I have had the z8...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Tim
I have had the z8 for about 3 weeks now. I have taken it out on four wildlife (local birds) trips in that time plus a bunch of casual shooting to acquaint myself with the camera. I am coming from a z6ii and before that a d810. The ergonomics are much more similar to the d810 than the z6ii. For my hands, it is a better feel. It is a bit heavier than the z6ii. The autofocus is amazing--normally if it doesn't find an eye or head, the shot is marginal anyway (the head is in shadow, turned, or otherwise obscured). My keeper rate is amazingly high focus-wise. My first trip out I had a surprising amount of noise--it cleaned up great with the tools in LR and did not require a trip to Topaz. It turned out I was underexposing using too much exposure compensation to catch heron feather detail and this turned out to be the issue. It seems a little noisier than the z6ii in my hands and sensitive to underexposure--but that camera is a superior lowlight performer. The ISO performance in the z8 crushes that of the d810, which I loved nonetheless. In short, it has good high ISO performance for a 35mm 46 megapixel sensor. I'm comfortable routinely with ISO's in the 6400 range (which is about where I was with the z6ii). Regarding battery life. I shot 6600 (20 fps is too fast!) images my first time out on 2 batteries. Doing landscape and intensively reviewing images, I get more like 300-500 images on a battery. I haven't used Snapbridge or Bluetooth and I have the camera is in airplane mode. This is less than the z6ii and especially the d810. If your use requires more and changing batteries during shooting is unacceptable to you, you'll need the grip or a z9. Me, I carry three batteries and a USB charger for the car and that works great for my usage. I haven't tried charging the battery in-camera--I find shooting electricity into a sophisticated electronic device unsettling. Age-related thing, I suppose. Regarding memory cards. I use Delkin POWER cards--I don't do video and wasn't concerned about being able to do 20 min long 8k takes--and have not yet filled the buffer during actual use and have gotten zero hot card warnings. It has been 90 degrees here with similar humidity. I have always used the second card slot as overflow so the second card being an SD isn't an issue for me. I will say I forgot to replace my CFexpress card after downloading images (so was shooting on SD alone) and didn't fill the buffer at all in actual use. I did test it out of curiosity and it seems to me it filled the buffer at about 50 shots sat 20fps (lossless compressed RAW...at HE* it would be significantly more) and then SLOWED DOWN a lot. Testing, I filled the buffer with the CFexpress card alone and it slowed but probably only down to 10 - 12 fps...which is as fast as my z6ii could go. Honestly, I currently have the frame rate set for 12 fps--20 is too much for most of my uses. I have been affected by the camera strap lug recall...I'll send it in tomorrow. However, I wonder if in the end this won't turn out to be a tempest in a teapot. In short, the z8 is far and away the best camera I have owned. It makes it easier to capture great images. I used Payboo which was for me--I had the cash on hand--seamless and I saved a lot in sales tax. I have used the z8 with the 200-500mm, the 24-120mm *fantastic* kit lens, and the 100-400mm z. I also adapted my 16-35mm f4 F lens. I have the first generation FTZ and it performs flawlessly on the z8. All the lenses performed superbly. The 100-400mm I also used with the TC 1.4 and I cannot even tell a TC is being used (not my DSLR experience) except for the loss of aperture. All of these performed superbly. In sum, the z8 is an amazing camera.
See moreSee lessI put my F100 away...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·William
I put my F100 away when I bought a Nikon D70 back in 2004. Since then, I've owned a D200, a D800, and now a Z8. My bag has about a dozen Nikon lenses, from a 17-35 to an 80-200 AFS, with a bunch of f/1.8 primes, all F-mount. I bought the 24-120 Z lens to compare with the similar F-mount version, along with the FTZ adapter. I've compared the Z zoom to the F zoom and all the F primes. I don't find much difference between the lens performance of the Z and the F mounts. I don't feel like I'll have to replace all my older (but not old) glass to get great performance. This is a huge relief. On to the camera...\n\nThe Z8 is an amazing piece of equipment. (I don't play around with the video features much, but I might explore that capability in the future.) I'm more of a landscape guy than anything, and the Z8 blows me away with all its features. I'm still learning the nuances of the camera's firmware. I'll probably never use more than ten percent of the power built into this beast, but it's nice to know it's there. \n\nMigrating to the mirrorless format was fairly easy because the Nikon user interface hasn't changed all that much. More depth and options, but the menus work the same way as the DSLRs. The Z8 body is about the same size as the D800, so it fits my hand well and it feels familiar. I wasn't trying to move to a small camera anyway. (I have a V1 for that.)\n\nThe autofocus is amazing, especially when using the target recognition features. The FTZ adapter works perfectly with all my D and G glass. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) lets you practically see in the dark, something an optical viewfinder won't do, or you can use the rear screen - your choice. You can customize what is displayed on the EVF and the rear screen and cycle through your own configurations - nice. \n\nSince the camera uses an electronic shutter, not a mechanical one, you can shoot frame rates up to 120 frames per second - in silence if you prefer. A lot of people complain about the sound the camera makes when you take a photo. It's a quiet little click; all I need to confirm that I took a shot. (You have a choice of five different sounds and volume levels if you don't like the default.) I don't miss the mirror slap and its associated vibration, and I can turn the sound off if I want. A non-issue for me. \n\nThis camera is built like a tank - solid as a rock. Nothing flimsy here. The price? It weighs 2 pounds without a lens. Nikon has kept the EN-EL15c battery to keep the body size down. The price? Less than stellar battery life, especially if you're prone to "chimping." I haven't run one dry yet, but playing around with the display uses up the charge pretty quickly. Carry a spare or two. Or you can power the camera via a USB cable and an external battery pack.\n\nFor compatibility I got an SB-5000 Speedlight to replace the SB-910, but that probably wasn't really necessary given my fairly simple needs when using a flash. Very little difference in the interface between the camera and the Speedlight. Spend the money on another lens.\n\nAll in all, an amazing camera system. I thought the D800 would be my last camera (I'm 77), but I was wrong. That will probably be the Z8.
