Z8 Leaked specs and picture over at NR.

[msu79gt82]

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[RWN Photo]

Who the heck wants 2 different types of media as storage in a camera?

That is junk. I know other cameras and brands have that setup, but it is still junk and stupid for a consumer.

I kind of like that the other card is SD because I have a slot for it in my laptop.

Also, this helps reduce the size of the camera.

CFExpress would then be used as backup or for serious high res video or when an extreme buffer is needed.

I have Z9 and sometimes miss the opportunity to put a memory card directly in laptop card slot.

There are benefits to both systems. But if manufacturer has to reduce the size and costs, SD is an obvious solution.

Then the obvious solution to agree with you is that Nikon is stupid for putting in the CFExpress slot... I mean if we want the cameras to be lighter and smaller and cheaper...

You need cfe for higher through put, such as 8k60 video.

SD cards are going to hopefully die off as the default in a generation or two of camera bodies, except in the bottom tier.

The rumored z8 doesn't sound "bottom tier:, or even middle tier, since it would be more like 4 tiers now for Nikon in FF line... and if SD hopefully dies off soon, now is the time to die it off.

 

[ghostfox_1]

Who the heck wants 2 different types of media as storage in a camera?

That is junk. I know other cameras and brands have that setup, but it is still junk and stupid for a consumer.

I kind of like that the other card is SD because I have a slot for it in my laptop.

Also, this helps reduce the size of the camera.

CFExpress would then be used as backup or for serious high res video or when an extreme buffer is needed.

I have Z9 and sometimes miss the opportunity to put a memory card directly in laptop card slot.

There are benefits to both systems. But if manufacturer has to reduce the size and costs, SD is an obvious solution.

Then the obvious solution to agree with you is that Nikon is stupid for putting in the CFExpress slot... I mean if we want the cameras to be lighter and smaller and cheaper...

You need cfe for higher through put, such as 8k60 video.

SD cards are going to hopefully die off as the default in a generation or two of camera bodies, except in the bottom tier.

The rumored z8 doesn't sound "bottom tier:, or even middle tier, since it would be more like 4 tiers now for Nikon in FF line... and if SD hopefully dies off soon, now is the time to die it off.

 

[psybear]

If the leaked spec suggesting that the Z8 has only a tilting screen (not articulating) then I'm gone.... It's a feature I've really missed in my Z6 and Z7 having enjoyed it for years on my Fujis. It's a must have for me as a (primarily) landscape photographer.

 

[Doofer]

If the leaked spec suggesting that the Z8 has only a tilting screen (not articulating) then I'm gone.... It's a feature I've really missed in my Z6 and Z7 having enjoyed it for years on my Fujis. It's a must have for me as a (primarily) landscape photographer.

Interesting. Also a landscape photographer, and I hate the flippy screens.

They don't work with L brackets, which nearly every landscaper photographer uses.

Can't imagine setting my camera on a tripod without one, where as all I gain with a flippy is better low angle portrait orientation shooting, ironically a time when an L bracket is a must use.

 

[Mackiesback]

$500 off for just chopping off the grip doesn't seem worth it, especially given all the time they've had. I'd think the price would have to be closer to $4500 or even a bit less with a few more features removed, making it a very compelling alternative to an R5, A7RV or even an A1/R3 but not cannibalizing too many Z9 sales.

The dollar pricing is NR extrapolating from a rumoured euro pricing, so hardly reliable. They seems to have just used the exchange rate, which gives a higher $ price relative to the € price ratio than we see for the Z9 (if I scale the Z9 dollar price by the same factor as this rumoured Z8 price to the Z9 euro price I get about $200 less).

As for the "what took them so long?" question, component supplies have been a big story for most of that period (order times for many are still long). So if someone told me that they had been using all of their supplies of some key part to keep up with Z9 production I'd have no reason to disbelieve it.

It's not a camera I'm going to buy anyway: I'll sit out until I get a worthy upgrade at a size and price that suit me better. But it looks like the "true D850 replacement" so many have said they want, so the question for Nikon is presumably whether they can sell what they can make at this price (or whatever it turns out to be).

I think if it were a true D850 replacement, it needs to be in the D850 price range, my guess would be between $3500-$4000. Close enough to the D850 to sell in volume, but not cannibalize too many Z9 sales, if possible. Not an easy goal.

Personally (I know, nobody cares) I don't need $4000 45mp cameras. I would love to see a meaningful update to the Z6 line. If these specs are true, the Z7 line just got nerfed.

