Z6 IIIvs Pentax 17
VS
Pentax
Pentax 17 (2024)
Starting from £400 new
Best for Film photography enthusiasts & diptych storytelling
View Pentax 17
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
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.
Film Photography Enthusiasts & Diptych Storytelling — Pentax 17 (2024): The best new film camera of the decade — manual controls, a sharp lens, and a half-frame format that doubles your roll and forces a new way of seeing.
Who should buy what
Z6 III (2024)
- Hybrid photographers who want partially-stacked sensor speed with full-frame quality
- Z6 II owners ready for a major AF and video upgrade
- Sports and action shooters who want 6K RAW video and fast burst
- Professionals who want a versatile full-frame Z body for any situation
Quick take: The pentax 17 is the most affordable; only the z6 iii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z6 III (2024) | Pentax 17 (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,199 | £400 |
| Sensor | 24.5MP Full-frame Partial-stacked CMOS | 35mm half-frame (18 × 24mm) |
| Resolution | 24.5MP | — |
| Video | 6K/60p RAW, 4K/120p, 4K/60p oversampled, N-Log, 10-bit | N/A — film camera |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle/aircraft) | Zone focus (0.35m / 1m / 3m / ∞) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 6.0 stops | N/A — film camera |
| Burst Rate | 20fps mechanical, 60fps electronic | Manual wind-on |
| Battery Life | ~380 shots (CIPA) | 2× CR2 lithium batteries |
| Weight | 760g body only | ~165g (without batteries) |
| Dimensions | 138.5 × 101.5 × 74.0mm | 113 × 66 × 44mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.90× magnification | Optical viewfinder with half-frame framelines |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen | N/A |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame) | 35mm film (ISO 25–3200 via DX coding + manual dial) |
| Memory Cards | Dual slots: CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II | 35mm 135-format film cartridge |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | N/A |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z6 III | Pentax 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Wildlife | — | |
| Street | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Low Light | — |
More comparisons with Z6 III
Camera family history