Nikon Z8 Camera with Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S MkII Lens Kit

Key Features

Camera

• 45.7MP FX stacked CMOS sensor with EXPEED 7 processing
• Advanced subject detection AF with 3D Tracking
• Up to 20fps full-resolution RAW shooting with AF/AE
• Blackout-free EVF for continuous high-speed shooting
• Internal 8K/60p N-RAW and 4K/120p video
• 5-axis in-body VR
• 3.2-inch four-axis tilting touchscreen
• CFexpress Type B/XQD and UHS-II SD card slots

Lens

• Constant f/2.8 aperture throughout the 24-70mm range
• 675g internal-zoom construction with no shift in centre of gravity
• Silky Swift VCM Multi-Focusing system with significantly faster AF
• 14 elements in 10 groups with ED and aspherical elements
• Meso Amorphous and ARNEO anti-reflective coatings
• 11-blade rounded diaphragm
• 0.24m minimum focus at 24mm and 0.33m at 70mm
• De-clickable control ring and reduced focus breathing for video

Product Summary

There’s a reason 24-70mm f/2.8 lenses show up at every wedding, event and commercial shoot going. Wide enough for a venue, a group or an environmental portrait, and one turn of the ring away from framing a face or picking out a detail. Keep the aperture at a constant f/2.8 and you’ve still got room to work as the light drops, or to pull a subject away from a background that’s doing too much.

Pair the second-generation S-Line version with the Z8’s 45.7MP stacked sensor, subject tracking and 20fps RAW, and it’s an obvious match on paper. What actually changes the day-to-day experience is the handling. Nikon shaved around 130g off, down to 675g, the barrel stays put as you zoom instead of extending, and the new Silky Swift VCM focusing system is substantially faster than its predecessor. None of that sounds as exciting as a headline spec, but it’s what you appreciate after eight hours with the camera up at your eye.

Video gets the same benefit. Internal zoom means the lens doesn’t shift its balance mid-shot, which matters the moment you’re on a gimbal, and reduced focus breathing plus a de-clickable control ring keep adjustments smooth during a take. Add 8K/60p N-RAW and 4K/120p in-camera, and stills and video stop feeling like two separate jobs.

In More Detail

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II

The included professional standard zoom covers wide-angle through to short telephoto perspectives with a constant f/2.8 aperture, providing greater control over low-light shooting and depth of field throughout the range. Its completely redesigned S-Line optical formula uses 14 elements in 10 groups, including ED and aspherical glass, with Meso Amorphous and ARNEO coatings helping to suppress flare and ghosting while maintaining high contrast and detail.

At 675g, the second-generation model is around 130g lighter than its predecessor, while internal zoom keeps the barrel length and centre of gravity unchanged from 24mm to 70mm. This improves handheld balance and means gimbals do not need to be rebalanced when reframing. Silky Swift VCM works with a Multi-Focusing system to provide autofocus around five times faster than the previous generation, with improved tracking while zooming and quieter operation.

An 11-blade rounded diaphragm supports smooth, circular bokeh, while minimum focusing distances of 0.24m at 24mm and 0.33m at 70mm provide up to 0.32x reproduction at the telephoto end. For hybrid production, focus breathing has been reduced by around half compared with the previous model, and a de-clickable control ring enables either tactile adjustments for stills or smooth, stepless operation during recording.

45.7MP Stacked Sensor and EXPEED 7

At the high-resolution end of our Nikon mirrorless camera range, the Z8’s 45.7MP FX-format stacked CMOS sensor has the speed to go with all those pixels. Files reach 8256 x 5504 pixels, native ISO runs from 64 to 25,600, and the electronic-only shutter reaches 1/32,000 sec with silent shooting and no mechanical shutter vibration to work around.

Pixel Shift uses the sensor-shift VR mechanism to capture a series of RAW frames, which NX Studio merges into files up to 180MP. Current firmware lets you combine Pixel Shift with Focus Shift or auto-exposure bracketing, useful when a single exposure or focus plane isn’t enough for product, architecture and other carefully controlled work.

High-Speed Shooting and Blackout-Free Viewing

Full-resolution 45.7MP RAW images can be captured at up to 20fps with continuous autofocus and auto-exposure. With a compatible high-performance CFexpress card, the buffer is rated at over 1,000 RAW images during a continuous 20fps burst.

High-Speed Frame Capture+ increases this to 30fps for 45MP JPEGs, 60fps at approximately 19MP or 120fps at approximately 11MP, with AF/AE tracking. Pre-Release Capture buffers images before the shutter is fully pressed, helping with unpredictable action.

The 3.69-million-dot Real-Live Viewfinder remains blackout-free during continuous shooting and refreshes at up to 120fps, providing an uninterrupted view when following fast or erratic subjects.

