Nikon Z6 II vs Z6III: which to buy?

Two generations of Nikon's mid-range full-frame body at the same 24.5MP. The Z6III moves to a partially stacked sensor and EXPEED 7 for faster bursts, better low-light AF, stronger stabilization, a much brighter viewfinder and internal 6K RAW; the Z6 II is lighter.

A black Nikon Z6 II with a NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S zoom lens on a dark background — **Nikon Z6 II**24.5MP · launched at $1,999.95 in 2020Photo: Henry Söderlund via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (resized)

A black Nikon Z6III with a large NIKKOR Z zoom lens on a store display stand — **Nikon Z6III**24.5MP partially stacked · launched at $2,499.95 in 2024Photo: 昼落ち via Wikimedia Commons, CC0 (resized)

Side-by-side specs

	Nikon Z6 II	Nikon Z6III
Sensor	24.5MP full-frame CMOS	24.5MP full-frame partially stacked CMOS; readout about 3.5x faster
Processor	Dual EXPEED 6	EXPEED 7
ISO	100–51200 (50–204800 equivalent expanded)	100–64000 (50–204800 equivalent expanded)
Bursts	About 14 fps (Continuous H extended)	About 14 fps mechanical, 20 fps electronic; C30/C60/C120 with Pre-Release Capture (JPEG)
Autofocus	273 points; Eye and Animal Detection; -4.5 EV (-6 EV with low-light AF)	273/299 points; nine subject types including airplanes; 3D-tracking; -10 EV
Stabilization	5-axis sensor-shift VR	5-axis sensor-shift VR, equivalent to 8.0 stops (CIPA); Focus-point VR
Viewfinder	0.5-inch OLED, 3.69M dots, 0.8x	0.5-inch OLED, 5.76M dots, 0.8x, up to 4,000 cd/m², DCI-P3
Screen	3.2-inch tilting touchscreen, 2.1M dots	3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen, 2.1M dots
Video	4K UHD; Full HD up to 120p; N-Log and HLG output	Internal 6K/60p N-RAW and ProRes RAW HQ; 5.4K/60p; 4K up to 120p; Full HD up to 240p
Card slots	CFexpress Type B / XQD + SD (UHS-II)	Same
Battery (CIPA, viewfinder)	EN-EL15c; about 400 shots	EN-EL15c; about 380 shots
Weight	About 705 g with battery and card	About 760 g with battery and card
Launch price	Oct 14, 2020; $1,999.95 SRP body-only	Jun 17, 2024; $2,499.95 SRP body-only

Specs from Nikon's Z6 II and Z6III product pages and online manual specifications, Nikon's June 17, 2024 Z6III release and Nikon Inc.'s US launch releases. ✓ = advantage; blank = tie or not directly comparable.

Sample photos

Four photos taken with the Nikon Z6 II and four with the Nikon Z6 III, shared on Wikimedia Commons under open licenses.

Saguaro cactus in Arizona — Taken with the Nikon Z6 II. Photo: Laurens R. Krol via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)

Mt. Wilcox at sunset — Taken with the Nikon Z6 II. Photo: Fresh.waffles via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)

Golden eagle — Taken with the Nikon Z6 II. Photo: caroline legg via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)

Fajtův kopec lookout tower near Velké Meziříčí — Taken with the Nikon Z6 II. Photo: Roman Mifek via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized)

Tianmu, Taipei at night — Taken with the Nikon Z6 III. Photo: xiangyang17 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (resized)

Stalactites reflected in a cenote — Taken with the Nikon Z6 III. Photo: Michael Gaylard via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0 (resized)

Decorative lamp with bokeh — Taken with the Nikon Z6 III. Photo: Henry Söderlund via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (resized)

Street with parked bicycles — Taken with the Nikon Z6 III. Photo: Henry Söderlund via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (resized)

Who should buy which

Buy the Z6 II if…

You mainly shoot stills, events and travel, and about 14 fps is enough.
You want the lighter body: about 705 g vs 760 g with battery and card.
You want 24.5MP full frame and dual card slots in a lighter body.

Buy the Z6III if…

You shoot sport, wildlife or kids: 20 fps electronic bursts with Pre-Release Capture.
You shoot in very low light or track varied subjects: AF to -10 EV with nine subject types.
You shoot video: internal 6K/60p N-RAW and ProRes RAW, 4K up to 120p and Full HD up to 240p.
You want stronger stabilization and a brighter viewfinder: 8-stop VR and a 5.76M-dot, 4,000 cd/m² EVF.

Both bodies make 24.5MP files and take the same EN-EL15c battery and card pair, so the choice is about speed, autofocus, video and the viewfinder. See our full Z6 II review and Z6III guide, or all comparisons.

Where to buy

Nikon Z6 II

Z6 II · body (new)

Nikon: Launched at $1,999.95 in 2020 (Nikon Inc. US SRP, October 14, 2020).

Check price
Read the full Nikon Z6 II review

Nikon Z6 III

Z6III · body (new)

Nikon: Launched at $2,499.95 in 2024 (Nikon Inc. US SRP, June 17, 2024).

Check price
Read the full Nikon Z6III review

APERTURE NOTES is reader-supported. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page.