Nikon Z6III is coming.. as mini Z8

[Ilkka Nissila]

45 minutes ago, MrSMW said:

That pricing in Europe is a bit controversial isn't it?

€3k which is quite a big step up from the Z6ii and not too far short of the Z8...

The Z6 III initial price is 3100€ and the Z8's initial price was about 4700€ but the current (discounted) price is about 4300€. So there is a 1200€ difference, and 1600€ difference between initial prices. In 1 or 2 years the Z6 III price will have been reduced to 2500-2700€ if I am guessing correctly. That's how it works; during first availability the demand is at its highest and this is balanced by the higher initial price; after a while the demand is reduced because those who were interested already got theirs, and so a lower price can tempt a few more buyers.

 

The Z6 III has a number of advantages over the Z8, including 60 fps full-size still bursts (jpg though), more effective VR, more custom wide-area options, smaller body size, less processing needed to produce high quality 4K video (so less likely to overheat, since it starts from a 24 MP sensor and not 45 MP), higher-quality audio interface, brighter, more detailed viewfinder, better high ISO image quality (probably), better low-light AF, screen that can tilt into selfie mode (for those that need it) etc. The Z8 has other advantages (higher resolution and faster sensor readout, a screen that tilts two-ways without moving to the side) and so users can choose based on needs and budget.

 

If comparing US prices to European prices then things may look completely messed up, of course.

[John Matthews]

3 minutes ago, Ilkka Nissila said:

If comparing US prices to European prices then things may look completely messed up, of course.

Maybe Nikon has higher failure rates after one year? Due to the 2 year warranty, they had to jack up the prices? It could also be that Nikon cameras are just that desirable in Europe? I don't I'm at a loss to understand. It seems like a flagrant "tax" on European customers. There might be an upside- buy it in the USA, sell it in Europe a year later- you might not lose any money on it after using it for a full year.

[Ilkka Nissila]

1 hour ago, John Matthews said:

You've got to be kidding. Who does that? Granted, if you buy ten of them, it's different.

Why is Panasonic almost always less expensive then? You have the same warranty laws. Seriously, Nikon is screwing the Europeans. Why? I'm not trying to be difficult. I just want to know why.

Are you asking who doesn't do illegal smuggling? I would imagine most people don't do that.

 

Maybe Panasonic has fewer quality problems that need fixing in service? I don't know. It could also be that Panasonic may have a company policy that they distribute costs evenly across markets while Nikon may require each subsidiary to make a profit and cover their own costs.

[zlfan]

stabilization seems not good enough, comparing to s5 2x. 

[John Matthews]

13 minutes ago, Ilkka Nissila said:

Are you asking who doesn't do illegal smuggling? I would imagine most people don't do that.

 

Maybe Panasonic has fewer quality problems that need fixing in service? I don't know. It could also be that Panasonic may have a company policy that they distribute costs evenly across markets while Nikon may require each subsidiary to make a profit and cover their own costs.

It's unfair pricing policies like this that might push someone to do such a thing. Are you saying you should never take a Nikon camera to avoid suspicion of illegal activity? It's not as if cameras are meant for travel, right? Maybe Nikon cameras are on Customs' radar? You'd do better to have your receipts, I guess.

[John Matthews]

11 minutes ago, zlfan said:

stabilization seems not good enough, comparing to s5 2x. 

I was watching the Petapixel review. I was more worried about cadence, but I'm not so sure of the conditions it was shot. If you watch Chris on the swing, it looked strange. I warn you it's during their KEH ad at 1m30s.

 

[MrSMW]

The bottom line for me in 2024 is that there are quite a few options for my needs that just a few years ago there was not and my main priority now can be summed up in 3 words:

Smaller

Lighter

Faster

(combined acronym, SLF)

Plus I NEED to go from 4 to 3 units.

Despite my previous interest in the Z6iii and 99% certainty, I would be preordering, I am going to backtrack on that now and say I will not be.

And it's not the Z6iii fault as it is everything I expected it to be and need it to be.

Rather, it is a realisation that when I listed the pros & cons for an alternative option, the alternative option beat it in almost every regard.

Plan B it is then...

[sanveer]

Seems pretty stellar. Dynamic Range should be tested and also whether it has heating issues in warmer environments. 

