Nikon Z6III vs. Zf, which is the better enthusiast full-frame camera?

Nikon Zf vs Z6III

When the Nikon Zf arrived we speculated that a Z6 III might be a very similar camera but in a different body. In reality the distinction has ended up being much more profound, with the Z6III gaining a much faster sensor that boosts its capabilities in a number of ways.

But both cameras have the same pixel count and not-disimilar pricing. So we thought we’d take a look at Nikon’s two enthusiast full-framers to help you decide whether the classic controls or the next-generation sensor ends up being more appealing for your photography.

Hardware differences

Both cameras feature the latest Expeed 7 processor, which brings with it a raft of new features including subject recognition autofocus, the 3D Tracking mode we’ve always found hugely useful and options such as multi-shot high resolution modes, which we haven’t.

The biggest underlying difference between the two cameras is their sensors: the Zf has the 24MP BSI CMOS sensor that underpinned the Z6 II and Z6 (and most other cameras around the $2000 mark) whereas the Z6III uses what appears to be a ‘modded’ version of the chip.

It’s a design that Nikon called “Partially Stacked” that features more complex high-speed readout circuitry stacked onto the edges of the chip, allowing significantly faster readout than the previous generation of sensor. This faster readout promises a more usable electronic shutter mode, a wider selection of video modes and more frequent updates for the AF system to utilize.

Handling/controls

The other fundamental difference between the two cameras is the control logic. The Zf has dedicated dials for shutter speed, ISO and exposure compensation, whereas the Z6III has a contemporary twin-command dial control system.

The difference ends up being less significant than you might expect, as the Zf also has twin command dials and an exposure mode control, so could be used in a similar manner to the Z6III if you prefer (though that somewhat reduces the point of buying a retro-styled camera).

The Zf has five customizable buttons, while the Z6III has eleven, which may be a factor if you regularly want quick access to modes and functions that don’t have controls by default. Oddly neither camera lets you quickly change the ‘Auto ISO minimum shutter speed’ setting, but instead persist with Nikon’s inexplicable system of letting you define the minimum ISO the camera can use.

Viewfinder/handling

The more expensive Z6III has a nicer viewfinder than the one in the Zf. It’s a 5.76M dot panel, giving a resolution of 1600 x 1200px, rather than the 1280 x 960px resolution of the Zf’s finder. It’s also a higher brightness panel that’s better able to simulate HDR images and shows less of a brightness difference compared with the real world. Both EVFs have matching 0.8x magnification and 21mm eyepoints, which suggests the use of similar finder optics.

The Z6III more modern design affords it license to have a significantly larger, hand-shaped hand grip than the Zf. Nikon promotes the optional silicone hand grip for the Zf made by accessory company SmallRig, which adds Arca-Swiss tripod compatibility and makes the camera more comfortable to use for extended periods but still isn’t as ergonomic as the Z6III’s grip.

Neither camera has a focus mode button or swtich on the front panel as Nikon DSLRs and the Z8 and Z9 have, and both have fully articulated rear LCDs, despite their otherwise differing design philosophies.

Speed (stills)

For stills shooters, the most obvious benefit of the faster sensor in the Z6III is that it can shoot at faster burst rates. The electronic shutter can deliver Raws at up to 20 frames per second in Continuous High, or 60fps JPEGs in a dedicated C60 mode. By contrast, the Zf has a C30 JPEG burst mode and its top Raw shooting speed is 11fps.

Both cameras offer a pre-burst option, whereby the camera starts buffering images when you half-press the shutter. When you fully press the shutter, up to one second’s worth of these buffered images are saved. The main difference is that this one second is up to 60 full-frame JPEGs on the Z6III, whereas it’s 30 frames on the Zf. The Z6III also has the option to save up to 120 frames in the 11MP C120, which uses an APS-C region of the sensor.

Autofocus

Both cameras gain the latest AF systems that we first saw in the Z9. This means subject-recognition autofocus that extends across a broad range of subjects: People, Animals, Vehicles, Airplanes. There’s also an Auto mode that will detect the first three of these subject types.

