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Z8 vs Z9

gear-nut
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Z8 vs Z9

I own the Z9 and love the files. I also am comfortable with the ergos and layout. I am wanting a second body and naturally have been looking at a second Z9. But now I’m thinking maybe a smaller body would be a more logical option? I understand the batteries are different and that the Z8 tends to go through the smaller one fairly quickly, so that is a negative — by the time I carry two spares for it, I’m at the same size and weight of the Z9. But by itself, the Z8 seems to be a better travel body. So a couple questions, note that I mainly do stills and not video:

For those that own or have used both extensively, I assume given the sensor that they render identically?

How similar or convenient vs awkward is the control layout for a Z9 user?

Is the Z8 battery life a big issue?

Finally, I am seeing what seems like an inordinate number of low mileage Z8’s in the B&S and don’t understand why? This alone is making me shy away and leaning toward a second Z9.

Appreciate comments from past or present users of both.

TIA

Oct 10, 2023 at 08:34 AM

snapsy
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Z8 vs Z9

As a satisfied Z9 user I think any benefit you'd get from the smaller/lighter ergonomics of the Z8 would be outweighed by the drawbacks and hassles of shooting two different body styles and battery types, unless you plan to travel often and the extra bulk/weight of the Z9 a real issue for you.

I think the Z8 pricing is a reflection of the bungled release of the body (two recalls) and overall limited demand for the body relative to the segments above (Z9) and below (Z6/Z7).

Oct 10, 2023 at 08:42 AM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Z8 vs Z9

The controls are basically the same...you lose Fn3 on the front, the top dial is shifted around a bit, but the back of the body is largely identical so your muscle memory will translate. The output of the bodies is identical from a sensor perspective, but IMO IBIS goes a bit further on the Z8 because the body is so much lighter.

Here's why I ditched the Z8 after buying it at launch and shooting it until September:

- Z9 has considerably better balancing and ergos with longer lenses

- Battery life isn't as terrible as some have claimed (Molson springs to mind) but it's bad enough to absolutely require 2 batteries for a full day of shooting. On the flip side I can easily get 2 days per Z9 battery. On a trip, the lack of battery anxiety is meaningful

- Z8 feels significantly "cheaper" in terms of build quality. The Z9 inspires confidence that it can withstand the harshest environments you'd realistically shoot in

- Z9 having matching memory slots is a boon for performance. You can shoot with a bottomless HE* buffer on the Z9 in backup mode. The Z8 isn't close in terms of performance in backup mode

- I like the locking memory door on the Z9 more than the non-locking style on the Z8

- Bottom plate of the Z9 feels far stronger and more robust than the Z8

- Z8 still a bit large to comfortably carry on something like a Peak Capture

- Z9 is still THE flagship of Nikon Z. It will continue to get new software features first

The price difference of roughly $500 dollars for a used Z8 and Z9 right now make the Z9 the no brainer purchase IMO if you can handle the physical size for your style of shooting.

Oct 10, 2023 at 08:50 AM

FrankA373
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Z8 vs Z9

I have the Z9 and used the Z8 for a bit. I kept the Z9 and let the Z8 go. The body was awkward in my larger hand and the when I added the grip it was awful. The Z9 feels right. I took a trip to the badlands and Mount Rushmore and other places and never had an issue carrying the 70-200 or 100-400 most the day. I spent some time walking around everywhere in went. You also give up the configurable buttons under the LCD monitor if I remember correctly. I use my camera for everything. Macro landscape portraits wildlife etc. The only thing I wouldn’t do is carry it around a city. Something small and light for that.

Oct 10, 2023 at 09:52 AM

robert_in_ca
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Z8 vs Z9

I have both and I used both photographing jaguars in the Pantanal and recently on safari in Kruger National Park. Image quality is identical. For all the international traveling I do, I didn’t want the extra bulk and weight of another Z9.

Oct 10, 2023 at 10:32 AM

nmerc_photos
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Z8 vs Z9

I have both.

My reasoning was mainly based around travel and flexibility.

The Z9 is an absolute tank. Beast all around. Great battery life. Feels great with the big wildlife lenses.

But it is a PITA to try and pack anywhere. All that size and weight greatly limits options. Especially in tight carryon bags.

I paid $3700 for my Z9 and $3500 for my Z8, both used from these forums.

They serve different purposes for me. I only shoot the Z9 for wildlife, with either the 400 f2.8 TC, or the 800 f6.3.

Everything else - I shoot with the Z8. Portraits, astro, general walk around, and even use it with the wildlife zooms either 100-400 or 180-600, and when I'm just going on walks for casual wildlife, I'd prefer it over the Z9 to pair with a 400 4.5 or a 600 6.3.

I only take the Z9 places I can go by car. And only places where I know I'll be using a monopod or tripod. Any airline travel - bring the Z8.

Z8 battery life is not an issue. I can easily get thousands of pictures. But it is...an inconvenience? As others have said, with the Z9 you can shoot multiple days between batteries. With the Z8 you're having to change batteries occasionally throughout the day.

Not sure if that helps you at all.

RoamingScott's assessment is spot on to what I've found for myself

Edited on Oct 10, 2023 at 12:58 PM · View previous versions

Oct 10, 2023 at 12:55 PM

ilkka_nissila
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Z8 vs Z9

I don't have the Z9 but do use the Z8. I got the Z8 instead of the Z9 because it could serve the uses where I don't want the bulk of the integrated grip and a grip could be added to it when desired. I don't like the mixed card slots and would have preferred dual CFExpress. The battery capacity is quite good actually with the EN-EL15c. The vertical grip can be used to charge two batteries and gives hot swap capability to battery A. This is really nice.

