Nikon
COOLPIX P950
83x super-telephoto bridge camera with a 24-2000mm equivalent lens, 16MP CMOS sensor, RAW, and 4K UHD video.
$799
Released Jan 2020
Nikon
Z8
Z9 internals in a compact body — 45.7MP stacked sensor, 8K 60p, no blackout burst.
$3,999
Released May 2023
Z8 is 3.3 years newer.
Wins
COOLPIX P950
Wins
Z8
1 categories tied
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TL;DR — Key differences
- ACOOLPIX P950 has higher Burst (mechanical) (7 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ8 has higher ISO max (native) (25,600 vs 1,600)
- BZ8 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BZ8 has higher Resolution (45.7 MP vs 16 MP)
- BZ8 has higher Card slots (2 vs 1)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
COOLPIX P950
140 × 110 × 150 mm
1005 g (2.22 lb / 35.45 oz)
Z8
144 × 119 × 83 mm
820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)
COOLPIX P950 is 4mm narrower and 9mm shorter than Z8 but it is also 67mm thicker.
COOLPIX P950 is 185 g heavier than Z8.
Depth (front-to-back): 150mm COOLPIX P950 · 83mm Z8
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
COOLPIX P950
140 × 110 mm
Z8
144 × 119 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
COOLPIX P950
140 × 150 mm
Z8
144 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z8
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
COOLPIX P950: mount data unavailable
Z8
✓ more lensesNikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Counts include current first-party and major third-party native autofocus lenses.
Use-case scoring
Which one for what?
Algorithmic scores from verified specs · 10 = best in class
Why pick one over the other
Reasons to choose
COOLPIX P950
Subject recognition
Adds Face priority, Subject tracking, Target Finding AF
Burst (mechanical)
7 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 140.2, 109.6, 149.8
Card types
Adds SD / SDHC / SDXC
AA filter
Only COOLPIX P950 supports it
Reasons to choose
Z8
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 118.5, 83
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD, SD UHS-II
ISO max (native)
25,600 vs 1,600 — higher is better
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Resolution
45.7 MP vs 16 MP — higher is better
Eye AF
Only Z8 supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓Burst (electronic) — Both 120 fps
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓Wi-Fi — Both support wi-fi
- ✓Bluetooth — Both support bluetooth
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
COOLPIX P950
Pros
- ✓83x 24-2000mm optical zoom
- ✓4K UHD video
- ✓RAW still support
- ✓OLED EVF
Cons
- –Small 1/2.3-inch sensor
- –Bulky bridge body
- –Contrast-detect AF only
Z8
Pros
- ✓45.7MP stacked CMOS from Z9 — class-leading
- ✓8K 60p N-RAW internal
- ✓No mechanical shutter wear — fully electronic
- ✓20fps at full 45.7MP resolution
Cons
- –EN-EL15c battery life only 340 CIPA shots
- –No built-in grip (unlike Z9)
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for landscape, COOLPIX P950 or Z8?
Z8 scores 9.5/10 versus 0.0/10 for COOLPIX P950 — 45.7MP — excellent for prints up to 24×36".
What's the resolution difference between the COOLPIX P950 and Z8?
COOLPIX P950 is 16 MP and Z8 is 45.7 MP, so the Z8 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the COOLPIX P950 and Z8 have in-body image stabilization?
COOLPIX P950 does not have IBIS, while z8 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the COOLPIX P950 or the Z8?
COOLPIX P950 reaches 120 fps electronic. Z8 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the COOLPIX P950 and Z8?
COOLPIX P950 weighs 1005 g and Z8 weighs 820 g, so the Z8 is 185 g lighter.
Do the COOLPIX P950 and Z8 record 4K video?
COOLPIX P950: 4K up to 30p. Z8: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the COOLPIX P950 and Z8 weather sealed?
COOLPIX P950: No. Z8: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 290 shots (CIPA) for the COOLPIX P950 and 340 shots for the Z8, giving the Z8 the edge.
How much does each cost?
COOLPIX P950 launched at $799 and Z8 at $3,999. The COOLPIX P950 is $3,200 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.