The Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Digital Camera is the latest release from Nikon in the Z-Line Mirrorless Camera Series. The Z 8 is the baby Z9, Nikon Z9 in a sleeker and more compact body design. Providing notable high-end features for professional photographers as well as videographers making it the ultimate hybrid camera.
The Nikon Z 8 Mirrorless Digital Camera features the same sensor, processing, and autofocus capabilities in a more portable design, this makes it easier for event shooting and other handheld applications and better suiting use on a gimbal.
Flagship Sensor and Processing
45.7MP Stacked BSI CMOS Sensor
The Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Digital Camera features an FX-format 45.7MP BSI stacked CMOS sensor with a notable combination of resolution, fast readout speeds, impressive clarity, and very little noise. The stacked sensor design assist in reducing rolling shutter and then the BSI designation ensures improved noise levels when on the top end of the extended ISO 32-102400 range.
With a 45.7MP resolution and the full-frame sensor built into the Nikon Z 8 it is the perfect hybrid camera for photographers needed a professional camera for detailed environments as well as recording video at resolutions up to 8K.
EXPEED 7 Image Processor
Working in conjunction with the stacked sensor, the EXPEED 7 processor provides impressively fast AF speeds, burst shooting, a high buffer capacity, fluid video performance, and notable all-around handling.
Featuring continues shooting at 20fps when shooting in raw, 30 fps when shooting in JPEG, 60 fps when shooting 19MP JPEGs using a DX area, and an impressive 120 fps shooting rate when recording 11MP stills, with all rates supporting full AF/AE performance. Capable of buffering over 1000 raw images in burst, making it possible to record approximately 50 seconds of raw image sequences.
With the Pre-Release Capture activated the camera will start burst prior to the release activation (button half pressed), and continue for approximately one second prior to the button being released.
Electronic shutter affords a top shutter speed of 1/32,000 sec for working in the brightest conditions with wider apertures. The autofocus calculations are done at 120 fps, this is to keep up with faster continuous shooting speeds.
With the Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Digital Camera Body offers still files to be saved in HEIF file format, a useful update from JPEG. This 10-bit format provides 1 billion more colours than JPEG when viewing on a HLG-compatible display, and then still retaining the same small file size as a JPEG image.
Electronic Shutter-Only Design
With the speed and stacked sensor design there is only an electronic shutter employed in the Nikon Z 8 Camera for all shooting modes. Recording speeds of up to 1/32000 sec along with the stacked structure, motion distortion is highly reduced. This produces a more accurate depiction of fast-moving subjects like golf clubs, baseball bats, and vehicles.
With the removal of the mechanical shutter, this camera can be used completely silent, and there is no worry over mechanical shutter breakdown. If you would still like to hear a shutter sound when taking photos, the sound can be added and the volume can be adjusted as well.
Fast and Intelligent AF
493-Point Phase-Detection AF
For notable fast and accurate AF the full sensor is covered, using the flagship 493-point phase-detection AF system. This system is benefitted by the high-speed communication of the Z interface along with the speed of the sensor that enables AF readings to occur at up to 120 fps.
The employed focusing system is also well suited for working in difficult lighting conditions such as night-time, astrophotography and concerts, this is possible with the Starlight Mode that permits focusing down to -9EV.
The Z8 also includes 3D Tracking AF that pairs with subject detection to lock onto fast, erratically moving subjects that move parallel and perpendicular to the camera. Additionally, there are three Dynamic-Area AF modes, with a range of focus area sizes, for capturing a broad variety of moving subject types.
Subject Detection with Deep Learning Technology
With the algorithms and deep learning technology brought over from the Z 9, this includes sophisticated Subject Detection. These include certain subject types ranging from humans, animals bicycles, cars and now also aeroplanes.
In Auto-Area AF mode subjects will automatically be detected and tracked across the frame. Then, with Eye-Detection mode the sensor is specially tuned to detect human and animal eyes in the frame and track them across the frame for improved accuracy.
Video Powerhouse
Internal 8K60 and 4K 120 Recording
The Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Digital Camera employs a variety of frame rates to choose from, with resolutions and frame rates of up to 8K.
8K and 4K are both supported when using the true 24p frame rate. This is to provide a cinematic look, 4k UHD recording is also available. Using an 8K area, oversampled UHD 4K recording is possible at up to 60p for increased sharpness and detail. Also, high-resolution frame grabs can be recorded in the camera from 8K and 4K videos, for producing 33MP or 11MP stills, respectively.
12-Bit N-RAW and ProRes RAW Video
Internal 12-bit raw recording at up to 8.3K 60p in the N-RAW (raw recording format designed by Nikon with smaller file sizes) this format is supported along with internal ProRES WAR HQ.
N-RAW recording is available at up to 8.3K at 60p or 24p; 4.1K at up to 120p; 5.3K at up to 60p with a 1.5x crop; and 3.8K at 120p with a 2.3x crop. ProRes RAW recording is also available at up to 4.1K and 60p.
ProRes and H.265 10-Bit Recording
Depending on workflow needs, internal recording is supported with 10-bit colour and 4:2:2 sampling of the ProRes 422 HQ and H.265 codecs, and H.264 and 4:2:0 colour. With more latitude in the post for colour grading, you will also find 10-bit N-Log and Flat Colour profile settings.
A Smaller Professional Body Design
Sleek, Modular, and Durable Construction
With the Z 8 considered as the successor to the D850 and the smaller follow-up to the Z9. The Nikon Z8 is 30% smaller than the z9 and 15% smaller than the D850.
The Z8 offers a notably smaller body design compared to the Z9 with its built-in battery grip. The Z 8 is now well suited for everyday use, and the smaller and lighter body also makes it the ideal candidate for rigging, or use on a gimbal for video use.
In-Body Vibration Reduction now also supports Synchro VR, this achieves up to 6 stops of camera shake compensation when used with select Z lenses.
Real-Live Viewfinder
Featuring an advanced Real-Live Viewfinder the EVF utilizes a 3.96m-dot OLED panel with adjustable luminance of up to 3000cd/m2. With a High fps function, the Viewfinder is capable of a refresh rate of up to 120 fps for smoother, lifelike viewing.
Four-Axis Tilting LCD
The Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Digital Camera employs a 3.2" 2.1m-dot four-axis tilting touchscreen LCD, this is well suited for working in high as well as low shooting angles.
Versatile Connectivity
Additionally the Nikon Z8 features a variety of connectivity options to suit various workflow needs, this is for matching the professionally built quality of the Z 8. These include a full HDMI port outputting video. A 3.5mm headphone jack for audio monitoring and mic jacks can be found for external microphones to be added.
Two built-in USB-C ports where one supports transfers and tethering, and the second is dedicated to power delivery and battery charging. A 10-pin port offers wide connectivity for accessories and remote connectivity.
With built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5GHz) permitting wireless transferring of files and remote camera control using a mobile device. This also works with the NX Mobile Air app designed for file management