As a wedding photographer and shooting two weddings on it now. I just say it the best still camera I’ve ever owned.

I hope in the future, Nikon could implement a firmware that allows the Z8 to shoot to the CFE card only, and then when the camera is idle, backup and synchronize the files in the CFE to the SD.

Four stars, with one more for Jordan's running test faces!

The cf express and SD card test was the most informative I've seen. Great stuff

You do NOT need to ask us (at least, me) to subscribe. I love you guys so much. Chris and Jordan, you guys always lift my mood, no matter what circumstance I'm in. I love the tech reviews, talk, skits, humor. You guys are amazing. Sending lots of love and appreciation your way!

Can we take a moment to recognize how vivid the colors are from that S5II they nailed it on this one.

Awesome review, I’ve been waiting for buffer info (and puppy pictures and Canadian trivia facts lol!). Awesome pixel art intro too! Glad you 2 are making vids together still!!!

As always another great general review Chris & Jordan, keep it going !

All I can think of as I’m watching this video is “Wow, that S5 ii that Jordan is shooting with is incredible!”

The Z8 is a masterpiece. Originally I laughed at the idea of fully electronic shutter. Then I tried it; one shot and I thought to myself: "Ok. Nikon know what they're doing." I just wish the mirrorless world can find a solution to extreme exposure. You will never be able to shoot a solar eclipse or laser show without frying the sensor. Which is why I will keep the D850 and D750 forever. Another symptom I noticed, as a result of continuous sensor exposure/reading, is that over long periods of use when the sensor gets a little hotter it gets a little noisier.

You're puppy Penny is so cute!!! I subscribed a while ago, but I'm so glad we still got to see these amazing pictures!

Super rundown and description of the Z8! Entertaining and informative! Thank you!!

Really hit the ground running guys on the new endeavor !! Thnx !!

I am just glad that these old players are still adding more choices for people. And with these competitive specs, other manufacturers are driven to provide more for us consumers. Started with Canon (550D) to Olmypus (EM5-II) to Sony (A7RV currently) and picked up a G9 and GX9 (Still a M43 user). I am glad that competition still around!.

The more videos I watch the more I’m convinced the z8 is the camera for me. Your videos I feel are the most honest and trustworthy reviews, thank you. Unfortunately by the time I can afford one they will be releasing the z8ii

This is the long awaited Nikon hybrid camera that fits nicely on a gimbal and if you look at the marketing flyer and brochure Nikon pushes that point across as well. It also helps that Nikon effectively won the lawsuit against Red and can keep using its compressed raw files without legal interference.

Okay. I’m still order mine. I can’t wait.

I just love that he really committed that running test lol his expression is on point ❤

Thanks for review and great weekand!))))

Nice review as always. Thank you! Though I would like to see you including more aspects for the casual user. I'm a professional DoP, but imho most users will never hassle with LUTs & co. They just select the video mode and go for it. So the out of the box footage or how easy to use is teh camera are way more important to most content creators (and viewers) than the "professional" features.

What an amazing camera

Love the banter. You’re to the point, but also funny. Fantastic.

Great review guys. I always appreciate the thoroughness of your reviews.

Hi Chris - nice vid. It is nice to see actual testing. I would hope you had time to set the camera for you. Be very careful using HLG Tone mode unless you only want to use NX Studio. Yes. Writing to the SD card is hopeless - just copy the files from CFE to SD once a sequence is done. Don’t shoot to both unless you throttle performance. Use GP1A plugged into the round 10-pin for GPS as an alternative to SnapBridge.

Love from Ontario! We watched this excellent video on our TV. Just came here on our desktop to congratulate you on your awesome video and to subscribe.

Same here! No need to ask, I subscribed right away after a realized now I can follow you guys in this channel. You guys are fantastic, funny, professional and EXPERT in reviewing cameras ❤

You guys do the best, most relatable, fun and trustworthy reviews?

I love you guys 💖💖 I test-drove a Z9 to replace my 2 D5's and I wasn't a fan for my specific purpose it didn't make sense. My D5's shoot over 3k photos per charge, and the Z9 does 700. I really hope they become more efficient in upcoming models / firmware updates.

Love my Z8!

Aww, Penny was really adorable!

It’s literally a high time, yes in 2024 all camera manufacturers must remove ANY cards ports. 2 usb-c both MUST TB 4 with external recording and charging capabilities is the way to go.

Thanks so much for sharing another wonderful video like always, keep up with the awesome content 👍👌

I like the running test

"I love it when you call me Peta Poppa" "Like and subscribe if you got the true vibe" 😎

*BEST* Jordan run yet! 🤣

I did my part… subscribing for the puppy photos

I'd love for nikon to allow direct SSD recording so I won't even bother with expensive cards and also have a larger storage.

Nice video. I disagree in the GPS over the cell phone part. I use Nikon app with my D5600 on a regular basis and it always works. When I import the photos to Lightroom, the GPS info is there. All I need to do is to open the app on my cell phone and check if the bluetooth icon on the camera is on, indicating they are communicating with each other. I would love to have a built-in GPS (my first camera, a Coolpix P510 had it), but you can't always get what you want.

