If reports about the Nikon Z 8 are accurate, Canon and Sony should watch their backs because Nikon is coming out swinging.
The Nikon D850 is arguably the greatest DSLR that ever graced the photography world. The D850 was a megapixel monster that was built tough. The D850 also focused effortlessly and had every bell and whistle a DSLR could have. Unfortunately, up until now, Nikon hasn’t delivered a camera that can be considered a mirrorless D850.
Yes, we’ve seen the Nikon Z 7 and Z 7 II. Still, besides the similar megapixel count, the differences between the D850 DSLR and the mirrorless Z 7 range are huge. However, all of this could be about to change as there’s noise out there about a Nikon Z 8. If the specs floating around are accurate, the Nikon Z 8 will dunk over the Canon EOS R5 (read our review here) and give cameras like the Sony a1 and a7R IV a huge scare.
The Nikon Z 8 — A Z 9 in a non-gripped body
According to a report on Nikon Rumors, not only will the Nikon Z 8 be a mighty mirrorless warrior, the camera might be here before us sooner than we think. The recent speculation suggests that the Nikon Z 8 will feature the same 45.71-megapixel stacked sensor and the EXPEED 7 image processor found in the Z 9. In addition, the Z 8 could also ship with the same autofocus system that includes the AI tracking modes that the Z 9 uses.
The body will be the most significant difference between the Z 8 and the Z 9. The Z 9 is a pro-body camera with an integrated grip. Gripped cameras are often favored by wildlife and sports photographers who are out in the field for extended times. Maximizing battery life without constantly switching out batteries is ideal for these situations. Non-gripped cameras are for everyone who doesn’t mind plonking new batteries into their camera more frequently.
Price it right, and it will sell like hot cakes
There’s not much else out there in terms of specification right now. Still, one could make an educated guess about what it might have. I would expect it to keep the dual card slots, but instead of two CFexpress slots, there might be one CFexpress slot and one SD UHS-II slot.
Expect the Nikon Z 8 to have the same IBIS system, which will be good for six stops of shake reduction. The same articulating screen and the same 3.69-million dot EVF should be expected too. Nikon will have to make some cuts somewhere, though, to bring the price down closer to the Canon R5 while also undercutting the Sony a1. I see Nikon cutting back on the 8K video modes and offering 6K or maybe just 4K. I can also see the GLONASS, GPS and QZSS positioning sensors being cut. The Nikon Z 8 will also use a cheaper battery cell compared to the Z 9, which will also help bring costs down.
If Nikon can get the Z 8 to market and price it at around $4,500, which would place it in the same ballpark as the R5 and will make it significantly cheaper than the Sony a1, Nikon could move back to the top of the pile when it comes to high-end cameras for professional photography. We won’t have long to find out what Nikon has in store for the Z 8. Nikon could announce the Z 8 as early as this month (August) and release it in September.
The future of the Z 5, Z 6 and Z 7 series
Even with the potential release of the Nikon Z 8, I don’t believe that the Z 5, Z 6 or the Z 7 will be going anywhere anytime soon. The Z 5 is the perfect entry point into the Nikon full-frame Z mount family. The Z6 offers excellent bang-for-the-buck performance as well.
The Z 7 series is slightly trickier as it has been Nikon’s higher megapixel offering until now. I can see the Z 7 series morphing into Nikon’s answer to the Sony a7r line. The Z 8 will be about performance. I think the Z 7 III could launch with a higher megapixel sensor, like the 61-megapixel variant that Sony offers. This, of course, is just me speculating, but it makes sense for Nikon to do this. Only time will tell.
One thing for sure is that the camera market is becoming quite exciting again. Sony has dominated the mirrorless camera space for far too long. So it’s refreshing to see Nikon and Canon putting their best feet forward again. What do you think about the Nikon Z 8? What do you think we will see? Let us know in the comment section below.
