For a brief moment in time, I owned the D850, Z7ii and Z9, but I decided to part with the D850. And, for another brief moment I owned the Z7ii, Z9 and Z8. I had fully convinced myself to hold onto the Z7ii for landscapes, travel and hiking when I acquired the Z8, but after having the Z8 in my hands and feeling the reduced form from that of the Z9 and even the D850, I decided to sell the Z7ii to cover part of the cost of the Z8. So far, the Z8 has shown to me that it is an excellent travel and hiking companion, and as you show in this video, there really isn't much difference in shooting landscape between any of the Nikon 45.7MP cameras. The final decision was made because the Z8 and Z9 are wonderful in shooting movement shots where in my use-case I often shoot thousands of frames, whereas the Z7ii was good at movement, but not great. In my life, I try to limit the "things" that I have and if something camera related is sitting on my shelf, then I am likely to find a new home for it so that it can fulfill its purpose. Great job as always, Matt!
Greetings, Matt. I no longer own a Z7, and I do not own a Z8. I shoot with a pair of Z9s and use a Z fc as my “family” walk around camera. But I would like to thank you for the great work you put into all your productions and reviews. I’m sipping on a cup of coffee and enjoying this one. Thanks again for all you do.
You made my day! Even after buying a Z9 a year ago, I do most of my shooting on my Z7 purchased in the fall of 2019. I love both, but I feel I'm finally mastering the Z7. Your video is just what I needed. I'd love to have a bit of software to convert my Z7 raw files to Z8-Z9 high efficiency raw. :)
Matt, I may not be able to watch every video you put out (I do try to), but I appreciate that when I do, it’s going to be a positive interaction and devoid of conspiracy, politics and everything it shouldn’t be. Thanks for being a positive influence, staying true to yourself and not deviating from the cause. ❤
Great video as always Matt. I traded in my Z7 against my Z8, not for an image quality uplift, but for a plethora of other things some individually small but combined bigger. The Z7 'classic' is a great camera and at a great price/capability ratio👍
The image quality of the D850, Z7, Z7II, Z8, and Z9 seem entirely indistinguishable for me. While I've been considering going 'pro' for a few years, it has been deferred for at least a year, so the Z7II does really well for me as an 'enthusiast'.
hello matt, thanks for the great comparison. i use the Z7 myself and now also have the Z8. so far i have not found any difference in the image quality. nikon has done a really good job here. i will continue to use my Z7 for landscape photography. I hope you continue to make such good test videos. Greetings from Germany
Very similar IQ on both. The Z8 is so much more assured for wildlife, from blackout free viewfinder, silent shooting without rolling shutter, amazing autofocus and better low light autofocus plus great customisation options has already helped me catch images I’m sure Id have missed with Z7ii. But I’d still take my Z7ii for landscapes and enjoy the lightness. Indoors or wildlife or action Z8 by a significant distance. Z8 is so relaxing as it just is so competent!
Hi Matt, Having used the Z8 for about 5 weeks I feel it is a tiny bit sharper with all my lenses, I would have thought with the fully electronic shutter and zero vibration, that is entirely possible. Still keeping my Z7II, both super cameras.
Same here. I love the Z7II. It an under rated camera. The Z8 deserves the wide praise it gets but the Z7II shouldn't be overlooked esp if landscape is your thing which is my case.
I found it interesting that all three British landscape photographers that I follow, and that all shot on the Z7ii, have all switched to the Z8. It was for the little things, not image quality. And it was despite the extra weight and size of the Z8. It was for the screen that flips out for vertical images. The sensor shield was a big factor for photographers that change lenses in the field quite often.
I probably follow the same three! 🤣 I am waiting for the "prefect" mirrorless body, for me. That'll be a smaller form factor Z8, and I'm not interested in the MP count. Whether it is a Z6III, Z7III, or ZFC only time will tell but it'll be for the practical reasons you have given above. In the meantime my lowly D600 just keeps plodding along giving me photos that in all honestly will probably be a match for my next body after post processing is complete.
