Nikon has finally launched the Nikon Z8 (Amazon, B&H), the most awaited model in the line up. They built a higher expectation among the camera community since there was a jump from Nikon Z7 directly to the Nikon Z9 (Amazon, B&H) skipping the Nikon Z8.
The Nikon Z8 (Amazon, B&H) has come out to be a very similar to the Nikon Z9 (Amazon, B&H) by carrying the same sensor and same features with a pull down in price, compact in size, design and ergonomics.
With the cut in cost also comes compromises, at the same time the latter electronic products always demands an advancement in technology, we’ll compare all of these in this article.
Check this video, to know my thoughts on the Nikon Z9 (Amazon, B&H) which I’ve compared with other giants:
Let’s begin the fun comparison
Similarities
Both the full frame mirrorless Nikon Z8 (Amazon, B&H) and the Nikon Z9 (Amazon, B&H) can perform same like the other. They are similar in terms of:
| Features | Nikon Z8 | Nikon Z9 |
| Autofocus | Hybrid phase-detection / contrast AF with AF assist with 493 points | Hybrid phase-detection / contrast AF with AF assist with 493 points |
| Stabilization | VR – 5-axis | VR – 5-axis |
| Shutter Type | Electronic shutter | Electronic shutter |
| Resolution* | 8,256 x 4,644 | 8,256 x 4,644 |
| Maximum fps | 120 fps | 120 fps |
| Maximum fps at 4K | 120 fps | 120 fps |
| Video ISO Range | 64 – 25600 | 400 – 25600^ | 64 – 25600 |
| RAW and Codec in 4K and Higher | N-RAW, ProRes, H.264/H.265 | N-RAW, ProRes, H.264/H.265 |
| Color Information | N-Log, 12-bit, 10-bit 4:2:2 | N-Log, 12-bit, 10-bit 4:2:2 |
| Media Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Monitor | LCD – touch, tilt | LCD – touch, tilt |
| Exposure Tools | Zebras, Waveform, Histogram, Timecode, Focus Peaking | Zebras, Waveform, Histogram, Timecode, Focus Peaking |
| Maximum Recording Time in 4K^^ | 2 hours 5 minutes | 2 hours 5 minutes |
| Audio | AAC, LPCM | AAC, LPCM |
*Both the mirrorless full frame cameras can shoot in 8K UHD at 30p progressive. The Nikon Z8 can go up to 60p in 8.3K while shooting in N-RAW, while Nikon Z9 can do the same with the firmware update.
^^The maximum recording time of the Nikon Z8 might seem equal to the Nikon Z9 and it’s correct only when recording in 4K. The differences and their reason behind we’ll discuss later.
Autofocus of the Nikon Z8 (Amazon, B&H) has advanced in tracking airplanes even in low lights, no matter the size while flying. Also the Nikon Z8 can go down to -9 EV in starlight mode while the Nikon Z9 can go down to -8.5 EV in starlight mode. Anyway to understand autofocus, it has to be practically tested and cannot be solely relied on the numbers.
The Nikon Z9 didn’t come up with the Waveform display in their initial release but later provided this feature with the firmware update. Both the cameras can only use Histogram for playback and cannot be used during recording.
Differences
Now let’s look at the few differences between the Nikon Z8 (Amazon, B&H) and the Nikon Z9 (Amazon, B&H), starting with the batteries and media:
Batteries and Media
| Camera | Battery | Battery life | Cost of one battery | Cost of 6 hours of operation |
| Nikon Z8 | 1x EN-EL15c | 85 minutes | $69 | $292 |
| Nikon Z9 | 1x EN-EL18d | 170 minutes | $149 | $315 |
The Nikon Z8 adapts EN-EL15c batteries which are smaller in size compared to the EN-EL18d batteries that adapts Nikon Z9.
Also the battery life is limited in the Nikon Z8, but when comparing the cost according to their individual performance that doesn’t make any huge difference. The only other way to equal them both is by carrying double the batteries in quantity irrespective of cost.
