Nikon Z6iii Review For Wildlife And Bird Photographers (First Look Review!)
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- The Nikon Z6iii is here - and this is the Z6iii review every wildlife and bird photographer is gonna want to see!
In this Nikon Z6iii review for wildlife and bird photographers, we'll cover everything you need to know about the new camera - ergonomics, price, shipping date, the new sensor, ISO performance, buffer performance, frame rate, rolling shutter, viewfinder, viewfinder blackout, weather sealing, autofocus performance, pre-capture, subject detection performance, VR, AF low light capability, if 24MP is really a deal breaker, and of course, who should consider this camera. Whew.
And yes, I'll even give you my take on the Z6iii for bird-in-flight photography (BIF).
In short, I worked hard to make sure this is the ONLY review you'll need! :)
Check it out - I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised with the Nikon Z6iii and it's gonna be the next camera in my bag for sure!
If you are going to purchase a Z6iii, please consider using my B&H affiliate link below. I do these reviews at my own expense and your support is greatly appreciated. :)
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Link Tree with newsletter signup (and the rest of my stuff)
backcountry-ga...
You had the camera for less than 24 hours and still were able to produce a wide-range of stellar shots as examples of its capabilities. A professional among professionals. Bravo sir!
Thanks so much!
As Sheldon would say “Sarcasm?”
Steve Perry is the gold standard for honest & useful wildlife photography camera reviews.
Your instructive videos and all honest reviews help me a lot to master my wildlife photography skills. Happy to own Z6iii, really eager to shoot wildlife with it.
One of my favorite cameras of all time was the Nikon D750. I captured some really great (to me) wildlife photos even though it was "only" 24MP. Its low light performance was fantastic so I'm sure the new Z6III will be excellent as well. Solid review, Steve. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts after you've had some longterm use of the Z6III.
Welcome to Florida! I shoot birds with a Zf and a 500mm PF lens. I am thinking about getting a Z8 for Christmas but was interested in knowing more about the new Z6iii. Thanks for the review.
Thanks again Steve, Valuable video in every way. I was gunning for a Z8 and using the lenses from my D850,so I can now look at a Z6iii and lens for the same price.Cheers!
Great summary. As I already have a Z9 and a Z8, I won't purchase it but it looks like a great camera.
Do you recommend selling the Z9 camera and buying the Z63 camera
Gift me one of them please 😅😅😅
@@زهيرسلمانof course not, wtf 😅
@@زهيرسلمان I would not
given my use case. It all depends on what you plan to do.
Great first review. Looks like a lot of camera for the money. And great job with the tumble-roll. You nailed it.
Great review, for now I think I'll buy the Z8
Agree, in € the new Z6III is imho too expensive (3k €9 and too closely priced to the Z8.. you‘re better off with the Z8 I guess..
What are the most convincing arguments spending 1.000€ more on the Z8?
@@JanWagner77 I’d say the 45mp sensor and for me the tilt screen vs the flippy screen. But I understand this is very personal preference and 1000 € is a lot of money.. maybe I need to look into a more detailed comparison to the Z8 :)
@@JanWagner77 45mp and sensor shield
Shades of Garth Marenghi 3:43 Further, I agree 100% in regards to the performance of the outgoing Z6ii; mine was completely capable of shooting birds in flight but it did take some practice and setup. 24MP provides plenty of resolution. My 10-page feature was just published in the June 2024 issue of Birding magazine and most of those were shot with my Z6ii.
I can’t wait to get mine. I’m giving it a few months. I’m waiting for the holidays.
As usual Steve, you are the very best at this!!!
Not that there was any doubt before, but with the Z6III the lead Nikon has over Sony in the wildlife/sports action game is enormous and become insurmountable. As for the buffer, it is likely the Z6III has the Z8/Z9 memory bus which is incredible at this price. By the numbers, I would not doubt the Z6III could actually do 25fps LC RAW FX unlimited and rather it is limited by something other than the memory bus. Dual card write is a different story, and the SD UHS-II is the nerf. If I had to make a guess, I would say the Z6III is probably limited to 10fps give or take in dual card write LC RAW FX. The Z8 is lower than that because larger file sizes. The Z9 is 10fps in dual card write thanks to dual CFB.
