Nikon Z 8 Camera Review | Mirrorless All-Rounder

There have been many famous brothers throughout history. The Wright Brothers, Peyton and Eli Manning, and Liam and Chris Hemsworth come to mind.

Think of the Nikon Z 8 camera as the younger but just as capable sibling to the flagship Nikon Z 9 camera body.

Depending on the situation, the slimmer and lighter Nikon Z 8 can best the more stout Nikon Z 9. They truly are co-flagship professional cameras courtesy of the venerable camera brand.

In this review, I will guide you on who should choose the Z 8 over other offerings from Nikon and other brands, and who should take a different approach.

I spent two solid weeks shooting travel photography with this camera and various lenses.

As a professional wedding photographer, I have some definite opinions on this camera’s attributes for that genre of photography. (HINT: Wedding photographers are going to love this camera!)

We’ll also see how suitable it is for other genres. So, let’s take a look.

Nikon Z 8 Camera Specs

 

At first glance, the Nikon Z 8 and Nikon Z 9 look similar, with the integrated vertical grip chopped off of the Z 8.

This may be a crude and simplistic way of describing these two camera siblings, but in a broad sense, this is the case.

However, camera body choices are far more nuanced than this, so we’ll dig deeper here.

I’m a wedding photographer who uses two Z 9 cameras for weddings, but the Nikon Z 8 is probably the best choice for event photographers, travel photographers, and landscape photographers.

It offers most of the flagship features with less weight and bulk.

The image quality is the same, and it’s the less expensive of the two cameras.

Nikon shooters with other cameras, such as the Nikon Z 6 II or Nikon Z 7 II, will find the Nikon Z 8 to be a fantastic camera with a massive upgrade to the subject detection autofocus.

If you’re a user of Sony gear, you can no longer claim that Nikon has inferior mirrorless cameras and may even find the Z 8 to be the most complete camera out of the major brands’ offerings.

• Sensor resolution – Effective: 45.7 Megapixel (8256 x 5504)
• Image stabilization – Sensor-Shift, 5-Axis
• ISO Sensitivity Range – 64 to 25,600 (Extended: 32 to 102,400)
• Media/Memory Card Slot – Slot 1: CFexpress Type B / XQD
  Slot 2: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II)
• Shutter speed – Electronic Shutter
  1/32000 to 30 Seconds
  0 to 900 Seconds in Manual Mode
• Continuous shooting – Up to 20 fps at 45.7 MP for up to 1000 Frames (Raw)
  Up to 30 fps at 45.7 MP for Unlimited Frames (JPEG)
  Up to 60 fps at 19 MP
  Up to 120 fps at 11 MP
• Viewfinder resolution – 3,690,000 Dot
• Video recording modes – H.265 4:2:2 8/10-Bit
  UHD 8K (7680 x 4320) at 23.98/25/29.97 fps [300 to 400 Mb/s] UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98/25/29.97/50/59.94/100/120 fps [150 to 400 Mb/s] 1920 x 1080p at 23.98/25/29.97/50/59.94/100/120 fps [50 to 190 Mb/s] ProRes 422 HQ 4:2:2 10-Bit
  UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.98/25/29.97 fps
  1920 x 1080p at 50/59.94/100/120 fps
  H.264 4:2:0 8-Bit
  1920 x 1080p at 23.98/25/29.97/50/59.94/100/120 fps [30 to 50 Mb/s] Raw 12-Bit
  8256 x 4644 at 23.98/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps [1390 to 5780 Mb/s] 5392 x 3032 at 23.98/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps [600 to 2960 Mb/s] 4128 x 2322 at 23.98/25/29.97/50/59.94/100/120 fps [730 to 3840 Mb/s] 3840 x 2160 at 100/120 fps [1260 to 3020 Mb/s] ProRes RAW HQ 12-Bit
  5392 x 3032 at 23.98/25/29.97 fps
  4128 x 2322 at 23.98/25/29.97/50/59.94 fps
  3840 x 2160 at 50/59.94 fps

Build & Appearance

Like other Z cameras, the Nikon Z 8 has robust build quality. As the co-flagship camera, it’s just as tough as the Z 9.

The top plate LCD screen is vivid and great for glancing at settings in any light.

The front and rear dials are the same as those on the Z 9 and scream pro quality.

The shutter release is well-dampened, and Z lenses attach confidently to the lens mount.

The i/o ports are fully weather-sealed, and the articulating rear LCD is excellent for photographers and video shooters, although it does not flip around to the front for self-filming.

Most professional camera bodies have dual media slots, and the Z 8 accepts one CF-Express and a single SD card.

The on/off switch is conveniently built around the shutter, making for easy one-handed operation, as is the backlit button on/off switch.

Ergonomics & Handling

I’ve always felt that Nikon cameras’ ergonomics were among the best, with many other camera systems lagging behind. The Z8 lives up to that tradition.

While the Nikon Z 8 camera is certainly not light in weight, its substantial hand grip means it’s not fatiguing to hold.

For this reason, I feel it should be the first choice among wedding photographers between the Z8 and Z9 despite not having the same battery life as its big brother.

