Nikon Z6 III Full Frame Mirrorless Camera

Nikon Z6 III Full Frame Mirrorless Camera Body Summary

The next-generation Nikon Z6 III Full Frame Mirrorless Camera arrives to great anticipation with the world’s first partially stacked CMOS sensor, paired with the powerful EXPEED 7 processor. Together, these deliver incredible image quality, wide dynamic range, and phenomenal sensor scan speeds for class leading capabilities in a compact body.

The Z6 III hybrid camera has inherited several features from the hugely successful Nikon Z8 and flagship Z9 cameras, including professional-level AF subject tracking. This is made possible by the blazingly quick AF calculations delivered by the cutting-edge core components of the EXPEED 7 and sensor, placing it at the forefront of AF technology found across Nikon mirrorless cameras.

Nikon has also fully sealed the Z6 III body, ensuring it continues to perform in harsh conditions down to -10ºC, which is on par with the Z9. Another first for mirrorless cameras is the new bright high-res EVF with an ultra-wide colour gamut, which renders a consistently smooth, high-resolution view during shooting and playback.

Whether you capture stills, video, or a combination of both, the Z6 III delivers powerful hybrid capabilities. These include burst shooting up to 120fps stills and up to 240p 10x slow-motion video. You can record 4K and 6K in-camera, using N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, and other codecs for every situation. 12-bit RAW and 10-bit Log recording are available, along with 6K RAW in-camera, 5.4K/60p (YUV) recording, and oversampled 4K UHD/60p.

Key Nikon Z6 III Features

• 24.5 megapixel partially stacked CMOS sensor
• EXPEED 7 processor
• Up to 120fps photo and 240p video
• 5760k high-resolution, 4000-nits viewfinder with DCI-P3 colour gamut
• Pro-level AF subject tracking from the Z8
• -10EV Autofocus sensitivity for low light
• 8-stops of VR (Vibration Reduction)
• Vari-angle LCD display with 2100k resolution
• Record 4K and 6K in-camera with RAW recording in numerous pro-level codecs
• Line-in audio port and Timecode Sync
• Capture 4K UHD/60p, oversampled from 6K
• Fully sealed body, works down to -10ºC, inherited from the Z9

Nikon Z6 III Camera Body in More Detail

Flagship features in a compact body

As a mid-level camera, the Z6 III punches well above its weight, offering the world’s first partially stacked CMOS sensor. When combined with the EXPEED 7 processor, the sensor provides a very fast scan speed with quick data readout.

This equates to several real-world benefits for Z6 III users, including faster AF speeds, faster still photo shooting, reduced rolling shutter distortion, and enhanced video recording. Even the EVF refresh rate is maintained at 60fps during 20fps continuous shooting for an improved experience.

Sample image 01 with Z MC 105mm F/2.8 VR S Macro lens. Camera settings: 1/25sec. f/4.5. ISO 200

World’s first mirrorless camera with DCI-P3 colour gamut EVF

A bright, high-resolution EVF (electronic viewfinder) with an ultra-wide colour gamut provides a clearer view of the scene. With 5670 dots, a 60fps refresh rate, and up to 4000 nits of brightness, the EVF offers a consistently smooth view during both shooting and playback and is brighter than even the Z9’s EVF.

The screen incorporates the DCI-P3 colour space, which is rapidly becoming more popular for digital motion pictures in particular, as it effectively covers a wider colour space than sRGB, resulting in more accurate views. Coupled with the 4000 nits brightness, creators gain a class-leading viewing experience that is bright enough for any conditions, with sharp, clear, smooth, and accurate previews of the scene and playback of images.

Flagship Autofocus, even down to -10EV

Gaining accurate autofocus (AF) in low light is essential for any number of subjects, and the Nikon Z6 III offers blisteringly quick AF calculations, which are on par with the Z8 and Z9 cameras. Deep learning powers Nikon’s respected AF system, and the Z6 III can focus in light as low as -10EV, mirroring the capabilities of the Nikon Z F, which is known for its low light prowess.

Subject detection modes are available for people, animals, vehicles, and planes, and the third-generation body also offers unprecedented eye tracking, irrespective of whether the subject is very small in the frame.

Sample image 02 with Z 50mm F/1.2 S lens. Camera settings: 1/250sec. f/1.2. ISO 320

Professional-level 3D-tracking and subject detection

You can follow unpredictable, fast-moving subjects thanks to pro-level 3D tracking with subject detection. This incorporates people, cats, dogs, birds, bicycles, motorbikes, cars, aircraft, and trains, covering many everyday and niche subjects with ease.

Subject detection is even available when focusing manually while using the FTZ Mark II Lens Mount Adapter and legacy manual focus Nikon lenses—a feature first introduced with the Z F camera.

