Nikon Z8 review one year later : The pros and cons of the Nikon Z8.

[@patrickmcmahon818]

I bought my Z9 before the Z8 came out and never looked back. I came from a D850 with a battery grip and the Z9 felt like a great transition and the mirrorless system blew me away. I have used a Z8 (friend’s camera) and there are so many reasons I wish I would have waited a few more months before buying the Z9. But Nikon’s push for firmware updates have been phenomenal! Just my Z9 firmware updates have been like getting two new cameras since I’ve bought it. Your review is fantastic for people who are considering this camera. Another great video!

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Hi Patrick, the Z9 as you rightly say is one amazing camera and the Nikon updates have been truly incredible. I think most companies would have released only one update and probably then released a "new" model. Fair play to Nikon though they are really giving us incredible value with these cameras. The Z8 has been a joy to use for me personally and I never ever thought I would find a camera to replace my beloved D850 in my heart but the Z8 has. They are truly amazing cameras and funnily enough I was testing the ZF, that's my last uploaded video and it's very similar to the Z8. Thanks again for the nice feedback and for watching the video. Enjoy the Z9 it's a truly wonderful camera.

[@cameraramblings4107]

Z8 is awesome, sold all my Sony gear. It’s such a good workhorse and great at everything

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Couldn't agree more with you. The best mirrorless camera Nikon have made. If not the best camera they have ever made. Enjoy every minute of it 😉

[@kevinastley2562]

I went the opposite, tried the z8 but preferred the sony system. So many choices these days

[@kieranhayesphotography]

@@kevinastley2562 That's the thing with photography, what one person loves the other person may hate. As I said in the video a camera is a tool and we all use them differently. As you say it's great to have the choice.

[@HeadphoneChamps]

How do you like it so far? I'm looking to make the transition.

[@cameraramblings4107]

@@HeadphoneChampslove it. I actually swapped out the z8 for the z9. Originally the smaller body appealed to me however I prefer the z9 as for some reading it’s big and bulky. When I run and gun in a hybrid way I find the z9 just a little less micro jittery due to the weight. Same camera in essence. The z8 better for gimbal. The other thing about the z9 is there is just a little more air circulation and I don’t get any heat warnings. The z8 occasionally would show a hot card warning. Still fine though. Still feel 2:00 this is the best all rounder and the advantage over Sony is the back screen is just a little bigger meaning on many ovations I use it bare back. No cage no monitor just the camera and two batteries

[@lithgowlights859]

Thanks for that first comment. I currently shoot a D800 and D850, and absolutely love the way they feel in my hands. Solid, heavy, but not too heavy, and high enough so I don't have my little finger off the bottom of the camera body like my D7000 I had before them. My Z8 should be here next week, along with a 24-70 f4 as an initial lens, and the F to Z mount adapter so I can use some of my F mount lenses as well.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Enjoy it, it's a great camera. You need to spend sometime with it though as it's very different to a DSLR. Love mine though.

[@leonfisher]

Wow! 14 months already. They grow up so fast. Great long-term review.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

😂😂😂 That's very true, before we know they are obsolete :-)

[@KreatorStudios]

I love my Z8. The dynamic range for video is amazing. I love the color, image, etc.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

It's a truly amazing camera for the money and the Z series lenses are sublime now also. Looking forward to the next few updates and what they bring for the Z8. Have you had any issues with overheating? Just curious, so I ask everyone 🙂

[@KreatorStudios]

@@kieranhayesphotographyno issues with overheating. I’m a professional real estate photographer and it is exceptional for me because I am able to get a good interior exposure with a person and still have a good exposure of the exterior and the views of the property in video.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

@@KreatorStudios Oh that's going to be huge alright, the dynamic range for a hybrid camera is nuts, are you using a reflector or key light with that? I do a good bit of real estate photography and a bit of videography then too. We are living in great times for camera technology.

[@KreatorStudios]

@@kieranhayesphotography I had two bs tiny lights. One was a small lume cube and the other was a small also weak light. But it worked. I will post the video in a few days so you can see. But Nlog let me pull it off. I also have a Sony A7iv and i don’t believe it would have had equal results. I will do a comparison video soon as well and will show real world examples of this from both. I couldn’t find any when I was researching during my camera search.

[@nadjauebach9381]

Wow, thank you so much for such an in depth review ... everyone thinking about buying the Z8 should watch this!

