Nikon Z8 + Z 20mm f/1.8 S + 2 SanDisk 512GB Extreme PRO CFexpress Type B

Towards the end of 2021, Nikon made a remarkable entry with its Z9, a single-piece camera that was as imposing as a sports SLR and packed with high-end features. In the spring of 2023, the Japanese brand rekindled our affection with its Z8, which, although it does not bring any real innovation, offers more user-friendly ergonomics than the Z9, making it arguably the most complete hybrid camera on the market.

The era of SLRs is over, but Nikon (and it is not alone in this) has often claimed that its D850, one of its last SLRs, was the most high-performing product in this market. Drawing inspiration from the reputation of the latter, Nikon introduced the Z8 (or Z 8 according to the official nomenclature).

Indeed, this camera stands out in Nikon's range of hybrid cameras, being closer in size to the D850 than the Z7 II. In hand, the body feels like a Z9 from which the double grip has been removed. This results in a rather heavy camera at 910 g, significantly bulkier than the 705 g of the Z7 II or the 740 g of its direct competitors such as the Sony A7R V or the Canon EOS R5.

In this product sheet, we will delve deeply into the Nikon Z8, examining its technical specifications, design, ergonomics, as well as its performance in photography and videography. Whether you are a professional looking for a device capable of meeting your highest demands, or an enthusiastic amateur eager to take your art to the next level, the Nikon Z8 has a lot to offer.

Prepare to dive into the world of the Nikon Z8, the camera that redefines the standards of digital imaging.

Design and Ergonomics of the Nikon Z8

The Nikon Z8 is a full-frame camera that wonderfully combines elegant design, remarkable ergonomics, and high-end features. Weighing 910 g and with dimensions of 144 x 119 x 83 mm, the Nikon Z8 is a robust camera, easy to hold and handle, making it ideal for extended photo sessions or shooting on the move.

The first thing that strikes you when you hold the Nikon Z8 is the quality of its construction. The camera's weather-resistant body is designed to withstand the rigors of outdoor shooting, whether you're photographing wild landscapes in stormy weather or capturing lively street scenes in the heat of summer.

The Nikon Z8 has been designed with ergonomics in mind. It features a deep, well-sculpted grip that ensures a secure and comfortable hold. The buttons and dials are thoughtfully placed and easily accessible, allowing for quick and intuitive operation.

Whether you are a wedding photographer working in a fast-paced environment or a landscape photographer who needs time to compose the perfect shot, you will appreciate the ease with which you can access and adjust the camera's settings.

In terms of ergonomic features, the Nikon Z8 does not disappoint. It has a 3.2-inch tiltable LCD screen that allows you to frame your images precisely, whether you're shooting from unusual angles or filming videos.

Moreover, the screen is touch-sensitive, making it even easier to navigate through menus and select settings. Additionally, the Nikon Z8 is equipped with a high-resolution electronic viewfinder that offers 100% coverage, allowing you to see exactly what the camera captures.

In summary, the Nikon Z8 is a gem of design and ergonomics. It offers a comfortable and intuitive shooting experience, while being robust enough to withstand the most challenging shooting conditions.

The Full-Frame Sensor of the Nikon Z8

Specifics of the Full-Frame Sensor

A major highlight of the Nikon Z8 is its 46-megapixel Stacked CMOS full-frame sensor. This high-resolution sensor delivers exceptional image quality, with unrivaled detail sharpness. Its maximum resolution of 8256 x 5504 pixels allows for the production of images with dazzling clarity, suitable for both professional use and large-format printing.

The size of the full-frame sensor (35.9 x 23.9 mm) also gives the Nikon Z8 a distinct advantage in low-light performance. It is capable of capturing more light and detail in challenging lighting conditions, thus offering great flexibility to the user.

Additionally, with an extended ISO range of 32 to 102400, the Nikon Z8 provides excellent light sensitivity performance, making it ideal for a wide variety of shooting situations.

The Importance of a Good Sensor

A good sensor is crucial for achieving high image quality. The larger the sensor, the more light it can gather, resulting in better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. Moreover, a larger sensor can also produce a better dynamic range, allowing for richer details in both highlights and shadows.

