The Nikon Z8 is Nikon’s smaller version of its mirrorless flagship camera, the Z9. Now one year after the Z8, we’ve got the Z6III is a 24MP full-frame camera, that incorporates many of the autofocus abilities and other features from the 45MP Z8. What should you get? Read on to find out!
Nikon Z8 vs Nikon Z6 III Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon Z8 | Nikon Z6 III |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | May 2023 | June 2024 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | Stacked CMOS | Partially Stacked CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 7 | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 45.7 MP | 24.5 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 8256×5504 | 6048×4024 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 4.35µ | 5.94µ |
| Low Pass Filter | No | Yes |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | Yes | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 64 | ISO 100 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 25,600 | ISO 64,000 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 32-102,400 | ISO 50-204,800 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | Yes | Yes |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | Yes | Yes |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | Yes (JPEG only) | Yes (JPEG only) |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/32000 | 1/16000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 900 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | No mechanical shutter | 14 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 20 FPS | 20 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | 20 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS; DX JPEG at 60 FPS; 11 megapixel JPEG at 120 FPS) | 20 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 60 FPS; 11 megapixel JPEG at 120 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | Over 1000 frames (20 FPS) | Over 1000 frames (20 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition |
| Autofocus Points | 493 | 273 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -7.5 EV | -8.5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/200 |
| Curtain to Protect Sensor at Shutdown | Yes | No |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 12 bits | 12 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 12 bits | 12 bits |
| Raw Video | Yes | Yes |
| 8K Maximum Framerate | 60 FPS | N/A |
| 6K Maximum Framerate | N/A | 60 FPS |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 120 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 240 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | No | No |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:2 | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 90 min | 125 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 2 | 2 |
| Slot 1 Type | CFExpress Type B | CFExpress Type B |
| Slot 2 Type | SD (UHS-II) | SD (UHS-II) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.2 in | 3.2 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 2.1 million dots | 2.1 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Dual Axis | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.8x | 0.8x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 3.69 million dots | 5.76 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| GPS | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Two Type C 3.2 Gen 2 ports | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Battery Type | EN-EL15c | EN-EL15c |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 330 frames | 360 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 340 frames | 390 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | 370 frames | 410 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 910 g (2.01 lbs.) | 760 g (1.68 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 144 x 119 x 88 mm (5.7 x 4.7 x 3.5″)1 | 139 x 102 x 89 mm (5.5 x 4.0 x 3.5″)2 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $4000 (Check Current Price) | $2500 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices (Affiliate) | Nikon Z8 Used Prices | Nikon Z6 III Used Prices |
| 1The Nikon Z8 and Z6 III’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 5mm were added to the Z8’s depth measurement in this table, and 15mm were added to the Z6 III’s depth measurement. | ||
| Photography Life is part of the KEH and B&H affiliate programs. When you make a purchase through the affiliate links in this article, we can be compensated with a percentage of each sale. If you found this comparison useful, buying anything through these links allows you to support Photography Life at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our efforts! | ||
Summary and Recommendations
The Z8 is essentially a smaller Z9 – very impressive in specs, but still a little older in technology than the Nikon Z6 III. Thus, it’s not surprising that the Z6 III has some entirely new features compared to the Z8 and the Z9.
For example, the Nikon Z6 III focuses down to -8.5EV versus -7 for the Z8. The Z6 III also has a brand-new wide-gamut electronic viewfinder that’s brighter than on the Z8 and has more resolution. Even in the video realm – where the Nikon Z8 is one of the best mirrorless cameras available – the Z6 III has a couple of wins in its column (1080p at 240 FPS and a slightly longer recording limit).
What about autofocus? In older times, if you wanted a fast action camera, you’d get the Z8 or Z9, or maybe compromise with the Zf. Now the decision is not so clear with the Z6 III, which is is a significant improvement from the Z6 II and Z7 II cameras. The Z6 III is much closer to the Z8 and Z9 with its new “partially-stacked” sensor, which makes it 20% faster than the autofocus of the Z6 II, according to Nikon. And the speed of the Z6 II was never the problem anyway – the problem was autofocus tracking, where the Nikon Z6 III’s EXPEED 7 processor and subject recognition algorithms put it way ahead of its predecessor.
That being said, the sensor of the Z6 III is still not fully stacked, and it still has a mechanical shutter, unlike the Z8. Like the Z8, the Z6 III can shoot up to 20FPS with its electronic shutter, but it’s not as fast as the Z8’s stacked shutter. The readout speeds still favor the Z8, too.
Thus, although the Z6 III shares the same EXPEED processor as the Z8 and Z9 and shares some of the autofocus features, you can still expect the Z8 to be faster and more precise at the margins.
Finally, there’s no denying that the Z6 III only has 24MP. That’s more than enough for most kinds of photography, but it doesn’t give as much cropping room as the 45MP sensor of the Z8.
So, which camera should you get? It’s safe to say that the Nikon Z6 III can handle almost any situation, and won’t stutter as much as its predecessors in the Z6 line. However, I would still consider the Nikon Z8 for more stringent action situations because of its faster stacked sensor and its 45MP. The Nikon Z8 also makes a better landscape photography camera if you plan to print large, thanks to the higher resolution.
What does the Nikon Z8 offer over the Nikon Z6 III?