Advanced Subject Detection and 3D Tracking

The 493-point hybrid AF system combines 3D Tracking with subject detection for:

• People: eyes, face and upper body
• Animals: dogs, cats and birds, including eyes, heads and bodies
• Vehicles: cars, motorbikes, bicycles, trains and aircraft

Dedicated bird detection helps maintain focus against complex backgrounds, while 3D Tracking follows subjects as their position, orientation and distance change.

AF sensitivity extends down to -9 EV with Starlight View enabled in supported modes. Firmware updates have also introduced refinements to subject detection, including bird and aircraft tracking.

8K RAW and Professional Video

Internal recording reaches 8.3K/60p in 12-bit N-RAW and 4.1K/120p for high-resolution slow motion. Oversampled 4K UHD can also be created from 8K capture.

Formats include N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ, H.265/HEVC and H.264/AVC. N-RAW records 12-bit footage internally and can simultaneously create Full HD proxy files for editing.

Recording is available in 8-bit, 10-bit or 12-bit depending on format. N-Log provides greater latitude for grading, while HLG supports HDR delivery.

Video Monitoring and Recording Controls

Tools include:

• Waveform monitor
• Zebra patterns
• Focus peaking
• Red REC frame indicator
• Fine ISO control in 1/6 EV increments
• Linear manual focus with compatible lenses
• Adjustable AF speed and tracking sensitivity
• Dedicated video information display
• Timecode support
• RAW proxy recording
• Audio attenuator
• Slow shutter speeds down to 1/4 sec

Audio can be recorded using 24-bit linear PCM with compatible formats. 3.5mm microphone and headphone connections support external audio and monitoring, while compatible XLR adapters provide additional professional microphone options.

5-Axis VR, Four-Axis Monitor and Professional Handling

Five-axis in-body Vibration Reduction supports handheld stills and video, with electronic VR also available for video. Synchro VR coordinates in-camera and lens stabilisation with compatible NIKKOR Z lenses.

The 3.2-inch, 2.1-million-dot touchscreen tilts in four directions for high- and low-angle shooting in horizontal or vertical orientation while remaining aligned with the camera body.

At approximately 910g with battery and memory card, the body is around 30% smaller than the Z9 and omits its integrated vertical grip. It retains extensive weather sealing, while a sensor shield closes when the camera is switched off to help protect against dust and fingerprints during lens changes.

Low-Light Handling

Several features support operation in dark environments:

• Illuminated buttons help identify controls
• Starlight View brightens the display
• Warm display colours help preserve night vision
• Lo1 and Lo2 reduce viewfinder brightness
• Image frame display makes the edges of the shooting area easier to identify

Creative Photography Tools

Additional in-camera functions include:

• Focus Shift Shooting for subsequent focus stacking
• Multiple Exposure
• Interval Timer Shooting and Time-Lapse Video
• Long Exposure Noise Reduction
• Creative Picture Controls

Storage, Power and Connectivity

One card slot accepts CFexpress Type B or XQD media, while the second supports UHS-II SD cards. CFexpress provides the sustained write speeds required for demanding bursts and high-resolution video, while SD can be used for backup, overflow or separating file types.

Power comes from an EN-EL15c rechargeable Li-ion battery, with in-camera USB charging and compatible external USB power during operation. Older EN-EL15-series batteries offer varying levels of compatibility and performance.

Two USB-C terminals separate data communication from charging and power delivery, allowing external power without occupying the data connection. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are built in, while wired Ethernet is supported through a compatible USB-C adapter for image transfer and remote workflows.

Building a Professional Z System

The included 24-70mm covers the core standard range for professional assignments, while the wider NIKKOR Z range makes it easy to extend coverage in either direction. An ultra-wide option can add more scope for interiors, architecture and environmental work, while a 70-200mm or longer telephoto provides additional reach for events, sport, wildlife and tighter portraits.

Photographers moving from a DSLR system can also continue using compatible F-mount optics with the optional FTZ II Mount Adapter. AF-S, AF-P and AF-I models retain autofocus and exposure functionality, providing a practical route for gradually transitioning an existing collection to native Z-mount options.

Flash and Accessory Compatibility

The Creative Lighting System and compatible Speedlights are supported for TTL flash photography, alongside compatible third-party lighting systems.

HDMI, USB-C, microphone, headphone and accessory connections support external microphones, monitors, recorders, remote controls and other production equipment.

Read our Nikon Z8 review for first-hand shooting impressions, sample images and video, and to see how the camera performs for wildlife, landscapes, portraits and everyday photography.

Lifestyle images

What's in the Box

• Nikon Z8 Full Frame Mirrorless Camera
• Nikon EN-EL15C
• Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II Lens
• Lens Cap LC-77B
• Rear Cap LF-N1