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Nikon Z 8 · Nikon UK body-only front photograph

Nikon Z 8
Photo 1 of 27

Nikon Z 8 · Nikon UK body-only front photograph

Nikon · Nikon Z

Z 8

Released May 2023

A full-frame mirrorless camera with a stacked 45.7-megapixel sensor, electronic-only shutter and internal 8.3K RAW video recording.

Type
Mirrorless
Sensor
Full frame
Megapixels
45.7
Lens
Nikon Z mount
Video
8256 × 4644 at 59.94 fps
Body weight
820 g

What reviewers say

Both praise the detailed images, capable subject-tracking autofocus and broad stills and video features in a smaller, less expensive body than the Z9. Both find the grip comfortable and highlight shorter battery life as a compromise. Photography Blog prefers its portability and responsive touchscreen. TechRadar finds the viewfinder less detailed than rivals and warns that long 8K recording can require careful card, power and temperature choices; it found stabilisation useful but weaker than some competing systems.

From photographyblog.com and techradar.com

Specifications

Report a wrong or missing spec

Image and sensor

Camera type
Mirrorless
Sensor format
Full frame
Sensor type
Stacked backside-illuminated CMOS
Sensor dimensions
35.9 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution
45.7 MP
Largest image
8256 × 5504
RAW recording
Yes
Standard ISO range
64–25600
Sensor detail
52.37 million total pixels; sensor cleaning, dust-off reference data, protective sensor shield and electro-conductive/fluorine coatings
Image formats
14-bit NEF RAW with lossless or high-efficiency compression; JPEG, HEIF and RAW plus JPEG or HEIF
ISO detail
Expandable to equivalent ISO 32–102400; HLG still photography starts at ISO 400; auto ISO supported
Image processor
EXPEED 7

Lens and shooting

Lens mount
Nikon Z mount
Stabilisation
Sensor shift
Maximum continuous burst
20 fps
Lens detail
NIKKOR Z lenses; NIKKOR F lenses require a mount adapter and retain model-dependent restrictions
Autofocus
Hybrid phase/contrast detection, 493 single-point FX still positions, 3D tracking and subject detection including people, animals, birds and vehicles/aircraft. Maker sensitivity −7 EV or −9 EV with Starlight View, measured in AF-S at ISO 100, 20°C and f/1.2.
Shutter
Electronic shutter only, with selectable sound and sensor shield; 1/32000 to 30 seconds, Bulb/Time and manual-mode extension to 900 seconds. Flash sync 1/200 or 1/250 second with reduced guide number at the higher speeds; compatible Auto FP up to 1/8000.
Burst detail
Continuous high-speed shooting up to 20 fps for full-resolution RAW. High-speed capture C15/C30 uses large FX or DX JPEGs, C60 requires large DX JPEGs and C120 requires small FX JPEGs (4128 × 2752). High-speed burst length varies by frame rate according to the current manual; these restricted JPEG modes are separate from the main continuous RAW figure. Pre-release capture available. Current manual restrictions take precedence over UK marketing prose and TechRadar's erroneous full-resolution 60 fps claim.
Stabilisation detail
Five-axis sensor shift; lens VR supported, with Synchro VR up to 6 stops using NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S at the telephoto end under Nikon's CIPA conditions; electronic movie VR available
Flash
No built-in flash; ISO 518 hot shoe with compatible external i-TTL Speedlights
Exposure controls
P/S/A/M; ±5 EV still-image or ±3 EV movie compensation; matrix, centre-weighted, spot and highlight-weighted metering

