Nikon Z6 DxOMark Review: “One of the best-performing full-frame 24MP BSI-CMOS sensors”

DxOMark has published the Nikon Z6 sensor review and test results: The Nikon Z6 24.5 BSI-CMOS sensor achieves an overall DxOMark score of 95 points (just 1 point behind the Sony a7 III), making it one of the best-performing full-frame 24MP BSI-CMOS sensors.

Image quality compared

At base ISO, the Nikon Z6’s color discrimination and dynamic range is on par with the best 24 MP full-frame sensors, such as the mirrorless Sony A7 III and the company’s own D750 and D610 DSLRs. As for the second and third generation of higher-resolution full-frame sensors such as those found in the Nikon D810 and the Pentax K1, as well as in the Nikon D850 and the Sony A7R III, the Z6 falls a little behind in the rankings, but that’s mainly due to the wider performance range stemming from those sensors’ lower base ISOs.

Conclusion from DxOMark:

With the introduction of the mirrorless Z6, Nikon has adopted one of the best-performing full-frame 24 MP BSI-CMOS sensors. At base ISO, it has very good color and a wide dynamic range; additionally, the sensor has outstanding dynamic range at mid-ISO settings, and has particularly good low-light performance at high ISOs.

Even though it performs exceptionally well in our tests, the Z 6 is still only slightly ahead of the sensor in the 2014 Nikon D750. Nevertheless, while we can’t gauge the impact of its 273 on-chip phase-detection points, it also performs at a similarly high level to its closest rival, the Sony A7 III, sharing many similarities in performance (albeit with some subtle differences).

With its particular balance of performance characteristics at different ISOs, the Nikon Z6 sensor will be a more appealing choice for a wide range of photographic applications than many previous, more conventional 20-24 MP sensors.

Nikon Z6: $1,996.95 at AmazonB&HAdorama.

$100 off on Nikon Z6 with FTZ Mount Adapter Kit: $2,146.90 at AmazonB&HAdorama.

Read more: Best XQD Memory Cards for Nikon Z6.

You can read the full review at DxOMark.