connect and go!

Once you have the app installed, then you can download the pictures from the camera to your device of choice and even upload the pictures as you take them. 

Additionally, you can control the camera from your smart device and take pictures remotely, which is perfect if you want to get into a group shot or take some photos from a different angle.

Then through the app, photos can be viewed, shared, downloaded, and edited by your photo editor of choice.

Any additional firmware updates that you need to install on the cameras will also be done through this application. 

Both of these devices connect the same way, using the same app, and the features are the same as well, so there’s no comparison to be made here between the two cameras.

Whether you buy the Nikon Z7 II or the Nikon Z6 II, the connectivity will follow the same steps.

But the key thing to understand here is that the connectivity will make your life even easier as a photographer. 

You won’t need to constantly be monitoring your storage or wishing that you could share the perfect photograph the moment you take it, and it will also reduce the time spent sitting in front of your device and waiting for all the pictures you took to transfer. 

After you spend some time experiencing the quality-of-life features that the Snapbridge application can make available to you, you won’t want to go back to any other camera!

Key Takeaways

Overall, the Nikon Z7 II and Nikon Z6 II have easy connectivity with the SnapBridge app for wireless photo transfers, remote camera control, and firmware updates. Standard USB-C is also available.

Battery Life: Z7 II Outperforms Z6 II with its Bigger Battery

First and foremost, both cameras come with the latest Nikon battery, which is the EN-EL 15C. The main feature of this battery is that both cameras can be powered by your USB device. 

At the same time, you use them, so if you want to create a timelapse scene or know that you will be near an outlet during your next big photoshoot, you know that a standard USB cable is enough to power your camera. 

Power Management and Charging

The Nikon Z6 II comes with the ability to manage its power on the fly. When it detects you aren’t using it, it will sleep, and when you start to interact with the camera, it will wake up.

Perfect for taking a few shots and then moving to a new location for a while because the battery will only be used when the camera is in use. 

The Nikon Z6 II also comes with an MH-25 A external charger, so if you are having a shoot day and need to recharge, the charger can charge a second battery and swap both out mid-shoot.

You can even use the MB-N11 power battery grip that will not only increase the battery performance but will also give you a 1.9 increase in the life of your battery.

Plus, the grip also gives you access to vertical shooting controls and is compatible with both cameras.

Battery Grip Features

You get access to a vertical shooting button and a few extra controls that allow you to take advantage of the extra height and weight on the camera.

Including main and sub-command dials, a sub-selector button, an AF-ON button, and FN buttons, to name a few things that the MB-N11 power battery grip will add to the camera when you snap it on.

Additionally, the batteries in the MB-N11 power battery grip are hot-swappable, so when one battery dies, your camera will seamlessly swap towards the other.

Finally, you can also charge the batteries for the grip with a USB connection (so the grip/camera can still be used while it is plugged in and charging). 

There is also an optional EH-7P Charging AC Adapter that you can purchase, so the batteries can be charged in the unit whether or not it is attached to the camera.

If you buy this power grip and keep on top of it, you probably won’t need to worry about batteries again!

Video Performance

Where the Nikon Z6 II falters in terms of battery is when you are taking video because it has a limit of about 30 minutes of recorded footage before it stops. 

This limit can change based on the size of the media you are storing, your memory card, the camera settings, and the power and temperature your Z6 II is running when you film. 

But even with all these factors and the features the Z6 II has, it isn’t the best video camera unless you are willing to make some adjustments.

You might get a longer charge time out of the video feature with the aid of a power grip, and some additional memory cards can help with the 30-minute time limit, but it will still fall behind when compared to the Nikon Z7 II. It just doesn’t have as good of a battery life.

For the Nikon Z7 II, the real advantage that you get in terms of battery life comes with the number of shots you take. 

The Nikon Z7 II has a much longer battery life because it can shoot 420 shots with the LCD and 360 shots through the viewfinder while on a full battery. 

The Nikon Z6 II comes with the ability to shoot 410 shots with the LCD and 340 shots with the viewfinder, so it comes in a little lower. 

While you will get lower FPS in terms of burst shots, as the Nikon Z7 II has a 10 FPS compared to the Nikon Z6 II’s 14 FPS, the Z7 II can last longer and store more shots on a full battery. 

So it is the traditional battle of speed vs. longevity with these two cameras, and every photographer will need to consider these when deciding what camera to use.

For the video, the Nikon Z7 II edges out the competitor by a wide margin, able to shoot a video for around 105 minutes on a full battery. 

It is also compatible with the MB-N11 power battery grip, which also gives it an increase in battery life as well as vertical control access. 

Again, the video time is dependent on quite a lot of factors, but even with that taken into consideration, you should go for the Nikon Z7 II if you plan to be making a lot of handheld films.

Especially with the hot swapping feature of the power grip, because as the batteries swap back and forth, you will get even more video time out of the Nikon Z7 II. More time and more power are always good things in a camera.

Even if you do not plan to take a lot of shots during a photo shoot, you don’t want to worry about running out of battery while your creative muse is speaking to you. 

Key Takeaways

All in all, for battery life, you should go for the Nikon Z7 II because, in this case, the bigger battery is much better.

Price: Z7 II is Pricier Than Z6 II

The Nikon Z7 II and Nikon Z6 II are not disposable cameras, they’ve got many features that will be perfect for both beginner and pro filmmakers, and because of that, they demand quite a high price when compared to traditional cameras!

