The Nikon Z8 is Nikon's second flagship full-frame mirrorless camera, released in 2023. It shares the same image processor and video capabilities as the Z9 in a lighter body without the integrated vertical grip. It is often described as the Z9's more portable sibling — same image quality, same RAW video, lighter form factor.
The Z8 has two CFexpress Type B slots, identical to the Z9. No SD slot. Both slots accept CFexpress Type B or XQD cards.
All minimum write speed requirements carry over from the Z9:
Important: The ProGrade Digital Gold 128GB's 260 MB/s sustained write speed does not clear the N-RAW requirement. Verify card capacity tier when checking write speed — speed ratings often differ between 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB versions of the same card family.
XQD cards work in both slots at XQD speeds (up to ~440 MB/s write).
The Z8 has a standard 3.5mm TRS mic input. Compatible with DJI Mic 2, DJI Mic Mini, and Rode Wireless GO II via 3.5mm TRS cable.
For video work at the Z8 level, a dedicated audio interface or XLR adapter often makes more sense than a wireless clip-on system. The Z8 lacks Sony's Multi Interface Shoe, so XLR adapters must connect via the 3.5mm input and require external power.
Body weight of the Z8 is approximately 910g — significantly lighter than the Z9 (1,340g) because it lacks the integrated vertical grip.
With representative lenses:
For video work with telephoto lenses, the DJI RS 4 is the appropriate gimbal pairing.
Write speed requirements sourced from Nikon's official Z8 product page and firmware changelog. XQD compatibility confirmed via Nikon's media compatibility documentation. Learn how we score compatibility.
The Nikon Z8 has 14 confirmed compatible products, 6 that work with conditions, and 4 known incompatible. All verdicts are sourced from manufacturer spec pages or verified community reports. How we verify compatibility.
Sony Tough G 128GB CFexpress Type B
Nikon Z8 Slot 1 accepts CFexpress Type B. Sony Tough G is VPG400 rated at 1480 MB/s write — meets all Z8 recording modes including N-RAW 12-bit and ProRes RAW HQ 12-bit, which Nikon specifically recommends VPG400 CFexpress cards for.
Angelbird AV PRO SD V90 128GB
Nikon Z8 Slot 2 accepts SD UHS-II. Angelbird AV Pro writes at 280 MB/s (V90) — exceeds the Z8's 250 MB/s SD minimum for high frame size and rate video modes. N-RAW 12-bit and ProRes RAW HQ 12-bit are CFexpress Type B (Slot 1) only and unaffected.
Delkin Devices PRIME SD V90 128GB
Nikon Z8 Slot 2 accepts SD UHS-II. Delkin PRIME V90 writes at 250 MB/s (V90) — meets the Z8's 250 MB/s SD minimum for high frame size and rate video modes. N-RAW and ProRes RAW HQ are CFexpress Type B only and unaffected.
Sony SF-G Tough 128GB
Nikon Z8 Slot 2 accepts SD UHS-II. Sony SF-G Tough writes at 299 MB/s (V90) — exceeds the Z8's 250 MB/s SD minimum for high frame size and rate video modes. N-RAW and ProRes RAW HQ are CFexpress Type B only and unaffected.
Lexar CFexpress Type B Professional Gold 128GB
Nikon Z8 Slot 1 accepts CFexpress Type B. Lexar Professional Gold is VPG400 rated at 1500 MB/s write — meets all Z8 recording modes including N-RAW 12-bit and ProRes RAW HQ 12-bit, which Nikon recommends VPG400 cards for.
Delkin Devices POWER CFexpress Type B 128GB
Nikon Z8 Slot 1 accepts CFexpress Type B. Delkin POWER is VPG400 rated at 1700 MB/s write — meets all Z8 recording modes including N-RAW 12-bit and ProRes RAW HQ 12-bit, which Nikon recommends VPG400 cards for.
Lexar Professional 2000x 128GB SD UHS-II
Nikon Z8 Slot 2 accepts SD UHS-II. Lexar 2000x 128GB writes at 260 MB/s (V90) — exceeds the Z8's 250 MB/s SD minimum for high frame size and rate video modes. N-RAW and ProRes RAW HQ are CFexpress Type B only and unaffected.
Transcend 700S V90 128GB
Nikon Z8 Slot 2 accepts SD UHS-II. Transcend 700S writes at 250 MB/s (V90) — meets the Z8's 250 MB/s SD minimum for high frame size and rate video modes. N-RAW and ProRes RAW HQ are CFexpress Type B only and unaffected.
Lexar Professional 2000x 256GB SD
Nikon Z8 Slot 2 accepts SD UHS-II. Lexar 2000x 256GB writes at 260 MB/s (V90) -- meets the Z8's 250 MB/s SD minimum for high frame size and rate video modes. N-RAW and ProRes RAW HQ are CFexpress Type B only and unaffected.