Media
| Camera | Media | Cost of 128 GB | Recording Limit in 8K^ |
| Nikon Z8 | CFexpress (Type B) / XQD, SD – UHS-II | $120 | 90 minutes |
| Nikon Z9 | CFexpress (Type B) / XQD | $120* | 125 minutes |
*Here, we took Sandisk CFexpress Type B 128GB media card which is sold at a discounted price in B&H at this point of writing this article. The cost of media for the Nikon Z9 might go higher in future as it only adapts CFexpress or XQD on both the slots.
The Nikon Z8 comes with an additional option of adapting SD UHS-II media cards which might save your pocket as well as taking more footages for the post.
^The Nikon Z9 was considered to be the only camera to record 125 minutes continuously in 8K 30p without overheating in environment below 20 degrees celsius. The Nikon Z8 failed to compete with the Nikon Z9 in this, it can still record 90 minutes before overheating and can go for 125 minutes in 4K only.
Even though Nikon claims that the Nikon Z8 camera does not overheat, they still warns us that the media cards might over heat.
As far as Size and Weight are concerned:
| Camera | Ergonomics | Size | Weight |
| Nikon Z8 | Light weight, Illuminated buttons | 5.7″ x 4.7″ x 3.3″ | 910 g |
| Nikon Z9 | Illuminated and quick operating buttons, Ethernet | 5.9:” x 5.9″ x 3.6″ | 1340 g |
Both the Nikon Z8 (Amazon, B&H) and the Nikon Z9 (Amazon, B&H) have the same black-out free Viewfinder with 3690k dots, 0.8x magnification OLED and 3.2″ Touch LCD Monitor with 2100k dots. The monitors can be tilted both horizontally and vertically
The Nikon Z8 has 2 USB Type-C ports compared to the Nikon Z9 which has one USB Type-C port. The Nikon Z9 also has a built in GPS and ethernet function which the Nikon Z8 lacks in. Both the cameras adapts full size HDMI port.
Which is cheaper to own?
Let’s look at the differences:
| Camera | Nikon Z8 | Nikon Z9 |
| Camera body | $3,997 | $5,497 |
| Media (128 GB) | $120 | $120 |
| Batteries for 6 hours of operation | $292 | $315 |
| Total | $4,409 | $5,932 |
Recap
First, a recap
| Feature | Winner |
| Sensor and ISO | Tie |
| Video features | Tie |
| DR and Color | TBD |
| Rolling Shutter | Tie |
| Exposure Aids | Tie |
| Media | Nikon Z8 |
| Ergonomics | Nikon Z8 |
| Ports and Monitoring | Nikon Z8 |
| Audio | Tie |
| Autofocus | Nikon Z8 |
| Battery life | Nikon Z9 |
Before we take our final decision, we’ll let the cameras tell us what they offer that the others don’t:
| Camera | USP | Major Cons |
| Nikon Z8 | Better AF, USB ports, Size and Weight, Price | Battery Life, Recording time limit in 8K |
| Nikon Z9 | Battery Life, Recording time in 8K | Price, Size and Weight |
My Verdict
Let’s look at difference filmmaking scenarios:
| Type of Filmmaking | Preferred Camera |
|---|---|
| Short documentaries and corporate videos | Nikon Z8 |
| Long form documentaries or B-cam to the same | Nikon Z8 |
| Short or feature films | Nikon Z8 |
| Music Videos | Nikon Z8 |
| Journalism | Nikon Z8 |
| Wildlife | Nikon Z9 |
| Weddings and Events | Nikon Z8 |
When Nikon released the flagship model Nikon Z9 (Amazon, B&H), the three major backlash they faced were the size bigger, weight heavier and the cost concerned them harder than the other two. Nikon rectified all these in the Nikon Z8 (Amazon, B&H).
You’re now getting the same Full frame mirrorless camera smaller, lighter and cheaper.
What do you think?