See moreSee lessI'm a recent convert from...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·William
I'm a recent convert from Nikon's D800 series cameras to the Z cameras. I decided to go for the Z8 kit with the Z 24-120mm F4 S lens. All I can say is, wow! If this camera package is in your budget... get it. It's spectacular. Please understand that I don't believe it's the camera that makes a good photograph, it's the photographer. But this camera just puts many more great tool in the hands of the photographer. And it will give you everything you are capable of getting from a camera. Being a mirrorless there are a few things you'll have get used to if you're transitioning like I was. Such as; you can't take a shot, review it on the LCD, and then bring the camera back up to take another photo without canceling the review or all you will see in the viewfinder is the review image. It's just little things like that. Though I'll bet there is a way to solve it in the menus. I haven't looked because I've been having too much fun taking photos with it. With that said there are so many positives I can't cover them all. Just do some research. \n\n\nI have only found two things that someone could find as negatives. The camera is heavy. The body is actually a little lighter than some of Nikon's DSLRs, but once you put that 24-120mm lens on it the weight does become evident. Though not unmanageable. The Z8 is actually an updated Z9, but without the Z9's extended battery capacity. This means that the Z8 will use up it's battery faster than some DSLRs and other Zs. I have found that when you're out shooting with the Z8 don't turn it off between shots. Let it just go to sleep and it will wake up instantly when your ready to take another shot. Doing that seems to extend the battery. But a second battery in your pocket still isn't a bad idea, even though I have never needed it if the camera's battery is fully charged when I leave the house.\n\n\nThe Z 24-120mm f4 S lens is great. It is sharp with perfect contrast and color at whatever setting you want to use. And it focuses instantly. I was a little skeptical because I never liked the 24-120mm F lenses. But I love this thing. It is somewhat heavy though combined with the camera I find the weight pleasantly stabilizing while shooting.\n\n\nAgain, if this Z8 package is in your budget, go for it. If it's a little much, get a Z8 body and an FTZ II. I have the FTZ II also and it works great with all my lenses from AI-S to AFS. For the manual focus lenses like the AI-S, AF, and AF-Ds (Z cameras will not auto focus with AF-D lenses) just enter the lens info into the camera's Non CPU Lens menu then use Focus Peaking (easy to use and kinda cool) and you'll find the Z8 makes those good old lenses look even better.
See moreSee lessI had a d600 for...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Stuart
I had a d600 for years but when the z7 dropped I went to the launch party. I was so unimpressed I bought the D850 instead and swore it was such a great camera I might never need to upgrade. Fast-forward 8 years and I was gifted a z7. I decided I would just use it for my vintage m39 and AI/Ais lenses. There are features that make the mirrorless better for manual focus. A few months later I had a trip to NYC so I made the mistake of making extra time to visit the mothership (B&H by Penn Sation). The Z8 makes the Z7 mark 1 look like a toy and knowing the benefits of mirrorless I decided to bite the bullet. I prefer to shoot wide open or with primes so nailing focus is critical for me. I say that to warn the casual user there is a learning curve if you are going to get the most out of the Z8’s features. Fortunately, I found Hudson Henry’s Nikon Z8: Full Menu Setup Guide video on YouTube. I sat down to watch the video with my Z8 in hand so I could follow along. After several pauses and testing the settings I felt I had the camera dialed and was 200% more confident. After about two weeks of shooting the Z8 I can easily say it is a better camera than the D850. The IBIS means all my old primes are now VR meaning I can shoot hand held comfortably down to about 1/20 of a second when needed. I love the digital horizon for keeping me level. Its now second nature for me to keep level when I can. The Z8 is the easiest camera ever made to shoot manual focus glass with the focus peaking, focus confirmation and the ability to zoom in to 100% (I set F1 to 50% and F2 to 100%). I even spent a week using an old family Nikon 50mm f/1.2 Ai-S where I had no issue nailing focus wide open. I saved up for the 24-70 2.8 sii too. Wow. That lens is fast. The Z8 has no mirror or shutter so shooting is instantaneous and silent. The overall package is just slightly lighter and more comfortable. I just feel clunky when I go back to my D850. Image quality is similar with a slight edge to mirrorless but with the caveat that the keep rate is going up with the Z8 due to better focus tracking, better manual focus and better mirrorless glass. Oh and the fun of adding an Ilford 400 BW and a tri-x BW recipe means I can use snapbridge to pull finished images straight from my camera to my phone without having to go home to process.
