Nikon Z6 Image Quality Comparison

Below are crops from our laboratory Still Life target comparing the Nikon Z6's JPEG image quality to its higher resolution sibling's, the Z7, as well as to Nikon's last 24-megapixel DSLR, the Nikon D750. We also compare the Z6 to the Canon EOS R, Panasonic S1 and Sony A7 III full-frame mirrorless cameras. Remember, you can always use our Comparometer to compare the Z6 to any camera we've tested.

NOTE: These images are from best quality JPEGs straight out of the camera, at default settings including noise reduction and using the camera's actual base ISO (not extended ISO settings). All cameras in this comparison were shot with our very sharp reference lenses. Clicking any crop will take you to a carrier page where you can click once again to access the full resolution image as delivered straight from the camera. For those interested in working with the RAW files involved: click these links to visit each camera's respective sample image thumbnail page: Nikon Z6, Nikon Z7, Nikon D750, Canon EOS R, Panasonic S1, and Sony A7 III -- links to the RAW files appear beneath those for the JPEG images, wherever we have them. And remember, you can always go to our world-renowned Comparometer to compare the Nikon Z6 to any camera we've ever tested!

Nikon Z6 vs Nikon Z7 at Base ISO

Nikon Z6 at ISO 100
Nikon Z7 at ISO 64

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.

Nikon Z6 vs Nikon D750 at Base ISO

Nikon Z6 at ISO 100
Nikon D750 at ISO 100

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.

Nikon Z6 vs Canon EOS R at Base ISO

Nikon Z6 at ISO 100
Canon EOS R at ISO 100

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.

Nikon Z6 vs Panasonic S1 at Base ISO

Nikon Z6 at ISO 100
Panasonic S1 at ISO 100

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.

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 III at Base ISO

Nikon Z6 at ISO 100
Sony A7 III at ISO 100

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.

Nikon Z6 vs Nikon Z7 at ISO 1600

Nikon Z6 at ISO 1600
Nikon Z7 at ISO 1600

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.

Nikon Z6 vs Nikon D750 at ISO 1600

Nikon Z6 at ISO 1600
Nikon D750 at ISO 1600

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.

Nikon Z6 vs Canon EOS R at ISO 1600

Nikon Z6 at ISO 1600
Canon EOS R at ISO 1600

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.

Nikon Z6 vs Panasonic S1 at ISO 1600

Nikon Z6 at ISO 1600
Panasonic S1 at ISO 1600

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".

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 III at ISO 1600

Nikon Z6 at ISO 1600
Sony A7 III at ISO 1600

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.

Nikon Z6 vs Nikon Z7 at ISO 3200

Nikon Z6 at ISO 3200
Nikon Z7 at ISO 3200

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.

Nikon Z6 vs Nikon D750 at ISO 3200

Nikon Z6 at ISO 3200
Nikon D750 at ISO 3200

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

Nikon Z6 vs Canon EOS R at ISO 3200

Nikon Z6 at ISO 3200
Canon EOS R at ISO 3200

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.

Nikon Z6 vs Panasonic S1 at ISO 3200

Nikon Z6 at ISO 3200
Panasonic S1 at ISO 3200

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.

Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 III at ISO 3200

Nikon Z6 at ISO 3200
Sony A7 III at ISO 3200

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.

Nikon Z6 vs. Nikon Z7, Nikon D750, Canon EOS R, Panasonic S1, Sony A7 III

Nikon
Z6
ISO 100
ISO 3200
ISO 6400
Nikon
Z7
ISO 64
ISO 3200
ISO 6400
Nikon
D750
ISO 100
ISO 3200
ISO 6400
Canon
EOS R
ISO 100
ISO 3200
ISO 6400
Panasonic
S1
ISO 100
ISO 3200
ISO 6400
Sony
A7 III
ISO 100
ISO 3200
ISO 6400
Detail comparison. High-contrast detail is also important, pushing the camera in different ways, so we like to look at it separately here. As you can see, apart from the resolution difference, the Z6 and Z7 are very similar. The Z6 shows a noticeable improvement in contrast and sharpness over the D750, at least at higher ISOs, but we can also see its warmer almost pinkish rendering of the white background. The higher-resolution Canon EOS R does better at base ISO, but sharpness drops off faster as ISO climbs. The Nikon Z6 and Panasonic S1 are about on par, while the Sony A7 III comes out ahead in this group across the range of ISOs except when compared to the higher-resolution Z7.

