Nikon D5600 vs Nikon Z6

Cameras
Compare Cameras
Nikon D5600 vs Nikon Z6

APS-C 366.6mm²
24.2 megapixels
ISO 100 - 25,600

Go in depth with our full Nikon D5600 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon D5600 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the D5600.
Compare Nikon D5600 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon D5600 conclusion.

35mm 858.0mm²
24.5 megapixels
ISO 100 - 51,200

Go in depth with our full Nikon Z6 Review.
How does it shoot? Nikon Z6 in the real world.
See real-world photos taken with the Z6.
Compare Nikon Z6 image quality against competitors.
What’s the bottom line? Read our Nikon Z6 conclusion.

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Differences

Nikon D5600 advantages over Nikon Z6

Less expensive
$897 vs $1899
Save money for lenses or accessories
Tilt-swivel screen
Tilt-swivel vs tilt-only
Tilt and swivel the screen for maximum shooting flexibility
Fast startup
~0.20 vs 1.5 sec
Faster startup lets you catch the moment
NFC
Yes vs No
Simplifies pairing your camera with supported phones
Longer stills battery life
More info

Longer stills battery life

Cameras with longer battery life can take more photos before exhausting their batteries.

Special note: The measurement standard for battery life stipulates that if a camera has an internal flash, it must be used for 50% of photos taken. For this reason, comparisons of one camera with an internal flash to another without will not be comparable

970 vs 380 shots
Capture more photos
More telephoto lens reach
83 mm vs 70 mm
Capture objects farther away with the kit lens
Internal flash
Internal flash vs None
Useful in a pinch for fill flash
Lighter weight
670g vs 1175g
Lighter weight
Less shutter lag
0.11 vs 0.20 sec
Focus and take a photo quickly (wide angle)
Lacks anti-aliasing filter
No Filter vs Filter
Enjoy sharper photos
Bigger JPEG buffer
100 vs 47 shots
Take more JPEG shots before waiting (burst mode)

Nikon Z6 advantages over Nikon D5600

Focus peaking
Peaker vs Non-peaker
Your camera will highlight what's in focus
Larger sensor
35mm vs APS-C
More sensor area. Bigger is (generally) better.
In-Camera Image Stabilization
Yes vs No
Reduces the effects of camera shake at slower shutter speeds
Bigger pixels
~ 5.94 vs 3.92 microns
Better low-light and dynamic range (all else equal)
Shoot 4K video
4K (UHD) vs 1080p
Make sure you have a fast computer
Higher effective ISO

Higher effective ISO

Maximum effective ISO is an estimate of the highest sensitivity at which a camera can capture excellent quality photos.

Cameras with higher effective ISO will be better choices for indoor photography, night shooting, and indoor sports photography, especially if you intend to make large prints.

You can learn more at our glossary entry.

Maximum effective ISO test data courtesy of DxO Mark.
Z6 test data on DxO Mark D5600 test data on DxO Mark

3,299 vs 1,306 iso
Take photos in low light with less noise
On-sensor phase detect
Yes vs No
Usually improves live view and video AF performance
Top deck display
Yes vs No
Check settings with a screen on top of the camera
More dots on screen
2100k vs 1037k dots
Can mean greater resolution or a brighter screen
More viewfinder magnification
0.80x vs 0.55x
Get a bigger view of the scene through the eye-level viewfinder
Headphone jack
Yes vs No
Monitor audio recording while you shoot video
Has anti-aliasing filter
Filter vs No Filter
Reduces unsightly moiré in photos
Wider angle kit lens
24 mm vs 27 mm
Capture more of the scene with the included lens
Faster JPEG shooting
12.0 fps vs 5.1 fps
Faster JPEG shooting (burst mode)
Faster RAW shooting
12.0 fps vs 4.1 fps
Faster RAW shooting in burst mode
Bigger RAW buffer
35 vs 8 shots
Larger buffer for RAW shots (burst mode)
Slow-motion videos
Yes vs No
Shoot slow-motion videos
Faster shutter
1/8000 vs 1/4000 sec
Shoot wide open in bright light
Higher extended ISO
204800 vs 25600 ISO
Higher extended ISO can give more low-light flexibility

