The Nikon Z6II 24.5MP Mirrorless Camera Body is definitely on sale for $1,599 at B&H and Adorama right now. That fits your budget perfectly. I have used mine for a long time and am very satisfied with the performance, no complaints. It is usually $2,000 so go for it before the price jumps back up. Just order now to make sure it gets to Ohio in time.

The $1599 price you are seeing is totally legit, but honestly, you gotta remember that is usually just for the camera body. I remember buying my first setup for a cousins wedding years ago and realizing way too late I didnt have a lens... I just stood there looking like a total amateur. Since your budget is $1600, buying just the Nikon Z6II Mirrorless Camera body will leave you with no money for a lens or even a memory card. Here are some things to think about:

• Look for a Nikon Z5 with NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 Lens instead to get a full kit under budget.
• Check for a used or refurbished Nikon Z6 Mirrorless Digital Camera to save some cash.
• Pick up a SanDisk 128GB Extreme PRO UHS-I SDXC so you arent waiting for the camera to save photos. Basically, dont spend every cent on the body alone or you wont be taking any photos of the graduation ceremony.

Adding my two cents here... @Reply #2 is spot on about the lens situation. I made that same mistake once for a family reunion and it was super embarrassing showing up with just a camera body lol. If you are stressed about the 1600 limit, I would actually suggest looking at the Nikon Z5 with 24-50mm Lens Kit instead of the Z6II. It is a bit more of a budget entry for full frame but honestly the image quality is still stellar for graduation photos. Plus it leaves you money for a fast card like the Lexar Professional 1667x 128GB SDXC UHS-II and maybe an extra battery. Reliability is everything when you only get one shot at the stage crossing... just make sure whatever you buy is in stock for that Monday delivery so you dont get stuck. Ohio is nice this time of year tho, hope the ceremony goes well!

bump

jumping in here because i've seen this exact scenario play out a dozen times. over the years i've tested almost every major system from canon to sony, and the biggest mistake i see people make is blowing their entire budget on a premium body and then having zero room for a fast lens. graduations are notoriously tricky lighting-wise. before i suggest anything else, i gotta ask: is the ceremony indoors or outdoors? that makes a huge difference in what kind of aperture you'll need.

• be careful with grey market listings. if a price looks way lower than the big retailers, you might be buying a unit with no us warranty.
• nikon colors are the gold standard imo, but their proprietary glass can be more expensive than the third-party options you find for other brands.
• seriously, dont forget to budget for a high-speed card. nothing ruins a shoot like a buffer that hangs for ten seconds while your sister is walking across the stage. i once shot a ceremony with a flagship body but a cheap kit lens in a dim arena... total disaster. i couldnt get the shutter speed high enough and every single photo was a blurry mess. focus on the total package, not just the body.