Nikon Z8 Launch

2023.05.10

Today Nikon launched the Z8 that has been teased over the last few weeks. Its numbering clearly places it right between the Z7 II and Z9 among Nikon Full-Frame Mirrorless Digital Cameras. Both these models are excellent cameras yet the Nikon Z9 is on entirely different level. Photographers will be happy to hear that the new camera introduced today is much closer to the Z9 than the Z7 II, delivering nearly all Z9 features in a more compact form.

The new Nikon Z8 adopts the unique 45 megapixels Stacked CMOS sensor of the larger Z9. This is the only one in the industry to use a Global Shutter that reads all pixels simultaneously, removing the need for a mechanical shutter. There is no shutter at all in the Z9 and Z8 and, unlike the Hasselblad XCD system, it does not require a leaf-shutter inside lenses. Without a mechanical shutter, there cannot be a viewfinder blackout and much higher speeds are possible, allowing these cameras to capture 120 FPS images at quarter-resolution.

The specifications of the Z8 are incredibly impressive. Its 45 megapixels Stacked CMOS sensor captures images with outstanding detail, particularly since these cameras have no anti-alias filter. The Z8 sensor is mounted on a 5-axis image-stabilization system that compensates for up to 5½-stops of shake. A Synchro IS system allows the camera and lens to coordinate stabilization for lenses equipped with Vibration Reduction to reach 6-stops.

Nikon released the Z9 as their high-speed flagship and the Z8 inherits the same blazing speed and deep buffer without compromise. It can capture full-resolution images in any format at 20 FPS and reaches 30 FPS for JPEG images. A huge buffer and write throughput allows this mirrorless to sustain 20 FPS for over 1000 JPEG or RAW files. It can even reach 60 FPS for 20 Megapixels JPEG images taken from a 1.5X crop or, by reading a quarter of pixels, 11 megapixels JPEG images at 120 FPS.

A 45 Megapixels sensor is more than enough to record 8K video. Even though 8K video frames are comprised of 33 MP, the difference between the wide-screen 16:9 aspect-ratio and 3:2 common in cameras means that a 40 megapixels are required to capture the full-width of an 8K frame. For this reason the Z8 must either crop out 12% of pixels are filter down while rendering standard video. These cameras also offer a slightly cropped 8256x4644 RAW video mode at up to 60 FPS. 8K video can be recorded at 30 FPS due to additional processing required. In 4K mode, the Nikon Z8 captures Ultra-HD video up to 120 FPS and it supports the same frame-rate for 1080p.

The Nikon Z8 packs a huge feature-set. As expected for a professional-level camera, this includes Full Manual controls, choice of metering patterns, fine-tunable white-balance and bracketing for exposure, focus, Adaptive D-Lighting and white-balance. The global shutter of the Z9 spans shutter speeds from 1/32,000s to 15 mins. Extra features include Time-Lapse video with Exposure-Smoothing up to 8K, an Interval Timer and Multiple Exposures with 3 blending modes. This Full-Frame mirrorless offers USB-C, Bluetooth 5.0 and WiFi connectivity. Using an adapter, it can convert one of its 2 USB-C ports into an Ethernet port. On the Z9, the Ethernet port is directly built into the camera. The other omission compared to the Z9 is a GPS which requires more power than a camera this size can provide continuously.

There are so many features in this camera that Nikon scheduled an 8 hour online event! Major topics include the 493-Point Phase-Detect autofocus system which is now sensitive to -7 EV and can recognize subjects that it can track in 3D. Video capabilities are truly outstanding with time-code generation, waveform monitoring and more. This camera can save video in 4 formats at up to 12-bit precision.

The main difference between the Z8 and Z9 is that the latter is a much larger dual-grip camera which allows the Z9 to accommodate a larger batter which translates in more more battery-life, longer video capture time and the power to run a GPS. In fact, battery-life gives the Z8 only 330 shots-per-charge which can run out really quickly given the speed of this camera. Even though its body is shorter, controls in landscape-orientation match closely those of the Z9. There are, of course, dual control-dials, a focus joystick, a 4-way controller, plus 9 buttons on the back, 7 on top and 3 more in the front! Several buttons on the back are illuminated to allow operating the camera in complete darkness. The rear 3.2" LCD also has a red mode to reduce eye-strain in the dark.

The body of the Z8 features extensive weatherproofing and is freezeproof down to -10C. It weighs 920g which is 40% lighter than the Z9. This advantage will certainly be worth shorter battery-life and the lack of a GPS for most photographers. Both these cameras have dual memory-card slots, one for CF Express Type B or XQD cards, the other for SDXC with UHS-II support. This is probably the one aspect that should have been changed from the Z9. Asymmetric cards are somewhat of a hassle to manage.

The Nikon Z8 is scheduled to be available this month for $4000 USD or $5400 CAD. Both Adorama and B&H Photo are already accepting preorders.

• Digital Camera