Conclusion on Z8/Z9 limits - with a range of cards
In my own testing on my Z9 (both of them) and Z8 (both of them) I have tried a range of different cards and tests - I can confirm that I was able to replicate with my cards the tests run by Matt Irwin, Ricci Talks and Gerald Undone's and I achieved similar results. YES the Z9 outperforms the Z8 and the Z8 will shut down due to heat. BUT only after relatively long single footage recordings in the highest most data intense settings. Battery and Recording limits are hit first in "more normal" shooting settings.
Result 1 -- the Z9 runs for longer and cooler no overheating limits hit with the fastest cards on any format/fps -- 20˚C in the shade. I filled both a 4TB AngelBird card and the Sabrent Rocket CFX Pro 2TB (the Copper PRO version not the Blue version) without issue shooting 8.3k 60p 12-bit HQ N-RAW N-LOG. 2TB fils in 46 min 45 seconds. Switching from High Quality to Normal Quality increased the recording time on 2TB from 46.75min to 77 mins.
Result 2 - Delkin Black 512GB card recording 8.3k 60p 12-bit HQ N-RAW N-LOG with the Z8 will fills the card in 11.7 minutes without the camera shutting down -- but YES hot card and hot warnings. Same test in Standard Quality filled the 512GB card at 19. 2mins.
[Z8#1 body - Housed in a SmallRig cage, attached to Z 70-200 f/2.8S, on a tripod, with power delivery from a 99 Whr V-battery (so similar to how I would use it)].
Delkin updated the 512GB card to a 650GB card -- it is reported that the 650GB runs a wee bit faster and cooler, but I am still waiting for mine to arrive.
Result 3 - ProGrade Cobalt 650GB runs a similar to the Delkin Black 512GB. Card filled in HQ 14.8mins and 24.5 mins in Standard Quality.
Result 4 - Sabrent Rocket CFX Pro 2TB - 8.3k 60p 12-bit HQ N-RAW N-LOG - Hot card after 12.5 mins; Hot camera 15.5 mins; RED warning 20.5 mins; Shutdown 29 min 33 seconds; Camera allowed to cool then recording restarted. I chose not to complete a 2nd test.
[Housed in Cage, Attached to 100-400 fixed on tripod, using Power Delivery, elapsed time measured using TimeCode display reset before each recording, LCD moved slightly away from camera to reduce reflections]
See table below for details of each test
Observation 1 - I have 2 Z9 and one (Z9#1) performs slightly "better" than the other (Z9#2) -- see my stills buffer tests when using the exact same card in each body both are set up identically and shot identically - but with slightly different outcomes. Camera Z9#1 performs the best and is label for easy recognition in the field.
Observation 2 - I ran the same tests on both my Z8 bodies (Z8#1 and Z8#2) and found similar results with both bodies. More testing will be completed before I identify if one body performs better than the 2nd.
Statement - anyone seeking to shoot 8k/60p RAW 12-bit HQ should be using dedicated CINE camera with ACTIVE cooling. All hybrid cameras (without active cooling) have limits.
Request 1 - The 125 minutes artificial single recording limit on both the Z8 and Z9 needs to go. One can easily record very very long vid segments in lower demanding CODEX/Formats with Power Delivery from a large power bank or similar without any issue -- other than the limit and therefore one has to wonder why it was imposed AND hope it can be removed by Nikon. Bad for long interviews, live performances and remote shooting of events etc... Just let the camera run.
Request 2 - for both the Z8 and Z9 - please allow Shutter Angle to be displayed.
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