Nikon
D810
36MP full-frame DSLR workhorse prized for landscape, studio, and commercial stills.
$3,299
Launch priceReleased Jun 2014
Nikon
Z6 III
First partially stacked full-frame sensor with 6K N-RAW internal video.
$2,499
Launch priceReleased Jun 2024
Z6 III is 10 years newer.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Wins
D810
Wins
Z6 III
2 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZ6 III has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 120 frames)
- BZ6 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 20 fps)
- BZ6 III has higher Max video bit rate (250 Mbps vs 42 Mbps)
- BZ6 III has higher AF points / zones (299 vs 51)
- BZ6 III has higher ISO max (native) (64,000 vs 12,800)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to share
D810
146 × 123 × 82 mm
980 g (2.16 lb / 34.57 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z6 III
139 × 102 × 74 mm
760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
D810 is 8mm wider, 22mm taller, and 8mm thicker than Z6 III.
D810 is 220 g heavier than Z6 III.
Depth (front-to-back): 82mm D810 · 74mm Z6 III
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D810
146 × 123 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.
D810
146 × 82 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z6 III
139 × 74 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D810
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Z6 III
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D810
✓ 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
D810
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 146, 123, 81.5
Codecs
Adds MPEG-4
Card types
Adds CompactFlash
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 360 shots — higher is better
ISO min (native)
64 vs 100 — lower is better
Resolution
36.3 MP vs 24.5 MP — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z6 III
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -2 EV — lower is better
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 138.5, 101.5, 74
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 20 fps — higher is better
Max video bit rate
250 Mbps vs 42 Mbps — higher is better
AF points / zones
299 vs 51 — higher is better
ISO max (native)
64,000 vs 12,800 — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
- ✓EVF refresh rate — Both 120 Hz
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D810
Pros
- ✓36MP no OPLF
- ✓Excellent dynamic range
- ✓Pro F-mount ecosystem
Cons
- –Superseded by D850
- –Slow live view AF
- –Heavy
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 D810 and Z6 III at major authorized retailers.
Nikon D810
Nikon Z6 III
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for sports, D810 or Z6 III?
Z6 III scores 10.0/10 versus 6.5/10 for D810 — 120fps burst — pro-level action capture.
What's the resolution difference between the D810 and Z6 III?
D810 is 36.3 MP and Z6 III is 24.5 MP, so the D810 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D810 and Z6 III have in-body image stabilization?
D810 does not have IBIS, while Z6 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D810 or the Z6 III?
D810 reaches 20 fps electronic. Z6 III reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D810 and Z6 III?
D810 weighs 980 g and Z6 III weighs 760 g, so the Z6 III is 220 g lighter.
Do the D810 and Z6 III record 4K video?
D810: 4K up to 60p. Z6 III: 4K up to 120p.
Are the D810 and Z6 III weather sealed?
D810: Yes. Z6 III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D810 and 360 shots for the Z6 III, giving the D810 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D810 launched at $3,299 and Z6 III at $2,499. The Z6 III is $800 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D810 vs Z6 III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.