Z6vs ZV-E1

GearFrame · Updated March 2026

Nikon Z6 (2018) Starting from £749 new Best for Travel, portrait, video View Z6

Sony ZV-E1 (2023) Starting from £1999 new Best for Video creators, vloggers & filmmakers View ZV-E1

GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?

Travel, Portrait, Video — Z6 (2018): Nikon's proof of concept — and a genuinely excellent camera.

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.

↓ Full specifications below

Who should buy what

Z6 (2018)

Nikon DSLR users making their first move to mirrorless
Photographers who want full-frame Nikon glass on a budget

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 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the z6 is the most affordable; only the z6 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.

Full specifications

Specification	Z6 (2018)	ZV-E1 (2023)
Price	£749	£1,999
Sensor	Full-frame BSI CMOS 35mm	12.1MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS Exmor R
Resolution	24.5MP	12.1MP
Video	4K 30fps (full-width), 1080p 120fps	4K/60p (S-Cinetone, S-Log3), 4K/120p, 1080p/240p
Autofocus	273-point phase-detect hybrid AF	Real-time Tracking AF with subject recognition
Stabilisation	5-axis IBIS, 5.0 stops	IBIS — Active Mode for video
Burst Rate	12fps	10fps
Battery Life	310 shots (CIPA)	~570 shots (CIPA) / ~105 min video
Weight	585g (body only)	483g (with battery)
Dimensions	134.0 × 100.5 × 67.5mm	121.4 × 71.6 × 54.3mm
Weather Sealed	Yes	No
Viewfinder	EVF 0.80× 3.69M-dot	None — screen only
Screen	3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.1M-dot	3.0" fully articulating touchscreen
Mount	Nikon Z-Mount	Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount)
Memory Cards	Single XQD / CFexpress Type B	Single CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II
Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, USB-C 3.1, HDMI	USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm mic, Multi-Interface Shoe

Suitability by genre

Genre	Z6	ZV-E1
Vlogging & Video	—	9.0
Low Light	—	9.0
Travel	—	9.0
Street	—	7.0
Portrait	—	7.0
Landscape	—	4.0

⚡ Compare specs side by side Z6 prices → ZV-E1 prices →

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Camera family history