Reddit
reddit.com › r/nikon_zseries › not sure which to buy? z8? z9? (wildlife mainly)
r/nikon_Zseries on Reddit: Not sure which to buy? Z8? Z9? (Wildlife mainly)
April 18, 2025 -
Good morning all, thanks for your help in advance.
I currently have a Z7ii and a Z50ii I use the Z7 more for taking special pictures and wildlife (mostly birds), but the Z50ii which was bought for a smaller carry around camera is fast becoming my favourite because of the extra features (especially bird tracking).
I’m now wondering if it would be a big jump up in features and quality if I went to the Z8 or Z9? Mainly just for the bird tracking without having a crop.
I have the Z mount 180-600 which I love and the F mount 500mm F4 which is my favourite lens for wildlife. They all work incredibly well together even with 1.4 TC and even 2.0TC on occasion.
More than happy to sell some older gear to help pay for the upgrade so money isn’t an issue, with that in mind what would you guys suggest?
Many thanks
(Also open to any other body suggestions too)
Top answer 1 of 5
11
If you are not planning to jump into professional photography, I will recommend sticking to Z8. Z8 trumps over Z9 in terms of form factor. It's smaller and lighter compared to the latter. A key factor for those long wildlife sessions. Z9 trumps Z8 for having longer battery life and faster cards. Rest both are primarily the same camera under the hood. You are best to decide, which suits you more. Edit: Updating thoughts on the current setup. Z7ii - Scores big on 45MP sensor Z50ii - Offers expeed 7 processor I.e. better Autofocus, speed & video capabilities. While, both are good Z8 offers the best of Z50ii & Z7ii in one body. So theoretically one Z8 can replace both other cameras. However, having Z50ii with pancake lenses like 40mm & 28mm can be a fun light weight camera for most travel use cases.
2 of 5
9
The Z8 hands down, I have that paired with my Z mount 180-600 and the results are phenomenal.
BCG Forums
bcgforums.com › home › discussion forums › general photo discussion
Z8 and Z9, which do you use the most | Backcountry Gallery Photography Forums
March 5, 2024 - Click to expand... Did you mean to ask, Z9 and Z8? ... Click to expand... Yes, thank you ... For wildlife in motion, I find the Z9 superior because of its larger buffer. It’s also better balanced with long lenses. And, battery life is better.
Z8 vs Z9 - bird photo quality: Nikon Z Mirrorless Talk Forum
Dear all, I know.. lots of comparisons before on this... I read them but I can't find the answer. I nearly placed an order for a new Z8 as I see that my D500 and D850 fps are too slow for Bird. But.. on a trip to the local park, a lady with Z9 + 400 2.8 TC, mentioned to me that she got Z8 and... More on dpreview.com
Z8 vs Z9 for the same price
Here is my dilemma: in order to upgrade my d500 for a better af tracking (bif / wildlife) I was looking at the z8. Yet they sell z9 for almost the same price (4.8k vs 4.3), both new, no grey market etc. so I’m not sure what is better. On the one hand the z8 is attractive, a bit smaller and... More on dpreview.com
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1
June 21, 2023Nikon z9 vs Z8…. Not what I expected…
As it stands, the Z9 probably has the edge in AF performance... This is assuming its more recent firmware update (v5.0 13-iii-2024) incorporated the latest standard of Deep-Learning training of the subject detection. Z8 is on Fw v2.01 (24-iv-2023) However, only Nikon know the details about this stuff. I have just returned from a business trip to Australia, which included a couple of days wildlife photography... More on bcgforums.com
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November 28, 2024Z8 or Z9 with the 180-600mm lens?
I admit, I'm pretty novice compared to others on this sub, but $2k seems like a lot of money if your only reason for the Z9 is balance. More on reddit.com
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Photography Life
photographylife.com › home › comparison › nikon z8 vs nikon z9: which one should you get?
Nikon Z8 vs Nikon Z9: Which One Should You Get?
October 15, 2025 - I have essentially all buttons ... Buy a photo vest and wear your gear. ... The Z8 offers lighter weight, no GPS, one card slot which is not useful when high speeds are needed....
