My Final Verdict on the Nikon Z8: Wedding Warrior and Travel Companion
Hey everyone, I'm Wesley, a wedding, event, and portrait photographer with aspirations of becoming a full-time street and travel photographer (and YouTuber!). Today, I'm diving deep into my final review of the Nikon Z8 after putting it through its paces at several weddings and on a trip to Ireland.
The Z8: By the Numbers
Before we get into my personal experience, let's recap the key specs:
Sensor: 45.7 MP Stacked Full-Frame
Shooting Speed: 20 FPS Raw, up to 120 FPS JPEG
Video: Internal 12-bit 8k N-Raw/4k ProRes Raw
Dimensions: 5.7W x 4.7H x 3.3D inches
Weight: 910 grams (approx. 2 pounds)
Autofocus: 493 AF Points, down to -9EV
My Z8 Experience: A Dream Machine
The Nikon Z8 is hands down the best camera I've ever owned. And I've owned a lot of cameras! From Sony (a7rii, a7iv), Fuji (x-pro3, X-T4, X-T5, X-H2, X100v), Leica (Q2), Canon (R, M50), to Nikon (Z6ii, Z5, Zf, Zfc, FM2) and even my first love, the Pentax ZX-50. The Z8 just works. It's a "set it and forget it" camera, which is ideal for paid work. It lets you focus on creativity, not fiddling with menus or worrying about settings.
My workflow with the Z8 is streamlined. I use two custom banks: Bank A for my primary shooting settings and Bank B as a backup in case I need to drastically change things on a shoot. I typically shoot in Aperture Priority mode (a big shift from my usual Manual mode with Fuji). Auto ISO is set to a maximum of 32000 with a minimum shutter speed of 1/100th of a second. This ensures sharp images without motion blur, and the ISO adjusts automatically for proper exposure. I simply control the aperture for creative depth of field and use exposure compensation to fine-tune the overall look.
For autofocus, I rely on AF-C and 3D Tracking with Auto Subject Detection enabled. The subject detection is phenomenal! It locks onto eyes instantly, even before you position the AF point. For non-human subjects, just place the AF box and recompose – the focus stays locked.
While the bank system is decent, I do miss the more granular custom settings options of the Z6iii, which allowed you to revert to defaults after each power cycle. However, with the Z8's "set it and forget it" nature, this is rarely an issue.
I've mapped two front function buttons: one for Metering and the other for Flicker Reduction or DX Mode (depending on the shoot). Highlight Weighted Metering is a game-changer, especially for street photography and high-contrast scenes. It prioritizes highlight exposure, allowing you to recover shadows in post-processing. The DX Mode provides an instant APS-C crop for extra reach, which can be useful for certain situations. However, I sometimes accidentally activated it, so I switched the button to Flicker Reduction, which helps in artificially lit environments.
The Z8's top buttons, similar to the D850, offer quick access to White Balance, Bracketing, Shooting Mode (P, A, S, M), and Release Mode. Combined with dedicated buttons for ISO, Exposure Compensation, and the i-menu, you rarely need to delve into the menus. This streamlined control is essential for fast-paced wedding photography.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Built-in Skin Softening: A huge time-saver in post-production.
Portrait Impression Balance: For beautiful skin tones.
3D AF Tracking: My absolute favorite AF mode.
Excellent Autofocus System: Plenty of options to suit any need.
Illuminated Buttons: A lifesaver in low light.
Sensor Shield: Protects the sensor during lens changes.
Dual Card Slots, Robust Build, Excellent Weather Sealing: Professional-grade durability.
Highlight Weighted Metering: Essential for high-dynamic-range scenes.
Built Like a Tank: Ready for anything.
Cons:
4-Way Tilt Screen: Why, Nikon? This camera deserves a fully articulating screen. Or Sony’s 4 Way Screen!
Larger and Heavier than Z6/Z7: A trade-off for the added features.
No Shutter Clunk: A minor gripe, but I miss the tactile feedback of a real shutter.
Limited Third-Party Lens Support: Not as bad as Canon, but still something to consider. We are starting to see more lens options in 2025, but Sony still has the most third party lenses on the market.
Third-Party Battery/Flash Issues: Inconsistent performance with some third-party accessories. While the Z6ii took third party batteries, most newer Nikons do not so save a few extra dollars for genuiune batteries.
What I'd Change in the Z8II
Fully Articulating Screen: Essential for video work.
Dual CF Express Card Slots: For video backup and overflow.
User Settings Presets: Bring back the User 1, 2, 3 system from the Z6iii/Z7ii.
Z8 vs. the Competition
Sony a7rV:
Sony Pros: Higher resolution (61MP), Tilt/Flip Screen, Superior Image Stabilization (8 stops).
Nikon Pros: Stacked Sensor (less rolling shutter), Illuminated Buttons, Better Low-Light AF (-7.5EV), Top LCD.
Canon R5 C:
Canon Pros: More AF points (1000).
Nikon Pros: Stacked Sensor, Illuminated Buttons, Full-Size HDMI, Better Low-Light AF, Vehicle/Insect Subject Detection, IBIS.
While Sony has some compelling advantages, Nikon has clearly stepped up its game.
Lens Ecosystem: A Key Consideration
Lens selection is crucial. Canon's restricted third-party support is a drawback. Sony has excellent third-party options. Nikon sits in a good middle ground. However, Nikon's lenses, especially the S-line, offer excellent value compared to Sony's G Master and Canon's L series. For example, the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 S is significantly more affordable than comparable Sony and Canon lenses. This price difference adds up over time.
Final Thoughts: A True Powerhouse
The Nikon Z8 is an outstanding camera. Its build quality, image quality, autofocus, and video performance are top-notch. It's a true hybrid machine, excelling in both stills and video. While I have a few minor complaints, the Z8's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. For me, the ease of editing Nikon files, combined with the excellent ergonomics and affordable high-quality lenses, makes the Z8 one of my top choices. It's a beast of a camera, and I highly recommend it.
