Nikon D6 Digital Camera

Type

Type

Single-lens reflex digital camera

Lens mount

Nikon F mount (with AF coupling and AF contacts)

Effective angle of view

Nikon FX format

Effective pixels

Effective pixels

20.8 million

Image sensor

Type

35.9 × 23.9 mm CMOS sensor

Total pixels

21.33 million

Dust-reduction system

Image sensor cleaning, Image Dust Off reference data (requires NX Studio)

Storage

Image size (pixels)

  • [FX (36 × 24)] selected for image area:

    • 5568 × 3712 (Large: 20.7 M)

    • 4176 × 2784 (Medium: 11.6 M)

    • 2784 × 1856 (Small: 5.2 M)

  • [1.2 × (30 × 20)] selected for image area:

    • 4640 × 3088 (Large: 14.3 M)

    • 3472 × 2312 (Medium: 8.0 M)

    • 2320 × 1544 (Small: 3.6 M)

  • [DX (24 × 16)] selected for image area:

    • 3648 × 2432 (Large: 8.9 M)

    • 2736 × 1824 (Medium: 5.0 M)

    • 1824 × 1216 (Small: 2.2 M)

  • [5:4 (30 × 24)] selected for image area:

    • 4640 × 3712 (Large: 17.2 M)

    • 3472 × 2784 (Medium: 9.7 M)

    • 2320 × 1856 (Small: 4.3 M)

  • [1:1 (24 × 24)] selected for image area:

    • 3712 × 3712 (Large: 13.8 M)

    • 2784 × 2784 (Medium: 7.8 M)

    • 1856 × 1856 (Small: 3.4 M)

  • [16:9 (36 × 20)] selected for image area:

    • 5568 × 3128 (Large: 17.4 M)

    • 4176 × 2344 (Medium: 9.8 M)

    • 2784 × 1560 (Small: 4.3 M)

  • Photographs taken while filming movies at a frame size of 3840 × 2160: 3840 × 2160

  • Photographs taken while filming movies at a frame size of 1920 × 1080: 1920 × 1080

  • Photographs taken while filming movies at a frame size of 1280 × 720: 1280 × 720

File format (image quality)

  • 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

Media

CFexpress (Type B) and XQD memory cards

Double card slots

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

Viewfinder

Eye-level pentaprism single-lens reflex viewfinder

Frame coverage

  • FX: Approx. 100% horizontal and 100% vertical

  • 1.2×: 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. 0.72× (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–+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

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

Lens

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 × 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

Speed

1/8000–30 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

Release mode

S (single frame),

Cl
(continuous low speed),

Ch
(continuous high speed), Q (quiet shutter-release), E (self-timer),
Mup
(mirror up)

Approximate frame advance rate

  • Cl
    : 1–10 fps

  • Ch
    : 10–14 fps
  • Q: 1–5 fps

Self-timer

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

Exposure

Metering system

  • Viewfinder photography: TTL exposure metering using RGB sensor with approximately 180K (180,000) pixels

  • Live view: TTL exposure metering performed by image sensor

Metering mode

  • 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

Range *

  • Matrix or center-weighted metering: −3–+20 EV

  • Spot metering: 2–20 EV

  • Highlight-weighted metering: 0–20 EV

  • Figures are for ISO 100 and f/1.4 lens at 20 °C/68 °F

Exposure meter coupling

Combined CPU and AI

Mode

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

Exposure compensation

–5 – +5 EV; −3 – +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 (Recommended Exposure Index)

ISO 100–102400 (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

Type

  • 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 – +20 EV (ISO 100, 20 °C/68 °F)

Lens servo

  • Autofocus (AF): Single-servo AF (AF-S); continuous-servo AF (AF-C, viewfinder photography only; 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

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 mode

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

Flash compensation

–3 – +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 (CLS)

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

White balance

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

Bracketing

Bracketing

Exposure and/or flash, white balance, and ADL

Live view

Mode

C (photo live view), 1 (movie live view)

Movie

Metering system

TTL metering using camera image sensor

Metering mode

Matrix, center-weighted, or highlight-weighted

Frame size (pixels) and frame rate

  • 3840 × 2160 (4K UHD): 30p (progressive), 25p, 24p

  • 1920 × 1080: 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p

  • 1280 × 720: 60p, 50p

  • 1920 × 1080 crop: 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p

  • Actual frame rates for 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, and 24p are 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, and 23.976 fps respectively

