Introduction:
The Nikon Z 8, often referred to as the "mini Z 9," has garnered significant attention in the photography world. This versatile full-frame mirrorless camera offers a compelling mix of high-resolution imaging, robust autofocus capabilities, exceptional video performance, and effective image stabilization. In this review, we delve deeper into the Nikon Z 8's strengths and its potential as an excellent choice for a wide range of photographers and videographers.
Image Quality: A True High-Resolution Marvel
The Nikon Z 8 boasts a remarkable 60.9-megapixel sensor, setting it apart as a powerhouse for high-resolution photography. This impressive sensor delivers exquisite detail and exceptional dynamic range, making it an ideal choice for landscape photographers, portrait artists, and anyone who demands top-tier image quality.
Additionally, the camera's rich white balance options, including natural light auto, white preservation in auto white balance (reducing warmth), and warm color retention, play a pivotal role in real-world shooting scenarios. These white balance options, especially in landscape photography, allow users to achieve highly accurate color rendering by adapting to the environment, simplifying post-processing and enhancing overall efficiency.
White Balance Performance: Exceptional for Landscapes
In the realm of landscape photography, the Nikon Z 8's white balance performance shines. It offers precise color rendering, as evident in the sample images provided. With such white balance capabilities, users can streamline post-processing, requiring only a few steps to achieve outstanding results. This contributes to an overall increase in post-production efficiency.
Furthermore, the Nikon Z 8 exhibits outstanding out-of-the-box color accuracy, even when shooting directly in JPEG format, as demonstrated in the sample images. Its ability to deliver precise colors allows photographers to confidently capture the moment without the need for extensive post-processing.
Dynamic Range: Impressive Performance
At ISO 64, the Nikon Z 8 displays outstanding dynamic range performance. Even when the exposure is reduced to -4 EV, the resulting image remains clean and devoid of color shifts after post-processing. It's only when the exposure drops to -5 EV that noise becomes noticeable after post-processing, but it still remains within an acceptable range and doesn't exhibit color shifts. In other words, at ISO 64, the Nikon Z 8's dynamic range rivals that of flagship cameras.
Moving to higher ISO settings, specifically ISO 1600, ISO 3200, and ISO 6400, the Nikon Z 8's dynamic range performance remains consistent. In high ISO conditions, even at -2 EV exposure, the image retains acceptable noise levels without color shifts, making it entirely usable. At -3 EV, while noticeable noise is introduced after post-processing, it still remains manageable, allowing users to capture shots in extreme conditions.
In real-world scenarios with significant light contrasts, the Nikon Z 8 excels. The camera successfully captured images at -5 EV, and post-processing beautifully restored details in originally pitch-black shadow areas. Upon zooming in, it's evident that the recovered details are clear and well-defined, showcasing the Nikon Z 8's exceptional dynamic range. Despite an increase in noise in extreme shooting conditions, the effectiveness of AI noise reduction software mitigates this concern, enabling users to confidently experiment with the Nikon Z 8.
Overall, the Nikon Z 8's dynamic range performance impresses, whether at low or high ISO settings. Users can comfortably shoot in high-contrast environments, and the resulting images maintain high-quality performance after post-processing.
Video: Another Professional 8K Video Camera
The Nikon Z 8's video capabilities are another cornerstone of its appeal. It can record 4K 60P video for up to 125 minutes and 8K 30P video for 90 minutes. During video shooting, the camera's heat management is commendable, ensuring uninterrupted recording, though it still exhibits a slight advantage in this regard compared to the Z 9.
The Nikon Z 8 supports internal recording of 12-bit 8.3K 60P N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, 10-bit ProRes422 HQ, and H.265 video. Let's now evaluate the Nikon Z 8's actual video performance.
Due to the Nikon Z 8's exceptional low-light image quality, we conducted tests to showcase its video performance in challenging lighting conditions. We captured 8K videos at ISO 3200 and ISO 10000. ISO 3200 represents common nighttime shooting sensitivity, and the resulting 8K video impressively controls noise while preserving clear and detailed imagery. ISO 10000, an extremely challenging nighttime setting, introduces more noise in the 8K video, but it still maintains reasonably clear and detailed content. Therefore, even under the demanding ISO 10000 conditions, the Nikon Z 8 remains a capable tool for video recording.
Additionally, the Nikon Z 8 supports HLG video format shooting, expanding its versatility for video creators.
In comparison to the Nikon Z 9, the Nikon Z 8 introduces two new features. First, it incorporates the 10-bit HEIF HLG photo format, beneficial for creating time-lapse videos, allowing users to record 10-bit 8K HLG time-lapse videos directly. However, this format's lowest ISO setting is ISO 400.
