Versatility is King with the Nikon Z6 III

The ultra-versatile Nikon Z6 III is an uncompromising all-arounder that takes some of the best tech from Nikon’s Z-series flagships and fits it into a smaller, more manageable design. The Z6 III is the third generation in Nikon’s bread-and-butter middle tier of cameras and represents a huge upgrade from the Z6 II, with an all-new partially stacked sensor, faster processing, better video capabilities, improved AF, and more. Offering a flexible feature set that should appeal to all kinds of image makers, it’s truly a camera for the masses.

Unique Partially Stacked CMOS Sensor

One of the key areas of improvement for the Z6 III is in the sensor and processing areas; upgrades to the sensor itself, along with boosted processing, benefit nearly all processes and help gain improved image quality. Whereas the flagship Z9 and Z8 cameras use stacked sensors to unlock fast readout speeds and a quickened imaging pipeline that benefits both photo and video workflows, the Z6 III introduces a unique 24.5MP partially stacked CMOS sensor for the first time ever.

Compared to the BSI CMOS sensor of the previous generation, this partially stacked design, which places the circuit parts on the top and bottom of the pixel area of the sensor, unlocks faster autofocus, significantly reduced shutter speed, a smoother EVF experience with continuous shooting, faster shooting speeds up to 60 fps in full-frame, and higher video frame rates up to 6K60p in raw. Nikon claims this partially stacked design offers 3.5x more speed at the sensor level compared to the Z6 II and also provides the fastest scan rates in full-frame cameras of this class.

Improved AF, Faster Shooting, Better Low-Light Performance

In terms of practical use, all of this added speed and processing power means fewer restrictions with how you shoot. Autofocus gets a big boost, offering the speed and capabilities of the Z9 and Z8 at a lower price point. This focusing system supports low-light AF down to -10 EV and offers the same deep learning-based subject detection as the flagships. Compared to the Z6 II, the AF is about 20% faster and now can recognize nine different subject types along with 3D Tracking and Wide Area focus modes.

For action photography, the 14-fps top shooting speed is carried over, when working with the mechanical shutter, but a 20-fps rate is now possible when shooting with an electronic shutter. Pre-release Capture also comes to the Z6 III, offering continuous shooting for up to 1 full second prior to releasing the shutter and 3 seconds after the intended release is finished—this means you’ll have a greater chance of capturing that once-in-a-lifetime fleeting moment. Also, another benefit of the partially stacked sensor, the top electronic shutter speed is 1/16,000 sec, which is usable for freezing motion or working with fast lenses on bright days.

Beyond speed, the new sensor also achieves the highest native ISO in a Nikon Z camera, with a range from ISO 100-64,000. This, coupled with 8-stop-effective sensor-shift VR, makes for a low-light powerhouse of a camera. The Z6 III also sports Nikon’s latest Focus Point VR mode, which prioritizes the stabilization based on your chosen focus point rather than defaulting to the center of the image.

Also, regarding image quality, the Z6 III inherits a series of Portrait Modes that debuted in the Zf, including Rich Tone Portrait, Flat Monochrome, and Rich Tone Monochrome. Another acquired technology, Pixel Shift Shooting, is featured in this new camera and enables creating 96MP merged images for ultra-high-resolution stills when photographing stationary subjects.

Upgraded Video Capabilities

For a mirrorless camera to stand out in terms of versatility, it has to have impressive video specs. The Z6 III is positioned as the most accessible camera in its class to offer full-frame 6K with internal raw recording. Practically, what this means is the Z6 III will be an excellent option for shooters splitting time between the two mediums, especially when working jobs or events that require both high-quality photo and video content.

Specs-wise, the Z6 III tops out with internal recording at 6K60p in the N-RAW format, ProRes RAW at 6K30p, ProRes 4:2:2 at 5.4K30p, and H.265 at 5.4K30p. Slow-motion recording is supported, too, at up to 240 fps in FHD H.265 using 95% of the sensor area or 120 fps in 4K with a DX crop.

Like other Z-series cameras, you can sync timecodes via Bluetooth using the UltraSync BLUE from Atomos. Multi-camera setups and audio workflow have been improved with a new line input for connecting directly to board audio.

Durable Design, Better Connectivity

And finally, the design of the Z6 III has received a significant series of tweaks, making it better suited for hybrid shooters and for those looking to make the most of the upgraded feature-set. The 3.2” 2.1m-dot rear LCD is now a side-opening vari-angle screen, which is definitely a nod to videographers, who will make better use of this design as an on-camera monitor. The EVF has received a significant upgrade, too, with a 5.76m-dot resolution and 4000 nit peak brightness—both of which are higher than the Z9’s viewfinder. The finder supports no blackout viewing when working with the electronic shutter and it’s an HDR panel, enabling seeing the entire DCI-P3/HLG gamut.

Regarding connectivity, the Z6 III has all the inputs and outputs you’d expect here: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless, USB-C for tethering and in-camera battery charging, 3.5mm headphone and microphone ports, and a full-size HDMI port for working with external monitors. Also, dual-memory card slots are featured and are split with one slot being a CFexpress Type-B and the other a UHS-II SD slot. Also you can wirelessly connect to Nikon Imaging Cloud, which is a new app for transferring and sharing Imaging Recipes and for transferring images.

It's impressive to see how capable a camera in this class can be, borrowing so much tech and capabilities from the Z8 and Z9 yet still retaining its small, portable, and accessible design. The Z6 III is sure to be a popular camera among both photographers and videographers with an equally appealing range of features and innovations.

For more information about the new camera, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out the detailed product page for the Nikon Z6 III. Or drop us a line below, and we’ll do our best to answer all your comments and questions.