Nikon Z8 overview: Good at every thing

Nikon pitches the Z8 because the mirrorless successor to arguably the best DSLR ever made, the Nikon D850. In actuality, it shares extra DNA with the model’s flagship mirrorless physique, the Z9, solely it is shrunken all the way down to be extra compact and it comes at a extra inexpensive value level.

This implies it has the potential to be one of many best cameras you could purchase in 2023, as evidenced by its completely stacked spec sheet with hundreds to supply for photographers and video makers alike.

It has been some time since I’ve used a Nikon digicam, and all of the hype round this launch acquired me excited to see what the model has to supply. I have been capturing with it for the previous couple of weeks, and it is secure to say it doesn’t disappoint. Here is how I acquired on.

Nikon

Nikon Z8

Editor’s Alternative

The Nikon Z8 affords each velocity and backbone whether or not we’re speaking pictures or video. It will possibly do just about every thing Nikon’s flagship Z9 can do, however in a extra compact physique and at a a lot better value.

Execs

• 47.5MP stacked sensor
• 20 fps burst capturing in RAW
• As much as 8K60 / 4K120 video recording
• Inner ProRes and N RAW

Cons

• Terrible synthetic shutter sound
• Tilting display isn’t supreme for video

Specs, value and availability

The Nikon Z8 was introduced in Could 2023 and is obtainable to buy now from all main digicam retailers. It is priced at $3999 / £3999, which places it up towards formidable cameras just like the Canon EOS R5 and Sony A7R V. Nonetheless, when you think about that the Z8 is actually a shrunken-down Z9, which retails for round $5500, it begins to appear like a fairly nice deal.

Design

By taking one have a look at the Z8, you’ll be able to instantly see the way it acquired its standing because the child Z9. The chassis is nearly equivalent, it simply has the built-in battery grip lopped off of the underside. It’s price noting, although, that if you happen to choose the bigger chassis, you’ll be able to at all times add Nikon’s battery grip (MB-N12) which is offered individually for $350 – and is far more cost-effective than choosing the Z9.

It is about 30 per cent smaller than the Z9, nevertheless it’s not at all a small digicam, it nonetheless weighs in at a hefty 910g, and that is earlier than you add some chunky full-frame glass to the entrance of it. Regardless of this heft, it does really feel nice within the hand, principally because of its spacious and well-sculpted grip.

The controls are properly laid out and straightforward to know. I particularly like the 2 programmable perform buttons on the entrance, that are inside simple attain of your fingers always. I take advantage of the equally positioned perform buttons on a regular basis on my GH6, and their inclusion made this physique simple to adapt to.

One factor that is a bit of more durable to get used to, although, is the dearth of a PASM dial. As an alternative, you get 4 buttons for choosing mode, drive, bracketing and white stability. This implies you want two palms to modify mode, as you will maintain down the mode button and choose with the thumbwheel. I wasn’t a fan of this, just because it isn’t what I am used to, however on the plus facet, you are a lot much less prone to swap mode by chance, so I can perceive the choice.

Connectivity and shows

On the subject of ports, you get a full-sized HDMI, 3.5mm headphone and mic sockets and twin USB-C ports. You additionally get a 10-pin distant port, which juts out of the facet of the digicam at a 45-degree angle. It’s kind of of an eyesore, however I am certain customers of suitable remotes might be happy to see it included.

In comparison with its huge brother, it lacks an RJ45 port, however to make up for it, you get an extra USB-C port and you should utilize a USB-C to ethernet adapter if it’s essential tether the digicam. It additionally lacks GPS connectivity, however there are workarounds utilizing the cellular app or 10-pin connector if it’s essential seize this knowledge. It isn’t one thing that issues to me personally, however I am conscious that sure shooters require this

For storage, you get a single CFexpress slot and an SD card slot. You may want to make use of the CFexpress to shoot in among the extra intensive video recording modes, as sadly, it would not appear that the USB-C output is quick sufficient for portable SSD recording – although it’ll work in decrease settings.