Especially, Z8 or whatever name it is, N-Log should be able to record without the need for any external recording screen (Atamos Ninja). Nikon did not offer this to any Z series. I hope you keep this in mind, Nikon engineers
The Z9 record the Nlog internally, right?
I hope Nikon does not listen to your suggestions..4500 is too expensive and that will give the sony a7iv a home run. The canon r5 is already the z9 s rival.
Cutting back on 8k is not a smart choice as well as Nikon’s late to the party and whatever they release now will be knocked out by the competition in the next few months.
We need a Z5II with BSI sensor and higher FPS.
The mirrorless D850 is called the Z7 II
I own both and that is not true by a long shot
To be the z version of the d850 it needs to have better dynamic range than the z9. The d850 didn’t have massive fps either. I would happily have a smaller, cheaper z9 with lower fps, in stills and vid, but with am extra stop of dr in both, too.
It seems to me that the dynamic range of the Z9 sensor is very good. ask me to confirm it?
If not, is it possible that via firmware, the Z9 can further improve the dynamic range? Or is it “technically” not possible?
Can’t wait for the Z8; the sooner the better! Shooting with the Z6II right now and satisfied but still looking for more.
At $4500, a Z 9 would still be a better choice.
Since the Z 9 was priced aggressively, I bet you see a Z 8 closer to $3500 – especially if it’s able to share multiple components between bodies.
I like your thinking. I only paid 2400. for my D850, but I would be in at 3500. plus I will need to replace my lens, that’s about another 8-10,000.
At $4500 it’s no D850 mirrorless equivalent
Wrong Brett,
Waiting for a Mirrorless D500 not a D850.
The report isn’t wrong, Grahame. This is a report about a new full-frame camera from Nikon, not APS-C. I have, however, written about the need for a mirrorless D500 in the past.
All the best,
Brett
I would wish a square sensor with +/-60mp and a sensor size of 32×32 mm. the new z lenses and their wider flange would offer that.
i waited and waited for this z8 (looking for better AF then the z7ii) coming from d850 i couldnt wait any longer so pulled the trigger on the z9. And now here cones the z8. but i’m more then happy with the z9 tho. But i know me i’ll end up getting it anyway and having all 3.. well four i have a canon r5 also.
I think the price needs to be closer to $4,000. I don’t think a $800.00 spread will do it. 4500 to 5500 is a nice spread, but for a 1000. more I might as well go on in for the Z9.
Hope to see this camera soon.
I buy a camera to take stills…I Don’t care about video…I do care about auto focus, resolution, and ISO. I don’t have the Z7II, but I do have the Z6ii w/latest firmware and I think the AF sucks! I LOVE LOVE LOVE my D850 and until NIKON has the nuggets to produce the mirrorless D850 equivalent I’ll go Sony or Canon mirrorless.
Z6 user here. What I long for is the improved autofocus and speed of the Z9 at a price point much closer to my Z6. Could that Z8 do that??
previous rumors had stated that the nikon z8 would be arriving this month halfway through. we’re now told this isn’t correct but this isn’t bad news details coming up on the nikon z8 along with more information on when we can expect the nikon z6 and z7 mark iii. we need to find out if august is actually going to happen for an announcement from this reliable source a month ago. let’s go back to what how to fly said last month he said that the nikon z8 was going to be announced this month here in October 2022 along… Read more »
Wait for the Z8e, or Z8II or whatever it will be called
Who in there right frame of mind will lay down $4.5K for a Z8, a supposedly equivalent to the D850 unless they just won the lotto
Looks like Sony may be beaten Nikon to the punch with the a7rV. People seem to forget that the D850 is an OVF and so far very few EVF cameras appeal to the audience that enjoys the D850. It has a pretty loyal following amongst wildlife photogs. I had an a7riva and sold it. Camera reviews also look only at stats, not how the camera works in daily use. Some geeks may love menus and playing endlessly with focus settings. I’ve said it before, but there is no point in have hundreds or thousands of focus points if the correct… Read more »