Nikon Z8

Key specifications

• 45.7MP Stacked CMOS sensor
• Up to 20fps with Raw, 30fps full-sized JPEG
• Pre-burst capture in JPEG modes (up to 120fps for 11MP crops)
• Subject recognition AF and 3D Tracking
• Synchro VR combining in-body and in-lens stabilization, rated at up to 6EV
• 8K/60p video in N-Raw, 4.1K in ProRes Raw
• 8K/30p or up to 4K/60p from 8K
• Choice of ProRes 422 HQ, H265, H.264
• N-Log or HLG capture
• 3.68M dot EVF with dedicated low-lag sensor feed
• 2.1M dot screen on two-way hinge
• One CFexpress Type B, One UHS II SD slot
• Dual USB-C ports
• At the heart of it all is the same 45.7MP Stacked CMOS sensor that has parallel readout paths, one for images or video and another to provide the viewfinder feed with minimal lag.This means it can match the Z9’s 20fps shooting rate with Raw and its 30fps full-frame / 60fps APS-C / 120fps 11MP JPEG shooting modes. The Z8 also provides the option to shoot 10-bit HEIF files (alongside Raw, if you wish), if you opt to capture HDR images using the HLG curve.The Z8 also offers the pre-burst option that lets it start capturing images when the shutter is half-pressed, then record up to a second’s worth of images when you fully press the shutter. This is available in the 30, 60 and 120fps JPEG modes.We’re told the Z8 has the same buffer as the Z9, meaning it can record more than 1000 JPEGs or HE* compressed Raws at 20fps. 685 of the less compressed HE Raws can be captured in a burst, or 79 of the losslessly compressed Raws files.

  Like the Z9, with its fast (~1/280sec) readout, the Z8 has no mechanical shutter. It does have a shutter shield mechanism that can be set to close when the camera is off, though, to prevent dust ingress when you change lenses.

  Video

  In terms of video the Z8 can capture 8K/30p video in the ProRes 422 HQ, H.265 or H.264 formats, or 8K/60p in the N-Raw format. 4K video can be shot at up to 120fps (subsampled), or with oversampled footage derived from 8K capture at up to 60p.

• 	Resolution options	Bit depth	Options
  N-Raw	8K/60p 4.1K/120p (sub-sampled) 5.4K/60p (APS-C) 4K/120p (2.3x crop)	12-bit	SDR N-Log	Bayer
  ProRes RAW HQ	4.1K/60p (sub-sampled) 5.4K/30p (APS-C)	12-bit	SDR N-Log	Bayer
  ProRes 422 HQ	4K/60p 1080/120p	10-bit	SDR N-Log	4:2:2
  H.265	8K/30p 4K/120p (sub-sampled) 4K/60p (from 8K) 1080/120p	10-bit or 8-bit	SDR HDR (HLG) N-Log	4:2:0
  H.264	1080/60p	8-bit	SDR	4:2:0

  The only major difference is that the Z8 can only record for up to 90 minutes, rather than the 125 minutes offered by the Z9, presumably for reasons of heat build-up.

  Like the Z9, the camera uses a base ISO of 200 in video mode for its standard color modes. Switch to HLG and the base state becomes ISO 400, encouraging the use of one stop less exposure to ensure that an additional stop of highlights is retained. N-Log has a minimum of ISO 800, to capture and retain an extra two stops of highlights.

  Dedicated airplane subject detection mode

  The Z9 could already detect aircraft as part of its vehicle detection mode, but on the Z8 it has been separated out into its own selectable mode. Nikon says separating airplane from general vehicle tracking results in improved tracking accuracy. We’ve had no confirmation from Nikon but we’d be surprised if we don’t see a similar feature added to the Z9 in future firmware.

  Conversely, Nikon has added a separate Bird detection mode, distinct from the Animal mode that already includes birds, to the Z9 and has promised to bring this to the Z8 in early 2024.