Thank you for this video. It confirms my own recent choice of the Z7ii over the Z8. I do not shoot action, sports, wildlife or videos, so I could see no advantage to spending an additional $1200 USD for the latest and greatest Z8. Additionally, I have small hands and the ergonomics of the Z7ii are perfect for me, and too, the Z8 is about 29% heavier..
Hi Ted, yes there are a few advantages to the Z7ii alright. Every camera has its good points and bad points so doing your research like you clearly did is always going to pay off big time. Enjoy the Z7ii.
I actually went with the Z 9 and Z 7II combo because the Z 9 is smaller and has a more complete set of vertical controls than the Z 8 w/vertical grip for when I need/want handheld vertical shooting ease. I also prefer the far better battery life of the Z 9-I've yet to empty a battery during a day of shooting. I love the Z 7II for its portability, higher (if only fractionally so) potential image quality, SD card compatibility and ability to shoot natively in the 5:4 aspect ratio. I find the two compliment each other fairly well.
I can see exactly why you went with the Z9 and trust me I nearly pulled the trigger on a Z9 also. The extra size and weight was the only thing holding me back from buying the Z9. The better heat dissipation and longer battery life where so tempting. I think I am just too lazy to keep holding it :-). That certainly is a great pairing though and they really do compliment each other well. Enjoy and thanks for watching.
Great points! Thanks for pointing out the advantages of each. I now have the Z8, Z50 and the Z6ii. (I did a ZTRADEUP with my D850 for the Z8 2 months ago.) I hike with the Z6ii for weight and better EV range. I'm really happy with results because I'm not doing sports when traveling, just usually landscapes, people and buildings. For my travel and street photography, I can pack both my Z50 and the Z6ii for less than 4 oz. more than the Z8. I love having the Z50 or the Z6ii with the 4.5 oz. 26 f/2.8 over my shoulder, or under my jacket. (the Z50 with the 26mm weighs less than the Z6ii body only!) With either of the smaller cameras and 26mm with me, they weigh less than just the body of the Z8. When I'm doing wildlife or sports shooting, usually closer to home, the Z8 is my choice. In short, I don't think it's a choice one over the other, like you said, "it's having the right tool for the job."
Exactly, every camera has its own advantages like you said, having a few camera bodies with dedicated uses is the best solution of all 👍. That's a nice setup you have there an ideal for all eventualities. Enjoy them and your photography for 2024 👍 and thanks a lot for the feedback.
I still use my z6ii. Great review. Makes me wanna jump to more pixels. I shoot weddings and am pretty happy with my camera. I also shoot video and like the 8 bit.
Hi Martin, thanks for watching and before you jump for something like the Z7ii it might be no harm to watch this video th-cam.com/video/Cxgf7c1EHhs/w-d-xo.html sometime less is more as they say.
I don’t regularly shoot sports and fast moving subject, i kept my Z6ii/Z7ii bodies and went for the S lenses 50 1.2 and 135 1.8 Plena..the quality of images i get at 1.2/1.8 on the Plena cannot be beaten by having a Z8 and no lens of that caliber, have the 85 1.2 last year and its stellar..waiting for the Z6iii, your right about using it on a Ronin gimbal, my Z6ii sits perfectly on my RS3 mini with my 35 1.8s lens..🥳
Hi, yes, glass is always going to be epic. It's going to give you that cutting edge, something a camera body won't always do depending on how you use it of course. You have a great selection of optics there, the Z6iii is gonna be awesome on them 👍
Long time D850 user slowly converting to the Z system. Had the Z6ii, but desired the higher MP so I bumped up again to the Z7ii. Overall, love the camera, but for birds in flight, quick pan shots, etc...the AF is slack to say the least. For wildlife,action shots with big lenses I find myself using the "spray and pray" a little more than I like. CAn't wait to bump up to the Z8
Hi thanks for watching. The D850 is a pure beast of a camera, the Z7ii is a tamer version but still super capable. The low light AF and AF speed are what really catches it for me. The Z8 is a massive step and truly worth it but in saying that, I was on a product shoot all day yesterday and I used my Z7ii as it's easier on batteries when you are shooting jewellery all day. Bird AF was a game changer for the Z8 though and it works so beautifully. It really does take the spray and pray aspect out of it. Enjoy the Z7ii it's a great camera.
Fantastic review. I have been watching all I can on the Z8. I am not a professional shooter and editor but a very proficient amateur, self-taught. I have the Z glass and a Z7 for landscape and the OM-1 for wildlife/macro. At 60 it is now or never to go for my camera keeper and I am going to go for the Z8. With the offshore sites, I can pick the Z8 up for under £3000 and after selling my Z7 I can get the Z8 for £2000. Not bad. I may also pull the trigger on the Z800mm f6.3 with a 1.4 tele converter. I can then die a happy atheist with no regrets. No full rame can beat the OM-1 for in-the-field macro so will not be selling that system. Thanks again.
Ah Derek, it's for comments like that I do these reviews. Super delighted it has helped push you to buy the Z8, it's a truly awesome camera. You won't regret it 👍.
You were mentioning the price difference btwn the Z7ii & Z8 is €1600.In Malaysia at Nikon authorized dealers : Z7ii 24-70mm Nikkor f/4 kit RM12140 ; Z8 24-120mm Nikkor f/4 kit RM18990 . So converting Malaysian Ringgit to Euros, the price difference is €1300 .Buying a Nikon,Canon,Sony Fujifilm, Olympus or Panasonic is still cheaper in South East Asia.I've the Canon EOS R5, grateful for the video, now it looks like I'll be going for the Z8
Thanks for the input and yes it's nearly always dearer in Europe 😭 Enjoy the Z8 if you go for it, with the 2.0 update now it's nearly like a new camera.
I was convinced that I would hold onto my Z7ii after replacing my D850 with a Z9. But, one shoot when using the Z7ii side by side with the Z9 (different lenses to cover the needed spectrum), I put in my pre-order for the Z8. The reason is something that I don't recall you mentioning in your video: the EVF blackout during burst mode of the Z7ii. It droves me nuts. Yes, I learned how to compensate for it, but the Z9 EVF performance is so fast as to be virtually blackout free. That was worth the extra cash for the swap.
Hi John, that's a very good point and I really should have included that now that I think of it. I don't shoot in bursts a lot so it just didn't register with me. For wildlife and fast moving subjects that's of course going to be incredibly handy. Good point and there are probably one or two other things I have missed in there also.
Ha ha - something else we have in common, Kieran - my favourite is the D850 too. Got the Zfc just for a fun camera, because I liked the retro look - and now I"ve been sucked into the Z-range, because of it. So I've skipped past the Z6's and Z7's, and gone straight through to the Z8 - much more like my D850 than the others. I love the colours with my D850 and I'm relieved to find they're great in the Z8. But if you're mad about wildlife (especially birds - but also fast moving creatures), pet photography, sport, car racing, planes etc - the Z8, as you say - maybe even for wedding photography - next month's promised upgrade, to the AF, bringing across the best of the Z9's AF focus based around fixing on the subject's eyes - they all really point to someone whose main interest isn't landscapes, architecture etc. I guess in the end it's like humans - none of us is perfect, and none of these cameras are either - they all boil down to personal choice, in the end. But both these cameras are remarkable, compared to what they're leaving behind - and both should (and do!) produce astounding results!
Exactly Richard, they are both great cameras. They have their uses, the reality is most cameras now a days are good enough. I sold my D850 and it was a tough call but it went to a very good home so that made me happy. The Z series Lenses are sublime though, have you invested in a few of them?
