Nikon Z6 review: How is it for astrophotography?

尼康Z6点评：对于天体摄影来说怎么样？

If you’re looking for a highly capable mirrorless camera for astro and night sky photography, few models are better than the Z6. However, there’s always going to be an elephant in the room with any Nikon Z6 review, and that elephant is the Z6ii. Yes, the Z6 - which only launched in 2018 - has already been superseded by the Z6ii, so why are we testing and recommending the original model? Well, the answer is far from simple, but essentially it comes down to price and usage. For us, the cheaper original Z6 represents better value than the Z6ii, unless you’re using it for video and high-intensity shoots, like weddings. Simply put, we don’t feel you need to spend the extra money on the Z6ii.

如果您正在寻找一款功能强大的无镜相机，用于天文和夜空摄影，没有哪个型号比Z6更好。然而，任何尼康Z6评论的房间里都会有一头大象，而这头大象就是Z6ii。是的，Z6-仅在2018年推出-已经被Z6ii取代，那么我们为什么要测试和推荐原始型号？好吧，答案远非简单，但本质上取决于价格和使用情况。对我们来说，便宜的原版Z6比Z6ii更具价值，除非您将其用于视频和高强度拍摄，如婚礼。简单地说，我们认为您不需要在Z6ii上花费额外的钱。

We love the Z6 for a number of reasons which we’ll discuss in more detail below, but the main ones are that it has a superb backlit sensor, perfect for low light image quality, and a staggering 100-516,200 ISO range that delivers incredible clarity even in the darkest of lights. Combine this with some market-leading, in-built image stabilization and you’ve got one of the best cameras for astrophotography around. In fact, we’d say this is among the best mirrorless cameras for any use, so you’ll be able to use it for way more than astro.

我们喜欢Z6有很多原因，我们将在下面详细讨论，但主要原因是它有一个出色的背光传感器，完美的低光图像质量，以及惊人的100-516,200 ISO范围，即使在最暗的灯光下也能提供令人难以置信的清晰度。结合一些市场领先的内置图像稳定，你就拥有了一个最好的天体摄影相机。事实上，我们会说这是最好的无反相机的任何用途，所以你将能够使用它的方式比天文。

If you do, however, want to use it for astrophotography, then you may want to combine it with some of the best telescopes around to get super clear images. For beginners looking for an easy target, we recommend lunar photography - we even have a guide on how to shoot the moon, to help you get to grips with combining your equipment.

然而，如果你确实想把它用于天体摄影，那么你可能想把它与周围最好的望远镜结合起来，以获得超清晰的图像。对于寻找简单目标的初学者，我们推荐月球摄影-我们甚至有一个关于如何拍摄月球的指南，以帮助您掌握如何组合设备。

Z mount design is great for lenses and body size

Z安装设计对镜头和机身尺寸都很好

Good range of buttons

按钮种类齐全

3.2-inch adjustable touch screen is good

3.2英寸可调触摸屏不错

When Nikon finally launched its mirrorless range, the name of the game was to allow the new Z mount to improve not only the performance of the cameras, but also the feel and look. When you handle the Z6 without any lens you’ll immediately notice that it’s significantly thinner and slightly lighter than most full-frame DSLRs. That reduced depth makes it easier to handle, so if you’re holding it for prolonged periods, this is a big advantage over traditional DSLRs. Once you add a lens, however, that weight definitely comes back and, despite the fact that some Z mount lenses are surprisingly light, you’re unlikely to notice much difference in overall heft from traditional DSLRs. The overall handling for the Z6 is excellent, though, and Nikon’s traditional grip design means you get a firm hold on the camera that’s comfortable and practical, especially with the customizable shot-adjustment buttons within easy reach.