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Thanks for the kind words and for watching 😉

[@philnind6702]

Great review. My Z8 arrives next week, sold my D500 and lenses to help fund it. Cant wait as ive got the 24-120 and 180-600 coming with it.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Oh massive congratulations, that will be a big step up. Two really good lenses to pair with it also, enjoy every minute of them. I bet next week can't come soon enough :-)

[@markstewart9666]

Great review, only had my Z8 for 3 weeks and I'm utterly blown away by it. Moved up from a D500, its in another league! Great channel by the way 👍

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Thanks a million Mark, really appreciate the kind words. Enjoy the Z8 and the many adventures with it. Nothing out there beats photography.

[@CraigEggleton]

Agree this camera is just phenomenal. I’d also say the lens line Nikon has produced for the Zmount really complement the z8.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Exactly, the line up just keeps getting better and better. Over the last two years everything is just top class, from glass to camera bodies.

[@CraigEggleton]

@@kieranhayesphotography I just dabbled with an zh2s this weekend and it felt like I had gone from an iPhone 15 Pro Max to an old blackberry. You really appreciate the system more when you see how far they have come especially on the video side of the house.

[@joemorrissey1319]

Hi Kieran, have you done any macro stuff with the z8? Im having a problem with focus shift. Trying to shoot maybe 40 or 50 images, handheld, with flash at 1/32 ish, everything on manual. (Using Z8/Z 105 f2.8 VR S and SB-900 flash) I need to set focus shift to "00" to get the fastest burst (as far as I know) but the flash won't fire when I select "00" The flash will fire in any other situation even at 10 frames per second so that's not the issue I think. Also no issue when focus shift is set to"1" but that's too slow. Have you any wise words on this Kieran lest I tear out the last few ribs of hair 😃

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Hi Joe, now that's a good question... I have shot loads of pics with focus shift, genreally on a tripod though and with a constant video light for product photography etc.... I didn't think you could set the delay between shots to 00 when you were using flash. Mainly due to the limitations of having maybe 30 to 120 photos being taken in a couple of seconds and the flash just not being able to keep up with the camera. That's why I always used constant light, I just tried your setup there now and it won't work. I tried a few different flashes on it and no good. I used a small constant light on a focus shift video here and it worked away perfectly... kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnS2pqunasmLg68si=gtXlfvCg7sp1gIXq They are cheap and highly portable so fingers crossed that will do the job for you. Sorry Joe I can't see any other solution to it other than constant light.

[@torbjornwiken]

Had mine for 4 months and I just love it! I do a lot of landscape and wildlife, and it just performs so well. Yeah the "hot card" issue may be a problem for some, but do keep in mind that most people will not shoot in 8k for a long time. Shooting 8k is really a whole different ballgame as it requires a lot of storage space and computer power (also adding that most cant view 8k, so only reason is really to add flexibility in post). Myself I for 90% of the time are shooting 4k and haven't had any big issues with the hot-card problem. Should also mention that the Z8 often sells as a bundle with a battery-grip. I often use the battery-grip when doing wildlife and it works really well. You can also charge the two EN batteries with usb directly into the battery-grip. Great video!

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Exactly, 8k isn't for everyone but it's a big selling point for some for future proofing and companies are starting to request it now on some shoots. I am only really mentioning it so people know before they buy the camera. Just to give an honest balanced opinion for people. Some people have had issues in higher ambient temps in burst mode even with high end cards. Again they are more the extreme than the normal. In Ireland we will never get those temperatures thankfully 😀. The melting point of an Irish person is 30 degrees 😉. Thanks for the feedback and enjoy the Z8 it's a truly amazing camera. It also depends where you shoot and your ambient temps and your card too of course. the 4k higher frame rates

[@Crossingman18]

This looks like a fantastic camera. Planning on selling my Panasonic Lumix GH4 and lense to help fund this camera

[@kieranhayesphotography]

It really is an exceptional camera, one of the true great all rouders.

[@adamsneddon9352]

I'm really close to pulling the trigger on the Z8, currently have the Z6ii and the physical size is something I'm unsure of. Did think of the Z6iii but I fancy the extra megapixels

[@kieranhayesphotography]

The Z6iii and the Z8 are both great cameras but the Z8 has a lot of advantages including the higher resolution of course. Personally I prefer the larger form factor of the Z8 it's not that much bigger but it still just feels better in the hand. Whichever way you go you will have a great camera so enjoy it 😉

[@leannaslaterphotography]

Have you found the major banding issues shooting in HSS? I cannot get Nikon to respond about it. I need to freeze sports action for my dramatic sports shots outdoors. I've tried the ad200, FJ200 & FJ400 lights.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Hi Leanna, No I haven't had an issue at all in HSS, I shoot a lot of outdoor portraits in bright daylight so I frequently use HSS with a few different lights and never came across it. I know somebody mentioned before that they had an issue with HSS with their flash but updating the firmware on the flash solved their issue. I use the Neewer Z2 and Q4 mainly and so far so good no issues at all.

