As I noted elsewhere, the Z8 is to the Z9 as the D700 was to the D3: basically the same image sensor and pipeline in a different body. It’s interesting to note the other differences between the D700 and D3, though, versus those between the Z8 and Z9.
Let’s start with the DSLRs:
- D700 added (introduced) sensor cleaning
- D700 had a reduced viewfinder coverage (95% instead of 100%)
- D700 had a reduced frame rate (5 fps instead of 9 fps)
- D700 had a slightly reduced raw buffer (100 JPEGs versus 130)
- D700 had an optional MB-D10 battery pack while the D3 had that and the vertical grip controls built in
- D700 dropped the second rear info LCD
- D700 had one card slot instead of two, under a different door mechanism
- D700 made some changes to information on the rear LCD
- D700 had an autofocus assist lamp
- D700 had a built-in flash
- D700 indicated DX crop via lines instead of shading
- D700 had a lower maximum continuous burst (100 versus 200)
- D700 used the smaller body battery (then EN-EL3)
- D700 added some function button customizations
- D700 added virtual horizon overlay on Live View
- D700 used a different shutter than the D3
What was the same between the D3 and D700 was the image sensor, EXPEED processor, metering image sensor, and pretty much everything all the UX (most controls, menu items, etc.).
The first question we need to ask is whether Nikon used the same formula in creating the Z8 from the Z9. With #5, #7, #13, the answer would be basically yes. But with the other items, the answer is no. Curiously, the price differential is somewhat the same (US$1500 difference for the Z8/Z9, US$1700 for the D700/D3).
This brings to question of exactly how Nikon determined the pricing for the Z8. As far as I can tell, the parts cost differences between a Z8 and Z9 are:
- Smaller capacity battery
- No GPS circuitry and antenna
- No Ethernet connection
- Different frame construction
- Replacement of second CFe slot with SD
While some think that Nikon patterned the Z8 on what they did with the D700, there were many more tangible difference between a D3 and D700 than we see between the Z8 and Z9. Functionally, the D700 and D3 were somewhat different cameras, while there’s very little functional difference between a Z8 and Z9.
What is interesting to contemplate, however, is that the D3s came a year after the D700 and did change even more things from the D700 model, adding video, an image sensor improvement, and increased buffer performance. I suspect that given the upcoming 2024 Olympics, we may see a Z9 II that makes some other similar performance improvements. Nothing big enough to invalidate the original Z9, but enough to show that Nikon continues to push that model forward.
