The new partially stacked image sensor in the Nikon Z6 III gives a big performance boost, compared with the conventional sensor in the previous generation Nikon Z 6II camera. The faster data readout speed brings headline attractions that include blistering burst rates of up to 120fps in DX crop mode (60fps full-frame) and a super-fast 1/16,000th maximum shutter speed when using the fully electronic shutter option. You can also say goodbye to the dreaded ‘rolling shutter’ effect that distorts moving objects when shooting both stills and video. What’s not to love? Surely, it has to be one of the best Nikon cameras.
Well, lab test results seem to suggest that although the new image sensor is ‘faster’ than that of the older Z 6II camera, it lags behind in terms of dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratio. The drop in dynamic range rings alarm bells for blown highlights and a loss of detail in dark shadows, while diminished signal-to-noise performance suggests that images captured at very high ISO settings will look noisier, probably with a lack of fine detail and texture.