Curious to know who the 3 landscape photographers are I follow 2 and would love to watch a third Btw Thomas heaton and Nigel shoot I’ve forgotten his last name
Great comparison Matt. Very interesting and while the Z8 appears to have a smidge more sharpness (hard to really see though), I thought the color and dynamic range in the Z7 images were slightly better. But, all in all, considering these images and the price difference between the Z7 and Z8, I'd spend my money on the Z7. In any event, it was great to see you bundled up in Australian winter garb. Those of us in Texas are baking under the summer sun and don't have anymore clothing to remove to cool down. Cheers!
I'm super well indeed. I hope you are too. Interesting comparison! I like the production value of your videos and your energy. :) Also: what you call cold, we call T-Shirt weather 😅
Very interesting video, thanks Matt. I have a Z9 and had a Z7ii. However, I have chopped the 7ii in for a Z8. Now, that was not because I was in any way dissatisfied with the images i got from the 7ii. Far from it, I was very pleased with the results it gave me. However, I can only justify keeping two bodies and I wanted commonality across the control layout, functionality and the far improved autofocus the 8 offers and am very happy with my decision and the results.
Matt you are totally a Rock Start. The content of your videos is just so easy to follow and to understand. Mate thank you for the work you do for us all.
I really appreciate your method of comparison. The lab filters out real world. Lab tests are always focused on eliminating all the variables. In the real world you cannot accomplish that. How the equipment manages the real world is what's important. Labs are good for establishing standards, and there is a place for that, but how anything manages variables is what I want to see. Thank you!
As the worlds number one Nikon D850 fan, the worlds best digital SLR ever made. We were reluctant to go to the Z system until Z8 was released, even then we were dubious whether it could replace the Nikon D850. Though the Nikon D850 is still an incredible Camera, the Nikon Z8 blows it out the water, the photos are so sharp the colour rendition is excellent, It's like OLED screen with deep blacks and high resolution. The lenses we are using are Nikon 24-120mm f4 and 400mm f4.5 both excellent lenses. I can't speak for the Nick on Z7
If either has the edge on image quality it is slightly in favour of the Z8. The phenomenal advantage is the file size, something that has always held me back from the Z7. 36mb files are the ideal max (anything more is a challenge for me) Great comparison video thank you Matt
Thanks Matt. Great video. I totally agree with your results. If one needs Z8 to replace Z7 depends only on application, quality of pictures is very consistent. I compared my Z7 and Z9, results were very similar. Tom
Thanks, Matt, great review as usual. I have Nikon 850, z7II, and now z8. I can confirm, that the picture's qualities are exactly the same. At least nobody, even me, can't tell what camera was used for the shoot before checking the metadata. Love all 4 of my cameras D750, D850, Z7II, Z8, and still love the D80, D300, D700, D750, and D800 that I still have. Keep posting, thanks again!
I have the D850, Z7II and Z8. The D850 still delivers the best image. The files have a more MF look that the Z7II and Z8 don't have. I think the D850 has a smoother transition between shadows and highlights.
Hi Matt! Always fun to watch your great content! With respect to your final remarks, photographing and videoing my children feels more like being a wildlife photographer than a portrait photographer. 😂 The Z9 has been an absolute game changer compared with the Z6 for everything I like to capture on film, but the jump I made from the Z6 to the Z9 is perhaps bigger than the jump from the Z7 to the Z8 when the use case is just stills of non-moving subjects. But when we are talking about documenting memories and trips with children, the Z9 has been refreshingly better at everything I want to do!
Virtually identical. Matt, the thing is, you did the tests early morning and late in the day/evening, as with most of your tests. Early to mid afternoon would probably give a more constant light temperature and less variables such as dropping light levels.
I have the Z7 and love it. I don’t shoot video, I would like faster autofocus for birds in flight etc. and a pull out screen in portrait format. I like to have light cameras so wouldn’t want the extra weight and bulk of the Z8/Z9 especially for so little extra advantage to me. There’s a rumour that Nikon might produce a full frame Z version of the Zf. That sounds more interesting to me if the size and weight and mpx are the same as the Z7 as it could improve the photo-taking experience. Thanks for a real life video Matt. 👏
Thank you Matt ! I just love my Z7 ll but was thinking for my second camera to step up and get the Z8. But along with that comes another learning curve. And it would be so nice to have just two Z7 ll. And so thank you for this video very, very much!