See moreSee lessI own a d850, z7ii,...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Russell
I own a d850, z7ii, and z9 to compare with this z8. The grip on z8 fits my hand better than the z7ii, with the z7ii my little finger is off the bottom and the iso button is too far forward causing me to occasionally press the iso button and turn the rear command dial. I don't have this problem on the z8, d850 , or z9. The d850 grip is slightly more comfortable, but z8 is fine. Focus is much better on z8 than z7ii. Compared to d850, the z8 is better for: I love the evf for low light, focus options extend to near edge of screen on z8, much easier to see for manual focus in EVF than on back screen of d850 (also camera rests on face with z8 whereas I had to hold the d850 away from face to focus while using Live view in magnified mode while using manual focus zeiss lenses.), z8's 20 fps is wonderful. I do slightly prefer the shape of the d850 grip and the rotating dial of the top of the camera present on the z7ii, d850 and z9, but not the z8. These are minor things. z lenses are often sharper than the f mount counterparts. The z mount are newer designs which may partially account for this, but the z mount does seem to allow superior lens designs. Compared to the z9, the z8 is lighter, but has much less battery life. The z9 vertical grip is very comfortable. I haven't used the z8 vertical grip, but it is described as making the camera even larger than the z9. The z9 vertical grip does really take the stress off of my wrist when doing a lot of vertically oriented sports pictures. z8 has worst battery life of the 4 cameras, but it's not a big deal to carry an extra battery. Picture quality is the same on all four bodies, with the possible exception of larger very dark areas. If I increase the ev value a lot in post, the z9 and z7ii will show a subtle grid pattern in very dark areas which d850 doesn't. I haven't used the z8 in this situation yet, but I anticipate that the z8 will do this as well, since I believe the artifact is due to the embedded focus mechanism on the mirrorless sensors. The artifact is seldom a problem. Overall, the z8 is my favorite camera body.
See moreSee lessLong time Nikon user, I've...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Ronnie
Long time Nikon user, I've used entry level to almost top of the line. My last 2 bodies were D810 and D850. The Z9 was just slightly more $ than I could easily justify for my business, so as soon as the Z8 was released I jumped on it and ordered it. Knowing the features would match almost all to the Z9 I knew it would be a worthwhile investment. I've never had shutter issues, so mirrorless wasn't the appeal, the image quality and focus capabilities were most important to me. Shooting weddings and kids all the time, I've grown used to missing shots of people moving directly towards or away from me, so the focus tracking had a big appeal and would justify the investment in itself. After having it for a few weeks, I'm impressed in most aspects, but a few quirks. Focus tracking, although not perfect, does help capture moving shots a little better than my own focusing efforts. The low light capability is pretty impressive, see firework pic, raw image vs mildly edited, and that gives you an idea how much detail can be pulled from a low light shot. Live view is nice for quicker manual adjustments, you can see the true shot vs DSLR just showing optical sight, so it can quicken your ability to adjust vs looking at the small light meter. \r\nNegatives- battery life is bad enough you need to plan and adjust. I have found it goes through a battery per hour of shooting constantly. Vs 850 could go a full 8 hour session with 2 batteries. Viewfinder takes a second to turn on, doesn't seem like much but if you're used to flicking the power on and shooting, it won't be ready instantly. If you're used to the D line, the changes to buttons will throw you off. ISO button recessed a little and harder to find by feel. Camera back buttons different but not bad. Burst settings now a digital change, not a physical knob you can change by feel. Overall it's been great so far, other than batteries.takes getting used to for long time D model users that can operate by feel in the dark.