Good review. I bought the Z8 and am taking it through its paces. Like it so far! BTW, what wrist strap are you using?

Overall, very impressed with the Z8. Purchased the camera so I could complementing my wildlife photography with two longer reach yet light weight lenses (e.g. Nikon Z 400 mm f4.5 and Nikon Z 800 mm f6.3). Very content with the camera and aside from battery life I saw little reason to pay for the significantly heavier and more expensive Z9.

i love that this video has no ad so i don't have to skip the fun intro, love the video ：）

Jordan running and making faces is just true professionalism! Also, I wait until puppy photo before clicking like. It's our social contract.

I understand it's not really your priority, but I would love to see new 2d opening clips from time to time. That's an awesome idea and it really marked your transition to Petapixel.

8k60RAW internal has always been a dream feature of mine it’s fantastic that it’s here and goes for so long without overheating. I have an R6II now but, as Chris says the better AF and megapixels are what keeping this from an uncontested pick. I can’t wait for in 5ish years when flawless AF, 8k60, and High MP, dual CF express/SSD with dual usb C are all on one body.

Thx, that was a great review, as usual! Very tempting to make this my next camera!🙂

THAT RUNNING TEST IS EPIC LOOOOOOOOOOOOL

Petapapa, any chance of a review of the nikon 12-28? Most reviewers seem to be skipping that one

Subbed - lost you guys for awhile but I'm back :) PetaPixel is lucky to have you both.

Nice review fellas.

I might be wrong, but a Nikon is a "budget" friendly 60p wildlife/nature documentary camera with great lens options for Z8/9. I have what you're looking for in the frame it's running...until midnight :)

Yes if you have an array of Nikon lens this is a better buy. Thank you Chris and Jordan.

I'd like to make fun of your adorable pup, but I can't! Bitingly good follow-up video for this fantastic camera. Thanks!

With your experience with other brands, like sony and canon, do you find that the AF can track through the snow and rain? This has been my only gripe so far with my z6ii and 7ii. I shoot weddings so confetti, bubbles, stray light from other light sources, splash from running in the water, etc all interrupt the AF tracking. I was curious about other brands.

Like 32bit processors and software; at some point we're going to have to kick SD format to the curb. In the mean time a LOT of folks are going to appreciate the fact the Z8 has the SD slot. Any dings against the Z8 SD performance is really a ding on SD. I'd really like to see a dual CFExpress version of the Z8 offered though. In the mean time the Z9 is there for people that really need the battery life and speed of dual CFExpress cards. My "fear" is that I'll get one and decide the Z9 has to go (love the battery life, not in love with the weight and my use case does not demand a tank :^)

I happen to be in Calgary today, but not got to city centre . Seems like a nice enough city you guys occupy questionably.

Amazing! Right After i hit the subscribe button, you showed some adorable pet photos as promised. Thx a lot!

Chris and Jordan are the best!

Thanks for the review! Nikon still has those unreachable function button on the front when using many lenses, unless you have very slim fingers. That is one reason why I sold my Z camera, the other is the size (in width) of very basic lenses. On paper all Z cameras are great except for some which have confirmed AF issues, but the ergonomics are nowhere close to the D800 bodies.

I really like this new petapixel pixelart intros

The Z8 is definitely a better overall camera, so don't mistake me, but the burst performance with the SD card is frankly terrible for 2023. My Canon R8, which is a lower-mid-range body that doesn't compete at all with the Z8 in most any way, but it can write 20fps bursts for 121 shots in cRAW (a slightly compressed RAW like what Chris was using). Yes, it's lower resolution, but it's also a much, much cheaper body. The R5 can do like 65 frames at 20fps in uncompressed RAW (and much more on cRAW) with the SD card, and it's 3 years old at this point. However, that's really the only negative it seems, and it probably won't cause any issues for most people. Looks like a very, very good camera.

Autofocus in-depth review of Z8/Z9 would be good to see. How does it differ from other cameras in sports photography and other scenarios. I believe it's good but I want to see it in a review.

Do you have recommended microwave settings for the Z8 or should I just use the popcorn button?

I hope they can fix the buffering when shooting Raw to CFe and JPEG to SD in firmware.

I don't see why they couldn't include an option to slowly duplicate the files onto the SD in the background. Of course you can copy files manually in the menu but this seems like it could be a work around that would keep the shooting speed and reduce the risk of keeping photos on one card

Good job‼️

You are the best ❤️ I love you guys!!!

By using N-log, have you encounter the blue color spill issue when there is blue light source within the frame?

Jordan - which skin softening setting did you use - extreme mounty ? Take care with the tonal/hugh adjustments in PC/Portrait Impression Balance. The audio ADCs are 24-bit 48Khz in the Z8/Z9 -- up from 16/48 in previous Z models. Anyone wanting higher res should use a field recorder and higher sensitivity mics. Please keep saying -- get a CINE body with active cooling if you want to shoot very long duration single shots in high res/fast fps.

