Nikon Z8 Review
A 45.7 MP stacked full-frame camera with internal 8K 60p N-RAW video, 20 fps bursts and 493 AF points.
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Professional Powerhouse
The Verdict
A 45.7 MP stacked full-frame camera with internal 8K 60p N-RAW video, 20 fps bursts and 493 AF points. It has no mechanical shutter.
Like the Z9, it has 493 AF points and a 3.69M-dot viewfinder; the Z9 takes two CFexpress Type B cards, the Z8 one CFexpress Type B/XQD and one SD card. Owners praise the autofocus and subject tracking most, and many bought it to replace a D850 or D500 (see What owners report).
Check price at Amazon →| Imaging | |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 45.7MP Full-Frame Stacked CMOS |
| Processor | EXPEED 7 |
| Stabilization | 5-Axis IBIS (5.5 stops; 6.0 with a Synchro VR lens) |
| ISO Range | 64-25,600 (exp. 32-102,400) |
| Autofocus | |
| AF Points | 493 Phase-Detection Points |
| AF System | 3D-Tracking + Subject Detection (9 types) |
| Burst Speed | 20 fps RAW, 30 fps JPEG, 120 fps (11MP) |
| Video | |
| Max Resolution | 8.3K 60p N-RAW / 4.1K 120p |
| Internal Rec | 12-bit N-RAW / ProRes RAW HQ, 10-bit ProRes 422 HQ |
| Profiles | N-Log, HLG, SDR |
| Video Features | Pre-Release Capture, Waveform, Red Frame Indicator |
| Build & Connectivity | |
| Viewfinder | 3.69M-dot OLED EVF (3000 nits, blackout-free) |
| Screen | 3.2" 4-Axis Tilting Touch (2.1M-dot) |
| Card Slots | CFexpress Type B + SD UHS-II |
| Ports | Dual USB-C (Data+Power), Full HDMI, Mic, Headphone, 10-pin |
| Weight | 910g (with battery and card) |
Maker-published figures, with source and date: Numbers & Sources below.
- Overall
- 9.1/10
- Image quality
- 9.3
- Autofocus
- 9.3
- Video
- 9.6
- Speed
- 9.0
- Handling and build
- 8.4
What We Like
- Internal 12-bit N-RAW video up to 8K 60p
- 20 fps bursts and Pre-Release Capture
- Full-size HDMI port
- Autofocus and subject tracking praised by owners (see What owners report)
Trade-offs
- Second card slot is SD; the Z9 has two CFexpress Type B slots
- Larger and heavier than some owners would like (see What owners report)
- No printed manual in the box; owners describe a lot to learn (see What owners report)
In-Depth Performance
Image Quality & Sensor Performance
The sensor is a 45.7-megapixel stacked full-frame CMOS (35.9 x 23.9 mm) with native ISO 64–25,600, paired with the EXPEED 7 processor. For measured dynamic range and low-light results, see What independent testers measured; for photos other people took with it, see Sample photos.
Many owners bought it to replace a D850 or D500 and say they have not looked back (see What owners report).
Autofocus & 3D Tracking
The Z8 has 493 AF points with 3D-tracking and subject detection for people (face/eye), animals (dogs, cats, birds) and vehicles (cars, motorcycles, airplanes, trains). Autofocus and subject tracking are what owners praise most (see What owners report).
The AF points cover approximately 90% of the frame, and the AF detection range goes down to -7 EV. Pre-Release Capture records up to 1 second of images from before the shutter is fully pressed. RAW bursts run at 20 fps.
Video Capabilities
The Z8 records 12-bit N-RAW internally at up to 8K 60p, and 4K at up to 120p. N-Log and HLG profiles are available. The HDMI port is full-size (Type A).
Nikon rates continuous recording at up to 125 minutes in 4K UHD 60p (auto temperature cutout Standard, extended oversampling off) and up to 90 minutes in 8K UHD 30p (cutout High), both in H.265 8-bit (MOV) at 25 °C with a Nikon MC-CF660G card and external power. CineD measured a rolling-shutter readout of 14.5 ms in full-frame 8K 25p (H.265); that and its video dynamic-range result are in What independent testers measured. Focus breathing compensation is available with supported Z-mount lenses.
Handling & Build
Owners like the grip and controls, and one notes it is lighter than a D850; others find it larger and heavier than they would like (see What owners report). The buttons are backlit.
The viewfinder is a 3.69M-dot OLED at 0.8x magnification, and the 3.2-inch rear screen tilts in four directions, including for vertical shooting. The EN-EL15c battery is rated at approximately 340 shots per charge (CIPA), and the camera can run on USB-C Power Delivery. Nikon fits one CFexpress Type B / XQD slot and one SD UHS-II slot.
Sample photos from other photographers
Photos that other people took with the Nikon Z8 and published on Wikimedia Commons under free licences. We chose them; we did not take them. The settings under each photo come from the file's own metadata.
The numbers, and where they come from
Published by the maker
| Sensor size (maker's figure) | 35.9 x 23.9 mm |
|---|---|
| Effective pixels | 45.7 MP |
| Native ISO range | ISO 64–25,600 |
| Viewfinder resolution | 3.69 million dots |
Maker figures checked on 25 Sept 2026 — maker's spec sheet
Computed from those figures
| Sensor area | 858 mm² |
|---|---|
| Format factor | 1x |
| Light gathered vs 35mm | the same |
Computed from the figures above. Pixel pitch = sensor width / pixel count across. Light gathered = log2 of the area ratio to 36 x 24 mm. Diffraction limit = the aperture at which the Airy disc diameter (2.44 x lambda x N, lambda = 550 nm) reaches two pixel pitches. Other calculators use other thresholds and so quote other numbers.