The second new feature is the introduction of Skin Softening options, which come in four levels: high, standard, low, and off. These options offer flexibility for users to adapt to various shooting requirements, especially in complex lighting scenarios such as weddings and events.
In summary, the Nikon Z 8 is not only a powerful photography tool but also a professional-grade video camera. Its comprehensive video recording capabilities, diverse formats, and practical features cater to a wide range of video styles. Regarding video, the Nikon Z 8 closely matches the Z 9, with the added benefit of being smaller and lighter, making it more convenient for use with stabilizers.
Autofocus: Enhanced Subject Recognition
The Nikon Z 8 incorporates a 493-point autofocus system with the ability to focus in -7EV low-light conditions (supporting -9EV in starry sky mode) and 3D tracking autofocus, making it one of the most proficient autofocus systems on the market.
The camera's autofocus system boasts recognition capabilities for nine categories, including people, animals, birds, and various modes of transportation (cars, trains, planes, bicycles, and motorcycles). Let's explore how the Nikon Z 8's autofocus system performs in practice.
In terms of human subject recognition, the Nikon Z 8 exhibits noticeable improvements. Even when the subject occupies only 3% of the frame, the camera accurately detects and tracks the subject's face in real-time. As seen in the recorded footage, the subject's presence in the frame is minimal, yet the Nikon Z 8's recognition is highly accurate and maintains precise tracking. This enhancement provides valuable support for portrait photography, news reporting, sports coverage, and other scenarios involving human subjects.
Furthermore, the camera excels in recognizing and tracking aircraft, a distinct feature clearly presented in the menu. The Nikon Z 8 demonstrates exceptional precision in recognizing various aircraft types and maintaining accurate tracking. This capability proves valuable for capturing aviation events, especially as they gradually resume post-pandemic.
However, it's worth noting that, while the Nikon Z 8's autofocus system and recognition capabilities are nearly on par with the Z 9, the user experience currently falls slightly short in the current firmware version. Particularly, during the initial focusing phase, from no focus to achieving focus, including subject recognition during this phase, the Nikon Z 8's experience is not as refined as the Z 9's. Nevertheless, we anticipate that this issue will be addressed and improved in future firmware updates.
Burst Shooting: On Par with the Best
The Nikon Z 8 boasts impressive burst shooting capabilities, making it an ideal choice for capturing fast-moving subjects in sports and action photography. It supports RAW burst shooting at 20 frames per second and JPEG burst shooting at 30 frames per second. Additionally, it offers a remarkable 60 frames per second burst shooting mode at 19 megapixels and 120 frames per second at 11 megapixels.
In real-world testing at the Langkawi Airshow, the Nikon Z 8's burst shooting performance truly shines. Thanks to its sophisticated autofocus system, every frame, regardless of the shooting mode, maintains precise focus, and image quality remains consistent with single-frame shooting. This makes it a powerful tool for capturing dynamic scenes, including sports events, news coverage, wildlife photography, and everyday moments involving pets and children.
Image Stabilization: Reliable for Photos and Videos
The Nikon Z 8 offers a highly effective 6-stop image stabilization system, which proves more than adequate for hand-held photography and straightforward panning.
While it may not be the absolute best in the professional full-frame camera market, the Nikon Z 8's image stabilization is entirely sufficient in practice. Whether shooting stills or recording videos, the camera's image stabilization provides valuable support and aids in achieving sharp and steady shots.
Conclusion: Nikon Z 8 - A Premier Choice Below the Z 9
In conclusion, the Nikon Z 8, often dubbed the "mini Z 9," serves as a worthy contender in the digital camera market. Priced at $2799, it delivers an impressive array of features and capabilities that nearly match those of the Z 9, providing a compelling alternative at a more budget-friendly price point.
The Nikon Z 8 excels in multiple aspects, offering high resolution, exceptional autofocus, robust burst shooting, and superb video performance. Its versatility caters to a diverse range of users, including landscape photographers, portrait artists, sports photographers, photojournalists, wildlife photographers, professional videographers, and imaging enthusiasts.
In today's competitive all-in-one camera market, the Nikon Z 8 stands out for its image quality, autofocus system, burst shooting capabilities, and video prowess. It remains a formidable choice that will retain its competitiveness for several years, making it a smart investment for those looking to elevate their photography and videography.
In a market crowded with options, the Nikon Z 8 proves to be a reliable and versatile companion, allowing users to achieve their creative vision and capture moments with precision and clarity.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this review is based on the Nikon Z 8's performance and features as of the knowledge cutoff date in September 2021. Subsequent firmware updates or changes in product specifications may impact its performance or capabilities. Users are encouraged to check for the latest information and firmware updates from Nikon to maximize their camera's potential.