Thanks as usual Steve! Very helpful!
Will the manual come with drop and roll instructions… cos dayumm that was fantastic. Ima gonna get a z6iii simply based on the roll my friend 🤩 but seriously… this is the camera I’ve been waiting for to partner the love of my life .. my Z9. Bloody awesome review 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Forget the camera, I want that lens: 600mm 1.4 TC.
Thanks for the review by the way.
Great photos, great review!
Great quick review Steve. Was that at Viera Wetlands?
So close - Orlando Wetlands :)
16:28 incredible moment of time and light captured..
Thanks so much!
Great review of this camera.
great first look Steve. thanks.
Looks like Nikon added Bird detect after all according to the release promo
Thanks Steve - Fairly good review - as always! At 13.10 … at 90 degrees … or … rather Fahrenheit ?
is just a zf with some tweaks
❤👍👍👍👏👏👏 very good reviews, thank you so much!
Appreciate your views as always. Curious as to the start-up and wake-up times compared to Z6II and Z8?
About the same :)
Hi Steve
What order would you rank these cameras for birds in flight? - Based on likelihood to successfully capture an in-focus image, all other things being equal?
Z50, D7200, Z6 ii, D810, D850, D500, D7500
You said it is has been hard to recommend a mid-priced Z camera for birds in flight, up until now. I prefer to buy second hand when the price drops significantly, so it may be a couple of years before I consider buying the Z6iii.
I have owned a Z50 for some time and it has been great, until I caught the BIF bug. Very recently bought a D7200 to carry a 2nd body. In my first real session with it (around sunset) I already feel like the D7200 is locking on more quickly and consistently than the Z50. That's exciting! It's making me think that a DSLR such as used D500 or D810 may be a better budget/value option for BIF than a used Z6ii? Especially with your comment during this video which implies the Z6ii and Z7ii aren't up to standard of the better DSLR's. I have also been researching the Olympus cameras ...
I'm using a Nikon 300mm f4 IF ED and just added a TC1.4II 😊
I think there is value in learning the skills and craft to take good pictures with older gear meaning, one day, if I choose to stick at it, I'll enjoy the better cameras even more.
BTW, Watched alot of your videos and have two of your ebooks. Thanks!
Hi Steve, would like to know the Tamron 150-600 and 70-200 f2.8 g2 lense are compatible with z6iii.
Proposing to upgrade to the Z mount
Excellent review.
When you do your full review of the production camera, would you test it with the FTZ adapter? I have a 500PF. I'm curious if it is worth upgrading from a D850 without a native lens.
Hi Steve! Does z6iii has the x2.3 crop mode in video like z9 and z8?
You are right-handed, you hold your lens with your left hand, you focus and you trigger with your right hand: what do you do if on the fly you have to modify your settings or call up a pre-recorded configuration (I often do this by video and sports and animal photography) if your dial is on the left?
Will we be able to assign to certain buttons the possibility of switching configurations with the right hand with the Nikon Z6III?
Only 24 MPX, this remains a big disappointment overall.
350 CHF (370€ or so) more for the z8 right now as the z63 is 3000 chf here. Tough call. I guess I will wait.
Hi, what about Z8 wild life photography set up Thank you
Thank you. As usual, a great presentation. I do have a question. First some background. The Nikon Z lenses do not have a focusing window readout on the lens barrel (feet and meters). I looked at the Zf and its viewfinder does have a slider that runs across the bottom. But, it does not tell you the actual focus point in feet. Now, for my question. Does the Z6iii viewfinder display the actual focus point in feet? This may seem like nit picking, but if your trying to set the hyperfocal distance for landscape or street shooting, this kind of readout is important. Many thanks.
I think it does but I don't have it in hand to verify.