The pricing strategy should be:

Z6iii - $2000

Z7iii - $3000

Z8 - $4000

Z9 - $5500

Who says there will be a Z6iii and a Z7iii? I could see an updated Z6 but Z7? Looking at the rumored specs of the Z8, what exactly do you think an updated Z7 would be?

 

[msu79gt82]

$500 off for just chopping off the grip doesn't seem worth it, especially given all the time they've had. I'd think the price would have to be closer to $4500 or even a bit less with a few more features removed, making it a very compelling alternative to an R5, A7RV or even an A1/R3 but not cannibalizing too many Z9 sales.

The dollar pricing is NR extrapolating from a rumoured euro pricing, so hardly reliable. They seems to have just used the exchange rate, which gives a higher $ price relative to the € price ratio than we see for the Z9 (if I scale the Z9 dollar price by the same factor as this rumoured Z8 price to the Z9 euro price I get about $200 less).

As for the "what took them so long?" question, component supplies have been a big story for most of that period (order times for many are still long). So if someone told me that they had been using all of their supplies of some key part to keep up with Z9 production I'd have no reason to disbelieve it.

It's not a camera I'm going to buy anyway: I'll sit out until I get a worthy upgrade at a size and price that suit me better. But it looks like the "true D850 replacement" so many have said they want, so the question for Nikon is presumably whether they can sell what they can make at this price (or whatever it turns out to be).

I think if it were a true D850 replacement, it needs to be in the D850 price range, my guess would be between $3500-$4000. Close enough to the D850 to sell in volume, but not cannibalize too many Z9 sales, if possible. Not an easy goal.

Personally (I know, nobody cares) I don't need $4000 45mp cameras. I would love to see a meaningful update to the Z6 line. If these specs are true, the Z7 line just got nerfed.

The pricing strategy should be:

Z6iii - $2000

Z7iii - $3000

Z8 - $4000

Z9 - $5500

Who says there will be a Z6iii and a Z7iii? I could see an updated Z6 but Z7? Looking at the rumored specs of the Z8, what exactly do you think an updated Z7 would be?

A high MP body (60+) ??

 

[Mackiesback]

$500 off for just chopping off the grip doesn't seem worth it, especially given all the time they've had. I'd think the price would have to be closer to $4500 or even a bit less with a few more features removed, making it a very compelling alternative to an R5, A7RV or even an A1/R3 but not cannibalizing too many Z9 sales.

The dollar pricing is NR extrapolating from a rumoured euro pricing, so hardly reliable. They seems to have just used the exchange rate, which gives a higher $ price relative to the € price ratio than we see for the Z9 (if I scale the Z9 dollar price by the same factor as this rumoured Z8 price to the Z9 euro price I get about $200 less).

As for the "what took them so long?" question, component supplies have been a big story for most of that period (order times for many are still long). So if someone told me that they had been using all of their supplies of some key part to keep up with Z9 production I'd have no reason to disbelieve it.

It's not a camera I'm going to buy anyway: I'll sit out until I get a worthy upgrade at a size and price that suit me better. But it looks like the "true D850 replacement" so many have said they want, so the question for Nikon is presumably whether they can sell what they can make at this price (or whatever it turns out to be).

I think if it were a true D850 replacement, it needs to be in the D850 price range, my guess would be between $3500-$4000. Close enough to the D850 to sell in volume, but not cannibalize too many Z9 sales, if possible. Not an easy goal.

Personally (I know, nobody cares) I don't need $4000 45mp cameras. I would love to see a meaningful update to the Z6 line. If these specs are true, the Z7 line just got nerfed.

The pricing strategy should be:

Z6iii - $2000

Z7iii - $3000

Z8 - $4000

Z9 - $5500

Who says there will be a Z6iii and a Z7iii? I could see an updated Z6 but Z7? Looking at the rumored specs of the Z8, what exactly do you think an updated Z7 would be?

A high MP body (60+) ??

You would think they would have a name change for something like that.

 

[Krummj]

Sure, but there are a gazillion other parts in a camera ( If it were just chips, Fuji would not have a year wait for an X100V). Plus inflation. Plus a shrinking market. Those who are still buying tend to have more money, so it makes sense to sell upmarket. And a full frame stacked sensor is costly, from what I hear.

 

[Jeff_0000]

Who the heck wants 2 different types of media as storage in a camera?

That is junk. I know other cameras and brands have that setup, but it is still junk and stupid for a consumer.

I kind of like that the other card is SD because I have a slot for it in my laptop.

Also, this helps reduce the size of the camera.

