Nikon Z7 II vs Nikon Z8 — Which Is Better?
Side by side50 specifications |
Nikon · Mirrorless · 45.75 MP · Full Frame · 4K video
Nikon Z7 II
85
SCORE
|
Nikon · Mirrorless · 45.7 MP · Full Frame · 8K video
Nikon Z8
86
WINNER
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Nikon Z7 II and Nikon Z8 are both mirrorless cameras separated by three years of development. The Z8 arrived in 2023 as a compact professional body that takes an optional MB-N12 vertical grip, so a portrait-orientation shooter can add duplicate vertical controls without changing bodies. The Z7 II dates from 2020. The Z8 is the bigger carry for travel, at 910 g against 705 g for the Z7 II, a 205 g difference, and 144 x 119 x 83 mm against 134 x 101 x 70 mm. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2020 | 2023 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
October 14, 2020 | May 10, 2023 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 134 x 101 x 70 mm | 144 x 119 x 83 mm |
| Camera weight | 705 g | 910 g |
| Body design | — | Compact professional mirrorless body; vertical grip is an optional MB-N12 accessory, not integrated |
| Optics | 86/100 | 88/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe Z8 is the stronger choice for fast-moving subjects. It shoots at up to 30 fps against 10 fps on the Z7 II, a threefold advantage for a wing position or a racing finish. Its 1/32000 second minimum exposure against 1/8000 keeps wide apertures usable in bright light, and its 493 autofocus points against 439 cover more of the frame. Resolution gives neither an edge: the Z7 II offers 45.75 megapixels against 45.7, just 0.05 apart, so cropping latitude for distant wildlife is the same. Both pair a full-frame CMOS sensor with in-body stabilisation, and both span a native ISO range of 64 to 25600, expandable to 102400. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
45.75 MP050 | 45.7 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
8256 x 5504 | 8256 x 5504 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
23.9 x 35.9 | 35.9 x 23.9 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Full Frame | Full Frame |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 30 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Nikon Z | Nikon Z |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
Dual Expeed 6 | Expeed 7 |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 3:2 | 3:2 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
6430200 | 6430200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
3230200 | 3230200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
1024003003280000 | 1024003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
3044080 | 90044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 3200080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
4390300 | 4930300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 369000009900000 | 368640009900000 |
| Video | 91/100 | 100/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideo8K recording makes the Z8 the clear pick for filmmaking. It records 8K as well as 4K at up to 120p, so a wildlife filmmaker can crop into the frame and still deliver 4K, or use 4K 120p slow motion for sport. The Z7 II tops out at 4K, and both quote the same 120 fps maximum video frame rate. Built-in timelapse is shared, so day-to-night transitions need no external interval gear. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 4K |  8K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
3840 x 2160 | 7680 x 4320 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
120 fps | 120 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV, MP4 | — |
| Verified modes | — | 8K recording and 4K at up to 120p |
| Features | 87/100 | 87/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesScreen articulation is the main handling difference. The Z8 has a four-axis tilting touchscreen that moves horizontally and vertically, easing low-angle vertical shots and tripod work, while the Z7 II offers a flip-out screen for awkward vantage shots. Both are 3.2-inch touch panels. Connectivity and protection are shared. Both offer Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote control and quick transfers, weather sealing for damp outdoor days, and an external flash option. Neither has GPS or a built-in flash, so location logging needs a phone or accessory. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
✗ | ✗ |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3.2" | 3.2" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
21000001150001500000 | 20889601150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | — |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Tilting screen | — | Four-axis horizontal and vertical tilting touchscreen |
| Storage & battery | 71/100 | 68/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryBoth cameras carry dual slots, each pairing a UHS-II-compatible SD slot with a CFexpress or XQD slot, so a second card can stay in the body when the first fills. Both use the same EN-EL15c battery and support USB charging. The battery rating favours the Z7 II, at 420 shots against 340 for the Z8, the longer rated figure for a day of stills. Pack a spare on heavy shooting days. | ||
| Memory card | SD, CFexpress Type B / XQD (UHS-II compatible) | SD / SDHC / SDXC (UHS-II compatible), CFexpress, XQD |
| Dual memory card slots |  Yes | Yes |
| Battery type | EN-EL15c | EN-EL15c |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
420 shots1505000 | 340 shots1505000 |
| USB charging |  Yes | Yes |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Nikon Z8 if speed and video headroom drive your work. Its 30 fps burst, 1/32000 second shutter, 493-point autofocus spread and 8K recording directly serve birds in flight, sports and filmmaking that needs crop room or 4K slow motion.
Choose the Nikon Z7 II when lighter travel and longer rated battery life matter more. It is 205 g lighter and smaller in every dimension, with a 420-shot rating against 340, and its 45.75 megapixels sit within 0.05 of the Z8's. The shared Z mount and stabilisation keep landscape work on the same footing.