@@backcountrygallery Many thanks, Steve. I think what I'm going to have to do is, when the camera becomes available, rent one and test it out. Take care, John
I will like the d850 - its the Camera good?
I’m shooting with D7200 and all my Favorite glass. Would quality be good using the adapter for dslr lenses until I can get one or two z lenses?
Great review. Any chance the z6iii has a sensor shield?
It does not since it has a mechanical shutter.
Not sure what the hell Nikon's European sales and marketing team think, but the pricing of the Z6 iii makes it already obsolete.
Right now in Hungary the Z6 costs roughly 3100euro, while I can buy a brand new Z8 for 3700.
Great moves, Steve...hilarious!
Ya gotta do what ya gotta do to get the shot :)
So 3k in EU .... meh
Not worth atm, Z8 is just ~800 more now on sale
For all those complaining about the 24mgp sensor. I can count on the fingers of my left hand how many lossless compressed raw files the A74 can shoot 😂 I would take 20fps over 33mgp sensor every day of the week
I will wait for the Ultra, King of low Light, Endless buffer Nikon Z 10. A combo of the best Nikon cameras. You heard it here first. 🤣🤣
Лучший обзор из того что сейчас есть! Спасибо!
The Z7III is the Z8. Best EVF ever? Even than the A1 and A9 whatever? hmm. And isn't the newest A9 ALSO 24 MP? With DX-style ISO performance? And costs over twice as much?
New hot review
I don't shoot Nikon so I shouldn't comment but.. lol.. 24mpx sensor is definitely a wildlife deal breaker.. I have an A7iv with what 30 mpx or so and it's very seldom used in favor of my A1.. its such a huge drop off in resolution and thus cropability.. both great cameras I'm sure.. but the resolution just isn't there..
So the MSRP on the Z6II was $2000, the MSRP on the Z6III is $2500. I get that we are living in high inflation times but that's a pretty big jump in price for what is one of their more entry level options. I would have thought they would have positioned a Z6III to try to gobble up market share on value, I guess not. Personally, at that price, I think I'd just save my pennies and go with a Z8 before I bought a Z6III.
It wouldn't shock me though, if no Z7iii ever comes as I've wondered if its too close to the Z8. What is the middle ground between a Z6III and a Z8 at this point? What would features would it have and not have to justify its existence?
Only if you buying in the initial launch period. Look at the Z9, Z8, Zf releases and all are currently being retailed at discount when compared to their launch prices. If you can wait a few months, then see what the price they're selling in November/December.
@@prl105 Of course but discount is always relative to the MSRP. The Z6II also rarely is sold for $2k.
@@ryancooper3629 Thanks Ryan. I'm based in the UK and have been seeing Z6ii retail around £1500 or less. Now of course with the Z6iii announced this price will tumble towards £1000 new or less used.
I hope that the Z6iii can lock the focus point location. Z6ii does not have that capability
Only I need is a Nikon D850 but with autofocus and ISO systems from Z cameras
I am heading to Kenya in October and am thinking this may be a good fit for me? I also shoot high school wrestling (fast movement in dim lighting). Do you think this may work?
I’m confident it would:)
@@backcountrygallery I am going to laikipia to see the rare black leopard and also to see the last 2 northern white rhinos. Do you have any recommendations on a lens for safari (I currently use a tamron 24-300 and love the ability to get shots close and somewhat far) but know it's not the best? and also best lens for wrestling? I have to preface this with "I don't want to spend thousands of dollars on lenses" bc I just don't have it after paying for this trip...LOL
@@connemara522 That sounds like a fantastic trip - however - I've not been there so I really have no idea at all what you might want to take. I also don't do any sports, so I'm not sure on wrestling - maybe a 70-200 2.8? You might want to ask at the BCG Forums - there may be some people there who have a better background with the types of shots you're after.
Great review!!! 😂
Can't wait for this!
Man that roll on the ground was incredibly fast! 😂
You can stop waiting ang go buy Z6ii now.
3:44, that action roll is awesome, those birds never had a chance!!!!
that roll and shoot absolutly killed me!
