Massive Upgrades for a Mid-Range Monster
Sporting a new and inspired partially-stacked sensor design, the Nikon Z6 III Mirrorless Camera unlocks a number of flagship-level upgrades for this mid-range camera, including faster and more precise autofocus, professional-level 6K internal raw video, pre-capture at up to 120 fps, and a smooth, bright, colorful EVF. Taken together, these upgrades make this mirrorless monster an ideal choice for aspiring professionals in search of an all-around, affordable camera.
Newly Designed Sensor and Flagship Processing
24.5MP Partially-Stacked CMOS Sensor
The Z6 III is Nikon’s first camera to to feature a partially stacked sensor design for faster scans and readouts than its predecessor. The design also reduces rolling shutter and noise levels when working at the top end of the ISO range. Additionally, this sensor design unlocks many of the flagship-level features in the camera, like faster autofocus, a smoother EVF experience, faster continuous shooting speeds, and higher frame rates when shooting video.
EXPEED 7 Image Processor
Complementing the sensor is the EXPEED 7 processing engine, found in the top-of-the-line Z8 and Z9 mirrorless cameras an which offers speeds approximately 10x faster than the Z6II. This engine works in conjunction with the partially-stacked sensor design to realize impressively fast AF speeds, burst shooting rates, a high buffer capacity, fluid video performance, and quick all-around handling.
- Top continuous shooting speeds of 20 fps when shooting in raw, up to 60 fps when shooting in full-frame JPEG, and 120 fps when shooting JPEGs using a DX crop, with all rates supporting full AF/AE performance.
- Able to buffer over 1000 images in a burst when using the electronic shutter, meaning image sequences can be recorded for approximately 50 seconds continuously.
- Pre-Release Capture at up to 120 fps helps make decisive moment shots easier by recording frames in a burst for up a second prior to actually releasing the shutter. When this feature is activated, burst shooting will commence when the shutter is half-pressed and the buffer will retain up to 3 seconds’ worth of frames prior to fully pressing the shutter.
- Electronic shutter affords a top shutter speed of 1/16,000 sec for working in the brightest conditions with wider apertures.
- Partially-stacked sensor design reduces rolling shutter distortion so fast-moving subjects, like a golf club, tennis racket, or baseball bat, do not appear distorted when working with shutter speeds up to 1/16,000 sec.
- AF calculations are done at a 120 fps rate to keep up with fast continuous shooting speeds.
Fast and Intelligent AF
493-Point Phase-Detection AF
Covering the full sensor area, the Z6 III’s flagship EXPEED 7 processor unlocks Nikon’s flagship 493-point phase-detection AF system to realize fast and accurate focusing performance. This system is benefitted by the high-speed communication of the Z interface along with the speed of the sensor that enables AF readings to occur at up to 120 fps.
This focusing system also supports working in low-light conditions with a Starlight mode that permits focusing down to -10 EV to greatly benefit astrophotography, concert, and other nighttime shooting applications. Featuring the highest native ISO in a Z-series camera at ISO 64000, the autofocus is also useful for working in difficult lighting conditions. The Backlit AF function uses separate pixels on the sensor that allows these areas to intentionally overexpose for focusing accuracy purposes without impacting the actual exposure of the recorded image.
A mainstay focusing mode in DSLRs, which debuted for mirrorless with the Z9, the Z6 III also includes 3D Tracking AF that pairs with subject detection to lock onto fast, erratically moving subjects that move parallel and perpendicular to the camera. Additionally, there are three Dynamic-Area AF modes, with a range of focus area sizes, for capturing a broad variety of moving subject types.
Subject Detection with Deep Learning Technology
Utilizing inherited algorithms and deep learning technology from the Z9, including sophisticated Subject Detection, the Z6 III can recognize a variety of distinct subject types, ranging from humans to animals to airplanes to bicycles. When working in Auto-Area AF, these subjects will automatically be detected, focused on, and tracked to ensure sharp focus when the subject is moving across the frame.
Eye-Detection AF, specifically, has been tuned for improved accuracy and refined recognition of eyes in the scene, regardless of how small or large they are within the image frame, and can also be used in conjunction with custom Wide-Area AF for different subject shapes and sizes.
More Beautiful Portraits
Perfect for portraits, the Z6 III improves on the partially-stacked sensor’s inherent capabilities with a series of processing tools and shooting functions to improve portraits:
- Portrait mode processes portraits for skin with natural texture and a rounded feel
- Rich Tone Portrait mode, a picture mode that produces more vivid results while capturing details of the subject’s complexion and avoiding loss of detail in the highlights
- Flat Monochrome mode features gentle gradations from highlights to shadows, producing soft monochrome portraits
- Deep Tone Monochrome mode chooses slightly darker tones in the range from shadows to mid-tones, with brightness rapidly increasing as tones progress from mid-tones to highlights
- Skin softening can be used on up to three subjects in a shot and slightly blurs the skin for a more pleasing texture while still retaining essential sharpness on eyes and hair
- Manual white balance control is more intuitive when making adjustments and Auto WB has also been optimized for human subjects
- Take full advantage of Nikon’s portrait modes by pairing the Z6 III with one of Nikon’s portrait Z lenses, like the 50mm f/1.2 S, the 85mm f/1.2 S, or the 135mm f/1.8 S Plena
Pixel Shift Technology
Produce ultra-high resolution images at up to approximately 96 megapixels using pixel shift technology. By slightly shifting the image sensor between shots – selectable between 4 and 32 shots per image, with more shots meaning more detail – users can merge the images in NX Studio after shooting to create a single image with enhanced resolution, texture, and color. The shooting method also also reduces noise, moiré, and false colors. Pixel Shift photography benefits archival, landscape, architecture, fine art, macro, and film digitizing applications, and achieves its best results when working with a tripod.
