A follow-up video that addresses some comments and questions raised here, as well as more testing with the hot card warnings can be seen here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/fbmph9OZ0binhac.html

Watched so many Z8/Z9 reviews, this is really one of the most useful. Barely anyone tested video recording outside in the real world. If it overheats at 4k so quickly, I’m worried. With the better battery life and GPS support, I think Z9 it is.

Thank you for the video. Another group who will be very interested in this camera are people like me, a current Z7ll shooter. The Z8 is the camera we have been waiting for, with the guts of the Z9, but in a smaller body. I have never needed or particularly wanted the Z9, but this camera is miles ahead of the Z7ll in every way. My pre-order is in, and I will trade in the Z7ll, with a lens or two that I rarely use. Thank you again

I got the Z8 to be my primary coming from a Z6ii. My first astro session went fantastic. The star light feature and backlit buttons made it easy to use as the buttons vary from the Z6ii. What I really appreciate is the weight savings. It does not over load my Move Shoot Move rotator like a Z9.

Thanks, Dave. I have been looking at reviews and thinking it may be time to upgrade our D750. I was a bit shocked to see it was purchased 8 years ago, but my wife still loves it. I haven’t done much photography in a while, but since retiring, I am ready to get back into it. The overheating and battery issues shouldn’t be a problem, since I wouldn’t do much video, or 8k if I did. I will probably do some wildlife and landscapes. I think the Z8 would be great, and with a converter I can use one of the lenses we have until I decide what I want. What interesting times we are living in.

Just happened on the video while considering moving from 850 to Z8. Good info, but I wanted to say hello because I’ve watched so many of your reviews on Justin Opinion! I’ve always found them helpful.

The Z8 and the new 180-600 really made the Z system the "most complete" mirrorless system for my needs. Canon has the right camera for me, but no appealing lenses at my price point, while Sony has the amazing 200-600mm, but no interesting cameras at my price point, considering the low burst rate or resolution of most of their bodies. Now out of nowhere within a couple of weeks Nikon has both, an amazing camera and an affordable 600mm zoom, I ordered both yesterday, finally upgrading from my Fuji X system, which of course wasn't ideal for wildlife.

Hi Dave, I'm Ray. I like your concept of a back up body. Never thought of it that way and I agree with you 100%. As a Z9 user I don't see the appeal of the Z8. If I was going to get a second body it'd be another Z9. I do understand that many newcomers may see the more affordable feature packed Z8 as a gateway to the Z system and that's a good thing. These cameras are incredible. Thanks for your video!

WOW this is the first time i saw one of your videos. And i am Deeply impressed. A great explanation and good examples told by a voice that is nice to listen to. I'm still in doubt between the z8 or the r5. Thanks for the video, I'll be sure to subscribe. Thanks for the video and Greetings from the Netherlands

I have a Z7ll and I love it. Grabs planes trains and automobiles. You are the first one who said they bought it. The others, well there loaned. The camera getting hot is what keeps me from getting one. Nikon needs to step up more on their focusing. This is my first time here. Good job.

Nice review Dave!

I have both, and love them for different reasons.

Unlike many, I don't see this as any kind of substitute for a Z9. Rather, I view it as a good horizontal move to mirrorless for any D850 conversion holdouts. I think it is a good match for D850 shooters who have been waiting for something comparable in mirrorless. A lot of similarities in physical feel, menus and buttons and dial layout. I started with the Z7-II but found a lot of physical memory issues. The Z8 is like a mirrorless D850, in my opinion. So, while everyone views this camera as a smaller substitute to the Z9, I find it a perfect switch from the D850, which was my favorite camera. When the price comes down in a year or so, I will definitely get a second Z8 as backup.

6:08 what stuns me is the beauty of the video image (in particular when the camera is static) on the Nikon Z8 and Z9.

Why has KZfaq not recommended this channel sooner? Can’t wait to watch some of your other vids?

Agreed, nice video review.

Thanks for the video. I sold my Z9 and have since bought a Z8 as for me it is the more suitable camera. Main reason is the size. I shoot video and stills and will use PD power for video. The Z8 will be better balanced on a gimbal and be more suitable for rigging out. Love what Nikon is bringing to the market right now.

Somewhat surprising that you spent that amount of time on an airplane setting while reviewing a new camera.

Sir, thank you for this most interesting and informative video! As a "non-pro" landscape, product and ocassional wildlife (stills only) photographer, I use the original Z7 and a Z8. I find the image quality very close between these 2 cameras, though the Z8's files seem to be a tad more "vibrant", and even very slightly more detailed, using exact same settings, lighting, exposure, tripod, 10-second timed release, etc. Regarding battery life, I do carry 3 of the "C" variant batteries, and don't really have an issue, maybe because I don't shoot video. Though my Z8 is on the list of bodies with a potential Z mount issue, I have yet to experience it, and I change lenses often between NIkkor S and non-NIkkor lenses, mainly the ultra-sharp Laowa 100 f/2.8 Ultra-Macro lens. I'm also quite surprised to read about a possible issue with the strap lugs, though I don't carry the camera that way, using it on a tripod for 99.9% of my images. Thanks again for your excellent video!

