Nikon
D7100
24MP APS-C DSLR with no AA filter, 51-point AF, and dual SD slots — a DX classic.
$1,199
Launch priceReleased Feb 2013
Nikon
Z6 III
First partially stacked full-frame sensor with 6K N-RAW internal video.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Jun 2024
Z6 III is 11.3 years newer.
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Wins
D7100
Wins
Z6 III
3 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZ6 III has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 60 frames)
- BZ6 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 15 fps)
- BZ6 III has higher ISO max (native) (64,000 vs 25,600)
- BZ6 III has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 2,360,000)
- BZ6 III has higher Burst (mechanical) (14 fps vs 6 fps)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareD7100
136 × 106 × 76 mm
765 g (1.69 lb / 26.98 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z6 III
139 × 102 × 74 mm
760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
D7100 is 3mm narrower than Z6 III but it is also 5mm taller and 2mm thicker.
D7100 is 5 g heavier than Z6 III.
Depth (front-to-back): 76mm D7100 · 74mm Z6 III
Sensor size, to scale
D7100
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
D7100
✓ 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
D7100
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 135.5, 106, 76
AF points / zones
493 vs 273 — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 380 shots — higher 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…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, H.265/HEVC…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138.5, 101.5, 74
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 60 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 15 fps — higher is better
ISO max (native)
64,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better
EVF resolution
5,760,000 vs 2,360,000 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO min (native) — Both 100
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D7100
Pros
- ✓No AA filter
- ✓51-point AF
- ✓Dual SD slots
- ✓Pro build for DX
Cons
- –Very dated
- –No 4K
- –DSLR declining
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 D7100 and Z6 III at major authorized retailers.
Nikon D7100
Nikon Z6 III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, D7100 or Z6 III?
Z6 III scores 9.0/10 versus 6.0/10 for D7100 — 6K video for oversampled 4K.
What's the resolution difference between the D7100 and Z6 III?
D7100 is 24.1 MP and Z6 III is 24.5 MP, so the Z6 III captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D7100 and Z6 III have in-body image stabilization?
D7100 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z6 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D7100 or the Z6 III?
D7100 reaches 15 fps electronic. Z6 III reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D7100 and Z6 III?
D7100 weighs 765 g and Z6 III weighs 760 g, so the Z6 III is 5 g lighter.
Do the D7100 and Z6 III record 4K video?
D7100: 4K up to 60p. Z6 III: 6K RAW (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D7100 and Z6 III weather sealed?
D7100: Yes. Z6 III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D7100 and 380 shots for the Z6 III, giving the D7100 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D7100 launched at $1,199 and Z6 III at $2,499. The D7100 is $1,300 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D7100 vs Z6 III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.