CFExpress would then be used as backup or for serious high res video or when an extreme buffer is needed.

I have Z9 and sometimes miss the opportunity to put a memory card directly in laptop card slot.

There are benefits to both systems. But if manufacturer has to reduce the size and costs, SD is an obvious solution.

Then the obvious solution to agree with you is that Nikon is stupid for putting in the CFExpress slot... I mean if we want the cameras to be lighter and smaller and cheaper...

You need cfe for higher through put, such as 8k60 video.

SD cards are going to hopefully die off as the default in a generation or two of camera bodies, except in the bottom tier.

The rumored z8 doesn't sound "bottom tier:, or even middle tier, since it would be more like 4 tiers now for Nikon in FF line... and if SD hopefully dies off soon, now is the time to die it off.

No thanks. I would still like to use the inexpensive UHS-I SD card to take photos.

 

[aniltulsi]

$500 off for just chopping off the grip doesn't seem worth it, especially given all the time they've had. I'd think the price would have to be closer to $4500 or even a bit less with a few more features removed, making it a very compelling alternative to an R5, A7RV or even an A1/R3 but not cannibalizing too many Z9 sales.

The dollar pricing is NR extrapolating from a rumoured euro pricing, so hardly reliable. They seems to have just used the exchange rate, which gives a higher $ price relative to the € price ratio than we see for the Z9 (if I scale the Z9 dollar price by the same factor as this rumoured Z8 price to the Z9 euro price I get about $200 less).

As for the "what took them so long?" question, component supplies have been a big story for most of that period (order times for many are still long). So if someone told me that they had been using all of their supplies of some key part to keep up with Z9 production I'd have no reason to disbelieve it.

It's not a camera I'm going to buy anyway: I'll sit out until I get a worthy upgrade at a size and price that suit me better. But it looks like the "true D850 replacement" so many have said they want, so the question for Nikon is presumably whether they can sell what they can make at this price (or whatever it turns out to be).

I think if it were a true D850 replacement, it needs to be in the D850 price range, my guess would be between $3500-$4000. Close enough to the D850 to sell in volume, but not cannibalize too many Z9 sales, if possible. Not an easy goal.

Personally (I know, nobody cares) I don't need $4000 45mp cameras. I would love to see a meaningful update to the Z6 line. If these specs are true, the Z7 line just got nerfed.

The pricing strategy should be:

Z6iii - $2000

Z7iii - $3000

Z8 - $4000

Z9 - $5500

Who says there will be a Z6iii and a Z7iii? I could see an updated Z6 but Z7? Looking at the rumored specs of the Z8, what exactly do you think an updated Z7 would be?

Z6iii - 32-36 Mp, mechanical shutter

Z7iii - 60-80 Mp, mechanical shutter

Z8 - 45 Mp, no mechanical shutter

 

[msu79gt82]

$500 off for just chopping off the grip doesn't seem worth it, especially given all the time they've had. I'd think the price would have to be closer to $4500 or even a bit less with a few more features removed, making it a very compelling alternative to an R5, A7RV or even an A1/R3 but not cannibalizing too many Z9 sales.

The dollar pricing is NR extrapolating from a rumoured euro pricing, so hardly reliable. They seems to have just used the exchange rate, which gives a higher $ price relative to the € price ratio than we see for the Z9 (if I scale the Z9 dollar price by the same factor as this rumoured Z8 price to the Z9 euro price I get about $200 less).

As for the "what took them so long?" question, component supplies have been a big story for most of that period (order times for many are still long). So if someone told me that they had been using all of their supplies of some key part to keep up with Z9 production I'd have no reason to disbelieve it.

It's not a camera I'm going to buy anyway: I'll sit out until I get a worthy upgrade at a size and price that suit me better. But it looks like the "true D850 replacement" so many have said they want, so the question for Nikon is presumably whether they can sell what they can make at this price (or whatever it turns out to be).

I think if it were a true D850 replacement, it needs to be in the D850 price range, my guess would be between $3500-$4000. Close enough to the D850 to sell in volume, but not cannibalize too many Z9 sales, if possible. Not an easy goal.

Personally (I know, nobody cares) I don't need $4000 45mp cameras. I would love to see a meaningful update to the Z6 line. If these specs are true, the Z7 line just got nerfed.

The pricing strategy should be:

Z6iii - $2000

Z7iii - $3000

Z8 - $4000

Z9 - $5500

Who says there will be a Z6iii and a Z7iii? I could see an updated Z6 but Z7? Looking at the rumored specs of the Z8, what exactly do you think an updated Z7 would be?