Yep - because modern zooms are so good, I've gone with zooms. The 24-70, the 70-180 and the 180-600. I also have the 105 MACRO. Out in the field, the thought of lugging a 200, a 300, a 400, a 500 and a 600 prime - maybe even an 800 prime a well? - is just too ridiculous. When one zoom will cover the lot (except for the 800) - and instead of galloping backwards and forwards to find the right distance from camera to subject, I only have to twist the zoom ring! Then of course there's the cost to consider - would you believe I HAVE those lenses, but I've never even priced the 20/300/400/500/600 combo? Haven't a clue what it would cost! Pros might think they need them, but I can't think I ever would.@@kieranhayesphotography
@@richardwarren4031 That's a really nice combo you have there and light too. Tbh I have a nice selection of shorter focal length primes here and even though they are lighter I tend to use the zoom more these days. As you say just twist and zoom and you have the shot. No changing lenses and it makes life easier as well as keeping my back happy too 😂 You have a great selection of primes there and while I have nearly pulled the trigger on a few longer primes I just knew I wouldn't have them with me. I am even struggling to justify the 135mm F1.8 plena lens 😂
It's not just your back, Kieran. Number one, Z mount doesn't yet HAVE a 200, a 300 or a 500 - and you CAN'T cover for all of those with a 400 and a 600 - but you can, with a 180-600 zoom. number 2, if you DID have all 5 of them, and a camera, and a tripod, it'd take more backs than one. Which is not such a bad idea, apart from the cost of labour - because no insurance company on this planet is going to cover you, if you leave that kind of glass in the car, while you take one of those lenses out for the shoot. And number 3, the cost would be horrific - ten times what my 180-600 zoom cost me! The idea of use the zoom ring to conquer distance is actually a very important one - birds move! - in all directions, and damn fast - same with race cars, plains, trains, sports players - and the advantages of being able to quickly change your lens's distance-to-subject might well outweigh any disadvantages in sharpness, as against a prime. I'm just a serious amateur, not a professional. To me, going for all those primes would be like trading my small Toyota sedan in, to buy a Lamborghini. I'd get more bang for my bucks if I set the cash aside to buy SIGMA's fabled full frame Foveon sensor camera, perennially due out "next year" - and maybe one of these "next" years, we'll be able to buy one, and I could fool around with one of them, instead. I've seen a ton of shots taken with a half frame Foveon, and I know how good SIGMA glass is, so that should be real good fun, and something different from most other 'togs.@@kieranhayesphotography
@@richardwarren4031 Richard I honestly didn't even want to start thinking of the cost 😂 That alone would be a killer and as you fair enough if really really needed it then it's a good purchase but then you would need a second camera body with a different lens on it. That's what I always end out doing when I am shooting with primes. You often times just can't get in position in time so a second focal length is worth the world then. I love my zooms and considered the 180-600 also but not just now. Mainly shoot people and landscapes so I would hardly use it. Of course the times I would need it then it would be at home 😂 I have only ever used a sigma camera once. Let me know if you buy one, it would be interesting to hear what you think of it.
Thank you for the great and informative video, for me as a ( cityscape ) & ( architectural photographer) I am using D810 and bought the Nikon Z5 just to test the mirrorless capability first. I do time-lapses as well from time to time, and recently I have had enough budget to upgrade to a better mirrorless camera and sell the Nikon D810, based on the above used do you still recommend going with Z7ii or should I go with Z8?
If you need a really good camera with a high pixel count and great dynamic range then the Z7ii is just a tiny bit better than the Z8. If you need fast precise low light AF and good tracking then the Z8 is the one for you. When I shoot landscapes I tend to use my Z7ii more than the Z8 for its better dynamic range, longer battery life and if I am shooting on a tripod it's smaller size and weight. I love the feel of the Z8 in my hand though. The two cameras are very close but if I were you and from what you are shooting I would pick the Z7ii and get some nice glass for it then too. That's gonna give you better results. I hope that helps a bit and if you have any other questions please do feel free to ask them.
Hello Kieran, thanks so much for this informative and understandable comparison vid! I just took out my D850 and an old D800 body in order to shoot an event later this week. The lenses are a bit wonky and the 800 body needs to be fixed. I have been long thinking about adding a mirrorless to my repertoire. I spoke with my friend and camera dealer, Jay--he took over what was my husband's camera biz about 18 years ago now--today and he has sent me links to Z 7, Z 7II, Z 8 and Z 9. I held a Z 9 last night and it was much heavier than I expected. I am interested mostly in stills for both events, often in low light and for my own outdoor photography. I rarely if ever use the video. However I want something that is reliable for events. I am leaning toward the Z 8. I am going to go look up the weight now! Thanks again, any and all input welcome 📸
Hi Tricia, for low light events the Z8 or Z9 would be great for its superior Auto Focus. Even the high USO low light capabilities of both cameras at 46mp is very good. Like you I tried the Z9 but just didn't like the weight or bulk of it. I tend to handhold my camera for 6-8 hour shoots so I went for the Z8 and have loved every minute of it. I also had the Z6ii and currently own the Z7ii, they are really good cameras but the Z8 truly is like a modern day D850 and I loved that camera. I hope that helps a bit more and no matter what camera you go for I hope you really enjoy it 👍
@kieranhayesphotography thanks so much Kieran! Just started following you on Instagram. Also, I wanted to let you know that I searched the AI search engine app called “Perplexity” to ask these questions about the Z 7II versus the Z 8. Your TH-cam video came up as one of their sources. So that’s how I found you today. Check out Perplexity if you haven’t yet, very helpful search engine. Thanks again for your help!!!
@@kieranhayesphotography thanks so much! I’m so glad I found your video. I searched this new to me AI search engine app called “Perplexity” with my question comparing the two cameras and your video was one of their sources. So that’s how I found you, I’ve since started following you on Instagram. Looking forward to more info and inspo. I’ll let you know how I make out with my Z 8. I’ll hang onto my D850 for a while longer and might sell my two D800s. Slan!
Enjoy the Z8, there is a slight learning curve comparred to the D850 but it's so worth it. Very curious to hear how you get on with it and thanks for the heads up about the app, I must check that out.
Great video. Considering both currently for wedding photography. Any suggestions or recommendations as to which would be best? I'm guessing the Z8 for daytime and the Z7II for night.
That's a tough one but for me yes it would have to be the Z8 for daytime but I would also go with the Z8 for night time too and purely because of the better AF system and starlight mode too, which works really well in low light conditions to help you compose your shots better. I love the Z7ii but for weddings I would go with the Z8 out of the two. It's a complete beast of a camera in low light. I hope that helps a bit.
My Z8 is an amazing all rounder. However, I've still kept my Z6ii, 24 mp, it's small and light great for street, a fair bit better at high ISO's, better for astro shots, beautiful files. It's just the old Expeed 6 processors aren't up to the job of high level auto-focus etc..Other than that i love my Z6ii and the Z8 can do the tough stuff, birds, sport etc. A great pair of cameras. If I just wanted to do purely landscape, the Z7 is fantastic.
Ya, the Z6ii and Z7ii struggle with focusing in certain conditions and that to be fair that is the only thing really holding them back a little. The Z6iii is gonna solve nall those issues though and there are exciting times ahead.
@@kieranhayesphotography Yes, I'm sure it'll be a great camera with an Expeed 7 chip, they have 10x the processing power of the 2 Expeed 6 chips in the Z6ii and Z7ii so they will handle any task Nikon program them to do. The Z8/9 and the following smaller cameras are the mirrorless point when the D3 and D700 brought the DSLR 's to a truly capable level. I'm pretty old now but the future of digital imaging looks fantastic.
@@musiqueetmontagne yes, the future of photography is bright, it's also slightly terrifying where all this is going. Looking forward to it though as it always reminds me of a comment and an old neighbour used to say... Staying the same is going backwards 😀
I’m really wanting to upgrade my D300s I’ve used since 2009 with a mirrorless and am debating between the z7 and z8. Probably leaning towards the z7ii because of how expensive the z8 is.
Hi Anthony, the Z7ii is a great camera, I use mine regularly and prefer it to the Z8 at times. I was doing a product shoot all day yesterday and used the Z7ii instead of the Z8.
Would love to know your thoughts on comparing the two cameras in astrophotography. Also how often do you miss using the back LED screen when vertical mode or low vantage vs high? I’m really waffling between the two cameras and have serious concerns about the low light AF in the Z 7 II vs Z 8. Also the cost is huge for me, especially when considering I’d need to purchase a FTZ II adapter and memory cards ( L bracket too!). Thanks for your insight. Subscribed!
