Camera ReviewMorten ByskovJanuary 28, 2025Nikon Z6 III first impressions review, Nikon Z6 III review, Nikon Z6 III sample images, Nikon Z6 III sample photos, Nikon Z6 III image quality, Nikon Z6 III for photographyComment

Nikon Z6 III Review

A Review of the Mainstream Nikon Z6 III

Update: January 2025
This post was initially written as a first impression review. Instead of doing a separate review, I updated it with comments after purchasing and using the Nikon Z6 III for a month.

Black Friday deals are always tempting, but I usually shy away because I fear buying gear I don’t need. However, the recent $300.00 rebate on the Nikon Z6 III represents good value on paper, and I was curious to try it out.

My friend Chris jumped on this deal, which gave me a chance to take the Z6 III for a spin and try out three excellent lenses: the Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena, Voigtländer Apo-Lanthar 50mm f/2 Version 1, and Voigtländer Nokton 50mm f/1. The two Voigtländer lenses are the Z-Mount versions.

It was a fine sunny morning at English Bay, so let’s see how it played out.

Update: A few weeks after writing this initial paragraph, I jumped on the Z6 III deal as I wanted a Nikon camera for lens reviews and upcoming gigs.

The Nikon Z6 and Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 — The Nikon Z6 III and Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4

Nikon Z8, Z6 III, or Zf

Nikon photographers patiently waited for the Nikon Z6 III, which was finally announced in June 2024. The Z8 had become the choice of many pros and avid enthusiasts, while retro fans welcomed the Zf with its film camera look and vibe.

The Z8 and Zf are capable cameras, and many photographers have both. The Z8 is for heavy lifting, and the Zf is for days when you want to travel light, perhaps customize the look of your camera, and don’t need a high-megapixel camera.

The Z6 III nicely fills the gap with a camera capable of higher frame rates due to the partially stacked sensor and video features exceeding the Zf. It also offers a more compact package and a lower price than the Z8. The Z6 III targets a significant segment of sports, wedding, and wildlife photographers.

Walking in Stanley Park on a foggy January morning. Sample image from a Nikon Z6 III. — Stanley Park, Vancouver, Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 @ f/8

Unfortunately, the Z6 III received bad press right out of the gate. It was deemed to have a lower dynamic range, especially at lower ISO values. In the same breath, the internet has a way of going crazy over things, which will have only a slight disadvantage in real life.

My test of the Z6 III was very brief, so I cannot comment on the dynamic range issue. I can only say that I would not worry about it.

The regular retail price of the Nikon Z6 III is $2,696.95

Update: I have not found this lack of dynamic range an issue after a month of use.

Canada geese at English Bay in Vancouver. Sample image from a Nikon Z6 III and Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena — Stanley Park, Vancouver, Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena @ f/1.8

Nikon Z6 III Specs

24.5MP Partially-Stacked CMOS Sensor
EXPEED 7 Image Processor
Up to 20 fps Raw, 60 fps JPEG Shooting
6K 60p N-RAW, 6K 30p ProRes RAW, 4K 120p, Full HD 240p Slow Motion Video
493-Point AF, AI-Based Subject Detection
CFexpress Type B & SD Memory Card Slots
Blackout-Free, 5760k-Dot EVF
3.2" 4-Axis Tilting Touchscreen LCD
Weight: 23.6 oz / 670 g (Body Only)

The Save On Meats store on Hastings Street in Vancouver. Sample image from a Nikon Z6 III — Hastings Street, Vancouver, Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 @ f/2

Handling

The Nikon Z6 III is 26% lighter than the Z8 and feels noticeably smaller sizewise. While the grip on the Z8 is superb, my pinky starts to slide off the grip on the Z6 III.

The Nikon Zf is 6% smaller, but the body dimensions make the two cameras feel pretty different. The Zf feels like an old film camera, e.g., a Nikon F3, while the Z6 III is beefier and feels more like a standard SLR.

The new 5.7m Dot EVF has been widely praised for its brightness and clarity, but I was not initially impressed. It looked pixelated to a certain degree, and compared to the ZF, it didn’t look any better.

