Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera

The Nikon Z8, constructed with the essence of flagship technology, is a compact and lightweight camera that incorporates much of the advanced features found in the Z9, all within a more streamlined and portable design. Recognized as the premier hybrid camera, the Z8 boasts the same reliable sensor, processing power, and autofocus capabilities as its flagship counterpart, while its redesigned body enhances usability for gimbal operations, event photography, and various handheld scenarios.

45.7MP Stacked BSI CMOS Sensor

The FX-format 45.7MP BSI stacked CMOS sensor, which first appeared in the Z9, provides an advantageous blend of high resolution, rapid readout speeds, exceptional clarity, and low noise levels. Its stacked architecture minimizes rolling shutter effects, while the BSI feature enhances noise performance, particularly at the upper limits of the extended ISO range of 32-102400. Furthermore, the combination of 45.7MP resolution and full-frame sensor size is ideal for photographers engaged in detail-centric fields and allows for video recording at resolutions reaching up to 8K.

EXPEED 7 Image Processor

The EXPEED 7 processing engine enhances the sensor's capabilities, delivering speeds that are roughly ten times faster than those of the Z7 II. This engine collaborates with the stacked sensor architecture to achieve remarkably rapid autofocus speeds, high burst shooting rates, substantial buffer capacity, smooth video performance, and efficient overall handling.

The camera offers exceptional continuous shooting capabilities, achieving speeds of 20 frames per second (fps) in raw format, 30 fps in JPEG, and 60 fps when utilizing a DX area for 19MP JPEGs. Notably, it can reach an outstanding rate of 120 fps for capturing 11MP still images, all while maintaining full autofocus and auto-exposure performance. Furthermore, it is capable of buffering over 1,000 raw images in a single burst, allowing for approximately 50 seconds of uninterrupted raw image capture. Additionally, during playback, users can quickly navigate to the first image of a specific burst, facilitating a more efficient review process on the camera.

Pre-Release Capture facilitates the capture of critical moments by recording a series of frames in a burst for up to one second before the shutter is fully released. When this function is enabled, burst shooting begins as soon as the shutter is half-pressed, allowing the buffer to store up to one second's worth of frames prior to the complete shutter press. The electronic shutter offers a maximum shutter speed of 1/32,000 second, enabling effective operation in extremely bright conditions while utilizing wider apertures.

• Stacked sensor design reduces rolling shutter distortion so fast-moving subjects, like a golf club, tennis racket, or baseball bat, do not appear distorted when working with shutter speeds up to 1/32,000 sec.
  
  
• AF calculations are done at a 120 fps rate to keep up with fast continuous shooting speeds.
  
  
• High Efficiency RAW file format maintains image quality akin to uncompressed raw files but with file sizes approximately 30% smaller for faster reading/writing to the memory card.
  
  
• Stills can also be saved in the HEIF file format; a useful evolution from JPEG, this 10-bit format offers 1 billion more colors for greater realism and dynamic range when viewed on HLG-compatible displays while still retaining the small file size as a JPEG.
  
  
• Motion Blend Retouch feature can be used to produce an in-camera composite that depicts a series of subject movements within a single frame.
  
  
• Long Exposure display includes a live exposure timer on the rear LCD, along with the ability to dim the viewfinder to better preserve your night-adjusted vision.
  
  

Electronic Shutter-Only Design

The Z8 leverages the rapid capabilities and stacked architecture of its sensor, eliminating the need for a mechanical shutter and relying solely on an electronic shutter across all capture modes. This sensor's speed allows for recording at an impressive rate of up to 1/32,000 sec, while its stacked design minimizes motion distortion, ensuring precise representation of swiftly moving subjects such as golf clubs, baseball bats, and vehicles. Furthermore, even in the absence of a mechanical shutter, the device supports flash synchronization up to 1/200 sec and high-speed sync functionalities.

By omitting the mechanical shutter, the Z8 operates in complete silence, alleviating concerns regarding mechanical wear or failure. Additionally, a shutter release sound can be incorporated to provide feedback during photo capture, with adjustable volume settings to accommodate various working environments.