 

Nikon Z6 Print Quality Analysis

Impressive, high-quality 30 x 40-inch prints all the way up to ISO 800; Pleasing 11 x 14-inch prints at ISO 12,800; Usable 5 x 7-inch prints at ISO 51,200.

ISO 50 through 800 images are all very similar from a print quality standpoint, and make excellent prints up to a whopping 30 x 40 inches -- the largest print size we test here at IR. Much like with other 24MP full-frame cameras, we're pushing the resolving power of the sensor when printing at this size, and you can see minor pixelation if you look very closely. However, given the large, wall-sized print, you won't typically view these kinds of prints up-close, so from a normal viewing distance, the print quality is outstanding. Overall, at these lower ISOs, the Z6 produces excellent prints that are filled with fine detail and rich, vibrant colors. Even as the ISO rises to 800, the print quality remains excellent. There is a hint of noise starting to creep into the shadow areas, but overall, it's very minor, and we don't observe any significant detail loss.

ISO 1600 prints begin to display some noticeable noise and their related effects. There's a bit more noise in the shadows now, with a minor drop in fine details. However, the overall print quality is still very good, and ISO 1600 easily makes excellent, large 24 x 36-inch prints. In fact, with careful post-processing, you might be able to get away with 30 x 40-inch prints here as well.

ISO 3200 images top-out with pleasing 20 x 30-inch prints. Despite the increasing ISO, noise remains very well controlled in terms of graininess. However, there's some noticeable softness, especially if you print larger sizes at this sensitivity.

ISO 6400 prints look great up to 13 x 19 inches, though a 16 x 20-inch print would work for less critical applications or with some post-processing. Higher-contrast detail remains strong, but we can now see noise is taking its toll on finer and lower-contrast details as well as coming across stronger in the shadow areas. Colors, however, still look great.

ISO 12,800 images work very nicely up to 11 x 14-inch prints. ISO noise and graininess surprisingly look very well controlled at this print size. Noise is certainly visible, especially in the shadows, but the NR processing does a nice job at retaining detail and controlling objectionable, grainy noise.

ISO 25,600 prints almost make it to 8 x 10 inches! Things are just a bit too soft for our liking, though. Stick with 5 x 7 inches here for critical prints, however for other applications, an 8 x 10 could work.

ISO 51,200 images just pass the mark for a 5 x 7-inch print. Noise is quite strong now, and combined with NR processing, makes for grainy, soft prints at anything larger.

ISO 102,400 and ISO 204,800 are both extended ISOs for the Z6 and unfortunately are too noisy and lacking in enough fine detail for pleasing, usable prints.

In spite of its run-of-the-mill 24-megapixel resolution, the full-frame Nikon Z6 has a solid, very respectable performance when it comes to print quality. Competing closely with other similarly priced cameras, the Z6 is easily capable of impressively large 30 x 40-inch prints at ISOs up to 800. Despite the sensitivity increase, noise remains very low and fine detail remains clean and crisp. Even as the ISO rises more dramatically, the Z6 offers well-controlled noise and balanced noise reduction processing that offers a pleasing amount of detail and low noise. At ISO 12,800, you can easily print up to 11 x 14 inches, and even all the way up the native ISO range at 51,200, the Z6 can print a nice 5 x 7-inch print. However, although the Z6 offers extended ISOs all the way up to 102,400 and 204,800, both of these sensitivity levels are too noisy for our tastes, offering images that are too soft and devoid of enough detail for usable, pleasing prints.

 



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