Kingston Canvas React Plus V90 128GB
Nikon Z8 Slot 2 accepts SD UHS-II. Kingston Canvas React Plus V90 writes at 260 MB/s (V90) -- exceeds the Z8's 250 MB/s SD minimum for high frame size and rate video modes. N-RAW and ProRes RAW HQ are CFexpress Type B only and unaffected.
Samsung PRO Plus 256GB SD
Nikon Z8 Slot 2 accepts UHS-I SD cards. Samsung Pro Plus is UHS-I V30 (~90 MB/s) -- meets the Z8 minimum for basic video recording (UHS Speed Class 3 required) and still photography. Cannot record video at high frame size or rate, which requires a minimum 250 MB/s SD card per Nikon specification.
DJI Mic 2
Nikon Z8 has a 3.5mm stereo mini jack external microphone input. DJI Mic 2 includes a 3.5mm TRS analog camera output. Direct plug-and-play connection, no adapter required.
DJI Mic Mini
Nikon Z8 has a 3.5mm stereo mini jack external microphone input. DJI Mic Mini includes a 3.5mm TRS analog camera output. Direct plug-and-play connection, no adapter required.
Rode Wireless GO II
Nikon Z8 has a 3.5mm stereo mini jack external microphone input. Rode Wireless GO II includes a 3.5mm TRS analog camera output. Direct plug-and-play connection, no adapter required.
Lexar Professional 1667x 64GB SD
Nikon Z8 Slot 2 accepts SD UHS-II. Lexar 1667x writes at 120 MB/s (V60) — meets the Z8 minimum for standard video recording (UHS Speed Class 3 required). Cannot record video at high frame size or rate, which requires a 250 MB/s SD card per Nikon specification.
ProGrade Digital V60 128GB SD
Nikon Z8 Slot 2 accepts SD UHS-II. ProGrade V60 writes at 130 MB/s (V60) — meets the Z8 minimum for standard video recording (UHS Speed Class 3 required). Cannot record video at high frame size or rate, which requires a 250 MB/s SD card per Nikon specification.
Sony SF-M Tough Series 128GB SD UHS-II
Nikon Z8 Slot 2 accepts SD UHS-II. Sony SF-M Tough writes at 150 MB/s (V60) — meets the Z8 minimum for standard video recording (UHS Speed Class 3 required). Cannot record video at high frame size or rate, which requires a 250 MB/s SD card per Nikon specification.
ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type B Gold 128GB
The Nikon Z8 accepts CFexpress Type B in Slot 1. The ProGrade Digital Gold (128GB) writes at 260 MB/s (min sustained ~250). Nikon recommends VPG400 (400 MB/s) cards for N-RAW and ProRes RAW HQ specifically because those modes need 300-750 MB/s sustained -- this card does not clear that floor. It works for standard 4K/60 and lighter modes that stay under ~250 MB/s. The earlier '1400 MB/s, VPG400 rated' claim was the 256GB SKU's number, not this 128GB card's -- corrected 2026-06-21.
SanDisk Extreme microSDXC UHS-I 128GB
Nikon Z8 has a full-size SD card slot. SanDisk Extreme microSDXC UHS-I 128GB (real write speed 130 MB/s) fits via the bundled microSD-to-SD adapter and clears this camera's standard/base recording modes (UHS Speed Class 3), but does not reach the ~250 MB/s sustained write speed this camera's manual recommends for its high frame-size/rate video modes -- those modes are CFexpress-recommended anyway.
Kingston Canvas Go! Plus microSDXC 128GB
Nikon Z8 has a full-size SD card slot. Kingston Canvas Go! Plus microSDXC 128GB (real write speed 90 MB/s) fits via the bundled microSD-to-SD adapter and clears this camera's standard/base recording modes (UHS Speed Class 3), but does not reach the ~250 MB/s sustained write speed this camera's manual recommends for its high frame-size/rate video modes -- those modes are CFexpress-recommended anyway.
Sony Tough CEA-G480T 480GB CFexpress Type A
Nikon Z8 Slot 1 accepts only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards. Sony CEA-G480T is CFexpress Type A — a physically different form factor with a different connector that cannot be inserted into the Z8's Type B/XQD slot.
Nextorage NX-A2PRO 160GB CFexpress Type A
Nikon Z8 Slot 1 accepts only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards. Nextorage NX-A2Pro is CFexpress Type A — a physically different form factor with a different connector that cannot be inserted into the Z8's Type B/XQD slot.
Lexar Professional CFexpress Type A Gold 256GB
Nikon Z8 Slot 1 accepts only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards. Lexar Professional CFexpress Type A Gold is a Type A card — physically incompatible with the Z8's Type B/XQD slot.
ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type A 120GB
Nikon Z8 Slot 1 accepts only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards. ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type A is physically incompatible with the Z8's Type B/XQD slot.