[@leannaslaterphotography]

@@kieranhayesphotography Darn it! I just cannot get it to stop. Any recommendations? I've reached out to Nikon several times...I'm just worried its the camera. But I was hopeful that it was operated error. I have had the z6 for years. And never a problem with HSS.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

@@leannaslaterphotography I have a few older flashes and speed lights here and I know they are not compatible with the Z8 and there has been banding with them but I know they won't work on it and it's not a fault with the Z8. Yet my Z6ii and Z7ii have no issue with those flashes. I am surprised Nikon haven't replied to you. They are usually very good. It might be no harm to go to a camera shop and ask can you try a new model flash and see if the problem persists there.

[@davidhenderson4875]

Fantastic review kieran .I have just discovered your channel,I have a z7 and it feels like a toy to me compared to my d700 d3x and d4..I like the features of the z7. But build quality is far inferior and I am afraid to use it like my non mirror less cameras.my biggest gripe with z7 is dust and lack of a blind .it seriously limits my changing of lenses. The z8 looks like my type of camera and thanks for such an honest review

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Thanks a lot David. The Z8 was the mirrorless camera I was waiting for and while it's not quite DSLR build quality it feels more robust than the Z7 which was what I missed. Also the physical size of the Z7 just didn't feel quite right to me either. Thanks a lot for the feedback and for watching.

[@mrz1342]

hi, is 45mp on Z8 sufficient for quality landscape photography?

[@kieranhayesphotography]

It most cetainly is, it does depend on how large you are printing though. I have had images taken on a 36mp camera printed on bill bords and large banners for airports and they looked perfect.

[@Ton-x4r]

A con is that if you buy a Z8 your wife will leave you. This could also be a pro for some people😅

[@kieranhayesphotography]

That's very true I never thought of that :-) Women can be so jealous 😂😂😂 I always say "oh the company sent it to me" ;-)

[@Ton-x4r]

@@kieranhayesphotography or try " honey, look what I found in the trash dumpster outside"

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Lol... I might try that next time :-)

[@traveller123]

😂

[@lithgowlights859]

My wife is going from a D3200 to a D800, she's happy!

[@HariS.-gp2te]

As a Nikon user, D3S, D750, D850, I have had a love/ hate relationship with this brand. The negatives- Snapbridge has always been a hit / miss with the D850. The live view is atrocious for magnified views for critical focusing And of course, the focus points not covering the edges thus making framing an issue for framing moving objects. And finally, Nikon has abandoned their Tilt shifts ( which I use extensively for architectural shots. I am looking at Fujifilm GFX but I’m torn between going with the Z8 or moving over to medium format and using Fujifilm’s new GFX50sii with their new tilt shift lenses. I lost faith in Nikon. And to note. I use a professional video camera (Canon C70) for my vide work. Hybrid cameras have their limitations by the very nature of being a hybrid.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

I agree with nearly everything you said there especially about Snap bridge I gave up on that years ago. It works sometimes and not others and it just bugged the hell out of me. I have a few friends that use Fuji medium formatt and they really like it. Before I bought the Z8 I was very tempted to swap over to their system also but I am honestly glad I didn't now. I really like the Z8 and it suits me down to the ground. Of course with anything that's a hybrid there are going to be corners that are cut and the Z8 is certainly no C70 by a long shot. But it does the job for me thankfully. The tilt shift lenses are missed and there seems to be no option for the future with them. I can certainly see the attraction of medium formatt and whatever you decide on good luck with it. It's going to be a sizeable investment whichever way you go.

[@HariS.-gp2te]

@@kieranhayesphotography Thank you. And forgot to mention that your review was great. My apologies

[@kieranhayesphotography]

@HariS.-gp2te no need for any apologies and thank you. Have a great weekend 👍

[@Hero1117a]

Luv my z8

[@kieranhayesphotography]

It's one amazing camera alright. Nikon knocked it out of the park with the Z8.

[@barryobrien1890]

Can you use capture one for tether. The lenses are what made me move from f mount.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Hi Barry, yes capture one works for tethering adn I seriously thought about moving but I have a very large Lightroom catalogue and its a massive art f my workflow now so I am slow to change. Nikons NX tether works well but syncing it to lightroom is a small bit clumsy. Fingers crossed Nikon do something about his glitch as it's a real pain, I am shooting more with the Z7ii now in studio as a result of this firmware glitch. The Z mount lenses are something else alright, some big benifits to changing over there alright.