I just received my Z7II with Nikkor Z 24 - 200 zoom (not a premier Nikkor lens buy affordable for me) this week and I'm looking forward to putting it through the paces soon in Yellowstone National Park in the States soon. I also have a D-750 which I will continue using. I examined the Z7II and Z8 specs primarily for video and the 8 wins hands down, but ultimately chose Z7 because my budget can't justify the 8's cost. Your video convinced me that I didn't make a mistake with the Z7II!
The Z8 is clearly awesome but I think it is more than I need, keeping my eye on the second hand Z7ii market to see if prices start to drop now. Beyond that I think I would benefit more from some of Nikons new glass.
Sold my z9. Using a z6ii for stills and videos. So far, the results are impressive and who needs millions of pixels that usually are cropped out of wildlife photos? And the z6ii is perfect for low light situations! Waiting for the future z6iii
Z7 seems to have a pinkish hue in daylight even after white balance. Z 8 seems to have more contrast and color saturation. I would imagine you could have two z7s or two z8s that render differently.
Matt, I have a Z7ii, and I love the images, colours, it can produce. I have decided against the Z8, primarily because I value weight as I age, and specifically for travel/hiking. I have decided if I need fast-ish AF, that my D850 is more than capable….and, again, great colours, resolution. I am eagerly awaiting a version three Z6 to replace my original Z6 from very early 2020. Nikon will still get my $, but only if it fits my use case. I assumed that the Z7/Z8 images would be similar, and I am glad for the video. I think its fair to say that any difference in output can be tweaked in software to create virtually identical photos. I went even lighter on a recent trip, with my Zfc and got stunning results. Loving the Z ecosystem. Of course, on that same trip, I used my Nikon D700 (NOT a light camera😂) and its unique sensor. Amazing reds and greens! As always, very much enjoyed the video.
The real issue might be "who are these cameras for?". If someone is primarily a landscape or architectural photographer, shooting slowly and deliberately, purchasing a Z8 may not be necessary. For a sports, wildlife, event, and all around photography, the advantages of a stacked sensor and high efficiency raw files, the Z8 has obvious advantages.
Am I wrong in thinking the file compression wouldn't be seen ever except in extreme examples of pulling detail out of the raw file? In other words if you're just opening raw files as shot and maybe adjusting white balance you wouldn't ever expect to see it. I'm not sure you'd ever see a difference in the real world anyways, but I'm not sure that's the right test for it.
I have the Z7. I am very pleased with the quality. The only problem I have with it is ME. My image composition sometimes leaves a lot to be desired. Another issue is I honestly don’t know how to use it properly at times. I shoot in RAW and in Manual. I know how to use those settings. But when the Z9II comes out I will upgrade.
I think the sensor shield, the control layout, the screen, the 10-pin remote connection, and the grip with shutter and other controls make the Z8 a more user-friendly camera. I’d get the Z9 if I did a lot of sports or really needed it’s amazing battery life.
Thank you Matt for a most interesting and informative video. I would have liked to have seen the two camera bodies side-by-side with the photos taken simultaneously. Unfortunately that would have required two sets of identical lenses, two tripods (or a special two-camera bracket for mounting onto a single tripod), and a remote shutter release capable of triggering both cameras simultaneously. Such a test would have been more accurate scientifically, but I'm not sure, given the cost to do so, that "the view is worth the climb". I've had a Z7 since it came out and have recently been thinking about getting a Z8 and repurposing my old D750. What I take away from this video is that the image quality is so similar as to not be a major reason to make the switch. The biggest improvements from the Z7 to the Z8 may be in the autofocus system and in the video upgrades. Would you consider making a similar comparison (or set of comparisons) for those areas? Again, thank you for sharing all of your had work and analysis with us.
For me the Z7 is good enough, but I prefer the conventional controls of the Z8 although they did leave out the release mode dial. I own a Z6 and love it, but prefer the conventional Nikon controls. Also glad to see that Nikon rid themselves of the hard aluminum front and rear command dials! So for me if price was no object, I would chose the Z8 purely for the control layout alone.
The color of Nikon cameras have always leaned toward a greenish tint that's always bothered me a bit. I've owned all of the Nikon Z cameras except the z5 and z9, and I must say that although minor, the white balance accuracy in the z8 is spot on. The tint is right where I want it to be now. I hardly need to make white balance adjustments in post, which is a welcomed improvement.