See moreSee lessMy previous camera was a...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Giles
My previous camera was a Nikon 810, but decided it was time to splash out on a Z8. I have not been disappointed. The Z8 is an amazing piece of equipment, but it does take time to learn to use it. There are so many functions on this camera that at first it is confusing— but don’t give up. For example, no dedicated button for matrix/spot meter readings. Did I really have to dig into the menus to change the method of exposure reading?? Answer no! I just had to link this function to the f3 button. So do read the hand book, not the useless few pages they give you, but the 1000 pages you can download from Nikon, it is super comprehensive. In fact I ordered a printed copy from OTC , in the UK. (Very reasonable price). My other finding was the camera seemed to drain the battery very quickly. Then I discovered that if you leave the camera on, no matter if you are hours between shots, then battery drain was not excessive. I’m guessing that every time you turn the camera on it checks all its circuits and memory, which consumes a high current. \nI coupled the camera to a Nikon 28-400 mm f4-8 telephoto, which if you switch the camera from FX to DX ( press of a button), the 400mm becomes essentially 600mm. This is where the image stabilization systems in both lens and camera do an excellent job. Don’t worry that the f4 soon becomes f8 as you zoom, the auto iso can Jack up sensor sensitivity without noticeable electronic noise. The electronic viewfinder takes about 0.5 secs to switch on. Annoying if you are used to an old fashioned mirror. Answer is to half press the shutter button with a free finger as you raise the camera to your eye and it will be on when it gets there. In short a stunning camera that just needs a little getting used to. Finally, downloading the pictures to the computer is fast and efficient (unlike the 810 which struggled to download to the Nikon software). Go buy one. You’ll be pleased you did.
See moreSee lessFinally making a bit of...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·John
Finally making a bit of a transition from a D500 #1 body for mostly cultural photography and some birds. The D500 has moved to #2 with 70-200 2.8 VRII, and the Z8 is #1 with 24-70 2.8 S. \n\nThe camera has been written about at length, but a couple things will stand out to people. It’s not the sensor, though yes to some extent. It’s basically state of the art, low noise and capable of shots in low light that used to be like science fiction, but it’s not as much of a leap over the sensor in the D500 as people think. In DX mode, they are very comparable. What stands out is the algorithm for 3D tracking is nearly uncanny. It’s the density of focus points and improvements in processing. You’ll find the old focus and recompose method from single area autofocus days is a very snappy default mode if you are being picky about focal point. Put the dot on the point you want in focus and recompose as you wish. Set Fn1 to focus zoom to confirm. The D500 has good 3D focus tracking but no focus zoom. It’s just more reliable, smooth and precise with the D8. The D500 still finds focus a bit quicker, virtually instantaneously. The Z8 kind of thinks for a split second and goes right to the focus point. It’s a push in terms of speed, but really the density of focus points is a clear advantage of the Z8. I don’t use wide area or automatic modes so I can’t comment on this stuff, but in my work, I much prefer the way the focus tracking works in the D8. \n\nAs well, in-body VR and focus peaking will revive some of your old lenses. My old 80-200 AF-S on the FTZ now has VR and is fast and accurate. Also, focus peaking with manual focus will revive some of your classics AI-S lenses. It will make you reconsider which lenses you will end up selling.\n\nLast comment is battery life. Focus relies on the sensor being charged so batteries will drain quicker. Keep more on hand for your usual jobs.
See moreSee lessI upgraded from a D500/D850...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Rodney
I upgraded from a D500/D850 DSLR setup to the Z8 and haven’t looked back. The 45MP sensor is a game-changer for sports photography - I can shoot my granddaughter’s softball games at 120mm with the 24-120mm f/4, crop 50% in post, and still get tack-sharp 22MP images equivalent to 240mm reach. The autofocus is exceptional once you learn the quirks: for team sports, turn OFF subject detection and use manual 3D-tracking selection - the camera locks onto your chosen subject and never lets go. High ISO performance is excellent (clean to 3200, usable at 6400), and the shooting menu banks make switching between scenarios instant. Battery life is the only downside - I burn through 1-2 batteries per outing, so buy extras.\nComing from DSLR, there’s a learning curve with the menus and EVF, but it’s worth the investment. The Z8 delivers pro-level AF accuracy, incredible dynamic range, and enough resolution to crop heavily without quality loss. Native Z lenses (24-120mm f/4) perform flawlessly, though my adapted Tamron 70-200mm F-mount requires turning off VC to avoid focus hunting. After a month of use shooting sports, portraits, and travel prep, the Z8 has proven to be everything Nikon promised: lighter than my D850, faster AF than my D500, and sharp enough to replace both cameras. If you’re on the fence about mirrorless, the Z8 is the real deal.\nBottom line: The Z8 is the perfect “one camera for everything” - sports, travel, portraits, landscapes. Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, the menus are complex. But the image quality, AF performance, and cropping flexibility make it worth every penny. Highly recommended for enthusiasts upgrading from D500/D850 or anyone wanting pro-level mirrorless performance.
