Nikon Z6 III First Impressions as a Sony User 

You can use histogram both in the EVF & backscreen in photos. You can use histogram or waveform in both EVF & Backscreen for videos. You have to set it up in the settings menu before hand. It is D17 to D19, around there in settings menu, Custom Monitor Shooting Display & Custom Viewfinder shooting Display.

When you switched to the Z63 on your video it was like I got transfered into cinema. much sharper, much better colors, more depth. crazy.

He’s gonna switch y’all!

Hi Julian. First, welcome to Nikon. It is always great to see a Sony guy actually use a Nikon and then be like 'wow' - its not what I thought. I have been shooting Nikon since the 80's and can assure you that their design philosophy leads to the highest quality products - which you will quickly discern. Nikon build quality is heads and tails above Sony and better than Canon as well - - if you have used them all, which I have, then you know. The case for Nikon goes so much farther though: When discussing still photography: 1) Best build quality (as mentioned) 2) Best ergonomics (you said it yourself in this video) 3) Best RAW files - for years Nikon RAW files have smoked Canon in DR and they just look better than Sony raw files that have a 'digital' quality to them. In the industry, Nikon has been known for some of the best RAW files. 4) The RAW files have been improved due to cutting edge compression algorithms that Nikon has in all the Expeed 7 cameras. HE* is the best lossless (virtually) RAW format on the market bar none saving so much HD space and losing no discernible quality. 5) Best mount: the Z mount is the best mount in the FF hybrid market today - it has the widest diameter 55mm by the shortest flange distance (distance from rear element to sensor) of 16mm - this matters because of physics (despite what Sony marketing would have you believe). If you don't know why, look of angle of incidence as it relates to optics. 5a) A consequence of this mount and its superior physics is that it allows the lens designers to make design that literally are not possible on lesser mounts and this explains the S line optics superiority in the market. These lenses are sharp wide open, display less aberrations, and have very controlled focus breathing. The incredible lenses that Nikon has put out since 2022 smoke the competition - just look into the lens line up if you are not familiar with all the cutting edge options that Nikon has released. 5b) Another consequence of this superior mount is that you can literally adapt any lens to a Z mount, but you cannot adapt a Z mount lens to other systems. In the case of Sony using the newest Megadap adaptor you can now adapt all Sony E mount lenses to Nikon with native or near native functionality - there is literally no reason not to switch to Nikon now and there is little reason to shoot Sony bodies. The same will be true for Canon RF soon - there are already excellent adaptors for Canon EF, Fuji X, Leica M, Sony E (as mentioned) and of course Nikon F mount. Nikon has by far the most lens selection of any brand, and if you just want native lenses there are very few holes left in the native Z line-up. 6) Nikon AF is now on par and in some cases better (yes better) than the competition. More than one prominent wild life photographer has publicly stated that the Z9 is better than the A1 for birding. For portraiture and event, which I shoot all the time, Nikon is as good as any brand now and actually has been for over a year now. I recently confronted a Sony rep about this and they didn't even try to deny it. When it comes to video, if you are a hybrid shooter then Nikon is the best as well: 1) Sony and Canon have full cinema lines of cameras and as a result are hamstrung to not cannibalize their cinema line sales with hybrid sales, so consequently they withhold features from the hybrids - not so with Nikon. I think the Z8/9 and now the Z6III speak for themselves having much better video features than their Canon an Sony counterparts that its not even funny. Also, Nikon do not overheat as badly as Sonys do and even Canons (remember the R5 disaster with overheating???) I won't belabor video but the Z6III does 4k60 FF has 4k 120 and does up to 6k60 in NRAW and 6k30 in Apple Pro Res - not to mention Full HD at 240 frames with only a 5% crop! Nothing touches this on the market for this price point and the video AF from Nikon is awesome now. In short, the more you get to know Nikon, the more you are going to like it. Their engineers are really the best in the business and it shows. Lucky for you switching to Nikon is relatively cheap as you can keep and use all your existing Sony lenses for a small fee of about $250 for the Megadap adaptor (it works great!) Welcome to Nikon and happy shooting! -PD

The reason why 6K/60 RAW wasn’t working was because you probably tried shooting it on an SD. The only reason it won’t work is if you aren’t shooting to CFExpress B. There is nothing else that would prevent it.

FYI... Prograde makes a dual slot card reader for CF Express B and SD. I am a Z9 user and have been using that reader for years. The Z9 is all CF express B, but I may add the Z6iii so the Prograde reader will do the trick. Great review, btw.

Switched from a Canon R5 to Nikon Z8…could not be happier…also switched because of videos features…but to my surprise, NIkon colors in photos are more pleasing to me than even Canon

Press the Disp button to cycle through different displays on the back screen. Put your eye to the viewfinder and then press the Disp button to select display for the viewfinder.

I don't understand why you didn't believe me and all of the other users of the Nikon cameras when we told you guys that from the Z9 moving forward that Nikon had finally caught up with Sony in Canon in the AF department. EVEN IF you think Sony and Canon are still better. Nobody that has actually used the new Nikons can say that the Nikon's AF is bad. That's just plain disingenuous and misinformed! Otherwise great video!

