Nikon has finally graced us with their newest addition to the Nikon Z lineup with the Z8 hybrid mirrorless camera which boasts the power of their flagship Z9 but in a smaller body. The Nikon Z8 brings the power needed by professionals and advanced creators and combines versatility, speed, and agility without taking away any of the amazing abilities inherited from the mighty Nikon Z9.
This is music to the ears for photographers who have come to love the sleek and comfortable size and grip of Nikon cameras but still need professional level abilities. The Z8 hybrid camera has a similar feel to the ever so popular Nikon D850, but with stronger professional grade carbon fiber composite and magnesium alloy. In fact, the Z8 is an impressive 30% smaller than the Z9 and 15% smaller than the D850 but still can produce high resolution images and video up to 8K 60p with stunning sharpness, detail, and true to life accurate colors.
Packed with POWER for Pros
The Z8 is a camera that is packed with power inherited from Nikon’s flagship Z9. Featuring a Full Frame (FX-format) 45.7 megapixel BSI stacked CMOS sensor powered by Nikon’s EXPEED 7 image processing engine, the Z8 is able to offer outstanding performance. The Z8 has complete silent operating abilities with no rolling shutter distortion, and a blackout-free Real-live viewfinder. In addition to these popular benefits, pros will find the variety of internal 12-bit RAW video recording formats and frame rates quite useful. Additionally, the stacked sensor has such a fast scan rate (up to 120 cycles, even in low light) that it doesn’t even need a mechanical shutter, which is all thanks to Nikon’s EXPEED 7 processor.
The processor also enables new features for specific types of photographers as well as what many are considering as the best autofocus from any camera because of it’s speed and accuracy, even in poor lighting conditions. The Z8 uses the same Auto Focusing system as the Z9 which is calculated by AI deep learning algorithms. Sharing the same high end EXPEED7 processor as the Z9,the Z8 offers an expanded variety of AF functions that leverage the enhanced subject detection abilities of the Z8’s AF power, including Nikon’s 3D tracking and fully customizable Wide Area Auto Focus.
Inheriting the wide variety of production possibilities of the Z9, the Z8 is truly a blessing for any professional seeking to use a gimbal or A-cam setup because of its smaller camera body and internal recording.
The new Nikon Z8 hybrid mirrorless camera features outstanding specs and production formats.
- 45.7MP Stacked CMOS sensor with no need for a mechanical shutter thanks to its less than 1/280 second high speed scanning rate
- Continuous shooting up to 20fps with RAW, 30fps full frame or 60fps APS-C for JPEG images with pre burst modes up to 120 fps for 11MP crops (just like the Z9)
- Option for 10-bit HEIF files (equal in size to JPEG but offers about 1 billion more colors)
- 14-bit RAW image file formats available in high efficiency RAW format and HLG RAW for HDR when using compatible devices like the HLG curve
- Enhanced subject recognition with multiple AF and 3D tracking modes
- New Portrait Impression Balance function has been added for portrait photographers which enables advanced control over skin tone, plus a new skin softening function and improved white balance
- Quad VGA viewfinder housed by the same 4 axis touchscreen LCD found on the Z9 provides stability and clear viewing from any angle even at 120 fps (3.68M dot EVF with dedicated low-lag sensor feed & 2.1M dot touchscreen
- Synchro VR provides in-body enhanced vibration reduction image stabilization with up to 6.0 stops of compensation when using compatible lenses
- More to come with future firmware updates like Auto Capture Function and base ISO to begin at 200 for video recording in N-Log vs ISO 800
When is comes to recording video, the Z8 is robust with production options, resolutions, and formats to select from so you can produce your vision exactly how you see it. The Z8 captures 8K/30p video in the ProRes 422 HQ, H.265 or H.264 formats and 8K/60p in N-RAW. 4K video can be recorded up to 120 fps when subsampling or when oversampling from 8K/60p.
- 8K60p (N-RAW) and 8K30p video recording with 4K UHD video options for modes like cinematic and slow motion ranging from oversampled 24p/30p to 120p with audio
- Internal 12-bit RAW video can be recorded in ProRes RAW 4K60p or up to 9K60p in N-RAW is made possible because Nikon’s RAW video format is 50% smaller size. 1080p proxy files are created along with N-RAW files for editing convenience
- Internal 10-bit ProRes 4:2:2 HQ video capture with options for enhanced N-Log, HLG, and gradable flat color profile
- Z8 records up to 125 minutes in 4K UHD/60pl or up to 90 minutes in 8K UHD/30p2. This is slightly less record time than the Z9, however with the Z8’s smaller body this makes sense and will protect the camera from overheating
- Z8 showcases videography features that are included or will be included in future firmware updates such as Hi-resolution zoom3 function for 4K, noticeable red REC frame indicator, focus peaking, zebras, waveform, linear focus ability for many NIKKOR Z mount lenses, advanced ISO control, customizable AF speed tracking, timecode sync4, 24-bit stereo audio, plus more
Design, Battery, and Availability
Fully sealed and gasketed, Nikon’s Z8 hybrid full frame mirrorless camera is built tough to withstand harsh conditions while protecting from dust, dirt, and is drip resistant. The Z8 can perform in as cold as 14 degrees Fahrenheit and is built from a new pro grade carbon fiber and magnesium alloy to reduce the weight and increase durability. The optical filter has a dual coating and the sensor has a shield that closes the when the camera is off. Remember, the Z8 has no mechanical electronic shutter so the sensor shield is warranted to keep the camera dust free when not in use or when changing lenses. For those pros who need a bit more battery life, Nikon will be releasing a new MB-N12 battery grip which gives 1.8x more battery life and includes a vertical grip and shutter speed buttons/controls. The weather resistant MB-N12 battery grip should be available sometime in May and possibly available for preorder. The Z8 has 2 USB-C ports dedicated for charging (PD) and communication for accessories. It also uses full HDMI which alleviates the need for adapters. The Z8 also has dual memory card slots, one for CF Express Type B / XQD, one UHS II SD slot. Connectivity through ethernet (not supplied) can be done through a USB-C port.
Nikon’s new Z8 brings one of the best cameras around (the Z9) into a smaller package. Between the lightning fast and silent operations, the extra connectivity slots, and the inherited power of the Z9, this camera does it all. Taking images and video in poor lighting using the Z8’s 45.7 pixel count sensor and mighty AF/AE features has never been easier and the buttons will even light up so you can see what you’re doing. The Z8’s dynamic range can produce stills of superb image quality and videos that are immersive and lifelike. The Z8 is one of the best cameras we got a chance to work with and easily beats out competing DSLR and mirrorless cameras such as the Sony A1 and Canon EOS R5.
The Z8 is available as camera body only or in a combo which includes a very capable Nikkor Z mount lens kit.
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