Focus Performance

If autofocus performance is at the top of your priorities, the Nikon Z 8 is the best camera for Nikon users besides the Z 9.

The two cameras are identical within the Z system in this category, whether you are in normal or low light.

The autofocus system is fast and accurate no matter the mode.

While I often go for the old-school single focus point method, I turned on the camera’s subject detection autofocus while doing some travel photography, and I never had to override its decisions.

Low Light Performance

I would have loved to have used the Z8 in a low-light wedding situation, but I didn’t have the chance.

However, since I regularly shoot its big brother, the Z9, in dark churches and ballrooms, and the cameras share the same stacked sensor, I have no doubt it will perform well in low light.

Remember that most cameras with such a high-resolution sensor will reveal noise at high ISO settings; the Z8 raw files show a very fine, film-like grain, which I do not find offensive at all.

The camera has a native high ISO of 25,600 before reaching its extended range.

Image Quality

The stacked CMOS sensor in the Z8 mirrorless body camera has a tremendous dynamic range, making it a terrific landscape camera.

The lack of a mechanical shutter does no disservice, and the all-electronic shutter gives shutter speeds from 15 minutes to 1/32,000 seconds.

For purists, a recorded shutter sound is available to mimic cameras of yore, but it sounds a bit cheesy.

Another benefit of the Z8 for high image quality is that the ISO can be reduced to a native base ISO 64.

Nikon Z 8 Camera Sample Images

Here are some sample images I took using the Nikon Z 8 Camera with the Nikon 26mm and 35mm lenses.

Overall Performance

The Z 8 camera houses an Expeed 7 processor and stacked image sensor, making it an instant-on camera with a blackout-free electronic viewfinder.

The electronic shutter is the fastest on the market, which is why this new camera does not suffer from a rolling shutter.

While I do not know definitively, I suspect the processor is why the subject detection autofocus is superior to the previous generation of Nikon Z camera bodies, such as the Z5, Z6, and Z7.

Other Useful Features

While this junior flagship of the Nikon Z camera system shares many of the Z9’s features, it does lack Auto Capture, which allows the camera to take photos on its own according to the photographer’s parameters.

Some of the valuable and unique features it does have are:

• Airplanes as a separate category for subject detection
• HEIF image support
• Skin softening for portrait photographers and video shooters

Some of its video features include:

• 8K N-RAW video up to 60p
• ProRes 422 HQ

I will also note that there is no overheating, and this camera is just about perfect for hybrid shooters who need a quick way to toggle between stills and video.

How I Tested the Nikon Z 8 Camera

Setting up a camera sometimes takes a while, but the Nikon menu system is fairly simple.

Since I use a Nikon Z9, I could mimic that, and I was up and running in no time.

I wanted to see if I could hold this camera for hours, so I headed to Chicago for a travel photography session.

The Z9 is the heavier camera, and that became apparent as I walked with the Z8 in hand without a camera strap and didn’t get tired.

I concluded that this was one amazing camera that I probably would have gotten for my wedding photography business had it arrived before the Z 9.

If I can ding it on anything, it would be that the Z 8’s battery life is shorter due to its smaller size. If you’re shooting video with the LCD screen at all-day events, you must have extra batteries.

There is an optional battery grip for the Z 8, but it is enormous, and at that point, you might as well get a Z 9 with an integrated grip.

While evaluating the camera, I used the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 and the Nikon 26mm f/2.8 as my primary lenses.

Alternatives to Nikon Z 8 Camera

Certainly, the Z 9 could be considered the logical alternative for Nikon users who need longer battery life, love an integrated vertical grip, and like a more extensive body for balancing long telephoto lenses.

Since the Z 8 is such a great photo/video hybrid camera, I think the Panasonic S1 is a viable alternative if you prefer video and don’t need top-tier autofocus. It’s certainly a less expensive camera.

Indeed, the Sony A1 is a camera capable of the same specs but with a much higher price tag.

Value for Money

Considering one is getting the same image quality, video specs, and still camera features in a smaller and lighter body for around US$1,500 less than the highly praised Z 9, I’d say the Z 8 is incredible value.

At just under $4,000, the Nikon Z 8 is still an expensive and professional flagship camera.

However, working photographers and committed enthusiasts will undoubtedly be willing to pay for the features within.

FAQ’s

Does the Z 8 accept Nikon F mount lenses?

Yes, most of these legacy lenses can be used with the Nikon FTZ II adapter.

Can vintage lenses like the Nikon D Series autofocus be used on the Z 8?

Yes, these lenses can be used via a 3rd party adapter Monster Adapter LA-FE2

Nikon Z 8 Camera Review | Conclusion

As a wedding photographer with two Nikon Z 9’s in my kit, I won’t get a Z 8.

However, if you’re looking for the best of the best in the Nikon Z system and don’t want the bulk of its big brother, I highly encourage you to pick up the Nikon Z 8 camera.

If a large gripped camera body is taking a toll on your human body, this smaller and lighter flagship camera, with its speedy and accurate autofocus, is for you.

Video shooters and hybrid shooters will also love this camera.