Body comparison

Sony A7III vs. Canon R6 vs. Nikon Z6II compared

Three very popular full-frame bodies on the used market. Each one is good, but I'd recommend each to a slightly different person and shooting style.

Sony A7IIICanon R6Nikon Z6IIfull framebazar

How I think about the choice

The Sony A7III, Canon R6 and Nikon Z6II are bodies that come up on the used market over and over again. Not because one is clearly the best, but because each can be a very good buy – as long as you know why you're getting it.

For me, comparing spec sheets isn't enough. In practice, what really decides it is autofocus, lens selection, battery life, ergonomics and, above all, whether the body feels right in your hand.

Quick recommendation

I'd pick the Sony A7III if you want the best value for money and a very wide choice of lenses.
The Canon R6 makes sense if you shoot people, kids, weddings or action and want the most dependable autofocus.
The Nikon Z6II is a very pleasant body for anyone who wants a good grip, lovely image quality and a more relaxed shooting experience.

Sony A7III

The A7III is still an excellent used buy. It has 24 MP, decent autofocus, a very good battery and a huge choice of lenses. If you want a versatile full-frame body at a reasonable price, Sony often comes out on top.

The downside is the handling: the menus and ergonomics aren't as pleasant as on the Canon or Nikon. But if you know your way around the settings, it pays you back with reliability and a good price.

Canon R6

I'd take the Canon R6 mainly for people and movement. The autofocus is very dependable, the body is comfortable to hold and working with it is fast. For weddings, family, events or action, it's the easiest choice of the three in my view.

Keep in mind it's 20 MP, though. That's plenty for everyday shooting, but if you crop a lot or shoot products where fine detail matters, resolution can become a limiting factor.

Nikon Z6II

The Nikon Z6II is a calmer workhorse. It produces pleasing files, has good dynamic range and ergonomics that make sense to me on longer shoots. If you're used to Nikon's controls, you'll quickly feel at home.

The autofocus is usable, but if my main concern were fast tracking of people or video with continuous focus, I'd go for the Canon R6.

What I'd check when buying second-hand

shutter count and the condition of the mount
sensor cleanliness
condition of the shutter and buttons
original battery and charger
whether the body has been dropped or exposed to moisture
the price including lenses, not just the body

Conclusion

If I had to pick the most sensible used full-frame body for most people, I'd start with the Sony A7III. But if you shoot people and want confidence with moving subjects, I'd go for the Canon R6. And if Nikon suits you and you want a pleasant, robust body with lovely image quality, the Z6II is still a very good choice.

The best answer, though, always depends on lenses and budget. If you're choosing a specific kit, send me a message through the advice page and we'll go over what makes sense to buy now and what to leave for later.

Below the article you'll find what I currently have on offer from these systems. For Canon it's the R6's successor – the R6 Mark II – with 24 MP and even more dependable autofocus.