当尼康最终推出其无反光镜系列时，游戏的名称是让新的Z mount不仅提高相机的性能，还提高了手感和外观。当你拿着没有任何镜头的Z6时，你会立即注意到它比大多数全画幅单反相机薄得多，也稍微轻一些。深度的降低使它更容易处理，所以如果你长时间拿着它，这是传统单反的一大优势。然而，一旦你增加了一个镜头，重量肯定会回来，尽管事实上有些Z型镜头出奇地轻，但你不太可能注意到它与传统单反相机在整体重量上的差异。Z6的整体操控非常出色，尼康的传统握持设计意味着你可以牢牢抓住相机，既舒适又实用，特别是可定制的镜头调节按钮触手可及。

You’ll find these custom buttons on the right of the lens mount, which means you can make quick adjustments to things like white balance without looking up from the viewfinder. Meanwhile, there is the usual command dial, which has M, A, S and P modes along with three pre-set options (U1-3), which allow you to program in settings you use regularly. We find this incredibly useful for things like shooting stars, where you’re always looking for a 20 second shutter speed and wide aperture as standard. The top set of buttons are completed by manual ISO control, an exposure button, and a recording button for video. In addition to the adjustment wheel at the rear of the camera body, which is primarily used to make adjustments to shutter speed and ISO, there’s a second wheel at the front of the shooting grip that allows you to control your aperture. When you’re using the viewfinder, this set-up really helps you focus on your shot.

您可以在镜头支架的右侧找到这些自定义按钮，这意味着您无需从取景器抬头即可快速调整白平衡等。同时，还有常用的命令拨号盘，具有M、A、S和P模式以及三个预设选项（U1-3），允许您在经常使用的设置中编程。我们发现这对于拍摄星星非常有用，因为你总是希望20秒的快门速度和宽光圈作为标准。顶部的一组按钮由手动ISO控制、曝光按钮和视频录制按钮完成。除了机身后部的调整轮（主要用于调整快门速度和ISO）之外，拍摄手柄前部还有第二个调整轮，可用于控制光圈。当您使用取景器时，这种设置确实可以帮助您聚焦拍摄。

When you’re shooting astro, most will rely on the monitor, and the Z6 has a great 3.2-inch display on the rear of the body. It's a touch screen, and you can access all your menu items from here to make adjustments to your shot or settings. You can use the touch screen to select a focus area, and even set it to shoot on touch too. It’s clear and bright, and because it’s a mirrorless system there’s no noticeable lag when you’re using this view. Our only real gripe with the touch screen is that it isn’t as mobile as some - it attaches via the top of the screen and can’t be rotated, so it’s limited when you’re shooting in portrait orientation from a fixed position, like a tripod.

当你拍摄astro时，大多数人会依赖显示器，Z6在机身后部有一个很棒的3.2英寸显示器。这是一个触摸屏，你可以从这里访问所有的菜单项，对你的拍摄或设置进行调整。你可以使用触摸屏选择一个焦点区域，甚至可以设置成触摸拍摄。这是一个清晰明亮的系统，因为它是一个无反射镜的系统，所以当你使用这种视图时没有明显的延迟。我们对触摸屏唯一真正的不满是，它不像有些人那样可以移动——它通过屏幕的顶部连接，不能旋转，所以当你从固定的位置(如三脚架)纵向拍摄时，它会受到限制。

The Z6 body is fully weather-sealed, which means you can be out in moderate rain or wind for a few hours before you’re likely to experience any problems. We even ‘accidentally’ dropped it in some river mud, and while it’s tough to clean out of some of the indents in the camera body, this incident has never impacted performance. Elsewhere, there are clear markings for securing and changing lenses, and the seal between the camera and lens is tight and incredibly secure. The strap connectors are well made and maneuverable too, so there’s little danger of accidentally dropping the Z6.

Z6机身是全天候密封的，这意味着在遇到任何问题之前，你可以在中雨或大风中外出几个小时。我们甚至“不小心”把它掉进了河泥里，虽然很难清除相机机身上的一些凹痕，但这一事件从未影响性能。在其他地方，有固定和更换镜头的清晰标记，相机和镜头之间的密封非常紧密，非常牢固。带式连接器制作精良，可操作性强，因此不会有意外掉落Z6的危险。

Our main gripe with the design is the memory card slot. As in, there’s only a single card slot (which means you have to change cards if you’re shooting masses of photos in one session, and you have no back-up card), and this camera doesn’t accept standard SD cards like most models. The Nikon Z6 is compatible with CFexpress and XQD cards only, which is great from a performance perspective (these are super fast cards and brilliant for continuous shooting), but bad for your wallet. Even the cheapest 128GB CFexpress cards will cost you $150 and upwards. One thing the Z6ii remedies is that it adds a second card slot, and allows the use of SD cards.