Digital Photography Review
dpreview.com › forums › camera companies › nikon talk › nikon z mirrorless talk
Z8 vs Z9 - bird photo quality: Nikon Z Mirrorless Talk Forum
March 24, 2024 - I have both the Z9 and Z8, and with Firmware 2.0 on the Z8, I can see no meaningful difference between either camera either with respect to AF performance or final output image quality. ... Both are exactly the same. You don't need more camera than these for photographing birds, ever.
Fstoppers
fstoppers.com › reviews › choosing-between-nikon-z9-and-z8-wildlife-photography-654849
Choosing Between the Nikon Z9 and Z8 for Wildlife Photography | Fstoppers
January 24, 2024 - On the other hand, the Z8, being lighter and more compact, offers similar features in a more travel-friendly package. This aspect is crucial for photographers who value portability and often embark on lengthy treks to capture wildlife.
Digital Photography Review
dpreview.com › forums › camera companies › nikon talk › nikon z mirrorless talk
Z8 vs Z9 for the same price: Nikon Z Mirrorless Talk Forum
June 21, 2023 - Otherwise I think the Z8 is more livable. Things like battery life can be worked around by getting spare batteries. You can't work around a shorter buffer though. If there is some other particular feature of the Z9 you absolutely need, then you already know the answer.
Tonywhitehead
tonywhitehead.com › home › blog › nikon z8 better than z9 for bird photography (again)
Nikon Z8 Better than Z9 for Bird Photography (again) - WildLight Photography
July 17, 2025 - On 25 Feb 2024 I wrote on Why the Nikon Z8 is a Better Bird Camera than Z9 (for now) At that stage the Z8 was better than the Z9 as a firmware update had enable a function button to be set to cycle AF area modes and this was a huge step forward ...
Tonywhitehead
tonywhitehead.com › home › blog › why the nikon z8 is a better bird camera than the z9 (for now)
Why the Nikon Z8 is a Better Bird Camera than the Z9 (for now) - WildLight Photography
February 25, 2024 - This makes the Z8 as good as the Z9 at focussing and tracking birds so why do I say it is better? The biggest learing curve I had with the change from the Nikon D500/D850 to the Nikon Z9 was getting to grips with the focus system. While the DSLRs were basically “set and forget”, the Nikon Z9 needs to be adjusted for different shooting scenarios...
BCG Forums
bcgforums.com › home › discussion forums › general photo discussion
Nikon z9 vs Z8…. Not what I expected… | Backcountry Gallery Photography Forums
November 28, 2024 - As it stands, the Z9 probably has the edge in AF performance... This is assuming its more recent firmware update (v5.0 13-iii-2024) incorporated the latest standard of Deep-Learning training of the subject detection.
Mirrorless Comparison
mirrorlesscomparison.com › home › nikon z8 vs z9 – the 10 main differences
Nikon Z8 vs Z9 - The 10 Main Differences - Mirrorless Comparison
May 15, 2025 - However, the choice between the Z8 and the Z9 ultimately boils down to personal preferences and, of course, your budget. The Z9 is larger and heavier, but it remains remarkably comfortable to use. Its 1.3kg weight didn’t pose any significant ...
Reddit
reddit.com › r/nikon › z8 or z9 with the 180-600mm lens?
r/Nikon on Reddit: Z8 or Z9 with the 180-600mm lens?
March 18, 2024 -
I'm deciding between the Z8 & Z9 for wildlife photography. I've heard that the Z9 is preferable for balancing long lenses. I'm curious, does this apply to the Nikon 180-600mm lens or is there not much of a difference in balance there?
Top answer 1 of 5
10
I admit, I'm pretty novice compared to others on this sub, but $2k seems like a lot of money if your only reason for the Z9 is balance.
2 of 5
8
I have the Z8 with the 180-600. Balances perfectly fine for me, both in hand and on a gimbal. Best advice I can give is if you can get to a shop to try then definitely do that, as it can be a personal preference.