The sensor of the Nikon Z8 has been designed to maximize these benefits. It offers excellent resolution, remarkable low-light performance, and an extended dynamic range, enabling the capture of images with rich detail and impressive color accuracy.

In conclusion, the Nikon Z8, with its 46-megapixel full-frame sensor, offers exceptional image quality and incredible flexibility to meet the needs of the most demanding photographers. Whether for landscape, portrait, event, or nature photography, the Nikon Z8 is an ideal tool for capturing the world with precision and creativity.

Shooting Features of the Nikon Z8

Shooting Modes and Burst Performance

The Nikon Z8, with its advanced shooting capabilities, enables photographers of all skill levels to capture exceptional images. Equipped with a continuous shooting speed of 30 frames per second, the Nikon Z8 excels in action photography, capturing fast movements with incredible precision. Whether you're shooting sports, wildlife, or children in full sprint, you can rely on the Nikon Z8 to not miss a moment.

Moreover, the Nikon Z8 offers a variety of shooting modes to suit different photographic situations. With aperture priority, shutter speed priority, and manual exposure mode, you have total control over how you want your images captured. Whether you want to focus on depth of field, motion, or just want complete control over your settings, the Nikon Z8 is there to meet your needs.

Autofocus Performance

The Nikon Z8 not only excels in burst shooting but also shines in its autofocus performance. With 493 focus points, the Nikon Z8 offers wide and precise autofocus coverage. It features phase detection, tracking, continuous focus, and face detection in live view.

These autofocus features enable the Nikon Z8 to maintain precise focus on moving subjects, which is ideal for action and event photography. Furthermore, face detection provides a particular advantage for portrait photography, ensuring that your subjects are always perfectly in focus.

In conclusion, the Nikon Z8, with its advanced shooting features and impressive autofocus performance, is an exceptional camera that allows photographers to capture images of unmatched quality and precision.

The Viewfinder of the Nikon Z8

In the world of photography, the viewfinder is a crucial component of a camera, providing a means for the photographer to accurately visualize the scene before taking the photo. The Nikon Z8 stands out with a high-quality electronic viewfinder that offers an exceptional viewing experience.

Electronic Viewfinder

The Nikon Z8 is equipped with an electronic viewfinder, which offers several advantages over a traditional optical viewfinder. With an electronic viewfinder, you can see exactly what the camera will capture, including real-time changes to exposure settings. This means that you can make adjustments to your settings and immediately see how they will affect the final image.

Additionally, the electronic viewfinder of the Nikon Z8 provides a clear and sharp display, making composing your images a pleasure. Whether you are capturing a majestic landscape or creating an intimate portrait, the electronic viewfinder of the Nikon Z8 gives you the confidence to know that your images will turn out exactly as you envision them.

Coverage and Resolution

The viewfinder of the Nikon Z8 not only offers an excellent viewing experience but also provides 100% coverage, ensuring that everything you see in the viewfinder will be captured in the final image. This eliminates guesswork when composing your photos and ensures that you won’t miss important details outside the frame.

Moreover, the viewfinder of the Nikon Z8 offers an impressive resolution of 3,686,400 dots, meaning that you can view your subjects with exceptional clarity. This helps you to focus precisely on your subjects and capture fine details with accuracy.

In conclusion, the viewfinder of the Nikon Z8, with its full coverage and high resolution, offers photographers a superior viewing experience, allowing them to compose their images with precision and confidence.

Low-Light Performance of the Nikon Z8

A crucial aspect of any camera is its ability to perform in low-light conditions. For photographers who enjoy capturing indoor images, evening events, or even night landscapes, low-light performance is a determining factor when choosing a camera. The Nikon Z8 is designed to excel in this area, offering exceptional low-light performance.

Low-Light Capabilities of the Nikon Z8

Thanks to its 46-megapixel full-frame sensor and excellent ISO management, the Nikon Z8 is a fantastic choice for low-light photography. It offers a boosted minimum ISO of 32 and a maximum boosted ISO of 102400, meaning you can capture clear, detailed images even in unfavorable lighting conditions.

