The full-frame camera universe is diverse and multi-layered and more often than not, new launches are judged heavily and critically. Adding to this judgement is the fact that camera users are extremely particular about their cameras and what features they want in their cameras. It goes without saying that over the last few decades, the way we perceive and use cameras has changed drastically. One of the results of these changes is the renewed direction that most camera companies have taken in response to the increased competition. One such company is Nikon.
I recently received the Nikon Z6III mirrorless camera and this is my detailed experience with the product.
The Nikon Z6III has a well-crafted body that feels premium to the touch. The buttons and knobs are well-built and feel very sturdy. There’s nothing flimsy about the camera at all. Everything from the articulated monitor, the viewfinder, the joystick to the I/O ports is really well built.
One thing that you’ll notice immediately while using the third-generation Z6 is the weight. The 760 grams hits you like a brick. Especially for someone like me who has been using a Sony A7C for over two years now. The camera body is thick and it has a good grip to hold on to so the weight factor is quickly taken care of. Truth be told, I kind of hate my A7C after getting used to the Z6III’s grip.
On the left-hand side, you'll find the rotatable dial with different modes, i.e., Manual Moda, Aperture Priority Mode, Shutter Priority Mode, Program Mode, Auto etc. Pretty standard on all Nikon cameras. On the right-hand side, we have a small LCD that shows details such as ISO, aperture and shooting duration left on the memory card (a first for me as my A7C doesn't have this feature).
The joystick on the right-hand side is very utilitarian, especially if you shoot a lot in manual mode. When compared to its predecessor, the Z6II, another element that stands out is the fully articulated display. The size and specs of the screen, however, remain the same as before at 3.2-inch and 2100k dots.
Compared to the Z6II’s viewfinder (3,690k-dot resolution EVF) the new 5,670k-dot resolution EFV on the Z6III proves to be a revelation. Not just this, for the first time ever, Nikon has added an ultra-wide colour gamut (DCI-P3) in a mirrorless camera. That along with a fast 60fps refresh rate makes the Z6III a first.
Just like the Z6II, the Z6III has dual memory card slots, one is for CFExpress B cards and the other one is for SD cards (supports UHS-II version).
Key features:
World’s first partially stacked 24.5MP sensor
Up to 240fps shooting at 1080p (FHD)
3D tracking and subject detection focus
14-bit NEF Raw images
5.4 video at 60fps video
Electronic shutter
Support for Nikon Imaging Cloud Service
The Z6 series is often known for all-rounder cameras and the Z6III certainly tries hard to do justice to this title.
The partially stacked sensor really impresses with the quick autofocus. The 4K video at 120 frames-per-second feature is definitely a cool option to have under the sleeve. I have to mention this at the cost of sounding repetitive but for a mid-range camera to have these features truly blows my mind. The viewfinder is huge and proves to be a major win for the camera. My Sony A7C has a really small viewfinder and to be honest, for the most part, I’m used to it now. However, getting to use the Z6III’s giant viewfinder was a delight. If you prioritise shooting stills and focus more on shooting static objects, such as landscapes, then there probably isn’t a better camera than the Z6III at this price range. This still-photography beast means pure business with its 24-megapixel sensor, its EXPEED 7 processor (same as in the Nikon Z8 and Z9) and a much faster read-out speed. Furthermore, the 6K N-RAW images that come from this partially stacked sensor are a work of art.
Video is a completely different domain and just like photography, it has multiple layers to it. Some might even argue that it is a bit more arduous than photography but we’re not going into that debate at the moment. The quicker readout speeds also lead to better video output. The camera is well equipped to deal with rolling shutter distortions, a.k.a., the jelly effect. This thing won’t matter to you if you are a casual camera user or a hobbyist but for professionals, this is a golden nugget.
To put it in a better way, given that you use a PAL format for shooting, you would ideally shoot at 25FPS, meaning that your shutter speed would approximately be 1/50. If you were to shoot something with slight movement or something quicker in nature, you would opt for 50FPS which would mean a shutter speed of 1/100 which is quite high for regular everyday shooting. Now, what usually happens at higher shutter speeds is that fast-moving objects start to get a wavy/jelly effect also called the rolling shutter effect. This is where faster readout speeds come into play and help minimise that effect. Nikon's Z8 and Z9 models have a global shutter that completely takes care of this situation.
Another thing I’d like to add here is the high ISO performance or, in simpler terms, low-light performance. Compared to the cameras in this price range, I’d say that the Z6III has good low-light capabilities. When compared to the Z8, the Z6III definitely has lower pixel density but it makes up for it with a fast autofocus and good high ISO performance. Additionally, to be honest, high ISO capabilities shouldn’t be an issue in today’s times given the degree of software we have available with us.
The Nikon Z6III is an exceptional camera. There is nothing that it cannot do when it comes to photography. The picture quality is simply too good to complain about. The only area I felt the camera still lacked was video. The auto-focus failed me on multiple occasions. Tapping on the screen repeatedly is not a fun activity when you want the camera to lock onto your subject and be locked for the duration of the shoot. However, it worked well during photoshoots.
Another thing I noticed very quickly while operating the camera was that being a Sony camera user for the majority of my journey as a photographer and videographer, the Nikon user interface proved to be a tough one to crack. Now, this doesn’t affect the users directly but it does have an indirect impact if Nikon wants Sony and Canon users to switch.
The universe of professional cameras is a bit different and anyone who is wandering into this world for the first time might feel strange about prices. That being said, trust me when I say that the Nikon Z6III which is priced at Rs 2,47,990, is a mid-range mirrorless camera. Superior models like the Z8 and the Z9 sell for much higher. So, price will definitely play a huge role in your purchasing decision.
However, for those who are wondering whether shelling out this amount of money for a Nikon camera is worth it, I’d have to say yes it is. This camera is a perfect compromise for people who wish to get a top-end mirrorless camera like the Z9/Z8 (Sony A1/ Sony A7R5/ Canon R1/ Canon R5). With features that are, for sure, a huge upgrade from its predecessors and close to the ones we see on flagship models in Nikon’s catalogue, the Z6III is a powerhouse crafted for professionals as well as hobbyists. As far as camera chops go, this device proves to be a game-changer as it forces you to change your opinion about Nikon as a brand.
