By Jason Polak 22 Comments
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The Nikon Z8 is Nikon’s smaller version of its mirrorless flagship camera, the Z9. Now one year after the Z8, we’ve got the Z6III is a 24MP full-frame camera, that incorporates many of the autofocus abilities and other features from the 45MP Z8. What should you get? Read on to find out!
Nikon Z8 vs Nikon Z6 III Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon Z8 | Nikon Z6 III |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | May 2023 | June 2024 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | Stacked CMOS | Partially Stacked CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 7 | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 45.7 MP | 24.5 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 8256×5504 | 6048×4024 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 4.35µ | 5.94µ |
| Low Pass Filter | No | Yes |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | Yes | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 64 | ISO 100 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 25,600 | ISO 64,000 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 32-102,400 | ISO 50-204,800 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | Yes | Yes |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | Yes (JPEG only) | Yes (JPEG only) |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/32000 | 1/16000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 900 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | No mechanical shutter | 14 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 20 FPS | 20 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | 20 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS; DX JPEG at 60 FPS; 11 megapixel JPEG at 120 FPS) | 20 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 60 FPS; 11 megapixel JPEG at 120 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | Over 1000 frames (20 FPS) | Over 1000 frames (20 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition |
| Autofocus Points | 493 | 273 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -7.5 EV | -8.5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/200 |
| Curtain to Protect Sensor at Shutdown | Yes | No |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 12 bits | 12 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 12 bits | 12 bits |
| Raw Video | Yes | Yes |
| 8K Maximum Framerate | 60 FPS | N/A |
| 6K Maximum Framerate | N/A | 60 FPS |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 120 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 240 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | No | No |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:2 | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 90 min | 125 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | CFExpress Type B | CFExpress Type B |
| Slot 2 Type | SD (UHS-II) | SD (UHS-II) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.2 in | 3.2 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 2.1 million dots | 2.1 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Dual Axis | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8x | 0.8x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 3.69 million dots | 5.76 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Two Type C 3.2 Gen 2 ports | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Battery Type | EN-EL15c | EN-EL15c |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 330 frames | 360 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 340 frames | 390 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | 370 frames | 410 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 910 g (2.01 lbs.) | 760 g (1.68 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 144 x 119 x 88 mm (5.7 x 4.7 x 3.5″)1 | 139 x 102 x 89 mm (5.5 x 4.0 x 3.5″)2 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $4000 (Check Current Price) | $2500 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices (Affiliate) | Nikon Z8 Used Prices | Nikon Z6 III Used Prices |
| 1The Nikon Z8 and Z6 III’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 5mm were added to the Z8’s depth measurement in this table, and 15mm were added to the Z6 III’s depth measurement. | ||
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Summary and Recommendations
The Z8 is essentially a smaller Z9 – very impressive in specs, but still a little older in technology than the Nikon Z6 III. Thus, it’s not surprising that the Z6 III has some entirely new features compared to the Z8 and the Z9.
For example, the Nikon Z6 III focuses down to -8.5EV versus -7 for the Z8. The Z6 III also has a brand-new wide-gamut electronic viewfinder that’s brighter than on the Z8 and has more resolution. Even in the video realm – where the Nikon Z8 is one of the best mirrorless cameras available – the Z6 III has a couple of wins in its column (1080p at 240 FPS and a slightly longer recording limit).
What about autofocus? In older times, if you wanted a fast action camera, you’d get the Z8 or Z9, or maybe compromise with the Zf. Now the decision is not so clear with the Z6 III, which is is a significant improvement from the Z6 II and Z7 II cameras. The Z6 III is much closer to the Z8 and Z9 with its new “partially-stacked” sensor, which makes it 20% faster than the autofocus of the Z6 II, according to Nikon. And the speed of the Z6 II was never the problem anyway – the problem was autofocus tracking, where the Nikon Z6 III’s EXPEED 7 processor and subject recognition algorithms put it way ahead of its predecessor.
That being said, the sensor of the Z6 III is still not fully stacked, and it still has a mechanical shutter, unlike the Z8. Like the Z8, the Z6 III can shoot up to 20FPS with its electronic shutter, but it’s not as fast as the Z8’s stacked shutter. The readout speeds still favor the Z8, too.
Thus, although the Z6 III shares the same EXPEED processor as the Z8 and Z9 and shares some of the autofocus features, you can still expect the Z8 to be faster and more precise at the margins.
Finally, there’s no denying that the Z6 III only has 24MP. That’s more than enough for most kinds of photography, but it doesn’t give as much cropping room as the 45MP sensor of the Z8.
So, which camera should you get? It’s safe to say that the Nikon Z6 III can handle almost any situation, and won’t stutter as much as its predecessors in the Z6 line. However, I would still consider the Nikon Z8 for more stringent action situations because of its faster stacked sensor and its 45MP. The Nikon Z8 also makes a better landscape photography camera if you plan to print large, thanks to the higher resolution.
What does the Nikon Z8 offer over the Nikon Z6 III?
- 8K Video
- Faster, stacked sensor
- 1.87 times more megapixels (45.7MP vs 24.5MP)
What does the Nikon Z6 III offer over the Nikon Z8?
- More advanced electronic viewfinder – higher resolution, brighter, wider color gamut, and faster refresh rate
- Lighter weight (150g lighter)
- Much lower price, costing $1500 less
Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