The Nikon Z8 allows you to precisely adapt your camera's sensitivity to light, which is particularly useful when working in dark environments. The ability to increase ISO without introducing excessive image noise is a key feature for low-light photography, and this is where the Nikon Z8 shines.

Importance of Low-Light Performance

Low-light performance is a key factor for various types of photography. Whether you want to capture the ambiance of a party, the charm of a cozy interior, or the majesty of the night sky, the ability to take sharp and clear photos in low light is essential.

Moreover, good low-light performance can make the difference between a failed photo and a successful one. With the Nikon Z8, you can be assured that even in less than ideal lighting conditions, you will be able to capture high-quality images with impressive detail and clarity.

In conclusion, thanks to its exceptional low-light performance, the Nikon Z8 is an excellent choice for photographers who need flexibility and reliability in varied lighting conditions.

Nikon Z8 Video Performance

In addition to being an exceptional camera, the Nikon Z8 is also a highly capable video tool. Whether you are a professional videographer looking for a device that can capture ultra-high-definition images, or an amateur interested in experimenting with video, the Nikon Z8 has a lot to offer.

Nikon Z8's 4K and 8K Video Capabilities

One of the standout features of the Nikon Z8 is undoubtedly its ability to shoot in 8K. Offering video recording up to 7680 x 4320 pixels at frame rates of 30p, 25p, and 23.98p, the Nikon Z8 positions itself among the leading devices in the high-resolution video market.

In addition to its 8K filming capability, the Nikon Z8 also offers robust performance in 4K. With recording options up to 3840 x 2160 pixels at frame rates ranging from 120p to 23.98p, the Nikon Z8 is perfectly suited for the production of high-quality video content, whether for films, documentaries, or promotional videos.

Video File Formats Supported by the Nikon Z8

Beyond its high resolution, the Nikon Z8 also offers great flexibility regarding video file formats. It supports the H.264 and H.265 formats, allowing you to choose the format that best suits your needs. Whether you're looking for the highest quality possible or trying to manage storage space, the Nikon Z8 can adapt to your requirements.

For professionals, the Nikon Z8 also offers recording in the ProRes format. This format is widely used in the film and television industry for its high image quality and ease of use in post-production. With the Nikon Z8, you can therefore capture cinema-quality images directly on your device.

In conclusion, the video capabilities of the Nikon Z8 make it an exceptional choice for any filmmaker or videographer. Whether shooting in 4K or 8K, the Nikon Z8 will provide you with high-quality images that meet your creative needs.

Nikon Z8 Connectivity

In the world of modern digital photography, connectivity has become an essential feature. Whether it's for instant image sharing, remote camera control, or rapid file transfer, the connectivity options offered by a camera can greatly impact your photography experience. The Nikon Z8, with its wide range of connectivity options, fits perfectly into this trend.

Nikon Z8 Connectivity Options

The Nikon Z8 offers several connectivity options to meet various needs. It features a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port which allows for fast file transfer, ideal if you are working with high-resolution images or 4K or 8K videos.

Additionally, this USB port also enables charging the device, which can be particularly useful during long shooting sessions.

Besides the USB port, the Nikon Z8 also has an HDMI port, which can be used to connect the camera to an external monitor. This can be useful for studio photography sessions or for video shooting, where a live preview on a large screen can help perfect framing and composition.

Wireless Connectivity of the Nikon Z8

The Nikon Z8 also offers wireless connectivity options. It is equipped with built-in Wi-Fi, operating on both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands, which allows for fast wireless transfer of your images and videos. This feature can be incredibly useful when working in the field and needing to quickly share your images.

Furthermore, thanks to remote control functionality via an app, you can use your smartphone or tablet as a remote for your camera. Whether it's for triggering the shutter from a distance, adjusting the camera settings, or previewing your shots, this feature adds great flexibility to your photography process.

In summary, the connectivity of the Nikon Z8 offers remarkable versatility and efficiency, making the device perfectly suited to the demands of modern photography.

