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Z7 II

Nikon

Z7 II

45MP resolution body for landscapes and studio work.

$2,999

Launch price

Released Oct 2020

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

Z8 is 2.6 years newer.

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Wins

3categories

Z7 II

LandscapePortrait

Wins

5categories

Z8

Sports & ActionVideo & Hybrid

7 categories tied

Which would you choose?

TL;DR — Key differences

Z7 II wins 3 categories·Z8 wins 2 categories
  • AZ7 II has higher Burst (mechanical) (10 fps vs 0 fps)
  • BZ8 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 10 fps)
  • BZ8 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 59.94 fps)
  • AZ7 II has lower Weight (615 g vs 820 g)
  • AZ7 II has higher Battery life (CIPA) (420 shots vs 340 shots)

Key specs at a glance

Z7 IIZ8
Resolution45.7 MP45.7 MP
SensorFull FrameFull Frame
ISO max25,60025,600
Burst10 fps120 fps
4K59.94 fps120 fps
IBIS5-stop6-stop
Weight615 g820 g
Battery420 shots340 shots

Size and weight, to scale

Z7 II front view

Z7 II

134 × 101 × 70 mm

615 g (1.36 lb / 21.69 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)

Z7 II is 10mm narrower, 18mm shorter, and 14mm thinner than Z8.

Z7 II is 205 g lighter than Z8.

Depth (front-to-back): 70mm Z7 II · 83mm Z8

Back view, to scale

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

Z7 II back view

Z7 II

134 × 101 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.

Z7 II top view

Z7 II

134 × 70 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

Z7 II

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

Z8

35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame

858 mm² area

Lens ecosystem

Native lens selection

Z7 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 caseZ7 IIZ8
Portrait
8.5Excellent
8.5Excellent
Sports & Action
4.5Fair
10.0Excellent✓ wins
Video & Hybrid
3.5Limited
9.5Excellent✓ wins
Landscape
9.5Excellent
9.5Excellent
Travel
7.0Good✓ wins
4.5Fair
Wildlife
3.0Limited
5.5Fair✓ wins
Vlogging
6.0Good✓ wins
5.5Fair

Why pick one over the other

Reasons to choose

Z7 II

  • Burst (mechanical)

    10 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better

  • Codecs

    Adds H.264, MOV, MP4

  • Dimensions (W×H×D mm)

    Adds 134, 100.5, 69.5

  • Card types

    Adds CFexpress Type B, XQD, SD…

  • Weight

    615 g vs 820 g — lower is better

  • Battery life (CIPA)

    420 shots vs 340 shots — higher is better

Reasons to choose

Z8

  • AF low-light limit

    -9 EV vs -3 EV — lower is better

  • Codecs

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

  • 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 10 fps — higher is better

  • Subject recognition

    Adds Birds, Cars, Bicycles…

  • 4K max frame rate

    120 fps vs 59.94 fps — higher is better

  • Pre-Capture / Pre-Release

    Only Z8 supports it

Both cameras share

  • ResolutionBoth 45.7 MP
  • ISO min (native)Both 64
  • ISO max (native)Both 25,600
  • AF points / zonesBoth 493
  • Eye AFBoth support eye af
  • Animal / bird AFBoth support animal / bird af

Pros & cons at a glance

Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.

Z7 II

Pros

  • 45MP detail
  • Dual slots
  • IBIS

Cons

  • Slower AF than Z8
  • 4K 30p limitations
  • Superseded by Z8

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 Z7 II and Z8 at major authorized retailers.

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Full specifications

= category winner

Z7 II
Z8
Resolution
45.7 MP
45.7 MP
Sensor type
CMOS
Full Frame Stacked BSI CMOS
Sensor size
35.9 x 23.9
35.9 × 23.9 mm
AA filter
No
No
Z7 II
Z8
Processor
Dual EXPEED 6
EXPEED 7
Z7 II
Z8
ISO min (native)
64
64
ISO max (native)
25,600
25,600
ISO max (expanded)
102,400
102,400
Z7 II
Z8
Shutter type
Mechanical Focal Plane Shutter and Electronic Rolling Shutter
Electronic only
Max mechanical speed
1/8000 sec
N/A
Max electronic speed
1/8000 sec
1/32000 sec

Frequently asked

Quick answers generated from verified specs.

Which is better for video, Z7 II or Z8?

Z8 scores 9.5/10 versus 3.5/10 for Z7 II — 8K recording for future-proof footage.

What's the resolution difference between the Z7 II and Z8?

Both cameras share the same 45.7 MP resolution.

Do the Z7 II and Z8 have in-body image stabilization?

Z7 II has 5-stop in-body image stabilization, while Z8 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization.

Which shoots faster bursts — the Z7 II or the Z8?

Z7 II reaches 10 fps electronic. Z8 reaches 120 fps electronic.

What's the weight difference between the Z7 II and Z8?

Z7 II weighs 615 g and Z8 weighs 820 g, so the Z7 II is 205 g lighter.

Do the Z7 II and Z8 record 4K video?

Z7 II: 4K up to 59.94p. Z8: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p.

Are the Z7 II and Z8 weather sealed?

Z7 II: Yes. Z8: Yes.

Which has better battery life?

Rated battery life is 420 shots (CIPA) for the Z7 II and 340 shots for the Z8, giving the Z7 II the edge.

How much does each cost?

Z7 II launched at $2,999 and Z8 at $3,999. The Z7 II is $1,000 less.

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

Add any camera to get a three-way Z7 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.