See moreSee lessBack in 2018, someone said...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Ralf D
Back in 2018, someone said that the D850 was the best general purpose full frame DSLR anywhere on planet Earth. Upon reflection and experience with shooting the D850, I came to agree with that sentiment. Now, the Z8 takes over this role for mirrorless. The Z8 is the Z camera that I have been waiting for since the Z line first debuted. \n\nWhen I first picked up the D850 I was hooked, even before bringing the camera up to my eye. The hand feel of the D850 was not just second to none, it was magical. Two weeks ago, when I picked up the Z8 for the first time, that same feeling of magic returned. I did not want to put it down - it felt so good and natural in the hand.\n\nZ8 ergonomics are great. Menus are intuitive. Plenty of customizable controls. AF is unbelievable. But forget the tech stuff: this camera is fun to shoot with. I will probably never use the 120 frames per second shooting mode, but hey, it's nice to have the capability - just in case someday..... \n\nI have the Z8 set with the least obtrusive shutter release sound. Beyond 3 or 4 feet, this camera is dead silent, which is very cool. \n\nDue to its size, the Z8 is not my first choice for discrete street photography.\n\nMy favorite Z lenses are the 24-70 f/2.8 bag-o-primes, and the 400 f/4.5. Coming from a background that includes the Nikon F2 and manual lenses, being able to shoot 400mm at 1/8 sec **hand held** is akin to a miracle. \n\nI could go on extolling the virtues of the Z8, but my fingers are tired. If you are a Nikon person, you should consider adding this camera to your camera bag.
See moreSee lessI was looking for a...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Ariel
I was looking for a regular good camera that I could keep and use for the rest of my life without having to buy another one just to capture moments of my life. I wanted something that would give me good quality photos that I could print out and hang on my wall. Normally I just buy the top of the tier best of the best which would have the been the Z9 but after so much research and talking to a B&H Tech I settled for this one and I'm glad I did. It is a bit complicated for a beginner like me but that's my choice and since buying it, I am way more into photography than I thought catching the photography bug ha! I know that the lens is a bit more important than the camera but having a camera like this is a game changer as it has easy intuitive functions I can use. I probably could have gotten away with the Z6iii but this camera felt more comfortable in my hand as it built for a better grip. The Z9 was huge and I have small hands so that wouldn't have worked. The screen is just right too and I like that it's touch screen making things easier for me. I was told that the Z6iii is better for lowlight photos and have seen videos on that but again I prefer the feel of the Z8 in my hands so it's all about personal preference and what you want to use it for. I know this is more for professional use but I didn't care. I know my review is more for the beginner newbies
See moreSee lessI have been waiting for...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Aaron M.
I have been waiting for these cameras for YEARS. I finally had two of them get delivered to my house on Sept 7th of 2023. I pulled out one of my trusty Z 7ii bodies and started to configure the Z8 as my Z 7ii is. I quickly found out that Subject Tracking, which i love, IS NOT AVAILABLE for stills. It only works in when recording videos. This camera has 3D tracking but there is one major problem, you are not able to reprogram the FN1 button on the front of the camera to swap between 3D and your other focus mode of choice. The only way 3D tracking works is if you CONTINUOUSLY hold down the FN1 button. If you let it goes it immediate switches back to the other focus mode. \r\n \r\nAs a highly reviewed and experienced photographer this is a massive downground. I totally understand I can press the new focus button in the bottle left of the front of camera and move the front command dial and switch to 3D but that requires two movements instead of a single press of a button. \r\n \r\nI used the Z8 at my first wedding tonight and not having this small feature made my life difficult. I am going to keep struggling through it until it becomes second nature, but its annoying. \r\n \r\nAnother thing is that store focus points by orientation also can save the focus mode, so you flip from landscape to portrait and you did not configure that focusing mode you can find yourself scrambling to change the mode and missing a shot. \r\n \r\nIf you're switching from a Z7 or Z6 you might struggle learning this camera as a lot of the default settings are missing things like the eyelet screen does not have histogram enable at the start. You have to go into D18 in the shooting menu, hit the right arrow and add the histogram. \r\n \r\nAnother setting I had to change was under controls F3 (Custom Control playback). If you scroll down to sub-command dial and select it, you can change it from 1 image to 10 or 50 frame advance. This way you can scroll single images using the main command dial, and flip 10 a time using the front sub-command dial.
