I read a quote recently that stated, “Buying a Z8 over a Z9 is a no-brainer.” Er, excuse me, may I add my two cents? Or maybe I should say, allow me to weigh in (you’ll get that pun later)…
The Z8 is undoubtedly one of the most incredible hybrid cameras on the market today. If fast-moving wildlife is your thing, the auto-tracking, in-camera stabilization modes, and ability to shoot 20 fps in raw are all you could ever wish for. Tackling every other genre of photography with the Z8 is a breeze. The same can be said when it comes to videography too. For many of us, it’s the video features that make it far more desirable than other models in the Z lineup, like the Z6 III or Zf.
Nikon Z8 Video
The video specs are astounding. It offers the same options as the flagship Z9, including the ability to shoot 12-bit N-raw in 8K at 60 fps, and ProRes RAW or HQ 422. That is impressive.
So why, then, would I prefer the much heavier and more expensive Z9?
Two reasons: weight and battery life.
The Z9 is heavier because it has a massive battery. Having that battery is a big deal for me, for what I shoot. It lasts for most of the day, sometimes all day, whereas the little battery in the Z8 doesn’t. This is very useful, particularly for run-and-gun travel filmmaking, where not having to worry about the battery running out constantly is a huge advantage. Recently, while out with a friend shooting video for a day, he carried four batteries for his Z8. I carried just one spare for the Z9 and didn’t need to use it.
Have you ever wondered why those cool YouTubers with holes in their jeans, running around shooting B-roll with their tiny Sony FX3, always shoot in 120 fps? Because the cameras are too light to easily get good, stable footage shooting at 24 fps when handheld. I found the same thing with the Z8 for handheld filming, although not quite as bad. For those who like a spec or two, the Sony FX3 body is 715 g; the Z8 body is 910 g (with battery). Oh, and that big ol’ beast of a Z9 weighs in at 1,340 g—almost twice as much as the Sony.
He Is Heavy, He’s Your Brother
Weight is the main reason to choose the Z8’s big brother. The extra weight of the Z9 is very useful for shooting handheld, as the weight provides more stabilization. So much so, I rarely use a gimbal for handheld work. A good neck strap is my preference.
Let’s examine why weight is a good thing, without getting too science-y about it.
Inertia
Heavier objects have greater inertia, so it’s harder to cause quick, jerky movements, which is a common issue with lightweight cameras.
Momentum
Once you start moving the camera—for example, by holding and moving it by a top handle to create a low-to-the-ground dolly movement—it takes more force than a lighter camera to throw it off its natural course. This resistance to direction changes and sudden unwanted movements adds very nicely to the stability of the shot.
Natural Dampening
The camera’s weight acts like a natural stabilizer, dampening any unwanted hand movements or shakes. Depending on the type of shot you’re doing, this weight, in combination with the in-camera vibration reduction options, can produce beautifully smooth cinematic sequences. Damn, I said cinematic. I promised myself I would never use that word in anything I write. Oh well.
I often add to the weight with a cage and rails, top and side handle, matte box, external monitor, and sometimes a PL adapter with a cinema lens. The adapter and lens alone weigh 1.36 kg / 3 lbs!
When building a rig, I rarely include a V-mount battery. Z8 owners do—they need the extra power—and V-mount batteries can be very heavy. So it’s interesting to note, then, that their rig often ends up heavier than mine, yet they bought the Z8 to save weight!
I base these thoughts on my personal experience with both cameras. I’ve been shooting professionally with the Z9 since January 2022. Recently, I was shooting a documentary feature film in Spain, really putting the Z9 through its paces. We also had a Z8. It’s worth noting that when shooting the Z8 on a tripod with a 100–400 mm lens at the 300–400 mm end, we were getting some very shaky results when the wind picked up a little. Nikon’s 100–400 mm is rather on the light side too. For those wanting to shoot wildlife with a long lens and camera combo like this, be warned—a very solid, heavy-duty tripod and fluid head is required. Don’t forget to include it in your budget—they can be pricey.
Given the choice, the Z9 works for me, for what I shoot and how I like to work. I realize that I take my filmmaking more seriously than most. Or maybe I’m a masochist.
For most people shooting video, particularly on a tripod, the Z8 is probably the best choice. The money you save over the Z9 can be used to buy all those extra batteries you’ll need.
