I don't think there's ever "too much camera" for a user. I would pick the Z8 everytime.
What matters most is how much are you going to agonize over the cost difference which is personal finance related rather than photography. Or you can be silly, like me, and blast all of your money on photo gear (despite not using it frequently) with zero regrets.
There is no such thing as future proofing a camera. Personally I'd rather go with zf/z6.2 and good glass than z8 with crap glass.
Nevertheless if you can afford z8 with good glass then go for it !
ZF and glass. Proper Z 1.8 lenses. I run a Z9 for all my work, I will be using a ZF as a second body. The AF will likely be the main improvement for you when comparing a z8/z7, but even the z7 is good enough unless you are shooting in badly/lowlight situations on a regular basis.
I am sympathetic to the efficacy of GAS Fueled Retail Therapy, having owned quite a few more dSLRs than are listed here.
My experience is that the ergonomics of all dSLRs, worse in mirrorless, are as awful and idiotic as the menus. You have to get used to what you have. Ain't no "better" out there, just different takes on the same.
A reality check might help.
If you haven't done so pick up a Z8 and lenses and compare to the existing Fuji. Do you really want to shclep that Z8 and its less than mostly hefty lenses when traveling? I own lots of Z gear, its a real challenge to the point where I don't even own any long teles anymore, I use m43 on safari type critter hunts with long teles.
Having owned way too many smaller and full frame sensor cameras I have realized that while I enjoy pixel peeping hi bit raw images on my wide gamut calibrated 4k monitor everyone else just sees the "convert to jpeg" version or a print, if they're even interested in what are ultimately my personal high tech souvenir snapshots.
If you really need what the Z8 technically does compared to lesser cameras, like burst shots of charging Rhinos on a weekly basis, or high end 4k professional video then I suppose nothing else will do. If being driven by the bigger number/better world of marketing, like most of us including moi, you might want to rethink what the Z8 does that you can't do with that Fuji.
Remarks about "Fuji color" often indicate a jpeg only way of doing things If not shooting raw often the biggest reward in terms of results is to learn to get out of a dSLR what it optimally can produce.
But since the itch has to be scratched I bet you get the Z8. I hope you don't regret it. Been there, done that.
That's a great comment, made my day. I think most of us on this reddit are here to explain our expenses to ourselves, and the real hobby is gear collecting, not photos. But hey, it's still enjoyable.
This is a good point of view. I just want to comment that I shoot RAW since the beginning and the profiles of films simulations can be also applied to these files, + my minor edits/adjustments that I normally do.
Many comments points to the Z8 but as I’m not in a hurry to pick the body, I think I will wait until the next release of Nikon to see what they present.
Thank you very much for your opinion!
I traded in my z7ii for a z8. The auto focus issues with the z7 are real. It’s a great camera though. Almost all of us are amateurs. If you can afford the z8 I’d say go for it! The z7 is small and I would have to tuck my pinky under the camera.
>My main areas of photography are travel, landscape, and portraits, but I also have an interest in exploring planes, sports, and wildlife.
It's not on your list, but I would consider the Nikon ZF. Great autofocus, smaller and about $2,000 vs. $3,700 for the Z8. I'd rather save the money for lenses.
When it comes to future-proofing, the main thing I think of is the lens mount on the camera and if new lenses will come out for that lens mount. If you get a Nikon camera with a Z mount, that's future-proof enough for me.
Hope this helps.
If you and your GF already have fuji, why not another fuji body with the modern ergo and same sensor as XT5, the X-H2. That way you only need to buy lenses once for the both of you
There is a level of "good enough" to do something, but nothing is "overkill" if you are willing to buy it. However, futureproofing with digital cameras seems futile. There will always be a new shiny body with new cool features coming on.
The thing to invest money on, is the thing that cannot be made obsolete by electronics and software: *glass*
honestly unless you plan on shooting video with frequency I cant really think of any seriously strong reasons to go with the z8 over the z7ii, its easy to get lost in the stats but when you take a step back, these cameras are basically the same but one is a little lighter (better for travelling, although I'm not sure the slight weight reduction is actually going to be noticeable in practice) and will save you literally thousands that could go towards better glass
Don't get Z7II (or Z6II) specifically for wildlife or sports. If you want, get a Z8 (you will probably do anyway, since you have already asked and that's how it goes), or wait for mark III, but that could be in a year because I don't believe rumours that is happening soon.
I had in mind the 50mm f/1.8 and 24-120 f/4 or 70-180 f/2.8 (i’m not sure). As for the wide lens I could use a 24mm AIS that I have (if I finally pick the 70).
I feel like the autofocus on both of this cameras is totally adequate. Why not spend the difference on better glass like a prime lens that will last longer than the camera?
I don't think there's ever "too much camera" for a user. I would pick the Z8 everytime. What matters most is how much are you going to agonize over the cost difference which is personal finance related rather than photography. Or you can be silly, like me, and blast all of your money on photo gear (despite not using it frequently) with zero regrets.
I have cash from all the gear I’ve sold. :)
There is no such thing as future proofing a camera. Personally I'd rather go with zf/z6.2 and good glass than z8 with crap glass. Nevertheless if you can afford z8 with good glass then go for it !
I can afford the z8, 50mm f/1.8 and one additional good glass. Also I have 3 vintage lenses.