See moreSee lessI have owned two Nikon...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Jay
I have owned two Nikon Z6II's for some time now and have been using them as my travel camera and wildlife camera. The Z6II is a great camera but the one area I was having some issues with was wildlife photography. The Z6II is pretty slow on start up and when a bird is winging toward you that time can mean missed shots. When the Z8 came out I decided it was time to go all in on a large megapixel camera. The images I have posted here were shot on my second day with the camera. It took me a day to figure out how to use the various focus modes to fit my style of shooting. I love this camera. I shoot all hand held and am usually just walking the local wetlands so I am shooting whatever pops up. I have this camera paired with the Nikon 100-400mm S series zoom and the MB-N12 battery grip. I keep the camera off to save battery so I need it to start up fast when I turn it on. I have not missed a shot yet due to a slow start up. The battery grip provides a great counter balance to the long zoom lens. The various focus modes on the camera are spot on! I have gotten sharp focus on birds in flight that were extremely far away. The killdeer picture is one of those. The image is at almost 100 percent pixel zoom. If you want a great wildlife camera and do not mind carrying the weight of the 100-400mm and the battery grip you cannot go wrong with the Z8
See moreSee lessI have been actively shooting...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·John
I have been actively shooting for the past 25 years. With few exceptions I have consistently shot Nikon cameras beginning with the Nikon Coolpix 990. Next came the D100, D300, D800 and eventually the Zf mirrorless.\n\nYet each time the camera I purchased, being constrained by budget, was a level or two below the truly pro level models. Last year I decided to go mirrorless with the Nikon Zf. I was immediately floored by the camera’s capabilities. I’m taking better images with a higher ratio of successes to throwaways. Once convinced I had a winner I decided I needed a second body based on my shooting style. After much deliberation I decided on the Z8. So glad I did. The experience so far has been outstanding. From focus stacking macro shots to 3D tracking of moving targets and everything in between, I am extremely pleased. When paired with a complete set of dedicated Z lenses from 14mm all the way to 560 mm (100-400 with 1.4 extender), it almost seems too easy. Tack sharp lenses with quick focus and predictable exposure gives me the confidence to shoot in some of the most challenging conditions that I would not have attempted earlier.
See moreSee lessI like the features of...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Dean
I like the features of the Z8 so much, that I've now bought four of them for streaming nature at a distance (the last Z8 was bought with the Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens bundle, saving $250). No mechanical shutter. All settings are electronic*, which means they can be copied & then edited. Separate power & data USB ports. Useful HDMI output without including on-screen settings. More programmable buttons. The video start/stop button can be fully reprogrammed (I use it for battery status in My Menu). Much smaller, lighter, & cheaper than the Z9,\n\nMy only needed feature is an internal GPS (I use the hot-shoe-mounted Nikon GP-1 instead). I hear UVC/UAC is coming, which will be useful for streaming. Come on, Nikon! All the other recent top-line Nikon cameras have had UVC/UAC for MONTHS!\n\n*I DESPISE the "U1, U2, U3" banks that are in the lower Z models, because they are poorly implemented (eg, no way to copy a set of settings but change the shooting mode), & Nikon declines a very simple fix. The price differential between the Z6iii & the Z8 is not enough to tease me down to the Z6iii. The Z8 is just too good a camera!
See moreSee lessI've Used Many Cameras Over...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Ronald
I've Used Many Cameras Over The Past 25 Years, But The Z8 Is Easily My Favorite Of Them All. I'm Primarily A Landscape And Urban Photographer, And For These Purposes The Z8 Is Ideal. The Resolution And Dynamic Range Are Amazing, And The Ability To Crop Without Any Noticeable Degradation Is Just Terrific. Ergonomics Are Ideal For My Hand (on The Larger Side), With The Grip And Button Placement Being Next Level - It Just Fits My Hand Perfectly, And The Ability To Program The Buttons To Your Taste Just Make The Experience So Much More Fun. I Ordered The Bundle Which Included The 24-120 F4 Lens. This Lens Is Just About Perfect Is All Aspects. The Image Quality Is Terrific, Contrasty And Sharp With Great Colors. It's My Most Used Lens And Is Ideal For Landscape And Urban Photography. I'm Amazed At How Much Better The Image Quality Is Compared The Pre Z, F-Mount Version. I've Added The 14-30 F4 And 100-400 F4.5-5.6 And Couldn't Be Happier With My New Kit. It's A Big Bite To The Budget, But If You're On The Fence And Considering Going Z8, I'm Entirely Comfortable With Saying You Will Not Be Disappointed.
See moreSee lessI Recently Went Mirrorless To...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Harley
I Recently Went Mirrorless To The Z7 Ii From The D850. The Image Quality From The Z7 Ii Was Excellent, But The Ergonomics Of The Body Just Didn’t Work For Me. The Cable Release Socket Is On The Side Of The Camera And Interferes With The Use Of The L-bracket In Vertical, A Purely Idiotic Design. The Cable Release Is Too Long And The Button Takes Effort To Locate. The Two Main Dials Are Almost Recessed And Trying To Spin Them For Changing Aperture Or Exposure Compensation In The Field Was Fiddly And Pretty Much Impossible To Do With Gloves On. After 10 Days In Yellowstone With The Z7 II, I Took The Hit And Bought A Z8 And Sold The Z7 Ii. Well Worth It. The Z8 Checks All The Boxes. In Form And Function, It Is Extremely Similar To The D850 And Even Uses The Same Cable Release. I Just Got Back From A Utah Trip With The Z8 And It Was An Absolute Pleasure To Use. I Have Only Looked At A Few Files So Far, But They Look Great As Well (as Did The Files From The Z7).
