Nikon cameras have been the starting point for tons of photo buffs diving into 'serious' photography. But they're not just for newbies – with Nikon cameras being the go-to brand for the best pros and enthusiasts too!
This rundown zeroes in on Nikon's newest Nikon Z mirrorless camera like the groundbreaking Nikon Z8, but also features a few DSLRs that are still holding a place in Nikon's lineup. There are still a lot of DSLR fans out there, but with mirrorless tech reigning supreme, I would expect these to be phased out soon.
Nikon's DSLRs can still charm with good features at a good price, as well as a rugged build and lens options galore. You can dig deeper into our DSLR vs mirrorless breakdown in full.
Nikon makes a wide range of cameras, covering everything from the prestige Nikon Z9, with features that will suit the most demanding of professionals, through to more everyday cameras such as the Nikon Z6 II, but also more casual photographers and vloggers with the Nikon Z50.
Now, I have skipped the Nikon CoolPix compact cameras here like the Nikon P1000, and it's insane 125x zoom – but don't sweat it, we've got other guides for the best point-and-shoot, best waterproof, and best bridge cameras.
Our guide splits the top Nikon cameras into best best cameras for every user – so without further ado, let's uncover the best Nikon camera for you!
Gareth Bevan
Gareth is the Reviews Editor at Digital Camera World, and the person in charge of testing the latest cameras from Nikon – most recently reviewing the latest Nikon Zf. With several years of experience as a photographer, he has learned a thing or two about cameras. Outside of photography, expect to find him cycling around London, or deep in a Netflix binge.
The creme de la creme of Nikon cameras is the Nikon Z8. Sure the Z9 might be faster, but for almost everyone, the Z8 will scratch every photography itch with its boundary-pushing specs, smaller body, and more affordable price.
This dreamy camera doesn't just look cool, it's also one of the best cameras around for enthusiast photographers. With a full-frame sensor and the latest sophisticated processor, the Nikon Zf is a highly capable camera.
The Nikon Z7 II is the best all-round Nikon camera, it doesn't have the very latest cutting-edge abilities of the Z8 or Z9, but it still has everything that most professionals and enthusiasts are ever going to actually use.
Not just Nikon's best beginner camera, but also one of the best-looking cameras from any brand – if you're into retro looks. With easy to use controls, why not learn to expand your photography skills in style.
If you're a Nikon fan and want to make a big impact on your sports photography career – then you'll never miss a moment with the blisteringly fast Nikon Z9. And for everyone else – there is the Nikon Z8.
Still not ready to switch to mirrorless? Well if you are looking for the best of the best in DSLR technology then you can't beat the Nikon D850 with its 45.7MP full-frame sensor and 4K UHD video recording.
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The Z8 is being pushed by Nikon as "a baby Z9", with an almost identical feature set. The only real difference right now is that it has a more compact body (without the Z9's "pro" vertical grip and bigger battery) and it costs over a grand less. There is the option of adding a grip, too, should you need to carry an extra battery and have vertical control buttons
It's capable of 8K 60p video recording or 8K 30p with an enormous 2-hour record limit. Nikon decided to remove the mechanical shutter completely, which means the camera is capable of 120fps continuous shooting and has a max shutter speed of 1/32000 sec, which makes it perfect for sport and bird photography.
The ferocious autofocus is capable of ten kinds of recognition: human eyes, faces, heads, and upper bodies; animal eyes, heads, and bodies; and cars, aircraft, planes, trains, and motorbikes.
Overall, though, there is literally nothing this camera can't do: it gives you speed, resolution, ruggedness and video capability in one. And it's cheaper than the Z9.
Articulating screen and hinge are not flush with the body
Don't let its vintage looks deceive you, the Nikon Zf is a fantastic modern digital camera. Internally, this is the closest to a new Z6 III right now, with its 25MP full-frame sensor and Nikon's cutting-edge Expeed 7 processor, the Zf offers much better autofocus and subject tracking, as well as solid 4K video performance.
I really love the Nikon Zf for its retro design which is sure to immediately win over any vintage camera enthusiasts. From the moment I laid my hands on this camera, it stirred up a wave of nostalgia for the bygone days of shooting film. The Zf body has a fantastic build quality with more substantial and robust brass dials, and a weighty feel reminiscent of the iconic Nikon FM2 that served as its inspiration.
I found that the Zf’s minimal grip is uncomfortable to hold for long periods, and wish I had a Smallrig extended grip when testing. Also, there is a lack of Nikon vintage-style lenses natively for the Z mount, which limits you to modern-looking Nikon lenses, or old Nikon lenses via a mount adapter, which spoils the aesthetic somewhat.