Enhanced Portraits of Greater Beauty

The Z8 is ideally suited for portrait photography, enhancing the sensor's natural abilities through a variety of processing tools and shooting functions designed to elevate portrait quality.

• Fine-tune hue and brightness while shooting for more precise control while shooting.
  
  
• Skin softening can be used on up to three subjects in a shot and slightly blurs the skin for a more pleasing texture while still retaining essential sharpness on eyes and hair.
  
  
• Manual white balance control is more intuitive when making adjustments and Auto WB has also been optimized for human subjects.
  
  

493-Point Phase-Detection AF

The Z8 employs a comprehensive 493-point phase-detection autofocus system that spans the entire sensor area, ensuring rapid and precise focusing capabilities. This advanced system is enhanced by the high-speed communication facilitated by the Z interface, coupled with the sensor's ability to perform autofocus readings at rates of up to 120 frames per second. Additionally, the system is equipped with a Starlight mode, which enables effective focusing in low-light environments down to -9 EV, making it particularly advantageous for astrophotography, concerts, and other nighttime shooting scenarios. Furthermore, the Backlit AF feature utilizes distinct pixels on the sensor for autofocus, allowing these specific areas to be intentionally overexposed to improve focusing accuracy without affecting the overall exposure of the captured image.

A fundamental focusing mode in DSLRs, which was first introduced in mirrorless cameras with the Z9, the Z8 also features 3D Tracking AF. This technology works in conjunction with subject detection to effectively track fast and erratically moving subjects, whether they are moving parallel or perpendicular to the camera. Furthermore, the Z8 offers three Dynamic-Area AF modes, each with varying focus area sizes, enabling the capture of a wide array of moving subjects.

Subject Detection with Deep Learning Technology

The Z8 leverages advanced algorithms and deep learning technologies inherited from the Z9, featuring sophisticated Subject Detection capabilities. This allows the Z8 to identify a diverse array of subjects, including humans, animals, airplanes, and bicycles. In Auto-Area AF mode, these subjects are automatically detected, focused on, and tracked, ensuring precise focus even as they move across the frame.

Furthermore, the Eye-Detection AF has been optimized for enhanced accuracy and improved recognition of eyes within the scene, regardless of their size in the image frame. This feature can also be utilized alongside custom Wide-Area AF to accommodate various subject shapes and sizes.

Internal 8K60 and 4K 120 Recording

The Z8 demonstrates equal proficiency in video recording, matching the Z9's capabilities with a range of resolutions and frame rates that extend to 8K. It allows for UHD 8K video recording at 30 frames per second, utilizing full pixel readout, and can sustain continuous shooting for approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes.

Additionally, UHD 4K and Full HD recording options are available across various frame rates, including full-frame 4K at rates up to 120 frames per second for slow-motion effects. By utilizing an 8K area, the camera can achieve oversampled UHD 4K recording at up to 60 frames per second, enhancing sharpness and detail. Furthermore, high-resolution still images can be extracted directly from 8K and 4K video footage, yielding 33MP and 11MP images, respectively.

12-Bit N-RAW and ProRes RAW Video

The device supports internal 12-bit raw recording at resolutions of up to 8.3K at 60 frames per second in the N-RAW format, as well as internal ProRES RAW HQ. This raw recording capability provides enhanced tonal and color range, which can significantly improve dynamic range, thereby facilitating color grading requirements and offering greater flexibility in post-production.

• N-RAW is Nikon's own raw recording format that offers impressively small file sizes compared to other raw formats as well as the ability to create MP4 proxies for more efficient previewing or transferring.
  
  
• 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

The internal recording capabilities include support for 10-bit color and 4:2:2 sampling in the ProRes 422 HQ and H.265 codecs. Depending on the requirements of the workflow, H.264 and 4:2:0 color options are also available. To provide greater flexibility during post-production color grading, a 10-bit N-Log setting and a Flat color profile are offered. Furthermore, HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) is available for producing HDR-ready content directly from the camera.

Recording Support

• In addition to its remarkable recording specifications, the Z8 features a range of practical recording tools and functions designed for production use. A red REC frame indicator appears on both the EVF and LCD during recording, allowing users to easily identify when recording is in progress.
  