DPRevived
dprevived.com › t › z8-vs-z9-and-the-1500-question › 3289
Z8 vs Z9 and the $1500 question | Photo Hardware Discussions | The-Photo Forum
So the Z8's out, and assuming the new features of the Z8 make it to the Z9 in a FW update, what's the $1500 get you? As a Z9 owner for the last year I'm wondering for new buyers, or even for my own satisfaction, what benefits does the Z9 have that could make up for the additional $1500 cost - I saw Thom's list, but he's missing some differences that matter more to me than the ones he has listed. In the real market, it's not $1500 - which was a factor I missed when I said that Nikon would never do what they just have.
BCG Forums
bcgforums.com › home › discussion forums › general photo discussion
Best nikon body (aside from Z8/Z9) for wildlife photography? | Backcountry Gallery Photography Forums
April 10, 2024 - Thanks for confirming that the Z8 is currently the best option for birding. I'm in Canada, the exchange rate really ups the cost. Will wait to see what Nikon will announce next. Thanks. ... I think the Zf is the best AF body after the Z8 and Z9 but the ergonomics are sub-par for a wildlife body.
Digital Photography Review
dpreview.com › forums › nikon z mirrorless talk › thinking of buying nikon z6iii or z8, some questions
Thinking of buying Nikon Z6iii or Z8, some questions: Nikon Z Mirrorless Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review
July 11, 2024 - ... Nikon Z9 Nikon Z6III Nikon Z 100-400mm Nikon Nikkor Z 400mm F2.8 TC VR S Nikkor 800mm F6.3 VR S +24 more ... I think your essential question is 45.5MP or 24MP? For landscape especially, the higher resolution will make you much happier. I came to the Z 8 and Z 9 from a D500/200-500mm and D850.
Zsentry
zsentry.com › nikon-z9-vs-z8-autofocus-p281
Nikon Z9 vs Z8 for Wildlife & Sports: A Focus on Autofocus - Zsentry
May 8, 2025 - The Z8 is also easier to pack and carry, making it a more convenient choice for travel and outdoor adventures. Both cameras offer exceptional build quality and weather sealing, ensuring reliable performance in a wide range of environmental conditions. The choice ultimately comes down to personal preference and how the camera feels in your hand...
Medium
medium.com › @bestoflens.com › nikon-z8-vs-nikon-z9-d52f10df8508
Nikon Z8 vs Nikon Z9. Nikon Z9 vs. Z8: A Tale of Two Titans | by Sharon Advik | Medium
September 9, 2025 - ... Speed & Performance: The Z9 reigns supreme in speed. It boasts a blistering 30 fps continuous shooting rate with full autofocus and auto-exposure, making it a beast for sports and wildlife photography.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/nikon › z8 vs z9
r/Nikon on Reddit: Z8 vs Z9
June 3, 2024 -
So I'm looking at moving to Mirrorless, leaving behind my D800.
I was originally looking at a Z6II/Z6III, but I've seen a few Z9's come up for sale and I am tempted by the Z8.... (Can anyone say gear creap?!) A used Z9 is about the same price as a used Z8, wondering what people think about the Z8 vs the Z9, any real advantages of either?
Top answer 1 of 5
9
I bought Z8 not Z9 because of the smaller form factor and I didn’t really need that second CFExpress port. Z8 allows me to decide if I want a battery from or not, rather than have it forced onto me. I also do a lot of photography up mountains at altitude, and weight matters, Z8 is the best trade off there, and critically will fit into most bags with a lens attached, flat, whereas the Z9 is just too deep.
2 of 5
6
The Z9 has significantly longer battery life and in my opinion a better form factor. But coming from a D800, you may not feel that strongly about the form factor/ergonomics. And the ergonomics can be fixed with a grip. And if you do video, the hot-swappable batteries of the grip on the 8 is pretty damned cool. I was coming from a D5 and a D6…and transitioned to a Z9 and the D6. Now I carry the Z9 and Z8 and the D6 rides in the bag for the handful of times where mirrorless blows. Other than the battery life and ergonomics…I’m not sure of any differences worth noting. You will love either. When Nikon releases a Z9H, I will sell one of these to buy it. Which, I’m not sure yet.