The Nikon Z6 III Is the Most Underrated Hybrid Mirrorless Camera on the Market

As a professional travel photographer I often get the question about what camera I’m currently using. Most people assume Sony because of YouTube virality or Canon because of name recognition, but it’s the other legacy brand that blew me away with its newest camera body. In 2024 Nikon released the Z6 III and I’ve had the opportunity to travel with this beast of a camera for the past few months on photo and video shoots around the world.

We hope you love the Nikon Z6 III! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to make a purchase.

Photo: Rick Southers

The Nikon Z6 III is the third iteration of the Z6 series; Nikon’s entry point into the mirrorless camera space. This camera is made for the prosumer and it’s packed with features for photographers and video creators. As someone who has owned the first, second and now third versions of this camera, I was impressed by the recent leaps the newest model has taken. When I’m in the field shooting wildlife or dramatic landscapes, having the right tool for the job is essential to making sure I capture the moment.

What I appreciate most about this camera is the durability, speed, user interface, and bright LCD screen. These are just a few of the reasons I continue to choose this camera as my travel companion and why readers may want to give it a try themselves.

Shop Now

Looking for a travel camera? Matador editors and writers review the best options:

• Matador editors broke travel photography down to five specific use cases. Here’s the best camera for each.
• This Affordable DSLR Is the Best Travel Camera for Stepping Up Your Photo Game
• The Sony Alpha ZV-E10 II Is the Do-It-All Compact Camera Made for Travel Creators
• Looking for a Travel Camera? The Sony A7 IV Is Worth the $2,500 Price Tag
• DJI Osmo Action 4 Review: A Lot of Tech in a Little Camera

Nikon Z6 III design and build quality

The Nikon Z6 III is a full-frame mirrorless camera in a robust but compact body that’s perfect for travel. It’s a solid weather-sealed body that’s built for the elements and feels like a pro piece of equipment. The rubberized grip feels secure in the hand and the texture helps with keeping a firm hold while hiking or even in wet situations. Weighing in at 1.68 pounds, it’s still light enough for one hand operation when necessary. The fully-articulating 3.1” touchscreen further helps when shooting in unconventional positions and quickly changing settings.

Nikon Z6 III key features and specifications

Photos: Rick Southers

The full-frame sensor on the Nikon Z6 III ensures you’re able to capture as much of your scene as possible. In contrast, crop sensor cameras tend to be more affordable but also produce photos with a lower megapixel count. As someone who often shares photos in a variety of mediums, including print, it’s essential to my workflow to have high-resolution photos to work with. The 24-megapixel sensor on the Z6 III consistently delivers tack-sharp photos even with some modest cropping in post. With an ISO range up to 64000 I was able to capture some impressive night photography in almost total darkness –

Photos: Rick Southers

The autofocus system on this camera has made noticeable leaps between generations. The eye-detection autofocus for people (and animals) is fast and accurate with customizable modes for any scenario. It consistently finds my subject’s eye and even lets you switch between subjects, with a tap on the screen or click on the joystick. The subject tracking does struggle in crowded scenarios or when there isn’t enough contrast between the subject and the background, however it’s lightyears better than the original Z6. There is also some tweaking you can do in the settings menus to finetune its performance to your shooting style. See my Instagram for examples of how I’ve played around with this.

Another area where the Nikon Z6 III shines compared to its predecessors is video capabilities. The camera takes full-width 4K video at 60 frames per second with 10-bit color, which is very unusual for a camera in this price range. You can also record 4K video at 120 frames per second, but this uses a DX crop. The camera can even record 6K video at 60 frames per second, but only in N-RAW format, not in the more common ProRes RAW format. I’m hoping Adobe Premiere Pro and other editing software become more compatible with N-RAW in the near future. Nikon has even released some RED luts for color-grading that make for some beautiful footage.

Things I love about the Nikon Z6 III

Photo: Rick Southers

Versatility: The Z6iii is a true hybrid with pro photo features and serious video capabilities usually only seen in a true cinema camera. The new partially-stacked sensor allows up to 20 frames per second in RAW with autofocus enabled and up to 120 JPEGS per second.

• Durability: The rugged weather-sealed body is built for the elements and has no issues with overheating or operating at freezing temps.
• Reliability: The Z6iii comes with 2 slots with one dedicated to CF Express Type B which is lightning fast. The other slot is a standard SD slot which is great for use as a backup or a jpeg specific card.
• Portability: For a relatively small mirrorless camera, the Z6iii is packed with features that otherwise would require a larger cinema rig.
• Image quality: The photos that come out of this 24 megapixel sensor are stunning straight out of camera with Nikon colors. I’m also able to capture beautiful handheld video footage because of the built in image stabilization.
• Price: At $2,200 this camera is a steal for pro photographers and filmmakers looking for an all in one solution or a hobbyist looking to upgrade from entry level to a more capable camera.

Where there’s room for Improvement

Photo: Rick Southers

N-RAW: This video format allows for 6K RAW footage but currently has limited support
Sensor shield: I would love to see this feature on a Z6 level camera however it’s reserved for the high-end Z8 and Z9 bodies

In conclusion, the Nikon Z6 III stands as a compelling choice for both professional photographers and serious enthusiasts seeking a versatile, durable camera system. With its robust weather-sealed body, impressive autofocus capabilities, and exceptional video features at a competitive price point, this third-generation model represents significant advancement from its predecessors. While some limitations exist with the N-RAW format, the Z6iii’s combination of portability, reliability, and outstanding image quality makes it an exceptional value in today’s camera market and a worthy travel companion for capturing epic moments.

Shop Now