The Nikon Z6 II is typically priced at around $1,500 to $2,500, although the price will vary depending on your retailer. However, the Nikon Z7 II goes between $2,500-$4,000 at retail.

Again, the price for both cameras will vary based on sales and other factors, but the Nikon Z6 II is going to be a lot cheaper almost any way you look at the price. 

Price Comparison: Nikon Z6 II vs Z7 II

Even if you are a beginner to the world of photography and filmmaking, if you can spend the money, one of these cameras will be a lifelong investment that will grow with you as a photographer and help you embrace the craft. 

You might keep the camera after several long years of being a practicing photographer and still be learning some brand new things about how to use your Nikon Z6 II or Nikon Z7 II.

So, if you are on a budget but still want a very professional camera loaded to the brim with some amazing features, you should purchase the Nikon Z6 II. 

If you have the money to splurge, then get the Nikon Z7 II, but don’t feel bad if you can’t.

Aside from a few upgrades and longer battery life, there aren’t many differences between the cameras and you can still take stunning pictures and video with the Nikon Z6 II.

If you’re serious about your photography, you’ll want to upgrade your equipment every five to seven years. How does that affect your investment in either one of these cameras? 

Given both cameras were released in 2020, is there a way to predict how much they could be worth from 2025 through 2027?

We’ll look at previous Nikon models and see how they fare in market value.

The Nikon D7200, a 24mp DSLR camera, was released back in 2016, almost seven years after, used models are selling for as much as $500 and $600 on eBay and other online marketplaces. 

Next year’s model, the Nikon D7500, a 20.9 mp DSLR camera, is selling at around $700 online. Five years later, the Nikon D850, a much more stout model, is selling for around $1,500 to $,2000. 

Market Value of Nikon Cameras

Considering how both the Nikon Z6 II and Z7II models are even more advanced than the previous examples, I wouldn’t be surprised if you could sell any of the models at $1,400 to over $2,000 once their prime is over. 

Considering they’re not the latest model Nikon has released, this feels like a great investment, especially in the long run if the price is what’s scaring you.

Key Takeaways

Which Camera Is The Best For Different Types Of Photographers?

Of course, there are hundreds of different niches and photography fields worldwide, and one camera doesn’t fit all. 

So here are a few professions where both cameras have their differences and where you might choose to get one camera over the other because it will be much better for your field. 

Why the Z6 II is Perfect for Event Photography

If you take some pictures of weddings and other events where people are involved, you will want to go towards the Nikon Z6 II. 

The sharpness when taking larger images is notable, and of course, the excellent low-lighting conditions mean that you can capture an image no matter how the light conditions are in the space. 

This is essential in wedding receptions and indoor venues as the lighting is always different.

Additionally, while you do have a lower pixel count when compared to the Nikon Z7 II, the pixels are going to be bigger, and you will get more detail.

Plus, the image resolution and quality will remain the same no matter what size you print the image in. 

This means whether you print a wallet-sized or wall-sized photo, the image will still look pretty good without the drop in pixel quality that changing the sizes of images normally gets you.

The eye detection software in the Nikon Z6 II also makes locking onto the faces of your subjects even easier than you might think when it comes to getting the perfect portrait picture or group shot. 

While you might still need to encourage the people to smile more and open their eyes while you snap the photos, the camera will be doing the focusing for you, which will make the task a lot easier. Plus, it puts the photo’s focus on the people where it belongs.

Why the Z7 II is the Perfect Camera for Landscape and Cityscape Photography

If you like to take wide photos of sprawling cityscapes and wide landscape scenes, then you will need the Nikon Z7 II.

While it can’t match the Z6 in terms of low light and color rendition, it does extremely well at everything else. 

This is because it has no anti-aliasing feature, meaning that the images you do take are much sharper when compared to other images.

With the high sensor resolution, you will be on track to get some very high-resolution shots without any major issues, but you need to make sure you are doing some other things first.

You need to ensure that your camera is on a stable tripod or flat surface, your focus is perfect, and the shutter speed is fast enough to stop motion blur from occurring.

If you line up your settings just right, you will be able to get some amazing shots of landscapes.

Learning all of these settings can take a while and can be a slight pain, but once you figure everything out, then your landscape shots will leave those who view them breathless!

Nikon Z6 II for Action Shots

If you want to take action shots, then the Nikon Z6 II is better than the Nikon Z7 II, but it is not a camera specifically designed for action shots. 

Still, the continuous autofocus for tracking movement, the low light ISO for fast shutter speed, image stabilization, and a built-in electronic viewfinder allow the camera to be stable even if the movement isn’t. 

Plus, the Nikon Z6 II has an anti-flicker feature that can reduce the effect of flickering lights, which is perfect if you are taking a few shots in a stadium or another area with these lighting effects. 

Again, the biggest problem with these cameras regarding action photography is the weight and the bulk.

Even though the cameras are designed to be ergonomic and easy to use for a long period, holding and attempting to maneuver a 705-gram or one-pound camera is difficult, especially if you are moving the camera and performing just as much action as your actors are during the action scene.  

Nikon Z6 II vs Nikon Z7 II: Z6 II Wins

Overall, the winner of the head-to-head battle between the Nikon Z6 II vs. the Nikon Z7 II is the Nikon Z6 II.

It is cheaper, has a much higher pixel count, and is perfect for producing photos in low light.

Whether you are a beginner or a professional photographer, the Nikon Z6 II camera will allow you to get the perfect shot.

If either one of these cameras is perfect for you and your photography needs, you can purchase both on Amazon and get out into the world to start taking your photos!