Thank you so much! This video relieves some of my gear anxiety. I am currently looking into upgrading into the Z lineup, and am considering whether to go low and get a dx model for fun and personal use (I currently have a D7100 which I love to death and a nice collection of modern dx and vintage fx lenses) or go all in, save up for the rest of the year and jump into Z fx. The Z8 seemed like the perfect candidate for my actual needs since it does 8k unlike the 7-series, but since I do studio work with musicians that overheating problem will be hell on wheels with hot lamps and having to roll continuously. I am currently filming with a D600, which can be fitted with a 4k adaptation module, and it has proven to be very reliable (except for the 30 min shooting limit). It has the upside of having an amazing look that keeps stunning people when it’s paired with 80’s manual glass and proper lights, and since the z9 is ages out of my current budget I’ll stick to that and go for something smaller! Thanks again!

Excellent narration and very helpful. Can you please comment on Z8/Z9's autofocus tracking of flying birds. Thanks.

As a Z6 nature and bird photographer (mainly not in flight !) I’m upgrading to the Z8 and 180-600 mm combo. I see this as a natural progression since I need more reach from my lens, and bird id/higher mp count from the camera. From my research I sense that this camera will be the go-to camera for Nikon nature shooters because of its smaller and lighter form factor over the Z9. Nikon are also supporting firmware updates in this direction. The excellent Z prime and tele lenses that are best in class make staying with Nikon a no brainer for my use case

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings on the Z8 compared to the Z9....I haven't considered moving over to the mirrorless gear yet but I am always interested to hear opinions on Nikon gear...I still shoot with D500 as a hobbyist....the overheating of the Z8 worries me otherwise it looks & sounds a great upgrade.... cheers from Australia 🦘🦘😊

Thanks for the review! I don't understand why you say the battery grip is essential for you. Besides the fact that the Z8 grip is optically a total failure, the Z8 incl. grip is bigger and bulkier than the Z9. As an other reviewer said, if you want to have a vertical grip on your Z8 buy a Z9 and that reflects totally my thoughts.

Curious if the hot card/overheat issue was only with 8K or 4K as well?

When comparing the Z9 to the Z8, the vast differences for a small price difference made getting the Z9 a simple choice. The greater battery life, the 2 high speed card slots (allowing backup recording and no need to buy 2 different kinds of cards), the GPS and logging is huge, the smaller size of the Z9 when the Z8 is equally gripped, the top command dial, the extra programmable control buttons, the built in vertical grip, the secure card slot cover, and the better video performance without overheating. Plus I find the Z8 too small to hold comfortably so it would be ideal for people with small hands.

Perhaps you will do this in a future video, but I don’t believe you mentioned, the cost of the extra grip that can be added to the Z8 to get the extra battery life. We all can look that up, of course, but in comparing cost to the Z9, this is also a factor to take into consideration! Very good video comparison, and quite helpful! In my case, I did choose to purchase the Z9!

Does the red square in the af mean that it’s not in focus?

Thanks for the real world use reflections. As the owner of both a Z9 and Z8, I can't disagree with any of your conclusions. To me, the Z8 is almost a perfect replacement for my old D850. Better burst, better autofocus, I love the EVF, and it's much quieter in burst mode which makes me less noticeable to my use case subjects. The one thing I might deemphasize was the "Hot Card Warning" concern that you voiced. It's a little bit confusing where you mention that normally you shoot some 4k and some 8k video, but you don't delineate whether you were shooting 4k or 8k when you got the Hot Card Warning. I believe that in the testing that Matt Irwin did a couple weeks ago, he received a hot card warning shooting 8k way before he actually got a shutdown (albeit at a comfortable 70 degrees F). So, the Hot Card Warning is certainly annoying, but not doomsday from what I hear. Honestly, I shoot next to no video anyway with my use case, so that wouldn't sway any purchase decision for me. I did shoot 10,600+ frames last weekend over 3 days (stills only, and most of it in burst mode). I did about 4600 with the Z8 and 6000 with the Z9. Personally, I found little difference in switching cameras though I was not using them concurrently. I would shoot with one for two or three hours, then switch for no special reason. By the way, the first day of shooting I took 3291 frames with the Z8 and used less than 50% of the battery charge. If I was faced with buying two cameras and both the Z9 and Z8 were available, I'd probably buy two Z8's. That has more to do with my use case (mostly dog movement shots at conformation dog shows), and the fact that video holds little interest for me. I do have the new Nikon battery grip for the Z8 for days when I may be shooting over 5000 frames and will use up the smaller battery of that camera. I plan on keeping both cameras and tell myself to give video a try on occasion. I really do like your down to earth style. Please keep it coming!