Up to 120fps with AF and AE

Achieve perfect focus on the absolute decisive moment at burst shooting speeds of up to 120fps with AF/AE (autofocus and auto-exposure), even while using the Pre-release capture feature. Images are captured in:

• 120fps = 10MP DX-format (crop) JPEGs
• 60fps = 24MP FX-format (full-frame) JPEGs

With these capabilities, the Z6 III can nail perfect exposures for high-speed subjects such as sports, wildlife, and action, irrespective of how erratically the subject is moving.

Sample image 03 - No Exif data

Up to 8.0-stop Vibration Reduction (VR) and focus point VR

The Z6 III offers powerful 5-axis IBIS with up to 8.0-stops stabilisation for stills and E-VR for video.

Focus point VR is another feature derived from the Nikon Z F camera, enabling the user to link VR to the focus point. This concentrates VR where the focus point is within the frame, resulting in better stabilisation in the area where the shot most needs it, rather than across the entire frame, where it is less beneficial.

Flexible colour picture control

NX Studio (for Mac and PC) allows the user to create unique custom Picture Control profiles, in order to shoot stills and video with that colour profile embedded once registered to the camera. This works in a similar way to LUTs, enabling fine-tuning of colours, contrast, and the overall ‘look’ of a photo or video, which provides a fun and effective way to create consistent results with your own unique style.

Sample image 04 - No Exif data

Portable and comprehensively weather sealed

Weighing in at 750g, the Z6 III is light enough to be handheld easily and features a tough build, functioning in freezing temperatures as low as -10ºC. Premium-level weather sealing protects the camera in all conditions, even when the optional MB-N14 Power Battery Grip is being used. This ensures you can continue creating in virtually any environment, even when conditions become extra harsh.

Dual card slots and excellent UX

Nikon cameras have garnered a reputation for delivering an excellent user experience with intuitive menus and easy-to-use features, which the Z6 III follows. The body includes convenient dual memory card slots, with a CFexpress Type B card slot that is also compatible with XQD, plus a UHS-II SD card slot.

State-of-the-art video capabilities

As Nikon’s more affordable hybrid camera, the Z6 III includes numerous state-of-the-art video features for solo creators, one-person crews, and multi-camera setups, including:

• 4K and 6K RAW in-camera recording
• 10x slow motion from 240p video
• Line-in audio port
• High-res zoom
• Several codecs such as N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ, H.265 (HVEC), and H.264 (AVC)
• 12-bit RAW and 10-bit log recording

Up to 6K RAW in-camera

The Z6 III meets the needs of the most demanding video creators with its ability to record internal 6K/60p (RAW) and 5.4K/60p (YUV). In-camera 4K UHD/60p video is also available from oversampled 6K, together with 240p for 10x ultra slow-motion playback, providing impressive versatility to capture a variety of resolutions in-camera.

Advanced audio

Professional audio accompanies pro-level video, and the latest generation Z6’s external mic input can be used as a line-level input for pre-amplified pro-quality sound, which enhances its capacities for interviews and other live recording.

This feature allows you to input audio signals from external devices such as microphones, musical instruments, and other audio sources for processing, recording, and playback.

Timecode-ready for sync

Support for Ultrasync blue enables the Z6 III to be synced with other cameras, and to other devices including audio recorders which support Atomos AirGlu.

Accessories

The Nikon accessory ecosystem encompasses a wide range of axons to enhance your shooting experience. These include the ability to charge EN-EL15c batteries in a physical charger with the Nikon MH-34. The Nikon Remote Grip MC-N10 is a brilliant accessory for studio shooters and this who like the bulk of a pro-body, and the grip provides users with seamless control of this camera.

With advanced hybrid features an external microphone is essential for many creators and there are 100s of wired and wireless options to choose from, including the Rode Wireless GO II and DJI Mic 2 (1TX + 1RX).

High performance Z lenses

With the large Z mount Nikon has been able to design numerous large aperture mirrorless Z lenses for every stills and video requirement. Whether you capture sports and wildlife with a telephoto or portraits, landscapes or any other subject they have you covered.

The Ultimate Guide To Nikon Z Super Telephoto Lenses is a useful resource for choosing the perfect pro-level super telephoto lens, and we also have individual camera gear reviews of lenses like the Z 85mm F/1.2 S, Z 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6 VR S and Z 70-180mm F/2.8 Lens amongst many more.

Two lens kits are available for those who want to pair the body with a lens from the get-go. These are the Nikon Z6 III Camera with Z 24-70mm f/4 S Lens Kit and Z6 III with Z 24-120mm f/4 S Lens Kit, both of which include a versatile zoom to get started with your content creation.

If you do want to use any existing DSLR lenses you may have, as well as legacy Nikon lenses, the FTZ Mark II Lens Mount Adapter enables F mount optics to work well with the body.

What’s in the box

• Nikon Z6 III Full Frame Mirrorless Camera
• Rechargeable Li-ion battery EN-EL15c
• USB-C cable UC-E25
• Hot shoe cover BS-1
• Body cap BF-N1
• Camera strap AN-DC26