Nikon Z 8: Like a flagship - only cheaper

A professional camera can do so much that it is hardly possible to list everything. In the case of the Nikon Z 8, I can make the description easy: It's the Z9 in small.

Cameras

3999.–

Nikon Z 8

45.70 Mpx, Full frame

11

Cameras

3999.–

Nikon Z 8

45.70 Mpx, Full frame

11

What does this mean in detail? The most important key data:

• 45.7 megapixel resolution
• Fast "stacked sensor" that can be read out in 1/270 second .- Powerful and highly customisable autofocus .- Continuous shooting at 20 RAW photos per second .- No-blackout viewfinder with 1280 × 960 pixels (3.69 million pixels)
• 8.3K video at up to 60 FPS
• 4K video at up to 120 FPS
• Internal recording of RAW video at 12 bit .- Screen that can also be flipped out in portrait mode .- Built-in image stabiliser, compensates up to 6 stops of exposure .- Button illumination for night shooting
• 910 grams (Z 9: 1340 grams)

The sensor that the Z 8 inherits from the Z 9 is currently the fastest in full-frame. Neither camera has a mechanical shutter, which is not necessary at this readout speed: the rolling shutter effects that are annoying with slow sensors with an electronic shutter are practically imperceptible here. The electronic shutter has several advantages: Faster shutter speeds are possible, here up to 1/32 000 second, there is no wear and tear and no vibrations, and it also works with video.

The autofocus, also inherited from the Z 9, comprises 493 metering points, 405 of which are used for automatic metering. You can use it to define your own metering areas. The Z8's subject tracking detects faces and eyes not only of people, but also of various animals, including birds. It also automatically detects vehicles.

With firmware updates, Nikon has enhanced the performance of the Z 9. These features are also available in the Z 8. These include the 120 FPS frame rate in the viewfinder or the ability to record RAW video in the highest quality to the internal memory card. As 8.3K video is now possible at up to 60 FPS, the same maximum frame rate also applies to 4K in oversampling. Pre-recording during continuous shooting is also one of the new features. The Z 8 is the first Nikon camera to support the HEIF file format in addition to JPEG and RAW. The Z 9 should catch up here with another firmware update.

Differences from the Z9

The most obvious difference between the Z 8 and Z 9 is size. The Z9 has a portrait grip with battery permanently integrated. This gives the camera more than twice the battery life. A portrait grip is available separately for the Z 8 - but it makes it bigger than the Z9, so if you know you'll always need the portrait grip, you're better off with the Z9.

Besides that, only a few small things are different. The Z8 doesn't have built-in GPS. Instead of two card slots for CF cards, it has one for SD cards and one for CF cards. Unlike the Z 9, the Z 8 has no port for flash sync and no ring to select drive mode.

The Z 8 also lacks the socket for an Ethernet cable. With an adapter, it is still possible to connect it to a LAN. The Z 8 has two USB-C ports - one for power, the other for data transfer.

The Nikon Z 8 should be available from the end of May. A test report will follow.