Finally a Z8 review that’s not casting for clickbait and sensationalism. Thank you!

No surprises there for me. This is the camera I've been waiting for since it was announced. Battery life is taken care of with a stack of 15C's that I have for the Z6II and the other issues really don't bother me. Thanks for a great and informative video Steve...👌

I'm mainly an event photographer and went from a Z6 (used since it was released) till last week and got the Z8 and boy, I'm in love!

Very simple solution for buffer for “backup” shooters: set to overflow, but use the internal file copy feature in the menu to periodically back your CF ExpressCard up to SD, that way you are maximizing buffer AND routinely keeping your files backed up. The back up is quite fast.

Good to hear that my preordered Z8 is exactly what I hoped for. I rented the Z9 a year ago and loved it, but wanted a smaller body, so I waited.

As a D850 shooter. I think these cameras in this same range are about perfect for me. My shooting is wildlife and scenics did and a little street.

Always informative. You are a great teacher and photographer. Thanks for your hard work and dedication.

Thank you for this hands-on, practical deep-dive. I'm still waiting for Nikon to deliver on the promise on their 200-600.

It’s a little crazy when you consider reviewers already say the Z9 competes very well against the Sony A1, for less, and now you have the Z8 which should also compete against the A1 for $3999. Nikon is being very aggressive, even if it means they will be selling many less Z9s now.

That 400 4.5 on the Z8 looks nice and light, can't wait to try this combo out!

Wonderful work. You are a truly gifted teacher. Some of my Yale professors could’ve learned a lot from you on how to connect with students.

I’m shooting the Z8 for 3 months now and I agree: a perfect allround camera. Yeah some minor trade-offs but all in all I am really happy with mine

Steve - you're a treasure - thanks for all this information.

fantastic review ; the books steve has written on wildlife photography are a must read .. absolute gems!

Ok!.. that did it for me. I shoot birds with a D500 and I love it. After being educated by you I placed the order.

Great upload Steve, as a Z9 owner this video hurts a bit; read: money & weight. I comfort myself with the fact that the Z9 is a far better door stopper.. Keep it up man ❤

My Z8 and Z8 guide is now available at the link below. bcgwebstore.com/product/the-ultimate-nikon-z9-setup-shooting-guide-for-wildlife-photography/

Great video Steve! I have already preordered the Z8 and your book. I only wish the title of the video would have been "If you've already ordered the Z8 you'll be glad you did"

Thanks Steve! You are the only one I trust on these reviews! You call it the way it is! Thanks for taking me along!

Can wait to get mine, I already have Z9 and I have been waiting for baby Z9 & Nikon Delivered it.

As always Steve is the best teacher!

Main reason why im learning on this. Same habit as I always turn off the camera when on idle mode or waiting for my next shot. The response time when turning on is instant like dslr compare to other mirrorless brand :)

Had been waiting for your video on Z8. Booking mine soon😅

I’ve decided it’s time to upgrade from the D500 and the Z8 is on order. Thanks for the videos.

Thank you. Helpful! I’m looking forward to the z8 as I couldn’t handle the z9.

I booked 2 can't wait

Thanks for the response Steve, I was leaning that way!

Thanks Steve, A lot of what people wanted to hear. I'll have mine this week and a busy weekend ahead with it.

Thank you, Steve. Great teaser for the camera. Can't wait to get mine and will make sure to get your Z9 &Z8 book. BTW, I loved your Secrets to the NIkon AF system.

Thank you for testing AF speed on the 500mm pf lens with the adapter. I’m migrating upward to the Z8 from my D850 - the Z8 looks like the “Z850” I’ve been waiting for - and, before I picked up my OM1 + 150-400 4.5TC combo, the D850 + 500 pf was my primary bird and wildlife kit. It will be interesting to compare the Z8 against my OM1 for birds and wildlife. I find the OM1 to be a fantastic camera, except in very low light where the sensor can’t match my full frame. Great job as always Steve - and I’m ordering your Z9/Z8 book.

Outstanding review. I got my hands on the body last weekend and I LOVED the feel of it. I LOVE my Z9 but in a world where I want to travel lighter, I am VERY attracted to the lower profile of this camera body! Thank you for such a great open review!

thanks Steve, i have placed order to upgrade my D7100 that i bought in year 2014 to this Z8. I do shoot birds most of the time plus insects, sunrise, sunset and milky way. this Z8 is perfect to me. i got F mount Nikkor 50mm F1.8 and Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary to start with the Z8 and will wait for discount on Z 14-24mm, Z 85mm f1.2 and Z 70-200mm plus 2xTC.