Love the puppy

I think focus testing would have been a better test had that been a charging Grizzly in Yellowstone. While Jordan was somewhat intimidating, a Grizzly Bear definitely would not be desirable at all!

cant wait to get hold of a Z8

Great review, and great to see you guys still doing your thing! And your puppy looks exactly like my Lulu did - six years ago :)

On video recording do most professionals use external monitors w/ SATA drives so overheating is never an issue?

Does the USB output socket allow video recording directly to T5 SSD like on the Blackmagic 6K?

Zombie Apocalypse! 😀 I would have started running away from Jordan. Great work as always. Thanks

You could use the GP-1 with the 10-pin cable and get GPS location imbedded into the file that way, no?

Possibly the first Nikon camera since the D3 DSLR that would make me think about switching brands. One thing to stop me is the size and weight of there lenses like the 50 f1.2 and 70-200 f2.8 when compared to Sony.

I was all about this when it was still rumor, but I think I'm going to wait for the Z7iii. I want something smaller and I think the z7iii with a few more video features and updated autofocus will be what I'm after.

The catch for me. I’m a photographer and I was thinking about upgrade from the D850 to my first Nikon mirrorless. But woohoo, here in Sweden it was over 5000$ 😮

Great video, this is a very compelling camera it has basically everything I’ve wanted in a camera, but the sensor size is a bit bigger than I think I need. I’m a little worried about the size of the files & how much space it will require for hard drive storage and processing on the computer. Personally I think 33-36 megapixels would be ideal at least for me but no one is doing that in a new camera except Sony but their frame rate is considerably slower than others that have 45-50 megapixel sensors that really confuses me especially from Sony when they have a 50 mp sensor that can shoot 30 fps in the A1 🤔. Aside from my complaints the Z8 looks to be a great camera that I’m really considering, thanks for another great video Chris & Jordan.

More of Penny please. She stole the show!

If it was for video only would It make more sense to go with the panasonic s52x or the nikon z8?

That green tint of the S5II is very dominant in this one... :/

informative Z8 video

I am trying to decide between S5II and Z8. I do mostly photo but I would like to learn video as well. Of the 2 cameras, which one has better autofocus for photo/video?

This type of focus, which is a square that is constantly changing and becomes larger and smaller, disrupts the focus of photography and is placed on the brain. This is the new state of the art. Nikon made a full score of their top camera between 2008 and 2017 and can't top them, so it should go for something that companies like Fuji and Sony have 10 years more experience with. In the next 10 years, he will be making cameras that will match his best DSLRs in terms of output. Of course, technically this will not happen

Do they post a gallery online like DP review?

I think the biggest "catch" or limitation that most people might run into would be 8k recording times using some of the formats. In some cases, the camera stops (overheats) within 20 minutes, other times/formats (and when using certain cards- as Ricci found) can go the full 90 or 120 minutes or until the battery runs out (which is another limitation, although easily worked around by having spare batteries or getting the grip). The other limitation is the burst rate with the SD card slot (if you're using it either as a backup or overflow and it's writing to the SD card slot) but beyond those, I don't think any of the other possible limitations are going to be that big to people. Obviously you don't have the grip and the extra buttons, but I think many people know that going into the Z8 (or they would have just gotten a Z9). I did a few buffer tests with mine, and with the right settings (like HE*) and a CFExpress card (even a slower one) you can pull off a decent amount of burst shooting (it's in lossless compressed where things do slow down) and I was able to do about 450 shots with mine (which at 15 fps came out to be about 30 seconds of shooting) or about 20 if I did 20 fps. But for the majority of people, i think these limitations will be minor and you just have to be mindful of how the camera is setup (overflow and backup card mode) and do smaller bursts than you might be able to do on the Z9. People also need to keep in mind that the Z8 has limitations and it's not a Z9, but they (Nikon) is also not asking anywhere near the same price as a Z9 either.... so we expect some limitations and catches for a $1500 "savings" over the Z9.

In all fairness. I got my Z8 Friday morning. I am 1200 pics later. And its amazing. I havent shot Nikon since my D80 in 2004. Where has this been my whole life? I just bought the wrong CF cards tho. And they heat up.

Why haven't camera manufacturers figured out the very simple workflow of writing the buffer to card 1, perform backup to card 2 when the camera is idle. So simple.

Great backup to Z9.

Doesn't the Z8 have a UHS-II SD card slot? I'd think that would help with the buffer limitations observed.

Z8 is a monster... Love it

Does the Z8 have an 8k timelapse mode like the D850 does? That was a really cool feature of the D850 that i hope made it to the Z8. I use it a lot.

so how does flash work with an electronic shutter only camera?

Appreciate Nikon for releasing Z8 to further bring down the price of Sony a1 and a7rV.

I can't wait to sell my old F mount gear and have this alongside my awesome Z6

I think we need speed tests over 50m for the Jordan running tests. He should be getting faster after all this training.

Still wondering if this is a good option or not for someone who shoots a lot with studio strobes. Any thoughts about that? TIA.

I’m just a little sad about the CFexpress and SD Card buffering times but everything else is so good. I don’t think I can justify a Z9 over this, size wise it just isn’t comparable, I don’t think I can fit the Z9 anywhere. Plus going Z9 just for dual CFexpress seems a little silly. (Or maybe it isn’t? 😂)