For most people if the Z6 & Z7 had competitive AF systems there would not be much reason to upgrade, I'm waiting for the Z6/3 1-2 more years AUTO FOCUS Nikon come on, Also Matt I remember your Hasselblad X1D Mark 2 comparison to the Z7. Make a print there is a ton of difference in image quality not on a you tube video
I am glad to see that the images themselves are very similar…so why the Z8…like to see more on their respective low light performance, how about capturing motion? Continuous exposure
Matt, thanks for your great video. I currently have a Z50 and am thinking of getting a Z7II or Z8. What I'm missing from your video is how the two cameras behave with moving objects like trains, birds, cars, etc. How is the autofocus on both cameras. In the end, it's how well such moving objects appear in the picture that counts. How sharp the photo became and how good the tracking of the corresponding objects is.
Hi Matt, thank you for this great video! Additionally to the technical aspects of the cameras you are enriching the video with your great photos, a pure joy! 👍 Interesting to see, that the measured numbers don't really matter in the real world! I fear I#m one of the people obsessing too much over numbers... I came from the D850 to my Z7 II, but ultimately I parted with the D850, the Z lenses are so much better, especially the 50 and 85 1.2s... I would really enjoy the pro features of the Z8, but it is a little too pricey for me and my gobby needs. I'll wait for the Z7 III and how it will be in comparison to the Z8. Cheers, Joe and Matt, keep it up!👍 Martin
Thanks for your Video. I have a Z6 and a Z9. For me, the Z6 is just too small to hold for a long time. The D200 and the Z9 have much better ergonomics (in my opinion). So I would choose the Z8 over the Z7. (Ergonomics and for sports photography) - (I probably would have bought a Z8 if it had come out with the Z9).
I'm a Z7II user and I love everything about the camera except its autofocus performance. Thats where I think the Z8 really starts to shine and leave Z7 in the dust.
Can you please share what auto-focus mode you use for this type of work? I find the Z7ii struggles in low light situations when using the wide-area modes and I always switch to the single mode focus point. Thanks for the great video.
I did not see any difference in image quality between the z7ii and z8. However, the z7ii images are slightly better than the z7. How? Higher banding ratio and shadow recovery.... very slight.
Surely the only real difference would be in the speed of data transfer, not in image quality. It is interesting that the basic sensor technology hasn't changed that much since the Z7 was released. Not like the old days where the technology went ahead in leaps and bounds from one year to the next.
I have owned a Z7 since it first came out and paid top dollar for it. Considering the monetary hit I'll take on a trade vs the gains in tech that I really don't need, it absolutely makes no sense for me to move "up" to a Z8. Although, the rumors of a Z7iii with a 61mp sensor and two card slots are interesting. Time will tell.
I have a Z7 and a Z9 and cannot tell the difference in image quality. I shoot Z lenses on all my Z cameras which make all the difference over the "F" series.
From the dxomark laboratory it is clear that the Z7II is a leader in all sensor characteristics; it is close to medium format cameras. Z8 and Z9 are slightly inferior to Z7II.
The z 72 auto focus is my bug bare. Yes you can specialise the way auto focus is tuned.My point is the capture of the data is what translate s into the picture. The results are dependent on awarenesses of the equipment we have, not what we would like to have. My frustrations are with the amount of time messing with the settings. So what would I say the next z camera should have ? Sort out the firmware for a quick auto focus . Ok I know that opperater error is an issue. The u 1,2,3 settings are for such problems. Now this is my answer, shutter speed and F stops are so easy to alter once you get an handle on their us and where they are like the backfoucs button.really a wheel or button for changing foucs mood for supper quick setting. Hitting foucs first time on a once in a Lifetime photo is something Nikon needs to address. The 105 z let's me down hitting the ummmm nice spot for a shot. My hands are tied with auto focus manaul is the only answer but. It's a slow answer. The setting for changing foucs mode needs. Tool rethink..... On Nikon z range. It's an issue that requires innovation.
The Nikon cameras are excellent, it's far from how bad the Northrups and the Fro says that it is. After watching this Z7 vs Z8 comparison video, the Z8 has a better dynamic range. I like that Nikon's new cameras keep improving in the right direction. What is your thought on Nikon's lack of models compared to the competition and who is Nikon's target customer compared to the competition ?
