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Nikon

Z6 III

First partially stacked full-frame sensor with 6K N-RAW internal video.

$2,499

Released Jun 2024

vs

Nikon

Zf

Retro-styled 24.5MP full-frame mirrorless with classic dials, EXPEED 7 AF, 8-stop IBIS, and 4K 60p video.

$2,049

Released Sep 2023

Z6 III is 9 months newer.

Wins

3categories

Z6 III

Video & HybridSports & Action

Wins

1categories

Zf

PortraitSports & Action

10 categories tied

TL;DR — Key differences

Z6 III wins 3 categories·Zf wins 1 categories
  • AZ6 III has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
  • AZ6 III has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
  • AZ6 III has higher EVF resolution (5,760,000 vs 3,690,000)
  • BZf has lower Weight (630 g vs 760 g)

Key specs at a glance

Z6 IIIZf
Resolution24.5 MP24.5 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max64,00064,000
Burst120 fps30 fps
4K120 fps60 fps
IBIS8-stop8-stop
Weight760 g630 g
Battery380 shots380 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Z6 III

139 × 102 × 74 mm

760 g (1.68 lb / 26.81 oz)

Zf

144 × 103 × 49 mm

630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)

Z6 III is 6mm narrower and 2mm shorter than Zf but it is also 25mm thicker.

Z6 III is 130 g heavier than Zf.

Depth (front-to-back): 74mm Z6 III · 49mm Zf

Sensor size, to scale

Z6 III

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

Zf

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Z6 III

✓ more lenses

Nikon Z

90+

native lenses available

40 first-party50 third-party

Zf

✓ more lenses

Nikon Z

90+

native lenses available

40 first-party50 third-party

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

Use caseZ6 IIIZf
Portrait
7.5Good
7.5Good
Sports & Action
8.5Excellent✓ wins
7.5Good
Video & Hybrid
9.0Excellent✓ wins
6.0Good
Landscape
7.0Good
7.0Good
Travel
5.5Fair
7.5Good✓ wins
Wildlife
6.5Good
6.5Good
Vlogging
5.5Fair
7.0Good✓ wins

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Z6 III

  • Codecs

    Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, H.265/HEVC…

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 138.5, 101.5, 74

  • Burst (electronic)

    120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better

  • 4K max frame rate

    120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better

  • Internal RAW video

    Only Z6 III supports it

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD

  • EVF resolution

    5,760,000 vs 3,690,000 — higher is better

Reasons to choose

Zf

  • Codecs

    Adds H.265/HEVC 8-bit, H.265/HEVC 10-bit, H.264/AVC 8-bit

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 144, 103, 49

  • Card types

    Adds MicroSD UHS-I

  • Weight

    630 g vs 760 g — lower is better

Both cameras share

  • ResolutionBoth 24.5 MP
  • AA filterBoth support aa filter
  • ISO min (native)Both 100
  • ISO max (native)Both 64,000
  • AF points / zonesBoth 273
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

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

Zf

Pros

  • Beautiful retro design
  • 273-point hybrid AF
  • 8-stop IBIS
  • Fully articulated touchscreen

Cons

  • No grip extension standard
  • Mixed SD + MicroSD card slots
  • 24.5MP only

Full specifications

= category winner

Z6 III
Zf
Resolution
24.5 MP
24.5 MP
Sensor type
Full Frame Partially Stacked CMOS
Full Frame BSI-CMOS
Sensor size
35.9 × 23.9 mm
35.9 × 23.9 mm
AA filter
Yes
Yes
Z6 III
Zf
AF system
Hybrid AF (phase-detect + contrast-detect)
Hybrid AF (phase-detect + contrast-detect)
AF points / zones
273
273
AF low-light limit
-10 EV
-10 EV
Eye AF
Yes
Yes
Animal / bird AF
Yes
Yes
Subject recognition
People, Birds, Dogs, Cats, Cars, Bicycles, Motorcycles, Trains, Airplanes
People, Birds, Dogs, Cats, Cars, Bicycles, Motorcycles, Trains, Airplanes
Z6 III
Zf
Burst (mechanical)
14 fps
14 fps
Burst (electronic)
120 fps4× more
30 fps
Pre-Capture / Pre-Release
Yes
Yes
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames
Z6 III
Zf
Max resolution
6K RAW
4K UHD
4K max frame rate
120 fps2× more
60 fps
Internal RAW video
Yes
No
Log profile
N-Log / HLG
N-Log / HLG
Codecs
N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, H.265/HEVC, H.264/AVC
H.265/HEVC 8-bit, H.265/HEVC 10-bit, H.264/AVC 8-bit
Z6 III
Zf
Weight
760 g
630 g−130 g less
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
138.5 × 101.5 × 74 mm
144 × 103 × 49 mm
Weather sealing
Yes
Yes

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for video, Z6 III or Zf?

Z6 III scores 9.0/10 versus 6.0/10 for Zf — 6K video for oversampled 4K.

What's the resolution difference between the Z6 III and Zf?

Both cameras share the same 24.5 MP resolution.

Do the Z6 III and Zf have in-body image stabilization?

Z6 III has 8-stop in-body image stabilization, while zf has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Z6 III or the Zf?

Z6 III reaches 120 fps electronic. Zf reaches 30 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Z6 III and Zf?

Z6 III weighs 760 g and Zf weighs 630 g, so the Zf is 130 g lighter.

Do the Z6 III and Zf record 4K video?

Z6 III: 6K RAW (max), 4K up to 120p. Zf: 4K up to 60p.

Are the Z6 III and Zf weather sealed?

Z6 III: Yes. Zf: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 380 shots (CIPA) for the Z6 III and 380 shots for the Zf, giving the Zf the edge.

How much does each cost?

Z6 III launched at $2,499 and Zf at $2,049. The Zf is $450 less.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.