Nikon Z6 Image Quality

Here, we've decided to compare the 24-megapixel Nikon Z6 to its higher resolution sibling, the 45-megapixel Z7. As you can see, the Z7 easily out-resolves the Z6 as expected, and its image is also slightly sharper due to the lack of an optical low-pass filter. Noise levels are a bit higher from the Z7 as well, despite its slightly lower base ISO. But otherwise, the two camera produce very similar image quality with crisp detail, visible but not too prominent sharpening halos along high-contrast edges, and bright, warm colors. Above, the Z6 actual shows stronger aliasing in the red-leaf fabric which is ironic considering it has an anti-aliasing filter while the Z7 does not, though those artifacts would change with distance, etc.

Above we compare the Z6 to Nikon's most recent 24-megapixel DSLR, the D750, to see how Nikon's default processing has changed since 2014. Immediately noticeable is the difference in how reds are rendered. The Z6 boosts them quite a bit more than the D750 does. The D750's slight yellow to green shift is gone, though the Z6 appears a little too warm and reddish overall. The Z6 also produces higher contrast and applies slightly stronger sharpening for a crisper looking image with more "pop". The D750 did noticeably better with detail in our red-leaf swatch, however some of difference is because the leaf pattern has faded somewhat since 2014, so it's difficult to compare. Both images contain some moiré patterns and other aliasing artifacts.

Here we compare the Z6 to the 30-megapixel Canon EOS R. As you can see, the EOS R does resolve slightly more detail thanks to its higher pixel count. The Nikon image is a little crisper and more contrasty, but sharpening halos are more visible as well. Interestingly, moiré patterns are more visible from the Nikon in the red-leaf fabric though the Canon shows some too, even though both cameras have anti-aliasing filters. We suspect the filter on the Nikon is a little weaker than the Canon's. Colors are more vibrant and punchy from the Nikon though generally warmer, while noise levels in flatter areas appear lower.

Above we compare the Z6 to Panasonic's new 24-megapixel full-frame S1 at base ISO. The S1 renders fine detail a little more faithfully than the Z6, although higher contrast and different tone curves give the Z6 image more pop. Colors are warmer from the Nikon, but actually a bit more accurate from the Panasonic overall. Both cameras generate visible sharpening haloes, although they are not too objectionable. Both also show similar aliasing in our red-leaf fabric, but as you can see, the Panasonic holds onto more fine detail there. Noise levels appear just slightly higher from the S1, but they are pretty close.

Although both are 24-megapixel full-frame cameras, the Sony A7 III's more sophisticated processing holds onto to more fine detail while producing a sharper, crisper image with fewer sharpening artifacts. Colors are a little more accurate overall from the Sony as well, and not as warm as from the Z6. Again, both cameras show aliasing artifacts in our red-leaf swatch but the Sony doesn't blur away as much of the fine thread pattern as the Nikon. Noise levels appear similar here at base ISO.

The Z7 continues to easily out-resolve the Z6 here at ISO 1600, however noise levels are noticeably higher from the Z7 when viewed at 100%, as expected.

The Z6's more aggressive processing produces a brighter, more contrasty image here at ISO 1600. Noise levels appear a little lower than from the D750 as well, but fine detail looks a bit more natural from the D750. Again, the Z6 blurs more fine detail in our tricky red-leaf swatch, but as mentioned it has faded some since the D750 was shot so it's difficult to say how much is from processing changes.

Here at ISO 1600, the EOS R still manages to hold onto more detail than the Z6 while producing similar noise levels, however the Nikon produces a crisper, more vibrant and contrasty image, but with more noticeable sharpening haloes as well. The Canon easily bests the Nikon in our troublesome red-leaf fabric, even though both show moiré patterns.

At ISO 1600, the S1 continues to resolve significantly more fine detail and produce a crisper image than the Z6, likely due to less heavy-handed default noise reduction. Noise levels are however higher from the Panasonic, and the noise "grain" appears a bit digital-looking compared to the Z6's more film-like luma noise "grain".

Here at ISO 1600, the Sony A7 III still comes out ahead of the Z6 with a crisper, more detailed image. Noise levels are similar, though the Sony's noise "grain" pattern isn't quite as natural-looking upon close inspection. Color continues to be warmer if not as accurate from the Nikon.

Once again, at ISO 3200 the Z7 handily out-resolves the Z6 and produces a crisper image as well, though with significantly higher noise levels.

Similar to what we saw at ISO 1600, the Z6's revised processing produces a punchier, more contrasty image than the D750, with lower noise levels and warmer colors. The D750 image appears a little soft and dingy in comparison, but fine detail looks perhaps a bit more authentic

The EOS R continues to deliver more detail here at ISO 3200, while the Z6 image is contrastier, a little crisper and more vibrant. Luminance noise is lower from the Nikon, though its sharpened "grain" pattern doesn't look quite as consistent and film-like as the Canon's.

The Panasonic S1 continues to hold into more fine detail than the Z6 here at ISO 3200, but at the expense of lower contrast and slightly higher noise levels. Colors continue to the warmer from the Z6.

Once again, the Sony A7 III comes out ahead with a sharper, more detailed image, although noise in flatter areas appears a bit higher with a less natural-looking "grain" pattern.