The Nikon Z8 has formally been introduced, with the Japanese digicam maker calling it the true successor to the Nikon D850 and a ‘child Z9’ – the brand new digicam packs nearly all the options as its bigger sibling, however prices over 25% much less, with a £3,999 record value within the UK and a launch date of Might 25 (we do not at the moment have US or Australia pricing).

That’s thrilling stuff. The Nikon Z9 gained our 2022 digicam of the yr award, and that was earlier than Nikon lavished two main firmware updates that launched vital enhancements throughout the board – and the Z8 successfully picks up the place the Z9 is now, on firmware model 3.0.

So it’s a smaller, lower-cost, improved model of the Z9, and every part factors to the brand new Nikon Z8 being top-of-the-line mirrorless cameras in 2023. So why am I no more enthusiastic about it? 

Z9 heritage and extra

The Nikon Z8’s characteristic record makes for spectacular studying – it’s a child Z9 in any case. 

Photographers can benefit from the 45.7MP full-frame stacked sensor, with the quickest sensor readout speeds that nearly get rid of the consequences of rolling shutter, and make it potential for Nikon to put off the mechanical shutter altogether. There’s a 20fps steady drive mode with auto publicity and focusing and a 1,000-shot (uncooked) buffer, plus a blisteringly quick 120fps choice, and the complete complement of in-camera taking pictures modes like intervalometer and focus stacking.

Nikon has additionally carried out HEIF picture format, which presents superior high quality to JPEG with out a rise in file measurement. It is just like the distinction between 10-bit and 8-bit video, and also you get heaps extra coloration data with HEIF. 

The video spec is probably much more spectacular. The Z9 was launched with 8K/30p video recording, with ProRes uncooked 12-bit obtainable, which that was upgraded to 8K/60p by way of a firmware replace, and the Z8 presents the latter improved efficiency. Impressively, 8K video recording will last as long as 90 minutes with no overheating – we’re undecided who would wish to file 8K for that lengthy, nevertheless it’s claimed to be potential.

All the Z9’s deep-learning subject-tracking AF and 3D monitoring in stills mode is right here, and extra, with monitoring for folks, animals, autos and now birds.

You additionally get wonderful picture stabilization, and a incredible construct high quality that Nikon says is on the similar stage because the D850, plus a neat 4-axis touchscreen and illuminated buttons. The EVF stays the identical, with a 3.69m-dot decision that doesn’t match rivals just like the Sony A7R V – that’s one space for future enchancment.

After which there’s the scale. The Z8 is 30% lighter than the Z9, at round 910g. It’s nonetheless larger and bigger than rivals just like the Canon EOS R5 and the Sony A7R V – you will discover out extra about how these three cameras examine in our Z8 versus the Canon EOS R5 and Sony A7R V article.

For most individuals the Z8 makes extra sense than the Z9. It can have a brand new optionally available vertical grip (value TBC) that may maintain two further EN-EL15 batteries to enhance its inferior battery life, and bulk it out for individuals who like a much bigger digicam. Which means this digicam is successfully modular – you’ll be able to select to bulk it out or hold it small, whereas the Z9 is gargantuan day-after-day of the week.

Course correcting

In a single respect I am extra excited in regards to the Z8 than I used to be in regards to the Z9 after I first reviewed it – if I used to be to purchase considered one of these cameras it could actually be the smaller of the 2. However on the similar time there’s every part and nothing to say in regards to the Nikon Z8. I’ve seen this digicam earlier than – it’s principally a child Z9 that prices much less, and that’s it.

Nikon says there are photographers on the market who need the bigger, heavier physique and superlative battery life that the Z9 presents – occasions and sports activities photographers particularly will rock cameras with this kind issue. However then there’s the difficulty of simply how large the Z9 is – it is a lot larger and heavier than equally high-performing rivals just like the Canon EOS R3 and Sony A1. It does relatively really feel just like the Z9 type issue was a hangover from the nice outdated DSLR days and we’ve moved on from then.

And simply as Canon launched the video-centric EOS R5C following the fallout from the EOS R5 and its overheating points in video recording, there’s a way in fact correction right here. I can’t actually see a smart purpose to get the Z9 now that the Z8 exists. The bigger of the 2 does have a superior battery life (much less so if the Z8 is paired with its grip, to not point out the truth that the Z8 has twin USB-C ports, with on-the-go charging potential), and its video recording occasions are longer, presumably right down to the bodily bigger physique than can disperse warmth extra effectively.

Nonetheless, the Z9 additionally prices over 25% greater than the Z8, with the saving you may make by selecting the latter digicam being sufficient for an excellent mid-range piece of Z-glass, plus that optionally available vertical grip and extra batteries.

I’ve but to truly get my arms on the Nikon Z8, so maybe my emotions will change. However for now, say hey to what’s going to possible be one of many outright finest cameras in 2023.