Also all other 24MP sensor makers need to improve their sensor tech. This had some superb rolling shutter. 

[zlfan]

probably I will stick to my epic-x mysterium-x. with rail based battery, I have a contacting point against my chest. I have the grip for the right hand, and left hand hold the bottom. I use smallhd dp6 lcd for viewing. I use Leica r 19mm f2.8. looks stable enough. 5k 60p 5:1. good enough to compare to these new mirrorless. 

I probably will think to have s5 3 for its ibis. 

[Davide DB]

1 hour ago, John Matthews said:

Maybe Nikon has higher failure rates after one year? Due to the 2 year warranty, they had to jack up the prices? It could also be that Nikon cameras are just that desirable in Europe? I don't I'm at a loss to understand. It seems like a flagrant "tax" on European customers. There might be an upside- buy it in the USA, sell it in Europe a year later- you might not lose any money on it after using it for a full year.

 

I remember that about ten years ago, an Italian computer magazine did a kind of investigation on the price difference of various electronic devices between the US, Europe and Asia.

They wanted to find out whether the price differences (which were more significant then than now) were due to factors such as logistics, taxes, duties, production costs, etc.

In the end, they found no repeatable pattern among the various electronic appliances analysed and concluded that it all depended on how much that market was willing to pay for that item.

Perhaps the Nikon and Panasonic marketing departments simply have different views or different data on their customers. And I think the customers of the brand are completely different. I have Panasonic air conditioners at home, my mother a microwave oven. Nikon is an exclusively photographic brand.

By the way, in Italy Nikon and Panasonic have official technical service provided by the same company.

 

 

[Emanuel]

48 minutes ago, John Matthews said:

I was watching the Petapixel review. I was more worried about cadence, but I'm not so sure of the conditions it was shot. If you watch Chris on the swing, it looked strange. I warn you it's during their KEH ad at 1m30s.

 

In the first shot, not the 2nd one though. It's some encoding trouble I believe. I don't think it's anything coming from the acquistion, I'd dare to guess... But there are people here more from the technician side than a producer/shooter so let them to speak out... ;- )

[Emanuel]

I'd say this one in the U.S. 😆 and BMCC6K-FF are those the bets of today : )

Don't invite me for higher than that as far as price range concerns especially when overheating issues are far to be solved... : P Those are not professional capture devices, they are a pain in the ass, not a reliable camera for professional use. The use of lower resolution recording modes serves too little, these don't help either or why someone is buying them, after all?! : X

[bjohn]

59 minutes ago, sanveer said:

Dynamic Range should be tested and also whether it has heating issues in warmer environments. 

Gerald Undone did test dynamic range in his video review; he didn't experience any overheating but hey, he's in Canada and he admitted that his testing environment wasn't very warm.

It does seem like a great camera; wish the IBIS was better....I think Panasonic still has the lead there.

[Eric Calabros]

Just now, Emanuel said:

Don't invite me for higher than that as far as price range concerns especially when overheating issues are far to be solved...

If you want unlimited recording in any temp, and at this price point or even a bit higher, you have to give up something, either Full frame sensor (GH7) or EVF and higher than 4k resolution (FX3), or internal raw (S5ii). There is no conspiracy to not giving customers a perfect camera. The reality is that making everything right is becoming more and more expensive. 

[Danyyyel]

5 hours ago, John Matthews said:

Why is it that Nikon hits Europeans so hard. USA price is roughly $2500 at B&H (with their credit card scheme) and in Europe it's 3000 euros ($3215) with tax. In Panasonic world, the prices are almost always lower in Europe than in the USA. That's a heavy hit.

I don't understand, it was said at launch the price would be 2650 Euros and 3000 with the 24-70!!! What has happened since then. 

[Emanuel]

1 hour ago, Eric Calabros said:

If you want unlimited recording in any temp, and at this price point or even a bit higher, you have to give up something, either Full frame sensor (GH7) or EVF and higher than 4k resolution (FX3), or internal raw (S5ii). There is no conspiracy to not giving customers a perfect camera. The reality is that making everything right is becoming more and more expensive. 

Of course.

But, when they want they give it to us, R5C was the answer to the R5 overheating problems. What comes first? IBIS or solving the issue?

