Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera with 24-120mm f/4 Lens and FTZ II Adapter Kit – A Complete Review (2025)
Introduction
The Nikon Z8 has been a game-changer in the mirrorless camera industry, offering near-flagship performance at a more accessible price than the Z9. Paired with the Nikon 24-120mm f/4 S lens and the FTZ II Adapter, this kit is designed for both professional and enthusiast photographers looking for versatility and legacy lens compatibility. In this review, we’ll dive deep into its performance, build quality, lens capability, and value for money in 2025.
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Key Features
✅ 45.7MP Stacked CMOS Sensor – Stunning image quality with ultra-fast readout.
✅ EXPEED 7 Processor – Enables high-speed performance and AI-driven autofocus.
✅ 8K Video Recording (60p/30p) – Cinema-grade video capabilities.
✅ 20fps RAW & 120fps JPEG Burst Mode – Perfect for action and wildlife photography.
✅ Advanced Autofocus System – AI-powered subject detection and tracking.
✅ 5-Axis In-Body Image Stabilization (IBIS) – Up to 6 stops of stabilization.
✅ Fully Weather-Sealed Magnesium Alloy Body – Durable for extreme conditions.
✅ 24-120mm f/4 S Lens – Versatile zoom range with constant f/4 aperture.
✅ FTZ II Adapter – Seamless compatibility with F-mount lenses.
Design & Build Quality
The Nikon Z8 follows the ergonomic excellence of the Z9 while being 30% smaller, making it lightweight yet rugged. It features a high-resolution EVF, a fully articulating 3.2-inch LCD, and dual card slots (CFexpress & SD UHS-II). The button layout is intuitive, and the grip is deep and comfortable, making it perfect for long shooting sessions.
The weather-sealed magnesium alloy body ensures durability in harsh conditions, ideal for outdoor photography.
FTZ II Adapter – Enhanced Lens Compatibility
The FTZ II Adapter allows full functionality of Nikon’s F-mount lenses with minimal limitations. Autofocus performance is almost identical to native Z-mount lenses, making it a must-have for photographers with existing Nikon DSLR lenses.
Performance & Image Quality
📷 Image Quality
With its 45.7MP stacked sensor, the Z8 delivers exceptional detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance. Skin tones, landscapes, and action shots all retain excellent color accuracy and sharpness.
📌 ISO Performance: The Z8 handles ISO 64 to 25,600 with ease, providing clean images even in low-light conditions.
📌 Dynamic Range: Shadows and highlights retain impressive detail, making it ideal for landscapes and portrait photographers.
🎥 Video Performance
The 8K 60p RAW and 4K 120p recording make the Z8 a powerful hybrid camera. Features like internal ProRes 422 HQ recording and 10-bit N-Log provide high flexibility for content creators and videographers.
📌 Rolling Shutter? – Minimal, thanks to the stacked sensor.
📌 Autofocus in Video – Fast, accurate, and reliable subject tracking.
Autofocus & Speed
The AI-powered autofocus is one of the best in the industry, locking onto humans, animals, and vehicles with pinpoint accuracy.
📌 20fps RAW Burst Mode – Perfect for action and wildlife photographers.
📌 120fps JPEG Mode – Capture fast-moving subjects with incredible detail.
Even in low light, the autofocus remains snappy and responsive, making it a dream camera for wedding and event photographers.
Lens Performance: Nikon 24-120mm f/4 S
The Nikon 24-120mm f/4 S is a versatile all-in-one lens, perfect for landscapes, portraits, and travel photography.
📌 Sharpness – Outstanding edge-to-edge sharpness across all focal lengths.
📌 Bokeh – Smooth and natural background blur, thanks to the 9-blade aperture.
📌 Vibration Reduction (VR) – Works seamlessly with the in-body stabilization for handheld shooting.
📌 Low Light Performance – While not as bright as f/2.8 lenses, the constant f/4 aperture provides good control over depth of field.
Overall, it’s a fantastic kit lens, offering high image quality and versatility.
Battery Life & Connectivity
🔋 Battery Life – Around 700-800 shots per charge, making it efficient for long shoots.
📡 Connectivity – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, and HDMI for easy file transfers and tethering.
Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
✔ Flagship performance at a lower price than the Z9
✔ Incredible autofocus with AI subject detection
✔ Versatile 24-120mm f/4 S lens – excellent travel & portrait lens
✔ 8K & 4K video recording – ideal for hybrid shooters
✔ 5-axis stabilization for steady shots
✔ FTZ II Adapter ensures legacy lens compatibility
❌ Cons
❌ No built-in GPS (though can be synced via SnapBridge)
❌ Battery life could be better for video shooters
❌ 8K files take up a lot of storage space
Is the Nikon Z8 Kit Worth It in 2025?
