Nikon Z8 Review
We've aggregated 18 high-signal reviews and 3 live retailer prices below.
Our editorial take on the Nikon Z8
The Nikon Z8 is not just another camera release; it's a landmark product that successfully democratizes the flagship performance of the vaunted Z9. By transplanting the core technology of its top-tier sibling into a smaller, lighter, and more affordable chassis, Nikon has created what many consider to be the most compelling high-end camera on the market. It's a masterclass in repackaging, delivering pro-grade power without the typical flagship compromises in size and price. Long-term tests confirm its durability and reliability, solidifying its status as a workhorse camera that photographers can trust for years.
The Z8 is a true hybrid powerhouse, excelling in virtually every scenario. Its 45-megapixel sensor produces stunningly detailed still images, while its advanced video capabilities, including internal 8K Raw recording, satisfy the needs of demanding cinematographers. The autofocus system is fast, intelligent, and tenacious, capably tracking subjects in challenging conditions. The real-world advantage of its more compact form factor cannot be overstated. It balances better on gimbals, is more manageable for run-and-gun shooting, and is simply more pleasant for all-day carry, all while sacrificing very little of the Z9's core functionality. While it is still a significant investment, its performance-per-dollar ratio is exceptional.
- Flagship Z9 performance in a smaller, more ergonomic body
- Excellent 45.7MP still image quality
- Powerful, professional-grade video specs including 8K video
- Fast and reliable subject-detection autofocus
- Better for gimbal use and general portability than the Z9
- Presents a strong value proposition for its feature set
- Battery life is significantly less than the Z9 without an optional grip
- The price point is still a major investment for non-professionals
Synthesized by Geared editors from early expert reviews.
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The $4,000 Nikon Z8 is going to be the way to go for the vast majority of serious photographers, offering plenty of power at a more reasonable price.
The Nikon Z5 II is a full-frame mirrorless camera with a 24.3-megapixel CMOS sensor and the EXPEED 6 processor. It supports 4K UHD recording up to 60 fps (with a 1.7× crop) and Full HD at 120 fps. The camera includes 5-axis in-body image stabilization, a 273-point hybrid autofocus system with subject detection, and dual UHS-II SD card slots.
Nikon unveiled the Z8 last year with the same sensor and nearly the same specs as the Z9 for $1,700 less. With 8K video and a 45-megapixel sensor, it's a cheaper alternative to Sony's A1.
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This article serves as a page that shows the latest updates on the Nikon Z8 lab test. The Nikon Z8 was newly added to the camera database.
Take the Z9's guts, put them in a smaller body, and cut almost $1,500 off the price, and you’ve got the Z8.
In a lot of ways, the Z8 is a Z9 on a diet at a lower price. This makes it an interesting proposition for anyone who needs to shoot a mix of video and stills.
The Nikon Z8 is not a camera that wows you with its specs, but it is a brilliant hybrid camera that will get the job done.
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About this product
45.7MP stacked sensor flagship.
Specs
- Battery
- EN-EL15c Rechargeable Li-ion Battery (approx. 340 frames CIPA with viewfinder, 370 shots CIPA with LCD)
- Weight Grams
- 910 g (with battery and memory card), 820 g (body only)
- Dimensions Mm
- 144 x 118.5 x 83 mm
- Build Material
- Seerebo carbon fiber, magnesium alloy
- Weather Sealing
- Yes
- Bit Depth
- 12-bit, 10-bit
- Raw Video
- Internal N-RAW (8.3K 60p), Internal ProRes RAW HQ (4.1K 60p)
- Log Profiles
- N-Log, HDR (HLG)
- Internal Codecs
- N-RAW (12 bit), Apple ProRes RAW HQ (12 bit), Apple ProRes 422 HQ (10 bit), H.265/HEVC (8 bit/10 bit), H.264/AVC (8 bit)
- Max Frame Rate 4k
- 4K UHD 120p
- Max Frame Rate Hd
- 1080/120p
- Max Recording Time
- 125 min. in 4K UHD/60p, 90 min. in 8K UHD/30p
- Max Video Resolution
- 8K UHD (7680x4320)
- Tone Mode
- HLG (for stills and video)
- Autocapture
- Yes
- Hi Res Zoom
- Yes (in video)
- Sensor Shield
- Yes
- Flash Sync Speed
- 1/250 s or slower, 1/8000 s with auto FP high-speed sync
- Heif Format Support
- Yes
- Pre Release Capture
- Yes
- Pixel Shift Shooting
- Up to approx. 180-megapixels
- Built In Focus Limiter
- Yes
- Mechanical Shutter Equivalent
- No (electronic shutter only)
- Operating Environment Humidity
- 85% or less (no condensation)
- Operating Environment Temperature
- -10 °C to 40 °C (+14 °F to 104 °F)
- Sensor Size
- 35.9 x 23.9 mm CMOS sensor (full-frame/FX-format)
- Sensor Type
- Stacked CMOS Sensor
- Image Processor
- EXPEED 7
- Effective Megapixels
- 45.7 million
- Launch Price Usd
- 3396.95
- Iso Range Video
- ISO 64 to 25600 (expandable to ISO 102400 equivalent)
- Iso Range Stills
- ISO 64 to 25600 (expandable to ISO 32 - ISO 102400 equivalent)
- Continuous Shooting
- 10 fps (Continuous L), 20 fps (Continuous H), 15 fps (High-Speed Frame Capture+ C15), 30 fps (High-Speed Frame Capture+ C30), 60 fps (High-Speed Frame Capture+ C60), 120 fps (High-Speed Frame Capture+ C120)
- Shutter Speed Electronic
- 1/32000 to 30 s
- Viewfinder
- 1.27-cm/0.5-in. approx. 3690k-dot (Quad VGA) OLED electronic viewfinder, approx. 0.8x magnification
- Rear Screen
- 8-cm/3.2-in., approx. 2100k-dot vertically and horizontally tilting TFT LCD
- Touchscreen
- Yes
- Lens Mount
- Nikon Z mount
- Usb
- 2x Type C USB connectors (USB data connector SuperSpeed USB, USB Power Delivery connector)
- Hdmi
- Type-A HDMI connector
- Audio Io
- 3.5-mm stereo mini-pin jack (input), 3.5-mm stereo mini-pin jack (output)
- Wireless
- Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Card Slots
- 1x CFexpress (Type B), 1x SD (UHS-II compliant)
- Ibis
- 5-axis image sensor shift
- Af Points
- 493 points
- Af System
- Hybrid phase-detection/contrast AF with AF assist
- Af Low Light
- -7 to +19 EV (-9 to +19 EV with starlight view)
- Subject Detection
- 9 subject types (humans, animals, airplanes, bicycles, etc.)
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