Similarities

Common Strengths

Eye-level viewfinder
Both provide
You'll be able to frame photos even when the sun is out
Touchscreen
Both provide
Interact with your camera just like your smartphone
Built-in Wi-Fi
Both provide
Share your photos wirelessly
Built-in Bluetooth
Both provide
Always-on wireless connectivity
External Mic Jack
Both provide
Improved sound fidelity when shooting video
HDMI out
Both provide
Use HDMI output to monitor or review video
Hot shoe
Both provide
Off-camera flashes open new possibilities
Bulb shutter
Both provide
Hold the shutter open manually for long exposures

Common Weaknesses

In-camera panoramas
Neither provide
Stitches multiple shots into a panoramic photo
Built-in GPS
Neither provide
Geotag your photos
Dual card slots
Neither provide
Gives you more storage flexibility

User reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read D5600 User Reviews

Amazon
Adorama
Read Z6 User Reviews

Buy From

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon D5600

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 18-140mm lens
Kit with 18-55mm and 70-300mm lenses
Kit with 18-55mm lens

All D5600 Deals

Your purchases support this site

Buy the Nikon Z6

Body Only

Body Only
Kit with 24-70mm f/4 S lens
Kit with 24-70mm lens and FTZ adapter

Review Excerpt

Compact camera body; Very good touchscreen display; Excellent image quality for its class; Good overall performance.
Not many improvements compared to its predecessor, with some downgrades; No 4K video recording.
Read our Nikon D5600 Review

Great image quality; Terrific high ISO performance; Fast AF speeds; Eye AF; Swift 12fps burst shooting; In-body image stabilization; High-quality 4K video; Robust build quality; Familiar Nikon design.
Single XQD card slot; Default high ISO NR a bit strong; No 4K 60p; 1/200s x-sync speed; Limited native lens selection (at this time).
Read our Nikon Z6 Review

The Competition

Compared to Pentax KP

Nikon D5600

Pentax KP

$1065
APS-C

Tilt-swivel screen
Touchscreen

$999
APS-C

Focus peaking
In-Camera Image Stabilization

Compare Nikon D5600 vs Pentax KP

Nikon Z6

Pentax KP

$1797
35mm

Larger sensor
Bigger pixels

$999
APS-C

Less expensive
High resolution composite

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Pentax KP

Compared to Canon T7i

Nikon D5600

Canon T7i

$1065
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$700
APS-C

On-sensor phase detect
More cross-type AF points

Compare Nikon D5600 vs Canon T7i

Nikon Z6

Canon T7i

$1797
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$700
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Canon T7i

Compared to Canon SL2

Nikon D5600

Canon SL2

$1065
APS-C

Larger sensor
Fast startup

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
On-sensor phase detect

Compare Nikon D5600 vs Canon SL2

Nikon Z6

Canon SL2

$1797
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

$549
APS-C

Less expensive
Tilt-swivel screen

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Canon SL2

Compared to Sony A7 III

Nikon D5600

Sony A7 III

$1065
APS-C

Lens selection
Less expensive

$1665
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D5600 vs Sony A7 III

Nikon Z6

Sony A7 III

$1797
35mm

Top deck display
More dots on screen

$1665
35mm

NFC
Higher effective ISO

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Sony A7 III

Compared to Canon EOS R

Nikon D5600

Canon EOS R

$1065
APS-C

Less expensive
Fast startup

$1583
35mm

Focus peaking
Larger sensor

Compare Nikon D5600 vs Canon EOS R

Nikon Z6

Canon EOS R

$1797
35mm

Less expensive
In-Camera Image Stabilization

$1583
35mm

Tilt-swivel screen
More telephoto lens reach

Compare Nikon Z6 vs Canon EOS R

Compare Other Cameras?