Hi, now that's a good question as the Dynamic Range and High ISO on the Z7ii is better but the low light AF on the Z8 is better. I would personally go for the Z7ii there though and use manual focus, spend the extra if you need to on glass then as that's going to really help with Astro. The screen is handy but you can always use snapbridge for remote viewing for the very odd time you would need it. The Z7ii is a cracking camera though.
Great video, if you had to choice between Zf and Z7II, for sports photography, what would be your choice. My budget its 2000, to choose one of the two cameras
The Z8 is a more professional camera, the bigger grip and balance are very importstnt for professional photography; especially for heavy duty still, portrait works and also for movies. Best regards and many 😊thanks from Egypt.
That's true but with the L bracket fitted to the Z7ii it does make the grip slightly bigger and also adds a bit more weight to the Z7ii. I use the Z7ii still for an awful lot of commercial photography and it does the job very well, when I am shooting portraits though the Z8 is amazing.
Hello Kieran, fist time listener and follower. Really enjoyed your comparison here as it is something I am up against right now. I too was all fat, dumb and happy years back when it was a no brainer to own the D500 for Wildlife and D850 for Landscape, etc. Had them both and still have my D500. But sold the 850 for the Z7ii. I love the Z7ii and have most of the glass I will need for landscape work. But here are my pet peeves with the Z7ii..1) No tilting screen for tripod portrait use, 2) No backlit buttons for early morning, night shooting, 3) No shutter guard when changing lenses. Buttttt, saying that, I love the image quality and weight of the Z7ii. So, should I go with the Z8? I just sold off my Fuji gear thinking I would replace with the ZF due to the retro look. But now, I can't get eh Z8 out of my head...lolol. Thanks again for the video. Love your channel
The Z8 is truly is an amazing camera and in all honesty it's very hard to beat it. For all round use it's a lot better than the Z7ii. For landscapes though the Z7ii is just ever so fractionally better. The dynamic range being the main thing but if you are not shooting into the sun and capturing extremes of light in a shot the Z8 is totally the camera for you. The tilting screen, backlight button and sensor shield or shutter are very good reasons for you to buy the Z8 though. Thanks for watching and enjoy the photography 👍
Thanks Kieran for the reply back! I was kind of leaning the same way. Just so many pluses for Z8. That tilt screen is big for me. However, I do have a question on the AA Filter. I have read where it does have one, and some where it does not. Camera Decision puts it with one. And I know having one is something that can impact image sharpness which is what some folks have said they see in difference between Z7ii and Z8. Can you confirm if it does not have an AA filter? Not a pixel peeper, but I do love image crispness/sharpness, which i have come to love from the Z7ii. Thanks again!!@@kieranhayesphotography
@@robroyig-robroyphotography9225 Hi Rob, that's the first time I have heard the Z8 has an AA filter. All the pre release spec and any spec I have seen since says it has no AA filter. I asked a Nikon Ambo there now also and they said there is no AA filter in the Z8. A lot of people say the files from the Z8 are sharper than the Z7ii, I have never seen any real difference in sharpness levels between them. I hope that helps a bit.
Noise on Z8 vs Z7ii is real. It's a small bit more, but if you go on DP Review and look at the lab test shots you see it. In fact, the Z7ii seems to have the best high ISO low noise of just about ANY camera on the market.
Yes, I have noticed that alright on both high ISO shots and also when recovering shadow detail in ISO 64 extreme landscape shots. It's not game changing but the Z8 is slightly worse. The Z7ii is very good considering it's high resolution sensor. The Z6ii is better again due to the lower pixel density though, not much in it, but I tested them side by side when I owned them and the Z6ii had a slight edge there.
Kieran ,Hi im a z711 owner and on a summer trip to galway i tried 4k video ,on a very bright day on the prominade in Salthill .When i got home there were spots on the video ,maby 15 dispersed throught the playback ,I had no ND filter with me and just stopped down the apeture to max to achieve a good exposure .?? So i bought a 6 stop ND filter and tried a afterglow sunset on Lough Derg and once again there were the little Ba-------s back again .and if i remember corectly they were black on the galway one and white on the tipperary one . Please help me before i crack up .Finally and this will crack you up .If you pop to 8:38 on your video here There is a red dot (hot pixel maby ) I know this is not exclucive to nikon >So im going to do some homework on resolving this video issue and im sure there is a work around.Love your vids and theres so much covered in each one .Maby you could give a spif on resolving it sometime in the future, Cheers .Mike
Hi thanks for watching and for the feedback, I really appreciate it. So the black dots you had in Galway were almost certainly dust specs. Once you pop your aperture up past F11 you are far more likely to see dust specs on the screen. An easy way to check for this is to take a photo of a white card or wall at F22 and focus on infinity. You should see the black dots then. The remedy is to clean the sensor. That will probably solve the problem for you. I can't say it will for certain as it's possible it could be in the lens but far more likely it's a dirty sensor. Oh and the red dot you saw in my video and the white dots you had, that's hot pixels and you just need to do a pixel remapping in the camera and it will solve the issue. I sometimes forget to do that, it's a good idea to that every 6 months or so. I hope that helps.
I own the Z8, which I absolutely love, but for my needs, and especially for street photography, the Z7 II would be far better. The Z8 body plus battery + the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8S weight barely under the 2 and 1/4 kg 😭
Exactly, they are both great cameras but one will just suit you better. I love the Z8 but I do leave it at home depending on the style or genre of photography I am shooting and on other days I leave the Z7ii at home. Once you find the one that's right for you that's all that matters. Thanks for watching and for the feedback.
I went from the Z6II to the Z8 solely due to the trade-in offer Nikon had. I planned to get a Z7II (or III, if/when it is announced), but the offer was too good to pass up. Thanks for the video!
Hi Curt and congrats on the Z8, I bet you are noticing a nice improvement in AF, I really liked the Z6ii, it's a cracking camera but the Z8 is a real beauty. I never thought I would enjoy using a camera as much as I did the D850 but the Z managed it 👍
I have the z7ii and I've been having AF issues. I shoot a lot of events - so nightlife with flash. A lot of times, it will say my AF is locked on a face (green box) and when I zoom in after I take the photo, it's picked up something behind them instead so the image is out of focus. Very frustrating. I have been thinking that the z8 would fix this? I've reached out to Nikon but havent theyve been quiet. Might just move to Canon EOS R5... Thoughts?
Hi Robbie, the Z8 is a mile better than the Z7ii for low light use with exactly the same lens. The low light AF just works a lot better. You probably already know it but what really helps with the Z7ii is to use an F2.8 or even better an F1.8 or F1.2 lens in AFS as it will open out the lens and focus faster then and stop down to your desired aperture then and take the shot. In saying that the Z8 is still a mile better. That was one of the main reasons I upgraded to the Z8.
Thanks for the response! Yeah I use a 24-70mm f/2.8 which I love - I ended up investing in the Z8 and I'm in love with it - HUGE difference. Like going from a toyota to a ferrarri. Lowlight AF-C and facial regognition for events is NEXT LEVEL. 99% of my shots are sharp and in focus. Highly recommended to anyone reading this @@kieranhayesphotography
I have a z6ii, and i do weddings, and now I consider to upgrade to z8 or z7ii, but I want to do videos for weddings in the same camera. Probably going with the z8 then.
Hi for what you need the Z8 is is going to be a good bit better, the focus abilities of the Z8 are a lot better than the Z7ii, especially in lower light situations. From the video perspective again the Z8 is going to be a good bit better. In saying that I shoot all my youtube videos on the Z7ii now and does an amazing job. If I were you though I would go for the Z8 and just make sure to get a good CF express type B card for it as the cheaper ones get hot quickly. Thanks for watching and enjoy which ever camera you go for.
The discussion between Z6 II vs Z7 II is irrelevant IMO. You need the Z6 II if you need much better low light capabilities at high iso, that's why you have large pixels. If you do landscapes and need higher resolution, Z7 II. Now between Z8 and Z7 II, that's a harder choice. I would say go for the Z8 is you want a more versatile camera with excellent video capabilities or if you need to capture fast action. Otherwise Z7 II.
