Best Video Camera Battle: Nikon Z6 III vs Sony a7S III vs Canon R6 II Review
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Published 2024-07-26
Nikon Z6 III $2496 NEW: SDP.io/Z63
Sony a7S III: $2486 USED: SDP.io/a7S3
Canon R6 II: $1827 USED: SDP.io/R62
Tony Northrup reviews the top three hybrid video cameras in the $1500-$2500 range: the Nikon Z6 III, the Sony a7S III, and the Canon R6 II. These are cameras that can shoot both video and stills, but not all cameras are created equal.
This video camera review examines every aspect videographers need from a camera that will be used for YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, weddings, commerical video, or social media. Tony tests the resolution, highlighting the strength of the Nikon Z6 III's 6K at 60 FPS video. The Sony is the lightest camera, thus, it will be the easiest to manage on a gimbal.
Tony does detailed video autofocus testing. He tests walking towards the camera in a backlit scenario, holding an object up to the camera (like a vlogger might) and wildlife video.
Tony also tests low-light video capabilities, as well as dynamic range in low-light situations. Then, he goes on to test slow-motion video at 120 and 240 frames per second.
0:00 Introduction
1:32 Sharpness & Detail (Resolution)
2:14 Weight
2:41 Autofocus: Unboxing Test
4:50 Autofocus: Backlit Walking Test
5:59 Wildlife Video Test
7:13 Low-Light Video Test
7:48 Slow Motion Video Test
8:10 Dynamic Range Test in HLG HDR
9:01 Dynamic Range Test in Log & Raw
9:44 Dynamic Range Test in Controlled Studio
10:45 Backup Memory Cards
11:21 Lens Selection
12:24 Reviewing Footage (Scrubbing)
13:18 Mic Connector
14:18 Recording Time (overheating)
14:36 Rolling Shutter / Banding
14:48 Wifi Apps
15:16 Summary
All Comments (21)
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NOTE: The a7S III does shoot HD/240 slow-mo, so that ties it with the Nikon in that category (Sony really hid that option). The Panasonic Lumix S5 II and Sony a7 IV were excluded from the test because they heavily crop 4k/60 footage. The 1.5X crop makes them an APS-C camera in that mode, reducing low-light performance and dynamic range by more than a full stop. They also have worse rolling shutter. Thus, they would have performed poorly anyway.
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Wow, clearly a tonne of work gone into this! šš
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The Canon R6 II is really the winner here because it doesn't sacrifice still photos the way the A7SIII does... and the A7SIII is much more expensive. Plus I'm impressed the Canon has the best rolling shutter compared to a partially stacked cam and a cam with crippled resolution like the A7SIII. EDIT: Thanks for taking the time to make this.
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I think it is reasonable to compare it with the Sony a7siii. I donāt know what it is like elsewhere, but because the first sentence of Nikon Hong Kongās website introducing the Z6III is...the Z6III has extraordinary film capabilities...it is obviously positioned as a video camera. The introduction of the A7m4 on the Sony website is... with its breakthrough performance in still images and video recording... it is obviously a true hybrid camera. So it is reasonable to compare Nikon Z6iii with Sony a7siii.
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Amazing video
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Wow! Thank you for this great comparison as Iām considering these.
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Looking forward to your Z 6 111 review for stills. In particular what is it like for wildlife particularly birds. Thanks.
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geeeez the lowlight in z6iii looks like broken old tv channel told ya the r6ii is better than z6iii, but those nikon fanboys still argue, even the rolling shutter readout is faster in canon on stacked sensor than nikon half stacked sensor hahahaha
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What is the ISO settings for all the footage?
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I know that it is really not in the same price point, but I really wish you had tested the A9III, because it would have shown more CURRENT Sony AF tech, likely to be included in to be released over the next six months A7s IV and A7V.
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Hope for a Z8, Sony A7RV?, R5 Mark II battle, especially low light AF and quality performance
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Lol, I love nikon... but that low light shot needs a dance beat behind it. Did you test the audio preamps? Nikon didn't sound great with the DJI mic.
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There seems to be a lot of sensor variability with the Nikon sensors. If you search YouTube there are examples of strobic noise (area fluctuations rather than pixel noise) in the shadows. Iāve had to return two Z6IIIs because of this, though my current units seem okay. And Iāve chosen the Z6III because of its internal RAW recording, because I have the Z glass already, and Iām familiar with the menus and button layout from shooting a Z9 for stills and some video. Yet post production noise reduction processing could slow my turn around times. The partially stacked sensor may be āfastā but you do give up a chunk of low light image quality in the bargain.
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Well for photos Iāll say this. Just got back from Cancun and the resort photographer was using a Sony A7Siii with the 28-70 kit lens. In my mind I was thinking what the heck. What professional is going to use this setup? Even made a few comments to my gf about it. We got the pictures and they were less than 2Mb and jpegs. The company wouldnāt give the raws. We purchased a couple of the photo and when I got home decided to print them at 13x19 inches on fine art with my canon pixma printer. Long story short I have one of them hanging on my wall right now. Image looks great. I never would have thought that. Put a tool in the hands of someone that knows how to use it and well you know.
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Tony, you were one to famously point out the difference in quality of 4k60 between the og R5 and R6. Based on specs, looks like the R5 mark II will have the same substandard 4k60. Is it wise to make a flagship video mirrorless camera with a 45 megapixel sensor? Seems idiotic to me.
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Unbiased review you call it comparing a camera that is 1k more expensive to the other two. Sony still have a camera within the price range but you omitted that. A7iii is closer in price to the Z8 and R5 and should be compared with those .
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What happened with the audio on this video?
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It is not surprising that the Sony a7S III outperforms the Nikon Z6 III vs Canon R6 II Review cameras in terms of dynamic range. The Sony a7S III is designed for video shooting.
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Why would the A7sIII be here and not the A74 which is the actual comp or the panasonic s5II. Doesn't seem too fair.
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canon R6 II greatļ¼