Still any doubts? Why not to buy one of these then?

And when they don't put fans or don't care for thermal issues with an effective active cooling design, what can we expect?

 

Yet, I am done with still photography coming first rather than motion picture for hybrid pipe dream.

When this actually should mean quite the opposite.

And if you/we're unable to work with stills without having control on motion at first grade in 2024, you/we're in the wrong business in all likelihood : )

Moreover, I am done with still photographers (and I am not completely outside of this bloody group when also shoot stills but don't sign the subscription) claiming or intending they come first than the rest of the crowd, like photography arrived first than cinematography... Phew.

So what? Since Jim & Jannard launched the Digital Still and Motion Camera concept, the times have changed.

Yes, tiptop audio is mandatory in a mirrorless camera and still photographers can go to the hell with their mantra!

I'm sorry for my hard words but this has been one of the main problems of this segment of the camera industry.

Many losers who are unable to handle moving image dictating how or/and where the manufacturers have to put their eggs.

 

Something has changed the world.

High-end is not the same throughout this last quarter of century, when from one hundred of users only 15 years ago to have access to a system born in the 6-digit realm, we have now millions of users receiving their last version of Resolve or/and prone to be upgraded and coupled to their affordable one or two grand camera.

 

- EAG

 

[Danyyyel]

4 hours ago, Andrew Reid said:

Here's my take on it

https://www.eoshd.com/news/nikon-z6-iii-lands-with-video-aplomb-but-only-partial-excitement-for-photographers/

When it comes out at 3000 euros, you will be much better off spending the $100 less for a used Z8!

After the price depreciates by about 2000 euros in 2 years, then it's a different proposition, I'll take ten.

Once it hits the price of the Z6 (still nice BTW and better lowlight + DR for photos), sitting on eBay for £500 then I might even by an eleventh.

But even then, I'm not sure I will need 6K/60p or want to put up with the file sizes in RAW. Which begs the question why bother, what else is on the table that it offers?

And the RAW codecs just don't have that RAW look that a proper Cinema DNG codec has on a proper RAW camera like the Sigma Fp-L, especially in terms of noise and grain texture.

I also think that the Japanese keep making cameras and images cleaner, sharper, better...

Whereas the artist in me is starting to get very bored of that and looking for something different and more analogue.

On the lenses side it's the same.

So no the Z6 III doesn't really float my boat, especially not for 3000 euro.

When the Sony A1 II comes out at $6k by the way, keep an eye on A1 OG prices... These may well be close to the Z6 III and Z8 soon.

That 8K H.265 500Mbit/s 10bit 422 it does is the nicest one of all... and this is coming from an ex-Z9 owner....it is better than the 6K Z6 III N-RAW... Yet with an essential plus....a much more manageable size of recording.

I don't know the bitrate of the this new z6iii for sure, but on the z9, you have the 4.1 K raw mode, that is half of the sensor readout, and at 24 fps it is about 350 mbs!!! Since I have known this, everything a bit high-end and not long take I use it. The resolution is 4128 x 2322, so the 6k in the z6iii would be about twice that, so about 700 mbit, which is not much higher than 500 mbit h2.65. 

[Danyyyel]

4 hours ago, Eric Calabros said:

No, its not stacked fast. Its just faster than non-stacked sensors. 

For video Gerald undone got 9.5ms, which is faster than the z9 and Canon R5 about 13-15 ms. So for video it is very fast.

[Andrew Reid]

5 minutes ago, Danyyyel said:

For video Gerald undone got 9.5ms, which is faster than the z9 and Canon R5 about 13-15 ms. So for video it is very fast.

It isn't a faster readout.

Z9 is 45 megapixel!

The Z6 III only has to read 24

So the very marginal benefit in RS is due to the lower megapixel count... 6K vs 8K, not a faster chip architecture.

[Andrew Reid]

29 minutes ago, Danyyyel said:

I don't understand, it was said at launch the price would be 2650 Euros and 3000 with the 24-70!!! What has happened since then. 

It remains to be seen what the real price will be once it hits retail in Europe, but 2650 sounds like a direct currency conversion from dollars... and therefore does not include the 20% VAT in Europe

3180 EUR would be the price including tax

So therefore it makes more sense to just get a used Z8.