ergonomics of the Z bodies

mesija · May 24, 2025

I was wondering how do users of Nikon DSLRs find ergonomics of the Z bodies?

My hand and fingers get tired from using Z5 for half an hour or so.

It feels like 'm gripping to hard because the body is smallish, but heavier then expected...

I could hold D700/800 bodies all day.

Z6 III grip is thicker and seems to feel better in my hands.

Z8 is to large for me to consider.

I'm thinking of whether I should buy Z6 III or Z5 II.

Z5 II is the body I want...

Joachim Gerstl · May 24, 2025

What you need is the Z8 that you ruled out.

mesija · May 24, 2025

Joachim Gerstl said:
What you need is the Z8 that you ruled out.

I tried holding Z8 - it felt bigger then D8xx bodies.

At this stage in my life I'd rather have a smaller body I don't hesitate to take on travel

Pierre Lagarde · May 24, 2025

mesija said:
Joachim Gerstl said:

What you need is the Z8 that you ruled out.

Click to expand...

I tried holding Z8 - it felt bigger then D8xx bodies.

At this stage in my life I'd rather have a smaller body I don't hesitate to take on travel

Trying out Z5 II is probably your best choice then, as Z6 III is also more specialised and nearly as deep as Z8.

It's slightly deeper than first iteration Z5, so you may be giving it a try. Don't worry too much about it being 25g more, because at the end of the day, the way you hold it is more important (as your own testimony about feeling D800 ok shows it - it's about 300g more than Z5/Z5 II while D700 is around 400gr more than them

).

Maybe going thru a search on CameraSize website would give clues :

https://camerasize.com/compact/#946,854,925,907,290,181,ha,r

Hal Wilson · May 24, 2025

Pierre Lagarde said:
mesija said:

Joachim Gerstl said:

What you need is the Z8 that you ruled out.

Click to expand...

I tried holding Z8 - it felt bigger then D8xx bodies.

At this stage in my life I'd rather have a smaller body I don't hesitate to take on travel

Click to expand...

This is why I bought a Z50ii. Well, I did start with a Zfc but that was ergonomically dreadful. But I find the size of the camera body matters according to the size of lens upon it. The z50ii with say the 12-28, 16-50 or a 24mm f1.7 fitted, is lovely and compact, but chuck say the 24-120 on it, and it feels somewhat 'unbalanced'. Whereas the size of the Z8 complements larger lenses, particularly when you get to the 70-200 f2.8 zooms and larger. The Z6 is great with the 24-70 f4, or the 14-30 say, but isn't quite so good with the 24-120. But thats just my own personal feelings, nothing else.

Pierre Lagarde · May 24, 2025

Hal Wilson said:
Pierre Lagarde said:

mesija said:

Joachim Gerstl said:

What you need is the Z8 that you ruled out.

Click to expand...

I tried holding Z8 - it felt bigger then D8xx bodies.

At this stage in my life I'd rather have a smaller body I don't hesitate to take on travel

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

This is why I bought a Z50ii. Well, I did start with a Zfc but that was ergonomically dreadful. But I find the size of the camera body matters according to the size of lens upon it. The z50ii with say the 12-28, 16-50 or a 24mm f1.7 fitted, is lovely and compact, but chuck say the 24-120 on it, and it feels somewhat 'unbalanced'. Whereas the size of the Z8 complements larger lenses, particularly when you get to the 70-200 f2.8 zooms and larger. The Z6 is great with the 24-70 f4, or the 14-30 say, but isn't quite so good with the 24-120. But thats just my own personal feelings, nothing else.

Agreed all the way... though, for some reason you answered to my post and I think, reading you, that your intention was more to answer to the OP.

msu79gt82 · May 24, 2025

I previously owned the D300, D600, and D500 before switching to the Z System.

I had both the Z6 and Z50 before trading them for the Z6iii and Z50ii.

It never occurred to me that any of the bodies had ergonomic issues. I simply used them. Of course they “feel” different in some ways, but I never think about how they feel. And of course every time I change lenses the feel changes. I’ve never tried using any of the bodies without a lens, so total weight, balance, and feel varies significantly day to day depending on what particular combo I’m holding.

Two bodies and thirteen lenses and one TC makes for a lot of possible combinations; I guess I don’t ever think about ergonomics :-|

eyeonwinnipeg184457 · May 24, 2025

I originally bought a Z5ii with a 24-120 but returned it for the z6iii. The grip on the z6iii is a bit wider and the body is deeper which I find more comfortable and balanced.

buildingsights · May 24, 2025

mesija said:
I was wondering how do users of Nikon DSLRs find ergonomics of the Z bodies?

