Is the Nikon Z 8 worth it over the Z 9?

For most shooters, yes. The Z 8 gives you the same sensor, autofocus and video specs in a smaller body for less money. The Z 9 adds a built-in vertical grip and a larger battery.

How does the Z 8 compare with the Z 7 II?

The Z 8 is a big step up for speed and video. It adds a stacked sensor, 8K/60p RAW, 30 fps bursts and far better subject-tracking autofocus.

What is the battery life like?

CIPA-rated around 330 shots with the viewfinder, more with the rear screen. High-speed bursts and 8K video drain the EN-EL15c quickly, so carry spares.

What cards does it take?

One CFexpress Type B slot and one SD UHS-II slot. CFexpress is needed for the highest burst and video modes.

What comes in the box?

Body, EN-EL15c battery, MH-25a charger, USB cable, HDMI/USB cable clip and hot-shoe cap. No lens or memory card is included.

When is the Z 8 cheapest?

Prices tend to dip during holiday sales and when a successor is announced. At $2,649 at Willoughby's Photo Emporium as of November 4, 2026, it is already near the low end of its recent range.

Where is the Nikon Z 8 cheapest?

At Willoughby's Photo Emporium, for $2,649.00, 17% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.

Where can I buy the Nikon Z 8?

7 stores we checked sell it, including Willoughby's Photo Emporium, Amazon, B&H Photo-Video-Audio, Walmart, Adorama.

Nikon Z 8

Best price now

$2,649.00at Willoughby's Photo EmporiumObserved at 3:10 PM

17% under what the other stores charge

Compared across 6 stores. Prices are checked against each store and labelled with when.

Visit Willoughby's Photo Emporium

Ask our agent about this product

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.

Our take on the Nikon Z 8

The Nikon Z 8 is a full-frame mirrorless hybrid that packs most of the flagship Z 9 into a smaller body. It pairs a 45.7MP stacked CMOS sensor with a blackout-free viewfinder, 5-axis in-body stabilization and deep-learning subject detection autofocus. Video is a headline: 12-bit 8K/60p and 4K/120p RAW plus 10-bit ProRes 422 HQ recorded internally. At $2,649 at Willoughby's Photo Emporium as of November 4, 2026, it sits at the low end of its recent new-price range across 7 stores.

What reviewers say

Owners and reviewers treat the Z 8 as a near-flagship for less money, praising its autofocus, burst speed and internal RAW video. Complaints center on weight, battery life and the cost of CFexpress media.

Pros

Autofocus that locks onto eyes, animals and vehicles
Full-resolution 30 fps bursts with a deep buffer
Internal 8K and ProRes video without an external recorder
Solid build and weather sealing

Cons

Battery drains quickly during high-frame-rate or video work
Body is heavy for long handheld days
No mechanical shutter option
CFexpress Type B cards add significant cost

About the Nikon Z 8

The ultimate hybrid camera. Powerful video and still photography capabilities. Video features include 12-bit 8K/60p and 4K/120p RAW plus 10-bit ProRes 422 HQ internal video recording. Photography features include a 45.7MP stacked CMOS sensor, a silent, vibration-free electronic shutter, 120 fps burst shooting and a blackout-free viewfinder. Fast, accurate AF with subject detection powered by deep learning. Professional build and operation. Smart connectivity. All in a brilliant compact, lightweight modular design.

45.7-megapixel stacked CMOS sensor delivers incredible detail and gorgeous enlargements

Create enlargements all the way up to poster-sized prints, or crop aggressively to frame the perfect shot in glorious detail

ISO 64 - 25,600 (expandable to 102,400) for crisp, clear photos even in ultra low light

Enhances shooting in varied and fast-changing lighting situations, including extremely low light

Never miss a shot with ultrafast 30 fps (frames per second)

Shoots up to 30 fps at full, 45.7-MP resolution, or up to 120 fps at 11-MP, giving you the capability to capture fast-action shots with breathtaking clarity.

493-point autofocus

Subjects are acquired quickly when they enter the frame and tracked throughout the frame, even to the far edges

Capture spectacular movies in 8K Ultra-HD

Shoot in camera 8K/60p and 4K/120p video, recorded 12-bit N-RAW and ProRes RAW.

Optical image stabilizer

Reduces image blur caused by camera shake and vibration via 5-axis sensor shift in boby (IBIS)

Built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to instantly share your pictures

Install Nikon's SnapBridge app on a compatible phone or tablet for instant photo sharing, automatic backups, geotagging, even remote camera triggering, and more.

3.2" Touch & Tilting TFT-LCD

Tilting both veritcally or horozontally, the 2,100k-dot LCD monitor makes it easy to frame the shot and renders bright, crisp images, plus precise Live View and movie shooting,

EXPEED 7 image processor

The Nikon EXPEED 7 processing engine allows for faster image and video processing, superior buffer management, and more overall speed.

OLED viewfinder with color balance and 16-level brightness controls

Bright, high-contrast viewfinder lets you see the results before you shoot, and features 3690K dots for amazing resolution

Intelligent Subject detection AF

Subject detection uses deep learning to automatically detect and track people, cats, dogs, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, trains and planes in still and video with no menu changes.

Enhanced video features