Yes, that's exactly right, not everyone is as aware of their differences as you though hence the videos. I get those questions a lot so it's nearly easier to do a video and just send people the link :-) The one other thing the Z8 is massively important for is lowlight AF, the Z7ii is ok but the Z8 is a mile better in low light. Thanks for watching and enjoy the photography.
Enjoy the Z8, interest to hear how you get on... there is a nice difference in the AF between the two cameras alright, espcially for the tracking features and low light focusing. Enjoy, I love my Z8.
Exactly, it perfect for a lot of people out there, the Z8 is an amazing camera but the Z7ii is a better fit for some people. As you say battery performnce weight and size, dynamic range etc... it's a great camera. Now in saying that the Z8 is obviously better in certain situations but at the end of the day it all comes down to what you shoot.
In all honesty there isn't that mightly much of a difference but the Z7ii is a tiny little bit better, it is tiny though. Now the Z6ii is better again for Astro though.
@@kieranhayesphotography Thanks so much!! Seems I may need to have the 6 for astrophotography and the 7 or 8 for portraits and landscapes lol.. lots of money
Thank you man is my pleasure to see your channel, can you make comparison D850 VS Z8 also with sample of image quality. bcz i am confused to go to sony or z8 bcz i have old nikon lens😂. thank you again.
For comparison, before I traded my D850 in on the Z8, I just did lens-to-lens comparisons of my F mount and Z Mount equivalents. Looking at each 85mm f/1.8 and the wide and mid-range zooms, sharpness is so much better on the Z system, and most of the time they are lighter. Just my 2 cents.
I want to jump to Nikon from Sony so bad but it's scary lol. Af vs color. The z8 looks great but idk how i feel about no mechanical shutter. A used z7ii is a great deal now too. Ugh.
It's a tough one alright, personally I like both cameras but if I had to pick one it would be the Z8 all day. It's a fantastic camera. Good luck and go on move to the Darkside you know you want too 😂
If it comes with those specs I am buying one also. From what I am hearing it will be 30mp+ and Xspeed 7 but in the Z6ii form factor, which isn't the end of the world just grab yourself an L bracket and it's nearly the same thing as the Z8. Expect and announcemment in the first quarter of 2024 I am told. Either way it should be a great camera. The real question is will they make the Z7iii a mp monster and push it up to 60mp+ it's market is gonna be crushed by the Z6iii and Z8 otherwise.
I think the z7iii HAS to be a monster mp camera or there is nothing it can do that the z8 can’t, and while the z8 would still be more than a 7iii, the added features would make up for it. I want a landscape camera but I’m waiting for the z6iii because I want better low light for Astrophotography and faster frame rate for wave shots. I think the 6iii would be the right pic for me in that regard for the price.
Ya, it nearly has to be alright. Interesting times ahead and that should be a very nice lineup. I am looking for the Z6iii for travel and low light stuff just like you, should be nearly the perfect camera for a lot of people.
take it from a professional landscape photographer. if you wanna do landscape, you're gonna want the Z8, the screen alone is worth it. lol the Z7II still felt like a downgrade compared to myD850. so don't go thinking the Z7II is a better landscape body than the Z8!
I would swap the dynamic range of the Z7ii any time for the slightly better screen display on the Z8 which has no effect on the image. I own both cameras and I work professionally also as a landscape photographer but we all use our gear differently I guess. Enjoy the Z8 it's a great camera.
@@kieranhayesphotography So i'm talking about the 3-way tilting screen. i'm shooting over rivers, down low on ice in vertical mode a lot. on the Z7, i cannot see my screen. doesn't tilt in vertical mode..... and the dynamic range difference is so minimal compared to Z8 that it's not even worth mentioning. that's not going to change anything for me. i still shoot the same brackets if i need to and 99% of the time i don't even have to bracket. plus the Z7 feels like a toy Soy camera. and for that reason alone i ain't using it but there are many reasons why the Z8 is a MUCH better landscape camera.... even the illuminated buttons! when i do astrophotography, i don't have to use my headlamp and ruin everything when i need to see my buttons on the Z8. the Z8 has much more superior features for a landscape photographer who's used to the D850's top notch features.
I shoot a massive amount of seascapes and my camera is regularly just above water level and I never had an issue with it, I shoot straight into the sun and I have generally a lot of darker foreground detail I want to expose also so I need to boost my shadows even though I use a grad filter (I never bracket images) and I can tell you the Z8 is a not as good as the Z7ii as regards dynamic range and there is a nice difference between the two when you are pushing your camera to the extremes. Once you try them side by side and boost those shadows the Z7ii is just better but then again I know I am fussy about noise in my images. I am not discounting the feel and weight of the Z8 and the illuminated buttons but they are only slight differences and honestly I would see them as being nice rather than being seriously functional for a landscape photographer but then again astro photography is another genre all together. In all honesty I really couldn't agree with you on this but hey we all use our gear differently and on commercial shoots and fashion shoots its always the Z8 for me but for landscapes my Z7ii works just perfect for me. Enjoy the Z8.
Well if your gonna change and go to a different brand or a leader as you say then I would of thought Sony would be the obvious move. l am not being smart with you now but they are the real innovators or leaders these days if your into that.
@@kieranhayesphotographygood answer👍 Sony is the leader in innovation as of now i agree..Canon has done a lot of bad corporate decision’s lately On their line up.
@@kieranhayesphotography, I like the statement that Tony Northrup, a Canon/Sony lover, made in making the Z8 and Z9 the Camera of the year for 2023... Nikon is able to be a little more daring than Canon since they are trying to grab more market share. Canon is playing it a little safer with their lead. Some sports teams slow down the tempo when they are in the lead. That can mean losing the lead, or some of the lead. Having Nikon making such progress will only make Canon better, which is good for Canon owners and the industry. Imagine if we only had ONE brand to pick from. There'd be no innovation. GM, Ford and Dodge make each other stretch. Sony is like the Tesla of camera companies. They went from selling Hi-8, digital 8 camcorders to being the leader while Nikon and Canon were competing with each other.
@@kengeorge6965 Ken I couldn't agree more. It's why I work with 4 different software companies. I love seeing new features and one pushing the other forward. As I always say the winner is us photographers 👍
Thank you for this video. It confirms my own recent choice of the Z7ii over the Z8. I do not shoot action, sports, wildlife or videos, so I could see no advantage to spending an additional $1200 USD for the latest and greatest Z8. Additionally, I have small hands and the ergonomics of the Z7ii are perfect for me, and too, the Z8 is about 29% heavier..
Hi Ted, yes there are a few advantages to the Z7ii alright. Every camera has its good points and bad points so doing your research like you clearly did is always going to pay off big time. Enjoy the Z7ii.
I actually went with the Z 9 and Z 7II combo because the Z 9 is smaller and has a more complete set of vertical controls than the Z 8 w/vertical grip for when I need/want handheld vertical shooting ease. I also prefer the far better battery life of the Z 9-I've yet to empty a battery during a day of shooting. I love the Z 7II for its portability, higher (if only fractionally so) potential image quality, SD card compatibility and ability to shoot natively in the 5:4 aspect ratio. I find the two compliment each other fairly well.
I can see exactly why you went with the Z9 and trust me I nearly pulled the trigger on a Z9 also. The extra size and weight was the only thing holding me back from buying the Z9. The better heat dissipation and longer battery life where so tempting. I think I am just too lazy to keep holding it :-). That certainly is a great pairing though and they really do compliment each other well. Enjoy and thanks for watching.
Great points! Thanks for pointing out the advantages of each. I now have the Z8, Z50 and the Z6ii. (I did a ZTRADEUP with my D850 for the Z8 2 months ago.) I hike with the Z6ii for weight and better EV range. I'm really happy with results because I'm not doing sports when traveling, just usually landscapes, people and buildings. For my travel and street photography, I can pack both my Z50 and the Z6ii for less than 4 oz. more than the Z8. I love having the Z50 or the Z6ii with the 4.5 oz. 26 f/2.8 over my shoulder, or under my jacket. (the Z50 with the 26mm weighs less than the Z6ii body only!) With either of the smaller cameras and 26mm with me, they weigh less than just the body of the Z8. When I'm doing wildlife or sports shooting, usually closer to home, the Z8 is my choice. In short, I don't think it's a choice one over the other, like you said, "it's having the right tool for the job."