我们对设计的主要不满是存储卡插槽。因为只有一个卡槽(这意味着如果你在一次会议中拍摄大量照片，你必须更换卡，而且你没有备份卡)，而且这款相机不像大多数型号那样接受标准SD卡。尼康Z6仅兼容CFexpress和XQD卡，从性能角度来看这很好(这些是超级快的卡，连拍很棒)，但对你的钱包来说很糟糕。即使是最便宜的128GB CFexpress卡也要花费150美元以上。Z6ii的补救措施之一是增加了第二个卡槽，并允许使用SD卡。

Overall, we love the feel and handling of the Z6 - it’s one of the best cameras we’ve ever used. While you’ll find some with better touchscreens, and certainly save money on memory cards elsewhere, it’s tough to complain about the design of the Z6 body.

总的来说，我们喜欢Z6的手感和操控性-这是我们使用过的最好的相机之一。虽然你会发现一些更好的触摸屏，当然也会在其他地方的存储卡上省钱，但很难对Z6机身的设计提出抱怨。

24.5MP backlit sensor is good for night scenes

24.5mp背光传感器适用于夜景

Amazing ISO capabilities (up to 56,200) and sharpness

惊人的ISO功能（高达56,200）和锐度

Superb in-body stabilization

出色的体内稳定性

The Z6 is an absolute powerhouse when it comes to night time and low-light shooting, which is where we did the majority of our tests. While the 24.5MP sensor size is merely average among high-end mirrorless cameras, and almost half that of the next model up - the Nikon Z7 - this won’t compromise the quality of your landscape and night sky photos. What matters more is the ISO range, which runs from 100 - 56,200 (and is further expandable to between 50 - 204,800), and the clarity of the photos taken at higher ISO settings. Sharpness, noise, and EV are remarkably consistent across the range, and compare extremely well to competing cameras, including the more expensive Z7.

Z6在夜间和弱光拍摄方面绝对是一个强大的引擎，这也是我们进行大部分测试的地方。虽然24.5百万像素的传感器尺寸在高端无反光镜相机中只是平均水平，几乎是下一个型号尼康Z7的一半，但这不会影响你的风景和夜空照片的质量。更重要的是ISO范围，从100 - 56，200(还可以进一步扩展到50 - 204，800)，以及在更高ISO设置下拍摄的照片的清晰度。锐度、噪点和EV在整个系列中都非常一致，与竞争相机(包括更贵的Z7)相比非常出色。

When you’re shooting anywhere up to 12,800 ISO there’s very little noise or softness to the image, and it only starts to degrade slightly on maximum and expanded settings. This is perfect for low light situations like astro, especially if you’re trying to pick out unlit objects or scenery to give the night sky some context. Combined with the in-built image stabilization, which Nikon claims can compensate up to five stops, it means you can confidently shoot handheld in low light, for images of the moon, because the incredible ISO will let you keep your shutter speeds high enough to retain clarity. We find it tough to think of a better all-round camera when it comes to low-light shooting – the Z6 is actually one of the models used to capture some of the best astronomy images in 2021 – and the performance of the Z6 is only beaten by specialist astro models in this area.

当你在高达12，800 ISO的任何地方拍摄时，图像几乎没有噪点或柔和度，在最大和扩展设置下，它只会开始略有下降。这非常适合像astro这样的低光环境，尤其是当你试图挑选出无光的物体或风景来给夜空一些背景时。结合内置的图像稳定功能(尼康声称可以补偿多达五次停止)，这意味着你可以在弱光下自信地拍摄月球图像，因为令人难以置信的ISO将让你保持足够高的快门速度以保持清晰。当谈到弱光拍摄时，我们很难想到更好的全方位相机——Z6实际上是用于捕捉2021年一些最佳天文图像的模型之一——Z6的性能只有在这一领域的专业天文模型才能击败。

Elsewhere the Z6 is capable of up to 12fps burst shooting for about four seconds at a time, which is about right for a camera of this price. While you probably wouldn’t choose to use it over some of the Sony Alpha models for sports or motion photography, the Z6 still handles itself well in this area. It’s just better for landscape photography and portraits. Shooting is super quiet and efficient, there’s no interruption between shots like you find with DSLRs, and there’s even a silent shooting mode for when you want to get discrete pictures.

