The Nikon Z8 offers high autofocus performance in a compact body. Thanks to the full-frame sensor, the system camera also offers very good performance in low light.
The 45.7 megapixel full-frame sensor of the Nikon Z8
Sharpness down to the last detail: with its 45.7 Mp CMOS full-format sensor, the Nikon Z8 offers a detail resolution that is an asset for a wide range of applications. As with the Nikon Z9, the Z8 comes with a stacked sensor and native ISO range of 64 - 25,600, and the Nikon offers up to 14-bit when shooting RAW.
Rounding out the sensor: the Expeed 7 processor
Thanks to the Nikon Expeed 7 processor, the camera is a true hybrid, as it enables 8.3k video quality - and at 60fps! The processor also ensures fast autofocus performance and accurate white balance tuning to ensure a very natural skin tone for portrait photographers, for example.
The sensor has no mechanical shutter, is supported by a 5-axis IBIS that provides image stabilization up to 6 stops and a shutter speed of up to 1/32 000 second.
This is protected by a sensor shield, as the sensor of the Nikon Z9 has already been protected.
Autofocus with Deep Learning AI
Like the Nikon Z9, the Z8 offers excellent autofocus performance, with a wide range of autofocus modes based on scene recognition. Subject detection includes people (torsos, heads, faces and eyes), animals (dogs, cats and birds), vehicles (cars, motorcycles, bicycles, trains and certain aircraft).
Photographers with a pointed field of use will especially benefit from Nikon's new technology: the camera continues to learn as it goes along, improving its algorithm as it goes along, for example, in recognizing people. Without sacrificing its performance in other areas.
With 493 AF points, Nikon provides the best conditions for outstanding autofocus performance.
Continuous shooting speed
Sports photographers in particular are now left with the question: how fast is the camera? The Nikon Z8 offers 20 frames per second. If this seems too little, you should definitely check out the Nikon Z8's pre-release capture: By pressing the shutter button, the Z8 can already save the subject up to one second before the camera is actually released and even up to four seconds after the shutter button is released. So the perfect moment is definitely there!
Video quality of the Nikon Z8
This photo / video hybrid offers 4K at 120fps in addition to the repeatedly mentioned 8K at 60fps. With a 12-bit N-Raw + Apple Pro Res. H-265/HEVC is an 8-bit + 10-bit quality.
Display + viewfinder of the Z8
The new display concept already known from the Z9 is also used in the Nikon Z8 and enables the orientation in 4-axis. This means that the display can also be rotated into portrait mode and a 90° angle. This surely brings back memories of the waist-level finder cameras for one or the other photographer!? New perspectives with nostalgic feelings?
The viewfinder of the Z8 is very bright with a brightness of 3000 cd/m² and with a frame rate of 120 fps there is no blackout. Furthermore, the 1.27 inch OLED viewfinder with 3.69 million pixels inspires. (Quad VGA)
The weatherproof body of the Nikon Z8
Nikon equips its Z8 with a body built for extremes, protecting the inner workings of this camera, which thus still performs in the most adverse conditions. Like the Nikon D850, the Z8 comes with a magnesium body. Many old Nikon hands will remember this quality and appreciate the D850 so much, among other reasons. Even the first Nikon Z models could convince with their quality.
Haptics + Ergonomics
Here, too, the Nikon Z8 is a true Nikon classic.
In terms of size, it ranks between the Z6 II / Z7 II and the Nikon Z9. With a size 30% smaller than the Z9 + a weight of 910g, it is not a compromise, but a perfect tool for photographers who miss the handiness of their DSLR.
Features for the dark
Of course, the Nikon Z8 also offers some features that will not only please astrophotographers, because the buttons are illuminated in the dark, just like on the Z9. The display can be switched to a warm color mode, reducing the brightness and switching the menu to the color red. In dark situations, the focus can also be switched to Starlight View in which the light points can be focused at up to -9 EV.
Memory cards + slots
The camera offers a CFexpress Type B slot with XQD compatibility and an SD card slot with UHS-II support.
Power supply
The Nikon Z8 is equipped with a USB port that can be used to power the camera with a powerbank or other external power source. Nikon has relied on the proven Nikon En-EL15C batteries for the development of the Z8.