The Nikon Z6III was launched in June 2024 with the tagline ‘Outperform’. Nikon has positioned it as a camera that excels in both photography and videography. Its predecessor, the Z6II, was released in 2020, making this upgrade a long-awaited one. We had the opportunity to test the Z6III extensively for over a month before featuring it in our magazine.

Who Is It For?

This camera is designed for users seeking a versatile tool capable of handling various photography styles, including street, sports, landscapes, and weddings. Nikon has emphasized this versatility in its marketing and communications as well.

Look, Body and Feel

If you’re a Nikon user, the Z6III will feel instantly familiar. The build quality is excellent and at 760 grams, the camera strikes a balance between sturdiness and portability. The deep, comfortable grip enhances handling, while the two programmable function buttons on the back offer quick access to settings.

Most of the button placements remain consistent with the Z6II, ensuring a seamless transition for existing users. A slight redesign on the top right accommodates the video, ISO and exposure compensation buttons for easier access. This ergonomic refinement enhances usability and these buttons can be customized as well.

The rear buttons are well-positioned, and while a joystick is present, the OK button often feels
more intuitive. A significant upgrade from the Z6II is the fully articulated rear screen, maintaining the same size and resolution but now offering greater flexibility for shooting at different angles – a welcome improvement.

Nikon has not explicitly claimed weather sealing for this body, but given the outperform branding, it’s reasonable to expect a degree of durability against the elements.

What Makes It Special?

The Nikon Z6III introduces several standout features, including the world’s first 24.5 MP partially stacked full-frame sensor. This innovation provides key advantages, as claimed by Nikon, such as:

Unlimited photo buffer
Internal RAW at up to 6K60p and ProRes RAW recording up to 5.4K up to 60p
4K120 video recording (Dx crop)
60 & 120fps burst rate in JPEG mode (120fps in Dx crop)
20fps burst rate with an electronic shutter

Image Quality

The overall image quality is impressive, delivering sharp and detailed photos with excellent dynamic range. Colour saturation and reproduction are accurate, while shadow and highlight retention are commendable. In high-contrast scenarios, some adjustments may be necessary, but the performance remains strong.

Shutter Performance (Electronic & Mechanical)

Thanks to its partially stacked sensor, the Z6III supports an electronic shutter. However, some flickering
was noticeable in certain lighting conditions, a common issue with electronic shutters. Rolling shutter effects were present but less pronounced compared to older models like the Sony A7 IV, benefiting from the newer sensor technology.

The mechanical shutter offers 14fps burst shooting, while the electronic shutter reaches 20fps. The ability to shoot continuously is excellent, though the camera does heat up slightly in burst mode, however it isn’t anything that can’t be managed.

Autofocus & Tracking

The upgraded AF system introduces subject detection and 3D tracking, marking a significant improvement over its predecessor. In both daylight and low light, the autofocus performs exceptionally well, locking onto subjects with impressive accuracy.

However, in crowded scenes, the focus can momentarily shift between eyes before recognizing a new subject. This minor issue could potentially be resolved through a firmware update. Tested with 35mm and 50mm f/1.4 lenses, the autofocus speed was as fast as Nikon advertises.

ISO Performance

The Z6III handles ISO well. Even at high ISOs like 6400 to 12,800, images remain usable, though
sharpness and clarity take a slight hit. In challenging conditions, capturing the shot often takes
precedence over achieving perfection.

For video, high ISOs paired with fast f/1.4 lenses result in clean, noise-free footage, expanding creative possibilities for filmmakers.

Video Capabilities

In terms of video the camera offers 6K recording up to 60fps and 4K up to 120fps (with crop). Also much like the other cameras, it also has a 125-minute recording limit, making it highly practical.

Even in extreme low light, the camera delivers high-quality video with minimal noise. Paired with 35mm and 50mm f/1.4 lenses, the results are quite cinematic.

The RED Acquisition

With Nikon acquiring RED, we anticipate deeper integration of RED’s technology into Nikon cameras. And you can see a hint of that in this camera. Z6 III can shoot compressed RAW video recording, previously exclusive to high-end models like the Z8 and Z9. It also has LUT support for N-RAW and N-Log footage, allowing users to match RED’s signature colour science. Nikon has made these LUTs freely available on their website.