Max video resolution: Uncropped 4K UHD up to 30p, cropped 4K UHD up to 60p
User level: Enthusiast/Professional
Reasons to buy
+
Excellent image quality
+
Lovely handling
+
5-axis IS system
+
Best-in-class build quality
Reasons to avoid
-
EVF resolution lower than rivals
-
Tilt-angle display, not vari-angle
The Nikon Z7 II was Nikon's flagship full-frame mirrorless camera until the mighty Z9 came along. Even so, while the Z7 II can't match the Z9's continuous shooting speed or 8K video, it delivers the same super-high resolution and easily enough sports shooting/video capability for everyday non-specialist use.
This Mark II version brings dual memory card slots and faster processing but retains the excellent design and handling of the original, and Nikon's equally excellent in-body stabilization system.
Nikon has quickly built an impressive range of pro-spec Nikkor Z lenses, so the Z7 II makes an extremely good all-round camera for professional use – and Nikon's pricing is very competitive too. We really rate the Nikon Z7 II, not for any flashy, headline-grabbing specs but because it does everything really well at a good price.
This dreamy camera doesn't just look cool, it's also one of the best beginners to mid-range cameras around. With an APS-C sensor and a sophisticated processor, the Nikon Z fc is a highly capable camera for image-makers of all stripes, even if it misses out on a few features like a built-in flash.
It's a little pricier than its stablemate the Nikon Z50, and if you don't care about looks then you may want to consider that camera instead, as it's basically the same deal. However, we're utterly charmed by the style and presentation of the Nikon Z fc.
Can't resist the look and feel of the best retro cameras? Then look no further, the Nikon Z fc will suit you down to the ground. It does need a few more native DX format Nikon Z lenses, though.
Continuous shooting speed: 20fps RAW (up to 1,000 buffer), 30fps hi-res JPEG, 120fps lo-res JPEG
Viewfinder: EVF, 3,690k dots, 100% coverage
Max video resolution: 8K at 60fps
User level: Professional
Reasons to buy
+
120fps burst and deep buffer
+
8K 60p video
+
Deep-learning autofocus
Reasons to avoid
-
Only 11MP at 120fps
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Some features arriving later
Here, at long last, is the shot across the bows of Canon and Sony – the Nikon Z9, the firm's latest pro mirrorless camera and a startling step forward for professional imaging.
The Nikon Z9 boasts an intimidating set of features. It's capable of burst-shooting at a face-melting 120fps, for one, and its buffer can record a nominal 1,000 images per burst, with Nikon recording it being capable of as many as 5,000 when used with a high-spec CFExpress card.
It also uses deep-learning AF, meaning its focusing ability should get better over time, and the back-side illuminated sensor delivers superior low-light performance.
The Z9 has added a number of new significant features since launch, thanks to updated firmware. These include adding 8K video, increasing the pre-release buffer to 300 seconds, and the ability to set your camera up to shoot subjects automatically when they are in frame.
Mirrorless camera fans will often complain about the size and weight of DSLRs, and they have a point. The Nikon D850 is a big bruiser of a camera compared to the Nikon Z models.
But this size works in your favor if you're shooting with big, heavy lenses, and most pro lenses are big and heavy! This is a handling factor that many mirrorless users don't take into account. Being a DSLR, the D850 has a bright, clear optical viewfinder that many photographers still prefer over a digital display, no matter how good the latter.
The D850's 45.7-megapixel sensor produces quite a superb image quality, yet it can still maintain a shooting speed of 7 frames per second or 9 frames per second with the optional battery grip.
Even without the grip, the D850 has an amazing battery life of 1840 shots – far more than any mirrorless rivals – and it comes with two memory card slots; one for an XQD/CFexpress card and one for regular SD/SDHC/SDXC.
Max video resolution: 4K UHD at 30p (60p via update)
User level: Enthusiast/Professional
Reasons to buy
+
Two memory card slots
+
Improved burst shooting
+
Superior AF performance
Reasons to avoid
-
No articulating screen
-
4K 60p video is cropped
The Nikon Z6 II is a light refresh of the original Z6, with a second memory card slot and a faster processor bringing a bump to burst shooting, now up to 14fps, and the ability to record 4K video at 60fps. it's a terrific all-round camera at a very good price, and this camera's build quality, design, and handling are excellent – as is its in-body stabilization.
The 24MP sensor sounds only a small step up from Nikon's 20.9MP APS-C mirrorless models, but in combination with the much larger full-frame sensor area, it delivers a big leap in image quality, especially in low light. If you're into vlogging and filmmaking, not just stills, this is the Nikon to get.
