I disagree with the noise rating. Since I photograph the night sky, this parameter was the most important for me. I compared it with the Nikon Z6ii, which is considered one of the best cameras for night photography. After comparing the frame sizes, I couldn't tell which one was better. There was also no mention of a sensor protection shutter, which is why I even chose this camera. Other cameras don't have this. Also, the Sony doesn't have 64 ISO and exposures over 30 sec, which is very strange.
It's obvious that you were socialized by Sony cameras. The fact that the Sony body is handier and smaller is a disadvantage for me. With the Nikon Z8 you have a real working tool in your hand and not a toy like the Sonys. The Nikon Z8 is a professional device. Nikon Pro models has never had a PASM dial. Nikon has maintained its operating concept for a good 40 years and as a Nikon photographer you immediately feel at home and that's a good thing. The lack of a full-articulating LCD is debatable. As a photographer, I think the LCD on the Z8 is as brilliant as the EVF. And of course you can charge the camera with any plugs. The cable is usually the problem. I have ten USB-C cables and they all work. I have no idea what you are using. But your statement is simply not true.
Maybe I just had some bad experience with charging, but somehow I never had any issue with charging Fuji or Sony - that was important to me since I lost half day of shooting in the national park in Spain. I know it's a great camera, but like every equipment on planet earth it has it's drawbacks. The other thing is, that in my review I was clear - smaller size camera body is my personal preference (I have 2 small boys, so it's always safer with smaller and lighter camera :), but I get it, a lot of people prefer heavier cameras and even add weight by attaching grip, that's fine. I just felt it's good to mention all those little things in the review.
@@JacekSopotnicki - USB has two faces. (1) connectors, (2) capabilities. In the past, the connector and capabilities would match. With USB-C that is no longer the case. Because USB-C connectors are backward compatible. The problem now is that some cable criminals sell cables with USB-C plugs but USB version 2 capabilities. While a USB data cable is suitable for certain data speeds (bandwidth) it may be able to relay electrical (charging) power too. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_hardware Both the data speed and the power handling require a connection protocol that negotiates about power and data capabilities on both ends. In case of a failure to come to an agreement, the connection can fail or fall back to absolute USB 2 basics. If you have a Thunderbolt device, you understand this and know that you need a Thunderbolt cable with the TB sign and a version number or else it will not work. Well, in these cables on either en in the connector is a chip that does protocol negotiation and data relay. A typical Thunderbolt cable may have 8 wires internally for data transfer - 4 send, 4 receive - and on top may have 4 thicker wires e.g. to relay 100 Watt. If you have bad luck, you can buy a USB-C cable that only relays data at USB 2 speed. Or can only relay power at USB 2 voltage and ampères (max 5 W, I guess). Today, we have USB 4 (protocol) over USB-C connectors and this has TB-4 compatibility if it got approved by Intel (has to do with the chips used). (Newer than the Nikon Z8, I guess.) The Nikon Z 8 has a USB-C data connector and a USB-C charge connector. Nikon in the Reference Guide specify USB SuperSpeed and this relates to USB 3.0. USB 3.0 provides full-duplex data transfers at SuperSpeed, which makes it similar to Serial ATA or single-lane PCI Express. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_communications SuperSpeed (SS) 5 Gbps = 5,000 Mbps = 625 MB/s Typical w: 70-90 MB/s (11.2%-14.4%) Typical r: 90-110 MB/s (14.4%-17.6%) Part of: USB 3.0 As the Volts and Ampères facilitated by charging/power devices gets higher, there is a protocol called "Power Delivery" (abbreviated "PD") that manages power between devices. This comes in versions too. And there is another protocol (IIRC Qualcomm). My experience with the Z 8 is that it has (must have) a clear USB data interface specification - in Capture One (famous for robust tethering) I can hook up the camera to the Z 8 and it works. In Adobe or even Nikon's NX Studio not so much. The passive 5m tethering cable from Tether Tools works well. Today, after a year of nagging to them about it. Adobe have repaired their USB layer and it works well now - after Nikon fixed it in NX Studio. Probably a lack of understanding of USB with the Mudbricks. Power Delivery is another thing. You need to make sure it all has the right specs. And then it works like a breeze.
Your eye autofocus test was skewed. The Sony was taken with sidelight, while the Nikon was backlight. I'd like to see you reverse the lighting and see how the two cameras perform. Or better yet, do the test in controlled lighting so that the 2 cameras are on equal playing ground.
i own z8 and can say with last updt with 35mm 1.8 s on 1.8 for photo focus not 100%. I buy z8 after lumix s1 and waited biger improovment af, if you know s1 have only contrast af and for photo he worked well, for video not good.
I did test it in controlled environment also, out of my own curiosity. And AF system in A7IV was more intuitive. I might be biased since I've been using Sony system for long years and just got to know it better. But I have tested Z5, Z6 (all versions) and now Z8. Z8 stands out, and AF is awesome. But there's just one thing about Sony's AF, that works. It's intuitive and side by side, in real life I prefer Sony's AF. But is so close now, so close
Great review 👍🙂
Glad you liked it, always try to make it as deep as I can
The Z8 AF is solid. Best hybrid camera on the market!
Totally agree! Especially considering all the factors, like video, IBIS, rolling shutter, etc.
solid not great
Great one
Thank you! It was a lot of work :)
I disagree with the noise rating. Since I photograph the night sky, this parameter was the most important for me. I compared it with the Nikon Z6ii, which is considered one of the best cameras for night photography. After comparing the frame sizes, I couldn't tell which one was better.
There was also no mention of a sensor protection shutter, which is why I even chose this camera. Other cameras don't have this. Also, the Sony doesn't have 64 ISO and exposures over 30 sec, which is very strange.