Exactly, every camera has its own advantages like you said, having a few camera bodies with dedicated uses is the best solution of all 👍.
That's a nice setup you have there an ideal for all eventualities.
Enjoy them and your photography for 2024 👍 and thanks a lot for the feedback.
I still use my z6ii. Great review. Makes me wanna jump to more pixels. I shoot weddings and am pretty happy with my camera. I also shoot video and like the 8 bit.
Hi Martin, thanks for watching and before you jump for something like the Z7ii it might be no harm to watch this video th-cam.com/video/Cxgf7c1EHhs/w-d-xo.html sometime less is more as they say.
I don’t regularly shoot sports and fast moving subject, i kept my Z6ii/Z7ii bodies and went for the S lenses 50 1.2 and 135 1.8 Plena..the quality of images i get at 1.2/1.8 on the Plena cannot be beaten by having a Z8 and no lens of that caliber, have the 85 1.2 last year and its stellar..waiting for the Z6iii, your right about using it on a Ronin gimbal, my Z6ii sits perfectly on my RS3 mini with my 35 1.8s lens..🥳
Hi, yes, glass is always going to be epic. It's going to give you that cutting edge, something a camera body won't always do depending on how you use it of course.
You have a great selection of optics there, the Z6iii is gonna be awesome on them 👍
Long time D850 user slowly converting to the Z system. Had the Z6ii, but desired the higher MP so I bumped up again to the Z7ii. Overall, love the camera, but for birds in flight, quick pan shots, etc...the AF is slack to say the least. For wildlife,action shots with big lenses I find myself using the "spray and pray" a little more than I like. CAn't wait to bump up to the Z8
Hi thanks for watching. The D850 is a pure beast of a camera, the Z7ii is a tamer version but still super capable. The low light AF and AF speed are what really catches it for me.
The Z8 is a massive step and truly worth it but in saying that, I was on a product shoot all day yesterday and I used my Z7ii as it's easier on batteries when you are shooting jewellery all day.
Bird AF was a game changer for the Z8 though and it works so beautifully. It really does take the spray and pray aspect out of it.
Enjoy the Z7ii it's a great camera.
Wow very interesting details. I have Z7ii and I’m thinking about Z8 too. Major problem for me with Z7ii is buffer.
Ya, the buffer and fps on the Z7ii just can't match the Z8 and the blackout free evf is very handy also. Thanks for watching and have a great weekend.
Fantastic review. I have been watching all I can on the Z8. I am not a professional shooter and editor but a very proficient amateur, self-taught. I have the Z glass and a Z7 for landscape and the OM-1 for wildlife/macro. At 60 it is now or never to go for my camera keeper and I am going to go for the Z8. With the offshore sites, I can pick the Z8 up for under £3000 and after selling my Z7 I can get the Z8 for £2000. Not bad. I may also pull the trigger on the Z800mm f6.3 with a 1.4 tele converter. I can then die a happy atheist with no regrets. No full rame can beat the OM-1 for in-the-field macro so will not be selling that system. Thanks again.
Ah Derek, it's for comments like that I do these reviews. Super delighted it has helped push you to buy the Z8, it's a truly awesome camera. You won't regret it 👍.
Would you choose the OM over the Z7ii for macro? And why
You were mentioning the price difference btwn the Z7ii & Z8 is €1600.In Malaysia at Nikon authorized dealers :
Z7ii 24-70mm Nikkor f/4 kit RM12140 ;
Z8 24-120mm Nikkor f/4 kit RM18990 . So converting Malaysian Ringgit to Euros, the price difference is €1300 .Buying a Nikon,Canon,Sony Fujifilm, Olympus or Panasonic is still cheaper in South East Asia.I've the Canon EOS R5, grateful for the video, now it looks like I'll be going for the Z8
Thanks for the input and yes it's nearly always dearer in Europe 😭
Enjoy the Z8 if you go for it, with the 2.0 update now it's nearly like a new camera.
I was convinced that I would hold onto my Z7ii after replacing my D850 with a Z9. But, one shoot when using the Z7ii side by side with the Z9 (different lenses to cover the needed spectrum), I put in my pre-order for the Z8. The reason is something that I don't recall you mentioning in your video: the EVF blackout during burst mode of the Z7ii. It droves me nuts. Yes, I learned how to compensate for it, but the Z9 EVF performance is so fast as to be virtually blackout free. That was worth the extra cash for the swap.
Hi John, that's a very good point and I really should have included that now that I think of it.
I don't shoot in bursts a lot so it just didn't register with me.
For wildlife and fast moving subjects that's of course going to be incredibly handy.
Good point and there are probably one or two other things I have missed in there also.
Ha ha - something else we have in common, Kieran - my favourite is the D850 too. Got the Zfc just for a fun camera, because I liked the retro look - and now I"ve been sucked into the Z-range, because of it. So I've skipped past the Z6's and Z7's, and gone straight through to the Z8 - much more like my D850 than the others. I love the colours with my D850 and I'm relieved to find they're great in the Z8. But if you're mad about wildlife (especially birds - but also fast moving creatures), pet photography, sport, car racing, planes etc - the Z8, as you say - maybe even for wedding photography - next month's promised upgrade, to the AF, bringing across the best of the Z9's AF focus based around fixing on the subject's eyes - they all really point to someone whose main interest isn't landscapes, architecture etc. I guess in the end it's like humans - none of us is perfect, and none of these cameras are either - they all boil down to personal choice, in the end. But both these cameras are remarkable, compared to what they're leaving behind - and both should (and do!) produce astounding results!
Exactly Richard, they are both great cameras. They have their uses, the reality is most cameras now a days are good enough. I sold my D850 and it was a tough call but it went to a very good home so that made me happy. The Z series Lenses are sublime though, have you invested in a few of them?
Yep - because modern zooms are so good, I've gone with zooms. The 24-70, the 70-180 and the 180-600. I also have the 105 MACRO. Out in the field, the thought of lugging a 200, a 300, a 400, a 500 and a 600 prime - maybe even an 800 prime a well? - is just too ridiculous. When one zoom will cover the lot (except for the 800) - and instead of galloping backwards and forwards to find the right distance from camera to subject, I only have to twist the zoom ring! Then of course there's the cost to consider - would you believe I HAVE those lenses, but I've never even priced the 20/300/400/500/600 combo? Haven't a clue what it would cost! Pros might think they need them, but I can't think I ever would.@@kieranhayesphotography
@@richardwarren4031 That's a really nice combo you have there and light too. Tbh I have a nice selection of shorter focal length primes here and even though they are lighter I tend to use the zoom more these days. As you say just twist and zoom and you have the shot. No changing lenses and it makes life easier as well as keeping my back happy too 😂
You have a great selection of primes there and while I have nearly pulled the trigger on a few longer primes I just knew I wouldn't have them with me.
I am even struggling to justify the 135mm F1.8 plena lens 😂
It's not just your back, Kieran. Number one, Z mount doesn't yet HAVE a 200, a 300 or a 500 - and you CAN'T cover for all of those with a 400 and a 600 - but you can, with a 180-600 zoom. number 2, if you DID have all 5 of them, and a camera, and a tripod, it'd take more backs than one. Which is not such a bad idea, apart from the cost of labour - because no insurance company on this planet is going to cover you, if you leave that kind of glass in the car, while you take one of those lenses out for the shoot. And number 3, the cost would be horrific - ten times what my 180-600 zoom cost me! The idea of use the zoom ring to conquer distance is actually a very important one - birds move! - in all directions, and damn fast - same with race cars, plains, trains, sports players - and the advantages of being able to quickly change your lens's distance-to-subject might well outweigh any disadvantages in sharpness, as against a prime. I'm just a serious amateur, not a professional. To me, going for all those primes would be like trading my small Toyota sedan in, to buy a Lamborghini. I'd get more bang for my bucks if I set the cash aside to buy SIGMA's fabled full frame Foveon sensor camera, perennially due out "next year" - and maybe one of these "next" years, we'll be able to buy one, and I could fool around with one of them, instead. I've seen a ton of shots taken with a half frame Foveon, and I know how good SIGMA glass is, so that should be real good fun, and something different from most other 'togs.@@kieranhayesphotography
@@richardwarren4031 Richard I honestly didn't even want to start thinking of the cost 😂
That alone would be a killer and as you fair enough if really really needed it then it's a good purchase but then you would need a second camera body with a different lens on it. That's what I always end out doing when I am shooting with primes. You often times just can't get in position in time so a second focal length is worth the world then.