See moreSee lessGot this camera a few...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Emmett
Got this camera a few days before Christmas of 2025 and this thing blew me out of the water, I have never had a camera that was capable of the things this one is! I took it out in the afternoon to test out the autofocus performance and it is sticky! It finds the subject and instantly locks onto it and stays locked on! All the buttons feel great but trying to relearn them from a D500 is a small struggle but well worth it! Absolutely insane speed at 20fps in RAW I would highly recommend a Shutter sound or the lines on the side of the screen otherwise you'll fill your card without knowing! Speaking about the shutter it is dead quiet, where normally I would only get 3-4 shots before the bird flew off I was able to get as many as I wanted! Autofocus boxes are highly customizable and very accurate, and dont even get me started on 3D tracking! Lets you free up your mind and focus on settings and composition! \n\nTLDR: great camera absolutely buy!
See moreSee lessThis is a fantastic camera,...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Tim
This is a fantastic camera, one that is certainly as game-changing as the D850 was when it was released. The D850 will never be dethroned as the best DSLR ever made of course (you could happily shoot with it forever), and the Z8 will undoubtedly be topped in future iterations. But it's still a massive jump up from previous Nikon Mirrorless cameras. Being able to see the exposure in camera before you take the photo is a life-changer. The viewfinder isn't choppy and feels to me as good as a DSLR. I don't shoot video, but the Z8 runs laps around the D850. It's also smaller, lighter, and uses Z lenses which in many cases are slightly better than their AF-S counterparts (check out the 24-120 f/4, which is my favorite travel lens of all time). I bought the FTZ II adapter to use my F-mount 2.8s on the Z8, and I'll keep my D850 as a backup, but I don't see myself using it much anymore. Absolutely worth the upgrade!
See moreSee lessThis is the finest, most...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Keith
This is the finest, most powerful, most versatile, and most accurate camera I have ever used, and I have used the best of all brands. The image quality, speed, autofocus, responsiveness, ergonomics, and flexibility have to be experienced to be believed. I have been using it nonstop for two months now and haven't yet exhausted all its functions or potential. Whether for landscapes, sports, portraits, weddings, erratically flying birds, fireworks, or the Milky Way, it is a top performer. The subject recognition and lock-on render extraordinary captures of people or animals even in fast motion, and I have never used a camera that can render skin tones of all colors so faithfully with virtually no correction. The Z9 has a built-in vertical grip and one or two more capabilities (for $1500 more), but other than that, no other camera of any brand comes close to the all-around potential of the Z8.
See moreSee lessSeveral months ago, I traded...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Thomas
Several months ago, I traded in all of my Nikons to purchase the Z9, and in the middle of a model shoot, it quit. Died! For the first time ever, I did not have a backup. Three days later, my Z8 arrived. I finally took some time to sit down and study this machine, watch some videos on setup and evaluate the settings that are important to me. What an incredible camera this is. Aside from being intuitive, the features like face recognition, programmable focus abilities, multiple Banks for easy switching between shooting scenarios and more. This camera is much lighter than my Z9 and is now my travel/outdoor choice. I recently had fun with fireworks on July 4th.\nI am an almost exclusive still photographer, but have been delving into the video modes. Like Photoshop, this camera offers features that I will never master, but knowing they are there makes this a wonderful camera.
See moreSee lessPoints of satisfaction: Ergonomics including...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Gary
Points of satisfaction: \r\nErgonomics including weight \r\nViewfinder refresh and clarity \r\nFamiliar controls and menus \r\nVibrationless shooting \r\nEase of personalization \r\nSensor curtain coverage when powered down \r\nSpeed of start up \r\nand More \r\n \r\n \r\nNot happy about: \r\nAnother new learning curve (a little slow to try the new features) \r\nThe lens mount recall - Had the camera only a few weeks before the technical service bulletin was made public. Nikon took almost 2 weeks to return the camera even though is was supposed to be handled as a Pro Services priority (minus 2 transit days) \r\n \r\n \r\nAll taken into account, this is a nice step up for Nikon and for me (using the Z7II previously). I'll need another few weeks before I'm ready to make this my primary shooter and the Z7 the backup.
See moreSee lessI have used many zeiss...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Russell
I have used many zeiss lenses for years. I love their color, detail and micro contrast. With my d850 this was more difficult than with the electric view finder cameras. The electronic in focus indicator on my DSLR isn't precise enough to reliably focus at f1.4 so I used live view. This required that the camera back screen be used to focus, which is less stable when hand holding the camera. When coupled with a mirorless camera using the FTZ adaptor, there is much more stability because focusing in magnifcation while resting the camera against the face leads to much more accurate focusing with these lenses. Also there are some f mount lenses without z mount options yet available ie 105mm f1.4, 200 f2 35mm f1.4. The FTZ allows the f mount shooter to slowly switch to z mount, spreading the transition cost over time.
