Decision tools · Compare
Z8 vs FX3
Quick take: The Z8 has the highest resolution at 46MP; the FX3 is the most affordable.
16 specs side by side·15 genres scored·UK prices from Wex Photo Video and Clifton Cameras
How to read this page. Highlighted cells win that row on the spec alone. Genre scores are the engine's base scores (enthusiast, photo and video); Camera Match re-weights them for your level and priorities. Price buttons are affiliate links; the price you pay is the same.
Sony
FX3 2021
Best for Professional video, documentary & cinematic filmmaking
£2999
new today at Wex Photo Video
Price buttons are affiliate links — GearFrame may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It never affects a score. Learn more
Verdictwhich should you buy?
Z8 — Sports, Wildlife & Hybrid Professionals: Z9 performance in a compact body — 45MP, 8K/60p RAW, and 20fps burst without the bulk or price of the flagship.
FX3 — Professional Video, Documentary & Cinematic Filmmaking: The definitive run-and-gun cinema camera — A7S III sensor quality in a body built specifically for video professionals.
Who should buy what
Z8 (2023)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional photographers who want Z9 capability in a smaller body
- Wildlife and sports shooters who want 8K RAW and 120fps burst
- Z6 III or Z7 II owners upgrading to pro-grade performance
- Hybrid professionals who need the best Nikon video and stills in one body
FX3 (2021)
is the right camera for you if…
- Professional videographers and filmmakers who need cinema-quality colour science in a compact body
- Documentary and run-and-gun shooters who need 4K/120p and built-in XLR audio
- Sony A7S III owners who want a purpose-built video body alongside their stills camera
- Gimbal and drone operators who need a compact full-frame cinema camera
Full specificationsthe better value in each row is highlighted
| Specification | Z8Nikon · 2023 | FX3Sony · 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £3,499 | £2,999Best |
| Sensor | 45.7MP full-frame BSI stacked CMOS | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS (same as A7S III) |
| Resolution | 45.7MPBest | 12.1MP |
| Video | 8K/60p RAW, 4K/120p, ProRes RAW | 4K/120p, 4K/60p 10-bit, 12-bit RAW output, S-Log3, S-Cinetone |
| Autofocus | Subject detection AF, 493-point phase-detect | Real-time tracking with subject recognition (human, animal) |
| Stabilisation | 6-stop IBIS | 5-axis IBIS — 5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 20fps RAW / 120fps JPEGBest | 10fps mechanical, 10fps electronic |
| Battery Life | 330 shots (CIPA) | ~640 shots (CIPA)Best |
| Weight | 910g (body only) | 715g (body only)Best |
| Dimensions | 144.0 × 118.5 × 83.0mm | 129.7 × 78.0 × 84.5mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | 0.5" Quad-VGA OLED EVF, 3.69M dots, 120fps | None — monitor/external EVF use only |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.0" touchscreen, fully articulating |
| Mount | Nikon Z-mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | CFexpress Type B / XQD + SD UHS-II | Dual CFexpress Type A / SD UHS-II slots |
| Connectivity | USB-C 3.2, HDMI full-size, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth | USB-C (10Gbps), full-size HDMI, XLR via handle, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Wins the row — price, resolution, burst, battery, weight and sealing are compared; text specs aren't ranked.
How they score by genreengine base scores out of 10
Genre
Z8
FX3
Portrait
8.4/10
5.7/10
Street
5.8/10
4.3/10
Travel
5.6/10
5.6/10
Wedding & Events
8.2/10
6.0/10
Filmmaking
7.8/10
9.1/10
Documentary
7.7/10
8.0/10
Sports & Action
9.2/10
5.5/10
Landscape
7.4/10
4.7/10
Wildlife
8.9/10
5.8/10
Casual
4.7/10
4.9/10
Food
7.4/10
6.7/10
Macro
7.0/10
5.5/10
Architecture
7.7/10
5.2/10
Astrophotography
6.8/10
6.7/10
Vlogging & Video
—
6.2/10
Scores come from the same engine as Camera Match: verified specifications weighted by what each genre needs, with documented adjustments. The product page and this table show the enthusiast base score. See how scores are calculated →
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