Z6 IIIvs Pentax K-3 Mark III
Nikon
Z6 III (2024)
Starting from £2199 new
Best for Hybrid video & action
£2199 at Clifton Cameras →
View Z6 III
Pentax
Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021)
Starting from £1699 new
Best for DSLR enthusiasts & outdoor photographers
Used from £856 at eBay →
View Pentax K-3 Mark III
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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.
Dslr Enthusiasts & Outdoor Photographers — Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021): The finest APS-C DSLR ever made — class-leading weather sealing, optical viewfinder, 5-axis IBIS, and extraordinary build for photographers committed to DSLR.
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
Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021)
- DSLR photographers who want the finest APS-C optical viewfinder experience
- Outdoor and weather photographers who need robust all-weather sealing
- Pentax lens owners who want to use their existing K-mount glass
- Photographers who prefer optical viewfinders and refuse to switch to mirrorless
Quick take: The pentax k-3 mark iii has the highest resolution at 26mp; the pentax k-3 mark iii is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z6 III (2024) | Pentax K-3 Mark III (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £2,199 | £1,699 |
| Sensor | 24.5MP Full-frame Partial-stacked CMOS | 25.7MP APS-C BSI CMOS (AA-filterless) |
| Resolution | 24.5MP | 25.7MP |
| Video | 6K/60p RAW, 4K/120p, 4K/60p oversampled, N-Log, 10-bit | 4K/30p, 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | Phase-detect, 273 points, subject detection (human/animal/vehicle/aircraft) | SAFOX 13 phase-detect, 101-point (25 cross-type) |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS, 6.0 stops | 5.5-stop 5-axis IBIS (Shake Reduction III) |
| Burst Rate | 20fps mechanical, 60fps electronic | 12fps |
| Battery Life | ~380 shots (CIPA) | 800 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 760g body only | 820g body only |
| Dimensions | 138.5 × 101.5 × 74.0mm | 134.5 × 103.5 × 73.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 5.76M dots, 0.90× magnification | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.05× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" fully articulating touchscreen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount (full-frame) | Pentax KF-mount |
| Memory Cards | Dual slots: CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z6 III | Pentax K-3 Mark III |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Portrait | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Landscape | ||
| Wildlife | ||
| Travel | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history