  • Quality selection available at all sizes except 3840 × 2160, when quality is fixed at c (high)

File format

MOV, MP4

Video compression

H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding

Audio recording format

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

Audio recording device

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

ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index)

  • 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

Active D‑Lighting

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

Other options

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

Monitor

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

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

Interface

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)

Ten-pin remote terminal

Built-in (can be used with MC-30A/MC-36A remote cords and other optional accessories)

Ethernet

RJ-45 connector

  • Standards: IEEE 802.3ab (1000BASE-T)/IEEE 802.3u (100BASE-TX)/IEEE 802.3 (10BASE-T)

  • Data rates *: 10/100/1000 Mbps with auto detect

  • Port: 1000BASE-T/100BASE-TX/10BASE-T (AUTO-MDIX)

  • Maximum logical data rates according to IEEE standard; actual rates may differ.

Peripheral connector

For WT-6

Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth

Wi‑Fi

  • Standards:

    • IEEE 802.11b/g/n (Africa, Asia, and Oceania)

    • IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac (Europe, U.S.A., Canada, Mexico)

    • IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a (other countries in the Americas)

  • Operating frequency:

    • 2412–2462 MHz (channel 11; Africa, Asia, and Oceania)

    • 2412–2462 MHz (channel 11) and 5180–5825 MHz (U.S.A., Canada, Mexico)

    • 2412–2462 MHz (channel 11) and 5180–5805 MHz (other countries in the Americas)

    • 2412–2462 MHz (channel 11) and 5745–5805 MHz (Georgia)

    • 2412–2462 MHz (channel 11) and 5180–5320 MHz (other European countries)

  • Maximum output power (EIRP):

    • 2.4 GHz band: 6.8 dBm

    • 5 GHz band: 6.3 dBm (Georgia)

    • 5 GHz band: 9.3 dBm (other countries)

  • Authentication: Open system, WPA2-PSK

Bluetooth

  • Communication protocols: Bluetooth Specification Version 4.2

  • Operating frequency:

    • Bluetooth: 2402–2480 MHz

    • Bluetooth Low Energy: 2402–2480 MHz

  • Maximum output power (EIRP):

    • Bluetooth: 1.3 dBm

    • Bluetooth Low Energy: −0.2 dBm

Range (line of sight)

Approximately 10 m (32 ft) *

  • Without interference. Range may vary with signal strength and presence or absence of obstacles.

Location data

Supported GNS systems

GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), QZSS (Japan)

Data acquired

Latitude, longitude, altitude, UTC (Universal Coordinated Time)

Clock synchronization

Camera clock can be set to time acquired via GNSS

Track logs

NMEA-compliant

Log interval

15 s, 30 s, 1 min., 2 min., 5 min.

Maximum log recording time

6, 12, or 24 hours

Log deletion

Supported

Power source

Battery

One EN‑EL18c rechargeable Li-ion battery *

  • EN‑EL18b/EN‑EL18a/EN‑EL18 batteries can also be used. Note, however, that fewer pictures can be taken on a single charge with an EN-EL18 than with an EN‑EL18c/EN-EL18b/EN-EL18a.

AC adapter

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

Tripod socket

Tripod socket

0.635 cm (1/4 in., ISO 1222)

Dimensions/weight

Dimensions (W× H × D)

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

Weight

Approx. 1450 g (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–40 °C (+32 °F–104 °F)

Humidity

85% or less (no condensation)

  • Unless otherwise stated, all measurements are performed in conformity with Camera and Imaging Products Association (CIPA) standards or guidelines.

  • All figures are for a camera with a fully-charged battery.

  • The sample images displayed on the camera and the images and illustrations in the manuals are for expository purposes only.

  • Nikon reserves the right to change the appearance and specifications of the hardware and software described in this manual at any time and without prior notice. Nikon will not be held liable for damages that may result from any mistakes that this manual may contain.

MH-26a Battery Charger

Rated input

AC 100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz

Rated output

DC 12.6 V/1.2 A

Supported batteries

Nikon EN‑EL18c/EN‑EL18b/EN‑EL18a/EN‑EL18 rechargeable Li-ion batteries

Charging time per battery

Approx. 2 hours and 35 minutes

  • Time required to charge battery at an ambient temperature of 25 °C (77 °F) when no charge remains

Operating temperature

0 °C–40 °C (+32 °F–104 °F)

Dimensions (W× H × D)

Approx. 160 × 85 × 50.5 mm (6.3 × 3.3 × 2 in.)

