Nikon
Z8
Z9 internals in a compact body — 45.7MP stacked sensor, 8K 60p, no blackout burst.
$3,999
Released May 2023
Nikon
Zf
Retro-styled 24.5MP full-frame mirrorless with classic dials, EXPEED 7 AF, 8-stop IBIS, and 4K 60p video.
$2,049
Released Sep 2023
Zf is 4 months newer.
Wins
Z8
Wins
Zf
3 categories tied
TL;DR — Key differences
- BZf has higher Burst (mechanical) (14 fps vs 0 fps)
- AZ8 has higher Burst (electronic) (120 fps vs 30 fps)
- BZf has higher ISO max (native) (64,000 vs 25,600)
- AZ8 has higher 4K max frame rate (120 fps vs 60 fps)
- AZ8 has higher Resolution (45.7 MP vs 24.5 MP)
Key specs at a glance
Size and weight, to scale
Z8
144 × 119 × 83 mm
820 g (1.81 lb / 28.92 oz)
Zf
144 × 103 × 49 mm
630 g (1.39 lb / 22.22 oz)
Z8 is 16mm taller and 34mm thicker than Zf.
Z8 is 190 g heavier than Zf.
Depth (front-to-back): 83mm Z8 · 49mm Zf
Back view, to scale
Width × Height — same proportions as the front of the body.
Z8
144 × 119 mm
Zf
144 × 103 mm
Top view, to scale
Width × Depth (front-to-back) — see which body is chunkier on the table.
Z8
144 × 83 mm
Zf
144 × 49 mm
Sensor size, to scale
Z8
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Zf
35.9 × 23.9 mm · Full Frame
858 mm² area
Lens ecosystem
Native lens selection
Z8
✓ more lensesNikon Z
90+
native lenses available
Zf
✓ 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
Z8
Codecs
Adds N-RAW, ProRes RAW HQ, ProRes 422 HQ…
Burst (electronic)
120 fps vs 30 fps — higher is better
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 118.5, 83
4K max frame rate
120 fps vs 60 fps — higher is better
Internal RAW video
Only Z8 supports it
Card types
Adds CFexpress Type B / XQD
Resolution
45.7 MP vs 24.5 MP — higher is better
AF points / zones
493 vs 273 — higher is better
Reasons to choose
Zf
AF low-light limit
-10 EV vs -9 EV — lower is better
Burst (mechanical)
14 fps vs 0 fps — higher is better
Codecs
Adds H.265/HEVC 8-bit, H.265/HEVC 10-bit, H.264/AVC 8-bit
Dimensions (W×H×D mm)
Adds 103, 49
ISO max (native)
64,000 vs 25,600 — higher is better
AA filter
Only Zf supports it
Card types
Adds MicroSD UHS-I
IBIS effectiveness
8 stops vs 6 stops — higher is better
Both cameras share
- ✓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 — Both support in-body stabilization
- ✓Weather sealing — Both support weather sealing
- ✓Card slots — Both 2
Pros & cons at a glance
Editorially curated highlights and trade-offs.
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)
Zf
Pros
- ✓Beautiful retro design
- ✓273-point hybrid AF
- ✓8-stop IBIS
- ✓Fully articulated touchscreen
Cons
- –No grip extension standard
- –Mixed SD + MicroSD card slots
- –24.5MP only
Full specifications
✓ = category winner
Frequently asked
Quick answers generated from verified specs.
Which is better for video, Z8 or Zf?
Z8 scores 9.5/10 versus 6.0/10 for Zf — 8K recording for future-proof footage.
What's the resolution difference between the Z8 and Zf?
Z8 is 45.7 MP and Zf is 24.5 MP, so the Z8 captures more detail for cropping and large prints.
Do the Z8 and Zf have in-body image stabilization?
Z8 has 6-stop in-body image stabilization, while zf has 8-stop in-body image stabilization.
Which shoots faster bursts — the Z8 or the Zf?
Z8 reaches 120 fps electronic. Zf reaches 30 fps electronic.
What's the weight difference between the Z8 and Zf?
Z8 weighs 820 g and Zf weighs 630 g, so the Zf is 190 g lighter.
Do the Z8 and Zf record 4K video?
Z8: 8K UHD (max), 4K up to 120p. Zf: 4K up to 60p.
Are the Z8 and Zf weather sealed?
Z8: Yes. Zf: Yes.
Which has better battery life?
Rated battery life is 340 shots (CIPA) for the Z8 and 380 shots for the Zf, giving the Zf the edge.
How much does each cost?
Z8 launched at $3,999 and Zf at $2,049. The Zf is $1,950 less.
Specs sourced from manufacturer data. Use-case scores algorithmically derived. Last reviewed May 2026.
Product images courtesy of Nikon press materials.