Nikon
Df
Retro-styled full-frame DSLR with 16MP sensor, classic dials, and F-mount compatibility.
$2,749
Launch priceReleased Nov 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 10.6 years newer.
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Wins
Df
Wins
Z6 III
3 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 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)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareDf
144 × 110 × 67 mm
710 g (1.57 lb / 25.04 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z6 III
139 × 102 × 74 mm
760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)
Df is 7mm thinner than Z6 III but it is also 6mm wider and 9mm taller.
Df is 50 g lighter than Z6 III.
Depth (front-to-back): 67mm Df · 74mm Z6 III
Sensor size, to scale
Df
36 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
860 mm² area
Z6 III
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Df
✓ 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
Df
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 110, 67
AF points / zones
493 vs 273 — higher is better
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 380 shots — higher is better
Weight
710 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…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, H.265/HEVC…
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better
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
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
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
Df
Pros
- ✓Beautiful retro design
- ✓Classic F-mount lenses
- ✓16MP low-light files
- ✓Compact for FF DSLR
Cons
- –Discontinued
- –16MP resolution
- –Slow AF by modern standards
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 Df and Z6 III at major authorized retailers.
Nikon Z6 III
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, Df or Z6 III?
Z6 III scores 9.0/10 versus 5.0/10 for Df — 6K video for oversampled 4K.
What's the resolution difference between the Df and Z6 III?
Df is 16.2 MP and Z6 III is 24.5 MP, so the Z6 III captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Df and Z6 III have in-body image stabilization?
Df does not have IBIS, while Z6 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Df or the Z6 III?
Df reaches 15 fps electronic. Z6 III reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Df and Z6 III?
Df weighs 710 g and Z6 III weighs 760 g, so the Df is 50 g lighter.
Do the Df and Z6 III record 4K video?
Df: 4K up to 60p. Z6 III: 6K RAW (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the Df and Z6 III weather sealed?
Df: Yes. Z6 III: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the Df and 380 shots for the Z6 III, giving the Df the edge.
How much does each cost?
Df launched at $2,749 and Z6 III at $2,499. The Z6 III is $250 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way Df vs Z6 III vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.