Versatility is the name of the game here with the new Nikon Z6 III, a camera that is poised to be your end-all-be-all one-camera solution.
Nikon’s been on quite a roll lately, and the Z6 III is the latest addition to its impressive lineup. Billed as the versatile and affordable workhorse of the bunch, the Z6 III aims to deliver on multiple fronts.
When we first got our hands on the Z6 III, it was love at first sight, or rather, first grip. The body handling was exceptionally customisable, and everything felt intuitive.
The grip was sufficiently deep for confident hand-holding (it reminds me of the Nikon D750), and I felt at ease lugging it around all day without a camera strap attached.
The upgraded 5.76-million dot EVF was a joy to use, offering a crystal-clear view that made framing a breeze.
The latest Nikon IBIS provided a rock-solid base, perfect for both stills and video.
My main nature of work is with cars, and the Nikon Z6 III produced steady images with minimal effort from the user (me), even whilst on the move at 1/30.
One of the most intriguing upgrades was the move to a new type of partially-stacked sensor. This sensor promised to balance faster readout speeds with affordability, a technological tightrope that Nikon seemed to walk with confidence.
With this new sensor, you get up to 20 frames per second (FPS) in RAW with autofocus enabled, and up to a staggering 120 JPEGs per second if needed. All this, with minimal rolling shutter, though it doesn’t quite reach the performance levels of the Nikon Z8 or Z9. Still, it’s a significant improvement without the hefty price tag.
But as with most things in life, these benefits come with a trade-off.
One of which is dynamic range. At first glance, the images looked great on a computer monitor, but a deeper dive revealed a notable trade-off. The Z6 III sacrifices roughly a full stop of dynamic range compared to its predecessor, the Z6 II.
That’s a significant loss, especially for those who rely on lower ISO settings to capture contrast-rich landscapes or detailed portraits.
Interestingly, this loss of dynamic range is consistent whether you’re using the mechanical shutter or the electronic shutter. Typically, you’d expect some loss in electronic shutter mode, but here, the dynamic range is the same across both modes. This shortfall primarily affects those who shoot at lower ISOs.
One of the Z6 III’s standout features is its video capability. The 4K/60p capture is full-width and oversampled, and you also have the option to record 6K/60p RAW video, although only in N-RAW format, not the more widely accepted ProRes RAW.
Overheating is always a concern with high-performance cameras. When tested, the camera ran for two hours without overheating in H.265 4K/24p, though the body was warm. At 4K/60p, the camera overheated after about 45 minutes.
For 4K/120p, the camera shut down after 40 minutes. While this may limit those who record at higher frame rates regularly, it won’t be an issue for occasional slow-motion clips.
Overall, the Nikon Z6 III is a compelling full-frame hybrid camera that covers a lot of bases. It’s one of the best-handling cameras on the market, with controls that feel natural and an EVF that enhances the shooting experience.
The camera excels in various situations, from fast-paced sports to detailed video projects, making it incredibly versatile.
That said, the new sensor type introduces a few quirks, particularly in dynamic range. Not everyone will notice or be affected by this, especially those who shoot at higher ISOs. But for landscape photographers or those who need maximum flexibility in post-production, the reduced dynamic range might be a deal-breaker.
This is a solid camera for those on a budget who need a versatile, reliable camera at this price point.
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