After countless leaks and teases, including from the company itself, Nikon has finally unveiled the Nikon Z6 III. As the figure suggests, the Z6 III is a follow-up to the original Z6 and its 2020 Nikon Z6 II successor. While the Z6 II added incremental quality of life improvements to the Z6, the Z6 III takes the Z6 line even further , with new sensor technology and a new emphasis on hybrid video and content creation.
Launched in 2018, the Z6 series kicked off Nikon’s new mirrorless range, and today the Z6 III could signal Nikon’s future ambitions.
While the sensor resolution remains 24.5 megapixels, it features a brand new ‘partially stacked’ sensor, which offers much faster readout speeds. This enables an electronic shutter that can shoot up to 120 frames per second in DX crop mode and 60 fps in full FX mode.
The maximum shutter speed has been increased to 1/16,000 sec, although this does not match the 1/32,000 sec speed of the Z8 and Z9. The mechanical shutter offers speeds of 20 fps for JPEGs and 14 fps for RAW images. Flash photography still requires the mechanical shutter due to the readout speed limitations of the electronic shutter.
The sensor is supported by Nikon’s built-in image stabilization (IBIS), which offers up to 8.0 stops of stabilization, compared to 5.0 stops on the Z6 II. The IBIS also borrows a trick from the recent Nikon Zf and revolves around the active focus point for greater subject sharpness. The IBIS also supports a high-resolution mode that combines multiple images for 96 MP output via Nikon’s NX Studio software for very large prints.
Autofocus points are spread across the entire sensor, with a total of 299 AF points, up from the previous 273 points in the Z6 II. The autofocus system works in lighting conditions down to -10 EV, making it suitable for astrophotography.
For video, the Z6 III is aimed at serious content creators and enthusiastic filmmakers, with internal RAW recording up to 6K60p. There are plenty of other recording options too, including 5.4K/60P recording or 4K60p video from oversampled 6K and Full HD recording up to 240p (10x slow motion).
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At first glance, the Z6 III looks very similar to the previous Z6s, but the new model is a bit larger and heavier (750 grams). But this small increase in size means that custom accessories like L-brackets and battery grips may not fit the Z6 III. The camera is launched together with a newly developed MB-N14 battery grip for long-term shooting and vertical grip.
The camera has two memory card slots: one CFexpress Type B (and XQD cards) and one SDXC UHS-II slot. Connectivity options include a microphone, headphones, USB-C, HDMI and an accessory terminal.
The rear vari-angle touchscreen LCD has a resolution of 2.1 million dots, which is higher than any previous Nikon camera, including the Z8 and Z9. This screen is fully rotatable, offering a new level of flexibility compared to previous Z6 line cameras. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) has also been upgraded, with 5.76 MP resolution and 4000 nits brightness, improving usability in bright conditions. The EVF supports the DCI-P3 color gamut for more lifelike colors.
Powered by the EXPEED 7 processor, the Z6 III offers advanced autofocus capabilities and subject detection modes for people, animals and vehicles. Nikon reports that the autofocus performance is comparable to that of the Z8 and Z9. During testing, the camera accurately tracked fast-moving subjects, such as basketball players. The EVF information reflects the rear LCD screen and includes overlays for vital information such as histograms and grid displays.
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The Nikon Z6 III is now available for pre-order and is expected to reach first buyers in July. The Z6 III costs $2,499 / £2,699 / AU$4,499. for the body only, and will also be available in a kit with the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4 S lens for $3,099 / £3,249 / AU$5,499.
Looking for more Nikon? Then check out our guides to the best Nikon cameras and the best Nikon Z lenses.