The Zf was better in my eyes. Please remember that this was a rapid test, and I did not get to explore different settings, so I may not have had the highest refresh rates. If you've tried both, I would love to hear from you in the comments below.

I found the shutter sound of the Z6 III to be very similar to the Zf.

The Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena and Nikon Z6 III

Update: After a month of use, the grip is less of an issue unless used with larger lenses such as the Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S and Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena. It may be worth considering adding the MB-N14 battery grip for the larger lenses.

I now have the EVF set to the highest refresh rate, and my initial concern has been debunked to a certain degree. It is indeed a fine EVF, very bright and better than the Zf. While my Leica SL2-S may not be as bright, I still find it better than the Z6 III overall.

Cargo ships on English Bay. Sample image from a Nikon Z6 III and Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena. — English Bay, Vancouver, Nikon Z6 III, Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena @ f/2.2

Image Quality

The sample images in this first impression and final review are processed in Lightroom from RAW files. I have used the Nikon profiles in Lightroom in some files, such as Rich Tone Portrait.

Compared to my Leica SL2-S files, the Z6 III files seem a bit more vibrant in color and appear slightly punchier. The photos remind me of Zf files in many ways, but perhaps a bit softer. However, this statement would undoubtedly need a side-by-side test before I could fully support it.

Nikon Z6 III, FTZ II adapter, and AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D

Update: After a month of post-processing Z6 III files, the most striking difference is that I rarely use the Nikon Lightroom presets to get the colors I like, whereas I would almost always use the presets for the Nikon Zf.

This is still slightly puzzling, but the files from the Z6 III feel closer to what appeals to me in the Leica SL2-S files and, hence, need very little post-processing.

Check the sample images in this article. Depending on the size of your monitor, they can be viewed up to 2500 pixels wide, or you can pinch-zoom if you are on your mobile phone.

Stanley Park, Nikon Z6 III, AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D

Conclusion

I would jump right out and say that based on my experience with the Zf and brief encounters with the Z8 and Z6 III, I would probably pick the Zf as a favorite if I were buying a Nikon camera today. The second choice would be the Z8.

The Zf appeals to me as it is a camera that begs to be picked up. I will admit that I love the retro vibe. On the polar opposite, we have the Z8 (or Z9), which I would view as a tool to get a job done. It feels solid, and the increased megapixel count may be useful for landscape photography or cropping wildlife images. These attributes would have me pick a Zf or Z8 over a Z6 III.

Of course, this is unfair to the new feature-rich Z6 III, which appears to have so much going for it. Also, testing and making conclusions after an hour of using a camera is not ideal, but it is better than not having the chance.

My ranking is an individual choice, and yours may differ entirely depending on your needs, camera taste, and budget. I would not fault anyone for seriously looking at the Z6 III. At first glance appears to be a strong performer.

Fog in Stanley Park, Vancouver. Sample image from a Nikon Z6 III — Stanley Park, Nikon Z6 III, Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1.4 @ f/8

Trying the Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena was a treat, and I would love to dig deeper with this lens. I could see it being useful for multiple scenarios. However, I was equally impressed when using the Z6 III with the two Z-Mount Voigtländer lenses.

Thanks to Chris for providing gear for this review. It is much appreciated.

Update: When I bought the Z6 III, I did not follow my instincts after my first try with the camera. There are a few reasons for this. I still stand by the above paragraphs and have a soft spot for the Nikon Zf, but I wanted to try something new as a reviewer. In some ways, I listened to my head instead of following my heart.

The Z6 III has been great, and I have already reviewed a few Z-Mount lenses in 2025.

Other than the look of the files, which I like, the single most enjoyable factor of the Z6 III for me has been the custom function buttons. It makes a significant difference in how you operate the camera and makes it feel like a workhorse, more so than the Nikon Zf.

I have now had a chance to spend more time with the Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena and have a full review here:

Nikon Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena - Review

Please see more sample images below.

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support us, you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate link below. A small commission goes to us and helps us keep the wheels turning at 5050 Travelog.

Check the current price at B&H Photo

Nikon Z6 III - B&H Photo

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