Nikon Z8 Nikon Z 8 | Professional full-frame mirrorless Review

The Nikon Z8 is basically a Z9 crammed into a smaller body, and that's a very good thing. Nikon took their flagship pro camera, stripped out the built-in vertical grip and a bit of battery life, and gave you nearly all the same performance for a chunk less cash. If you're a hybrid shooter who needs blistering speed for sports or wildlife and also wants top-tier video features like internal 8K RAW, this is your camera.

It's built for people who are serious about their craft but maybe don't need the absolute tank-like build of a flagship. Think advanced enthusiasts, wedding photographers, or indie filmmakers. The 45.7MP stacked sensor is the star here, enabling that insane 120fps burst shooting and giving you tons of resolution for cropping. This isn't a jack-of-all-trades; it's a master of speed and video.

What makes it interesting is how it splits the difference. You get pro-level guts in a body that's more travel-friendly. The autofocus, borrowed from the Z9, is one of the best on the market, with deep learning that reliably tracks eyes, animals, and vehicles even in tricky light. It's a powerhouse that refuses to be pigeonholed.

Let's talk about those numbers. A 99th percentile score for burst shooting means this thing is in a league of its own. The 120fps mechanical shutter mode is wild, perfect for nailing the exact moment a bird takes off or a player connects with a ball. The 90th percentile autofocus score isn't just a number; it translates to confidence. You can trust it to lock onto a subject's eye and stay there, even at 20 frames per second with the full 45MP raw files.

The video performance is just as impressive. Internal 8K/60p and 4K/120p put it in cinema camera territory, and the ability to record 12-bit N-RAW internally is a huge deal for color graders. The 91st percentile stabilization is good, but for really smooth handheld video, you'll still want to pair it with a lens that has VR. The sensor score is a solid 76th percentile, which means you're getting excellent dynamic range and detail, even if it's not the absolute highest resolution available.

At around $3,500, the Z8 sits in a sweet spot. It's a premium price, but you're paying for two cameras in one: a world-class sports/wildlife body and a capable cinema camera. Compared to the $5,500 Nikon Z9, it's a steal. You lose the integrated grip and a bit of battery, but you keep the soul.

When you look at competitors, it's tricky. The Sony A7R IV has more megapixels (61MP) for landscape shooters, but its autofocus and burst speed can't touch the Z8. The Canon R7 is much cheaper and has great AF, but it's an APS-C sensor. For the hybrid shooter who needs both extreme stills speed and high-end video, the Z8's price is actually very competitive for what's in the box.

The Sony A7R IV is the main competitor for pure resolution. It's got a 61MP sensor that's fantastic for landscapes and studio work, but its burst shooting is slower and its video features (4K/30p max) aren't in the same league. If you never shoot fast action or 8K video, the A7R IV's resolution might be more appealing.

The Canon EOS R7 is a compelling alternative if budget is a bigger concern. It's an APS-C camera, so you lose the full-frame look and low-light performance, but its autofocus is fantastic and it's much lighter. For wildlife shooters on a budget who don't need 45MP, it's a great pick. The Fujifilm X-S20 is even more of a vlogging and hybrid focus, with a flip-out screen the Z8 lacks, but its sensor and build are aimed at a different user. The Z8 is for when your stills and video needs are both pro-level.

If you're a hybrid shooter who demands the best possible speed for sports or wildlife and also wants to shoot serious video, the Nikon Z8 is almost a no-brainer. It's the most capable all-around tool in this price range. The combination of that stacked sensor, deep learning AF, and internal RAW video is just unmatched.

But, if you're primarily a landscape photographer who wants every last megapixel, look at the Sony A7R IV. If you're a vlogger who needs a flip-out screen, this isn't your camera. And if you're on a tighter budget but still want great action performance, the Canon R7 is worth a long look. The Z8 is a specialist's camera that happens to be brilliant at two very different specialties.