The Nikon Z6 (along with the Z7) formed the first iteration of Nikon’s full-frame Z-mount mirrorless system. Six years later, Nikon released the third iteration of the Z6, the Nikon Z6 III. As expected, the third generation model incorporates a huge number of improvements over the original model. How do these two cameras compare, and should you upgrade?
Nikon Z6 vs Nikon Z6 III Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon Z6 | Nikon Z6 III |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | August 2018 | June 2024 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | Partially Stacked CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 6 | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 24.5 MP | 24.5 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 6000×4000 | 6048×4024 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 36.0 x 24.0 mm (Full Frame) | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 5.94µ | 5.94µ |
| Low Pass Filter | Yes | Yes |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | Yes | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 51,200 | ISO 64,000 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 50-204,800 | ISO 50-204,800 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | Yes |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | No | Yes (JPEG only) |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/8000 | 1/16000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 12 FPS | 14 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 12 FPS | 20 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | None | None |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 43 frames (12 FPS) | Over 1000 frames (20 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition |
| Autofocus Points | 273 | 273 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -6 EV | -8.5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/200 |
| Curtain to Protect Sensor at Shutdown | No | No |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 8 bits | 12 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 10 (12 with paid upgrade) | 12 bits |
| Raw Video | No (Yes, externally, with paid upgrade) | Yes |
| 6K Maximum Framerate | N/A | 60 FPS |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 30 FPS | 120 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 240 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | No | No |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:0, 4:2:2 (External) | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 30 min | 125 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 1 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | CFExpress Type B | CFExpress Type B |
| Slot 2 Type | N/A | SD (UHS-II) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.2 in | 3.2 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 2.1 million dots | 2.1 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Single Axis | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8x | 0.8x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 3.69 million dots | 5.76 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Type C 3.1 | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Battery Type | EN-EL15b | EN-EL15c |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 310 frames | 360 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 380 frames | 390 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | N/A | 410 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 675 g (1.49 lbs.) | 760 g (1.68 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 134 x 101 x 83 mm (5.3 x 4.0 x 3.2″)1 | 139 x 102 x 89 mm (5.5 x 4.0 x 3.5″)2 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $2000 (Check Current Price) | $2500 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices (Affiliate) | Nikon Z6 Used Prices | Nikon Z6 III Used Prices |
| 1The Nikon Z6’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 15mm were added to the Z6’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
| 2The Nikon Z6 III’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 15mm were added to the Z6 III’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
Summary and Recommendations
On the surface, the Z6 III is a lot like the original, with only a slight increase in size and weight:
However, inside, the Z6 III is a completely different beast. Indeed, Nikon has made some serious advancements in its Z-system technology since the original Z6, and a lot of that has been incorporated into the Z6 III. These improvements include much of the flagship technology from the Nikon Z9, including subject recognition modes that are absent on the Z6. What that means is that the Z6 III has seriously improved autofocus over the original.
Part of what makes the Z6 III a little better than the original is its partially-stacked shutter. This gives it better readout speeds, making autofocus snappier. Unlike the original Z6, the Z6 III can keep up with most autofocus situations. It’s still not as fast as the Nikon Z9, but unless you are shooting the most demanding situations, the Z6 III is pretty good.
The original Z6 is also pretty decent at video, and I personally find it more than enough for my needs. However, the Z6 III is really a lot better. It’s got 12-bit video versus 8-bit video, which means files will be much more flexible in postprocessing if you want to do extensive color grading. It’s also got a much wider variety of more detailed formats such as Apple ProRes and even Raw video for those who want the ultimate quality. And even if you don’t need such detailed files, the 4K120 is surely an amazing step up compared to the 4K30 of the original.
I still love my original Z6, but the Z6 III is really a very different camera. The only thing I would be slightly cautious about is the articulating screen. For some applications like vlogging, this will be a superior choice. But for wildlife photographers who want to quickly flip down the screen, the screen of the Z8 is often superior. It’s just personal preference, but definitely something to be aware of.
What does the Nikon Z6 offer over the Nikon Z6 III?
- Lighter weight (85g lighter)
- Lower price, costing $500 less
What does the Nikon Z6 III offer over the Nikon Z6?
- Much better autofocus, including subject recognition modes
- Much better video, with higher bitrates, more detailed formats, and higher framerates
- Longer video record time (125 minutes over 30 minutes)
- Two card slots, which is better for redundancy and backup
- Higher resolution electronic viewfinder, with about 1.6x more dots and better colors, making shooting more enjoyable
Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
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