Should You Get a Nikon Zf or Nikon Z6 III? The Difference is More Than Just Styling

When the Nikon Zf was announced, it felt like an early look at what the Z6 III would eventually be. But a little less than a year later and the Z6 III came with some important differences compared to the retro-inspired Zf. So, which one should you buy?

The Nikon Zf is a very curious camera. On the one hand, it represents a concerted effort to bring classic 70s-era Nikon styling to a modern mirrorless body. On the other hand, it featured a brand new IBIS design and Nikon’s best autofocus algorithms to date. There was enough new technology in the Zf that it made me wonder if this was Nikon’s replacement for the Z6 II. Of course, we now have the Z6 III on the shelves, yet both of these cameras still share many features and capabilities to the point where it can get confusing to figure out which product is best for you.

This Nikon Zf versus Z6 III guide will help you decide which camera is the better fit for your photography. We compared these two cameras on some key criteria and the results show that which camera will suit you best really depends on what you value most.

Nikon Zf vs Z6 III: Design and Handling

The Nikon Zf has stunning good looks thanks to its unique design. Many users will adore the more classic analog command dials with easy access to shutter speed and ISO controls while providing more tactile feedback to the photographer. I like the threaded soft shutter release option and the dedicated black-and-white photo mode. I also like that the Zf is rugged and has additional command dials if you want a more modern way of manipulating your exposure controls.

A close-up view of a person adjusting the settings on a vintage-style camera. The focus is on the top dials, including ISO sensitivity, shutter speed, and other controls, showcasing the intricate details of the camera's interface and the person's fingers turning a dial.
The Nikon Zf offers a combination of both vintage and modern command dials for ultimate flexibility.

The Nikon Z6 III is very much a modern mirrorless design and the controls just work. I appreciated the additional customizable buttons and proper AF joystick. The camera grip is also far more substantial and lends itself far better to the use of long and heavy telephoto lenses. The overall design of the Z6 III is probably more flexible in demanding situations where intuitive ergonomics are key.

Close-up of a black digital camera's control buttons. Visible buttons include "DISP," "AF-ON," a textured joystick, and an "info" button labeled with an "i." The edge of the camera's screen is also partially visible. The camera's body has a textured grip.
The Z6 III may have a modern design esthetic but it is flexible and customizable with more controls for demanding shoots.

The Winner: A Tie

The Zf has enough variety in its control scheme that it can be customized for different applications. Its stunning good looks will greatly appeal to some photographers and is far more at home on the streets with compact lenses. The Z6 III is understated but absolutely excellent control-wise. It’s a better choice for sports and action photography with that larger grip.

Nikon Zf vs Z6 III: Displays

The Nikon Zf has a fully articulating 2.1-million dot LCD panel and a very capable 3.69 million dot EVF. The refresh rate is excellent for shooting action shots and sports as well. The displays seem perfectly adequate at first glance, but the competition is a little stiffer since the Z6 III hit the market.

Close-up shot of a black camera, focusing on the electronic viewfinder (EVF). The text "3.69M Dot EVF (1280 X 960)" is overlaid at the bottom center of the image, highlighting the EVF specifications.
The Nikon Zf has an adequate EVF which is fine for most enthusiast-level photographers.

The Nikon Z6 III uses a very similar setup with its 2.1 million dot panel display. The screens articulate the same on both cameras and are effectively identical. However, the Z6 III has a much nicer EVF display which delivers 5.69 million dots of resolution with excellent refresh rates, too. It also is capable of much higher brightness than the Zf display and is much more useful for tracking fast-moving subjects and also for a better playback experience.

Close-up view of a digital camera's viewfinder, focusing on the electronic viewfinder (EVF) with text overlaying the screen that reads "5.7M Dot EVF (1600 X 1200)." The camera controls and buttons are partially visible.
The Z6 III has a brighter and more clear EVF which makes a lot more sense for demanding professionals.

The Winner: Nikon Z6 III

Thanks to its superior EVF, the Nikon Z6 III provides a nicer way to compose images with a more realistic-looking outlook on the scene.

Nikon Zf vs Z6 III: Image Quality

In order to fully evaluate image quality, we have to consider using these two cameras with both the mechanical and electronic shutters. The Nikon Zf has a 24-megapixel full-frame sensor that is very similar to the Z6 II whereas the Z6 III has a novel sensor design with a partially stacked sensor but sadly the dynamic range is downgraded when using the mechanical shutter. In mechanical shutter mode, the Zf will deliver better dynamic range than the Nikon Z6 III and is ideal for most photographic situations.

A graph titled "Photographic Dynamic Range versus ISO Setting" shows the relationship between ISO settings (ranging from 20 to 4,560,000) and photographic dynamic range. The graph has two data lines, one in black squares and the other in blue diamonds.
           Up to about 800 ISO the Nikon Zf has a distinct dynamic range benefit while using the mechanical shutter.

Where the Z6 III excels is when using its electronic shutter. Here, the Z6 III will have fewer rolling shutter issues than the Zf and deliver better dynamic range when both cameras are in electronic shutter mode. Using the electronic shutter will also allow the Z6 III to shoot very quickly for sports and action photography so its strengths largely lie in this arena.

A man with short gray hair and glasses is photographing with a DSLR camera on a sunny day. He stands in front of a vast mountain range covered in greenery, with a forest in the foreground and a partly cloudy sky in the background.
The Nikon Z6 III is more comfortable to use and better balanced when using longer glass.

