Stellar Value; Oh-So-Competent Camera
I am coming from a Z6ii and Z5, both of which were traded in toward this camera and a Z50ii (review pending).Because I am leaning increasingly toward wildlife and action photography, this camera represents a significant step up in obvious and not-so-obvious ways. That said, however, it more than suffices for my nature and landscape photography, as it will yours if 24 mp is sufficient.The obvious: greatly enhanced subject detection and “stickiness” of autofocus once the subject is acquired. GREATLY enhanced, and so very customizable.The less obvious: Button and dial customization are superb—simply superb—as are nuances of what can be accomplished through the menus: display settings, tailoring of autofocus, and ongoing.I was initially leery of the weight gain reported over the Z5 and Z6; I needn’t have been. The camera is very comfortable to hold and operate, with all controls falling quickly to hand. That it can be tailored to suit older generation button configurations is lovely, but users of other brands can similarly tweak settings to match. Too, the electronic shutter is quick enough that I routinely use it to capture wildlife action silently.The strap lug issue—getting in the way of the card door—is real, and is mind-boggling given Nikon's transcendent engineering in so many areas. I always use Black Rapid straps, so the strap lug is not utilized and comes off for my use, but a regular neck strap would absolutely require some careful maneuvering.Weather proofing was never an issue with my prior cameras, and did not see me intimidated by steady rain; this camera apparently is improved even over those. This is a robust, yet svelte and capable beast, though not so svelte as to leave large hands groping for a grip.I confess one slight disappointment, but only in relation to another same-generation camera: When focusing on birds amidst foliage, the Z50ii with its bird-specific focusing does regularly beat this one in its current, non-bird-specific state. I fully believe in the truth of the admonition that you purchase the camera as is, not counting on a firmware update. I am very pleased with my camera as is, and have not missed the cameras I traded in, both excellent in their own rights and fiscal strata. The Z6iii, however, will surely please yet more once it acquires the much-anticipated bird focus.Especially when a discount is offered, this camera is a superb value, and even when not on sale, as of July, 2025, represents the leading edge of its price domain across all brands.