Wedding photography is part portrait, part candid, part action, and part documentary photography. Basically, you need a camera that does everything and does it well.
So if you want to do it right then you need a camera that can do all of those things. That’s why I chose the Nikon Z8 as the best Nikon camera for weddings. It really has no weaknesses and excels in virtually every category.
But if you want to know why and see some additional options, then keep reading.
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Nikon Z8
Nikon’s newest camera packs a whole lot of features into a single body. With 45.7 megapixels, high speed shooting, exceptional autofocus, and professional video features…this is the perfect wedding camera.
This was one of the most anticipated cameras in the Nikon lineup in years and it didn’t disappoint. It takes all of the features from the flagship Z9 and puts them into a smaller body without giving up anything except battery performance.
…and it does that for $1500 less.
So there’s a lot to like about this camera, so let’s get into the specs.
Z8 Tech Specifications
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z
- Megapixels: 45.7
- Sensor Size: Full-Frame (35.9 x 23.9mm) stacked CMOS
- Sensitivity Range: ISO 64 to 25,600 (expands to 32 to 102,400)
- Monitor: 3.2-inch vertical and horizontal tilting, 2.088m dots
- Max Shutter Speed: 1/32,000 sec.
- Continuous shooting speed: 30fps (with single point AF)
- Buffer: 1000+ frames (when shooting only to XQD/CF Express)
- Stabilization: 5-axis in body
- Viewfinder: EVF 3.69m dots, 100% coverage, .8x magnification
- Max video resolution: 8K up to 30p, 4K up to 120p (no crop)
- Memory Card: 2 slots (1 XQD/CFexpress and 1 SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II)
- Dimensions: (W x H x D): 144 x 118.5 x 83 mm / 5.7 x 4.7 x 3.3″ inches
- Weight (battery incl.): 910g / 32.1oz
The Z8 is outstanding in all the things you need for shooting weddings…resolution, shooting speed, image quality, autofocus system, lens lineup, and even video capabilities.
Wedding shooters need versatility and that’s the strongest part of the Z8…you can shoot basically anything you want with this camera.
Probably the only downside of the Z8 is that the battery life isn’t as long as the larger Z9, so if you don’t mind using a larger, heavier, and more expensive body then check out the runner-up below.
Nikon Z9
The second version of the Z6 has improved focusing, an exceptional sensor, and dual card slots while the Z mount means you’ll have some of the best lenses on the market available to you. It also has a price tag that won’t break the bank.
The Nikon Z9 has all the features you’ll find in the top pick above but its bigger and because of the larger size contains a larger battery so you can shoot longer without changing it.
Z9 Tech Specifications
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z
- Megapixels: 45.7
- Sensor Size: Full-Frame (35.9 x 23.9mm) stacked CMOS
- Sensitivity Range: ISO 64 to 25,600 (expands to 32 to 102,400)
- Monitor: 3.2-inch vertical and horizontal tilting, 2.088m dots
- Max Shutter Speed: 1/32,000 sec.
- Continuous shooting speed: 20fps (with single point AF)
- Buffer: 1000+ frames
- Stabilization: 5-axis in body
- Viewfinder: EVF 3.69m dots, 100% coverage, .8x magnification
- Max video resolution: 8K up to 30p, 4K up to 120p (no crop)
- Memory Card: 2 XQD/CFexpress
- Dimensions: (W x H x D): 149 x 149.5 x 90.5 mm / 5.9 x 5.9 x 3.6″ inches
- Weight (battery incl.): 1340g / 47.3oz
The main reason that the Z9 didn’t make the top spot in this list is because its bigger, heavier, and more expensive.
Another advantage the Z9 has over the Z8 is that it has dual XQD/CFexpress card slots instead of the 1 XQD/CFexpress and 1 UHS-II SD slot. This means that you can shoot to both cards simultaneously and still take advantage of the massive 1000+ image buffer of the Z9. With the Z8, you’d have to shoot only to the faster XQD/CFexpress slot to take advantage of the full buffer.
Of course, I can’t imaging a wedding situation where you’d need a 1000 image buffer on your high speed shooting, but maybe you want to shoot sports when you’re not at a wedding.
Either way, the Z9 is the flagship camera of the Nikon Z lineup so you’re going to get the best of everything (albeit in a bigger and heavier body) if you want to pay the higher price.
Nikon Z50
The Z50 is Nikon’s best mirrorless crop sensor camera and it has some professional features in a smaller body that wedding shooters will appreciate.
The Z50 is a very capable mirrorless Z mount camera that is a great way to start building your wedding shooting kit of Nikon Z gear without breaking the bank on a body right away.
Z50 Tech Specifications
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z
- Megapixels: 20.9
- Sensor Size: APS-C / DX (23.5×15.7mm) CMOS
- Sensitivity Range: ISO 100-52,200 (expands to 204,800)
- Monitor: 3.2-inch tilting, 1.04m dots
- Continuous shooting speed: 11fps
- Stabilization: None in body
- Viewfinder: EVF, 2.36m-dot OLED
- Max video resolution: 4K UHD at up to 30p
- Memory Card: 1 slot (SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-I)
- Dimensions: (W x H x D): 127 x 94 x 60 mm / 5 x 3.7 x 2.36-inches
- Weight: 450g /14oz (body only)
The Z50 is an affordable crop sensor camera from the Nikon mirrorless Z lineup but it has enough features to make it a decent camera for wedding photography.