Hey, amazing review. I want to step in to Profesional photography & filming. I was thinking about Z8 but I see the differences. What I'm afraid is overheating... In Z8 & big size of Z9. Please do it comparison between them. Now Z9 with 4.0 update & Z8. Long & in depth review, cover up everything. That will be great, thank you :)

Excellent vlog. Did you also tried (if it is possible) to detect the subject (airplane) in the middle of the airplane /fuselage instead of cockpit-detection? Detecting (photographing) an entire flying airplane in the air will be more difficult if just the cockpit is used as detection-system?

Now you can find Nikon Z9 for $3,468.00 with 24-70mm lens included in this price. This makes the deal incredibly good. But I personally prefer to stay with the Olympus brand because of the size, functionality and very low price.

Thanks for the video, very helpful. But regarding the battery, is there any real, noticeable difference between, say, the Z8 and the Z7 (which use the same battery) if you only shoot stills (no video involved)? I'd imagine there wouldn't be a big difference.

Dear Mr. C, thanks for your down to earth reviews on top camera's and lenses. As a long-time amateur, I would like to move to mirrorless, but the Z9, Z8 are a bit out of my capabilities and budget. In my current situation, and discussing with friends and family members, mirrorless is the way to go. If not the Z8, could you recommend mirrorless cameras (the Nikon range or others) that can somewhat mimic the best in class for sports photography but a bit less in the budget range? Fast moving subjects; birds, aircraft, sports, etc. I have a Nikon 18-200mm lens from way back and understand I would need the converter to reuse the lens. Just a nudge. Your videos and the work to produce them are greatly understood and appreciated.

Thanks very much. I am not a pro and consider myself a Still photographer. I am using a Z 7 ll . I love it. No problems and the results are great. It was used and low shutter count. I am on the thoughts of why. Should I plan to upgrade. Dose the Z 8 overheat when in the still mode. I love the FTZ adapter for some third party lens and of course AFS and P lens. The question is. Should I go for a Z8 or keep my Z7 ll. Also some are recalled due to lens not mounting on the z 8. I would love your thoughts

I would like to see a Z8 tested shooting 4K 120fps, and 8K 60fps, using a few of the CFE cards that are supposed to be the fastest and also the coolest of the CFE cards,Temp-wise. Also, tested with the Battery-Grip, and without it.

Hi. I took up photography about 18 months ago, and currently have a Z7ii, via a couple of Nikon ASP-Cs and two Z6iis. I'm wrestling with the decision whether to trade in for the Z8. I don't shoot any video or sports, and only very very rarely BIF, so improvements in those capabilities are more or less irrelevant for me. The improved AF would certainly be welcome, but that alone wouldn't be worth the additional cost for my use case - mostly landscape, woodland and seascape, plus occasional macro. The main attraction of the Z8 for me is the reportedly much better IBIS, to combat constant shakes and tremors from arthritis, plus additional bonuses like the lack of mechanical shutter, the inclusion of a sensor curtain, and the overall more robust build, along with really nice touches like illuminated buttons. I've seen a few brief positive mentions of the better IBIS, but nothing in depth , so I'd like to know if you notice a distinct improvement in the Z8 IBIS, compared to that of the Z7ii? I should point out that, from many years experience, additional weight often actually helps damp down the tremors, (a full pint of Guinness is easier to hold still than a half), so the extra mass of the Z8 should work in my favour. Thanks.

As a concert shooter with a Z9 and a Z6ii, I was toying with the idea of replacing my Z6ii with the Z8. However, I realized that I need the mechanical shutter of the Z6ii when I'm in venues with crappy LED lighting. I wouldn't replace my Z9 with a Z8 because of the Z8's mixed card pairing, and I really like the ergonomics of the Z9 with its built-in vertical grip. So ... given the cameras I already have, I don't feel the Z8 would be used all that much. C'mon Nikon - either bring the mechanical shutter back to the flagship (I know it ain't happening - but i can wish, right?) or give us a global shutter. ;)

I shoot with a Z9. Love it and see no reason for anything else.

What are your thoughts on the Sony Tough cards and 8K 60p?

Nobody expected the Z8 to be identical to the Z9 in capabilities, certainly not battery life. I bought a Z8 as a second body to my Z9 for stills and video. It's just perfect, they are super close. I don't find the battery life to be a problem at all. Oveheating shooting video with the Delkin black cards has been a non issue for video.

I think you were pushing it a bit with the aeroplane shots. It's for taking photos of aircraft in the air.

just bought one and whole set Kase filters for it. Hope it's worthy.

