Critical Analysis of the Nikon Z8 Camera: A Comprehensive Breakdown of Its Features and Performance
Alrighty, here's your new and improved article! Let's dive in, shall we?
Upgrade time, Nikon shooters! The Nikon Z8, dubbed the 'mini Z9,' is making a splash among underwater photographers. This bad boy boasts nearly all the fantastic features of Nikon's flagship model but at a lower price with a smaller, more diver-friendly package. It's high time Nikon underwater photographers got some love, putting them on par with Sony and Canon with a professional full-frame underwater mirrorless camera offering.
The autofocus is one of the significant improvements on the Nikon Z8. While the autofocus on the Z7 II and Z6 II is excellent, it doesn't quite measure up to the competition. Not any more! The new autofocus algorithm, combined with deep learning AI, subject detection, and 3D tracking (including animal eye autofocus tracking), has what it takes to crush the competition. And it even outperforms its rivals in low light conditions, focusing down to a blood-chilling -9 EV. Granted, during our underwater tests, the autofocus may have been less responsive than the Sony A7R V, but it's still a hefty improvement for those transitioning from the Nikon D850.
Don't get us wrong, the Z8 offers more than just autofocus. For a cool $4000, you get impressive video capabilities. It can record crisp 8K/60p and 4K/120p videos in multiple formats, including N-RAW, ProRes RAW, and N-Log. The Z8 has already proven itself a top contender for the best underwater video camera of the year, with one glaring exception...white balance. Oh, that pesky white balance! It was difficult to achieve manual white balance below 50ft, but hey, we'll take a of beautiful underwater video any day!
Say goodbye to the mechanical shutter, thanks to a stacked sensor and lightning-fast readout speeds. Almost the same as the elusive 'global shutter' in performance, we've now got underwater photographers taking photos entirely electronically with minimal rolling shutter nonsense, zero wear-and-tear, and enormous, electrifying RAW burst speeds of up to 20 fps.
With a 45.7-megapixel sensor, the Nikon Z8 promises plenty of resolution for just about any underwater photographer, even macro lover enthusiasts with a taste for extreme cropping possibilities. Could the Nikon Z8 be the ultimate camera of 2023? Could it push Nikon back to being the reigning camera CEOs of the world? We just got back from a glorious trip to Cozumel, Mexico, diving with the Nikon Z8 in the prototype housing from Ikelite, so stay tuned for our full Nikon Z8 review – complete with specifications, features, and our thoughts on the Z8 for underwater photography.
We'd like to thank Bluewater Travel and Pro Dive International for making this review possible! Bluewater helped us organize our itinerary, and Pro Dive provided the gorgeous diving, wonderful crew, and a boatload of laughs in Cozumel!
Nikon Z8 Key Specs:
- 45.7 MP full-frame stacked BSI CMOS sensor
- 20 fps RAW burst shooting – 120 fps 11 mp Jpeg bursts
- Improved AF system with 3D tracking on par with other flagship models
- AF detection down to -9 EV
- ISO range of 64 – 25600
- Flash sync speed – 1/200 sec
- 5-axis in-body stabilization
- UHS-II SD, CFexpress (type B), and XQD memory compatible (dual card slots)
- 8K/60p video recording and 4K/120p recording
- N-Log picture profiles and N-RAW (12-bit) recording
- 3.69 million dot EVF
- Weight: 910 g
- Size: 5.7 inches x 4.7 inches x 3.3 inches
Nikon Z8 Key Features:
The Z8 Body Size and Build
Though the Nikon Z8 may be a mirrorless camera, it's no shrinking violet, tipping the scales at 910 grams. Still, it's lighter than the Nikon D850 and easier to hold above water, making the Z8 more comfortable on the ol' hands during extended shoot sessions. By the time you're underwater, though, the extra weight might become noticeable. In any case, the Z8 shooting experience has much in common with other Nikon mirrorless cameras in the watery depths.
The button layout could take some getting used to for DSLR shooters joining the Z8 party. A few freshies, though, such as the video/photo switch and EVF/monitor button, remain unchanged from the Z7 II, making the transition more comfortable for familiar faces. The electronic viewfinder has been enhanced a tad, providing a clear and comfy glimpse into the undersea world.
If you're completely new to Nikon or Nikon mirrorless cameras, fear not! Bluewater Photo has kindly published a comprehensive underwater settings guide for the Nikon Z8.
The Autofocus System the Underwater Community Has Been Longing For...
