Live Science's Managing Editor and award-winning photographer loved this camera so much, they bought their own, at full price... and missed this great Black Friday camera deal!

Nikon Z8 on a tripod with trees in the background

(Image credit: James Artaius)

We love this camera. It sits at the top of our best cameras and best camera for wildlife photography guide, and we gave it 4.5 out of 5 stars in our review over two years ago. Despite there being newer models on the market, this didn't stop our Managing Editor and award-winning photographer, Jase Parnell-Brookes, from buying it just a few months ago. That is quite the accolade. Jase will be kicking themselves, though, as now there is more than $800 off.

You can get the Nikon Z8 on sale right now at Amazon for $3496.95.

The Nikon Z8 is an outstanding camera for professionals and keen amateurs alike. And now it's the cheapest it's ever been, with a huge $803 off at Amazon.

Jase gave the Nikon Z8 a five-star review in the 2023 review over at Space.com, impressed with the on-paper specifications and the performance in hand. Starlight mode was a very welcome addition, letting astrophotographers enable autofocus down to a whopping -9 EV.

While Jase didn't hesitate to buy this camera, even at its full price, you can save more than $800 today. We think it's worth taking the plunge, you won't regret the investment and you probably won't outgrow it for many years, even if you become professional.

Author holding large Celestron binoculars gazing at the sky

Jase Parnell-Brookes

Jase has worked as an editor in various forms for many years across different science and camera brands. With a background in professional photography, where they won various awards, Jase is extremely familiar with cameras and optics, especially when working in low-light conditions and actually owns this legendary camera.

We are currently hunting high and low for all the best Black Friday deals of 2025 so be sure to check out every deal we've found over on our main hub.
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Nikon Z8 on a white table — The Nikon Z8 is a superb camera that our Managing Editor didn't hesitate to buy.(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)

The Nikon Z8 is one of the most powerful and flexible mirrorless cameras on the market, a true multi-talent for photographers and videographers who want pro-level image quality, responsiveness, and reliability in a reasonably compact body. If you shoot wildlife, action, landscapes, low-light scenes, or video — or if you just want a camera that can handle, well, everything, the Z8 won't let you down.

We don't doubt that $3497 is still a lot of money to spend on a camera; we're just highlighting the fact that if you have been waiting for a worthwhile price drop, this is it.

If you're only just starting out on your photography journey, the Nikon Zf is a much more affordable option and a great choice, as long as you don't mind the shallow grip; it looks the part, too. We can't not mention the Nikon D850. Although it is an 'old-fashioned' DSLR, it's our favorite ever DSLR, and it's also on sale at B&H Photo today with a $600 discount.

Key features: Full-frame 45.7MP, ISO 64-25,600 (expandable to 102,400), 8K 60p 12-bit, single SD UHS-II and single CFexpress/XQD card, Night Vision Mode, Autofocus down to -9EV.

Product launched: May 2023

Price history: The last time this camera was discounted was in June, when it dipped to $3697, but this is the cheapest we've seen it since. It usually sells for the $4300 mark, so this discount is genuine and worth snatching up.

Price comparison: Amazon: $3497 | Walmart: $3497 | B&HPhoto: $3497

Reviews consensus: We awarded the Nikon Z8 4.5 out of 5 stars in our review, even saying it "may be the best all-round mirrorless camera ever". Space.com (Managing editor Jason Parnell-Brookes) gave it five stars and TechRadar also scored it top marks.

We gave this behemoth of a camera 5 out of 5 stars in our review.

Livescience: ★★★★½ | Space: ★★★★★ | TechRadar: ★★★★★

Featured in guides: Best cameras, best cameras for wildlife photography, best cameras for astrophotography (Space.com), best mirrorless cameras (Space.com)

✅ Buy it if: You predominantly shoot in low light conditions, this is where the Nikon Z8 excels.

❌ Don't buy it if: You're on a budget. Even with the discount, this is an expensive camera. There are plenty of other cameras that will still deliver impressive results, especially if you're new to the hobby.

Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors, drones, lego and much more.

Jase Parnell-Brookes is the Managing Editor for e-commerce for Live Science and Space. Previously the Channel Editor for Cameras and Skywatching at Space, Jase has been an editor and contributing expert across a wide range of publications since 2010. Based in the UK, they are also an award-winning photographer and educator winning the Gold Prize award in the Nikon Photo Contest 2018/19 and named Digital Photographer of the Year in 2014. After completing their Master's degree in 2011 and qualifying as a teacher in 2012, Jase has spent the last two decades studying and working in photography and publishing in multiple areas, and specializes in low light optics and camera systems.