Nikon
D810
36MP full-frame DSLR workhorse prized for landscape, studio, and commercial stills.
$3,299
Launch priceReleased Jun 2014
Nikon
Z8
Z9 internals in a compact body — 45.7MP stacked sensor, 8K 60p, no blackout burst.
$3,999
Launch priceReleased May 2023
Z8 is 8.8 years newer.
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Wins
D810
Wins
Z8
4 categories tied
Which would you choose?
TL;DR — Key differences
- AD810 has higher Burst (mechanical) (8 fps vs 0 fps)
- BZ8 has higher RAW buffer depth (1000 frames vs 120 frames)
- BZ8 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 20 fps)
- BZ8 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
- AD810 has higher Battery life (CIPA) (640 shots vs 340 shots)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
📸 Snap this size diff to shareD810
146 × 123 × 82 mm
980 g (2.16 lb / 34.57 oz)
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
for scale
Z8
144 × 119 × 83 mm
820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)
D810 is 1mm thinner than Z8 but it is also 2mm wider and 5mm taller.
D810 is 160 g heavier than Z8.
Depth (front-to-back): 82mm D810 · 83mm Z8
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
D810
146 × 123 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z8
144 × 119 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
D810
146 × 82 mm
Credit card
85.6 × 54 mm
Z8
144 × 83 mm
Sensor size, to scale
D810
35.9 × 24 mm · Full Frame
862 mm² area
Z8
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
D810
✓ more lensesNikon F
270+
native lenses available
Z8
Nikon 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
D810
Subject recognition
Adds Human, Animal, Bird…
Burst (mechanical)
8 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.265, H.264
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 146, 123, 82
Battery life (CIPA)
640 shots vs 340 shots — higher is better
IBIS effectiveness
7 stops vs 6 stops — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Z8
Subject recognition
Adds People, Birds, Dogs…
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 144, 118.5, 83
RAW buffer depth
1000 frames vs 120 frames — higher is better
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 20 fps — higher is better
AF low-light limit
-9 EV vs -8.5 EV — lower is better
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Z8 supports it
Both cameras share
- ✓ISO max (native) — Both 25,600
- ✓AF points / zones — Both 493
- ✓Eye AF — Both support eye af
- ✓Animal / bird AF — Both support animal / bird af
- ✓Pre-Capture / Pre-Release — Both support pre-capture / pre-release
- ✓In-body stabilization (IBIS) — Both support in-body stabilization (ibis)
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
D810
Pros
- ✓36MP no OPLF
- ✓Excellent dynamic range
- ✓Pro F-mount ecosystem
Cons
- –Superseded by D850
- –Slow live view AF
- –Heavy
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)
Decided which one is right for you?
Compare live prices for the D810 and Z8 at major authorized retailers.
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Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, D810 or Z8?
Z8 scores 9.5/10 versus 6.0/10 for D810 — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the D810 and Z8?
D810 is 36.3 MP and Z8 is 45.7 MP, so the Z8 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the D810 and Z8 have in-body image stabilization?
D810 has 7-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z8 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the D810 or the Z8?
D810 reaches 20 fps electronic. Z8 reaches 120 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the D810 and Z8?
D810 weighs 980 g and Z8 weighs 820 g, so the Z8 is 160 g lighter.
Do the D810 and Z8 record 4K video?
D810: 4K up to 60p. Z8: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.
Are the D810 and Z8 weather sealed?
D810: Yes. Z8: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 640 shots (CIPA) for the D810 and 340 shots for the Z8, giving the D810 the edge.
How much does each cost?
D810 launched at $3,299 and Z8 at $3,999. The D810 is $700 less.
Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.
Add any camera to get a three-way D810 vs Z8 vs X comparison.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed June 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.