Nikon's flagship camera game has been down a bit in the mirrorless department, thanks to mediocre autofocus performance in the Z7 II and Z6 II cameras. But the Z8's dramatic leap forward with an upgraded autofocus 3D tracking system, adopted straight from the Z9, should set hearts race-racing once more. While it's not as 'stick-to-it' on subjects as the Sony A7R V, the autofocus in the Z8 is a colossal improvement compared to the Nikon Z7II. Our 'hit rate' increased approximately 30% in tracking mode with the Z8. The camera also features a slick 3D tracking mode with subject detection that picks up humans and animals. We did notice, though, that animal eye autofocus tracking only seemed to work for a few macro fish subjects and not with wide-angle subjects, which our competitors over at Canon and Sony excel in.
But here's where things really get interesting... the Z8 can autofocus in dark conditions, down to an astonishing -9 EV! This feature makes the Z8 an ideal underwater camera candidate. We took the little beauty for a spin in those murky depths, and the autofocus was surprisingly responsive, even without a focus light (except on night dives, natch).
An interesting side effect of the Z8's silent shutter is that the fish seemingly chilled out around us. whether the lack of an aggressive damsel fish grunt or the mechanical shutter's vibration (or simply the friendly fishes in Cozumel) made the difference, it's hard to tell.
Z8 Autofocus and Z Mount Lenses
We paired the slow-focusing Nikon Z 105mm macro lens with the Z8 to see if the autofocus had really evolved since its performance on the Z7II. The good news is the Z 105mm macro's autofocus speed has improved considerably, making it far more responsive than before, but still a tad behind the Narcan-turbocharged performance of the older F mount 105mm macro. Fortunately, most AF lenses work seamlessly with the Nikon FTZ adapter in the Z8 system. But there's a catch...the adapter isn't compatible with old Nikon AF-D lenses, so keep that in mind if you've got some vintage glass gathering dust in the attic.
A Camera Made for the Top Underwater Videography Honors
Nikon might not have been a household name in video features, but boy did they do some heavy-lifting in the video department for the Z8! It lays claim to 12-bit N-RAW, 8K/60p & 4K/120p recording! Imagine the possibilities for filmmakers with adjustable dynamic exposure and incredibly sharp 5-axis video stabilization. And since the Z8 records in N-RAW, ProRes RAW, and N-Log formats, post-processing will be a breeze. We absolutely loved filming with the Z8 underwater and found the color science on the built-in standard picture profile to be spot-on. The manual white balance can be touchy, especially below 50ft, which is a minor bummer if you're into that sort of thing.
Nikon terminators! Don't forget to check out Nikon Z8 underwater housing options while you're here. Every major housing manufacturer should have one soon, so be on the lookout for releases from Nauticam, Ikelite, Aquatica, Marelux, Sea & Sea, Isotta, and Aquatech!
*Special thanks to Bluewater Travel and Pro Dive International for making this review possible! Bluewater helped us plan our itinerary, and Pro Dive supplied the fantastic diving, amazing crew, and good times in Cozumel!*
- The Nikon Z8, nicknamed the 'mini Z9,' is generating excitement among underwater photographers, offering almost all the impressive features of Nikon's flagship model at a reduced price and compact size.
2.The improved autofocus on the Nikon Z8, with its deep learning AI, subject detection, and 3D tracking, including animal eye autofocus tracking, promises to outperform competitors, even in low light conditions.
- With video capabilities such as 8K/60p and 4K/120p recording in various formats, the Nikon Z8 is making a mark as a top contender for the best underwater video camera of the year, except for its challenging white balance below 50ft.
- A stacked sensor and lightning-fast readout speeds in the Nikon Z8 result in electronic RAW burst speeds of up to 20 fps, minimizing rolling shutter nonsense and offering an excellent alternative to the global shutter.
5.The 45.7-megapixel sensor in the Nikon Z8 caters to various underwater photographers, including macro enthusiasts, promising high resolution for extreme cropping possibilities.
6.Newcomers to Nikon or Nikon mirrorless cameras can refer to the comprehensive underwater settings guide for the Nikon Z8, published by Bluewater Photo.
- The enhanced autofocus 3D tracking system in the Nikon Z8 is a significant improvement compared to the Nikon Z7 II, especially in dark conditions, making it an excellent option for underwater photography.
8.Underwater videographers can take advantage of the Z8's adjustable dynamic exposure, sharp 5-axis video stabilization, and various recording formats like N-RAW, ProRes RAW, and N-Log for effortless post-processing.
- Underwater photography enthusiasts should look out for housing options from major manufacturers like Nauticam, Ikelite, Aquatica, Marelux, Sea & Sea, Isotta, and Aquatech for the Nikon Z8.
10.Bluewater Travel and Pro Dive International are thanked for facilitating the Nikon Z8 review, organizing the itinerary, and providing excellent diving experiences in Cozumel, Mexico.
11.In travel guidebooks, look for recommendations on underwater trips, gear, gadgets, and technology from industry experts to make the most of your underwater adventures.
