In September 2019 Nikon announced the D6 with no published specifications, but today they’ve been announced for an April 2020 release date. Do they stack up to what we were expecting? Well… sort of.

Key features

• 20.8MP FX SENSOR

• UP TO 14FPS

• 105-POINT AF

• ISO 100-102400

• GPS BUILT-IN

It has the same resolution as its predecessor, the D5, at 20.8MP but has a new EXPEED 6 processor inside. It shoots up to 14fps with the new E-type lenses and up to 10.6fps when Live View is engaged. Interestingly, the amount of autofocus points has reduced from 153 to 105, but Nikon’s reasoning for this is that now each point is cross-type and each point selectable. Nikon’s viewpoint is that this makes it a more densely packed AF system than the D5, though we’ll need to see exactly how they’re laid out to understand that one. The great news is that it can focus in darker-than-ever situations, down to -4.5EV through the viewfinder and -4EV on Live View.

No doubt its launch was specifically targeted for photographers working at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games this year, and it even includes 4K/30fps video shooting capability and now outputs to MP4.

The D6 no longer has a compact flash card slot, instead boasting XQD and CFExpress cards instead, presumably to save some space inside the camera body itself. It has Wi-Fi and bluetooth image transfer and a gigabit ethernet connection (Nikon a reporting that this is now 15% faster than the D5) and although it’s not much, the D6 weighs 1440g instead of the D5’s 1405g.

It’s shipped with the Nikkor

Nikon D6 press images to show the wide variety of high-paced sports action the D6 is designed to cover.

Full technical specifications:

Type

Single-lens reflex digital camera

Lens mount

Nikon F mount (with AF coupling and AF contacts)

Image sensor

FX, CMOS, 35.9 mm x 23.9 mm

Total pixels

21.33 million

Dust-reduction system

Image sensor cleaning, Image Dust Off reference data (Capture NX-D software required)

Effective pixels

20.8 million

Image size (pixels)

[FX (36 x 24)] selected for image area: (L)5568 x 3712 (20.7 million), (M)4176 x 2784 (11.6 million), (S)2784 x 1856 (5.2 million), [1.2 x (30 x 20)] selected for image area: (L)4640 x 3088 (14.3 million), (M)3472 x 2312 (8.0 million), (S)2320 x 1544 (3.6 million), [DX (24 x 16)] selected for image area: (L)3648 x 2432 (8.9 million), (M)2736 x 1824 (5.0 million), (S)1824 x 1216 (2.2 million), [5:4 (30 x 24)] selected for image area: (L)4640 x 3712 (17.2 million), (M)3472 x 2784 (9.7 million), (S)2320 x 1856 (4.3 million), [1:1 (24 x 24)] selected for image area: (L)3712 x 3712 (13.8 million), (M)2784 x 2784 (7.8 million), (S)1856 x 1856 (3.4 million), [16:9 (36 x 20)] selected for image area: (L)5568 x 3128 (17.4 million), (M)4176 x 2344 (9.8 million), (S)2784 x 1560 (4.3 million), Photographs taken while filming movies at a frame size of 3840 x 2160: 3840 x 2160, Photographs taken while filming movies at a frame size of 1920 x 1080: 1920 x 1080, Photographs taken while filming movies at a frame size of 1280 x 720: 1280 x 720

Storage file formats

NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit (lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed); large, medium, and small available (medium and small images are recorded at a bit depth of 12 bits using lossless compression), JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8), or basic (approx. 1:16) compression; size-priority and optimal-quality compression available, NEF (RAW)+JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats

Picture Control System

Auto, Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape, Flat, Creative Picture Controls (Dream, Morning, Pop, Sunday, Somber, Dramatic, Silence, Bleached, Melancholic, Pure, Denim, Toy, Sepia, Blue, Red, Pink, Charcoal, Graphite, Binary, Carbon); selected Picture Control can be modified; storage for custom Picture Controls

Storage media

CFexpress (Type B) and XQD memory cards

Dual card slot

2 CFexpress (Type B) cards or 2 XQD cards, The card in Slot 2 can be used for overflow or backup storage, for separate storage of NEF (RAW) and JPEG copies of photos taken at image quality settings of NEF (RAW) + JPEG, or to store separate copies of JPEG photos at different sizes and compression ratios; pictures can be copied between cards

File system

DCF 2.0, Exif 2.31

Viewfinder

Eye-level pentaprism single-lens reflex viewfinder

Frame coverage

FX: Approx. 100% horizontal and 100% vertical, 1.2x: Approx. 97% horizontal and 97% vertical, DX: Approx. 97% horizontal and 97% vertical, 5:4: Approx. 97% horizontal and 100% vertical, 1:1: Approx. 95% horizontal and 100% vertical, 16:9: Approx. 100% horizontal and 96% vertical

Magnification

Approx. 0.72x (50 mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, -1.0 m-¹)

Eyepoint

17 mm (-1.0 m-¹; from center surface of viewfinder eyepiece lens)