Me too!
This level of photography on a pre-production unit, with only 24 hours of use. You sir are a master of your art.
Thanks so much!
Love the dip and roll, Steve 😅
Another home run from Nikon. For the price and features it has, this new body would appeal to the millions who can't afford a Z8. Now the masses have a true capable body that could be use in any situation. I'm tempted to get this as my back up to my Z9. The new body's 5+ million EVF is a blessing, so too with that flip screen
Amazing specs!!! This blows away the competition! Nikon is back baby!
As a D750 user who really needs the AF help, you described me so well. Can’t wait to get my hands on this camera.
That was me also - and I'm delighted with the Z6iii for that and other reasons. And, thanks for your videos Steve!
No raw precapture!? Biggest disappointment for me.
Olympus has had this for years , 2020 press release for the em-1 mark iii:
"Pro Capture starts shooting the moment the shutter release button is pressed down halfway, with a buffer that can be set to capture up to 35 frames in RAW / full resolution."
And no bird subject detection, even though it has the same processor as the z8. Did Nikon purposely hold back this feature?
I'm from Indonesia 🇮🇩. currently still using a Nikon D7200 camera and 80-200 afd lens to photograph sports. Hopefully one day I can buy a Nikon Z6II camera
Don't shoot Nikon but boy are they killing it Great Job
Uk prices is £2700 while USA price is $2500.
What a rip off.
Brilliant, Steve! U and Morton do such great work - thank u again! 6K 60p - WOW!!!
Did you know that if you use your smart phone to connect to your z camera via the free Nikon app /snap bridge you don’t need to twist your back screen about . Big plus i found was with my z8 the app informed me of a firmware upgrade. I clicked on the ok and it down loaded it . Then when the 180 600 z lens had a firmware update . I got a attachment for the phone to fit it on flash mount and I get to use the screen to set the setting of the camera . F or landscape it’s a great it did that too. Great channel you have I learn a lot
Oh boo hoo to the whiners about 24mp. Go get a Z8. Z6 shooters wanted 24mp as it’s video focused and that Z8’s 45.8mp stacked sensor is no good in low light. Majority wanted 24mp.
Hang on just a minute I want to Know if someone has a ,D7500D500 and Nikon 200-500 and we have a Z6III with a 180-600 or 200-500 who will get a better quality picture of a bird in relatively low light.because a few weeks back I noticed I was getting better pics from my DSLR than my friend on his Z6II with the above combos I guess APSC crop is a huge factor
I have been using the Z f with the Z 180-600mm, coming from my long time use of the D500 and the F mount 200-500mm. As venerable and battle tested as the D500 is with that classic affordable lens - I almost never use it any more, I get much better results with the Z f and the 180-600mm.
I have a D7500 and a Z6ii, and the Z6ii is hands-down light years ahead in terms of low light performance.
Too many variables to even guess. Generally, if you are filling the frame with either camera, the full frame will have an edge, mirrorless or not. If you're cropping the heck out of a 24MP sensor, then yes, I can see a crop camera having the edge in that scenario., The truth is though, it's not really about mirrorless vs DSLR; it's about full frame v DX and appropriate usage.
"get it right in the field" ... ouch!
Hey Steve, I have been waiting for this for weeks and, as always, you are first and the best! It is a great introduction and convinces me right away to place an order for one. You did not mention battery life and a grip! I assume Nikon will have one, because a grip will be a must for me with a longer lens and without the ability to use a large battery. The most important conclusion for me is, that I can use this as a full wildlife camera, and of course, as a fabulous travel, family and general shooting housing. I live in Paris and this will become my goto street photo camera! I avoid saying "street shooting" on purpose, for obvious reasons. We live in the land of "wok"!
Battery life seems on-par with the current Z6ii, but in such a short time, there was just no way to conduct a good test. There is a grip with full controls, but I couldn't confirm it at the time I shot the video.
