Nikon Z6 III Underwater Review & Results

Written by Jean Rydberg

Nikon has a long reputation as a brand for serious photographers. Yet they have struggled to keep up with their competitors in the development of new mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras to replace DSLR technology. The new Nikon Z6 III has closed that gap and puts Nikon firmly in the running as a top choice for underwater photography.

Here are the base specs:

24 Megapixel Resolution
World’s 1st Partially Stacked CMOS sensor
Up to -10EV Autofocus Detection with advanced subject detection
Pre-Release Capture up to 120 fps
Internal 6K RAW video (12-bit 6K/60p N-RAW and 6K/30p ProRes RAW)
Oversampled 4K UHD/60p
Full HD 1080/240p Slow Motion
Super-bright 5.76M dot Electronic Viewfinder (EVF)
In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) up to 8 stops
Fully Articulating LCD Screen
Weather sealed with the same build quality as the Nikon Z8

Blackwater macro image taken by Nirupam Nigam

Dynamic Range

Much of the limited criticism of the Z6 III centers around its peak dynamic range, which is slightly reduced in trade for extra speed in shooting. This could be a problem when shooting sun balls or cenotes, but for the average underwater shooting we’ve done with this camera so far - from the dark kelp forests of the Channel Islands to bright blue Caribbean waters - we haven’t run into any issues.

Steve Miller on Shooting Available Light

"The Natural Light images I got on that dive are some of my favorites of the trip [to Little Cayman]… but every time I try to think of something helpful to tell you it becomes the difference between the Z6 lll versus the OM System TG-7… hardly fair."

Nikon Z6 III Underwater Ikelite Housing Copyright Steve Miller

"I can tell you the Z6lll is a much better camera! I used the 14-30mm, and since I was shooting natural light (without strobes) I stayed shallow and tried to concentrate on the composition and lighting. The camera delighted me! Editing these images was so fun. I was worried during the capture that there would be no color without flash, but I saw it in the viewer and figured if I see yellow then the sensor does too… I was way right! The RAW files gave me plenty of flexibility to bring out the dynamic range and boost saturation of the colors."

Autofocus and Image Stabilization

This new Nikon really shines in terms of autofocus performance, inheriting the base autofocus tracking system from the incredible Nikon Z8 and Z9 cameras. Combined with up to 8 stops of in body image stabilization (IBIS), the camera helps you get a greater quantity of in-focus images in most situations compared to DSLR and prior generations of mirrorless technology. While some of the tracking features are best when using a Z-mount lens, we had no problems shooting our favorite F-mount lenses with the Nikon FTZ II Mount Adapter.

Kelp fronds close up image taken by Nirupam Nigam

The Z6III is a significant step-up from its predecessor and is to-date the most all-round capable camera in its class. It excels in both stills and video. - DPReview

Nurse Shark with Nikon Z6 III in Ikelite Underwater Housing copyright John Brigham

Lens Selection

Right now lens selection is one of the big deciding points between camera manufacturers, and for underwater use we’re lucky to have some great options for every system. These are our Top 3 lenses for shooting with the Nikon Z6 III camera:

Nikon 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED Fisheye + FTZ Mount Adapter
Nikon Z 14-30mm f/4 S
Nikon Z 105mm f/2.8 MC VR S (or the older F lens with an adapter)

Garibaldi fish with kelp in the background image taken by Nirupam Nigam

Light rays through kelp image by Nirupam Nigam

Logan Wood on Video

White Balance

"I thought that, compared to Canon, it was much easier to manually white balance. On par with how fast I can do it on a Sony camera. However, there were times when, even with a WB card, I wasn’t getting very good reading. I wish there was an Underwater Auto WB mode like on Sony."

Autofocus

"I found that the Nikon picked up on the eyes of fish (and bodies) much better than on the Sony. I really appreciated having the visual confirmation of tracking boxes pop up on the screen when it found an eye. Didn’t happen too much but it was nice when it did. Also, I would suggest turning on Peaking to help with the autofocus. Sometimes it was so locked onto a subject that it wouldn’t automatically refocus as I moved through a scene. Could be user error and solved with changing the sensitivity of the AF."

Editing

"I was very impressed with the flexibility of the video files when it came to editing. I was shooting in N-Log and there were a few shots that I messed up my WB. In the editor I was able to use the eye dropper on a white color and correct the WB very similarly to a RAW photo. This is possible on other camera’s log files, but with N-Log is took a lot less tinkering with. Basically, the colors looked great out of the camera with very minimal correction needed. Not video, but I was also very pleased with the color and flexibility of the few stills I shot in natural light. Steve had a similar experience shooting natural light with the Z6 III."

Garibaldi image with kelp in the background image taken by Nirupam Nigam

Viewfinder (EVF)

The 5,760k-dot viewfinder is advertised as the brightest ever to be in any mirrorless camera. It’s comfortable to shoot through underwater, especially when combined with an upgraded enhanced viewfinder on your housing like our go-to 45º Magnifying Viewfinder.

