Back in March 2008, I embarked on my photography journey with a secondhand Nikon D200, a robust 10-megapixel APS-C CCD sensor DSLR. I’ve upgraded my gear quite a couple times over the years and I’ve always stayed loyal to the Nikon brand — I loved the ergonomics, the versatility and the colour rendition of the Nikon F-mount system. Fast forward to 2019 and, I decided to take the leap to transition to the Nikon Z mirrorless system, drawn by the possibilities and advantages it offered. While the change was exciting, I encountered some challenges that prompted me to explore the Nikon Z8 when it was released in May 2023. In this article, I’ll share my insights on the Nikon Z8, covering its pros and cons from a professional photographer’s perspective that has been shooting with Nikon cameras for more than 15 years.
A little back story about my Nikon journey and why I almost switched to another camera brand after more than a decade of loyalty…
As soon as I switched over from DSLR to mirrorless, it was love at first sight. I no longer needed to AF Fine-Tune every single lens that I had and I had been waiting for a decent useable video mode for so long. However, the honeymoon phase didn’t last very long. As I was using the Z7 II more and more on photoshoots, I started to experience a few things that I would qualify as flaws. I kept on gaslighting myself into thinking that I needed to adapt to this « new » technology. I kept on shooting with it, but so many things felt unnatural and imperfect to me.
“[…] that made me start to wonder if I was going to switch to Canon or Sony […]”
The main thing that stood out to me on a professional level is how unreliable the autofocus is on the Nikon Z7 II. No matter which lens I’m using — Nikon Z mount, Sigma lens with FTZ adapter, etc. — I always have to shoot in AF-C (continuous AF) and continuous high-speed drive to make sure I have at least one good shot. For a 4000$ camera body, you can definitely expect more as a professional photographer.
The next flaw is a me problem: I have big hands. Therefore, the ergonomics on the Nikon Z7 II are really not adapted to me and my pinky keeps on falling down the grip. Thankfully, I was able to fix that flaw by adding the battery grip to my kit. It really feels better in the hands but it also makes the camera a lot larger and heavier.
The very last thing that made me start to wonder if I was going to switch to Canon or Sony are the video settings on the Nikon Z7 II. It’s far from being up to par with today’s standards. Don’t get me wrong, the video quality is awesome. You can get up to 4K60FPS — but if you’re going to shoot with these kind of settings, you probably want to shoot in a LOG color profile, which is not available on this camera body.
Even though I didn’t like shooting with the Z7 II, I kept on using it in hopes that the Japanese company comes up with a successor. And then, they surprised us in late-2021 with the announcement of the Nikon Z9, their flagship camera with specs that completely blew me away. As a travel photographer, I always try to keep my gear small and minimal and as good as it the Z9 is, the weight and form-factor was a no-go for my photography practice.
Needless to say I was completely ecstatic when Nikon announced the long-awaited Z8 in May 2023. This camera is basically a Nikon Z9, without the integrated vertical grip. The camera of my dreams was finally available and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. As soon as I heard the news, I contacted my favorite local camera shop, Excellent Photo-Vidéo, to see if they had any units available. As I was hesitant to buy it instantly, Excellent Photo-Vidéo loaned me one of their Nikon Z8 unit for a 1-month period so I could test it and ultimately buy it.
Pros of the Nikon Z8
The Nikon Z8 camera redefines excellence with a lightning-fast startup that echoes the renowned Nikon D850. There is no more autofocus challenges as the Z8 has buttery-smooth precision, excelling in low-light conditions and dynamic focus tracking. The ergonomics are tailored for larger hands, featuring illuminated buttons and intuitive controls. With all the video possibilities, including N-Log color profile I can finally get a consistent look across devices. The Nikon Z8 is all of that and so much more! Here’s a more detailed look into each pros I experienced during my month-long exploration with the Nikon Z8.
Nikon Z8 has a blazing fast startup time
The Nikon Z8 offers an almost instantaneous startup, reminiscent of the Nikon D850.
Exceptional Autofocus
Unlike its predecessor, the Z7 II, the Z8 boasts buttery-smooth autofocus, delivering stunning results even in low-light conditions. It excels in focus tracking, covering subjects like eyes, faces, animals, and even airplanes.
