Z6 IIvs ZV-E1
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
All-Round Full-Frame Photography — Z6 II (2020): The Z6 II is the Nikon most photographers should buy. It's balanced across every discipline — stills, video, autofocus, weather sealing — without overpaying for megapixels you don't need. The Z-mount glass is superb.
Video Creators, Vloggers & Filmmakers — ZV-E1 (2023): Full-frame video quality in a vlogging body — exceptional low-light performance and a genuinely compact form factor.
Who should buy what
Z6 II (2020)
- Nikon DSLR users ready to move to mirrorless
- Photographers who need a reliable all-rounder without specialising
- Video creators wanting 4K/60p in a weather-sealed body
- Enthusiasts who shoot everything from portraits to travel
ZV-E1 (2023)
- Video creators who want full-frame low-light quality in a compact body
- Vloggers stepping up from APS-C who prioritise image quality over resolution
- Filmmakers who want S-Log3 and cinematic colour in a run-and-gun package
- A7S III users who want the same sensor in a smaller, lighter body
Quick take: The z6 ii has the highest resolution at 24mp; the z6 ii is the most affordable; only the z6 ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z6 II (2020) | ZV-E1 (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,699 | £1,999 |
| Sensor | 24.5MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | 12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R |
| Resolution | 24.5MP | 12.1MP |
| Video | 4K/60p, 4K/30p (oversampled), 1080p/120p slow-motion | 4K/60p (S-Cinetone, S-Log3), 4K/120p, 1080p/240p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 273 points, Eye AF, subject tracking | Real-time Tracking AF with subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 5 stops (up to 6 stops with VR lenses) | IBIS — Active Mode for video |
| Burst Rate | 14fps mechanical, 14fps electronic (12-bit RAW) | 10fps |
| Battery Life | ~410 shots (CIPA) | ~570 shots (CIPA) / ~105 min video |
| Weight | 705g (body, battery, card) | 483g (with battery) |
| Dimensions | 134.0 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 121.4 × 71.6 × 54.3mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.80× magnification | None — screen only |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.1M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Dual card: 1× CFexpress Type B / XQD + 1× SD UHS-II | Single CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm mic, Multi-Interface Shoe |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z6 II | ZV-E1 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Travel | ||
| Video | — | |
| Street | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Low Light | — | |
| Landscape | — |
More comparisons with Z6 II
Camera family history