NIKON’S COMPACT HYBRID PROMISES A BIG PERFORMANCE

Announced last month, Nikon’s new full frame Z 8 hybrid camera shoehorns big features, including a 45 megapixel resolution and 8K video, into a compact body 15% smaller than its D850 and 30% smaller than the flagship Z 9

Aflagship camera-like performance from a compact camera body is the enticing sales pitch for the new Nikon Z 8. Its intended audience includes wedding, events, wildlife and landscape photographers, along with portrait and astronomical photographers. Launched at the end of May, the full frame sensor-incorporating model further swells Nikon’s ever-expanding ‘Z’ series of mirrorless cameras and features many key attributes of its range topping Z 9. While it includes that flagship camera’s 45MP stacked full frame CMOS sensor, the Z 8 also arrives at a more affordable price, while being 30% smaller than the Z 9. In short, it’s ideal for photographers looking for a large sensor in a slightly more manageable body than the Z 9. Something of a successor to the Nikon D850 DSLR, which again it manages to be 15% smaller than, the Z 8 borrows too from the Z 7II. New AF tracking modes include the ability for the camera

After ‘8’: The new Nikon Z 8 is smaller than both its manufacturer’s D850 and Z 9 cameras, while featuring the exact same full frame sensor as the Z 9, sample image shown below left to now recognise aircraft, and a first for the range is the provision of twin USB-C ports. We’re promised a faster sensor scan rate with the Z 8 too.

An offering of 8K-resolution capture at 60fps, or 4K-resolution video at up to 120fps for slow motion replay also makes the new Z 8 something of a ‘hybrid’ camera. A compact powerhouse for videographers, it can record 4K-resolution 60P video for over two hours continuously without overheating, or 8K 30P video for up to 90 minutes. For video, a four-axis tilting monitor also comes in potentially very handy.

We’re further offered 12-bit ProRes Raw recording, H.265 422 High Efficiency Video Recording and Nikon N-Log, plus compatibility with third party accessories including XLR adapters and gimbals.

When It Comes To The Crunch

When it comes to crunching through all that data, the Nikon Z8 features an Expeed 7 processor. Further showing its professional mettle, we’re gifted dual media card slots for both CFexpress/ XQD and SD.

In terms of portability, the Nikon Z 8 body weighs 910g, compared with the Z 9’s 1340g. As we’d expect for a camera aimed at enthusiasts and pros, the Z 8’s body is weatherproof and, it’s claimed, has the same tolerance to cold as Nikon’s D6 DSLR and Z 9 mirrorless cameras. With images composed via the same 3.69 million dot electronic viewfinder as the Nikon Z 9, interestingly the Z 8 doesn’t boast a mechanical shutter, thus reducing possible wear and tear while also enabling silent shooting. For those looking to shoot in low light there are further on-camera aids such as illuminated buttons and the ability to adjust the viewfinder’s brightness. Added to this is the ability to shoot Raw files at up to 20fps, to a maximum 1000 shots before the buffer is full.

For those retailers seeking an opportunity for an additional sale, a new, optional vertical MB-N12 grip is available for the Z 8 that takes two EN-EL15 batteries. The Z 8 itself currently retails for a recommended £3,999, body only –speak to your local Nikon rep for more.

www.nikon.co.uk