As one who owned the Z7 and the Z7II, I have to say that my Z8 blows them out of the water for one main reason, autofocus. My Z7 and Z7II regularly missed focus, even on slow moving subjects. The Z8 is worth is for the autofocus alone.
There is no difference in image quality. Z8 has better af tracking and video features but for product or landscape photography and portraits the Z7 has better dynamic range and same image quality. The same goes for street photography.
I think the interest in the Z8 is that it is appealing to the former dslr users. Not everyone wants to shoot with a small body! Maybe I am wrong that's just my opinion.
Sorry Matt, to be honest viewing any image though you can find it hard to see the difference between a Phase One image and a 2015 iPhone. But from the videos I have seen from you, I will trust your thoughts.
Where do we draw the "meh" factor? At some point we subconsciously, for some reason, expect that a "lesser numbers value item" is just shit, but what is it that says "Yep, you're right"? I've seen pix that made me go "WOW, fkn awesome, man!" but have bugger all pixels? Pixel peeping is not a Standard. I've come to realise that "it's not what you know (or have), it's what you do with it (or what you've got)". Art, of any kind, is not quantified by value but is quantified by feeling of the observer - the more "feels" the better. Who on this Earth thinks that the painting of the Mona Lisa is high-res? Using that metric ("high-res") the Mona Lisa is shit, yet let's see you buy it for, what I see it as, a couple of bucks.
Shoot! I should know not to watch a comparison vid of cameras, I have the Z7 Og and the Z9, I wanted the Z9 for Timelapse to give me better intervals, I was using the Z7 for that but it can’t go below 10secs that’s why I got the Z 9 , but the size of the Z7 is small enough that I take it everywhere with me and even on trips, it’s that small, in an ideal world I would sell both and just get a Z8 . Still undecided 😂
I own a Z7 ll there is not enough advantage for me to buy a Z8. I don’t t shoot Cheetahs chasing Gazelles on a daily basis!! Not a Z8 hater, just not enough change for me.
The ACTUAL use in the field without tripods and fairly quick work, the Z 6 II and Z 7 II are NOT the camera the Z 9 and Z 8 are! I sold the Z 6 II and Z 7 II. They are quite a LONG step from the Z 9 and Z 8. I am buying a second Z 8 for a different set of lens. It took Nikon a LONG time to get the 180-600 and I still do not have that lens I ordered. I have two Z fcs and the Z 50 is where I started with Z Mount. Nikon should redo the Z 50. more than ANY camera they make. The electronic shutter and sensor shield is NECESSARY. The Z fcs are the MOST liable to have broken elements and the REPAIR is quite expensive! Bottom line is the Z 8 is to me the BEST Nikon ever made!
Huh? Where? I can't see it in the comparisons and I just compared the Z7 (II) to the GFX 100 II DR on photonstophotos, and the GFX obviously is way better, it's not even close. In fact, even the Sony a7 IV and the Canon R5 are both slightly better than the Z7 (II) in terms of DR. Not a big deal, but it's not like the Z7 stands out as being better than other FF cameras in this regard.
Let's keep him Honest!! This was not Real World or In Real Life (IRL). Very misleading and poor testing. stuck to ISO-64 throughout - which is the best Dynamic Range for the Z8 (on paper). Why no tests at ISO-400 where the Z7 would have a distinct (1.5 stop) advantage over the Z8 (allegedly). I would have loved to see if DxO or Photons to Photos were correct here at ISO-400. In the "Real World" or In Real Life (IRL) all average Togs are going to drop to ISO-400 at around Twilight/Sunset - (because they cannot afford the 50mm f/1.2). But the author dropped to 1/4 sec exposure and f/1.2 - which is not "real life" for most street photographers. Good for static night city-scapes or time-lapses but not the street (which the blurry people confirmed). Would the Z8 with only 11.8 EV at ISO-400 suffer much if the scene itself only has limited dynamic range? Would the Z7 have recovered more detail in the shadows due to its superior dynamic range at ISO-400. Missed opportunity - Misleading test.
I mention this in the first minute ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-m4IDPBTksJE.html , Very happy to come back and show where each cameras dual gain kicks in. Just did not make a video about what you are looking for. I will make another video showing 400, 640 and 800 on both cameras. And what is your name, so I can thank you in the video? :)