Diopter adjustment

-3 to +1 m-¹

Focusing screen

Type B BriteView Clear Matte Mark X screen (with AF-area brackets; framing grid can be displayed)

Reflex mirror

Quick return

Depth-of-field preview

Yes, Pressing Pv button stops lens aperture down to value selected by user (A and M modes) or by camera (P and S modes)

Lens aperture

Instant return, electronically controlled

Compatible lenses

Types G, E, and D (some restrictions apply to PC lenses), Other AF NIKKOR lenses (excluding IX NIKKOR lenses and lenses for the F3AF), AI-P NIKKOR lenses DX lenses (using [DX (24 x 16)] image area), Non-CPU AI lenses (modes A and M only). During viewfinder photography, the electronic rangefinder can be used with lenses that have a maximum aperture of f/5.6 or faster. With lenses that have a maximum aperture of f/8 or faster, the electronic rangefinder supports 15 focus points.

Shutter type

Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal-plane mechanical shutter; electronic front-curtain shutter; electronic shutter

Shutter speed

1/8000 to 30 s (choose from step sizes of 1/3, 1/2, and 1 EV, extendable to 900 s in mode M); Bulb; Time; X250

Flash sync speed

X = 1/250 s; synchronizes with shutter at 1/250 s or slower Auto FP high-speed sync supported

Release mode

S (single frame), CL (continuous low speed), CH (continuous high speed), Q (quiet shutter-release), Self-timer, MUP (mirror up)

Frame advance rate

Up to 14 fps, CL: 1 to 10 fps, CH: 10 to 14 fps, Q: 1 to 5 fps

Self-timer

2 s, 5 s, 10 s, 20 s; 1 to 9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 s

Exposure metering

Viewfinder photography: TTL exposure metering using RGB sensor with approximately 180K (180,000) pixels, Live view: TTL exposure metering performed by image sensor

Metering method

Matrix: 3D color matrix metering III (type G, E, and D lenses); color matrix metering III (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering available with non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 12 mm circle in center of frame; diameter of circle can be changed to 8, 15, or 20 mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame (non-CPU and AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8–15mm f/3.5– 4.5E ED lenses use 12-mm circle) Spot: Meters circle approximately 4 mm in diameter (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU or AF-S Fisheye NIKKOR 8–15mm f/3.5–4.5E ED lens is used) Highlight-weighted: Available with type G, E, and D lenses

Metering range (ISO 100, f/1.4 lens, 20 °C/68 °F)

Matrix or center-weighted metering: -3 to +20 EV, Spot metering: 2 to 20 EV, Highlight-weighted metering: 0 to 20 EV

Exposure meter coupling

CPU, AI

Mode

P (programmed auto with flexible program); S (shutter-priority auto); A (aperture-priority auto); M (manual)

Exposure compensation

–5 to +5EV; -3 to +3 EV when filming movies (choose from step sizes of 1/3, 1/2, and 1 EV)

Exposure lock

Luminosity locked at detected value

ISO sensitivity

ISO 100 to 102400 (choose from step sizes of 1/3, 1/2, and 1 EV); can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 EV (ISO 50 equivalent) below ISO 100 or to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 EV (ISO 3280000 equivalent) above ISO 102400; auto ISO sensitivity control available

Active D-Lighting

Can be selected from Auto, Extra high +2, Extra high +1, High, Normal, Low, and Off

Autofocus

Viewfinder photography: TTL phase-detection; 105 focus points, all of which are cross-type sensors and 15 of which support f/8; detection performed by Multi-CAM 37K autofocus sensor module; autofocus fine-tuning supported Live view: Contrast-detect AF available at all points in frame; focus point selected by camera when face detection or subject-tracking is used

Detection range

-4.5 to +20 EV (ISO 100, 20 °C/68 °F)

Lens servo

Single-servo AF (AF-S), continuous-servo AF (AF-C; predictive focus tracking activated automatically according to subject status), full-time AF (AF-F; available only during live view and movie recording), Manual focus (M): Electronic rangefinder can be used

Focus points

105 focus points (number available for selection in viewfinder photography can be chosen from 105, 27, and 15)

AF-area mode

Viewfinder photography: Single-point AF; 9-, 25-, 49-, or 105- point dynamic-area AF; 3D-tracking; group-area AF; group-area AF (C1); group-area AF (C2); auto-area AF, Live view: Face-detection AF, wide-area AF, normal-area AF, subject-tracking AF

Focus lock

Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF/AF-S) or by pressing the center of the sub-selector

Flash control

TTL flash control using RGB sensor with approximately 180K (180,000) pixels: i-TTL flash control; i-TTL balanced fill-flash for digital SLR is used with matrix, center-weighted, and highlight-weighted metering, standard i-TTL fill-flash for digital SLR with spot metering

Flash modes

Front-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, slow sync, red-eye reduction with slow sync, rear-curtain sync, off

Flash compensation

–3 to +1 EV (choose from step sizes of 1/3, 1/2 and 1 EV)