The three.2-inch 2.1 million dot free-angle tilting LCD is inherited from the Z9, and it is nice to make use of. The touchscreen is admittedly responsive, which is nice for setting your focus and it is also very fluid when swiping by means of the menus. It isn’t a flip-out display, so you will not be utilizing it for vlogging (you’d want arms of metal to try this anyway) however there’s articulation in nearly each path, so it is simple to border your shot in nearly each situation.

The EVF is rather less spectacular, it 0.5-inch 3.69 million dot OLED panel, and it is completely serviceable, nevertheless it lags behind the competitors. The EOS R5, for instance, has a 5.75 million dot EVF, and the Sony A7R V bumps that as much as 9.4 million. It will get the job executed simply superb, nevertheless it’s not going to wow you.

There’s additionally a small monochrome settings panel on the highest of the digicam, once more nothing groundbreaking, however loads of cameras forego the settings display, and I am an enormous fan of them, personally. It is good to have the ability to see your key settings at a look and never have them cluttering up the LCD/EVF view.

Photograph and video efficiency

The Nikon Z8 shares the identical 45.7MP stacked sensor and Expeed 7 processor because the Z9, so it is no shock that it is able to capturing completely beautiful photos. I shot with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S, a flexible lens that is well-suited to the product pictures, road pictures and candids that I took through the testing interval.

As you’d anticipate from a forty five.7MP sensor, there’s an distinctive quantity of element, it may not fairly match the A7R V’s 61MP output, nevertheless it does have the benefit in the case of velocity. The stacked sensor can seize as much as 30 JPEGs per second or 20 RAW pictures, if you happen to drop the decision all the way down to 11MP you’ll be able to shoot at a staggering 120 fps. Comparatively, the A7R V tops out at simply 7 fps with uncompressed RAW pictures.

An attention-grabbing factor concerning the Z8 (and Z9) is that it foregoes the mechanical shutter completely. It would not want one, clearly, nevertheless it does really feel unusual to make use of such a high-end digicam and never hear that satisfying shutter click on while you take a shot. It should not actually matter, however the synthetic sound is fairly naff, too. Fortunately, you’ll be able to flip it off for fully silent capturing.

I discovered the noise discount fairly spectacular, and you’ll nonetheless get usable pictures at ISO 12800, although I not often wanted to go wherever close to that prime. That is partly because of the IBIS, or VR as Nikon calls it, which does an excellent job of stabilizing your stills – though I discovered it barely susceptible to jerkiness in video capturing.

As regards to video, the Nikon Z8 isn’t any slouch there, both. It affords a slew of high-end options together with 8K 60fps recording, it is one among only a few cameras in the marketplace with such capabilities. After all, most individuals will not want 8K60, however if you happen to do, it is obtainable.

I am a sucker for sluggish movement, and my favorite B-roll setting, 4K 120fps, is obtainable within the Z8. What’s extra, it will do it in 12-bit N-RAW and 10-bit 4:2:2. In additional normal capturing settings, like 4K60, you’ll be able to report in ProRes HQ and ProRes Uncooked internally, too.

I did not have sufficient time to totally discover the wealth of video choices obtainable on the Z8, however to this point, it looks as if a severe contender. The autofocus is extraordinarily succesful in video, not fairly Sony-level however with the same reliability to Canon and Lumix, which is one thing that took me unexpectedly. I might fortunately depend on it for almost all of my work.

As I discussed earlier, the IBIS might be higher in video capturing, it tends to jerk a bit of bit, simply as I’ve seen on current Fujifilm cameras. It is nonetheless good, however there’s room for enchancment.

Verdict

The Nikon Z8 is an unimaginable hybrid digicam. It doesn’t matter what you are capturing, the Z8 can doubtless deal with it. It affords splendidly detailed photos, quick and correct autofocus, tremendous speedy burst capturing and a tonne of pro-level video performance.

There isn’t any avoiding the truth that it is an costly and ponderous digicam; However contemplating what’s on supply, it really affords nice worth in comparison with a number of the competitors, and even its personal greater brother, the Z9.

In case you’re purchasing on this value vary, I feel the Z8 is likely to be essentially the most well-rounded choice obtainable in the present day. There isn’t any longer a necessity to decide on between velocity and backbone – the Z8 does all of it, and does it properly.