Improved Ergonomics
Nikon brings back its legendary ergonomics with the Z8, making it comfortable for photographers with larger hands. The camera features illuminated back buttons, a well-placed playback button, and a large video recording button.
Versatile Video Capabilities
The Z8 offers a wide range of video possibilities, including shooting in N-Log color profile for greater dynamic range and color adjustment. This flexibility allows for a consistent look when using other devices like smartphones and drones that shoot in LOG.
Sensor Shield
The Z8 has a handy sensor shield that protects the sensor from fingerprints and debris. It can be configured to automatically lift when the camera is turned off, making lens changes in various environments a breeze.
High-Speed Shooting
With the ability to shoot up to 20fps in RAW, the Z8 is a powerhouse for capturing fast-moving subjects.
More Creative Freedom
The Z8’s two-way tilting screen facilitates creative shooting, particularly in street photography. It also operates silently with its 100% electronic shutter, though you can enable a simulated shutter sound if necessary.
Synchro VR
When paired with compatible lenses, the Z8’s Synchro VR ensures stable low-light shooting and optimal video stabilization up to 6 stops of movement compensation on 5 axis.
Natural Mirrorless Experience
The Z8 resolves the issues that hindered my creativity with the Z7 II, providing a more natural and hassle-free mirrorless shooting experience.
Dual USB-C Ports
The camera supports USB-C charging for native Nikon EN-EL15C batteries, enhancing convenience in powering up. One of the two ports beneficiates from Power Delivery which ultimately means faster charging times.
Cons of the Nikon Z8
The Nikon Z8 is an almost perfect camera in every way. Of course, nothing can be 100% perfect, here are a few cons.
Limited Card Slots
The Z8 features only one CFExpress Type B slot, making the inclusion of an SD card slot seem redundant given the camera’s extraordinary and fast capabilities.
Rapid Storage Consumption
Shooting at 20fps in RAW results in quickly filling up memory cards and storage.
VPG400 Certified / Specialized CFExpress Cards
To access RAW video shooting, you’ll need VPG400 certified CFExpress Type B cards, which can be more costly but offer superior quality.
Customization Constraints
Unlike its predecessors, the Z8 doesn’t allow spot metering to be assigned to a customizable button. It only permits the assignment of metering selection.
Lack of Integrated GPS
Unlike the Z9, the Z8 doesn’t have integrated GPS. External apps like GeoTag Photos Pro can track your GPS coordinates for you while you’re shooting. The difference with having integrated GPS is that you have to sync the resulting GPX file from the app to a computer software like Adobe Lightroom Classic in order to assign GPS coordinates to your files.
Delayed Firmware Updates
The Z8 receives firmware updates a few months after the flagship Z9, potentially causing delays in accessing new features.
Battery Life
The EN-EL15c battery, rated for 330 shots, may not meet the demands of modern professional photography, despite real-world usage proving more efficient.
Overheating Concerns
In specific conditions, the Z8’s smaller body and materials may lead to overheating issues. I experienced it first-hand while shooting 4K120FPS video inside on a hot summer day.
Reviewing photo examples of the Nikon Z8 in various scenarios
I divided my photo examples into 6 different categories where we can fully see the Nikon Z8 really shine in a real-life shooting situation. Note that all of these photos were edited in Adobe Lightroom Classic to reflect my personal photographic style.
Autofocus / Detection / Tracking
Continuous Shooting
Dynamic Range
Wide Aperture Lens
Low Light Performance
Polarizing & Special Effects Filters
Conclusion of my Nikon Z8 review
The Nikon Z8 is a game-changer for photographers seeking a mirrorless system with outstanding autofocus, ergonomics, and video capabilities. While it has its drawbacks (larger, no GPS, etc.) it offers a wealth of features that cater to both professionals and enthusiasts. I highly recommend the Nikon Z8 for any professional photographer looking for a powerful photography and videography tool that will upgrade their game for the years to come. For those Nikon shooters out there who are still hesitant to switch from DSLR to mirrorless, this camera is the closest thing you’ll get in terms of performance and ergonomics. In fact, it is more powerful than your current DSLR on so many levels. Don’t hesitate anymore and jump into the mirrorless world, you won’t regret it.
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