The Z7 series is dead, and we won't see a Z7 III! (No official information, just speculation...)
Here is my reasoning: Imagine a Z7 III with all the new features of the Z6 III, plus a new 46MP partially-stacked sensor. This camera would directly compete with the Nikon Z8 because their specs would be so close, and the pricing would become an issue. Nikon Z8 has an MSRP of $3,999 but it is often discounted to $3,499 as it is as of this posting. If Nikon prices the Z7 III low around $3,000, this will cripple the Z8 sales. Or if they price it higher, around $3.500, everyone will buy the Z8 instead.
An obvious sign that this would be the case for Nikon is the break in the camera launch trend. Nikon launched the Z6 II and Z7 II in October 2020, and the Z6 and Z7 in August 2018, simultaneously. The absence of a Z7 III alongside the Z6 III may indicate Nikon's hesitation in moving forward with a potential Z7 III.
Nikon Z6 III vs Nikon Z8 Size
On the other hand, I hope my prediction is wrong because I surely would live to see a Z7 III camera which has a higher resolution sensor than the Z6 III, and a more compact body than the Z8. As good a camera as the Z8 is, it is quite bulky which is a big turn-off for me. Likewise, the Z6 III probably has the best feature set in its price level, but the 24MP is not high enough for many scenarios in this day and age, especially for photography.
Nikon Z8 vs Nikon Z6 III vs Sony A7CR
What I ideally would love to see is a new camera with Z7 III specs, but in a rangefinder-type body, the way the 61MP Sony Alpha A7CR is. This body type would differentiate it more clearly from the Z8, even if they have similar specs, and attract more people to the Z mount.
For reference, here is a comparison table of the Z6 III vs the Z8 which shows that the former is not that much behind other than its lower resolution sensor. Check Nikon Z6 III vs Nikon Z8 Detailed Comparison for further details.
| FEATURE and SPECS COMPARISON | |  |  |
| Model | Nikon Z6 Mark III | Nikon Z8 |
| Sensor Resolution | 24.0 MP | 46.0 MP |
| Announced Date | 2024-06-17 | 2023-05-10 |
| Camera Type | Pro Mirrorless | Pro Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | Partially-Stacked CMOS | Stacked CMOS |
| Sensor Size | Full frame | Full frame |
| Sensor Sensitivity | ISO 100 - 64000( expands to 50 - 204800) | ISO 64 - 25600( expands to 32 - 102400) |
| Lens Mount | Nikon Z | Nikon Z |
| Image Stabil. | Sensor-shift ( up to 8.0 stops) | Sensor-shift ( up to 6.0 stops) |
| Eye Tracking Focus | | |
| Weight | 760g | 910g |
| Dimensions | 139 x 102 x 74mm | 144 x 119 x 83mm |
| Weather Sealing | | |
| Focus Points | 299 | 493 |
| Min AF Detecting Range | -10eV | -7.5eV |
| Animal Eye Tracking | | |
| Focus Bracket | | |
| Minimum Shutter | 900 sec | 900 sec |
| Maximum Shutter | 1/8000sec | 1/32000sec |
| Maximum Shutter Electronic | 1/16000 sec | 1/32000 sec |
| Continuous Drive | 14.0fps | 30.0fps |
| Max Video Reso | 6048 x 4032 | 7680 x 4320 |
| Video fps at Max | 60p,30p, 25p, 24p | 30p, 25p, 24p |
| Video Formats | MPEG-4, H.264, H.265 | H.264, H.265 |
| High Speed Video | 240fps | 120fps |
| Max Video Color Depth | 10bit | 10bit |
| Storage Slot | 2 | 2 |
| UHS Support | UHS-II | UHS-II |
| CFexpress Support | Type B | Type B |
| UHS XQD | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | 380 | 330 |
| Battery Model | EN-EL15c | EN-EL15c |
| RAW Video | | |
| Webcam | | |
| Anti Flicker | | |
| Microphone Port | | |
| Headphone Port | | |
| Wifi | | |
| Weather Sealing | | |
| Timelapse | | |
| Screen Type | Fully articulated | Tilting |
| Top LCD | | |
| LCD Size | 3.20" | 3.20" |
| Screen dots | 2100000 | 2088960 |
| Touch Screen | | |
| Viewfinder | | |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8x | 0.8x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 5,670,000 | 3,686,400 |
| Selfie Friendly Screen | | |
| High Resolution Mode | | |
| AF Joystick | | |
| Bluetooth | | |
| Full-size HDMI Port | | |
| Vehicle Tracking | | |
| Price | Amazon, B&H Photo | Amazon, B&H Photo |