Once again Steve, thanks for your objectivity, expert knowledge, and pedagogy in explaining complex things in a simple way. Your books are a must read and videos a must watch for those who are serious about photography in general and the wildlife genre in particular. Keep up the good work!

Best bang for the buck: Reviews by Steve Perry. Well done and very trustworthy.

For those of us that are happily using a Nikon D500, the advantages of the Nikon Z8 seem to be eye autofocus, increased frame rate, the wysiwyg feature, and, for me, I think I would use the crop DX mode for some of my bird photography, as I am so used to it with the D500. How the Nikon lenses work with the Nikon adaptor is also of interest to me as I have some incredible Nikon lenses, such as the Nikon 105mm DC, which I am in love with, that I want to be able to use on the mirrorless system. So far, as I am thrilled with my Nikon D500, I am going to wait a while and let the inevitable first-year software updates and changes take place before jumping in. Weight wise this camera is far more intriguing than the Z9, as I prefer to handhold to use my 500 zooms . I have been waiting for your first impressions of this camera and will be viewing your upcoming videos. Looking forward to your Z8 photos as well.

I love my 400mm f4.5 with the 1.4X tele. Remarkably light weight.

Your views are always worth watching

As a sports shooter, I appreciate that the Z8 has the SD card. When you're trading out cards for people who are doing media posts of a game in progress, everyone has the capability to read an SD card but those having the ability to read a CFE card is a much smaller group.

Great video again Steve. I always heard (and never really believed) the theory that the pro bodies had some effect on focus on big glass, due to the extra power from the larger battery. Glad you've put that one to bed

Re battery life, you can get a lot more if you use use VF only - that's why the switch / button is there :) esp. with the (relatively) low resolution EVF in these cams.

Man you really know how to teach!! 👏🏻🙌🏻

Thanks Steve -- great to hear your Z9 is back. Agree - the SD card throttles and twin CFE would have been better for a $4k body. NEVER EVER use SD on backup. The fastest OWC V90 achieves 276 MB/s --vs-- Delkin Black 650GB CFExpress-B at 1530 = so less than 1/5th the speed. So not for me except overflow and copy back-up if I need to. Compare the Z8 to other split 2 card bodies - all have the same issue with the slowness of the card in the SD slot. Turn the Brightness of the EVF/LCD down by -1 or -2 to save battery a bit still very bright. AF speed -- perfect results for the lenses I use.

My Z6 with a 24-70 f/4 used just 4% battery in 5 hours, with the display timed out and just sitting on a table. So I rarely turn off the power switch, I just let it time out to a blank screen and then press any key to wake it up. (But for your wildlife photography, you probably don't like timed screen timeouts.)

I dont shoot Nikon but if you do this is the guy with the truth, looks to me like a top tier camera and I could care less what others on tubeyou say

I will never understand why using this camera in DX mode except for having less megapixel. Otherwise just shoot fullframe and crop your image as desired...

I have ordered the Z8. Can it work with just a Sdi card as the main and only card, as my D850 does?

On battery life, my z6ii is an energy hog when shooting with the 200-500mm. But with the 24-200, I can shoot for days on a single battery. So I think how and what you shoot with really makes a difference.

I booked this exact combo...Z8+Z400mm f4.5. Can't wait for it.... Also eagerly waiting for the AF setup for this 🙏🏽

Excellent info. I have one on preorder.

Great intro to the camera, Steve!

coming from a D850, i had zero hesitation ordering the Z8 the second it launched. Picking it up soon :) am extremely happy to see this review, now my only debate is if i trade in the d850 or sell it or keep it.. i think i might keep it for a while since i still need to migrate all my glass. REALLY looking forward to the potential Z improvements on focus compared to the D850. thanks for the review info, and giving me more confidence that i'm going to be less worried about hiding the Z8 purchase from the significant other until its actually paid off. for me the battery life probably is going to be fine at 2 hours continuous, however thanks for running that test as well. i also gripped my D850 mostly for the 9 FPS, Z8 at up to 20 smokes that so no grip i probably will even tone down the max fps if thats an option.. my first Z camera woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Again, great presentation Steve.......

Thanks Steve, excellent info as usual. My Z8 should be here within a few weeks.

Once more you have the best non nuances hands on review from ANYBODY in KZfaq! Thank you Steve!!!