Z6iii - 32-36 Mp, mechanical shutter

w/ similar body build as before

Z7iii - 60-80 Mp, mechanical shutter

w/ similar body build as before

Z8 - 45 Mp, no mechanical shutter

w/ more rugged body (i.e. a mini-Z9)

Yes, what you suggest seems very plausible to me. And I believe it's also plausible before the end of 2023.

 

[sirhawkeye64]

If the leaked spec suggesting that the Z8 has only a tilting screen (not articulating) then I'm gone.... It's a feature I've really missed in my Z6 and Z7 having enjoyed it for years on my Fujis. It's a must have for me as a (primarily) landscape photographer.

Interesting. Also a landscape photographer, and I hate the flippy screens.

They don't work with L brackets, which nearly every landscaper photographer uses.

Can't imagine setting my camera on a tripod without one, where as all I gain with a flippy is better low angle portrait orientation shooting, ironically a time when an L bracket is a must use.

Personally I never found the lack of an articulating screen to be of much hinderance. Now if it was fixed LCD (like on the D7200 for example) then that would bother me, but at least the screens flip up and down (tilts) which I think for most people, is probably enough (the Fujis -- at least my XT2 -- did tilt upwards in vertical orientation, but not by much). i actually disliked the articulating screen on my d5200 because I was always fearful that it would break off either from use or an accident (the tilting LCDs on the Z cameras seem a bit more robust than some of the LCDs on the mid-range/APSC DSLRs. But that's just my two cents.

And considering the state of the Z cameras (minus the Z9) a lack of a flippy screen is probably the least of most people's worries, as you can work around them. Can't always work around a mediocre AF system and that's where Nikon should (and hopefully) focused on with the Z8 / Z? that's coming out in 14 days.

--
NOTE: If I don't reply to a direct comment in the forums, it's likely I unsubscribed from the thread/article..

 

[NickZ2016]

A high MP body (60+) ??

Not at 3K. The Sony camera is about the Z8 price.

The Z7 initially launched at what 3300? Five years and lots of inflation later prices won't go down.

Just a high MP camera today would end up very niche. The exact opposite of a low cost model. Expect a lesser body with just higher MP to sell for more than the all rounder Z8 not a 25% discount.

My guess is Nikon expect the Z9 and Z8 pairing to take virtually all the potential buyers of the Z7.

A new Z6 makes sense. A Z7 that tries to fit into a narrow niche? Not so much

 

[just Tony]

Interesting. If this does turn out to be the true Z8 then no Z9 owner needs to feel out done. Literally $500 less for sawing off the integrated grip and with that the additional portrait orientation buttons/controls too. Oh, and maybe losing the 2nd CFE/QXD card slot in favor of an SD slot.

Yes, and also why did it take so long if so? Worrying for Nikon if this is truly just a smaller Z9 after 2 years.

Be careful what we relentlessly ask for, because we might get it?

 

[Mackiesback]

A high MP body (60+) ??

Not at 3K. The Sony camera is about the Z8 price.

The Z7 initially launched at what 3300? Five years and lots of inflation later prices won't go down.

Just a high MP camera today would end up very niche. The exact opposite of a low cost model. Expect a lesser body with just higher MP to sell for more than the all rounder Z8 not a 25% discount.

My guess is Nikon expect the Z9 and Z8 pairing to take virtually all the potential buyers of the Z7.

A new Z6 makes sense. A Z7 that tries to fit into a narrow niche? Not so much

I am kinda with you on that. If the Z8 specs are as rumored,, and it is priced under $4000, the Z7ii is essentially dead in the water. They may or may not release a higher MP update, who knows.

I am also not sure Z6 users want a 33MP update. That's approaching D810 territory and I remember not needing files that big when I had that camera. If I were to get my way with a Z6 update, it would be to have better AF for action, and better low light performance all with a MP count in the mid 20s. Basically ramp up all the benefits a smaller sensor allows for.

But, that's just me, and maybe they focus whatever update to the Z5 towards that area.

 

[NickZ2016]

A Z6 with a new faster sensor that lets it shoot 6K video and support the other features begged for would sell. That could be the same MP.

 

[pcgeekesq]

I am also not sure Z6 users want a 33MP update. That's approaching D810 territory and I remember not needing files that big when I had that camera. If I were to get my way with a Z6 update, it would be to have better AF for action, and better low light performance all with a MP count in the mid 20s. Basically ramp up all the benefits a smaller sensor allows for.