- 8K Video
- Faster, stacked sensor
- 1.87 times more megapixels (45.7MP vs 24.5MP)
What does the Nikon Z6 III offer over the Nikon Z8?
- More advanced electronic viewfinder – higher resolution, brighter, wider color gamut, and faster refresh rate
- Lighter weight (150g lighter)
- Much lower price, costing $1500 less
Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
Who is better suited for wedding photography? Thanks in advance for your reply
I now shoot with the D5 and D850. But I’m thinking of buying a Z camera en i wanted to get the Z8. I will be using it inside for dogshows. There is always awful light condition so I’m wondering if the Z6III or the Z8 will handel this beter. I shot also action with the dogs inside lie agility.
Both are essentially the same for low-light capability, provided you have the same output image size. Of course, the Z6 III will look better at 1:1 only because it has less pixels.
Hi Jason, after reading your comparison I have ordered the Z8. I am currently using the D850 and although a great camera I wanted to make the jump to mirrorless. Thanks for the great comparison.
A very usefull comparative table!! The larger pixels on the z6iii, should allow ~1.86x higher ISO (with the same noise) compared to z8, offering a significant advantage in low light. This along with the difference in resolution, sensor readout speed and body size seems the main differences between these bodies. Still undecided if the z6iii or z8 would make the best 2nd body to an existing z8 for wildlife and birds.
“I have the Z6 and I want to get the Z6 III, but I see the price of the Z8 and I’m wondering what to get. I mainly need it for video as I do real estate and hotel advertisements.” …. Obviously, the Z8 is better, but could it be the same in the video? If yes, I’m thinking instead of spending more money to get the Z8, it might be better to get some accessory or lens for the Z6iii
There is no way you’ll miss out on any video features going for the Z6 III, EXCEPT 8K. The Z6III has 6K….so, it’s pretty close and with that you can still do a little zooming in for 4K. I’d go for the Z6III if it’s just for video then, but I say that just because I would never shoot 8K. Seems like a waste unless you’re doing a big budget production that could use it for maximum quality.
I find it interesting that most photographers (birds) would go for high mp sensors. I understand the extra details and cropping because most want to shoot tight. I find this very limiting, Nikon’s 800 f6.3 pf has become a very popular lens due to reach, however, I also see a lot of people ill equipped to handle the 800 mm lens. Everyone has become reach obsessed, to some extend driven by M43 that claim reach with their 2x Crop factor. I work with many local and international wildlife photographers and the sweet spot remain 400-600 mm. Plus, f2.8 to f5.6. The new technology has given big progress on lighter lenses through different materials but also smaller f stops, f6.3 has become the new f4. The problem is price of the new primes and the weigh of the f mounts. Therefore for me the 400 f4.5 is an amazing lens, On the Z8, yes cropping or DX mode I have a 20 mp 600 f4.5 FOW. However, the Z6iii in low light is crazy good and `I will use it as a second body on a 70-200. I have shot the 400 f2.8 with the 16mp and 20 mp big bodies for many yrs.
First, the fact is, even if you have a 600 f/4 cropping is still very useful for many shots. But even without cropping, the detail difference between 45MP and 24MP is noticeable on large displays and prints.
Then of course there are different audiences….of course the best willdife photographers may not need as much reach all the time. They have resources to go to amazing locations where extra reach may not be as necessary. Some people only have access to certainl locations where they can’t get as close to birds.
Maybe a silly question – why have a 1,000-frame buffer when the battery only runs for 400-odd frames??
It’s not a silly question. The 400 frames is a measure of average use of the camera, which includes looking at the rear screen sometimes, switching settings, etc. It’s an approximate metric which is designed to indicate the battery life of the camera with respect to other cameras.
In reality, if you just hold down the shutter on high-speed mode, the camera can absolutely take WAY more than 1000 shots!
In the UK, the z8 is £3200 where as the z63 is £2700, so for me it’ll only be appealing once it lowers the price. Also isn’t the z63 4k120 cropped?
For many wildlife photographers the difference in cropping ability (MP number) is a major advantage for Z8, especially for those who have to travel light. Z6III will require longer/heavier lenses for the same reach which annihilates the advantage in body weight/price unless you can always get close enough to the subject. In addition there is the Z8 stacked sensor / electronic shutter advantage for fast moving subjects.
Z6III has nice specs for wildlife photography and I understand Nikon wanting to have a lower priced option in this area. But it would be more compelling IMHO with such spec/features in a 24-33 MP APS-C body. While I would prefer a small/light body like Z6 series over Z8, it doesn’t work out if you have to use a bigger/heavier lens for the same reach.
Yes, that is true. When shooting my original Z6 I do feel some disadvantage when cropping. Once you get to around 1.4x linear resolution increase, you definitely start to feel a difference, which is about the linear resolution factor between 45MP and 24MP.
Depends on the wildlife though and style, too. But for birds, most photographers will be cropping a little.
In lower light, the extra pixels don’t help as much though. So in such conditions, a 24MP full-frame camera will do quite nicely.
But yeah, for wildlife, I would pretty much always recommend the Z8/Z9 over any 24MP camera.
Are you going to publish a Z8 review? I can’t seem to find one on the site.
I still intend to write one, but I don’t have an estimated date for you yet. Other projects like our lens reviews have taken priority.
Maybe if I get my Z8 soon I’ll help write it :)