I currently use a Z8 along side my A7s3 and FX30. I do all photo work on the Z8, it excels. the killer for video for me, is no dual card recording for video. absolutely a deal breaker when working for higher end clients. Now, I have never lost footage due to a card malfunction, but, on the Z8, i do get hot card warnings, which can be quite concerning. I even got one shooting photos during a wedding. I really want to replace my A7s3 with the Nikon, but, most clients are still requesting sony slog3 for delivery, and are unfamiliar with how to edit N-LOG. IMHO, a Z8 and Z6III would be the last cameras anyone would ever need to buy, they're such well rounded hybrids.

Gained a new sub, i feel like the issue is that most big youtubers are canon and sony and they always talk down nikon so they strip people of the chance of evening using a nikon the z6iii z8 and z9 has made it very clear that nikon is a good brand

Thanks. Best honest reviews are from non brand users.

I have had my Z6III for a few days now and it has become my favorite Nikon of all time-even ahead of the venerable D850-because of the compact size which is so packed with ahead-of -the-competition features, not to mention the reasonable price. The most pleasant surprise has been the dual-native ISO6400 option for marginal lighting situations. The sensor can’t film in the dark quite the same as some of the Sonys, but having the sweet spot a full stop lower makes for a more practical ISO setting indoors where the Sony ISO12800 can get to be too bright. As for card slots 🤷🏻‍♂️, is what it is. Even the $8000 Canon C400 is (unbelievably) a mixed slot camera. I’ve been thinking those designs would fade soon, but obviously that’s not going to happen. Keep in mind there are Dual slot dongles these days. I have one from Lexmark which gets the job done. However, on the Z6III I’m only shooting to the CFExpress B slot. Perhaps one day Nikon will give me the option of recording simultaneous proxies to the SD? Not holding my breath but that would be helpful. Overall, the Z6III has killed any ideas I had of needing to get an FX3 or FX6 for low light situations. For personal projects and light commercial work the Nikon outshoots those cameras under most circumstances. I still have to sort out my transition away from S35 in my cine cameras. Unfortunately a Z-mount Red is probably years away, so I’m still needing to choose between a C400 and whatever Sony rolls out as an FX9 replacement to have a camera in my kit designed with proper I/O for crewed productions.

I have the z8 as a Sony shooter. I love it. Btw Sony makes Nikon sensors, so they’re not necessarily known for their sensors they’re known for their processors which transformed the colors of the sensors!

For my Z6, histogram options are under Playback Menu>Playback display options, then check everything you want to be able to view and save it. As you review images, keep hitting the Disp button, and it will show all the data you've chosen to view, screen by screen. For the ISO, to more easily change it, go to Custom Setting Menu>Controls (f, on mine)>Release button to use dial, turn that on (Yes) and save. Then when you hit your ISO button, you just press it and release, which activates the option to change it, then use the back dial to change ISO, then press the ISO button again after you've selected your ISO. That will make it a little easier than to have to press and hold and scroll the dial. And I believe that works for any such button that would otherwise require you to press and hold while scrolling a dial, so changing that setting changes it for all those functions. I think I learned that on Ricci Talks RU-vid channel. It may be an older video for Z6 and Z7 settings, but it should work on the Z6III. Lots of videos on Z6 and Z7, first and second generation, and most the menu information should be the same or very similar.

For the histogram, try the DISP button. It can be set separately for viewfinder and rear screen.

For Histograms, head to the custom shooting menus (pencil icon) and the d. Shooting/Display, then down at the bottom around D17/18 (I'm looking at my ZF). that will have difference EVF/Liveview customization and you can add/substract whatever you want. Histogram is there. I have it in my EVF. The Video setting should be right next to the shooting settings for this. Enjoy!

In case someone didn't mention it already, you can usually bring up the histogram by clicking the DISP button to toggle through the various view modes; I say "usually" as it's likely a default on at least on of the view screens but each one is customisable via the menu system which takes a while to get used to but once you do it starts making sense. Oh and while I'm talking menues there is also the 'MY MENU' (last one) which you can personalise by bringing any or all your most used menu items into one single place. I was initially a Canon shooter but moved to Nikon a few years back, even during their early mirrorless days and for the type of photography I did back then it met all my needs and much more. In the beginning the value for money lured me over, then they impressed me byt their willingness to delivery improvements via firmware and not just bug fixes, but ultimately I think out of all of the big camera manufacturers they seem to be the most inovative of late, The Z9 with the global shutter, the retro Zf with subject/eye detect for manual focus lenses and now the Z6III with the partially stacked sensor and tonnes of high end video features in a camera at this price point. As for the AF, which everyones' been slagging off for as long as I remember, all I've seen is constant improvements. Not bad given Nikon were the last to get on board with the whole mirrorless technology, probably due to their strong DSLR standing, but now they are a real force in the hybrid photography/video market and withe the acquisition of RED I wouldn't be surprise if they continue to inovate further. Exciting times!

