Nikon D6 vs Nikon Z7

This is a full comparison between the cameras Nikon D6 and Nikon Z7. We compare them by looking at the categories you see below.

Manufacturing

These cameras are both manufactured by Nikon.

Nikon D6 were released 2020 and Nikon Z7 was released 2018. That is a 2 years difference. In tech, this period can be of interest since technology is always improving, etc.

Camera Released
Nikon D6 2020
Nikon Z7 2018

Type of camera

Nikon D6 is a DSLR camera while Nikon Z7 is a Mirrorless camera. More information about their differences will come soon.

Sensors / crop factor

Both these cameras have the same sorts of sensor (called "Nikon FX") which means that if you compare these cameras side by side the lenses will also have the same experienced focal length. Since both cameras have a Full frame sensor there will be no crop factor.

Camera Focal length, 50mm f/1.8 **
Nikon D6 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier
Nikon Z7 50 mm
Full-frame sensor
No crop factor/focal length multiplier

** Experienced focal length when using a lens such as a common "50mm f/1.8"

Learn more about crop factor and focal length multiplier here:
Camera selection can affect the focal length (Nikon)

Resolution

Nikon D6 has a 21 MP (Megapixels) resolution while Nikon Z7 has 46 MP. If we break down this in more detail this is the data behind the numbers:

Camera Megapixels
Nikon D6 21 MP
20668416 pixels
5568 x 3712
Nikon Z7 46 MP
45441024 pixels
8256 x 5504

Nikon Z7 has a 120 % larger resolution than Nikon D6. This could give you more details in the picture but also a possibility to crop more in the pictures, afterward while editing the pictures, if needed that is.

ISO range

Nikon D6 has a larger ISO-range than Nikon Z7. Nikon D6 has an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 102400 while Nikon Z7 has 64 to 25600.

Camera ISO Range
Nikon D6 100-102400
Nikon Z7 64-25600

Autofocus and lens compatibility

Both of these cameras have a built-in autofocus motor. Some lenses, that support autofocus, do not have an autofocus motor of their own but this won't cause any problems with these two cameras.

Here is a complete overview of which lenses work with each camera:
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon D6
Lens compatibility chart for Nikon Z7

Pictures per second

Depending on what you are shooting the FPS, or frames/pictures per second, can definitely be of interest. Nikon D6 can shoot up to 14 pictures per seconds and Nikon Z7 can shoot up to 9 pictures per seconds.

Camera FPS (Frames per second)
Nikon D6 14
Nikon Z7 9

Ability to record movies

It is becoming more and more popular to record movies with digital cameras.

In this case, both Nikon D6 and Nikon Z7 can shoot movies.

Weight

The weight of the camera can be an extremely important factor, especially if the camera is about to be used, or carried around, for several hours at a time.

Nikon D6 weighs 1270 gr (equal to 2.8 lb) which is 88% heavier than Nikon Z7 and its 675 gr (or 1.49 lb).

Camera Weight
Nikon D6 1270 gr
2.8 lb
Nikon Z7 675 gr
1.49 lb

Nikon D6 vs Nikon Z7 Specs

Below you will find the complete and detailed technical specs for both Nikon D6 and Nikon Z7, next to each other. Each category of data is a link to an article covering the subject, giving you a deeper understanding so you can better understand the strengths and weaknesses of the two camera models.

Product
Nikon D6
Nikon Z7
Name Nikon D6 Nikon Z7
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Release Date and Price
Nikon D6
Nikon Z7
Release Year 2020 2018
Release Date 2019-09-04 2018-08-23
MSRP 6499 USD 3399 USD
Buy it today
Camera Type
Nikon D6
Nikon Z7
Camera Type DSLR Mirrorless
Sensor
Nikon D6
Nikon Z7
Sensor Size Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Full Frame (approx 36 x 23.9 mm)
Also known as "FX"
Sensor Type CMOS CMOS
Resolution 5568 x 3712 pixels 8256 x 5504 pixels
Megapixels 21 MP 46 MP
Image Processor EXPEED 6 EXPEED 6
Image
Nikon D6
Nikon Z7
ISO Range 100 - 102400 64 - 25600
White Balance Presets 12 12
Custom White Balance Yes Yes
Image Stabilization No Yes
(Sensor Shift (5 axis))
Image Stabilization CIPA Rating 0 stops 5 stops
Uncompressed format RAW RAW
Optics & Focus
Nikon D6
Nikon Z7
Autofocus Motor Yes Yes
Autofocus Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Contract Detect (sensor)
Phase Detect
Multi Area
Center
Selective Single Point
Tracking
Single
Continuous
Touch
Face Detection
LiveView
Focus Points 105 493
Lens Mount Nikon F

See Compatible Lenses
Nikon Z

See Compatible Lenses
Focal Length Multiplier FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
FX (Full frame)
No multiplier
Example:
24 mm remains 24 mm
50 mm remains 50 mm
100 mm remains 100 mm
200 mm remains 200 mm
Screen & Viewfinder
Nikon D6
Nikon Z7
Articulated LCD Fixed Tilting
Screen size 3.2” 3.2”
Screen dots 2359000 2100000
Touch screen Yes Yes
Screen type TFT LCD TFT LCD
Live view Yes Yes
Viewfinder Type Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder Magnification 0.72x 0.8x
Viewfinder Resolution 0 3690000
Photography features
Nikon D6
Nikon Z7
Frames per second 14 fps 9 fps
Minimum Shutter Speed 900 seconds 30 seconds
Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000 seconds 1/8000 seconds
Built-in Flash No No
Built-in Flash Range N/A N/A
External Flash Yes Yes
Self-Timer Yes Yes
Time-lapse Yes Yes
Metering modes Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Multi
Center Weighted
Highlight Weighted
Spot
Exposure Compensation +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 1 EV steps) +/- 5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps)
Videography features
Nikon D6
Nikon Z7
Video recording Yes Yes
Video format MPEG4
H.264
MPEG4
H.264
Video resolution 1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
1920 x 1080
3840 x 2160
Built-in Microphone Yes Yes
Built-in Speakers Yes No
Storage
Nikon D6
Nikon Z7
Memory Card Compact Flash Express
XQD
XQD
Connectivity
Nikon D6
Nikon Z7
HDMI Output Yes Yes
Microphone Port Yes Yes
Headphone Port Yes Yes
Wireless Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Yes
Built-in (802.11ac + Bluetooth)
Remote Control Yes (Wired or smartphone) Yes (via MC-DC2 or smartphone)
GPS Yes
Built-in
No
Body & Dimensions
Nikon D6
Nikon Z7
Enviromentally sealed Yes Yes
Battery Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery Details EN-EL18c lithium-ion battery & charager
EN-EL15b lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery Life (CIPA) 3580 shots 330 shots
Width 160 mm 134 mm
Height 163 mm 101 mm
Depth 92 mm 68 mm
Weight 1270 gram 675 gram