Thoughts on the Nikon Z63 for Wildlife Photography

[@EliasSix-p3z]

Hi Ray I just found your channel and love the content! I'm looking to upgrade from my Z6ii and am torn between the Z6iii and Z8. I know the main differences, I'm aware of the key differences, but it seems the Z8’s advantages come with a few trade-offs: - Resolution: The Z8's higher resolution allows for more cropping flexibility, but the larger file sizes put more pressure on workflow. - Sensor: The Z6iii appears to deliver less noisy images, though the Z8 does offer slightly better dynamic range. - Size: The Z6iii is more compact, making it easier to add a battery grip without becoming as bulky as the Z8 + grip. Plus, the Z6iii already has better battery life. Would love to hear your thoughts! My Z6ii has served me well and I've been happy with the results, but now I'm struggling with the Z8's downsides, even though I know it's considered the superior camera.

[@RayHennessy]

Thanks for the compliments on my channel! For the Z8 I shoot the high efficiency RAW format and the file sizes both on camera cards and on the hard drive later are minimally larger so don't present much of a workflow impact at all to me. The difference in dynamic range or high ISO noise between the two cameras seems so negligible in real world shooting scenarios I'd personally never pick one over the other for that. The size thing is there for sure but again it's not a huge difference and not one I think I'd notice in the field that much at all. If it was my I'd go Z8 all the way, the overall shooting experience you get from a blackout free viewfinder and the better to me LCD flip screen makes it an overall nicer camera than the Z63.

[@keithmacdonald4805]

Very good review Ray, like you I shoot with a Z9 and have a Z6ii for a backup. I have been considering the Z6iii to replace my Z6ii for a backup and for some video work. What are your thoughts on the Z6iii as a backup camera. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[@RayHennessy]

I think for the price it's a great backup camera to a Z8/Z9. I wouldn't want to rely solely on it for a long time but even if I had to I could easily do my job with no issue. I had to shoot a Z62 a while back for over a month while my Z9 was being repaired and I did just fine. I could probably go back to my D3s from forever ago and still do my job so yeah I think the Z63 would be a fine backup or even main camera.

[@sergiushannan]

Some good thoughts! I've read that the dynamic range only suffers under 800 iso compared to Z6ii because it is a dual ISO sensor. Above that value they should be comparable. I don't know any wildlife photographer shooting under 800 iso anyway 😅 I get that it is an issue for video shooters and portrait photographers, but like you I haven't noticed any real world issues with my new Z6III.

[@RayHennessy]

I quite often shoot base ISO for extreme dynamic range images and so far they've edited just as I have expected them too and just like my Nikon images from the past 10+ years so I'm happy with it!

[@isotechimages.9130]

As a Canon shooter there is no getting away from the flip screen & only being a stills photographer l agree about the screen issues all the way. Nice to see a video not focused on the dynamic range if it had never been made public nobody would have noticed at all. Original Z6 was my first mirror less camera & they a solid all rounder.

[@RayHennessy]

Yes, I've worked with many Canon shooters for years and watched them sometimes struggle with that style of flip screen. Now it's my turn haha. As for the dynamic range thing, I'm sure it's there but if it requires very specific side-by-side tests to see the difference to me that doesn't translate into any real-world difference in most cases. No doubt some specific use cases it can effect people but it seems that so many are often looking to only find problems with some things while ignoring legit issues in other areas. Of course everyone shoots differently so things that bug me often don't matter at all to others.

[@isotechimages.9130]

@@RayHennessy Taylor l follow your work & l get it l actually shifted from Z system to R system for the autofocus in earlier days but found with a finger or so missing the button layout is much better for me so l actually shoot with Canon for reasons others would not have to consider so l get the personal reasons for liking or disliking a camera body.

[@RayHennessy]

@@isotechimages.9130 Good to hear that Canon is a good fit for you!

[@MikeNoble]

How would it compare to a D850?

[@RayHennessy]

To me it's vastly better than any dSLR because of the mirrorless viewfinder and the animal/bird subject and eye tracking auto focus. Those two things make it superior to all dSLRs in my experience and how I shoot.

[@MikeNoble]

@@RayHennessy thank you for your response. I’m still using my D800 and recently rented a D850 and am thinking about renting a Z6iii. It’s time to move on from the D800 and am debating between those two. I was real impressed with the D850. I’m no pro so I try to get the best bang for my buck. Very informative video. Thanks!

[@RayHennessy]

@@MikeNoble for everyone I work with I generally can't recommend investing any money in dSLR gear at this point. The difference in photographing wildlife with the newer mirrorless cameras that have the subject tracking is massive so if you can I highly recommend making the switch. Best part is you can use your existing F-mount glass!

[@aslamhaniffa7240]

Z6iii is total disappointment, only 24mp. Auto focus bird, animal is not a big update, these features are common nowadays on budget camera with competitors. I don't think wildlife photographers will appreciate Z6iii.

[@RayHennessy]

I don’t find it a disappointment at all. For me I prefer 24mp over the higher res cameras. Also the added animal tracking seems to be working just as well as the bird tracking on my Z9, in fact I’ve been using the “animal” setting on my Z9 more than the “bird” setting when shooting birds because I’ve found it working better many times. I still prefer my Z9 in many cases but I find the Z63 a wonderful wildlife camera.

[@neilcole3406]

Why bother with a stupid flip out screen when 99% of customers are not vloggers?

[@RayHennessy]

I don't use it for vlogging at all but I use my flip out screen very often for photographing birds and wildlife at perspectives that wouldn't be easy or possible without it so I'm glad it's there I just prefer the flip screen on the Nikon Z8/Z9 more.