I like the option of going lighter by taking off the vertical grip. It is a better fit IMO with small primes than the Z9. When I need to carry a backup camera I would prefer one of them not to have vertical grip to keep the total weight down. In that thinking, a Z8 would be a good backup/complement to the Z9, though the batteries (and the second card slot) are different. The Z8 can be used on a smaller and lighter gimbal than the Z9.

If you don't mind the weight of two Z9's then I suppose having two allows complete interchangeability. Though there is not that much difference between the two that it would present difficulty remembering the controls.

I miss some of the Z9 firmware update features from the Z8 but I believe most of the ones they plan to bring over to the Z8 will come in spring 2024.

For me having two of these expensive first-generation cameras doesn't make much sense; I'd rather wait for the second generation and keep the Z8 as a backup at that point. There is still so much work to do for Nikon.

Oct 10, 2023 at 12:57 PM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Z8 vs Z9

nmerc_photos wrote:
Especially in tight carryon bags.

I take my Z9, 24-120, and 100-400 in a 22L backpack as my "personal item" carry on and have never had an issue. YMMV with different airlines, perhaps.

Oct 10, 2023 at 01:00 PM

robert_in_ca
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Z8 vs Z9

RoamingScott wrote:
I take my Z9, 24-120, and 100-400 in a 22L backpack as my "personal item" carry on and have never had an issue. YMMV with different airlines, perhaps.

Same. As my carry-on I use my Gura Gear Kiboko 22L to bring my Z9, Z8, x1.4TC and 2 or 3 lenses (400mm 2.8TC, 70-200mm... with either the 85mm 1.2, 24-120mm or the upcoming 135mm). When I want to bring 4 lenses I use my Airport Advantage XT roller. Luckily neither have been an issue carrying on.

Oct 10, 2023 at 01:22 PM

Vinnie_VdB
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Z8 vs Z9

I have two Z9 cameras and sure, they are bulky but they snug in nicely in my MrJanGear Boris backpack and this together with the Nikon Z 100-400mm and Nikon Z 600mm f/4 TC. In that same backpack are the spare batteries, memory cards, 8x42 bino, ...

A friend of mine travels with nearly identical gear and was planning on buying at least one Z8 to replace a Z9 but the different battery, balance and different mem card slots decided to pass on the Z8. Pretty much also my arguments for choosing two Z9 bodies.

Oct 10, 2023 at 01:25 PM

3catsinky
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Z8 vs Z9

i would snatch a $3700 Z9 in a hot second.

Oct 10, 2023 at 01:28 PM

nmerc_photos
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Z8 vs Z9

RoamingScott wrote:
I take my Z9, 24-120, and 100-400 in a 22L backpack as my "personal item" carry on and have never had an issue. YMMV with different airlines, perhaps.

I just have a GAS and overpacking issue

Just got back from Iceland and my 35L carryon had:

1x Z8
2x Z6
1x Z 24-120mm f4
1x Z 100-400 f4.5 - f5.6
2x Sony 14mm F1.8
1x Sigma 14mm F1.4

I couldn't get the Z9 to come anywhere close to fitting, without substituting out a lens or a camera. I ended up not using the 24-120 the whole trip, so in hindsight I could've brought it. but it would've offered me no additional value over the Z8

My "personal item" was a 22L satchel that had:

2x Insta360 X3 cameras
1x DJI Mini 3 Pro w/ 3 batteries
1x Fuji X100V
1x Work laptop w/ charger
10x Nikon Z6/Z8 batteries
6x Insta360 X3 batteries
10x Fuji X100v batteries

the personal item weighed almost the full 22lbs of the backpack...

Oct 10, 2023 at 01:36 PM

molson
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Z8 vs Z9

I had the Z9 and loved it, although there's no getting around the weight, so I traded it off and got a Z8. It's lighter, but just doesn't feel and handle as well as the Z9, so I sold it and managed to pick up a lightly used Z9 to replace it. Still not thrilled about the weight, though...

Oct 10, 2023 at 01:40 PM

gear-nut
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Z8 vs Z9

I really appreciate all the perspectives. I have travelled with my Z9 and it's fine, just seems a little bulkier than normal travel use warranted and it's certainly an overkill of "camera power" for travel. But thinking about when I do use 2 bodies at the same time, I definitely prefer them to be identical -- so for now, I'm leaning in the 2nd Z9 direction as i think it makes the most sense for me.

I've got another trip coming up later this week and was thinking about trying the Z8 for it, but am going to schlep my Z9 again and see how I'm thinking afterward. Maybe for a future trip, a 3rd dedicated travel body may be in order...

(edit) Thinking more about this... My goto family-travel kit is the Z9, 24-120, 14-30 and 40/2.8. That all fits easily into a small TT Retrospective 10 shoulder bag. I will add the 100-400 when I think it'll get used enough to justify hauling it and have both a larger Domke shoulder bag and a TT travel backpack, and either will handle everything. What I realize is when I am in that situation, the weight difference of a smaller Z body becomes moot... I think I've settled it for myself

Oct 10, 2023 at 01:41 PM


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