在其他地方，Z6能够以高达12fps的速度连续拍摄大约4秒钟，这对于这个价格的相机来说是合适的。虽然你可能不会选择在体育或运动摄影中使用它，但Z6在这方面仍然处理得很好。只是风景摄影和人像比较好。拍摄超级安静和高效，没有像数码单反相机那样的拍摄中断，甚至还有一个静音拍摄模式，供您在想要拍摄离散照片时使用。

In terms of AF, the Z6 is a very competent camera. It has 273-points of AF detection, and they cover 90% of the view, which is decent coverage and certainly enough for landscape photographers. This stat compares poorly to the Z7, but the coverage isn’t a significant step-down, and again it’ll make little difference to night sky images and landscapes. It focuses fast and accurately, whether you’re using the touch screen or the viewfinder.

在自动对焦方面，Z6是一款非常出色的相机。它有273个自动对焦检测点，它们覆盖了90%的视野，这是一个不错的覆盖范围，当然对风景摄影师来说已经足够了。这一数据与Z7相比很差，但覆盖率并没有明显下降，而且它对夜空图像和景观也没有什么影响。无论您是使用触摸屏还是取景器，它都能快速准确地聚焦。

Accurate touch screen shooting

精确触摸屏拍摄

Bluetooth and WiFi enabled

启用蓝牙和WiFi

Not directly compatible with Nikon FX and DX lenses

不直接兼容尼康FX和DX镜头

The Z6 is packed with features and functions designed to make your shots not only better, but easier to achieve. Given that this is a mirrorless camera, the touch screen display is the most accurate way to shoot (unless you’re in direct light or shooting a bright moon). The viewfinder is a smaller simulation of the sensor image, so is actually slightly over-sharpened and, if you’re shooting through the FTZ adaptor, it can feel a little less natural (like you’re watching a TV show) especially if you’re using DX lenses.

Z6配备了各种功能，旨在让您的拍摄不仅更好，而且更容易实现。鉴于这是一款无镜相机，触摸屏显示是最准确的拍摄方式（除非你在直射光下或拍摄明月）。取景器是传感器图像的一个较小的模拟，因此实际上略微过度锐化，如果你通过FTZ适配器拍摄，它会感觉不太自然（就像你在看电视节目），尤其是如果你使用的是DX镜头。

We enjoy using the touch screen to focus the shot while in single-point mode in live view, and it’s way easier than adjusting focus with the little stick while in viewfinder mode, but didn’t find much joy in using the touch-shooting. It’s a neat feature you’ll play with at the start, and quickly ditch in favor of touch focusing. While we’re on the subject of the touch screen, we found the auto display switch mode very inconsistent and wouldn’t recommend using it - it seems to change modes randomly, which is a pain if you’re lining up a shot. This adds the slightest of annoyances whereby you have to press the display switch button three times to move from Viewfinder to Monitor only. If you’re rushed for time, this is irritating. Aside from that, it’s easy to shoot with and cycle through the menus using the touch screen. Here you’ll find all the standard options, like focus modes, metering, and timers, as well as more advanced options like batch exposures, WB adjustments, and button customization. In fact, the level of customization is intimidating, as almost all buttons on the Z6 body can be changed, and you have a whole roster of pre-set options for your command dial. This makes it a camera that suits highly specialized shooting, like astro shots.

我们喜欢在单点模式下在实时视图中使用触摸屏来对焦，这比在取景器模式下用小杆调整焦距容易得多，但在使用触摸拍摄时并没有找到多少乐趣。这是一个很好的功能，你可以在开始时使用，然后很快放弃使用触摸对焦。当我们谈到触摸屏时，我们发现自动显示切换模式非常不一致，不建议使用它——它似乎会随机改变模式，如果你正在排队拍照，这是一种痛苦。这增加了一点麻烦，你必须按下显示开关按钮三次才能从取景器切换到监视器。如果你赶时间，这是令人恼火的。除此之外，使用触摸屏很容易拍摄和循环菜单。在这里，您可以找到所有标准选项，如对焦模式、测光和定时器，以及更高级的选项，如批量曝光、白平衡调整和按钮定制。事实上，定制的水平是令人生畏的，因为Z6机身上几乎所有的按钮都可以改变，而且你有一整套预设选项用于你的命令转盘。这使得它成为一款非常适合专业拍摄的相机，比如天文摄影。