I just bought the Z8 after working with a pair of Z6ii's for a few years and I'm having to tell myself that i absolutely need the 45mp to make myself feel better 😂
Z8 is a beast of a camera!
Awesome video, thanks. Currently have a D850 with lots of F mount lens. Would be nice to know how the performance is using an F mount on a Z6iii vs Z8.
That roll !!! @ 3:43 sold it for me! It I can get to do that, I'll buy two!! Seriously though, a really nice review. Thanks Steve
24mp to me is getting a bit boring the card door slot not closing is a stupid design and it worrys me how nikon could let this though the design stage good size hate flippy screen so really for video guys and low light photography ive got all very boring i want to get excited but nothing about its jumps out maybe the evf and that s it
If Sony's next mid range doesn't have 20fps I'm switching to Nikon
All nice but still. Nikon needs at least one flagship with a lower mpx sensor. Getting fed up with running out of storage for wedding images. Z9 and Z8 are overkill. Also to shoot in compressed mode for smaller file sizes is not the point. Canon made a great move once they produced R3 and a new upcoming R1. Nikon has a huge gap to fill in the Z line.
24MP is still a stellar sensor. Love the points on improving your technique and gear. I shoot my 24MP more than the 45MP and love it just the same.
IMHO the buffer test is a bit bogus. What you're doing is showing that the Z6iii can write to a very fast card quicker than it can take photos. The same test with a slow card would be a better indicator of buffer length.
Why would you buy a slow card?
Great first look review! One thing, I think you should invest in a new microphone. The sound quality is not the best, it's not terrible don't get me wrong. But im sure you can get better results with a better mic.
I think it's a user problem more than the mic - it was clipping a bit and I need to turn down the gain. Of course, by the time I figured it out, it was too late to do much about it.
For the birders: You only make heavy crops out of your photos if you don't have enough focal length with your lens. Otherwise the statements that 24 MP is not enough are not very substantial. And the difference between 33 MP and 24 MP is only 9 MP. That's not enough to get any noticeable improvement.
Going to Africa in September. I have a Z8 and am renting my back-up. Should I go with the Z 7ii or the Z 6iii? Z8 will have the 180-60mm and the back-up will have the 24-120mm. Thanks for the great review!
It looks like the Z6iii may be for me 3:44 , I think I am ready and I have been wanting to go mirror less I am shooting D750 and D500.
Your reviews are always great! This camera would be perfect for my lowlight dance photography in the theater, providing that the mechanical shutter isn't too loud (electronic shutters can create banding with certain LED lights, even with a stacked sensor). I sold my Z6II to help finance my Z8. The the high iso image quality with 45 megapixel cameras starts to get pretty noisy past iso 3200. My Z6II had no problem with iso 6400, but the auto focus needed and upgrade (thus the Z6III). The Z6II's mechanical shutter was quiet enough in most situations, but during quiet movements I had to use caution not to disturb the audience. Do find much difference in the shutter sound between the Z6II and the Z6III? Thanks!
Great quick pre-production review! I am sure there will be more to come looking forward to it. Many Thanks!
Hey Steve! Canon shooter here with the R5 and the 100-500. You are my go to channel for Nikon reviews, and general photography tips too. There are many times that I consider going to Nikon. Their lens line up is really compelling! I love your videos, they are just packed with tips for any brand shooter. You really should be a Nikon Ambassador!
Thanks so much! Nikon has asked me about being an ambassador and I think it would undermine the integrity of the reviews. Anytime an ambassador says anything positive about Nikon, there are always those who say, "Yeah, but Nikon is paying them!" I don't want to fall into that category.
this Z6iii review is much better than all the others that are out there. well done !
Thanks so much!