By smaller sensor I think you mean lower pixel count sensor, since Z6 is FF.

One thing though: it's possible, maybe even likely, that given the processing power of the EXPEED 7, a higher pixel count might enable faster auto-focus, since more pixels on target gives the EXPEED 7 more info to work with, if the sensor-to-processor bandwidth is high enough. This may be particular true for AI-based AF processes like eye detection.

But other than cost, if the camera's processors have enough compute power and the sensor-to-processor bandwidth is high enough, there's not much down side to a higher pixel count. Per-pixel noise goes up of course, but for any given display size of the final image, the noise isn't much different. And you can always just increase the compression (for JPEG) or interpolate down to a lower pixel count if file sizes are an issue. Especially, on a Bayer-filtered sensor, interpolating 4 pixels down to 1 pixel has some attractive qualities (including IIRC better luminance signal-to-noise ratio and elimination of some chroma artifacts).

 

[just Tony]

I guess we're all going to ignore how poor of a photoshop job NR did?

What happened to the mode dial?

What mode diall???

Does the Z 9 have a mode dial??

How about the D6...D3...D300...D500?

I dont think Nikons higher end models have a mode dial...so perhaps nothing is missing.

Mode Button array, or Mode Cluster, the thing that says "Mode" on it

Or, does NR expect me to believe the flash button on the mode dial was chewed off by a bird or something?

Chewed off.....by a bird...mmmm..you don't shoot wildlife or birds too much I see

ANAYV

Ahh, that was the look NR was going for. What a value then that the camera comes "pre-chewed"! I'd likely have to take an expensive trip to get that feature! :-D

While there doesn't seem to be a single image of the Z9 at the same angle as in the NR image of the Z8, if you take a look at the available images of he Z9 and look carefully at the dial on the top right side (as seen from the front), you will see it is identical to that shown in the NR Z8 image. I shown an example here:

Identical? The Z9 has a flash button, the "Z8" does not? It's been removed by either a poor photoshop job (likely) or by some "pre-chewing" feature. Where is the flash button?



You can clearly see the other three buttons right? Where did it go? Or are Z8 owners deemed unworthy of the 4th button?

As ANAYV pointed out, the Z9 and many other Nikon models do not have a Mode Dial. So given the Z8 is effectively a cut-down Z9, it is no surprise that it also does not have mode dial.

Semantics. Call it whatever you will, you know exactly what I am talking about. How about this, anyone with access to a Z9, tilt it down to the point where you can clearly see the word "Mode" on the farthest button. If the light source in this photo is from the upper left, do you really, truly see none of the top of the camera by the grip? You really, truly see the controls where the grip is clearly higher than the back line of the camera as shown in the "leaked" image, when the word "Mode" is as clearly visible as it is in this photo?

OK, I accept your point that the Flash button is missing... Odd.

Unless there is no flash.

I assume we are talking about built in flash

This rumored Z 8 is still a higher end model, so perhaps no mode dial and no built in flash.

ANAYV

Whatever graphic was supposed to be on the apparently missing section of the circle that looks like it was physically chopped or bitten off, the point he made was primarily about the gap that the image implies by accident of the sloppy faking. There even appears to be an overhang which would be exceptionally odd.

--
Wag more; bark less.

 

[AlanWatson]

It's not a camera I'm going to buy anyway: I'll sit out until I get a worthy upgrade at a size and price that suit me better. But it looks like the "true D850 replacement" so many have said they want, so the question for Nikon is presumably whether they can sell what they can make at this price (or whatever it turns out to be).

I think if it were a true D850 replacement, it needs to be in the D850 price range, my guess would be between $3500-$4000. Close enough to the D850 to sell in volume, but not cannibalize too many Z9 sales, if possible. Not an easy goal.

The d850 had a dollar RRP at launch of $3,300 (without taxes). Inflation is different for different types of product, and in different countries, etc, so trying to calculate what a reasonable equivalent is isn't easy. But especially after the last few years you probably are talking about $4,000 as the equivalent (the Bank of England's inflation calculator gives a slightly larger price increase, but you can never do better than approximate these things).

The Z7II's RRP is $3,000, so a $3,500 Z8 would be too close. $4,000 is neatly between Z7 II and Z9, so that seems a more plausible place for it to end up.

It's not something I need either. I'd like better tracking, blackout-free EVF, and I'd like to get rid of the shutter and go silent at all times. But none of that's critical, and I'm happy to wait until that tech makes its way down to a smaller, cheaper body in a generation or two's time. It would be more productive to spend my money on lenses anyway.