Thanx for the review, I am waiting for my Z8 that should be here in 2 weeks, I guess the price difference is not that big for those who would worry about card speed or battery life. This camera was built for urban lazy photographers like myself. I do a lot of timelapse so SD card is a good option for me, and 24000 mAh power bank is cheaper than a spare battery. If one can afford a 600mm f4 lens, and needs the high speed buffering, then he should be prosecuted if he buys Z8 rather than Z9 :)

d5 and z9 owner, I work professionally as a photographer and find myself still using the d5 over the z9... I just can't deal with looking into a screen not a mirror. both are amazing cameras but in a world where everything is a screen in front of you I am never going to sell my d5. I think I am going to even sell the z9, my long lenses are all f mount anyway and I know its cliche but the DSLR experience still beats mirrorless for me!

Dual CFExpress would likely make heating up even worse.

Hi nice post thank u. Z8 is $6K in Australia. D500 is $900 for excellent condition second hand. So we pay additional $5K for another 10 vs 20 FPS, moderately higher ISO capability and eye detection AF. For us bird shooters where reach is paramount unless money no object I’ll be sticking with d500 for while and I know most by Birdo friends doing same here in Oz

I think, I´ll stay with my complete F-Gear. D810, 24-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8, 200-500/5.6, nifty fifty and my good old F3. They work, they do, what I want from them. That´s fine with me. 😊

Well, dang -- your great overview here just cost me some money, Steve. Don't suppose you'd care to help explain things to my wife, right? I placed my Z8 order when it was announced, thinking I could cancel if reviews weren't stellar. But your clear, direct presentation here pretty much convinces me I gotta move ahead with this camera for lots of reasons. Battery life and the different memory cards concern me some, but AF, stacked sensor, buffer size, focus stacking capacity, etc., etc. -- at this price -- why wouldn't I want this?

Very informative video, Steve! I already purchased the Z9 book (have read it twice now) and will be purchasing the Nikon autofocus book in the near future. Have already preordered the Z8 and I know I will hit the ground running because of your informative and well presented setup guide. You are a gifted and talented teacher who is a great asset to the community of wildlife shooters. Keep up the great work!

Thank you for the video. Just love it. Very informative. I learned a lot from your book. Hope you will have video about Fujifilm cameras.

Your videos and books have helped me improve quite a bit, thank you and keep up the great content!!

Thank you. I appreciate your videos, to the point and covering exactly what I needed to know about this new camera (without camera specs that are easily looked up on the Nikon website).

Bought the book, can’t wait for your update.

Good morning Steve . Thanks for sharing . 🤙🤙🤙🤙🤙

I really like the fact that that Nikon is using the EN-EL15 with multiple systems. It really makes my travel easier just using one battery type for everything.

I believe the DX mode would give you is (45.7 MP) / (1.5^2) = (45.7 MP) / (2.25) = 20.3 MP so, yes it would be at D500 resolution. Please correct me if I am wrong. Another way to calculate it: The surface area of the full-frame (FX) sensor is 36mm * 24mm = 864mm². The surface area of the DX sensor is 24mm * 16mm = 384mm². The ratio of the DX sensor size to the FX sensor size is 384/864 ≈ 0.444. Since megapixels (MP) are a measure of total pixels or image resolution, not pixels per unit area, the resolution in DX mode will be roughly proportional to the relative sensor areas. So, 45.7 MP * 0.444 = approximately 20.3 MP.

Thanks! Glad I ordered it then 😀

I only hope I can get one before my Europe trip (last 2 weeks of June)! :)

Explain settings on Z8 for wildlife photography

Thanks, for this Video, I am contemplating to upgrade my z6II as I have a 500 PF lens and 100-400z, I am a serious wildlife hobbyist.

Thank you so much for this worthful information. I'm really excited to hear more on the z8.

Great video Steve , nice solid info ! Thank you ! I preordered mine in the morning of launch

Hello sir, Hope you are doing fine... I am watching your videos for the last couple of years, I have a query... I am currently using Nikon D850 with 200-500 lens with few other Nikon glasses(all fx lenses, 70-200 f2.8, 16-35 f4, 24-120 f4 & 105mm f2.8 macro), I was waiting for something affordable option from Nikon with 20fps and 4k @120fps 10bit apple prores, I am just a hobby photographer want to put some quality work... what do you recommend sir, and if you share some tips what to focus on to improve, how to approach photography to do some quality work, I will be grateful to you... Looking forward to take on this situation

So good info as always! I'm waiting for my order to arrive 😍

love the insight. i think the comparison is with the D850- as a D850 shooter the SD/CF fits right into my workflow- I know the dual types isnt ideal for everyone but for a run n gun guy like myself its perfect.

I think I read somewhere where it said the Z8 is able to focus a little better at longer distances with big lenses, so that might have been the reason for the focus difference with the 800.

