What To Know
- In this blog post, we’ll take a close look at the Nikon Z9 vs Z8 autofocus systems and help you decide which camera is the best choice for your needs.
- The Z8 can focus in light levels as low as -6 EV, while the Z9 can only focus in light levels as low as -4 EV.
- However, if you’re on a budget or if you need a camera that can focus in very low light conditions, then the Nikon Z8 is a good choice.
The Nikon Z9 and Z8 are two of the most advanced mirrorless cameras on the market, and both offer excellent autofocus systems. But what are the key differences between the two cameras’ autofocus systems, and which one is right for you? In this blog post, we’ll take a close look at the Nikon Z9 vs Z8 autofocus systems and help you decide which camera is the best choice for your needs.
Autofocus Performance
The Nikon Z9 and Z8 both use a hybrid autofocus system that combines phase-detection and contrast-detection autofocus. This system is very fast and accurate, and it can track moving subjects even in low-light conditions. However, there are some key differences between the two cameras’ autofocus systems.
Nikon Z9 Autofocus
The Nikon Z9 has a 493-point phase-detection autofocus system, which is more than twice as many as the Z8’s 273-point phase-detection autofocus system. This gives the Z9 a wider area of coverage and allows it to track subjects more accurately, even when they’re moving quickly or erratically.
The Z9 also has a faster autofocus acquisition speed than the Z8. It can acquire focus in just 0.05 seconds, while the Z8 takes 0.1 seconds. This makes the Z9 ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects, such as sports or wildlife.
Nikon Z8 Autofocus
The Nikon Z8’s autofocus system is still very good, but it’s not quite as fast or accurate as the Z9’s. It has a 273-point phase-detection autofocus system, which is still a lot of coverage, but it’s not as wide as the Z9’s. The Z8 also has a slightly slower autofocus acquisition speed than the Z9, at 0.1 seconds.
However, the Z8 does have one advantage over the Z9 when it comes to autofocus: it can focus in lower light conditions. The Z8 can focus in light levels as low as -6 EV, while the Z9 can only focus in light levels as low as -4 EV. This makes the Z8 a better choice for shooting in low-light conditions, such as night photography or astrophotography.
Eye-Detection Autofocus
Both the Nikon Z9 and Z8 have eye-detection autofocus, which is a feature that automatically detects and focuses on a subject’s eyes. This is a very useful feature for portrait photography, as it ensures that your subject’s eyes are always in focus, even if they’re moving around.
The Nikon Z9’s eye-detection autofocus system is very good, and it can even track a subject’s eyes when they’re wearing glasses or sunglasses. The Z8’s eye-detection autofocus system is also very good, but it’s not quite as good as the Z9’s. It can sometimes struggle to track a subject’s eyes when they’re moving quickly or when they’re wearing glasses or sunglasses.
Animal-Detection Autofocus
The Nikon Z9 also has animal-detection autofocus, which is a feature that automatically detects and focuses on animals’ eyes. This is a very useful feature for wildlife photography, as it allows you to quickly and easily focus on your subject, even if it’s moving around.
The Z9’s animal-detection autofocus system is very good, and it can even track animals’ eyes when they’re moving quickly or when they’re partially obscured by vegetation. The Z8 does not have animal-detection autofocus.
Which Camera is Right for You?
The Nikon Z9 and Z8 are both excellent cameras, but they have different strengths and weaknesses. The Z9 has a faster and more accurate autofocus system, as well as animal-detection autofocus. The Z8 has a better low-light autofocus performance and a lower price tag.
So, which camera is right for you? If you need the best possible autofocus performance, then the Nikon Z9 is the way to go. However, if you’re on a budget or if you need a camera that can focus in very low light conditions, then the Nikon Z8 is a good choice.
Dynamic Subject Tracking
Both the Nikon Z9 and Z8 offer excellent dynamic subject tracking capabilities. The Z9’s autofocus system is able to track moving subjects with great accuracy, even in challenging conditions. The Z8’s autofocus system is also very good at tracking moving subjects, but it may not be as effective as the Z9’s in some situations.
Autofocus Customization
The Nikon Z9 and Z8 both offer a variety of autofocus customization options. This allows you to fine-tune the autofocus system to your specific needs. You can adjust the autofocus sensitivity, the focus area, and the focus mode. You can also create custom autofocus presets for different shooting situations.
Which Camera is Better for Video?
The Nikon Z9 and Z8 both offer excellent video capabilities. The Z9 can shoot 8K video at 30fps, while the Z8 can shoot 4K video at 60fps. Both cameras have excellent image quality and autofocus performance in video mode.
However, the Z9 has a few advantages over the Z8 for video. The Z9 has a longer battery life, and it can also record video for longer periods of time without overheating. The Z9 also has a built-in ND filter, which can be useful for reducing the amount of light entering the lens.
Wrap-Up: Nikon Z9 vs Z8 Autofocus
The Nikon Z9 and Z8 are both excellent cameras with excellent autofocus systems. The Z9 has a faster and more accurate autofocus system, as well as animal-detection autofocus. The Z8 has a better low-light autofocus performance and a lower price tag.
Ultimately, the best camera for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. If you need the best possible autofocus performance, then the Nikon Z9 is the way to go. However, if you’re on a budget or if you need a camera that can focus in very low light conditions, then the Nikon Z8 is a good choice.
Questions You May Have
1. Which camera has a faster autofocus acquisition speed?
The Nikon Z9 has a faster autofocus acquisition speed than the Z8. The Z9 can acquire focus in just 0.05 seconds, while the Z8 takes 0.1 seconds.
2. Which camera has a wider autofocus coverage area?
The Nikon Z9 has a wider autofocus coverage area than the Z8. The Z9 has a 493-point phase-detection autofocus system, while the Z8 has a 273-point phase-detection autofocus system.
3. Which camera has better low-light autofocus performance?
The Nikon Z8 has better low-light autofocus performance than the Z9. The Z8 can focus in light levels as low as -6 EV, while the Z9 can only focus in light levels as low as -4 EV.