Nikon Z8 Battery Life

In the field of photography, whether professional or amateur, the battery life of a camera is a crucial deciding factor. A reliable and long-lasting battery can make a difference during a long day of shooting, a trip, or a special event.

The Nikon Z8 stands out with its impressive battery life, ensuring that you never miss a precious moment.

Battery Life of the Nikon Z8

The Nikon Z8 is powered by an EN-EL15c battery, which offers impressive battery life. According to CIPA standards, this device can take up to 340 photos on a single battery charge. This remarkable battery life allows photographers to capture hundreds of images without interruption, essential during long shooting days or when there is no power source nearby.

It's also worth noting that battery life can vary depending on settings and shooting conditions. For example, intensive use of video mode or Wi-Fi can reduce battery life. However, even in these situations, the Nikon Z8's battery stands out for its durability.

Importance of Battery Life for Photographers

For professional photographers, good battery life is essential. During event photography, such as weddings or concerts, or during long outdoor photo sessions, the ability to shoot all day without having to change the battery is a real advantage.

Similarly, for photography enthusiasts, long battery life means less worry about battery duration during vacations or photo getaways.

Furthermore, the Nikon Z8 offers the ability to charge the battery via USB. This feature is particularly convenient when traveling or on the move, as it allows you to charge the camera with an external battery, without needing an electrical outlet.

In conclusion, with its impressive battery life, the Nikon Z8 offers photographers the freedom and flexibility necessary to capture exceptional images, regardless of the conditions.

The Nikon Z8: A Marvel of Technology

The Nikon Z8 has truly managed to stand out in the world of digital photography. With its impressive features, it is designed to meet the demands of professional photographers while being intuitive enough for amateurs.

Summary of the Nikon Z8's Key Features

The Nikon Z8 offers a resolution of 46 megapixels, ensuring exceptionally sharp images. Its low-light performance and expanded dynamic range ensure quality images in various shooting conditions.

Additionally, its sensor-shift image stabilization system significantly improves image sharpness, even in low light or with fast movements.

In terms of video, the Z8 excels as well. Capable of capturing 4K and 8K videos, it offers filmmakers exceptional image quality. The wide range of video file formats supported by the Nikon Z8 gives users great flexibility for their production projects.

The Nikon Z8 does not compromise on connectivity. It offers integrated wireless connectivity, which facilitates image sharing and remote camera control. It also features USB and HDMI ports, providing even more options for file transfer and image viewing.

Finally, the battery life of the Nikon Z8 is exceptional. Thanks to its EN-EL15c battery, you can take up to 340 photos on a single charge, perfect for long shooting days.

If you are looking for a camera that combines performance, flexibility, and endurance, the Nikon Z8 is the device for you. Don't wait any longer, give a new dimension to your photographic and cinematic creations with the Nikon Z8. Explore the world with a new eye and capture every moment with unparalleled quality.

Nikon Z8: Our review

Nikon has incorporated the high-end hybrid technology of its flagship Z9 into the new Nikon Z8. The body of the Z8 is significantly smaller than that of the Z9, but offers similar capabilities, appealing to advanced amateurs and professionals in photography and videography.

The Z8 is also the true successor to the D850, one of the most popular DSLR cameras ever produced by Nikon, showcasing the advantages of mirrorless cameras.

With the same sensor and processor as the Z9, you can expect similar performance, such as ultra-smooth 8K video at 60p, Nikon's data-saving N-RAW, as well as internal ProRes RAW recording.

It also features Nikon's Deep Learning AF, with top-tier subject recognition and precise tracking performance, maintaining focus even when subjects move erratically within the frame. This allows for more accurate tracking of people, various animals, and vehicles than ever before.

Photographers can take bursts of photos at simply astonishing speeds of up to 120 fps and full-resolution 45-megapixel RAW images at 20 fps, with a buffer depth of over 50 seconds.

There are numerous time-saving shooting and filming modes, and the camera is robustly designed, supporting content creators with weather-sealing, a sensor shield, and thoughtfully designed ergonomics.

Whether you need a second camera body, are considering stepping up to a higher level, or joining the established Z system, the Nikon Z8 is an attractive choice that will amaze both you and your audience.