While Nikon has aimed the Z30 firmly at a vlogger audience, with a focus on ease of use for shooting video, the underlying video specs are very similar to Nikon’s existing DX-format Z-series cameras. Likewise, it remains a very capable stills camera. If you’re looking for a dedicated point-and-shoot video camera that won’t break the bank, the Z30 offers arguably the best build quality in its price range.
Most of what the Z30 is lacking – IBIS, EVF, 4K 60p – can be explained away due to the camera’s very affordable price tag. If you’re of the generation of shooters happy to forego a viewfinder, the Z30 offers the cheapest route to the best Nikon Z lenses.
If you can’t live without an EVF or mainly shoot stills, you could always try the Nikon Z50 or Nikon Z fc and their near-identical innards.
The Nikon Z50 is a much smaller camera than Nikon's full-frame 'Z' models, but it clearly shares the same design DNA. Despite its small size, it has a good grip and good external controls, and the retracting 16-50mm kit lens is remarkable not just for its pancake lens dimensions but for its overall performance.
Nikon may have come to the APS-C mirrorless market comparatively late, but it's come in with a camera that has so many good points it's hard to know where to start – but we will highlight the 4K video, 11fps shooting... and the fact that its Z mount is identical to that on the larger cameras, so you can use dedicated Nikkor Z DX lenses, full frame Nikkor Z lenses, and regular Nikon DSLR lenses via the FTZ adapter.
Best of all, the Z50 is a terrific value, especially when bought as a twin-lens kit. This is a great value camera for both beginners and enthusiasts, though we would like to see a few more DX lenses coming out.
Choosing the best Nikon camera depends on what you plan to use it for. Consider factors like your skill level, budget, and specific photography needs. For beginners, entry-level models like the Nikon D3500 or Nikon Z50 offer a balance of quality and affordability. If you're a seasoned photographer or want more advanced features, models like the Nikon Z6 II or Nikon Z8 are professional options with impressive capabilities.
When picking a camera, think carefully about the type of photography you'll be doing. For portraits or landscapes, you might prioritize high resolution with a megapixel-packed sensor. Action shots might require a faster burst rate and speedy autofocus. For vlogging or video, look for cameras with reliable autofocus, subject tracking, body-based image stabilization for handheld shooting, and at least a 4K video quality.
Consider the lenses too. Nikon has an extensive range, so compatibility with the lenses you need is crucial. Be aware though that Nikon Z and F lenses are not interchangeable, but if you have Nikon F DSLR lenses already, you can still use them on a new Z mirrorless camera by buying a separate FTZ adapter, but the best thing to to make sure any camera you buy is compatible with the lenses you want.
Additionally, check out the reviews in our guide here to get a good understanding of our experiences using the camera, combined with data from our lab tests and its performance in real-world situations.
(Image credit: Digital Camera World)
Is Canon or Nikon better?
The boring answer is neither camera brand is better than the other, and both produce exceptional cameras. The real deciding factor is your personal preference when it comes down to handling, with each brand having its own camera body style, button layout, and menu system.
Can I use Nikon F lenses on Nikon Z cameras?
Yes – with an adapter. Nikon makes an adapter, or there are a lot of quality third-party options, that will allow you to mount any Nikon F lens designed for DSLR cameras on its newer Nikon Z mirrorless cameras. Most regular adapters should allow full electronic control of the lens and not affect image quality in any way.
In our tests, we put Nikon cameras through their paces in both real-world situations and controlled lab environments. We assess different Nikon cameras based on their intended purpose, for powerful cameras like the Nikon Z9, we expect to push the specs as far as they will go, while with entry-level cameras like the Nikon Z50, we temper our expectations more to their intended casual and enthusiast user.
We start with our detailed lab assessments to gauge resolution, dynamic range, and signal-to-noise ratio. To measure resolution, we employ ISO resolution charts, while the DxO Analyzer test gear helps assess dynamic range and noise across the camera's ISO spectrum.
In addition to lab analyses, our reviewers take these cameras out into the field, capturing diverse subjects in varied conditions. Their firsthand experiences provide valuable insights into the camera's usability, handling, and their personal take on image and video quality.
We then combine these real-world trials with our lab findings to choose the best products for our guides.
Gareth is a photographer based in London, working as a freelance photographer and videographer for the past several years, having the privilege to shoot for some household names. With work focusing on fashion, portrait and lifestyle content creation, he has developed a range of skills covering everything from editorial shoots to social media videos. Outside of work, he has a personal passion for travel and nature photography, with a devotion to sustainability and environmental causes.
