Nikon Z 8 Review

[SECTION]INTRODUCTION[/SECTION]

There is no doubt that the Nikon Z 9 is a superb flagship for the Z range, but it is bulky and expensive, so the trimmed-down, more compact version that we see here with the new Z 8 is a welcome step forward. This is especially true as there is very little of the Z 9 that is lost, although the Z 8 cannot film for as long and has a smaller battery capacity. The 30% reduction in size is a welcome move as is the substantial reduction in price. For the purpose of this review, we have the Nikon Z 8 plus the Nikkor Z 26mm f/2.8 lens, recently reviewed and ‘Highly Recommended’, so let’s see how it all works out in practice, for both stills and video shooting.

Nikon Z 8 Features

The Nikon Z range has now matured, with a wide range of FX (full frame) and DX (APS-C crop frame) format cameras and lenses, the latest being the new Z 8. The Z 8 is a hybrid, lighter and smaller companion to the flagship Z 9, and retains most of its features. The new camera is large, measuring up at 144mm x 118.5mm x 83mm, but not overly so as it fits the hand well and is easy to carry and use. The design of the layout is pure Nikon and is like a well-fitting pair of gloves. We lose a bit on the working range of the meter, we lose the wired LAN RJ-45 connector and we lose some battery life. The vertical grip also becomes an optional extra. However, we gain a lighter camera, an additional card slot that accommodates SD cards, an extra USB-C port and some extra subject detection capability with a very refined AF system. If the wired LAN facility is required this can be achieved by using a USB-C to LAN adapter.

In terms of memory cards, in Slot 1 there is now a choice of using XQD or CFExpress Type B cards. Some of the high specs that need high-speed data transfer may need the CFExpress cards, but for most purposes, XQD and SD cards will cover most things. All the usual file formats are available for saving images, with an increasing availability of HEIF as a higher-resolution alternative to the ubiquitous JPEG.

The stacked 45.7MP CMOS sensor uses dual readout and achieves “the fastest transfer rate in the world” according to Nikon. This is necessary to virtually eliminate any possibility of rolling shutter distortion, as there is only the electronic shutter. After using the Z 9 and the new Z 8 cameras for a while there would seem to be no detriment to dropping the mechanical shutter, and no rolling shutter distortion is to be seen. The ISO range is from 64-25600, but it can be extended to ISO 32-102400.

Built-in are GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth, so plenty of options for connectivity. There are now two USB-C connectors, which means that data can be transferred via one cable whilst the other is charging the camera. For those who use multiple batteries and a battery charger, it is pleasing to see that a charger is still supplied in the box.

Focusing is a hybrid phase detection/contrast-detection AF and this locks on quickly, accurately and silently. If needed, the frame rate can be up to 120fps, but at that point with a reduced resolution of 11MP.

Videographers have a whole host of features available and the capability to shoot 8K 30p for up to 90 minutes and 4K 30p for a little over 2 hours, without the camera overheating and shutting down. There is 8.3K native video resolution and in-camera 12-Bit RAW for video, up to 8.3K/60p. We have Nikon RAW, ProRes RAW 10-Bit MOV, H.265 and Full HD MP4 H.264. For simple, straightforward out-of-the-box video shooting the Z 8 behaves impeccably The video start/stop button is prominently proud of the body and leads to judder-free start and stop. The VR system stabilises video amazingly well and makes tripod-free shooting so much easier to watch. Equally useful is the ease with which it is possible to seamlessly change from stills to video shooting, and vice-versa.

Whilst it is possible to move to more advanced techniques, the default setup of the Z 8 provides a good set of starting tools for both stills photographers and videographers. Particularly wedding photographers might want to combine the two types of shooting and it is worth noting the ease with which both stills and video can be shot at the same session.

Nikon Z 8 Features

• 45.7MP full-frame stacked CMOS sensor with the world’s fastest scanning speed to virtually eliminate rolling shutter distortion
• Electronic shutter 1/32000s to 30s, extendable to 900s in M mode
• Stills burst rate up to 120fps at 11MP
• Stills burst rate 60fps at 45.7MP
• 10-bit HEIF stills
• 10-bit HLG video
• Blackout free viewfinder
• 4 Axis tilting touchscreen monitor 8cm (3.2”) 100% coverage, 2100K dots
• Media: XQD or CFExpress (Type B) in slot 1
• SD, SDHC or SDXC in slot 2 (UHS-II compliant)
• 2 USB-C ports enable charging and data transfer simultaneously
• ISO 64-25600, extending to 32-102,400
• Metering range: -3EV to +17EV
• 5 axis VR
• Hybrid phase detection/contrast-detection AF
• AF Detection for People, Dogs, Cats, Birds, Cars, Motorcycles, Bicycles, Trains and Planes, sensitive to -7 EV or -9C in starlight mode
• 8K or 4K video
• 12-bit RAW in-camera Nikon N-RAW files, 8.3K N-RA and 4.1K ProRes RAW HQ
• GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth v5.0
• 910g incl battery and card/820g body only
• Battery Life stills up to 330 shots (EVF) or 340 shots (Monitor) with energy-saving off and battery life stills up to 340 shots (EVF) or 370 shots (Monitor) with energy-saving on
• Battery Life 2280 shots (photo burst)
• Battery Life Video 85 minutes
• Pro-grade weather sealing (operation -10C to +40C)
• Optional vertical battery grip MB-N12
• 9 Preset white balance choices, 8 Picture Control settings and 20 Creative Picture Control settings