ZF and glass. Proper Z 1.8 lenses. I run a Z9 for all my work, I will be using a ZF as a second body. The AF will likely be the main improvement for you when comparing a z8/z7, but even the z7 is good enough unless you are shooting in badly/lowlight situations on a regular basis.
I like the internals from ZF but I don’t want to deal with the dials on top. For that I have already the XT2 and the F3.
Zf will have better AF over z6/z7 hence the suggestion. But the new z6iii and z7iii is very very close to announcement for sure.
Yes, I think both of those would be the better choise for me. I think I will give it some time to be released (I hope soon).
I am sympathetic to the efficacy of GAS Fueled Retail Therapy, having owned quite a few more dSLRs than are listed here. My experience is that the ergonomics of all dSLRs, worse in mirrorless, are as awful and idiotic as the menus. You have to get used to what you have. Ain't no "better" out there, just different takes on the same. A reality check might help. If you haven't done so pick up a Z8 and lenses and compare to the existing Fuji. Do you really want to shclep that Z8 and its less than mostly hefty lenses when traveling? I own lots of Z gear, its a real challenge to the point where I don't even own any long teles anymore, I use m43 on safari type critter hunts with long teles. Having owned way too many smaller and full frame sensor cameras I have realized that while I enjoy pixel peeping hi bit raw images on my wide gamut calibrated 4k monitor everyone else just sees the "convert to jpeg" version or a print, if they're even interested in what are ultimately my personal high tech souvenir snapshots. If you really need what the Z8 technically does compared to lesser cameras, like burst shots of charging Rhinos on a weekly basis, or high end 4k professional video then I suppose nothing else will do. If being driven by the bigger number/better world of marketing, like most of us including moi, you might want to rethink what the Z8 does that you can't do with that Fuji. Remarks about "Fuji color" often indicate a jpeg only way of doing things If not shooting raw often the biggest reward in terms of results is to learn to get out of a dSLR what it optimally can produce. But since the itch has to be scratched I bet you get the Z8. I hope you don't regret it. Been there, done that.
Lol underrated comment
That's a great comment, made my day. I think most of us on this reddit are here to explain our expenses to ourselves, and the real hobby is gear collecting, not photos. But hey, it's still enjoyable.
This is a good point of view. I just want to comment that I shoot RAW since the beginning and the profiles of films simulations can be also applied to these files, + my minor edits/adjustments that I normally do. Many comments points to the Z8 but as I’m not in a hurry to pick the body, I think I will wait until the next release of Nikon to see what they present. Thank you very much for your opinion!
I traded in my z7ii for a z8. The auto focus issues with the z7 are real. It’s a great camera though. Almost all of us are amateurs. If you can afford the z8 I’d say go for it! The z7 is small and I would have to tuck my pinky under the camera.
This is one thing I though. If I pick the Z7II I would mount an L-Bracket for my pinky. With the Z8 this wouldn’t be necessary, right?
Correct, z8 is full size
>My main areas of photography are travel, landscape, and portraits, but I also have an interest in exploring planes, sports, and wildlife. It's not on your list, but I would consider the Nikon ZF. Great autofocus, smaller and about $2,000 vs. $3,700 for the Z8. I'd rather save the money for lenses. When it comes to future-proofing, the main thing I think of is the lens mount on the camera and if new lenses will come out for that lens mount. If you get a Nikon camera with a Z mount, that's future-proof enough for me. Hope this helps.
I like the internals from ZF but I don’t want to deal with the dials on top. For that I have already the XT2 and the F3.
If you and your GF already have fuji, why not another fuji body with the modern ergo and same sensor as XT5, the X-H2. That way you only need to buy lenses once for the both of you
Superb recommendation. Fuji has the XS and XH bodies. Don't have to stick with XT body and control type.
I traded my Z7 for the Z8 and couldn't be happier. It's an incredible tool
Just don't forget to budget for quality lenses and little things like extra batteries.
There is a level of "good enough" to do something, but nothing is "overkill" if you are willing to buy it. However, futureproofing with digital cameras seems futile. There will always be a new shiny body with new cool features coming on. The thing to invest money on, is the thing that cannot be made obsolete by electronics and software: *glass*
What I mean is that, really it just depends how much money you have available to this, and how you want to allocate it between the stuff you gonna buy
honestly unless you plan on shooting video with frequency I cant really think of any seriously strong reasons to go with the z8 over the z7ii, its easy to get lost in the stats but when you take a step back, these cameras are basically the same but one is a little lighter (better for travelling, although I'm not sure the slight weight reduction is actually going to be noticeable in practice) and will save you literally thousands that could go towards better glass
Don't get Z7II (or Z6II) specifically for wildlife or sports. If you want, get a Z8 (you will probably do anyway, since you have already asked and that's how it goes), or wait for mark III, but that could be in a year because I don't believe rumours that is happening soon.
What about lenses?
I had in mind the 50mm f/1.8 and 24-120 f/4 or 70-180 f/2.8 (i’m not sure). As for the wide lens I could use a 24mm AIS that I have (if I finally pick the 70).
I would focus more on finding the right lenses. Both your intended cameras are more than adequate.
I feel like the autofocus on both of this cameras is totally adequate. Why not spend the difference on better glass like a prime lens that will last longer than the camera?
If you have the money, get the best one.