Nikon Z8 vs Leica Q-P

In this comparison, we will evaluate the Nikon Z8 and the Leica Q-P, highlighting the advantages of each over the other, discussing their pros and cons, shared strengths and weaknesses, and providing a rating based on their available features and specifications to assist you in choosing the one that best suits your needs.

Nikon Z8 was introduced in May 2023 and Leica Q-P was introduced in November 2018. Let us first list highlights of the models.

Now that we've looked at the most essential specifications and gained a basic understanding of these cameras, we can delve into more details and see the differences between them.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Nikon Z8 over Leica Q-P.

This section shows those features and specifications which are the reason to choose Leica Q-P over Nikon Z8.

We already listed pros and cons of each model. However, you may also find useful to look at their common strengths and weaknesses shown side-by-side.

Screen

Nikon Z8 has a 3.2" Tilting screen with 2,100k dot resolution and Leica Q-P has a 3.0" Fixed screen with 1,040k dot resolution. Tilting screen makes Nikon Z8 very useful for photography purposes but not so useful for video shooting. Both models feature touchscreen which has advantages such as easy menu navigation, intuitive controls, quick setting adjustment and most importantly a Touch-to-Focus functionality allowing users to select a specific point on the screen where they want the camera to focus. This feature can be helpful for achieving precise focus in both photo and video recording.

Viewfinder

Nikon Z8 has a built-in 0.5" Electronic (OLED) viewfinder with 3,690k dot resolution and Leica Q-P has a built-in Electronic viewfinder with 3,680k dot resolution. They both have 100% coverage.

Nikon Z8 features a 45.7 megapixel Full Frame Stacked CMOS sensor with dimensions of 35.9 x 23.9 mm and a total area of 858 mm². Its native ISO range is 64 - 25,600 and expands to 32 - 102,400 in boosted mode. Leica Q-P features a 24.2 megapixel Full Frame CMOS sensor with dimensions of 36 x 24 mm and a total area of 576 mm². Its native ISO range is [].

Nikon Z8 has Stacked CMOS sensor. The key feature of such sensor is its three-dimensional structure, which consists of multiple layers of semiconductor material and circuitry stacked on top of each other. This allows the sensor to have dedicated layers for image capture and signal processing. This separation allows for faster data readout, reducing rolling shutter effects and enabling high-speed shooting and video recording. It is also more power-efficient.

Nikon Z8 is equipped with EXPEED 7 processor and can take pictures up to 8256 x 5504 resolution. Leica Q-P is equipped with Maestro II processor and can take pictures up to 6000 x 4000 resolution.

No Low-Pass Filter on Nikon Z8

There is no optical low-pass filter (OLPF), also known as an anti-aliasing filter, in front of the sensor on Nikon Z8. This results in a slightly sharper image but may also introduce moiré patterns and aliasing artifacts when photographing subjects with fine, repetitive patterns or details.

Image Stabilization

The cameras have a built-in image stabilization (6 stops of compensation in Nikon Z8). On Nikon Z8 it means that you are still getting vibration reduction when it is paired with non-image stabilizied lenses. It also works with lenses with optical image stabilization and in combination can achieve even better compensation.

Built-in Wi-Fi

Cameras have built-in Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 5 802.11ac/b/g/n 2.4/5 GHz on Nikon Z8) which allows to easily transfer photos and videos from the camera to other Wi-Fi-enabled devices, such as smartphones, tablets, printers, or computers. This eliminates the need for cables and allows for quick and convenient media sharing and social media integration. It gives you the ability to control your camera remotely using a smartphone or tablet. This is particularly useful for taking self-portraits, group shots, or capturing images in challenging conditions without having to touch the camera. Firmware updates can also be downloaded and installed wirelessly.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in WiFi.

Bluetooth on Nikon Z8

Nikon Z8 has a built-in Bluetooth (version 5) which lets you to connect the camera to a smartphone or a dedicated remote control device. This allows you to remotely trigger the camera, adjust settings and controls remotely through a paired mobile app. While Wi-Fi is generally faster for transferring larger files, Bluetooth can be used for small, selective transfers, it can provide real-time information about your camera's battery status, memory card capacity, and other key settings directly on your paired smartphone or smartwatch.
  Check out the cameras in our database that have built-in Bluetooth.

NFC on Leica Q-P

Leica Q-P has Near Field Communication (NFC) technology which simplifies the process of pairing it with other NFC-enabled devices like smartphones or tablets. It allows to quickly transfer photos and videos or remotely control the camera from compatible device. NFC can also be used for authentication and security purposes. It can verify your identity before accessing certain features or transferring sensitive data. It can be used with NFC-enabled accessories as well, such as lenses, flashes and GPS devices.

USB Inputs and HDMI Outputs

Both models have USB inputs for data transfer. Nikon Z8 has a Full Size HDMI and Leica Q-P has an HDMI connector for video signal output.

Battery

Nikon Z8 comes with EN-EL15c battery pack with battery life of 330 shots and Leica Q-P comes with BP-DC12 battery pack.

External Storage Slots

Nikon Z8 has two card slots - one for CFexpress Type B / XQD and one for SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II). Leica Q-P has a single SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot.

Shutter

Nikon Z8 has Electronic shutter. Shutter speed can go up to 1/32000 sec on Nikon Z8, and up to 1/16000 sec with electronic shutter and up to 1/2000 sec with mechanical shutter on Leica Q-P. Nikon Z8 can shoot continuously up to 30.0 fps. Leica Q-P can shoot continuously up to 10.0 fps.

Focusing

Nikon Z8 has Hybrid phase-detection/contrast AF system with 493 focusing points and Leica Q-P has 49 focusing points. Nikon Z8 has detection range from -9 to +19 EV. The ability to focus at as low as -9 EV is a feature exclusive to top-tier professional cameras.

Exposure

Exposure meterings of Nikon Z8 ranges from -3 to +17 EV and you can set the exposure compensation within the ±5 EV range on Nikon Z8 and ±2 range on Leica Q-P. You can also do exposure lock, exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Nikon Z8 and exposure bracketing and manual exposure adjustment on Leica Q-P.

Flash

Cameras have no built-in flash but an external flash may be connected to both of them via Hot Shoe to Nikon Z8 and via Shoe Mount to Leica Q-P. The fastest flash synchronization speed is 1/200 sec on Nikon Z8.

Nikon Z8 body has dimensions of 144 x 119 x 83 mm (5.67 x 4.69 x 3.27") and Leica Q-P body has dimensions of 130 x 80 x 93 mm (5.12 x 3.15 x 3.66"). Nikon Z8 weighs 910 g (2.01 lb / 32.10 oz) and Leica Q-P weighs 640 g (1.41 lb / 22.58 oz).

Nikon Z8

Leica Q-P

144 mm

119 mm

130 mm

80 mm

119 mm

80 mm

83 mm

93 mm