When it comes to interfacing with other devices, Nikon uses the SnapBridge app to connect your camera with smart devices like a phone. This is a great idea in principle, and you can choose to either have a continuous connection that automatically transfers every shot to your smartphone, as you take them, or to have a controlled version where you select and edit the photos you need after you’re done shooting. In practice, it’s a fiddly app and can take a while to connect and download full-sized images. Not a problem if you’re looking to get images direct from your camera to post on social media, but it’s no way to transfer large quantities of files. And SnapBridge often has wobbles whenever it’s updated, or your camera’s firmware is updated… so you need to expect some occasional teething issues.

当涉及到与其他设备的接口时，尼康使用SnapBridge应用程序将您的相机与手机等智能设备连接起来。原则上这是一个很好的主意，您可以选择在拍摄过程中通过连续连接自动将每一张照片传输到智能手机，或者选择一个受控版本，在拍摄完成后选择并编辑所需的照片。实际上，这是一款复杂的应用程序，连接和下载全尺寸图像可能需要一段时间。如果你想直接从相机中获取图像，并将其发布到社交媒体上，这不是一个问题，但无法传输大量文件。而SnapBridge在更新或更新相机固件时往往会出现抖动……因此，您需要预计偶尔会出现一些初期问题。

Using SnapBridge will drain the battery life of the Z6, so we wouldn’t recommend having it connected all the time. The Z6 has about a 320-330 shot battery life, which is about average for mirrorless cameras, so we’d recommend keeping a spare battery if you’re going to be shooting all day. When you consider this battery life with the single memory card slot, you realise this isn’t a camera designed for intense shoots. It suits a slower pace, and a more considered shot.

使用SnapBridge会耗尽Z6的电池寿命，所以我们不建议一直连接它。Z6的电池续航时间约为320-330次，这是无反光镜相机的平均水平，所以如果你打算整天拍摄，我们建议保留一个备用电池。当你考虑单个存储卡插槽的电池寿命时，你会意识到这不是一款为高强度拍摄而设计的相机。它适合一个较慢的节奏，和一个更深思熟虑的镜头。

Finally, how does the Z6 integrate with peripheral products like lenses, flashes, and tripods? Well, there’s good news and bad news. In terms of flash units and tripods, there are no issues with the Z6 - it just works seamlessly with them. Lenses are a different story. The Z mount cameras are not directly compatible with any FX or DX lenses used by Nikon’s DSLRs… but there is a solution! You can buy an FTZ adaptor, which will happily fit any old FX or DX lens onto your Z6. It’s slim, well made, light and - unfortunately - very expensive. You’re looking at $250 for the FTZ adaptor, which is a lot to pay on top of a camera body and any kit lens you buy. It does work like a charm, though, so if you already have a bunch of expensive DSLR lenses it’s well worth it. Especially when you consider how expensive some of the specialist Z lenses are. Nikon makes the majority of the Z mount lenses right now and, while they’re almost all world-class lenses, that means you pay loads for them. You don’t have the cheaper Sigma or Samyang alternatives just yet.

最后，Z6如何与镜头、闪光灯和三脚架等外围产品集成？好吧，有好消息也有坏消息。在闪光灯和三脚架方面，Z6没有问题-它只是与它们无缝配合。镜头是另一回事。Z-mount相机与尼康单反相机使用的任何FX或DX镜头都不直接兼容……但有一个解决方案！你可以买一个FTZ适配器，它可以很高兴地将任何旧的FX或DX镜头安装到你的Z6上。它很薄，制作精良，重量轻，而且很贵。FTZ适配器的价格是250美元，在相机机身和你购买的任何配套镜头上都要花很多钱。不过，它确实很有魅力，所以如果你已经有了一堆昂贵的单反镜头，那就值得了。特别是当你考虑到一些专业Z镜头有多贵时。尼康目前制造了大部分Z安装镜头，虽然它们几乎都是世界级的镜头，但这意味着你要为它们支付大量费用。你还没有更便宜的Sigma或Samyang替代品。