Absolutely! The Nikon Z8 with the 24-120mm f/4 S lens and FTZ II Adapter is an excellent investment for photographers and videographers alike. It offers high-end flagship features at a more affordable price than the Z9, while still delivering top-tier performance.
📌 If you’re looking for a lightweight yet powerful mirrorless camera that excels in photography and video, the Z8 kit is a fantastic choice.
💰 Who Should Buy This Kit?
✅ Professional and enthusiast photographers – Looking for a high-resolution camera with flagship performance.
✅ Videographers and content creators – Need 8K or 4K 120fps video with pro-level quality.
✅ Wildlife & action photographers – The fast 20fps RAW burst and AI autofocus make it ideal for fast-moving subjects.
✅ Nikon DSLR users – The FTZ II adapter lets you use existing F-mount lenses with ease.
1. Price & Value in 2025
💰 The Nikon Z8 kit remains a top-tier choice in 2025, offering flagship performance at a lower price than the Z9. While prices fluctuate, it’s generally positioned in the premium mirrorless segment.
📌 Expected Price in 2025:
- Nikon Z8 Body Only – Around $3,500 – $3,800
- Z8 + 24-120mm f/4 Lens Kit – Around $4,500 – $4,800
- FTZ II Adapter (Standalone) – Around $250
This makes the kit a great value, especially if you have older F-mount lenses to use with the FTZ II adapter.
2. Best Use Cases
The Nikon Z8 kit is highly versatile, making it a great choice for:
✔ Portrait Photography – The high-resolution sensor and beautiful bokeh from the 24-120mm f/4 S lens make it excellent for portraits.
✔ Landscape & Travel Photography – The dynamic range, image stabilization, and weather sealing make it perfect for outdoor shooting.
✔ Sports & Wildlife Photography – With 20fps RAW burst and AI-driven autofocus, it’s great for capturing fast-moving subjects.
✔ Videography & Content Creation – The 8K 60p and 4K 120p video features allow for cinema-quality content production.
3. Nikon Z8 vs Competitors (2025)
If you’re considering alternatives, here’s how the Z8 compares:
| Feature | Nikon Z8 | Canon EOS R5 | Sony A7R V |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 45.7MP Stacked CMOS | 45MP Full-Frame CMOS | 61MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS |
| Burst Mode | 20fps RAW, 120fps JPEG | 20fps RAW | 10fps RAW |
| Autofocus | AI-powered AF | Dual Pixel AF II | AI-powered AF |
| Video | 8K 60p, 4K 120p | 8K 30p, 4K 120p | 8K 24p, 4K 60p |
| IBIS | 5-axis, 6 stops | 5-axis, 8 stops | 5-axis, 8 stops |
| Battery Life | 700+ shots | 320 shots | 500 shots |
| Price (2025) | ~$3,500 | ~$3,200 | ~$3,800 |
📌 Verdict: The Nikon Z8 stands out for its fast performance, powerful video capabilities, and versatile kit lens. If you need more megapixels, the Sony A7R V is better. If you want a slightly cheaper alternative, the Canon R5 is a great pick.
4. Nikon Z8 Firmware Updates & Future-Proofing
🔄 Nikon has continuously improved the Z8 via firmware updates, enhancing autofocus, subject tracking, and video performance. In 2025, expect further AI-driven refinements and better compatibility with third-party lenses.
5. Accessories to Consider
To get the most out of your Nikon Z8 Kit, consider these add-ons:
✔ Extra Batteries (EN-EL15c) – For long shoots.
✔ High-Speed CFexpress Cards – Ideal for 8K video and burst shooting.
✔ ND Filters – Essential for cinematic video.
✔ External Mic (Rode, Sennheiser, Nikon ME-1) – For professional audio.
✔ Gimbal (DJI RS 3 Pro or Zhiyun Weebill 3) – If you’re shooting video.
Final Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
The Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera with 24-120mm f/4 Lens and FTZ II Adapter Kit is an outstanding package for 2025. Whether you’re a photographer, videographer, or hybrid shooter, this kit offers exceptional quality, versatility, and future-proofing.
✅ Highly Recommended for serious Nikon users!
Would you like a comparison with other cameras like the Canon R5 or Sony A7R V? Let me know! 🚀