Nikon only fixed auto focus from the z9 onwards using the expeed 7 processor. It may not be the best but is now good enough that people can appreciate all the other features those camera bodies have.

that was genuine. subbed

My problem with my last Nikon, was the build quality. The skin came off numerous times. The port doors buckled, the photo video button fell off. So far I've been very happy with my A7R5, because I mainly shoot 1080p 50 /100fps for social media and the HD is solid. Once I customised my A7R5 and I relearned my muscle memory I really like it. I also like the auto iso, it works very smoothly and also AWB is really good. So it's just a very easy camera to use. Plus I have the Tamron 20-40 permanently on it. The sensor size effectively gives me a lightweight 20-60mm

Good to have a Sony user reviewing the Z6 III. Question: has the A1 still that water entry issue on the shutter button when used in rain and does the a9 iii have the same issue also? Check the video of Morten Hilmer on the Z6 III (using it in pouring rain) and the one of Steve Perry.

I use my GM lenses on the Nikon Z6ii with the mega adapter. Nikons feel more solid and better quality made than canon and Sony. I might upgrade to the z6iii since the AF is great now.

Histogram is easy peasy. You have to set it up in the menu. You can customize several menus, and toggle through them with the display button.

DISP button in photo for histogram. Menu option in video, D something (forget number). There’s a pretty apparent difference in skin tone when you swapped footage. Sony leans yellow/greenish, Nikon warmer and more pleasing to me. Both looked good. Have you seen any overheating?

You have to tinker a bit in custom settings menu (pencil icon). g video option: g 18, custom monitor shooting display and g19: custom viewfinder shooting display. Push right ok joystick and you get display 1-4 options to customize. Press right ok joystick buton and you get all options to customize. Check detail box and check all boxes bellow what you want to have in your display ( virtual horizon, brightness/histogram, framing grid, center indicator). After you set all option, you can press display button to see them in viewfinder or monitor screen

I shoot both the A7RV & A7Cii. I've had the Z8 on the radar for the last year and really interested in the Z6iii. That said, I'm definitely not moving from Sony, but might add the Z6iii to my kit. Lastly, I'm curious to see what the A7Siv (I believe this sensor will be in it with OpenGate) brings and the A7V brings... You know Sony will "one-up" the Z6iii. *BTW, the Z6iii sensor lacks a bit of DR vs Sony.

Two dongles? If you are using the second slot as a mirror backup, which professionals should, you can use just the one you prefer to use. Unless you're shooting mainly video, then the CF express is the most solid.

Another point about the z system is that most of the new Nikon z lenses have little to no focus breathing. This is an issue that a lot of Sony lenses have. It creates pulsing when shooting video from what I've seen.

please get a lens adaptor, you can use ALL the sony lens with autofocus.

Have you tried adapting any of your Sony glass to the z6iii? If so, how is it working out for you?

Histogramm are under the display option.

Can you should elaborate on how having the option of using either a SD card or CFexpress is a negative ? 🤔

Great upgrade and needed better focus , but Nikon really needed the side select focus button that's on the Z8 Z9. You still have to do lots of fiddling and searching and work out stuff in menus for the all important focus abilities. This is disappointing because as its more expensive now. I predict heavy discounting after the hype dies down outside usa, in the Asia pacific and European markets where right now the USD is super strong and has caused the new Z6III to be almost twice the price over the outgoing Z6II on launch in other markets around the world . All good in USA price seems reasonable if you are buying in USD . Hopefully Nikon will reevaluate soon their Nikon markets outside the USA , where weak currency exchange rates are making this new Z6III prohibitively expensive Eg UK, Europe, Canada, Australia, new Zealand and all of Asia pacific regions its too expensive right now .

I’m switching from Sony to Nikon but i can wait to see if they come out with a Z7iii. If they dont Z8 it is. I like the Z6iii but I want the bigger body like the Z8. I’m hoping if they do a z7iii it has a bigger body than the z6iii.

You've misunderstood "partially" part... Not top & bottom.

You might be better served with the Z8 if you have the A7R V.

Try highlight-weighted metering to protect the highlights. Very useful metering mode.

I usually save reference guide pdf in my phone or iCloud folder and search the pdf for things like this.

You need to stop listening to Tony Northrop and Jared Polin, nocking the autofocus of Nikons.

Nikon 100% has the best ergonomics. Sony loves sharp corners, people with tiny hands, and uncomfortable feeling surfaces. Canon just feels cheap. Idk how else to describe it. Ive shot plenty on all 3. If you've shot on all 3 you know exactly what im talking about 😂 As for the histogram. Whenever you're shooting. Tap the DISP button (the one in the center of switching between photo and video) it will cycle through horizon, current camera settings( in live view this disables the back screen), live view with current settings, and the histogram 😊 hope that helps. Someone else said the i button. You can do it that way too, just press it twice consecutively.

yeah finally someone said it! Sony A74 is very slow, dont buy it people. i have one, also i have Z6ii. Sony A74 is disappointing

What's you impressions about Z6 III? Write comments below this comment!