The Winner: Nikon Zf

Despite the Z6 III having a more modern sensor design I feel that most photography situations will be better suited to the use of a mechanical shutter and the Zf has the advantage here. The Z6 III can perform better than the Zf but only in fast-action photography situations.

Nikon Zf vs Z6 III: Storage

Both cameras feature dual card slots which is a useful benefit to have either as a backup solution for safety or just additional storage space for a long day of shooting. The Nikon Zf approaches this in a fairly rare — and some might even say, odd — way: it has a single UHS-II SD card slot and then backs this up with a microSD card slot. Although the transfer speed options are similar, microSD cards are easy to lose and represent a further annoyance with having two different card sizes to keep track of.

The Nikon Z6 III also utilizes two different card types but at least one of them enhances the shooting speeds of the camera. The Z6 III has a standard UHS-II SD card slot as its secondary port but has a much faster CFexpress Type B slot. The CFexpress card allows for longer sustained bursts and transfers files quickly to a computer.

A close-up image of a person inserting a memory card into a DSLR camera. The camera's LCD screen and various control buttons are visible. The memory card has a "Caution: Hot" label on it. Blurry background.
Most people will prefer the speed advantage and ruggedness that a CF Express “B” card provides.

The Winner: Nikon Z6 III

It’s great that both cameras at least have a backup slot but the Z6 III has a more professional setup with a faster and less fiddly card type which also enables its faster shooting performance.

Nikon Zf vs Z6 III: Autofocusing and Burst Rates

Both the Nikon Zf and the Z6 III have the latest Nikon autofocusing algorithms and this translates into excellent AF performance on both platforms. However, there is a slight difference and it again comes down to the different types of 24-megapixel sensors in each. I was pleased with the Nikon Zf’s performance but it does result in the occasional missed shot. It also has a decent RAW file burst rate of 11 frames per second and can shoot up to 30 shots a second in a JPEG-only mode.

A man wearing a maroon t-shirt stands in front of a blue wall with graffiti, framed through a camera's viewfinder. The camera settings are visible, including ISO 100, aperture f/6.3, shutter speed 1/320, and a green focus square on the man's eye.
Both cameras feature excellent autofocus performance but the Z6 III has a slight edge with fast moving subjects.

The Nikon Z6 III has one advantage over the Zf: because its sensor can read out much faster than the older sensor in the Zf, the camera can make more autofocusing calculations much faster while tracking a subject. We got a more consistent hit rate with the Z6 III all thanks to the partially stacked sensor that it uses even when all other parameters are equal. The Z6 III also can push 20 RAW files per second if it needs to and up to 120 per second in JPEG mode.

Close-up image of a Nikon Z6 II camera with a 24-120mm f/4 S lens. The camera is resting on a mossy rock. The view shows the top part of the camera including buttons and controls, along with a small screen displaying settings.
The Z6 III has a large top LCD panel, modern controls, and an excellent grip. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The Winner: Nikon Z6 III

A slightly better autofocusing experience is to be found in the Nikon Z6 III and this will pay dividends to the fast-action photographer when push comes to shove. The Z6 III is also the clear winner when it comes to rapid-fire shooting.

Nikon Zf vs Z6 III: Video Quality

The Nikon Zf is a far more capable video camera than it gets credit for. It can shoot 10-bit log recording and has waveforms to assist with proper exposure. The 4K 60p footage is also decent, albeit it does come with a crop.

Close-up of a Nikon Zf camera, focusing on the brand name and control dials. The lens attached is a Nikon 24-120mm f/4 S, with the camera body displaying a textured grip and various buttons and dials for settings adjustments.
There is no denying the handsome lines of the Nikon ZF. Nikon did a great job of blending old and new.

The Nikon Z6 III is definitely better suited as a hybrid photo/video shooter with its ability to capture 4K 60p footage without a crop and up to 4K 120p with one. Just like the Zf, there is a 10-bit log recording but the Z6 III can also shoot RAW video without an external recorder — the Zf also shoots RAW video but requires an external recorder. Otherwise, it has the same waveforms and 3D tracking AF during video that the Zf has making the overall video recording package superior.

The Winner: Nikon Z6 III

It’s an easy win for the Nikon Z6 III with its enhanced video capabilities and more advanced video recording modes.

Nikon ZF vs Z6 III: The Final Verdict

Tallying up our scores, we can see that the Nikon Z6 III is the more advanced camera and is more capable as both a video camera and as a fast action photography tool. This does come with a roughly $500 premium — the Zf costs $2,000 while the Z6 III costs $2,500 — and worse dynamic range when a fast shooting camera isn’t needed. All that said, even with only one category win, many photographers will prefer the looks of the Zf and the better image quality for studio and landscape use.

Two black Nikon cameras are displayed side by side on a wooden surface with text above them highlighting their strengths. The Nikon Zf is noted for image quality, while the Nikon Z6 III is highlighted for displays, storage, action, and video.
The Nikon Z6 III won more categories and is the more capable unit but only if you shoot fast-action or video regularly.

Both cameras prove to be versatile tools with good handling and autofocus performance and I feel that the strengths of the Z6 III tend to be for applications more suited to event work or sports and wildlife. The final takeaway, though, is that regardless of which camera is better for you and your photography, Nikon has a very strong lineup of middle-tier full-frame cameras.

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