My hand and fingers get tired from using Z5 for half an hour or so.

It feels like 'm gripping to hard because the body is smallish, but heavier then expected...

I could hold D700/800 bodies all day.

i'm still shooting with my D800 mostly macro handheld... the Z8 will be, i think, very similar feel (the z8 is 90 gr lighter than the D800).

https://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-side?products=nikon_d800&products=nikon_z8

.

mesija said:
Z6 III grip is thicker and seems to feel better in my hands.

Z8 is to large for me to consider.

I'm thinking of whether I should buy Z6 III or Z5 II.

Z5 II is the body I want...

shuncheung · May 24, 2025

mesija said:
I was wondering how do users of Nikon DSLRs find ergonomics of the Z bodies?

My hand and fingers get tired from using Z5 for half an hour or so.

It feels like 'm gripping to hard because the body is smallish, but heavier then expected...

I could hold D700/800 bodies all day.

Z6 III grip is thicker and seems to feel better in my hands.

Z8 is to large for me to consider.

I'm thinking of whether I should buy Z6 III or Z5 II.

Z5 II is the body I want...

I added the bold font to the OP's post.

It is interesting that the OP can hold the D700 or D800 all day but find the Z8 too large. I happen to still have a D800E (essentially exactly the same as the D800), and actually I also still own a D700. If anything, the D800 is slightly larger than the Z8 and since the D800 is a DSLR with the mirror inside, it is thicker, naturally.

I just held both cameras. The grip on the D800E now feels a bit shallow and the Z8 is more comfortable for me to hold. I also have a Z6iii. If the OP prefers something smaller, the Z6iii and presumably the Z5ii would be the way to go, but I have never even seen a Z5ii.

And now the F-mount really looks small. Never felt that way in the 40 years when Nikon SLRs were my main cameras.

Left: Z8, Right: D800E

Top: Z8, Bottom: D800E

GeoffRG · May 24, 2025

mesija said:
I was wondering how do users of Nikon DSLRs find ergonomics of the Z bodies?

My hand and fingers get tired from using Z5 for half an hour or so.

It feels like 'm gripping to hard because the body is smallish, but heavier then expected...

I could hold D700/800 bodies all day.

Z6 III grip is thicker and seems to feel better in my hands.

Z8 is to large for me to consider.

I'm thinking of whether I should buy Z6 III or Z5 II.

Z5 II is the body I want...

The Nikon Z8 is actually smaller than the D800 you say you could hold all day, it's also lighter.

ZEricM · May 24, 2025

I just switched from a Z5 to a Z5II yesterday and I can't tell much difference. I traded the Z5 in so I can't do a true side-by-side comparison.

When I started with the Z5 a year ago, I thought it might be a little bit too small for my hands. I found I got used to it quickly. I really appreciate that I can do all the settings with my right hand without having to pull the camera away from my eye. I don't think I would want a smaller camera.

I came from a D7000 which I normally had configured with an MB-D11 grip/battery pack - by comparison the Z5 (and the Z5II) are quite light and compact.

monte12345 · May 24, 2025

I will also note that I found the Z7 II that I replaced my D750 with felt very similar to the D750. Pluses for the Z7 II is the higher resolution and better Memory cards and a better rear screen. An additional plus is the body is about 1/2 lbs lighter than the D750 and lenses such as the 24-120mm f4 is noticeably lighter in the Z mount versus the AF-S F mount.

I would suggest trying to find a Z5II in your area where you can actually go to the shop and see how it feels. From a functional stand point I have the Z5II's prettier twin, the Zf. Based on my Zf I can state that you will find at excellent AF system paired up with an excellent imaging sensor. In addition you'll have a host of programmable buttons I can only wish the Zf had.

mesija · May 24, 2025

shuncheung said:
mesija said:

I was wondering how do users of Nikon DSLRs find ergonomics of the Z bodies?

My hand and fingers get tired from using Z5 for half an hour or so.

It feels like 'm gripping to hard because the body is smallish, but heavier then expected...

I could hold D700/800 bodies all day.

Z6 III grip is thicker and seems to feel better in my hands.

Z8 is to large for me to consider.

I'm thinking of whether I should buy Z6 III or Z5 II.

Z5 II is the body I want...

Click to expand...