Love the Captain Kirk judo roll
Nikon should gift you their entire line of lenses and cameras for the shots you pulled off over just two sessions! These photos are absolutely incredible, and hands down the very best amongst all the review videos I have seen so far!!! Steve, you look really excited with this one, and we can all guess why.... Thank you for this rocking review! After 8 long years of window shopping, I think I can now happily add a mate for my D500 without breaking the bank. One interesting test would be to see how it pairs with 3rd party and FTZ adapted DSLR lenses like Tamron 150-600 G2
Thanks so much!
the R3 is apparently crap for wildlife, but the Z6III is good? Both are 24mp...the R3 does more FPS, has a better AF system (no having to screw with zone and spot and another AF type on the Nikon bodies..Canon just *works*). Yes, the R3 costs more. But if the Z6III is great for wildlife, then so is the R3...hypocrisy is real if you're a Nikon fan. PS I'm not saying the Z6III isn't good. Just calling out the hypocrisy.
If this is directed at me then you’ve mixed me up with someone else. I’ve never stated that the r3 wasn’t good for wildlife. I’m sure it’s very effective, in fact.
@@backcountrygallery Steve, no it isn't. It's directed at the general viewers, who constantly moan that 24mp isn't enough. It was a generalised rant - sorry if you felt that it was about you. PS I use a R3.
Wahhaaaa. The drop and roll scene was so, so funny. Not in the market for this camera, but still loved the review as I can listen to you talk photography forever. Thanks, Steve.
Gonna upgrade from lumix g9 to one of these in January for my own channel. Cannot wait.
The main feature I’m looking for even with a reduced frame rate is pre-capture. For Nikon to promote this in advertising- only to find out it’s jpeg only - is disingenuous. How long has OM had this feature? Now Sony has it. It’s a big deal for birding in my opinion and Nikon is not competing on this point. Since I have a z8 and 9 - I see no need to buy this since the pre capture hype was just a head fake.
Pro Capture has been introduced by Olympus.
At last! I am hoping to buy this with 180-600, as my only camera. Can't afford anything else, just hope my wife will not throw me out of the house for reckless spending.
Hello Steve, I'm using D500 mainly bird photography and looking to replace it, but I found the Z8 a bit expensive for my budget. Rumors about Z90 that would be replacing the D500. Between Z6III and possible Z90 should I wait for more confirmation from Nikon before making switch. Thank you Daniel
lol is silly to consider 24mpx as low mpx camera. Im shooting wildlife with D6 or D3s. Plenty of pixels for me. If the subject is out of reach of my lenses I do have in the bag D850. But image quality is way better from D6 , D4s or D3s than D850. We need Z9 camera body but with less mpx sensor.
I like your review videos. Straight to the point with no "BS" filler fluff.
Doesn't have bird eye focus correct? Will you buy this camera for your bag?
The price on this really does make sense when you look at the sale price on the Z6 II, the Zf, and the Z8 (on or off sale). Z6 II is more for budget shooters that just want good IQ and reasonable AF, Zf improves the AF a bit, Z6 III takes it a good amount further, and then the Z8 (and Z9) follow on the high-end but are obviously much more expensive. So Nikon did position this right at $2500 and it does compete nicely with the R6 II and A7 IV, although those cameras are likely to see the next round of updates within the next 2 years before a Z6 IV comes out but at the end of the day, it's al la game of leap frog. That being said, having the Z8 and Zf, I'm pretty set myself and probably am not going to the Z6 III since the features I need are already available in the Z8 (the ones that aren't I don't really use).
I'm glad I didn't get the Z8 or Z9 as these two will soon be getting updates too.
@@gosman949not for a while yet. Z8 is only one year old. Overall the Z8 /Z9 is still the better camera, better AF overall, absolutely zero rolling shutter and full stacked 45mpx sensor is a huge difference vs. 24mpx. Pick what works for you
Articulate as usual…this may finally be my d750 replacement and my first dive into mirrorless….but where and when will the d500 be replaced!!
Hi Steve, I have really enjoyed your videos as they’ve been very helpful for me. I am currently using a micro four thirds system. I previously had a Nikon d7200. Currently using micro four thirds. It is smaller lens wise but I preferred the images from the old Nikon. I like mirrorless. I am curious of your opinion on going to a full frame mirrorless like the Z6ii or iii. What do you think I’ll notice (both pros and cons)? Thanks for your time.