Video

Highest video resolution
8256 × 4644 at 59.94 fps
Video detail
N-RAW 12-bit 8256 × 4644 up to 59.94p; 5392 × 3032 up to 59.94p and 4128 × 2322 up to 119.88p. Conventional UHD 7680 × 4320 up to 29.97p; UHD 4K and Full HD up to 119.88p. ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ, H.265 8/10-bit and H.264 have format-dependent limits. Internal N-Log/HLG, waveform, timecode, RAW proxies and Hi-Res Zoom. Nikon's launch recording claims approximately 125 minutes UHD 4K/60p and 90 minutes UHD 8K/30p use specified media, temperature and external-power conditions.
Audio
Built-in stereo microphones; PCM 48 kHz/24-bit for NEV/MOV or AAC 48 kHz/16-bit for MP4; external microphone with attenuator and headphone monitoring

Screen and viewfinder

Viewfinder
Electronic
Screen size
3.2″
Screen dots
2,100,000
Touchscreen
Yes
Tilting screen
Yes
Display detail
Four-axis horizontal/vertical tilt, approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detail
0.5-inch Quad-VGA OLED, approximately 3.69 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 23 mm eyepoint; blackout-free display

Connections and design

Wi-Fi
Yes
Bluetooth
Yes
Battery life (maker's claim)
370 photographs
Body weight
820 g
Release detail
Announced on 10 May 2023; Nikon US explicitly states availability on 25 May, corroborated by TechRadar's launch coverage. Exact first UK retail day is not independently established.
Recording media
One CFexpress Type B/XQD slot and one UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slot; overflow, backup and separate format recording
Ports
USB-C SuperSpeed data port and separate USB-C Power Delivery port; full-size HDMI Type A; 3.5 mm microphone/headphone sockets; ten-pin remote terminal. Ethernet requires a compatible USB-LAN adapter; no built-in Ethernet socket or GPS receiver.
Wireless connections
Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0; SnapBridge
Battery life detail
EN-EL15c; CIPA monitor approximately 370 shots with power saving or 340 without; EVF 340 with power saving or 330 without. Nikon's separate continuous-shooting test gives approximately 2280 shots; movie battery claim approximately 85 minutes. EN-EL15b/15a provide fewer shots; optional MB-N12 takes two batteries.
Charging
USB charging and power delivery with suitable optional cable/adapter; in-camera charging supports EN-EL15c/15b. MH-25a external charger appears in the technical accessory list; current UK included-accessory tiles do not list it, so verify regional package contents.
Dimensions
Approximately 144 × 118.5 × 83 mm
Weight detail
Approximately 820 g body only or 910 g with battery/card, excluding body cap and shoe cover
Materials
Magnesium alloy and carbon-fibre composite; dust/moisture-resistant construction, maker operating range −10°C to 40°C
In the box
Current UK accessory tiles list EN-EL15c, UC-E24 USB cable, AN-DC26 strap, DK-33 eyecup and BF-N1 body cap; technical list additionally names BS-1 shoe cover, HDMI/USB cable clip and region-dependent MH-25a charger

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Internal 8.3K RAW video up to 60p
  • Full-resolution RAW bursts up to 20 fps with subject tracking
  • Separate USB-C power and data ports

Cons

  • Maximum 120 fps shooting uses small JPEG images
  • Tilting screen cannot face forward
  • No built-in flash

Closest rivals

Model
TypeSensorMegapixelsLensVideoBody weightReleased
CanonEOS R8
MirrorlessFull frame24.2Canon RF3840 × 2160 at 59.94 fps414 gApr 2023
PanasonicLUMIX S5II
MirrorlessFull frame24.2L-Mount5952 × 3968 at 29.97 fps657 gJan 2023
PanasonicLUMIX S5IIX
MirrorlessFull frame24.2L-Mount5952 × 3968 at 29.97 fps657 gMay 2023

Sources

  1. nikon.co.uk/en_GB/product/cameras/mirrorless/z-8
  2. nij.nikon.com/products/lineup/mirrorless/z8/spec.html
  3. nikonusa.com/press-room/z8-wwa
  4. onlinemanual.nikonimglib.com/z8/en/release_mode_33.html

Photo: Nikon UK body-only front photograph

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