Canon EOS R3vs Z6 IIIvs Nikon Z8
Canon
Canon EOS R3 (2021)
From £5999
Best for Sports & photojournalism professionals
View Canon EOS R3
Which should you buy?
Sports & Photojournalism Professionals — Canon EOS R3 (2021): The pinnacle of Canon's mirrorless lineup for speed — Eye Control AF and 30fps burst in the most rugged body Canon has ever produced.
Hybrid Video & Action — Z6 III (2024): Partial-stacked FF sensor for near-zero blackout, 6K RAW video, and 60fps burst — Nikon's most capable hybrid.
Sports, Wildlife & Hybrid Professionals — Nikon Z8 (2023): Z9 performance in a compact body — 45MP, 8K/60p RAW, and 20fps burst without the bulk or price of the flagship.
Who should buy what
Canon EOS R3 (2021)
- You shoot sport, motorsport, wildlife, or news at a professional level
- You need Canon's most reliable and fastest autofocus available
- You need extreme weather sealing for demanding shooting conditions
Z6 III (2024)
- You need the best all-round full-frame camera in Nikon's Z system
- You shoot in challenging or low light and need exceptional high-ISO performance
- You want a hybrid body that genuinely excels at both professional stills and video
Nikon Z8 (2023)
- You need Z9-level performance in a more travel-friendly and portable body
- You shoot wildlife, weddings, or sport and need exceptional resolution with speed
- You want the best Nikon mirrorless body available without carrying the full Z9
Quick take: The nikon z8 has the highest resolution at 46mp; the z6 iii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Canon EOS R3 (2021) | Z6 III (2024) | Nikon Z8 (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £5,999 | £2,199 | £3,999 |
| Sensor | 24.1MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS | 24.5MP Full-frame Partial-stacked CMOS | 45.7MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.1MP | 24.5MP | 45.7MP |
| Video | 6K RAW, 4K/120p, 1080p/180p | 6K/60p RAW, 4K/120p, 4K/60p oversampled, N-Log, 10-bit | 8K/60p RAW, 4K/120p, ProRes RAW |
| Autofocus | Dual Pixel CMOS AF II with Eye Control AF | Phase-detect, 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle/aircraft) | Subject detection AF, 493-point phase-detect |
| Stabilisation | 8-stop IBIS | 5-axis IBIS, 6.0 stops | 6-stop IBIS |
| Burst Rate | 30fps electronic / 12fps mechanical | 20fps mechanical, 60fps electronic | 20fps RAW / 120fps JPEG |
| Battery Life | 620 shots (CIPA) | ~380 shots (CIPA) | 330 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 1015g body only | 760g body only | 910g body only |
| Dimensions | 150.0 × 142.6 × 87.2mm | 138.5 × 101.5 × 74.0mm | 144.0 × 118.5 × 83.0mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.76" OLED EVF, 5.76M dots, 120fps | EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.90× magnification | 0.5" Quad-VGA OLED EVF, 3.69M dots, 120fps |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Canon RF | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame) | Nikon Z-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual CFexpress Type B | Dual slots: CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type B / XQD |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, LAN | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth |
Compare pairs from this group