Nice video. 🙂🙂🙂For me the Z8 works well along side the Z9 when being used together. But that’s what’s cool everyone has what works best for them. On its own the Z8 I is a joy when you don’t want or need the “ bulk” of the Z9. The Z8 on a strobe frame dose not feel bulky, t the Z9 dose. My thoughts. Are having both in your kit is like having two different size hammers in your tool box. Both do the same job but each is better at different ones.. Enjoy

The National Museum of the United States Air Force; cool beans.

Nice review. About your question, I'm interested in AF setting regardless camera customization and tecnique for best use in vario scenario. Many thanks.

If you would use it with battery grip what’s the point of buying small camera. I think it’s bigger than Z9 with the battery grip.

I hope that they update the firmware like they did on Z9. Z9 with latest firmware is far superior than Z8.

Yeah I don't know about choosing the Z9, if you look at the buy and sell forums around .. there's a whole lot of Z9's for sale now that the Z8 is released. I think the size/weight is too much for most people hiking through the woods with a telephoto lens. People are offering straight trades Z9 for Z8 ... the people have spoken.

If you decide to shoot a simple talking review in 60Hz, please at lest get a better led light in the background - the constant flashing light is so distracting :( But in general, I would recommend the lower end of the frame rate for this kind of videos

All the camera tech input on the screen is annoying. Can that be turned off while shooting ??

With a Z9 one could easily go old school. If one were to use Auto on Subject Detection, and assuming, like myself, I have the shutter setup to focus/shoot and have my back AF button set to 3D. If I aimed at a planes cockpit, half pressed on the shutter and pressed on the 3D button it would reliably lock on the planes cockpit or anything else on the plane I locked it on. So while those who love cameras that do their auto modes well (Sony and Canon) leaving one in full control like on a Z9 isn't a bad thing. I enjoy being in control. So I"m not the least bit bothered by the fact the Z8 has that Airplane setting. I have NO doubt the next Firmware update will add it to the Z9

In fact, at 120FPS jpeg mode you can shoot 16,000 shots in 2 minutes 😂

I'm sure there airplane mode is for airplanes flying in the sky....

Great video and content but I found the flickering Bokeh directly behind your head distracting and annoying.

A stills only yes. If video is a big part of your shooting the z9 all the way. The sd card is a no go for video and dont want to eat up cfexpress cards with video leaving only the sd for stills. Also the heat is an issue. Pro shooters dont want their shooting slowed down because mirroring to a sd. the SD is really only good for overflow if you happen to run out of cfexpress room in the middle of a shoot and cant get the card switched out fast enough.

Totally disagree with you, even though I don't have any of these monster cameras. A camera made at a price of 4K in 2023 must have many advantages compared to an old flagship, but no KZfaqrs see it, just us regular customers who buy it in bulk.

Oh of horror of having to take less than a minute to change batteries. Remember 35 shots for a roll of film............ I do.

i dont get why this thing is still so big and the battery being so tiny

Im jealous of you guys/gals with such nice cameras

I listened to most of this -- and I have some comments: 1) Try using your vertical handgrip to reduce overheating issues; and 2) None of your photos showed me what I wanted to see -- namely: How well does the no-mechanical-shutter work under (flickery) LED light sources?

Please can everyone do a go-fund-me to lelp me get this camera.😅😅 I already have my own lens to go with it

While Canon R5 has better AF and now with 400mp pixel shift. My z7ii is so bad at AF. Can’t even track my dog, and animal eye focus tracking doesn’t work well. No way am I upgrading to the z8 or even the z9 as the AF doesn’t seem to be much better. Canon or Sony in the future.

If you want an all arounder for casual stills and video, the Z8 can work for that. However, that would be a horrible waste of money for a casual use camera, and the extra size, weight, and larger MP's/less low light capability are actually rather big cons vs other options for that role. In the high end use role, the Z9 has several major advantages over the Z8. The far less battery capacity, far worse memory card setup, for worse thermal design, and less ruggedness/overall reliability are major nerfs on the Z8, and no amount of hope-ium or future firmware updates are going to change those facts. From a hardware perspective it is what it is on day 1 the same as it will be on day 1000. If I had no camera today and I wanted an all arounder, I would get the Z6II or wait for the Z6III. If I wanted a sports action wildlife/high end use camera, I would get the Z9. In terms of cost the Z6II is priced rather well at $1700, the Z8 is a pricey at $4000, and the Z9 is a steal at $5500. I think a Z8 with this many major nerfs for sports action wildlife/high end use and cons for all around use would have been a lot more compelling in the $3200-$3400 range. But Nikon priced it at $4000 because its only true competitor, the Sony A1, is ridiculously overpriced at $6500.

Agreed, nice video review.