Nikon Z8 REVIEW - The perfect camera for bird photography?
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- Опубликовано: 10 июл 2024
- The Nikon Z8 is basically a "mini Z9": with 45 megapixel stacked sensor, 20 frames per second and the same autofocus of the Z9, it looks like an ideal camera for wildlife photography and especially bird photography. But how well does the smaller camera perform in practice? I spent more than a week in the south of France (Camargue) and tested the camera intensively for nature photography.
You can buy the Nikon Z8 and useful equipment here:
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As someone who shots Sony A7iv,A7RVv ,nikon Z9 ,Z7ii and D850 ;this is the best camera I have ever shot . Just absolutely brilliant.
Happy to hear that you like the camera
Why do you think this is better than a Z9?
@@mlai2546I have both. Z9 is my everyday studio camera. Stills and video. The Z8 is the EDC.
@@mlai2546 better dynamic range,better noise control ,more manageable .
Better than z9?
As the owner of both the Z9 and Z8 (with battery grip), I consider this a very informative and balanced review of the Z8. Nice job, and beautiful captures!
Thanks 😊
The backlit flamingo at 1/10000, great shot.
Thanks ☺️
Thanks Fabian, I recently switched from my Nikon DSLR 7500 to the Z8. I am planning a Safari in the future but right now I am shooting lots of wildlife in my backyard here in Australia. Looking forward to your Z8 setup guide on tracking smaller subjects. Great Review.
Thanks! I’m working on it 😊 Have fun with the camera
Great job, Fabian. As a Nikon Z9 and Z8 shooter you’ve really learned how they work really well. Great job in doing your homework. The images you got with the Z8 and 600 tc are really exceptional. Keep up the excellent work.
Thanks a lot 😊
Totally agree about adding a focus limiter in firmware. Panasonic has that and makes a huge difference and prevents the camera from focusing on the background and getting stuck there. Thanks for the review!
Thanks 😊
Great video Fabian. Thanks very helpful.
You‘re welcome!
Excellent review! This definitely helped make the final decision
Glad to hear 😊
Thank you Fabian I am looking to upgrade my Z7 and this has pushed me to really go for Z8
Have fun with the camera!
Quick tip: When using manual mode, set the ISO to auto! If you control the speed and the aperture, iso is already given for the correct exposure, thus you don't need to set it. In situations when the camera can miss the exposure, I use the expo compensation button to correct it. It is quick enough.
Unfortunately, that’s not really an option in many cases (e.g. when the background changes)
I find the easiest way to shift between whatever area mode I’m using and 3D tracking is to program 3D + AF to the lens function button. I start with BBF and one of the small, wide or custom area modes and once locked shift to 3D + AF on the lens. I also have one of the front Fn buttons programmed to custom area single point in the event the subject is in a busy surrounding.
The AF won’t be improved until Nikon adopts a new sensor architecture from the Z8/Z9. The other brands have sensors with multiple times the AF points compared to the Nikon Zs. The sensor Z8/Z9 has only about 500 points; it needs double that number for the AI to hunt and retain subjects properly. Reviewers seem puzzled why the Z8/Z9 still lags its peers but that’s the difference; the AI subject detection algorithms require the entire sensor to be densely painted by AF points.
But it’s still a great camera.
Thanks for you comment. That sounds reasonable. Unfortunately, this would also mean it can’t be fixed via firmware updates in the feature
Regarding AF points: Do you have any insights from the Nikon development team, or where does the evidence for this information come from?
From the looks of your pictures, you have done a great job on learning how to use this camera.. This camera can sometimes be tough for newbie trying to use the autofocus.. Once you do learn it, it's fantastic, more so than other cameras for me that I've used. Such as Canon , Sony, fuji and a few and lower end Nikon others. Love the 3D tracking. And Love the hand off of the red focus box to the eye focus tracking, works great. Don't get me wrong, Canon , Sony, has great focus too. It's just that I like the way Z8 & Z9 work. 3D tracking and the Hand off of eye focus.
Thanks for sharing your experiences!
Very nice "review" of the features that are important for you and your experience compared to other cameras. Excellent overview (with images) and I must say, that puts your video above many others (and you actually knew your way around the camera). I felt your overview was very fair and balanced. I could get into my main issues with the Z8/Z9 AF issues, but my experience was overall similar to yours. In general, with Firmware 5.0 around Christmas - (fingers crossed) I'd like to see several developments. Simplification of the AF-Area modes - letting the camera get faster and stickier without having to do mental gymnastics as to which mode is best for that setting, zebras in stills, and...well, let's leave it there. First time to your channel, and you did a great job. Thanks for the post.
