Nikon Z8
Essentially a 'baby Z9', the Nikon Z8 packs the same stacked sensor and autofocus performance into a smaller body. The elimination of the mechanical shutter is a bold move that pays off with 20fps raw shooting and zero blackout. It is arguably the most capable camera under $4000.
Nikon Z8 Review: The Baby Z9
Pros
- Stacked 45MP sensor with no shutter
- Incredible 8K 60p internal RAW video
- Pro-grade weather sealing
- Smaller and lighter than Z9
Cons
- Significantly heavier than Canon R5
- Battery life is average without grip
- Expensive XQD/CFexpress cards needed
Introduction
Nikon did something bold essentially taking their $5500 flagship Z9, cutting off the vertical grip, and selling it for $4000 as the Z8. It is, for all intents and purposes, the same camera. And that is a very, very good thing.
The Shutterless Revolution
Like the Z9, the Z8 has no mechanical shutter. The stacked sensor is so fast that it doesn't need one. This means completely silent shooting, zero vibration, and flash sync speeds up to 1/20000s. It feels like stepping into the future.
Video
The Z8 is a cinema camera disguised as a mirrorless hybrid. It records 12-bit N-RAW internally up to 8K 60p and 4K 120p. The waveform monitors and pro video tools make it ready for high-end production straight out of the box.
Durability
While it lacks the integrated grip, the Z8 is built like a tank. It uses "Sereebo" carbon fiber composite which feels incredibly rigid. We submerged it in a rainstorm and it didn't skip a beat.
Verdict
The Nikon Z8 is arguably the most complete camera ever made. It handles everything from weddings to sports to cinema production with zero compromises.