I love my zooms and considered the 180-600 also but not just now.
Mainly shoot people and landscapes so I would hardly use it.
Of course the times I would need it then it would be at home 😂
I have only ever used a sigma camera once. Let me know if you buy one, it would be interesting to hear what you think of it.
Thank you for the great and informative video, for me as a ( cityscape ) & ( architectural photographer) I am using D810 and bought the Nikon Z5 just to test the mirrorless capability first. I do time-lapses as well from time to time, and recently I have had enough budget to upgrade to a better mirrorless camera and sell the Nikon D810, based on the above used do you still recommend going with Z7ii or should I go with Z8?
If you need a really good camera with a high pixel count and great dynamic range then the Z7ii is just a tiny bit better than the Z8.
If you need fast precise low light AF and good tracking then the Z8 is the one for you.
When I shoot landscapes I tend to use my Z7ii more than the Z8 for its better dynamic range, longer battery life and if I am shooting on a tripod it's smaller size and weight.
I love the feel of the Z8 in my hand though.
The two cameras are very close but if I were you and from what you are shooting I would pick the Z7ii and get some nice glass for it then too.
That's gonna give you better results.
I hope that helps a bit and if you have any other questions please do feel free to ask them.
Hello Kieran, thanks so much for this informative and understandable comparison vid! I just took out my D850 and an old D800 body in order to shoot an event later this week. The lenses are a bit wonky and the 800 body needs to be fixed. I have been long thinking about adding a mirrorless to my repertoire. I spoke with my friend and camera dealer, Jay--he took over what was my husband's camera biz about 18 years ago now--today and he has sent me links to Z 7, Z 7II, Z 8 and Z 9. I held a Z 9 last night and it was much heavier than I expected. I am interested mostly in stills for both events, often in low light and for my own outdoor photography. I rarely if ever use the video. However I want something that is reliable for events. I am leaning toward the Z 8. I am going to go look up the weight now! Thanks again, any and all input welcome 📸
Hi Tricia, for low light events the Z8 or Z9 would be great for its superior Auto Focus.
Even the high USO low light capabilities of both cameras at 46mp is very good.
Like you I tried the Z9 but just didn't like the weight or bulk of it. I tend to handhold my camera for 6-8 hour shoots so I went for the Z8 and have loved every minute of it.
I also had the Z6ii and currently own the Z7ii, they are really good cameras but the Z8 truly is like a modern day D850 and I loved that camera.
I hope that helps a bit more and no matter what camera you go for I hope you really enjoy it 👍
@kieranhayesphotography thanks so much Kieran! Just started following you on Instagram. Also, I wanted to let you know that I searched the AI search engine app called “Perplexity” to ask these questions about the Z 7II versus the Z 8. Your TH-cam video came up as one of their sources. So that’s how I found you today. Check out Perplexity if you haven’t yet, very helpful search engine. Thanks again for your help!!!
@@kieranhayesphotography thanks so much! I’m so glad I found your video. I searched this new to me AI search engine app called “Perplexity” with my question comparing the two cameras and your video was one of their sources. So that’s how I found you, I’ve since started following you on Instagram. Looking forward to more info and inspo. I’ll let you know how I make out with my Z 8. I’ll hang onto my D850 for a while longer and might sell my two D800s. Slan!
Enjoy the Z8, there is a slight learning curve comparred to the D850 but it's so worth it. Very curious to hear how you get on with it and thanks for the heads up about the app, I must check that out.
Perfect thank you, just the information I was looking for!
Hi Gerry, glad it helped, have a great week.
such a great comparison piece! thank you!
Thanks a lot.
Great video. Considering both currently for wedding photography. Any suggestions or recommendations as to which would be best? I'm guessing the Z8 for daytime and the Z7II for night.
That's a tough one but for me yes it would have to be the Z8 for daytime but I would also go with the Z8 for night time too and purely because of the better AF system and starlight mode too, which works really well in low light conditions to help you compose your shots better.
I love the Z7ii but for weddings I would go with the Z8 out of the two.
It's a complete beast of a camera in low light.
I hope that helps a bit.
Thank you for your response and yes hugely helpful
@alanr1476 Enjoy which ever one you go for, they are both great cameras.
My Z8 is an amazing all rounder. However, I've still kept my Z6ii, 24 mp, it's small and light great for street, a fair bit better at high ISO's, better for astro shots, beautiful files. It's just the old Expeed 6 processors aren't up to the job of high level auto-focus etc..Other than that i love my Z6ii and the Z8 can do the tough stuff, birds, sport etc. A great pair of cameras. If I just wanted to do purely landscape, the Z7 is fantastic.
Ya, the Z6ii and Z7ii struggle with focusing in certain conditions and that to be fair that is the only thing really holding them back a little. The Z6iii is gonna solve nall those issues though and there are exciting times ahead.
@@kieranhayesphotography Yes, I'm sure it'll be a great camera with an Expeed 7 chip, they have 10x the processing power of the 2 Expeed 6 chips in the Z6ii and Z7ii so they will handle any task Nikon program them to do. The Z8/9 and the following smaller cameras are the mirrorless point when the D3 and D700 brought the DSLR 's to a truly capable level. I'm pretty old now but the future of digital imaging looks fantastic.
@@musiqueetmontagne yes, the future of photography is bright, it's also slightly terrifying where all this is going. Looking forward to it though as it always reminds me of a comment and an old neighbour used to say... Staying the same is going backwards 😀
You settled it for me. I'll get the 14-30 lens and stay with my 7II.
I love that combo for landscapes and seascapes, I nearly always pick up the Z7ii for landscapes now.
Nice comparison of these two cameras.
We live in good times for new camera tech.
Exactly and it's only getting better... the Z6iii and Z7iii should be great cameras also. Thankfully Nikon are coming back very strong now.
I’m really wanting to upgrade my D300s I’ve used since 2009 with a mirrorless and am debating between the z7 and z8. Probably leaning towards the z7ii because of how expensive the z8 is.
Hi Anthony, the Z7ii is a great camera, I use mine regularly and prefer it to the Z8 at times. I was doing a product shoot all day yesterday and used the Z7ii instead of the Z8.
Excellent reviews. Thank you for making it a simpler choice. Now, should I get both ha ha
That's what I did and it worked :-) Thanks for watching and have a great day.
Would love to know your thoughts on comparing the two cameras in astrophotography. Also how often do you miss using the back LED screen when vertical mode or low vantage vs high? I’m really waffling between the two cameras and have serious concerns about the low light AF in the Z 7 II vs Z 8. Also the cost is huge for me, especially when considering I’d need to purchase a FTZ II adapter and memory cards ( L bracket too!). Thanks for your insight. Subscribed!
Hi, now that's a good question as the Dynamic Range and High ISO on the Z7ii is better but the low light AF on the Z8 is better.
I would personally go for the Z7ii there though and use manual focus, spend the extra if you need to on glass then as that's going to really help with Astro.
The screen is handy but you can always use snapbridge for remote viewing for the very odd time you would need it.
The Z7ii is a cracking camera though.
Planning to switch from D3400 to Z series. I'm doing bird photography. What's your camera suggestion for bird photography ? Z8 or Z7II
For it's faster frame rate and better AF it would have to be the Z8, the Z7ii is a really good camera but for wildlife it has to be the Z8.
Great video, if you had to choice between Zf and Z7II, for sports photography, what would be your choice. My budget its 2000, to choose one of the two cameras
Good luck with the ZF, it's a great camera and enjoy it.
The Z8 is a more professional camera, the bigger grip and balance are very importstnt for professional photography; especially for heavy duty still, portrait works and also for movies. Best regards and many 😊thanks from Egypt.
