Nikon
D3400
Lightweight 24MP entry DX DSLR with no OLPF sensor, SnapBridge Bluetooth, Full HD 60p video, and class-leading 1,200-shot battery life.
$649
Launch priceReleased Aug 2016
Nikon
Z6 III
First partially stacked full-frame sensor with 6K N-RAW internal video.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Jun 2024
Z6 III is 7.8 years newer.
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Wins
D3400
Wins
Z6 III
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZ6 III has higher IBIS effectiveness (8 stops vs 0 stops)
- BZ6 III has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 60 frames)
- BZ6 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 11 fps)
- BZ6 III has higher Burst (mechanical) (20 fps vs 6 fps)
- BZ6 III has higher ISO max (native) (64,000 vs 25,600)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareD3400
138 × 98 × 88 mm
520 g (1.15 lb / 18.34 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z6 III
139 × 102 × 74 mm
760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
D3400 is 1mm narrower and 4mm shorter than Z6 III but it is also 14mm thicker.
D3400 is 240 g lighter than Z6 III.
Depth (front-to-back): 88mm D3400 · 74mm Z6 III
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D3400
138 × 98 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z6 III
139 × 102 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D3400
138 × 88 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z6 III
139 × 74 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D3400
23.5 × 15.6 mm · APS-C
367 mm² area
Z6 III
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D3400
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z6 III
Nikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
D3400
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138, 98, 88
Card types
Adds SD UHS-II
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 360 shots — higher is better
AF points / zones
493 vs 299 — higher is better
Weight
520 g vs 760 g — lower is better
Reasons to choose
Z6 III
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -8.5 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138.5, 101.5, 74
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B, XQD, SD…
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 11 fps — higher is better
Burst (mechanical)
20 fps vs 6 fps — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓EVF refresh rate — Both 120 Hz
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
- ✓Microphone jack (3.5mm) — Both support microphone jack (3.5mm)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D3400
Pros
- ✓24.2MP no OLPF DX sensor
- ✓1,200-shot battery (CIPA)
- ✓Lightweight 445g with battery
- ✓SnapBridge Bluetooth sharing
- ✓Excellent beginner value used
Cons
- –11-point AF only
- –No 4K video
- –Fixed rear LCD (no tilt)
- –Discontinued — no Wi-Fi
Z6 III
Pros
- ✓Partially stacked CMOS reduces rolling shutter
- ✓6K N-RAW 60p internal — true filmmaking capability
- ✓5.76M dot EVF — best-in-class resolution
- ✓14fps mechanical burst
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 380 CIPA shots
- –Smaller lens ecosystem vs. Canon RF
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D3400 and Z6 III at major authorized retailers.
Nikon D3400
Nikon Z6 III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, D3400 or Z6 III?
Z6 III scores 10.0/10 versus 4.5/10 for D3400 — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the D3400 and Z6 III?
D3400 is 24.2 MP and Z6 III is 24.5 MP, so the Z6 III captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D3400 and Z6 III have in-body image stabilization?
D3400 does not have IBIS, while Z6 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D3400 or the Z6 III?
D3400 reaches 11 fps electronic. Z6 III reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D3400 and Z6 III?
D3400 weighs 520 g and Z6 III weighs 760 g, so the D3400 is 240 g lighter.
Do the D3400 and Z6 III record 4K video?
D3400: 4K up to 60p. Z6 III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the D3400 and Z6 III weather sealed?
D3400: No. Z6 III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D3400 and 360 shots for the Z6 III, giving the D3400 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D3400 launched at $649 and Z6 III at $2,499. The D3400 is $1,850 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D3400 vs Z6 III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.