Thanks for your kind words 😊
@@FabianFoppNaturephotography You're very welcome and it was well deserved. I only wish I had a camera when I was your age, but your wisdom and knowledge base are far beyond those with even more experience. Keep persuing your passion, and above all, stay focused! ;--)
Thanks for the video.
You‘re welcome 😊
Support my channel by using the affiliate links below:
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Nice review with some good observations. Re: Auto Area AF for birds, I’ve heard most people say to start with a large custom box (or a shallow / wide box) and then handoff to 3D. I’ll try Auto Area now too.
New sub 🙂👍🏻
Thanks 😊
Great video thanks. You mentioned that you would have preferred a 3rd wheel so you could adjust the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO directly. But wouldn't you agree that the function ring (most Nikon Z S lenses have such a function ring) can be set to be used as a 3rd wheel? For instance one could use the front wheel for aperture, the back wheel for speed, and the function ring for ISO.
I upgraded from a Z6II to the Z8 and I was flabbergasted by the difference; especially the autofocus system. Took me a while to figure it out but found a combination of settings that suits me well.
I've watched some of your videos, liked them a lot, and subscribed to your channel.
Thanks! I tried that, but there is two things I don’t like about it: 1. Not all lenses have it (180-600), 2. I don’t like the „continous“ implementation of the ring on Nikon lenses (on Canon there are noticeable „steps“ when you turn the ring)
@@FabianFoppNaturephotography Never said it was a perfect solution haha
Hi Fabian, great video! About to switch entirely to mirrorless and looking forward to the Z8 + 800mm combo to take some bird photographs here in Fiji! Quick side note: if you are putting links on your description, add the in front of them and then they're clickable in your video description :)
Thanks! Should be fixed now 😊
Which lens 500mm or 600mm is better for the Z8, for videographers?
Amazing video!
Thanks! There is currently no 500mm lens for the Z mount. And I love the Z mount lenses for video because of their amazing stabilization
Excellent camera for sure, the question is (for me) if need to upgrade from a D850 to a Z8. Technology is different for sure with a lot of avantages but what about the image quality ?
Unfortunately, I could not do a side by side comparison. But I think the main reasons for an upgrade would indeed be AF and speed, not necessarily image quality
I’m convinced Nikon signed an agreement with Sony to limit fps to 20fps raw for use of the stacked sensor. Canon R8 40fps is at half the resolution. So really can’t say well this one does 40fps. Looking forward to your 180-600 review
I would find it weird, if Nikon would really sign such an agreement. But who knows
@@FabianFoppNaturephotography yeah it’s just my opinion. A1 is the only 45+ mp stacked sensor with 30fps. I think Sony wanted to keep it that way and also reason why the R3 is 30fps but at 24mp. It’s pretty obvious Sony manufactured that sensor as well. Even though Sony Semi is separate from their camera division they still keep the best tech exclusive for a set period of time.
No, the R3 Sensor is not from Sony but from Canon. They kept the R3 at 24MP because that’s apparantly what most sport photographers prefer and I guess also to keep room for the R1
@livejames9374 Sony A1's 30fps is not Raw Lossless. A1's compressed file doesn't retain dynamic range as well as Nikon's high efficiency. As a result the file size is quite small and hence they can do 30fps. It's like saying Nikon can shoot 30fps jpg.
Yes. Still, I think many Nikon shooters would be very happy if the z8/Z9 would do 30fps in high efficiency star mode
correction - EVF has 3.7 million dots NOT pixels. Sorry Fabian!
Yes, you are right, they technically call it dots and not pixels. However, the comparison with a Canon R5 etc still holds true
@@FabianFoppNaturephotography yes, true (comparison). It's just 5 million dots is not 5 million pixels, it's much lower resolution (pixels).
What is the lifespan of an electronic shutter
It has no moving parts, so basically unlimited
The Z8 autofocus is great for birds, but Z9 is even better if you would use current firmware (2024-Jan-24) that has AI af for birds specifically.
I did a review about the Z9 firmware 4.1
Z8 has the same firmware now.
I use Sony A7 Rv.
Seems to be a nice camera as well
I am a hobbyist into bird photography & wildlife photography with occasional interest in landscape photography.
Please review 180-600 as 600 prime beyond my reach as a pure hobbyist only. Or 800 prime a better option?
By the thanks for this nice review.
Thanks! I will definitely do my best to get to try this lens 😊
no interest in birds 😂
Then don’t watch the video 😉