Nikon Z6 II vs Sony A7 III
Nikon Z6 II
The aging Nikon Z6 reigned as our number one camera for a long time – and while its Z6 II is only a modest successor, both cameras should definitely be on your shortlist if you're looking for a full-frame sidekick. The Z6 continues to offer great value and the best handling around, but we think the Z6 II is just about worth the extra cost if you can afford it. Its additional EXPEED 6 processor brings a host of improvements, including new 14fps burst mode (up from 12fps on the Z6) and some handy autofocus boosts (particularly for animal eye/face detection). You also get an extra UHS-II card slot, which joins the existing XQD/CFexpress slot, and a firmware update will bring a new 4K/60p video mode in February 2021. It's a shame there's a slight wait for the latter, but otherwise the Z6 II nicely updates the Z6's very solid foundation. The 24MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor performs well at high ISOs, and the Z6 II has class-leading build quality that feels more substantial than its rivals.
Statistics for this Xoptio
Sony A7 III
Despite its age, we still love the A7 III. The core of the camera – namely a 24MP full-frame sensor, 4K video, sensor-based image stabilization, 10fps burst shooting and a 693-point hybrid AF system – remains very competitive, but with two card slots and a 710-shot battery life on top of that, you're getting excellent value for money alongside top performance. Some firmware updates have further refined its AF performance, bringing treats like real-time Eye AF for animals, and there's now a huge range of lenses to choose from. We have some slight reservations about the viewfinder and weather-sealing, but the A7 III is still one of the most versatile cameras around – and it's never offered better value either.