Professional Level Video
Internal 6K60 and 4K 120 Recording
Equally capable for video, the Z6 III matches the Z9’s recording capabilities here, as well, with a variety of resolutions and frame rates available up to 6K.
Using full pixel readout, 6K60p video can be recorded with continuous shooting, while 4K and Full HD recording is also possible in a variety of frame rates, including full-frame 4K recording at up to 120p and Full HD recording at 240p for slow-motion playback.
N-RAW and ProRes RAW Video
Internal 12-bit raw raw recording at up to 6K 60p in the N-RAW format is supported along with internal ProRES RAW HQ. Raw recording offers greater tonal and color latitude and can improve dynamic range, benefitting color grading needs and post-production flexibility.
- N-RAW is Nikon’s own raw recording format that offers impressively small file sizes compared to other raw formats as well as the ability to create MP4 proxies for more efficient previewing or transferring.
- N-RAW recording is available at up to 6K at 60p and ProRes RAW is also available at up to 6K and 30p.
ProRes and H.265 10-Bit Recording
Internal recording is also supported with 10-bit color and 4:2:2 sampling in the ProRes 422 HQ and H.265 codecs at 5.4K 30p and 5.4K 60p, respectively.
Nikon’s Brightest Viewfinder
The Z6 III’s sensor-processor combo has allowed Nikon to give the Z6 III the brightest electronic viewfinder on any of its cameras. At 4000 nits, it’s 33% brighter than the flagship Z9, making a subject’s details visible even in bright sunlight. Its 5,760,000 dot resolution is also a first for a Nikon EVF, aiding with autofocus by showing the subject recognition square. This EVF also works in conjunction with dual-stream technology for blackout-free viewing when shooting continuously and it features a high fps function, which ups the EVF’s refresh rate to 120 fps for smoother, lifelike viewing. Finally, the Z6 III’s EVF also features a higher dynamic range and is compatible with a DCI-P3 color gamut – the first of its kind in a mirrorless camera – for approximating real-world color when taking the shot.
Four-Axis Tilting LCD
Like the Z9 and Z8, the Z6 III incorporates a unique 3.2″ 2.1m-dot four-axis tilting touchscreen LCD that better supports working from high and low angles, regardless if shooting in the horizontal or vertical orientation. This screen’s four-way tilting design allows for easier viewing from a variety of positions and the user interface orientation will also shift depending on how the camera is held.
Body Design
- Dual card slots-one CFexpress Type B slot and one UHS-II SD slot-allow for flexible file saving. The CFx slot is suitable for data-intensive applications, like 6K recording and high-speed burst shooting, while the SD slot retains compatibility with the popular storage format. Additionally, the CFx B slot is also compatible with XQD memory cards.
- Pair the Z6 III with the optional MB-N14 Power Battery Pack grip for improved ergonomics when shooting vertical and up to 1.9x the battery life.
- The smaller, lighter design makes the Z6 III an ideal candidate for rigging or use on a gimbal for video use.
- Premium weather sealing protects against dust and moisture for confident use in harsh climates.
- In-body Vibration Reduction now supports Synchro VR to achieve up to 8 stops of camera shake compensation when used with select Z lenses.
Versatile Connectivity
Matching the professional build quality, the Z6 III is fitted with a variety of connectivity options to suit various workflow needs:
- Another Nikon first, the Z6 III features direct-to-cloud connectivity with Nikon Imaging Cloud for file transfer and access to Nikon’s imaging recipes for creative color grading
- Sync timecodes using Ultrasync Blue from Atmos, connecting multiple Z6 III camera bodies for multi-camera production setups
- Full-size HDMI port for outputting video to an external recorder or monitor
- 3.5mm headphone port and a new line-in port for on-board audio monitoring and high-quality audio input directly into the camera
- One USB-C port that supports file transfers and tethering as well as power delivery and battery charging
- USB-C communication terminal supports USB-LAN connectivity when paired with an optional USB-C to Ethernet adapter. This enables a 1000BASE-T wired LAN connection for transferring files over FTP
- 10-pin port offers wide accessories and remote connectivity
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz) permit wireless transferring of files, remote camera control via a mobile device, and works in conjunction with the NX Mobile Air app for file management
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