Z 8

The Z8 is as impressive as the Z9 which I also own. Both are amazing cameras and the eye detection/lock on has enabled me to take several bird flight pictures.However, I am waiting for Auto Capture on the Z8 which is there on the Z9 with the latest firmware upgrade. Also, since it is a replacement for my excellent DSLR D850, I would expect it to have the 1.2 crop feature. This is very useful for using a 500mm as a 600mm lens on occasion while still retaining enough megapixels for printing large pictures. This would also increase memory card capacity. I am hoping Nikon adds this feature to both Z8 and Z9 in a future firmware upgrade.

I have owned the D5600, D500, Z50, Z5, Z6ii, Z7ii and truly liked each of these cameras. But, the Z8 is truly next level. This feature reach camera is amazing! I shoot family portraits, events, landscape and wildlife. I have always used different cameras for different jobs depending on their strengths and weaknesses. The Z8 can do it all and do it well. After using the Z8 for a couple of weeks, it’s going to be hard to pick up and use anything else.

Love this camera... Traded a Z6II which became a workhorse for my Motorsports... Now the Z7II will work the tracks and the Z8 will be my studio ride. Will be shooting Basketball soon so I'd say the Z8 will make me happy also. I worked with a D5 for many years, but I am happy with the results on my upgrades. The D5 is still working great, but in truth the Z8 is killer and I am truly happy with the Camera.

Came to the Z8 by way of a D7000 then a Z6 so I am familiar with Nikon cameras (had a Nikon Ftn Photomic back in its day) but the Z8 has taken me a while to adjust to the wide variety of settings it offers. It will be perhaps another year or two of use before I am completely comfortable moving from a landscape to a bird in flight to a portrait. Need to work more on the shooting banks. Summary for me is - great camera but more complex to use than I expected yet having a great time exploring all it can do.

Overall an excellent camera with a steep learning curve when moving from a D500/D7200. Both of those cameras were very good and served me well. Subject tracking and "pre-release" exposure functions of the Z8 were important in capturing sports and wildlife photos. Being able to adapt Nikon F lenses is a big plus. A purchase "surprise" was the inability to use recently-purchased Nikon EN-EL 15C batteries that worked flawlessly in my other Nikon cameras, but not in the Z8. The batteries appear genuine but are possible counterfeits?.

great machine, with lots to learn,

Very thankful that this camera is not as heavy as the Z9 or D850. I needed a second camera for portrait work and it needed to have as much professional power as a Z9. I often have to carry the Z9 on monopod and need to grab a second to snap fast closeups. However, I physically can't hold much weight in one hand to do so. The Z8 meets my needs perfectly. I love it for portraiture work. Being I don't shoot in a studio and lugging around gear is exhausting. Minimizing weight is important. I have not even used all the features the Z8 provides. Doubtful I will add a battery grip to it.

You should buy this camera!! However, please learn how to set it up before taking it out for a test run. The menu setup is more complex the DSLR Nikon cameras; like my D850.

Easy to move from the D850; same basic layout but with improvements. A bit smaller and definitely lighter especially when paired with Z lenses. The FTZ II adapter also is very effective with my F-mount lenses. I like the larger diameter Z-mount on the camera.