Please learn how to operate this camera thoroughly before reviewing it.
The Z8 focuses Fantastic in Fast Bird shooting >> it nails the eye FAST and my photos are awesome .. Nikon delivers
If the Nikon D800 can take 200,000 photos before the shutter or mirrors wear out, how many photos do you think the Nikon Z8 can take?
It's obvious that you were socialized by Sony cameras.
The fact that the Sony body is handier and smaller is a disadvantage for me. With the Nikon Z8 you have a real working tool in your hand and not a toy like the Sonys.
The Nikon Z8 is a professional device. Nikon Pro models has never had a PASM dial. Nikon has maintained its operating concept for a good 40 years and as a Nikon photographer you immediately feel at home and that's a good thing.
The lack of a full-articulating LCD is debatable. As a photographer, I think the LCD on the Z8 is as brilliant as the EVF.
And of course you can charge the camera with any plugs. The cable is usually the problem. I have ten USB-C cables and they all work. I have no idea what you are using. But your statement is simply not true.
Maybe I just had some bad experience with charging, but somehow I never had any issue with charging Fuji or Sony - that was important to me since I lost half day of shooting in the national park in Spain. I know it's a great camera, but like every equipment on planet earth it has it's drawbacks. The other thing is, that in my review I was clear - smaller size camera body is my personal preference (I have 2 small boys, so it's always safer with smaller and lighter camera :), but I get it, a lot of people prefer heavier cameras and even add weight by attaching grip, that's fine. I just felt it's good to mention all those little things in the review.
@@JacekSopotnicki - USB has two faces. (1) connectors, (2) capabilities. In the past, the connector and capabilities would match. With USB-C that is no longer the case. Because USB-C connectors are backward compatible. The problem now is that some cable criminals sell cables with USB-C plugs but USB version 2 capabilities.
While a USB data cable is suitable for certain data speeds (bandwidth) it may be able to relay electrical (charging) power too.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_hardware
Both the data speed and the power handling require a connection protocol that negotiates about power and data capabilities on both ends. In case of a failure to come to an agreement, the connection can fail or fall back to absolute USB 2 basics.
If you have a Thunderbolt device, you understand this and know that you need a Thunderbolt cable with the TB sign and a version number or else it will not work. Well, in these cables on either en in the connector is a chip that does protocol negotiation and data relay. A typical Thunderbolt cable may have 8 wires internally for data transfer - 4 send, 4 receive - and on top may have 4 thicker wires e.g. to relay 100 Watt. If you have bad luck, you can buy a USB-C cable that only relays data at USB 2 speed. Or can only relay power at USB 2 voltage and ampères (max 5 W, I guess).
Today, we have USB 4 (protocol) over USB-C connectors and this has TB-4 compatibility if it got approved by Intel (has to do with the chips used).
(Newer than the Nikon Z8, I guess.)
The Nikon Z 8 has a USB-C data connector and a USB-C charge connector. Nikon in the Reference Guide specify USB SuperSpeed and this relates to USB 3.0. USB 3.0 provides full-duplex data transfers at SuperSpeed, which makes it similar to Serial ATA or single-lane PCI Express.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_communications
SuperSpeed (SS)
5 Gbps = 5,000 Mbps = 625 MB/s
Typical w: 70-90 MB/s (11.2%-14.4%)
Typical r: 90-110 MB/s (14.4%-17.6%)
Part of: USB 3.0
As the Volts and Ampères facilitated by charging/power devices gets higher, there is a protocol called "Power Delivery" (abbreviated "PD") that manages power between devices. This comes in versions too. And there is another protocol (IIRC Qualcomm).
My experience with the Z 8 is that it has (must have) a clear USB data interface specification - in Capture One (famous for robust tethering) I can hook up the camera to the Z 8 and it works. In Adobe or even Nikon's NX Studio not so much. The passive 5m tethering cable from Tether Tools works well. Today, after a year of nagging to them about it.
Adobe have repaired their USB layer and it works well now - after Nikon fixed it in NX Studio.
Probably a lack of understanding of USB with the Mudbricks.
Power Delivery is another thing. You need to make sure it all has the right specs. And then it works like a breeze.
Best Flagship I have ever owned and I have owned many since 1971 >> all Nikon
Your eye autofocus test was skewed. The Sony was taken with sidelight, while the Nikon was backlight. I'd like to see you reverse the lighting and see how the two cameras perform. Or better yet, do the test in controlled lighting so that the 2 cameras are on equal playing ground.
i own z8 and can say with last updt with 35mm 1.8 s on 1.8 for photo focus not 100%. I buy z8 after lumix s1 and waited biger improovment af, if you know s1 have only contrast af and for photo he worked well, for video not good.
I did test it in controlled environment also, out of my own curiosity. And AF system in A7IV was more intuitive. I might be biased since I've been using Sony system for long years and just got to know it better. But I have tested Z5, Z6 (all versions) and now Z8. Z8 stands out, and AF is awesome. But there's just one thing about Sony's AF, that works. It's intuitive and side by side, in real life I prefer Sony's AF. But is so close now, so close
Almost good video 😉
Got one love it, just would like to know when the next firmware update will be coming our way!!
Luv my z8 and d850
I love my Sony TV and my Canon Printer
I prefer a larger Body but couldnt afford the Z9
The camera is perfectly suited for rich photographers.
Im not rich and own it....and as he says..for the specs it's cheaper than it's rivals
More noisy than the Canon R5? Lol
Original R5, yeah it still had a lot of old Canon problems
Nowhere near a flagship,
It is close, but definitely not there, thanks for the comment