Nikon Z 8 Handling

There are many different camera designs, many of which are perfectly well designed within the logic of their creators. Nikon seems to have hit upon a winning basic design a long time ago and this has reached new heights with the Nikon Z mirrorless cameras. Many photographers will welcome the extensive use of dedicated buttons and dials. Even if any or all of these are actually digital under the skin then there is little cause for apprehension as the controls work as well and as smoothly (maybe better) than anything that came out of a more analog era.

Not all controls are used all the time, many being just for setting up the camera to our own personal choices, but those that are can be rapidly accessed via a customisable i menu. There are also dedicated buttons for ISO and exposure compensation, as well as the choices available on the lenses via the silent control ring.

Who will the Z 8 suit? Most Nikon users, whether coming from using other Z series mirrorless cameras or  Nikon DSLRs will find everything placed in a familiar way, and everything working in that same familiar way. Users of other marques who want to change to Nikon Z will find differences in operation, some more than others, but familiarity through practice solves most issues of handling.

[SECTION]PERFORMANCE[/SECTION]

Nikon Z 8 Performance

The performance section is where we look at the image quality performance of the camera. Additional sample photos and product shots are available in the Equipment Database, where you can add your own review, photos and product ratings.

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Nikon Z 8 Sample Photos

Lens Performance – The Z 8 was supplied for review with the Nikkor Z 26mm f/2.8, previously reviewed and awarded the accolade of Highly Recommended. The conclusion was:

Central sharpness is outstanding from f/2.8 right through to f/11 and excellent at f/16. The edges are very good at f/2.8, excellent from f/4 to f/8 and very good at f/11 and f/16. A truly splendid result.

CA (Chromatic Aberration) is measured with any in-camera corrections switched off, as far as we can know anyway. CA measurements indicate that there is virtually no colour fringing, and field tests bear this out.

Distortion measures at just -0.15% barrel, virtually rectilinear so making the lens ideal for architectural subjects.

Bokeh is pleasant without being in the sublime category, and as bokeh is not the real forte of wide-angle lenses this is perhaps not too surprising. It is very acceptable.

Flare is not generally a problem, although, in the severe flare test with bright light sources in the field of view, there is a considerable generation of artefacts.

The one “defect” that we can find is vignetting, and this is really quite obvious in images, particularly close-up ones. This is something that this lens has in common with some other Nikon Z optics, so it seems to be a design choice. It can of course be handled in camera or in software, or we can exploit it creatively, especially with portraiture.

Nikon Z 8 ISO test images

ISO Noise Performance – ISO performance has been steadily improving and is no longer such a limiting factor in our photography as it has been. The Z 8 is virtually noise-free right up to ISO 800. At ISO 1600 the merest suggestion of noise just appears and this becomes slightly more obvious at ISO 3200. However, right up to this point, images are usable without noise intruding. ISO 6400 sees noise becoming obvious but still well under control, but thereafter things do fall apart. By ISO 25600 the edges of the boxes in the test chart are merging into one another and by ISO 51200 and 102400 all detail is severely compromised. It is creditable though that even at the highest ISO setting, if the subject matter is interesting enough to demand a shot then it definitely worth having a go and the results can be surprisingly good.

Nikon Z 8 White-balance test images

White Balance Performance – White balance presets are available, covering Auto, Natural light auto, Direct sunlight, Cloudy, Shade, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Flash, Choose colour temperature and Preset manual. The auto settings work well and for outdoor locations, the cloudy and shade settings can be very useful for woodland shots. Deep shadows in woodland can easily take on a purplish hue, so the presets can take care of that.

Nikon Z 8 Digital filters

Digital Filters – The Z 8 offers the same wide range of digital filters that we have seen in previous Z series cameras, such as the flagship Z 9 and even the crop sensor DX models such as the delightfully retro Zfc. The list is divided into two, being 8 Picture Control settings – Auto, Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, Landscape and Flat – and 20 Creative Picture Control settings – Dream, Morning, Pop, Sunday, Somber, Dramatic, Silence, Bleached, Melancholic, Pure, Denim, Toy, Sepia, Blue, Red, Pink, Charcoal, Graphite, Binary, Carbon. Many of these are self-explanatory, many others a bit mysterious as to why we might want them, but they definitely merit exploration and can be useful. An obvious example is monochrome, as setting the camera to shoot mono images right from the start can completely change our mindset into thinking in terms of black and white.

Source: Photography News
Nikon Z 8 Review
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