That's true but with the L bracket fitted to the Z7ii it does make the grip slightly bigger and also adds a bit more weight to the Z7ii. I use the Z7ii still for an awful lot of commercial photography and it does the job very well, when I am shooting portraits though the Z8 is amazing.
Hello Kieran, fist time listener and follower. Really enjoyed your comparison here as it is something I am up against right now. I too was all fat, dumb and happy years back when it was a no brainer to own the D500 for Wildlife and D850 for Landscape, etc. Had them both and still have my D500. But sold the 850 for the Z7ii. I love the Z7ii and have most of the glass I will need for landscape work. But here are my pet peeves with the Z7ii..1) No tilting screen for tripod portrait use, 2) No backlit buttons for early morning, night shooting, 3) No shutter guard when changing lenses. Buttttt, saying that, I love the image quality and weight of the Z7ii. So, should I go with the Z8? I just sold off my Fuji gear thinking I would replace with the ZF due to the retro look. But now, I can't get eh Z8 out of my head...lolol. Thanks again for the video. Love your channel
The Z8 is truly is an amazing camera and in all honesty it's very hard to beat it. For all round use it's a lot better than the Z7ii. For landscapes though the Z7ii is just ever so fractionally better. The dynamic range being the main thing but if you are not shooting into the sun and capturing extremes of light in a shot the Z8 is totally the camera for you.
The tilting screen, backlight button and sensor shield or shutter are very good reasons for you to buy the Z8 though.
Thanks for watching and enjoy the photography 👍
Thanks Kieran for the reply back! I was kind of leaning the same way. Just so many pluses for Z8. That tilt screen is big for me. However, I do have a question on the AA Filter. I have read where it does have one, and some where it does not. Camera Decision puts it with one. And I know having one is something that can impact image sharpness which is what some folks have said they see in difference between Z7ii and Z8. Can you confirm if it does not have an AA filter? Not a pixel peeper, but I do love image crispness/sharpness, which i have come to love from the Z7ii. Thanks again!!@@kieranhayesphotography
@@robroyig-robroyphotography9225 Hi Rob, that's the first time I have heard the Z8 has an AA filter. All the pre release spec and any spec I have seen since says it has no AA filter.
I asked a Nikon Ambo there now also and they said there is no AA filter in the Z8.
A lot of people say the files from the Z8 are sharper than the Z7ii, I have never seen any real difference in sharpness levels between them.
I hope that helps a bit.
Noise on Z8 vs Z7ii is real. It's a small bit more, but if you go on DP Review and look at the lab test shots you see it. In fact, the Z7ii seems to have the best high ISO low noise of just about ANY camera on the market.
Yes, I have noticed that alright on both high ISO shots and also when recovering shadow detail in ISO 64 extreme landscape shots.
It's not game changing but the Z8 is slightly worse.
The Z7ii is very good considering it's high resolution sensor. The Z6ii is better again due to the lower pixel density though, not much in it, but I tested them side by side when I owned them and the Z6ii had a slight edge there.
Kieran ,Hi im a z711 owner and on a summer trip to galway i tried 4k video ,on a very bright day on the prominade in Salthill .When i got home there were spots on the video ,maby 15 dispersed throught the playback ,I had no ND filter with me and just stopped down the apeture to max to achieve a good exposure .?? So i bought a 6 stop ND filter and tried a afterglow sunset on Lough Derg and once again there were the little Ba-------s back again .and if i remember corectly they were black on the galway one and white on the tipperary one .
Please help me before i crack up .Finally and this will crack you up .If you pop to 8:38 on your video here There is a red dot (hot pixel maby ) I know this is not exclucive to nikon >So im going to do some homework on resolving this video issue and im sure there is a work around.Love your vids and theres so much covered in each one .Maby you could give a spif on resolving it sometime in the future, Cheers .Mike
Hi thanks for watching and for the feedback, I really appreciate it.
So the black dots you had in Galway were almost certainly dust specs.
Once you pop your aperture up past F11 you are far more likely to see dust specs on the screen. An easy way to check for this is to take a photo of a white card or wall at F22 and focus on infinity.
You should see the black dots then. The remedy is to clean the sensor. That will probably solve the problem for you. I can't say it will for certain as it's possible it could be in the lens but far more likely it's a dirty sensor.
Oh and the red dot you saw in my video and the white dots you had, that's hot pixels and you just need to do a pixel remapping in the camera and it will solve the issue.
I sometimes forget to do that, it's a good idea to that every 6 months or so.
I hope that helps.
I own the Z8, which I absolutely love, but for my needs, and especially for street photography, the Z7 II would be far better. The Z8 body plus battery + the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8S weight barely under the 2 and 1/4 kg 😭
Exactly, they are both great cameras but one will just suit you better. I love the Z8 but I do leave it at home depending on the style or genre of photography I am shooting and on other days I leave the Z7ii at home.
Once you find the one that's right for you that's all that matters.
Thanks for watching and for the feedback.
I went from the Z6II to the Z8 solely due to the trade-in offer Nikon had. I planned to get a Z7II (or III, if/when it is announced), but the offer was too good to pass up. Thanks for the video!
Hi Curt and congrats on the Z8, I bet you are noticing a nice improvement in AF, I really liked the Z6ii, it's a cracking camera but the Z8 is a real beauty. I never thought I would enjoy using a camera as much as I did the D850 but the Z managed it 👍
I have the z7ii and I've been having AF issues. I shoot a lot of events - so nightlife with flash. A lot of times, it will say my AF is locked on a face (green box) and when I zoom in after I take the photo, it's picked up something behind them instead so the image is out of focus. Very frustrating. I have been thinking that the z8 would fix this? I've reached out to Nikon but havent theyve been quiet. Might just move to Canon EOS R5... Thoughts?
Hi Robbie, the Z8 is a mile better than the Z7ii for low light use with exactly the same lens. The low light AF just works a lot better.
You probably already know it but what really helps with the Z7ii is to use an F2.8 or even better an F1.8 or F1.2 lens in AFS as it will open out the lens and focus faster then and stop down to your desired aperture then and take the shot.
In saying that the Z8 is still a mile better.
That was one of the main reasons I upgraded to the Z8.
Thanks for the response! Yeah I use a 24-70mm f/2.8 which I love - I ended up investing in the Z8 and I'm in love with it - HUGE difference. Like going from a toyota to a ferrarri. Lowlight AF-C and facial regognition for events is NEXT LEVEL. 99% of my shots are sharp and in focus. Highly recommended to anyone reading this @@kieranhayesphotography
Well... that forces my hand. I do aviation photography and a slow autofocus will be a problem with a fighter jet. Z8 it is.
Oh the Z8 is the right beast for the job there alright. Enjoy every minute of it.
I have a z6ii, and i do weddings, and now I consider to upgrade to z8 or z7ii, but I want to do videos for weddings in the same camera. Probably going with the z8 then.
Hi for what you need the Z8 is is going to be a good bit better, the focus abilities of the Z8 are a lot better than the Z7ii, especially in lower light situations. From the video perspective again the Z8 is going to be a good bit better. In saying that I shoot all my youtube videos on the Z7ii now and does an amazing job. If I were you though I would go for the Z8 and just make sure to get a good CF express type B card for it as the cheaper ones get hot quickly. Thanks for watching and enjoy which ever camera you go for.
The discussion between Z6 II vs Z7 II is irrelevant IMO. You need the Z6 II if you need much better low light capabilities at high iso, that's why you have large pixels. If you do landscapes and need higher resolution, Z7 II.
Now between Z8 and Z7 II, that's a harder choice. I would say go for the Z8 is you want a more versatile camera with excellent video capabilities or if you need to capture fast action. Otherwise Z7 II.
Yes, that's exactly right, not everyone is as aware of their differences as you though hence the videos.
I get those questions a lot so it's nearly easier to do a video and just send people the link :-)
The one other thing the Z8 is massively important for is lowlight AF, the Z7ii is ok but the Z8 is a mile better in low light.
Thanks for watching and enjoy the photography.