[@Man_Cave]

Me thoughts a Leprechaun dumped it into me lap!

[@kieranhayesphotography]

I am still waiting for that to happen :-)

[@ysabelledurant]

the shutter sound is indeed super ennoying

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Isn't it great that's all we really have to complain about. It's a fantastic camera.

[@lukakoprivica]

It's not a stupid phone... Of course it's "still" worth it.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Lol... that's true. It's a great camera to be fair.

[@kevinastley2562]

I still find Nikon behind Canon and Sony with autofocus and tracking. I shoot wildlife and have more hit rates with my Sony and Canon.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

When you consider how far they were behind Sony and Canon two years ago it's crazy how fast they are catching up. I would think they are all very close now from my experiences of using them. In saying that I am not a wildlife photographer. I know the next few updates will be concentrating on AF updates and a few new features for the Z8 so it's exciting times ahead. I do agree though that Sony and Canon are slightly ahead of Nikon in terms of AF but I believe that gap is going to close very quickly now thankfully from a Nikon perspective. The Z9, Z8, ZF and Z6iii have all been very successful for Nikon so they are clearly doing something right these days.

[@livejames9374]

For photo and video AF combined, only canon that can keep up with Z8/9 is R5ii/R1, only Sony is A93 (too low resolution).

[@kevinastley2562]

@@livejames9374 I have no issues with the Sony a9III resolution. Its benefits over the current canon line up are far more impressive out weigh its weaknesses. I just don’t think Canon are in the game, after years of dev on the r1 and the r52 their outputted result against the a1 and a9III is dissipating

[@livejames9374]

@@kevinastley2562 for wildlife I need to be able to crop. While you still can with 24mp, the ability to crop without degrading image quality are reduced. Z8/9, R5ii/R1, A9iii are all great with different strengths and weaknesses. If you can’t get the shot with any of those cameras idk what to say. Just my opinion

[@kevinastley2562]

@@kieranhayesphotography true but you have to look to the next generation from the others that again may leave them behind playing catch up again.

[@Paul-D-Hoff]

Everything has physical limitations, DAAAAAAAAAAA.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Exactly hence the video 😉 just highlighting it for people that may not know them 😉 Have a great weekend.

[@gilgameshuruk2644]

Heat is number one issue

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Yes, heat is a slight issue alright in high ambient temps for burst mode and video recording. Having the right card does mitigate a good bit of the issue though. I have a few videos up on cooling the Z8 that might be of help to you if heat is causing you issues.

[@user-zp6jc9zu4w]

No sane guy will junk his one year old Nikon Z8 unless he's inherited billions of dollars to keep buying... With all it's pro's and con's people will still keep using it....

[@kieranhayesphotography]

I think you might have misunderstood the point of this review, the idea was to give people who were thinking about buying the Z8 now for the first time what I think of it and my experiences with it. On a side note as the Z8 is a pro level camera I would have thought most people would sell it in a lot less time than a year if it didn't work for them. I know I would and sadly I am not a billionaire, wish I was though. Have a great weekend.

[@jjjkenny]

I sold both of my Z8’s

[@kieranhayesphotography]

Now that's interesting, what did you go for instead?

[@jjjkenny]

@@kieranhayesphotography Waiting for Z7III. Not planning any travel for a few months. Currently re-processing photos taken in the past using today's tools.

[@kieranhayesphotography]

@@jjjkenny ah yes the Z7ii is going to be a very interesting camera alright. Nicer for travel due to the slightly smaller size and the AF should be every bit as good. Going to be more reasonably priced also hopefully. The Z series line up is getting very interesting now. Some really great camera bodies out there to choose from.

[@KenSato-oy9mo]

​@@jjjkenny As mainly a still photo shooter, a Z7iii would be ideal. But not with a vari-angle monitor like on the Z6iii. That alone drove me away from the Z6iii.

[@OutOfTownPhotography]

Sold mine it was a piece of crap😩

[@kieranhayesphotography]

You are the first person I have ever heard say that. I love mine but that's life we all use our equipment differently. I hope you found something that you are happy with?

[@KenSato-oy9mo]

For the benefit of others, could you elaborate on why you came to that conclusion?

[@FART-REPELLENT]

Your comment has deeply offended me; unless you apologise, I’m gonna get Kenneth Copeland to burst your fart 😡