Nikon
D6
Nikon flagship sports DSLR with 14fps and the most advanced DSLR autofocus.
$6,499
Launch priceReleased Feb 2020
Nikon
Z5 IIC
Screen-first, viewfinder-free full-frame Z mount body: 24.5MP BSI sensor, EXPEED 7 AF with fish detection, 7.5-stop IBIS, 15 Scene Modes, and N-RAW video.
$1,399
Launch priceReleased Oct 2026
Z5 IIC is 6.7 years newer.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Wins
D6
Wins
Z5 IIC
1 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD6 has higher Burst (mechanical) (14 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ5 IIC has higher IBIS effectiveness (7.5 stops vs 0 stops)
- AD6 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (3580 shots vs 350 shots)
- BZ5 IIC has higher Burst (electronic) (30 fps vs 10.5 fps)
- BZ5 IIC has higher AF points / zones (273 vs 105)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareD6
160 × 163 × 92 mm
1270 g (2.80 lb / 44.80 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 × 72 mm
620 g (1.37 lb / 21.87 oz)
D6 is 26mm wider, 82mm taller, and 20mm thicker than Z5 IIC.
D6 is 650 g heavier than Z5 IIC.
Depth (front-to-back): 92mm D6 · 72mm Z5 IIC
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D6
160 × 163 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z5 IIC
134 × 81 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D6
160 × 92 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z5 IIC
134 × 72 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D6
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Z5 IIC
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D6
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z5 IIC
Nikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
D6
Burst (mechanical)
14 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.264/AVC
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 160, 163, 92
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD, CFexpress Type B / XQD
Battery life (CIPA)
3580 shots vs 350 shots — higher is better
Card slots
2 vs 1 — higher is better
ISO max (native)
102,400 vs 64,000 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z5 IIC
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -4.5 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
IBIS effectiveness
7.5 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 134, 80.7, 72
Card types
Adds SD, SDHC, SDXC
Burst (electronic)
30 fps vs 10.5 fps — higher is better
AF points / zones
273 vs 105 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓AA filter — Both support aa filter
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Touchscreen — Both support touchscreen
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D6
Pros
- ✓14fps flagship
- ✓Pro build
- ✓Best DSLR AF
- ✓Dual CFexpress
Cons
- –20MP
- –DSLR platform
- –Very expensive
Z5 IIC
Pros
- ✓Lightest full-frame Z body (620g)
- ✓15 Scene Modes — first on a Nikon FX mirrorless
- ✓EXPEED 7 AF, 10 subject types incl. fish
- ✓7.5-stop IBIS + Focus Point VR
- ✓N-RAW internal recording, UVC/UAC webcam
Cons
- –No built-in EVF — rear screen only
- –Single SD UHS-II slot
- –No mechanical shutter
- –4K 60p is DX (APS-C) crop only
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D6 and Z5 IIC at major authorized retailers.
Nikon Z5 IIC
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, D6 or Z5 IIC?
Z5 IIC scores 9.0/10 versus 3.0/10 for D6 — 30fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the D6 and Z5 IIC?
D6 is 20.8 MP and Z5 IIC is 24.5 MP, so the Z5 IIC captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D6 and Z5 IIC have in-body image stabilization?
D6 does not have IBIS, while Z5 IIC has 7.5-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D6 or the Z5 IIC?
D6 reaches 14 fps mechanical. Z5 IIC reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D6 and Z5 IIC?
D6 weighs 1270 g and Z5 IIC weighs 620 g, so the Z5 IIC is 650 g lighter.
Do the D6 and Z5 IIC record 4K video?
D6: 4K up to 30p. Z5 IIC: 4K up to 59.94p.
Are the D6 and Z5 IIC weather sealed?
D6: Yes. Z5 IIC: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 3,580 shots (CIPA) for the D6 and 350 shots for the Z5 IIC, giving the D6 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D6 launched at $6,499 and Z5 IIC at $1,399. The Z5 IIC is $5,100 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D6 vs Z5 IIC vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed September 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.