I added the bold font to the OP's post.

It is interesting that the OP can hold the D700 or D800 all day but find the Z8 too large.

To clarify, I've tried Z8, it's not to large because of the size/weight, but because, at this stage of my life, I would like a smaller body and smaller primes.

When I was shooting D7xx/D8xx I had no problem carrying trinity f/2.8 zooms.

I don't want to do that anymore.

Z6 III actually is smaller and did feel better in my hands that Z5, but I don't need a sports camera and occasionally shoot landscapes, so I don't like partially stacked sensor has lower dynamic range at base iso then Z5 II's sensor.

Pierre Lagarde · May 24, 2025

mesija said:
shuncheung said:

mesija said:

I was wondering how do users of Nikon DSLRs find ergonomics of the Z bodies?

My hand and fingers get tired from using Z5 for half an hour or so.

It feels like 'm gripping to hard because the body is smallish, but heavier then expected...

I could hold D700/800 bodies all day.

Z6 III grip is thicker and seems to feel better in my hands.

Z8 is to large for me to consider.

I'm thinking of whether I should buy Z6 III or Z5 II.

Z5 II is the body I want...

Click to expand...

I added the bold font to the OP's post.

It is interesting that the OP can hold the D700 or D800 all day but find the Z8 too large.

Click to expand...

To clarify, I've tried Z8, it's not to large because of the size/weight, but because, at this stage of my life, I would like a smaller body and smaller primes.

When I was shooting D7xx/D8xx I had no problem carrying trinity f/2.8 zooms.

I don't want to do that anymore.

Z6 III actually is smaller and did feel better in my hands that Z5, but I don't need a sports camera and occasionally shoot landscapes, so I don't like partially stacked sensor has lower dynamic range at base iso then Z5 II's sensor.

Lower dynamic range for Z6III has been extensively discussed everywhere. The conclusion is always you'll never notice it, and image quality is globally outstanding. On the other hand, it can be understood that price and accuracy to usage can be two good reasons to prefer Z5II. I did

ajr images · May 24, 2025

I've been using Nikon 'pro' bodies since the mid 1980's (F4S thru D6), and now use Z9's, which for me are the perfect size. I also have a Z6III for traveling, and while it does produce very good images, it feels a bit like a toy.

arniebook · May 24, 2025

mesija said:
I was wondering how do users of Nikon DSLRs find ergonomics of the Z bodies?

My hand and fingers get tired from using Z5 for half an hour or so.

It feels like 'm gripping to hard because the body is smallish, but heavier then expected...

I could hold D700/800 bodies all day.

Z6 III grip is thicker and seems to feel better in my hands.

Z8 is to large for me to consider.

I'm thinking of whether I should buy Z6 III or Z5 II.

Z5 II is the body I want...

I rented a Z5 before considering giving up my beloved D500, and, frankly I did not like the Z5 body, compared to the 'pro-type' D500, but the Z5 did produce great images. I ended up buying a Z8, which is a 'pro' body, and I think is the closest Z camera, in both ergonomics and features, to the D500, although there are additional reasons for buying the Z8. The Z8 would be very similar to the 'pro-type' D850, as well, but, as a comparison for you, I don't know how much difference there is between the D850 and D800, which you could hold all day.

I'm in my middle 80's, and carry the Z8 with the 70-200 f2.8 E FL + FTZ II adapter for day, and weekend long Tennis Tournaments, as well as with the 500mm f5.6E PF + FTZ II on a few hours long wildlife and bird hikes. Both set-ups are heavier than the respective D500 set-ups. Do I get tired? You bet I do! But, I can do it.

Arnie

Bill Ferris · May 24, 2025

I love the feel of the Z9 in my hands...the weight, the control placement, the EVF display, everything.

HyperCypher · May 24, 2025

My Z8 feels nearly perfect.

When I'm traveling, it's just too big.

First world problem.

Lance B · May 24, 2025

The Z8 looks almost identical size to the D700:

Weight:

Z7 = 910gms

D700 = 1074gms

They are almost identical!

--
Lance B

Lance BB

Explore Lance BB’s 738 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

Galleries by Lance B

www.pbase.com

ergonomics of the Z bodies

Senior Member

Veteran Member

Senior Member

Leading Member

Senior Member

Leading Member

Senior Member

Leading Member

Leading Member

Veteran Member

Senior Member

Active member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Leading Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Community Leader

Senior Member

Forum Pro

Similar threads

Keyboard shortcuts