Flash-ready indicator

Lights when optional flash unit is fully charged; flashes after flash is fired at full output

Accessory shoe

ISO 518 hot-shoe with sync and data contacts and safety lock

Nikon Creative Lighting System

i-TTL flash control, radio-controlled Advanced Wireless Lighting, optical Advanced Wireless Lighting, modeling illumination, FV lock, Color Information Communication, auto FP high-speed sync, AF-assist for multi-area AF (viewfinder photography), unified flash control

Sync terminal

ISO 519 sync terminal with locking thread

White balance

Auto (3 types), natural light auto, direct sunlight, cloudy, shade, incandescent, fluorescent (7 types), flash, choose color temperature (2500 K to 10,000 K), preset manual (up to 6 values can be stored, spot white balance measurement available during live view), all with fine-tuning

White balance bracketing

Exposure and/or flash, white balance, and ADL

Live View - Modes

Photo live view, Movie live view

Movie - metering

TTL metering using camera image sensor

Movie - metering method

Matrix, center-weighted, or highlight-weighted

Movie - frame size (pixels) and frame rate

3840 x 2160 (4K UHD); 30p (progressive), 25p, 24p, 1920 x 1080; 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p, 1280 x 720: 60p, 50p, 1920 x 1080 crop: 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p¹; Actual frame rates for 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, and 24p are 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, and 23.976 fps respectively

Movie - file format

MOV, MP4

Movie - video compression

H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding

Movie - audio recording format

Linear PCM (for movies recorded in MOV format), AAC (for movies recorded in MP4 format)

Movie - audio recording device

Built-in stereo or external microphone with attenuator option; sensitivity adjustable

Movie - ISO sensitivity

Mode M: Manual selection (ISO 100 to 102400; choose from step sizes of 1/3, 1/2, and 1 EV) with additional options available equivalent to approximately 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 EV (ISO 3280000 equivalent) above ISO 102400; auto ISO sensitivity control (ISO 100 to Hi 5) available with selectable upper limit, Modes P, S, and A: Auto ISO sensitivity control (ISO 100 to Hi 5) with selectable upper limit

Movie - Active D-Lighting

Can be selected from Extra high, High, Normal, Low, and Off

Movie - Other options

Time-lapse movie recording, electronic vibration reduction, time codes

Monitor

8-cm (3.2–in.), Approx. 2359k-dot (XGA), TFT touch-sensitive LCD with 170 ° viewing angle, approximately 100% frame coverage, 11-level manual brightness adjustment, and color balance control

Playback

Full-frame and thumbnail (4, 9, or 72 images) playback with playback zoom, playback zoom cropping, movie playback, photo and/or movie slide shows, histogram display, highlights, photo information, location data display, picture rating, auto image rotation, index marking, voice memo input and playback, and IPTC information embedding and display

USB

Type C USB connector (SuperSpeed USB); connection to built-in USB port is recommended

HDMI output

Type C HDMI connector

Audio input

Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5 mm diameter; plug-in power supported)

Audio output

Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5 mm diameter)

Ethernet

RJ-45 connector Standards: IEEE 802.3ab (1000BASE-T)/IEEE 802.3u (100BASE-TX)/IEEE 802.3 (10BASE-T), Data rates²: 10/100/1000 Mbps with auto detect, Port: 1000BASE-T/100BASE-TX/10BASE-T (AUTOMDIX)

Peripheral connector

For WT-6

Wi-Fi (Wireless LAN) standards

IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac, 2412 to 2462 MHz (channel 11) and 5180 to 5320 MHz, 2.4 GHz band: 6.8 dBm 5 GHz band: 9.3 dBm, Open system, WPA2-PSK

Bluetooth standards

Bluetooth Specification Version 4.2, Bluetooth: 2402 to 2480 MHz, Bluetooth Low Energy: 2402 to 2480 MHz, Bluetooth: 1.3 dBm, Bluetooth Low Energy: -0.2 dB, Range (line of sight): Approximately 10 m (32 ft)³

Battery

One EN-EL18c rechargeable Li-ion battery⁴

AC adapter

EH-6c AC adapter; requires EP-6 power connector (available separately)

Tripod socket

1/4–in. (ISO 1222)

Dimensions (W x H x D)

Approx. 160 x 163 x 92 mm (6.3 x 6.5 x 3.7 in.)

Weight

Approx. 1450g (3 lb. 3.2 oz.), with battery and two CFexpress memory cards but without body cap and accessory shoe cover; approx. 1270 g/2 lb. 12.8 oz. (camera body only)

Operating environment - temperature

0 °C to 40 °C (+32 °F to 104 °F)

Operating environment - humidity

85% or less (no condensation)

Supplied accessories

BF-1B Body Cap, BS-3 Accessory Shoe Cover, EN-EL18c Rechargeable Li-ion Battery with Terminal Cover, MH-26a Battery Charger with Power Cable and Two Contact Protectors (shape of power cable depends on country or region of sale), HDMI/USB Cable Clip, UC-E24 USB Cable, AN-DC22 Strap