Nikon has released details of its new, third-generation Z6 camera, which offers many of the same features as the Z8 but with a 24.5-megapixel BSI CMOS, partially-stacked sensor.


Front view of the Z6III with no lens fitted. (Source: Nikon.)

The new camera comes with the EXPEED7 processor, which was introduced with the Z9. This enables it to support 6K video recording at 60p in 12-bit N-RAW format or 6K ProResRAW video at 30p as well as 5.4K/60p and 4K H.265 10-bit MOV video plus ability to upsample 4K FX to 6K or 4K DX up to 120p.Other new features enabled by the new processor include Pre-Release Capture at up to 120 fps in DX format and Pixel-shift shooting that can produce 96-megapixel files. Slow-motion video can be recorded in Full HD/240p at up to 10x speed reduction. Clean 10-bit 4.2.2, N-Log with HDR (HLG) video can be output HDMI via a full-size 2.1 connector to an external device and Atomos start-stop is supported.

The Z6II also inherits superior AF performance with 273 point user-selectable phase detection or 299-point automatic detection with the hybrid system, along with focus point VR. Nine types of subjects can be detected from a range of people, animal and vehicle settings and the new camera gains user-defined AF area selection and 3D-tracking. The Z6III’s AF speed has also been upgraded to be approximately 20% faster than the Z6II. Burst shooting is supported at up to 40 frames/second in FX format or 120 frames/second in DX format. The Z6III also achieves one of the highest in-camera Vibration Reduction (VR) ratings in the Nikon Z series cameras with 8.0-stop shake correction. ISO settings range up to ISO 64000 for photos and ISO 51200 for video and the EXPEED 7 high-speed image-processing engine provides superior noise-reduction processing.



Back and top views of the Nikon Z6III. (Source: Nikon.)

The EVF has been upgraded to a new high-resolution 5.76 megapixel unit that uses the DCI-P3 colour space and offers 0.8x magnification with a 21 mm eye point and -4 to +2m dioptre adjustment. The EVF refresh rate provides displays at 60 fps during 20 fps high-speed continuous shooting when the shutter button is fully pressed. The fully-articulating 3.2-inch touch-enabled LCD monitor has a resolution of 2,100,000 dots. The Z6II has dual card slots, one supporting CFexpress Type B and the other SD UHS-II cards. Power is delivered by the EL-15C battery, which supports USB charging (no stand-alone charger is supplied with camera). The battery is CIPA-rated for approximately 360 shots/charge or 100 minutes of video. A new MB-N14 Power Battery Pack is also introduced as an optional boost of power capacity.

The new camera has a weather-resistant body made from Sereebo® P series carbon fibre and magnesium alloy, with effective sealing that allows it to be used in temperatures as low as -10 degrees Celsius. It measures 138.5 x 101.5 x 74 mm and weighs 760 grams with battery and card

Nikon’s Australian website provides no information as to the pricing or availability of the new camera, but Nikon USA has listed it at US$2500 for the body only, and stated it will be available in late June. Click here to visit the Australian website and register your interest in the new camera.

Nikon has also announced a new cloud service, Nikon Imaging Cloud, which will provide new functions that support the user’s imaging experience with a direct connection to the camera. This service offers curated Imaging Recipes that allow users to download Picture Controls created from these recipes, and to save their adjustments to hue, brightness, contrast, and so on to be saved as Custom Picture Controls. Imaging Recipes provided by Nikon Imaging Cloud have been suggested by Nikon or supervised by creators and allow users to experience new imaging styles they have never attempted before. When the camera is connected to Nikon Imaging Cloud via Wi-Fi, still images captured with the camera can be automatically uploaded directly to the service or pre-configured third-party cloud storage services, greatly reducing the work involved with data transfer. In addition, camera firmware updates can be performed automatically at a specified time by enabling auto updates on the camera. In addition to eliminating the hassle of using a computer, smartphone, or memory card to update firmware, this feature ensures the camera is always up to date. No launch date has been provided.