Nikon Z8 Review

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Boy, do we have some good news for you—if you are hunting for your next camera and considering investing in the Nikon Z8, you’ve come to the right place! That’s because, in this Nikon Z8 review, we’ll explore everything there is to know about this powerful Nikon mirrorless camera. 

We’ll start with a basic introduction to the camera before diving deeper into its photo and video performance. Later, we’ll share who will see the best results shooting with it and recommend our favorite Nikon Z8 lenses. Additionally, thanks to innovative websites like MPB, buying a used mirrorless camera has never been cheaper and easier than it is today. 

Who is MPB? It is a trustworthy and reliable online platform selling pre-owned photography and videography gear at unbeatable prices. Better yet, all of its cameras and lenses are hand-inspected by expert product specialists with years of experience and backed by six-month warranties, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.

We are giant fans of MPB because we have saved thousands of dollars buying, selling, and trading photography equipment over the years using their one-of-a-kind online marketplace. You can start to do the same by visiting their website today. Now, let’s determine whether or not the Nikon Z8 is the right camera for you!

Check out the video above by Nigel Danson to see what a professional photographer thinks about the Z8 after working with it day in and day out for six months.

Table of Contents

Nikon Z8: Overview

The Nikon Z8 debuted in 2023 and is the newest camera in their advanced lineup of Nikon Z mirrorless cameras. It features an incredibly high-resolution 45.7-megapixel full-frame sensor paired with an upgraded Expeed 7 image processing engine. The two combine to deliver stunning photo and video results for beginners and professionals.

Unlike the bulky Nikon Z9, the Z8 is a high-end camera with solid portability, making it a sought-after choice for landscape and travel photographers. Its lighter and more compact body resembles the Nikon D850 and has a nearly identical button layout. So, if you are a DSLR shooter currently using a D850 or similar camera, it would be an easy transition to the Z8.

Another strength of the Z8 is its autofocus (AF) technology. The AF is fast and reliable while boasting impressive subject-recognition and subject-tracking capabilities. It even allows you to select which type of subject you are shooting—people, animals, vehicles, and, for the first time, airplanes. 

One common complaint about the Z8 is its less-than-stellar battery life (approximately 340 photos or 2 hours of video). To compensate for this, you should always carry spare batteries. You can also get an ergonomic battery grip that will double the camera’s battery life.

Now, here’s an in-depth look at the Nikon Z8 specifications and key features:  

  • Camera Type: Mirrorless
  • Sensor: 45.7MP FX-Format Full-Frame Stacked CMOS Sensor
  • ISO: 64 - 25,600 (expandable to 32 - 102,400)
  • Lens Mount: Nikon Z Mount
  • Speed: 30.0 fps
  • Autofocus: 493 focus points
  • Video: 8K/60p, 4K/120p, & 1080p/120p
  • Size/Weight: 144 x 119 x 83 mm / 910 grams
  • Battery Life: 340 shots
  • Stabilization: Yes
  • Touchscreen: Yes
  • Weather-Sealed: Yes
  • Used Nikon Z8 Price: $3,649

Nikon Z8: Imaging Capabilities

With a ridiculous 45.7MP, the Nikon Z8 is one of the highest-resolution mirrorless cameras on the market today. It has almost double the pixel count of cameras like the Nikon Z6 II and is only outdone by a handful of flagship cameras like the Sony a1. This makes it a fantastic choice for professional photographers. 

Whether you shoot JPEG or RAW files, you can expect detailed photos with excellent corner-to-corner sharpness. JPEGs have bolder and brighter out-of-the-camera colors, but RAW images have better dynamic range, making them ideal for editing.

When capturing RAW photos, the Z8 can shoot continuously at speeds up to 20 frames per second (fps). That number jumps up to 30 fps when shooting JPEGs. The fast burst shooting is useful for wildlife, sports, and action photography. 

One more nifty feature we love is the “pre-burst” option. It starts shooting images when the shutter is only half-pressed and can reach speeds of 120 fps. However, please note that images taken in this mode will be 11MP stills.

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Nikon Z8: Video Capabilities

The Nikon Z8 is one of the few mirrorless cameras capable of recording 8K video, and the video quality of its 8K footage is mind-blowing. That said, unless you are a professional filmmaker or videographer, you probably won’t be filming much 8K content—because of how large the files are. 

Lucky for you, the Z8 also has amazing 4K video capabilities. It can record 10-bit 4K/60p ProRes RAW video and 12-bit 4K/120p N-RAW video. 1080p/120p Full HD video is available for people who want smaller file sizes. Full HD video is also a good option for livestreaming on platforms like YouTube or Twitch. 

Other highlight-worthy video features include dual SD card slots, in-body image stabilization (IBIS), and a dedicated video menu. The two memory card slots accept UHS-II and CFexpress Type B cards. The IBIS boosts low-light performance while reducing camera shake. And the dedicated menu makes adjusting the camera video settings quicker and easier. 

Recommended Lenses for the Nikon Z8

Here’s a quick list of some of the best Nikon Z mount lenses for photo and video to pair with the Nikon Z8.

Final Thoughts on the Nikon Z8

With comparable photo/video performance, a smaller footprint, and a significantly lower price than the Z9, we firmly believe the Nikon Z8 is the best camera the company has ever released! It’s an especially good choice for professional videographers, event photographers, and on-the-go hybrid content creators, thanks to its 8K video and high-speed shooting. 

Want to compare it with other options before making a final decision? Check out the list below to view more of the best Nikon Z mirrorless cameras in stock now at MPB. 

A quick heads-up: If you snag something through our affiliate links or check out our sponsored content, we might earn a commission at no extra cost to you. But fear not, we're all about recommending stuff we're truly stoked about!

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