Nikon shook the camera world with its Nikon Z9 – the company’s first-ever flagship mirrorless body, with an incredible autofocus system and a fully electronic shutter. Now, they have just released the Nikon Z8, which is basically a Z9 but in a smaller body. Given that the Nikon Z8 and Nikon Z9 have such similar features, which one should you get? This article will answer your questions!
Nikon Z8 vs Nikon Z9 Specifications Comparison
Here is how the Nikon Z8 compares to the Z9 in terms of specifications:
| Camera Feature | Nikon Z8 | Nikon Z9 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | May 2023 | October 2021 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | Stacked CMOS | Stacked CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 7 | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 45.7 MP | 45.4 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 8256×5504 | 8256×5504 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) | 35.9 x 23.9 mm (Full Frame) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 4.35µ | 4.35µ |
| Low Pass Filter | No | No |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | Yes | Yes |
| Base ISO | ISO 64 | ISO 64 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 25,600 | ISO 25,600 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 32-102,400 | ISO 32-102,400 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | No |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | Yes | Yes |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/32000 | 1/32000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 900 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | No mechanical shutter | No mechanical shutter |
| 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 30 FPS; DX 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 | Hybrid PDAF |
| Autofocus Points | 493 | 493 |
| Low-Light AF Sensitivity (f/2 Lens, ISO 100) | -7.5 EV | -7 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/200 |
| Auto Capture | No | Yes |
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 | 60 FPS |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 120 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 120 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) | CFExpress Type B |
| 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 | Dual Axis |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.80x | 0.80x |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 3.69 million dots | 3.69 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Illuminated Buttons | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Memo | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | No | No |
| GPS | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Type C 3.2 Gen 2 | Type C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Ethernet Port | No | Yes |
| Battery Type | EN-EL15c | EN-EL18d |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 330 frames | 700 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 340 frames | 740 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | 370 frames | 770 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 910 g (2.01 lbs.) | 1340 g (2.95 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 144 x 119 x 88 mm (5.7 x 4.7 x 3.5″)1 | 149 x 150 x 106 mm (5.9 x 5.9 x 4.2″)1 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $4000 (Check Current Price) | $5500 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices | Nikon Z8 Used Prices (eBay Partner Program affiliate link) | Nikon Z9 Used Prices (eBay Partner Program affiliate link) |
| 1The Nikon Z8 and Z9’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 15mm were added to the Z9’s depth measurement and 5mm to the Z8’s in this table. | ||
Summary and Recommendations
As you can see, it is clear that the Z8 is very similar to the Z9. However, when the Nikon Z9 was released, many photographers wanted something like it but in a smaller body, and that’s where the Z8 delivers. Of course, there are a few compromises that come with it, such as the shorter battery life and slower SD card slot (rather than dual CFExpress slots).
One of the biggest advantages of the Z9 is a feature added in the Z9’s firmware version 4.0 called Auto Capture. According to Nikon, Auto Capture can “shoot bursts or record video automatically when the camera detects that the subject meets certain conditions, for example that it is in the frame, within a certain range of distances, and moving in a certain direction.” It’s an extremely advanced feature for certain types of professional photography, especially when using the camera remotely.
By comparison, the only big feature that the Nikon Z8 offers compared to the Z9 (again, aside from price/size/weight) is that it has a second USB-C socket. This allows you to power the Z8 while using the second USB-C slot for data transfer, which could be very useful in a studio situation where you want to keep the Z8 externally powered at all times. Videographers could use power banks in the field to deliver more continuous power using this feature, which is another advantage.
To be honest, though, the biggest difference between the two cameras is the price of $4000 for the Nikon Z8 compared to $5500 for the Nikon Z9. There’s also the fact that the Z8 is substantially smaller than the Z9 because it lacks a vertical grip, which could be a positive or negative depending on your needs.
So which one should you get? I think that for the vast majority of people, the Nikon Z8 is the answer. It offers almost everything the Z9 does in a smaller body at a better price. On the other hand, users who need the pro-level features of the Nikon Z9 like the built-in Ethernet port (Z8 requires a USB to Ethernet adapter), GPS, and integrated grip should still get the Z9.
If you’re still not sure, check out the field report that Marsel van Oosten published right here on Photography Life, where he said,
If you wanted a Z9 but couldn’t afford one or thought it was too big, the Z8 will be the perfect alternative. It’s well-balanced, as powerful as its bigger brother, yet in a smaller package.
And, if you’ve already got one of these amazing cameras, you might need a few lenses! So check out the following articles:
- The Sharpest Lenses for the Nikon Z7, Z7 II, Z8, and Z9: We’ve hand-selected the best lenses specifically for the high-resolution sensors of these cameras.
- Best Wildlife Lenses for the Nikon Z8: Having tested almost every modern Nikon telephoto lens extensively, here are the ones we recommend.
You may also be interested in how the Z8 compares against the Sony a9 II.