Nikon Z8 Packs Power of Z9 Into Smaller Body

October 30, 2023

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The new Nikon Z8 mirrorless camera packs virtually all of the features and performance of the flagship Z9 into a body that is 30% smaller.

Featuring the same 45.7 megapixel stacked sensor, 8K/60p video and 120fps burst shooting as the Z9, the new Z8 can additionally recognise and track aircraft and offers dual USB terminals for charging and tethering.

The Nikon Z8 is priced at £3,999 (UK) / €4,799 (ROI) body only and will be available from 25th May 2023.

Nikon UK Press Release

Today, Nikon adds the powerful and agile Z 8 to its range of professional Z series mirrorless cameras. Packing a host of Z 9 features into a lightweight body, the all-new Z 8 gives hybrid video/stills creators astounding flexibility with which to bring their vision to life.

With its incredible blend of class-leading performance and compact build, the Z 8 is an exciting follow up to the Z 9 and a true creative successor to the D850. Weighing just 910 g (approx.), the Z 8 body is 30 % smaller than the Z 9 and 15 % smaller than the D850. It’s the perfect hybrid camera for creators who want a lighter body for shooting handheld or a full-frame camera that will balance perfectly on any rig, including most gimbals.

A veritable video and stills powerhouse, the Z 8’s 45.7 megapixel stills resolution and 8.3K native video resolution open so many possibilities. The same stacked CMOS sensor and EXPEED 7 processor as the Z 9 ensure spectacular image quality straight out of the camera, giving creators maximum flexibility to adjust to any workflow. Video can be recorded in an array of frame rates and codecs, including in-camera 12-bit RAW for video up to 8.3K/60p or 4.1K/120p. Stills shooters can work with an array of file sizes and burst speeds, including an astounding 120 fps. For HDR content creators, the camera records 10-bit HEIF stills and 10-bit HLG video.

The smaller, lighter body doesn’t sacrifice reliability: the Z 8 boasts pro-grade weather sealing, and the same cold tolerance as Nikon’s flagship D6 and Z 9 cameras, ensuring reliable performance in low temperatures. The Z 8 is also the first Nikon mirrorless camera to feature two USB-C ports, which makes it possible to transfer files quickly while charging. Beyond the camera, there’s a NIKKOR Z lens for every idea and budget, and partner accessories from gimbals to mics and more.

Dirk Jasper, Product Manager, Nikon Europe, says: “The Z 8 brings a whole new level of agility to our professional line-up. Its powerful and flexible video and stills capabilities make it a true hybrid workhorse while its compact body answers the needs of a wide range of shooters. The camera does so much, you’ll be able to meet any creative challenge with ease.”

Nikon Z8 Key Features

Video: records pristine 8K or 4K video and boasts numerous space-saving, time-saving features. Users can shoot 12-bit RAW footage in-camera and work with Nikon’s N-RAW files, which are half the size of a ProRes RAW HQ file. In-camera Full-HD proxy files are created when shooting internal 8.3K N-RAW or 4.1K ProRes RAW HQ.

Stills: captures exquisite 45.7 MP stills with stunning dynamic range, and boasts flexible burst speeds up to an insanely fast 120 fps with full AF/AE and no viewfinder blackout. Dedicated portrait features let photographers fine-tune hue and brightness, or soften the look of skin.

Stacked 45.7 MP full-frame CMOS sensor: designed by Nikon to deliver ultra-high-resolution image quality Achieves the world’s fastest scanning speed, which combines with the electronic shutter to virtually eliminate rolling shutter distortion.1

EXPEED 7: powers the camera’s lightning-fast focusing, smooth video, and high burst speeds. Handles complex AF and AE calculations at unprecedented speed, and separately processes dual-streamed data from the stacked image sensor.

Deep-learning AF: precision detection and tracking for people, dogs, cats, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, trains, and planes. Subject detection and AF work down to -9 EV for video and stills. Eyes stay in focus, even if a subject is moving fast and upside down. Faces will be in sharp focus even if the scene is strongly backlit.

Real-live viewfinder and tilting monitor: smooth blackout-free viewfinder thanks to dual-stream technology. Bright, 4-axis tilting touchscreen monitor.

HDR content ready: shoots 10-bit HEIF stills and 10-bit HLG video. Content is instantly viewable on HDR screens, no editing necessary.

Two USB-C ports and dual card slots: separate USB power and communication terminals for quick transfers while charging. Dual card slots for flexible shooting and storage.

Handling: deep, comfortable grip. Separate display interfaces for video and stills. Menus rotate if shooting vertically.

Light and tough: weighs just 910 g (approx.), and high-performance weather sealing keeps out dust, dirt, and moisture.2 The same cold tolerance as Nikon’s flagship D6 and Z 9 cameras means you can shoot reliably in temperatures down to -10°C/14°F.

Optional vertical battery grip: Nikon’s new Power Battery Pack MB-N12 can be used as a grip for vertical shooting, or to counterbalance telephoto lenses, as well as for extended all-day shooting.