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Nikon Z6 III Review by Gerald Undone

Jul 12, 2024

Nikon Z6 III Review by Gerald Undone

Disclosure

  • Nikon lent the camera for the review; no payment involved.
  • Nikon did not supervise the review, and it is a pre-production unit.

Key Features and Specifications

Sensor

  • 24.5 megapixel partially-stacked sensor
  • Stacked portions at top and bottom for speed without high cost

Resolution and Frame Rates

  • 6K at 60 fps: Full frame, no crop, raw internal recording
  • H.265: 5.4K at 60p
  • ProRes 422 HQ: 5.4K at 30p
  • ProRes Raw: 6K at 30p
  • 4K at 120 fps: APS-C crop
  • 1080p at 240 fps: Uses 95% full frame

Rolling Shutter Performance

  • 6K N-Raw: 9.4ms read time (excellent)
  • 4K120: 1.5x crop, 6.23ms read time

Dynamic Range

  • 6K N-Raw at ISO 800: 14 stops (total), 9.89 stops (usable)
  • Post-processing Enhancements: Noise reduction in post can boost to 12.5 stops
  • Internal H.265: 11.7 stops with oversampling
  • Comparison to Sony: Sony has slightly better dynamic range
  • Custom Log Curves: Improvements seen with V-Log vs. N-Log

Audio and Microphone Input

  • Improved preamps and line level input
  • Allows use of external recorders like Zoom F6

Battery Life and Overheating

  • 6K60 N-Raw: 101 minutes
  • 4K24 H.265: 2 hours 21 minutes
  • No overheating in cooler environments; stable USB-C power delivery

Memory and Recording Options

  • Heavy codecs require CFexpress cards
  • H.265 can be recorded to SD card
  • No redundant recording option
  • HDMI output: Clean, high-quality signal (full-size Type A port)
  • HDMI mirroring: Info displays on both LCD and HDMI; limited to 1080p in N-Raw

Display and Viewfinder

  • 4,000 nits EVF (brightest in class)
  • Fully articulating LCD (largest and highest res in its class)
  • Minor complaint: Noisy strap triangles

Stabilization

  • Good for static shots
  • Weaker for dynamic follow shots
  • Electronic VR available but not as smooth as competitors

Autofocus

  • Inherited from bigger Nikon models, new algorithms
  • Nine detection modes, 3D Tracking
  • Tracks well even with exposure variations (four stops under/over)

Pricing

  • Expected price: $2,500 USD
  • Strong competitor in its price range with many best-in-class features

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