NIKONZ 6
resolution. Still, you have some control, either shooting regular 120p footage, or letting the camera export to a 4x or 5x slow-motion file. For time-lapse, there’s the option to create a full HDmovie in-camera, but if you want 4K, it’s an intervalometer and software job. Not so bad, as it’s all part of the editing process, anyway. For comparison, the Z 7 does a 4K timelapse in-camera, but this doesn’t outweigh the Z 6’s obvious advantages for video. Video AF is pretty good and the options like face tracking work well enough to allow panning and tracking shots, so you can keep the subject in focus through a range of “The Z 6 is simply a more a capable video camera all round than the Z 7. A true hybridmodel”
movements. The aforementioned update will also add eye-tracking AF, which should be a very welcome addition for close up or wide aperture work. AF tracking speed can be adjusted and the Z 6’s screen offers touch AF to pull fromone subject to another. This works fine, though of course you need a light touch to avoidmoving the camera. There’s also focus peaking in manual focus and there are some good options to tweak the colour and intensity of the peak depending how you like to work. Focus pulling via the Z series lenses is a bit of a chore because the ring is digital and, therefore, less precise.
RIGHT Focus peaking is clear and easy to use both on the monitor and via the EVF. There are plenty of options to customise it, too
BELOW The rear LCD is excellent, with the only downside being that it doesn’t swivel
In-camera stabilisation is a big addition for Nikon and the five- axis systemhere works very well. It’s a bit jerky if you’re walking the camera, but it’s better than shooting without – though nomatch for a proper gimbal or stabilised support. Other video-friendly options on the Z 6 include timecoding and highlight zebras, though I could only get the latter when focus peaking was off. Handling wise, the Z 6 is about as good as a hybrid camera can get. It’s identical in form to the Z 7, which is to say it fits very comfortably in the hand thanks to a large grip and rear thumb pad. There’s no difference in button layout and nothing sits awkwardly under your thumb as they do on some other mirrorless bodies. Layout is intuitive and very close to Nikon DSLRs, so it’s perfect as a crossover camera. The movie-rec button and switch tomovie mode sit right under the forefinger and thumb, which is perfect.
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SPRING 2019 PRO MOVIEMAKER
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