If you’re serious about astrophotography, landscapes, or organized portrait shoots then, yes, the Z6 is perfect for you. What it lacks in sensor size and burst shooting it more than makes up for in image stabilization, ISO capabilities, and pure handling feel. This is a camera designed for slower shoots in lower and natural lights, and it’s an absolute joy to use. We’re willing to overlook small inconveniences like the memory card limitations and the lack of touch screen mobility because the camera body itself is so capable, and isn’t excessively priced. While we’d absolutely recommend the newer Z6ii for shooting video (as it can manage 4K footage at 60fps), the Z6 is virtually identical for photography, and is about 20-30% cheaper.

如果你对天体摄影、风景或有组织的人像拍摄很认真，那么，是的，Z6非常适合你。它在传感器尺寸和连拍方面的不足在图像稳定、ISO功能和纯粹的操控感方面得到了弥补。这是一款专为低光和自然光下的慢速拍摄而设计的相机，使用起来绝对是一种享受。我们愿意忽略像存储卡限制和触摸屏移动性缺乏这样的小不便，因为相机机身本身是如此强大，而且价格也不过分。虽然我们绝对推荐较新的Z6ii用于拍摄视频(因为它可以以60fps的速度处理4K镜头)，但Z6在摄影方面几乎相同，而且便宜约20-30%。

What’s more, the full-frame Z lenses (especially the premium S-Line versions) are among the best camera lenses available right now, and they’re beautifully designed. While they’re eye-wateringly expensive, and the range is more limited than you’d find with the Canon and Sony units, you absolutely get what you pay for. Overall, we think you’ll love the Z6 as an astro and landscape camera… if you have the deep pockets to really make the most of it.

此外，全帧Z镜头（特别是高级s-Line版本）是目前可用的最佳相机镜头之一，设计精美。虽然它们非常昂贵，而且比佳能和索尼的产品范围更为有限，但你绝对会得到你所付出的。总的来说，我们认为你会喜欢Z6作为天文和风景相机…如果你有足够的财力来充分利用它的话。

Let’s be honest, despite its relative value, the Z6 isn’t the cheapest camera out there, and it’s too much for pure beginners to handle. If you’d rather spend around the $500-700 mark, the Canon EOS Rebel SL3 is a great place to start. It’s a great entry level camera all-round, but the big thing for us is the screen it comes with for Live View shooting. When you’re shooting astro, the LV is crucial and the EOS Rebel SL3 has a fantastic, fully articulated screen - perfect for tripod-based night shoots. Canon’s lenses are relatively cheap too, so you won’t have to spend loads on a good entry-level set-up.

老实说，尽管Z6的相对价值很高，但它并不是最便宜的相机，而且对于纯粹的初学者来说太难处理了。如果你宁愿花费500-700美元左右，佳能EOS Rebel SL3是一个很好的起点。这是一款非常棒的入门级相机，但对我们来说最重要的是它自带的实时取景屏幕。当你拍摄天文时，LV是至关重要的，EOS Rebel SL3有一个奇妙的，完全铰接的屏幕-非常适合基于三脚架的夜间拍摄。佳能的镜头也相对便宜，所以你不必花很多钱在一个好的入门级配置上。

If you’re keen to start with the Nikon brand, we suggest the Nikon D3500 as a good beginner camera, as it has decent shooting capabilities, excellent grip, and won’t cost you a massive amount of cash (less than $500, usually). However, the benefits of choosing the D3500 because you want to eventually upgrade to a Z6(ii) or Z7(ii) are very minimal - it’s a smaller APS-C camera, and a DSLR, so you’d likely want to change all your lenses when you go full-frame. And Nikon’s lenses - while good quality - are far from cheap.

如果您希望从尼康品牌开始，我们建议您将尼康D3500作为一款优秀的初学者相机，因为它具有良好的拍摄能力、出色的抓地力，并且不会花费您大量现金（通常不到500美元）。然而，选择D3500的好处很小，因为您希望最终升级到Z6（ii）或Z7（ii），因为它是一款更小的APS-C相机和一款单反相机，所以当您使用全画幅时，可能需要更换所有镜头。尼康的镜头虽然质量很好，但远不便宜。