See moreSee lessI am now four weeks...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Theodore
I am now four weeks into my Z8 and 180-600 mm set up. The pictures above are straight out of the box in P mode with no special set up. Walnut perfect the pictures are amazing. It is like learning to use a super computer but every day and every outing the pictures get better and better.\nWhat can I say about B&H…. Over the past 10 years I bought all of my camera equipment from them. We’ve had nothing but amazing customer service, super helpful and friendly staff and the shipping is terrific. Only one time had an issue with a product. It was quickly resolved, and I had the new card seemingly before I even got the old card sent back. We enjoyed our weekend in Monterey at their Optic West photography conference and hope they do it again!\nCustomers for life!!!\nTheo and Lori\n\nZ8\nD7500\nD300\nD70s
See moreSee lessI have been a Nikon...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Tom
I have been a Nikon user for decades, but it has been 12 years since I bought a new camera. I am not a professional, just an avid amateur that loves taking nice pictures. The amount of capabilities in this camera is mind blowing. I am a techie by trade, and never read user manuals, until now! It seems like this camera, when set up properly, does almost everything for you to ensure you have a picture that truly captures the moment in all its glory! The 3D tracking is amazing, the accuracy of the focus, color and contrast is second to none. I waited 2+ years for this camera, and it was well worth the wait. I have only had it for 2 weeks, but the quality of pictures just amazes me. I am learning more every time I use it. Can't image what I will be doing with it in a few months! Thanks Nikon!
See moreSee lessI bought the Z8 kit...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Michael
I bought the Z8 kit to replace my D850 kit, and legacy lenses. The 24 to 120 f4 is replacing my old 24 to 70 f2.8. It seems to lack a little bit of sharpness in the corners, but the added range works well with the new 100 to 400 f4 - 5.6 lens (which is replacing a 200 to 500 lens. I know that the D850 had a similar Photo Memory Bank system, but I felt fine just learning how to use the "Bank A" system. I am now learning the error of my ways. The bank system is like having several pro-level cameras all inside of my Z8, and with the push of the F1 button, I have access to 4 separate set-ups/cameras. I feel Like I got a camera very similar to my D 850, but the new camera and new lenses weigh a LOT less than my old DSLR system, and for this old guy, that a welcomed change!!!!
See moreSee lessProfessional wildlife photographer here. I...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Lucinda
Professional wildlife photographer here. I have only had the Z8 for a few weeks and am still trying to master all the autofocus settings but have been amazed at my wildlife images when I do manage to get it right. There are so many focusing options that it can feel a bit overwhelming at first. I am also learning to do video and have been very impressed by what I have managed to capture so far with this camera. Switching from my D500 to the Z8 has involved a rather large learning curve but it seems very worth the effort so far! Very pleased with the images and with the smaller size and weight of the body. I am using my older Nikon lenses with the FTZ II adapter and everything works great together. Highly recommend!
See moreSee lessI tried the Nikon Z9...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Joyce
I tried the Nikon Z9 mirrorless which was loaded with features, but it was too much camera for me in that it was a beast to carry around. As if in answer to my prayers, the Z8 was introduced, and I could not resist the temptation to give it a try. It is lighter and much easier to handle, especially for those of us who are of a smaller stature with smaller hands. Although it lacks a few of the Z9 features which may be important to some, the Z8 is just what I have been waiting for. The images are comparable to those from the Z9. B&H, which always provides great customer service, shipped the camera as soon as the back-order became available. I could not be happier with Nikon products and the way B&H conducts business.
See moreSee lessSo far I've had my...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Russ
So far I've had my Z8 in the heat of the equator to the cold of being at 83 degrees north above the Arctic circle. It has performed perfectly so far. The auto-focus is lightyears beyond even that of the Z7ii and allowed great shots of birds in flight in the Galapagos to nailing the focus of a white polar bear standing in blowing snow on sea ice in Svalbard. Zero issues with battery life even in the arctic. There was an annoying early recall to correct an issue with the strap lugs possibly coming lose, but no issues since then and Nikon handled that quickly and efficiently. I cant think of another camera that I would replace this with right now - there's nothing better out there for what I need.
See moreSee lessThis Z8 replaces my Z9...
Reviewed on www.bhphotovideo.com·Al
This Z8 replaces my Z9 and does it remarkably well. The firmware is exceptionally good. The ergonomics are excellent and the files created, in conjunction with the Z lenses, are outstanding. Spare batteries in my pocket allows me to shoot all day. I really appreciate the fact that it is so much smaller and lighter than my Z9. I also have a Z7II, another outstanding camera. But I am finding that the Z8 with the 40mm f/2 Lens or the 28mm f/2.8 Lens is a great street photo combo. The same Z8 with my 100-400mm or primary 400mm telephoto lenses, and the TC 1.4, gives me all I need for long range nature or sport photography. I would recommend the Z8 to anyone who wants a top level, flagship camera.
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