So if you’re on a budget then go with the Z50 so you can get the lenses you need for shooting weddings.
Nikon Z7II
The Z7II is a high resolution and high dynamic range camera that is built for the best possible image quality.
The Nikon Z7II is a great option for those that want a high resolution sensor without the cost of a Z8 or Z9.
Z7II Tech Specifications
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z
- Megapixels: 45.7
- Sensor Size: Full-Frame (35.9 x 23.9mm) backside illuminated (BSI) sensor
- Sensitivity Range: ISO 64 to 25,600 (expands to 32 to 102,400)
- Monitor: 3.2-inch tilting, 1.04m dots
- Continuous shooting speed: 10fps (with single point AF)
- Buffer: 50 frames
- Stabilization: 5-axis in body
- Viewfinder: EVF, 3.69m dots
- Max video resolution: 4K UHD at up to 60p (with 1.08x crop)
- Memory Card: 2 slots (1 XQD/CFexpress and 1 SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II)
- Dimensions: (W x H x D): 134 x 100.5 x 69.5 mm / 5.3 x 4 x 2.7″ inches
- Weight (battery incl.): 705g / 1lb. 4.9oz
This and the Z6II are both a bit of a compromise between the more expensive Z8 and the crop sensor Z50 cameras and which you you choose will depend on whether you value resolution or speed more.
So if you want the highest resolution but the Z8 and Z9 are out of your budget, then the Z7II might be the perfect option for you.
Nikon Z6II
The second version of the Z6 has improved focusing, an exceptional sensor, and dual card slots while the Z mount means you’ll have some of the best lenses on the market available to you. It also has a price tag that won’t break the bank.
Another camera body that is a bit of a compromise compared to the Z8 above, the Z6II is still an excellent all around camera that would excel in just about every situation a wedding photographer might find themselves.
Z6II Tech Specifications
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z
- Megapixels: 24.5
- Sensor Size: Full-Frame (35.9 x 23.9mm) backside illuminated (BSI) sensor
- Sensitivity Range: ISO 100-52,200 (expands to 50-204,800)
- Monitor: 3.2-inch tilting, 1.04m dots
- Continuous shooting speed: 14fps
- Stabilization: 5-axis in body
- Viewfinder: EVF, 3.69m dots
- Screen: Tilting 3.2 inch 1,040,000-dot touchscreen
- Max video resolution: 4K UHD at up to 60p
- Memory Card: 2 slots (1 XQD/CFexpress and 1 SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II)
- Dimensions: (W x H x D): 134 x 100.5 x 69.5 mm / 5.3 x 4 x 2.8-inches
- Weight (battery incl.): 705g /1lb. 4.9oz
Which Cameras To Avoid
The digital camera world is fully bought into the changeover to mirrorless cameras. When it comes to shooting weddings, you really can’t beat the features that you get with mirrorless, like previewing your exposure on the screen and the viewfinder and the frequently amazing eye autofocus system that nails focus on the eyes with great consistency.
So the 6 cameras I am going to tell you to avoid are the Nikon DSLRs that are popular for wedding shooters. I’m not saying they’re bad cameras, but if you are looking for a new body…then there’s no reason to buy one that is part of a lens system that isn’t going to be getting any updates anytime soon.
D850/D750/D780
These are great cameras and perform very well. But they’re still part of the F-mount system, which means that you won’t get the benefit of the new technology that Nikon is rolling out. These are great if you already have a big collection of F lenses and can find a good price on a used body, but I wouldn’t spend the money to get these new anymore.
D500/D7500
Like the cameras above, these are two very popular cameras from the Nikon DSLR lineup but they are crop sensor cameras. Some photographers prefer the 1.5x crop factor when shooting weddings so they don’t have to use a long a lens for some situations.
I tend to disagree and think that a full-frame camera is much better for shooting weddings.
But if you want a crop sensor option, I would go with the Z50 above.
What To Look For When Choosing A Nikon Camera for Wedding Photography
Wedding photography is difficult, so there are certain things you want to make sure you have in a camera body if you want to shoot weddings.
Good Low Light/High ISO Performance
You can’t control the light at most wedding ceremony or reception venues. That means the only way to get the shot is to use a high ISO setting.
So if you don’t want an angry client because of noisy photos, then you’ll want a camera that has solid low light/high ISO performance.
Generally, you get what you pay for when it comes to low light performance. Full frame cameras will perform better than crop sensor cameras and more expensive full frame cameras generally do better than the less expensive models.
That being said, all the Nikon Z cameras do quite well in low light, with the Z8 and Z9 being among the best.
Great Autofocus System
You don’t get a second chance at those special wedding moments. So if your camera missed focus, then you might be looking at a very angry couple.
The autofocus systems in modern mirrorless cameras, Nikon included, are kind of amazing. Which is why all the cameras on this list are from the Z mount mirrorless system.
High Resolution
Not everyone will agree with me that high resolution is important to wedding photography but here’s why I think it is.
First, you’re shooting a live event and you don’t get the opportunity to position people or shoot parts of a wedding over again so if you didn’t quite get the right framing of the image then you’ll probably need to adjust the cropping to improve the image.
So having those extra megapixels to crop in on and still get a high resolution image is pretty important, especially if you don’t have a long telephoto or didn’t have it on your camera at the time.
Plus, most wedding photos end up getting printed. They could end up in albums or even blown up to larger sizes on the newlywed couple’s wall. So a 47 megapixel image can really come in handy, especially if you need to crop in a little to get the best composition.