What independent testers measured
These figures were measured by the outlets named in the last column, not by us. Each one links to the test it comes from, and the conditions it was measured under are listed beside it.
| Measurement | Result | Conditions | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolling shutter (sensor readout time) | 14.5 ms | Full frame, 8K (7680x4320) 25p, H.265 | CineD, checked 23 Oct 2026 |
| Video dynamic range (Imatest, SNR = 2) | 12.3 stops | Full frame, 8K (7680x4320) 25p, H.265, ISO 800, N-Log | CineD, checked 23 Oct 2026 |
| RAW dynamic range | 14.2 EV | RAW stills at base ISO (ISO 64) | DXOMARK, checked 23 Oct 2026 |
| Low-light ISO score | 2548 | RAW stills; DXOMARK's computed score from minimum SNR, dynamic range and colour depth | DXOMARK, checked 23 Oct 2026 |
What owners report
We read 187 public posts and reviews on 23 Oct 2026: reddit.com/r/nikon (79), bhphotovideo.com (108). Each point below came up from at least two different people; the wording is ours.
Praised repeatedly
- Autofocus and subject tracking get the most praise. [1][2][3][4]
- Many owners bought it to replace a D850 or D500 and say they have not looked back. [1][2][3]
- Owners like the grip and controls, and one notes it is lighter than a D850. [1][2][3]
- Owners report that their F-mount lenses work well on the FTZ adapter. [1][2][3]
Complained about repeatedly
- Owners say there is a lot to learn, and several bought a third-party guide because there is no printed manual in the box. [1][2][3]
- Some owners find it larger and heavier than they would like, though both say the image quality is worth it. [1][2]
These are public posts. We do not check whether the people who wrote them bought or used this camera.
How this score is put together
9.1 out of 10
- Image quality Weight 25% 9.3
45.7MP stacked full frame
- Autofocus Weight 20% 9.3
493-point AF, Z9 algorithms
- Video Weight 20% 9.6
8K60 internal N-RAW
- Speed Weight 15% 9.0
20 fps at the full 45.7MP
- Handling and build Weight 20% 8.4
5.5-stop in-body VR (6.0 with a Synchro VR lens), 910 g with battery and card
Scored against full-frame interchangeable-lens cameras. The overall figure is the weighted mean of the rows above — it is computed, not set by hand.
How It Compares
| Spec | Nikon Z8 | Canon R5 II | Sony A1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 45.7MP FF Stacked | 45MP FF Stacked | 50.1MP stacked |
| Video | 8K60 N-RAW | 8K60 RAW | 8K up to 30 fps |
| AF Points | 493 points | 1053 zones | Full-frame phase detect |
| Burst | 20 fps | 30 fps | 30 fps |
| IBIS | 5.5 stops | 8.5 stops | 5.5 stops |
| Buy | Check price at Amazon | Check price at Calumet | Check price at Calumet |
Affiliate Disclosure
We buy our own gear or rent it. No manufacturers paid for this review. We earn a commission if you use our links, which keeps this site ad-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Z8 has a 45.7 MP stacked sensor and records 8K 60p N-RAW internally; the Z6 III has 24.5 MP and records 6K N-RAW. Both shoot 20 fps, and both have one CFexpress Type B/XQD slot and one SD slot. The Z6 III's in-body stabilization is rated at 8 stops and its viewfinder has 5.76M dots; the Z8's are 5.5 stops (6.0 with a Synchro VR lens) and 3.69M dots.
The Sony A1 has a 50.1 MP stacked sensor and records 8K at up to 30 fps; the Z8 has 45.7 MP and records 8K 60p N-RAW internally. The Sony A1 reaches 30 fps with its electronic shutter (10 fps mechanical); the Z8 shoots 20 fps and has no mechanical shutter. The A1's viewfinder has 9.44M dots, the Z8's 3.69M. In-body stabilization is rated at 5.5 stops on both (the Z8 6.0 with a Synchro VR lens), and both have a full-size HDMI port.
It takes Nikon Z-mount lenses, among them the 24-120mm f/4 S, the 24-70mm f/2.8 S, the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S and the 50mm f/1.8 S. F-mount lenses mount through Nikon's FTZ adapter; owners report that their F-mount lenses work on it (see What owners report).
Nikon rates continuous recording at up to 90 minutes in 8K UHD 30p (auto temperature cutout High) and up to 125 minutes in 4K UHD 60p (cutout Standard, extended oversampling off), both in H.265 8-bit (MOV) at 25 °C with a Nikon MC-CF660G card and external power.
It shoots 20 fps RAW bursts, has Pre-Release Capture (up to 1 second before the shutter is fully pressed), and its subject detection covers birds and other animals. Nikon's Z-mount telephotos include the 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR and the 400mm f/4.5 S. Of its two card slots, one takes CFexpress Type B/XQD and the other SD.
Related Reviews
Recommended Accessories
Essential gear to maximize your Nikon Z8 experience:
Memory Card
Lexar CFexpress Type B 256GB
A CFexpress Type B card for the Z8's CFexpress/XQD slot.
Pro Telephoto
Nikon Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S
Nikon's 100-400mm telephoto zoom with optical VR.
Extra Battery
Nikon EN-EL15c
The battery this camera takes; Nikon rates it at approx. 340 shots (viewfinder only, energy saving on).
Battery Grip
Nikon MB-N12
Nikon's battery grip for the Z8: holds two EN-EL15c batteries and adds vertical controls.
More gear guides: Best TripodsBest Camera BagsBest SD Cards
