Cameraegg Compare logoCameraegg

Nikon

Z50 II

Updated APS-C Z body with improved AF and video for enthusiasts.

$999

Launch price

Released Dec 2024

vs
Z8

Nikon

Z8

Z9 internals in a compact body — 45.7MP stacked sensor, 8K 60p, no blackout burst.

$3,999

Launch price

Released May 2023

Z50 II is 1.6 years newer.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Wins

4categories

Z50 II

Sports & ActionWildlife

Wins

8categories

Z8

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

2 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Z50 II wins 1 categories·Z8 wins 4 categories
  • AZ50 II has higher Burst (mechanical) (11 fps vs 0 fps)
  • BZ8 has higher IBIS effectiveness (6 stops vs 0 stops)
  • BZ8 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
  • BZ8 has higher Resolution (45.7 MP vs 20.9 MP)
  • BZ8 has higher AF points / zones (493 vs 231)

Key specs at a glance

Z50 IIZ8
Resolution20.9 MP45.7 MP
SensorAPS-CFull Frame
ISO max51,20025,600
Burst30 fps120 fps
4K60 fps120 fps
IBISNo6-stop
Weight495 g820 g
Battery340 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Z50 II

127 × 97 × 67 mm

495 g (1.09 lb / 17.46 oz)

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

for scale

Z8 front view

Z8

144 × 119 × 83 mm

820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)

Z50 II is 17mm narrower, 22mm shorter, and 17mm thinner than Z8.

Z50 II is 325 g lighter than Z8.

Depth (front-to-back): 67mm Z50 II · 83mm Z8

Back view, to scale

Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.

Z50 II

127 × 97 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Z8 back view

Z8

144 × 119 mm

Top view, to scale

Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.

Z50 II

127 × 67 mm

Credit card shown to scale as a size reference (ISO 7810, 85.6 × 54 mm)

Credit card

85.6 × 54 mm

Z8 top view

Z8

144 × 83 mm

Sensor size, to scale

Z50 II

23.5 × 15.7 mm · APS-C

369 mm² area

Z8

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

2.3× larger sensor area = shallower depth of field and better low-light performance.

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Z50 II

✓ more lenses

Nikon Z

90+

native lenses available

40 first-party50 third-party

Z8

✓ more lenses

Nikon Z

90+

native lenses available

40 first-party50 third-party

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

Use caseZ50 IIZ8
Portrait
4.5Fair
8.5Excellent✓ wins
Sports & Action
8.5Excellent
10.0Excellent✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
4.5Fair
9.5Excellent✓ wins
Landscape
0.0Limited
9.5Excellent✓ wins
Travel
3.5Limited
4.5Fair✓ wins
Wildlife
6.0Good✓ wins
5.5Fair
Vlogging
6.0Good✓ wins
5.5Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Z50 II

  • Burst (mechanical)

    11 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 127, 96.8, 66.5

  • Card types

    Adds SD UHS-I

  • AA filter

    Only Z50 II supports it

  • ISO max (native)

    51,200 vs 25,600 — higher is better

  • Weight

    495 g vs 820 g — lower is better

  • EVF magnification

    1.02 × vs 0.8 × — higher is better

Reasons to choose

Z8

  • IBIS effectiveness

    6 stops vs 0 stops — higher is better

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 144, 118.5, 83

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD, SD UHS-II

  • Burst (electronic)

    120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ

  • Resolution

    45.7 MP vs 20.9 MP — higher is better

  • AF points / zones

    493 vs 231 — higher is better

  • 4K max frame rate

    120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better

Both cameras share

  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af
  • Pre-Capture / Pre-ReleaseBoth support pre-capture / pre-release
  • 1080p max frame rateBoth 120 fps
  • TouchscreenBoth support touchscreen
  • Wi-FiBoth support wi-fi

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

Z50 II

Pros

  • Improved AF
  • Compact DSLR-style grip
  • Good value

Cons

  • No IBIS
  • Single slot
  • APS-C

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 Z50 II and Z8 at major authorized retailers.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Cameraegg earns from qualifying purchases. Cameraegg may also earn commission from B&H links, at no extra cost to you.

Full specifications

= category winner

Z50 II
Z8
Resolution
20.9 MP
45.7 MP2.2× more
Sensor type
DX-format CMOS
Full Frame Stacked BSI CMOS
Sensor size
23.5 × 15.7 mm
35.9 × 23.9 mm
AA filter
Yes
No
Z50 II
Z8
Processor
EXPEED 7
EXPEED 7
Z50 II
Z8
ISO min (native)
100
64−36 less
ISO max (native)
51,200+1 stop
25,600
ISO max (expanded)
204,800
102,400
Z50 II
Z8
Shutter type
Mechanical + Electronic
Electronic only
Max mechanical speed
1/4000 sec
N/A
Max electronic speed
1/4000 sec
1/32000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for landscape, Z50 II or Z8?

Z8 scores 9.5/10 versus 0.0/10 for Z50 II — 45.7MP — excellent for prints up to 24×36".

What's the resolution difference between the Z50 II and Z8?

Z50 II is 20.9 MP and Z8 is 45.7 MP, so the Z8 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.

Do the Z50 II and Z8 have in-body image stabilization?

Z50 II does not have IBIS, while Z8 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Z50 II or the Z8?

Z50 II reaches 30 fps electronic. Z8 reaches 120 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Z50 II and Z8?

Z50 II weighs 495 g and Z8 weighs 820 g, so the Z50 II is 325 g lighter.

Do the Z50 II and Z8 record 4K video?

Z50 II: 4K up to 60p. Z8: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.

Are the Z50 II and Z8 weather sealed?

Z50 II: No. Z8: Yes.

How much does each cost?

Z50 II launched at $999 and Z8 at $3,999. The Z50 II is $3,000 less.

Can't decide between two? Compare a third camera.

Add any camera to get a three-way Z50 II vs Z8 vs X comparison.

Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed July 2026.

Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.