Neither camera has yet recieved the dedicated ‘Bird’ AF mode from the Z9, that is designed to be better at recognizing birds in a wider range of actions and poses, and in front of complex backgrounds.

Both cameras also include 3D Tracking, an AF mode that behaves like the one on Nikon’s DSLRs, and that is becoming the standard means of subject tracking on mirrorless cameras. This lets you position an AF target and the camera will track whatever’s under that target when you initiate focus. If you release the shutter button the AF point reverts to where you last set it. This mode can be combined with subject recognition, meaning you can choose which subject you want the camera to track, or target something other than a recognized subject, meaning you don’t have to constantly disengage subject recognition.

Nikon says the Z6III’s autofocus performance is better than that of the Zf, but we’ve not yet shot the two cameras in enough conditions to confirm this.

Video

The faster sensor in the Z6III provides it with video capabilities superior to those of the Zf, not just in terms of outright specs but in the reduced rolling shutter effect it exhibits in all its footage.

So, while the Zf can shoot 4K/30p taken from 6K capture, the Z6III can deliver 4K/60p from 6K footage. The Zf has to crop in to an APS-C region to give 4K/60. The Z6III can also capture 6K/60 Raw footage or 5.4K/60 as ProRes or H.265, all from the full width of the sensor. Its APS-C crop allows 4K/120 capture. The Zf has no N-Raw options and its resolution tops out at UHD 4K.

The Z6III also boasts a full-sized HDMI socket, rather than the Micro HDMI one on the Zf, which just makes it significantly more dependable to work with, if you’re outputting any of its video.

However, there are reports that Raw footage, which can use some of the very deep shadow regions captured by the sensor, can exhibit a distracting flickering effect. We’ve not yet had a chance to check how significant an issue this is and will check as part of our full review.

Media / battery life

The only other major difference between the two cameras is the types of media the two cameras take. The Zf, with its more basic video specs and slower shooting rate features a UHS-II SD card slot and a UHS-I Micro SD slot, which places limits on how much the second slot can be used for. By contrast, the Z6III accepts UHS-II SD as its slower medium and CFexpress Type B/XQD as its faster storage. The mixed slots on both cameras help maximise compatibility with whatever cards you already have, but the mismatched speeds on both mean you recognizably end up with a fast and a slow slot, and need to plan accordingly.

Both cameras offer a choice of using the second slot as overflow, backup, to write Raw to one and JPEG (or HEIF in HLG mode) to the second, or JPEG/HEIF to the first and a more compressed version or smaller and more compressed version to the second slot.

In terms of batteries, both use the EN-EL15c battery and deliver the same battery life rating (360 shots per charge) when used with their EVFs, despite the Z6III’s higher resolution, and the Z6III rated 10 shots per charge higher than the Zf, when the LCD is used.

Summary

When the Nikon Z6III was released, we saw comments asking for a “photography-focused” model. Well it already exists, in the form of the Zf.

That’s perhaps a little unfair, as the Zf is also a pretty capable video camera, but, putting that to one side, Nikon now gives you a choice of whether you want a fast sensor and all the things it brings (faster bursts, more responsive live view and AF and better video), or are happy with the already capable sensor from the Z6 II, combined with the latest processor and the features it brings.

Of course the differences run deeper than this: there’s also a decision to be made about the way you want your camera to handle and operate. The Zf offers classic looks and dedicated control dials, whereas the Z6III gives a larger hand grip, more custom buttons, a nicer viewfinder and a single, unified (though customizable) way of controlling the camera.

To a large extent it comes down to a matter of taste: we were impressed with the Zf and the early signs are that the Z6III is a significantly more capable camera than its predecessor. So which do you want? a pocket powerhouse that will support you across an incredibily broad range of shooting situations or a classically-styled camera that does everything the Z6 II did, and more?

Despite being on the market a little longer, the price gap between them is still roughly the $500 difference between their official list prices. This means opting for the $2000 Zf gets you that bit closer to having an extra lens to play with.