Despite featuring a smaller magnesium-alloy body, the new Nikon Z8 also supports Z- and F-mount Nikkor lenses, has dust and weather resistance, as well as featuring the same physical control layout as the Z9 – save for lack of additional controls and a portrait mode shutter button . Additionally, on its back is an electronic viewfinder (EVF) with 3.69 million dot resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, along with a 3.2-inch 2,100K rear touch display that can tilt up. Besides that, the camera features a SD UHS-II and a CFexpress card slots, a USB-C port for charging and file transfers, 3.5mm headphone and microphone jacks, and a full-sized HDMI connector for external video recording and monitoring. There’s also WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connectivity support. Like the 2021 flagship model, the new shooter packs a 45.7MP stacked sensor and the brand’s EXPEED 7 image processor. Similarly, it only features an electronic shutter which enables for fast max resolution 14-bit RAW+JPEG burst shots at 20fps, whereas lowering the megapixel count will let it capture multiple images at up to 120fps. Additionally, its ISO ranges from 64 to 25600. As for videos, Nikon says the Z8 is capable of recording 8K N-RAW videos at up to 60fps, as well as 4K at up to 120fps in 10-bit ProRes, H.264 and H.265 formats. But as mentioned earlier, the new camera’s smaller size reduces its ability to effectively dissipate heat for longer recording periods, therefore limiting it to only record footage for 90 minutes for 8K and up to two hours for 4K. On that note, powering it is an included EN-EL15c removable and rechargeable Li-ion battery. Other features include the camera’s built-in 6.0 stops of in-body stabilisation with compatible lenses. Also onboard is its AI-enhanced autofocus (AF) system that manages the many modes offered, which includes 3D tracking, wide-area AF (S) and (L), auto-area AF, phase detection, subject-tracking AF, eye-detection AF, and hybrid contrast. Furthermore, it can recognise nine types of subjects automatically, including eyes, faces, heads and upper bodies for both animals and people, along with vehicles and so on. The Nikon Z8 is slated to officially debut in Malaysia next Monday on 22 May 2023 and as expected, the company will only reveal its local pricing by then. But for your reference, the new full-frame mirrorless camera launched for the global market starting at US$ 3,999 (~RM18,011) which, in comparison, is much less than the Z9’s current RM23,800 (body only) asking price. (Source: Nikon Malaysia press release / global website)