Pink gorgonian image taken by Nirupam Nigam

Using in an Underwater Housing

The Z6 III is noticeably larger than the Z6 II camera, primarily due to the addition of the vari-angle LCD screen which can now be flipped out and rotated for self-recording. This shifts the control and lens placement in a way that prevents it from being used in an existing housing for Nikon Z6 II or Z7 II cameras.

The new 200DL Underwater Housing for the Nikon Z6 III # 71071 includes all of our latest upgrades including all new control knobs for better grip and access to all important camera functions. The housing supports the addition of the incredible USB-C Charging & Data Transfer Bulkhead which lets you leave the camera inside of the housing when topping off the battery and offloading photos and video. This minimizes the amount of time you spend breaking down and setting up your gear, giving you more time working on photos.

Exposure Settings and Ergonomics

We have found that the Z6 III provides beautiful flash exposure control when combined with the DL1 DS Link TTL Converter and dual DS strobes. Exposure compensation can be dialed into the camera quickly and easily when shooting TTL and there’s support of rear curtain synchronization when aiming for those long exposure photos.

The Z6 III controls feel very ergonomic and easy to handle in the 200DL Underwater Housing. The camera is not as customizable as a Sony but changing a few key menu settings makes it very enjoyable to use underwater.

If you’re upgrading from a Z6 Mark I or Mark II camera, you’ll find that all of the same lens ports and accessories translate directly to the new housing.

Garibaldi fish image taken by Nirupam Nigam

Body & Build Quality

The Nikon Z6 III body has a professional feel with a comfortable control layout. The camera has dual card slots, one for CFexpress and one for UHS-II SD cards. It weighs 1.68 lb (760 g) which makes it the heaviest camera in its class but not by much. The EN-EL15c battery provides a respectable 380 shots per charge (CIPA rating) though actual battery life can be more or less depending on the type of shooting you’re doing, whether you use the EVF or LCD, and utilization of power saving features.

After two days of diving and shooting non-stop with the Nikon Z6III, we thought it would be worth mentioning that the battery life on the camera is impressive. Although it's rated for only 390 shots with the LCD, I was able to capture 300 photos in three dives and still had 58% battery left. - Bluewater Photo Store

Stingray with Nikon Z6 III in Ikelite Underwater Housing © 2024 John Brigham

Conclusion

So far five of us have taken the Z6 III underwater and each of us came back impressed by the performance and image quality. There are a lot of good reasons why the camera received the top ranking in DPReview’s Buying Guide for the Best Cameras Around $2000 and Nirupam Nigam of Underwater Photography Guide declared “there is no better prosumer option for underwater photo & video.”

Additional Viewing

FIRST RESULTS Nikon Z6 III Underwater in California [VIDEO]

Nikon Custom Settings for Underwater Photography // Ikelite 200DL Housing [VIDEO]

Nikon Z6 III Setting it Up // Ikelite 200DL Underwater Housing Assembly [VIDEO]

Nikon Custom White Balance for Underwater Photos and Video [VIDEO]

Catalina Island California Underwater Photography

Underwater Cathedrals: Shooting Magnificent Kelp Forests

Garibaldi Underwater Camera Settings and Technique

Nirupam Nigam is a dedicated underwater photographer and fisheries scientist. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and the Marketing Director at Bluewater Photo. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. He received degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, at the University of Washington. Check out more of his photography on his website.

Ambassador Steve Miller has been a passionate teacher of underwater photography since 1980. In addition to creating aspirational photos as an ambassador, he leads the Ikelite Photo School, conducts equipment testing, contributes content and photography, represents us at dive shows and events, provides one-on-one photo advice to customers, and participates in product research and development. Steve also works as a Guest Experience Manager for the Wakatobi Dive Resort in Indonesia. In his "free" time he busies himself tweaking his very own Backyard Underwater Photo Studio which he's built for testing equipment and techniques. Read more...

John Brigham is the Vice President & head of product development at Ikelite. He was born with a flair for design and an entrepreneurial spirit as son of Ikelite founder Ike Brigham. He worked his way up in the business and is a natural fit in the R&D side of things. John dives the equipment as much as possible to test product and put himself in the "fins" of the user. You may also find him on the other end of an email or phone call when you reach out for product advice and support. When he's not underwater he's flying drones, setting off rockets, training his German Shepherd "T2", and spending time with his family.

Jean Rydberg, daughter of Ike Brigham, became President & CEO of Ikelite in 2006. Prior to that, she wisely pursued a degree in Astronomy & Astrophysics to prepare herself for the challenges of running a technology-driven manufacturing business with global distribution. Jean fully embraces the need to travel outside of her hometown of Indianapolis to experience good diving. She believes that any camera is capable of amazing results in the right hands, and anyone can become a great photographer given the right advice. When she's not working she's spending time with her husband and two daughters.