  
• A dedicated video information display provides details on various recording parameters, including frame size, frame rate, audio settings, codec, bit depth, and HDMI output configurations. Some of these parameters are also accessible on the camera's top control panel.
  
  
• Visual aids such as focus peaking and zebra stripes assist users in achieving precise focus and accurate exposure. A waveform monitor is available for real-time exposure analysis.
  
  
• The camera offers fine ISO control in Manual mode, enabling exposure adjustments in 1/6-stop increments. The fast AF-ON function can be assigned to function buttons, allowing for the assignment of two distinct AF speeds to different buttons.
  
  
• Support for slow shutter speed video is included, enabling recording at speeds slower than 1/frame rate, which is beneficial for extreme low-light conditions or for creating specific blurred effects.
  
  
• Timecode linking is achievable when utilizing an optional timecode generator. In addition to its video capabilities, the Z8 supports 24-bit linear PCM sound recording and is compatible with external XLR microphones through the optional Tascam CA-XLR2d-AN digital adapter.
  
  

Streamlined, Versatile, and Resilient Design

Recognized as the genuine successor to the D850 DSLR and a more compact alternative to the flagship Z9, the Z8 strikes an optimal balance between size and performance. It is 30% smaller than the Z9 and 15% smaller than the D850. In contrast to the Z9, which features a built-in vertical grip, the Z8 adopts a more modular design. This allows for a compact form factor suitable for everyday shooting, while also providing the option to enhance ergonomics and battery life with the optional MB-N12 Power Battery Pack grip for vertical shooting. Furthermore, its lighter and smaller design makes the Z8 particularly well-suited for rigging or gimbal use in video production. The camera is equipped with dual card slots—one for CFexpress Type B and another for UHS-II SD—offering versatile file storage options. The CFexpress slot is ideal for demanding tasks such as 8K recording and high-speed burst photography, while the SD slot maintains compatibility with widely used storage formats. Additionally, the CFexpress Type B slot is also compatible with XQD memory cards.

 Constructed from environmentally friendly Seerebo carbon fiber and a sturdy magnesium alloy, the Z8 is designed to be both lightweight and resilient, with a total weight of only 2 lb. Its premium weather sealing ensures protection against dust and moisture, allowing for reliable operation in challenging environments. The included EN-EL15c battery provides approximately 340 frames per charge when primarily utilizing the viewfinder, or 370 shots per charge when predominantly using the LCD monitor. Additionally, the Z8 is compatible with other batteries from the EN-EL15 series. The in-body Vibration Reduction system now features Synchro VR, enabling up to 6 stops of compensation for camera shake when paired with select Z lenses. To minimize dust exposure to the sensor, the Z8 is equipped with a sensor shield that safeguards the sensor surface during lens changes. Furthermore, a dual electro-conductive and fluorine coating on the optical filter enhances dust prevention. Backlit buttons facilitate easier navigation and recognition in low-light situations.

Real-Live Viewfinder

Similar to the Z9, the Z8 features an innovative 3.2" 2.1m-dot four-axis tilting touchscreen LCD, which enhances usability when capturing images from both elevated and lowered perspectives, whether in horizontal or vertical alignment. The four-way tilting mechanism of this display facilitates improved visibility from multiple angles, and the orientation of the user interface adjusts according to the camera's position.

Versatile Connectivity

• Full-size HDMI port for outputting video to an external recorder or monitor
  
  
• 3.5mm headphone and microphone ports for attaching an external microphone and for on-board audio monitoring
  
  
• Two USB-C ports: one supports file transfers and tethering and the second is dedicated to power delivery and battery charging
  
  
• USB-C communication terminal supports USB-LAN connectivity when paired with an optional USB-C to Ethernet adapter. This enables a 1000BASE-T wired LAN connection for transferring files over FTP
  
  
• 10-pin port offers wide accessories and remote connectivity
  
  
• Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz) permit wireless transferring of files, remote camera control via a mobile device, and works in conjunction with the NX Mobile Air app for file management