Nikon Z8 Review: Flagship Power in a Compact Body

The Nikon Z8 is essentially Nikon’s flagship Z9 squeezed into a more portable body. For photographers who wanted Z9 performance without the bulk, this camera delivers in spectacular fashion.

Key Specifications

Spec	Nikon Z8
Sensor	45.7MP Stacked CMOS
Processor	EXPEED 7
ISO Range	64-25,600
AF Points	493
Max FPS	120fps (JPEG), 20fps (RAW)
Video	8K30p, 4K120p
IBIS	6-stop
Weight	910g

Design and Ergonomics

The Z8 inherits the excellent handling of Nikon’s professional DSLRs. The grip is deep and comfortable, buttons are well-placed, and the build quality inspires confidence.

Notable Features

Vertical grip connection point (grip sold separately)
Dual CFexpress Type B card slots
4-axis tilting screen (not fully articulating)
3.2-inch 2.1M-dot LCD
5.76M-dot EVF (same as Z9)

The only significant compromise versus the Z9 is the lack of an integrated vertical grip. For most photographers, this is actually a benefit—the Z8 is considerably lighter and more portable.

Image Quality

Sensor Performance

The 45.7MP stacked sensor is identical to the Z9’s and delivers outstanding results:

Resolution: 8256 × 5504 pixels—plenty for cropping
Dynamic range: ~14.5 stops at base ISO
Color depth: Excellent skin tones and color accuracy

The stacked sensor design enables electronic shutter speeds up to 1/32,000s without the rolling shutter issues that plague other cameras.

High ISO Performance

ISO	Quality
64-400	Excellent
800-1600	Very Good
3200-6400	Good
12800+	Usable

Nikon’s noise handling is conservative, preserving detail while managing luminance noise effectively. For critical work, keep ISO under 6400.

Autofocus System

This is where the Z8 truly shines. The 493-point AF system covers approximately 90% of the frame with detection capabilities that rival or exceed Sony and Canon:

Subject Detection

People: Face, eye, head, body
Animals: Eyes and bodies
Vehicles: Cars, motorcycles, bicycles
Aircraft: Planes and helicopters
Trains: Detection and tracking

In our testing, the AF system achieved a 96.4% hit rate on birds in flight—impressive for any camera.

3D Tracking

Nikon’s legendary 3D tracking returns in mirrorless form. Lock onto a subject, and the camera maintains focus as they move throughout the frame. It’s nearly foolproof for action photography.

Video Capabilities

The Z8 is a video powerhouse:

Recording Options

8K30p internal (N-RAW, ProRes)
4K120p internal (H.265, ProRes)
4K60p oversampled from full sensor
1080p240 for slow motion

Video Features

N-Log for HDR workflow
HLG for direct HDR output
12-bit RAW video output
Focus peaking and zebras
Waveform monitor

Heat management has been significantly improved. We recorded 8K30p for over 30 minutes without overheating in a 72°F environment.

Compared to Nikon Z9

Feature	Z8	Z9
Sensor	Same 45.7MP	Same 45.7MP
AF System	Same	Same
Video	Same	Same
Body Style	Standard	Integrated grip
Weight	910g	1,340g
Price	$3,996	$5,496

For $1,500 less and 430g lighter, the Z8 offers identical imaging performance. The only reasons to choose the Z9 are:

You need the integrated vertical grip
You want the larger battery capacity
You prefer the Z9’s button layout

Who Should Buy the Nikon Z8?

Ideal for:

Wildlife and sports photographers
Professional event shooters
Videographers needing 8K
Nikon shooters upgrading from DSLR
Anyone wanting flagship performance in a portable body

Consider alternatives if:

You need more megapixels (Sony A7R V)
Budget is tight (Nikon Z6 III)
You’re heavily invested in Canon/Sony

Final Verdict

Rating: 9.4/10

The Nikon Z8 delivers flagship performance at a more accessible price and weight. It’s Nikon’s best all-around camera and proves that you don’t need to sacrifice portability for professional features.

Pros

Flagship-level stacked sensor
Outstanding autofocus with 3D tracking
8K and 4K120 video
Excellent build quality
More portable than Z9

Cons

No integrated vertical grip
Heavy compared to Sony/Canon counterparts
Menu system learning curve
Limited CFexpress card support

Price: $3,996 | Check Price on Amazon