I have just sold my Z7 for a proper focusing Camera the Z8 which arrives this week
Enjoy the Z8, interest to hear how you get on... there is a nice difference in the AF between the two cameras alright, espcially for the tracking features and low light focusing. Enjoy, I love my Z8.
I would get the Z7II which is $1000 cheaper, lighter and smaller, the Z7II also have better battery life.
Exactly, it perfect for a lot of people out there, the Z8 is an amazing camera but the Z7ii is a better fit for some people. As you say battery performnce weight and size, dynamic range etc... it's a great camera. Now in saying that the Z8 is obviously better in certain situations but at the end of the day it all comes down to what you shoot.
To me the right color science + high resolution is just so hard to come by and thus priceless
So very true, I always loved the colours my Z6ii produced. The Z8 for me is nearly that good thankfully.
it cannot be set 4:5 format on Z8 so it's unusable for me. i shot only vertical for print magazines. i bought Z7ii. there you can mask to 4:5
There are loads of tiny little differences between them, once you get the one that's right for you that's all that matters.
I love my Z7ii.
Have you shot astrophotography with both cameras? If so, which might be better for those high ISOs?
In all honesty there isn't that mightly much of a difference but the Z7ii is a tiny little bit better, it is tiny though. Now the Z6ii is better again for Astro though.
@@kieranhayesphotography Thanks so much!!
Seems I may need to have the 6 for astrophotography and the 7 or 8 for portraits and landscapes lol.. lots of money
@@ecobooster8298 Trust me I feel your pain :-) The only good news is I can put it against my VAT and Tax here. Helps me cry a little bit less :-)
For wildlife Z8 is the right one.
Exactly with its improved AF great buffer and the 20 fps its a great wildlife camera. It will be interesting to see what the Ziii brings...
Thank you man is my pleasure to see your channel, can you make comparison D850 VS Z8 also with sample of image quality.
bcz i am confused to go to sony or z8 bcz i have old nikon lens😂.
thank you again.
That's on my list of videos to do and hopefully I will get that uploaded next week, thanks for watching 👍
thank you dear, Good luck, God willing @@kieranhayesphotography
👍
For comparison, before I traded my D850 in on the Z8, I just did lens-to-lens comparisons of my F mount and Z Mount equivalents. Looking at each 85mm f/1.8 and the wide and mid-range zooms, sharpness is so much better on the Z system, and most of the time they are lighter. Just my 2 cents.
Keeping my Z6ii/Z7ii, the Z8 won’t make my stills photo awe inspiring😂 would rather get the 135mm Plena..
Now that sounds like an awesome idea 👏👏👏
I want to jump to Nikon from Sony so bad but it's scary lol. Af vs color. The z8 looks great but idk how i feel about no mechanical shutter. A used z7ii is a great deal now too. Ugh.
It's a tough one alright, personally I like both cameras but if I had to pick one it would be the Z8 all day. It's a fantastic camera.
Good luck and go on move to the Darkside you know you want too 😂
It's not a mechanical shutter. It's a sensor shield.
Very true, that was aslip of the tongue, it's a sensor shield.
I will stick to my D850 and other dslr's. 😊
Nothing at all wrong with the D850, I loved mine to bits. One of the best cameras I ever owned. Enjoy it.
If the Z6iii doesn’t come with 33mp/xspeed 7 in a Z8 body I’m just going to go ahead and order the Z8, hope to know by March -24
If it comes with those specs I am buying one also. From what I am hearing it will be 30mp+ and Xspeed 7 but in the Z6ii form factor, which isn't the end of the world just grab yourself an L bracket and it's nearly the same thing as the Z8. Expect and announcemment in the first quarter of 2024 I am told. Either way it should be a great camera. The real question is will they make the Z7iii a mp monster and push it up to 60mp+ it's market is gonna be crushed by the Z6iii and Z8 otherwise.
I think the z7iii HAS to be a monster mp camera or there is nothing it can do that the z8 can’t, and while the z8 would still be more than a 7iii, the added features would make up for it. I want a landscape camera but I’m waiting for the z6iii because I want better low light for Astrophotography and faster frame rate for wave shots. I think the 6iii would be the right pic for me in that regard for the price.
Ya, it nearly has to be alright. Interesting times ahead and that should be a very nice lineup. I am looking for the Z6iii for travel and low light stuff just like you, should be nearly the perfect camera for a lot of people.
Here’s hoping 🤞🏻
Z 8 📸❤️❤️
I am the same 👍
take it from a professional landscape photographer. if you wanna do landscape, you're gonna want the Z8, the screen alone is worth it. lol the Z7II still felt like a downgrade compared to myD850. so don't go thinking the Z7II is a better landscape body than the Z8!
I would swap the dynamic range of the Z7ii any time for the slightly better screen display on the Z8 which has no effect on the image.
I own both cameras and I work professionally also as a landscape photographer but we all use our gear differently I guess.
Enjoy the Z8 it's a great camera.
@@kieranhayesphotography So i'm talking about the 3-way tilting screen. i'm shooting over rivers, down low on ice in vertical mode a lot. on the Z7, i cannot see my screen. doesn't tilt in vertical mode..... and the dynamic range difference is so minimal compared to Z8 that it's not even worth mentioning. that's not going to change anything for me. i still shoot the same brackets if i need to and 99% of the time i don't even have to bracket. plus the Z7 feels like a toy Soy camera. and for that reason alone i ain't using it but there are many reasons why the Z8 is a MUCH better landscape camera.... even the illuminated buttons! when i do astrophotography, i don't have to use my headlamp and ruin everything when i need to see my buttons on the Z8. the Z8 has much more superior features for a landscape photographer who's used to the D850's top notch features.
I shoot a massive amount of seascapes and my camera is regularly just above water level and I never had an issue with it, I shoot straight into the sun and I have generally a lot of darker foreground detail I want to expose also so I need to boost my shadows even though I use a grad filter (I never bracket images) and I can tell you the Z8 is a not as good as the Z7ii as regards dynamic range and there is a nice difference between the two when you are pushing your camera to the extremes. Once you try them side by side and boost those shadows the Z7ii is just better but then again I know I am fussy about noise in my images.
I am not discounting the feel and weight of the Z8 and the illuminated buttons but they are only slight differences and honestly I would see them as being nice rather than being seriously functional for a landscape photographer but then again astro photography is another genre all together.
In all honesty I really couldn't agree with you on this but hey we all use our gear differently and on commercial shoots and fashion shoots its always the Z8 for me but for landscapes my Z7ii works just perfect for me.
Enjoy the Z8.
@@kieranhayesphotography i'm talking about the 3 way tilting screen dude. Z7ii doesn't have it! lol
@@Rammykazemi I know it doesn't, maybe read my reply again 😂 That's why I mentioned I also have the camera very low when I am shooting lol.
Neither. Buy a Canon, a leader in digital, not a follower.
Well if your gonna change and go to a different brand or a leader as you say then I would of thought Sony would be the obvious move. l am not being smart with you now but they are the real innovators or leaders these days if your into that.
@@kieranhayesphotographygood answer👍 Sony is the leader in innovation as of now i agree..Canon has done a lot of bad corporate decision’s lately On their line up.
@@camilo8cheryl Canon and Nikon are still playing catch up to Sony these days. They are both making serious progress though thankfully.
@@kieranhayesphotography, I like the statement that Tony Northrup, a Canon/Sony lover, made in making the Z8 and Z9 the Camera of the year for 2023... Nikon is able to be a little more daring than Canon since they are trying to grab more market share. Canon is playing it a little safer with their lead. Some sports teams slow down the tempo when they are in the lead. That can mean losing the lead, or some of the lead. Having Nikon making such progress will only make Canon better, which is good for Canon owners and the industry. Imagine if we only had ONE brand to pick from. There'd be no innovation. GM, Ford and Dodge make each other stretch. Sony is like the Tesla of camera companies. They went from selling Hi-8, digital 8 camcorders to being the leader while Nikon and Canon were competing with each other.
@@kengeorge6965 Ken I couldn't agree more. It's why I work with 4 different software companies. I love seeing new features and one pushing the other forward. As I always say the winner is us photographers 👍