Electronic Viewfinder (EVF)

The Z6III features a 5.76 million-dot EVF, delivering sharp visuals. It has a refresh rate of 60Hz with 120Hz unclaimed, as there is an option to turn on “high framerate” in the menu. However, the EVF sensor is extremely sensitive, causing the screen to turn off with even slight movements – something to be mindful of.

Conclusion

At a price of ₹2.23 lakh, does the Nikon Z6III truly ‘Outperform’?
Compared to other cameras in its category, it offers a good balance of features, performance, and value. Nikon has strategically positioned it between entry-level models like the Z5 and professional bodies like the Z8/Z9.
Now there are always a few things that can be improved in every product and this isn’t any different. But overall, for someone who is looking to shoot images and video both, I can see this being a compelling buy, and one that we surely give our thumbs up!

Watch our video review:

Sony India recently announced its first G Master standard zoom lens with constant F2 max, the FE 28-70mm F2 G Master (SEL2870GM). This premium E-mount lens boasts a large aperture of F2 across the entire zoom range to achieve beautiful bokeh, high resolution and unrivalled autofocus for both stills and video, with sharpness and contrast to rival prime lens quality. All this is achieved in a compact, lightweight and well-balanced design that gives professionals and creators the ultimate freedom to capture a variety of scenes with just one lens where no shots can be missed including portraits, weddings, sports, documentaries and cinematic video.

The FE 28-70mm F2 G Master is the first G Master standard zoom lens with a constant F2 aperture making it ideal for both stills and video. Advanced design and optical simulation result in a zoom quality that rivals prime lenses with three XA (extreme aspherical) elements manufactured using original techniques to ensure high corner-to-corner resolution at F2 throughout the zoom range. Floating focus also allows sharpness, even at close focus down to 0.38 m/1.25 ft throughout the zoom range. Sony’s original Nano AR Coating II minimises flare/ghosting and optics designed to suppress internal reflections provide further flare resistance, ensuring high clarity whenever a strong light source appears in the frame. The G Master optics deliver soft bokeh for deep, dimensional images because of carefully controlled spherical aberration at both the design and the manufacturing stages with XA elements and a newly developed 11-blade aperture unit. The Super ED (extra-low dispersion) and ED glass elements effectively reduce chromatic aberration.

The FE 28-70mm F2 G Master delivers stress-free shooting with all the advantages of zoom and good image quality. Innovative technologies including advanced optics and XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors make all this fit in a constant F2 zoom that is only 92.9 x 139.8 mm (3-3/4 x 5-5/8) and weighs just 918 g (32.4 oz).

Four XD (extreme dynamic) linear motors and the latest algorithm precisely control the large and heavy focus group. It delivers reliable focus tracking and instant response, which are essential for weddings or sports events where every frame counts. This lens is fully compatible with the α9 III ‘s high-speed continuous shooting with AF/AE tracking of up to 120 frames per second, with tracking continued even whilst zooming.

By using the latest optical technology, Sony’s lens effectively subdues focus breathing, resulting in refined movie imagery. Rack focus and zoom effects can be used with F2 depth of field to create smooth, natural transitions and critical focus for high frame rate 4K 120p/FHD 240p recording is easy due to the high AF tracking performance. The XD linear motors and the newly developed aperture unit operate quietly and support α body breathing compensation with the α series camera’s image stabilisation “Active Mode”.

Important control functions include Linear Response MF for intuitive manual focus, adjustable zoom ring torque, and an aperture ring with a click ON/OFF switch. There are also two customisable focus hold buttons, an iris lock switch, and an AF/MF switch. The filter diameter is 86 mm, and the lens hood has a window for easy variable filter operation.

Buttons and switches feature silicone gaskets, the lens mount includes a rubber ring, and all other critical areas are designed to prevent the intrusion of dust and moisture to ensure maximum reliability in challenging outdoor conditions. A fluorine coating on the front element effectively repels contaminants and makes cleaning easy.

The FE 28-70 F/2 G Master Lens will be available across all Sony Centers, Alpha Flagship stores, Sony authorized dealers and major electronic stores across India from 29^th November 2024 onwards at price of ₹299,990.

Tag Archives: professional photography

Nikon Z6III Review: Does It Actually Outperform?