Nikon Launches the D6, its New Camera 




Nikkon has finally announced the details for the D6, its much anticipated flagship DSLR. Its development had been announced in September 2019. Designed primarily for professional sports and action photographers, along with photojournalists, the camera has a 20.8MP FX-format CMOS sensor, offering the same resolution as the D5, but it's now paired with a new Expeed 6 processor. It offers up to 14fps burst shooting with E-type lenses which have electromagnetically controlled diaphragms. 


The D6 is capable of shooting silently at up to 10.5fps at full resolution when it is being operated from live view. When required, photographers can also choose to shoot 30fps for 8MP files and 60fps for 2MP files. The native ISO range covers values of 100 to with an expansion range up to 3.2 million. In terms ofvideo, the D6 continues to offer 4K/30p recording, but it now comes with an option for MP4 recording and focus peaking. 


The camera's new auto focus system is possibly its most significant change. Although the total number of points has gone down from 153 to 105, now all of those points are selectable and cross-type, and each uses a triple-sensor arrangement. According to the company, this will help "achieve AF coverage that is approximately 1.6x denser than that of the D5" Fifteen central points from these Nikon are going to be f/8 compatible and therefore the center point can focus right down to -4.5EV. The rest of e points can focus down to -4EV. In addition to this, the group-area AF option that became popular with users of the D5 has evolved to support 17 custom arrangements from which users can choose according to the scene or subject movement. The company claims that the detection area for single points and groups has expanded, hence allowing one to focus even if the subject moves slightly outside the zone in use. 


Some of the other changes include the option to shoot different quality or sizes of JPEGs to different cards, a exposure time of 30 minutes, and WiFi with Bluetooth, as well as GPS capability are now built-in. Like the D5, the camera has gigabit Ethernet, but Nikon claims it can deliver 15% faster transfer speeds. Still images, including those recorded in NEF (RAW) format, and video recorded with the camera can be uploaded to smartphones using the Snap Bridge app (one needs to ensure they are using the updated version). 


The D6 is constructed of the same magnesium alloy as the D5, and a security slot that supports connection of anti- theft cables has been added to help keep cameras safe during remote operation. This will be Nikon's first professional DSLR to not offer support for Compact Flash media. Unlike the the D6 will ship with dual XQD/CF Express card slots.