Nikon today has officially launched its latest mirrorless full-frame camera, the Nikon Z8, for the Malaysian market. As noted in our previous report, it essentially inherits most of the hardware from the brand’s flagship Z9 shooter from 2021, but packed in a smaller yet traditional package.
To recap, the new Nikon Z8 features a weather-proof magnesium alloy body, supports Z- and F-mount Nikkor lenses, and pretty much shares the same physical control layout as its larger sibling – save for lack of additional controls and a portrait mode shutter button. 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 with a unique vari-angle mechanism that allows it to tilt out even when shooting in portrait mode.
Additionally, the camera features a SD UHS-II and a CFexpress card slots, two USB-C ports (one dedicated for charging, while the other for file transfers or live broadcasting), 3.5mm headphone and microphone jacks, and a full-sized HDMI connector for external video recording and monitoring. In terms of wireless connectivity support, onboard are WiFi and Bluetooth 5.0 capabilities.
Like the Nikon Z9, the new shooter packs a full-frame 45.7MP stacked sensor, which is paired together with 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, and is also expandable down to ISO 32 and up to 102400.
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. However, the new camera’s smaller size in both form and cooling capabilities 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 its built-in 6.0 stops of in-body stabilisation with compatible lenses, and AI-enhanced autofocus (AF) system for 3D tracking, wide-area AF (S) and (L), auto-area AF, phase detection, subject-tracking AF, eye-detection AF, and hybrid contrast. Nikon touts that the latter system is capable of recognising nine types of subjects automatically, including eyes, faces, heads and upper bodies for both animals and people, along with vehicles such as bicycles, cars, aircraft and so on.
The new Nikon Z8 is available in Malaysia starting today via the brand‘s official online and physical distributors operating nationwide. The camera is priced at RM18,399 for body only, and RM22,608 when included together with a Nikkor 24 – 120mm f4 kit lens.
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