Length of power cable

Approx. 1.8 m/6 ft (U.S.A. and Canada) or 1.5 m/4.9 ft (other countries)

Weight

Approx. 285 g (10.1 oz), including two contact protectors but excluding power cable; approx. 265 g (9.3 oz), excluding both contact protectors and power cable

  • The symbols on this product represent the following:

  • m AC, p DC, q Class II equipment (the construction of the product is double-insulated)

EN‑EL18c Rechargeable Li-ion Battery

Type

Rechargeable lithium-ion battery

Rated capacity

10.8 V/2500 mAh

Operating temperature

0 °C–40 °C (+32 °F–104 °F)

Dimensions (W× H × D)

Approx. 56.5 × 27 × 82.5 mm (2.2 × 1.1 × 3.2 in.)

Weight

Approx. 160 g (5.6 oz), excluding terminal cover

Calibrating Batteries

The MH-26a battery charger can detect whether batteries require calibration and calibrate them as necessary to ensure the accuracy of the battery level display. Calibration status and progress are shown by lamps on the battery charger:

1

Chamber lamps (green)

2

Charge lamps (green)

3

Calibration lamps (yellow)

4

Calibration buttons

If the calibration lamp for the current battery chamber flashes when a battery is inserted, the battery needs to be calibrated.

To begin calibration, press the calibration button for the current chamber for about a second. The chamber lamp for the current battery chamber flashes while calibration is in progress.

The display can be read as follows:

Approximate time needed to recalibrate battery

Under 2 hours

2–4 hours

4–6 hours

Over 6 hours

Charge lamps (green)

2h

I (off)

K (on)

K (on)

K (on)

4h

I (off)

I (off)

K (on)

K (on)

6h

I (off)

I (off)

I (off)

K (on)

Calibration (CAL ON) lamp (yellow): L/R

K (on)

K (on)

K (on)

K (on)

Although calibration is recommended for accurate measurement of battery charge state, calibration need not be performed when the calibration lamp flashes. Once begun, calibration can be interrupted as desired.

  • If the calibration button is not pressed while the calibration lamp is flashing, normal charging will begin after about ten seconds.

  • To interrupt calibration, press the calibration button again. Calibration will end and charging will begin.

When calibration is complete, the calibration and charge lamps will turn off and charging will begin immediately.

Warning Indicators
  • If the “L” and “R” chamber and calibration lamps flash on and off in sequence when no battery is inserted…
    …there is a problem with the charger. Unplug the charger and consult a Nikon-authorized service representative.

  • If the “L” and “R” chamber and calibration lamps flash on and off in sequence when a battery is inserted…
    …a problem has occurred with the battery or charger during charging. Remove the battery, unplug the charger, and consult a Nikon-authorized service representative.

Charging and Calibrating Two Batteries

If batteries are inserted in both chambers, they will be charged in the order inserted. If a calibration button is pressed when either calibration lamp is flashing, the charger will calibrate and then charge whichever of the batteries was the first to be inserted. The second battery cannot be calibrated or charged until the process is complete.

Disposing of Data Storage Devices

Please note that deleting images or formatting memory cards or other data storage devices does not completely erase the original image data. Deleted files can sometimes be recovered from discarded storage devices using commercially available software, potentially resulting in the malicious use of personal image data. Ensuring the privacy of such data is the user’s responsibility.

Before discarding a data storage device or transferring ownership to another person, erase all data using commercial deletion software, or format the device and then completely refill it with images containing no private information (for example, pictures of empty sky). Care should be taken to avoid injury when physically destroying data storage devices.

Before discarding the camera or transferring ownership to another person, you should also use the [Reset all settings] item in the camera setup menu to delete network settings and other personal information.

Supported Standards
  • DCF Version 2.0: The Design Rule for Camera File System (DCF) is a standard widely used in the digital camera industry to ensure compatibility among different makes of camera.

  • Exif version 2.31: The camera supports Exif (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras) version 2.31, a standard introduced with the goal of improving the interoperability of printers and digital cameras, making it easier to produce high-quality prints. Information stored with photographs is used for optimal color reproduction when the images are output on Exif-compliant printers. See the printer manual for details.

  • HDMI: High-Definition Multimedia Interface is a standard for multimedia interfaces used in consumer electronics and AV devices. This standard ensures that audiovisual data and control signals can be transmitted to HDMI-compliant devices via a single cable connection.