I have never shot Nikon, canon for 20 years and now Sony for the last 4 years but it's great to see Nikon stepping up again. This Z8 would make an amazing wedding and events camera, my filed of work. I have subscribed, I don't shoot Nikon or wildlife I just love photography and you are one of the best I have watch on KZfaq for a long time.

Steve, another very informative video. Looking forward to the detailed set-up video for the Z8!

Great video!!. Thank you for sharing!. As for the battery, let's hope Nikon will come up with a newer and upgraded one to replace the EN-EL15C. I'm definitely getting this camera as soon as I get a chance!

Thanks very much Steve. Very useful information.

Thanks. I preordered one on day 1 and have only one concern. When can I get a L bracket?

As always, an excellent review !! 😊

I've been waiting for this camera to switch to mirrorless. Currently using a D850. They are going to sell alot of the Z8 cameras.

Thanks Steve. So glad to hear this as I've already bought one (shoukld arrive in a week or two) 🙂

Thanks for the video. I have been using a D500 to shoot high school sports for several years and am trying to decide if I should make the jump to the Z8. The football field lighting at most schools I shoot varies a lot from the center of the field to the end zones and having WYSIWYG would be a plus. I have usually bought new bodies and used glass and the $4k for this would be by far the most I've spent on a camera item. It becomes a bit of an economics utility decision with a lot of options competing for those dollars (I am a serious hobbiest shooter but not working for $). Then there is the part of figuring out how to tell my wife I only paid $400 for it. lol

I am on board with the compromises. My order is in. I have gotten used to keeping an extra battery in my pocket and plan to carry a portable charger in my pack. I know this is about the camera, but, I have the 500 PF that I will be adapting. Do you think the 400/4.5 cropped to a 500mm image provides better IQ or AF performance? Is it beneficial to swap the 500PF for the 400/4.5.

THANK YOU so much for the video!!!!! I am used to my Fuji cameras, yet, this camera for wildlife birding might be so good! Best from Uruguay. By the way, I can't get your book into Uruguay, is there a kindle copy as well ? Thanks again.

No one can complain about the quality of the Nikon Z8. Have you thought of 2 Batteries, two cards, and 2 chargers and carrying all of that. For this, I will write for Nikon Z10

Pre-ordered, I’m so excited to go out shooting this summer 🤗 Coming from a Z6II (which I’m keeping, love it) so I’m expecting a slight performance boost 😆 Definitely picking up your Z8/Z9 book so I can drive this Ferrari properly 😎

Completed my pre-order. Will be a huge upgrade for me, as I was waiting for a great economic mirror-less from by DSLRs(5300, d500) and 200-500mm, 500PF.. Getting an ftz and another 15c as well..! That would give me 3 extra batteries as I already have extra 15c..! Cheers to you and waiting for your tips for setting up for birding using the z8..!!

While the concerns with the card and battery are valid for some full-time pros, I think the Z8 using the SD card and EN-EN15c makes more sense for the semi-pro and enthusiast photographers. The Z8 gives two additional options for power, the vertical grip and the USB-C-PD port. Perhaps output to a SSD via the other USB-C will be added in firmware. And if a photographer really needs the dual-CFE cards or the EN-EL18 battery, there's a solution for them.

Sounds like a good camera. Love my D500 so won’t be changing anytime soon.

Excellent and precise review. Thanks Steve.

Is there any reason to own a traditional DSLR anymore? Seems like mirrorless has every advantage now. Guess my D5 is headed for eBay.

Looking forward to the Z8, preordered right after launch video. It’s going to be a great companion to my Z9, have wanted a second since buying it last year. The Z8 is the answer, same features in a smaller body. There are times where the Z9 is a bit too large, I’ve been using the analogy that having the Z9 and Z8 is like having two different size hammers in your tool box. Both perform the same task but each is better suited to a different job.

I was at a Z8 coming out party on Friday. The Nikon rep indicated that if they had put 2 CF Express slots in, the camera would be wider and taller.

Yes, thanks. For people that take a lot of long videos, the camera overheats. You can see the tests of that on Matt Granger's channel. The other missing element is the GPS. I will say that, including the risk of a bug, if you have the Z9 and can del with the weight, stay with it, it's simply better.

I wonder if in case you want to shoot with the 100-400 or another Z lens and alternate FX and DX, Is it possible to program the lens buttons (L Fn2 or L Fn) or the camera buttons (Fn1 or Fn2) to do it quickly? My weak hands can´t cope with bigger lenses but for small birds, I need some more reach and do not want teleconverters. As you said in the video would the picture go from 45 to 19 Megapixels in the crop mode? Is there any decrease in the picture quality in the crop mode? I appreciate this video very much. Thanks