p.1 #1 · Looking for Guidance - Z8 or Z6 III For Travel
I'll be visiting Lake Garda in Italy with my family in about two months, I plan to leave my Z9 behind to lighten my kit and take a 24-120 F4 (and possibly a 14-24 F2.8 Z) along with one body - either a Z6 III or a Z8. I'd welcome a recommendation from anyone who has experience shooting with both cameras. The photography I plan to do will include street shooting/general walk around and some landscape.
p.1 #2 · Looking for Guidance - Z8 or Z6 III For Travel
I have taken both cameras on different trips. Really not that much difference from my point of view. I just choose what fits better in my bag. However Z8 is little more obvious due to size, but doesn't matter in Europe for street photo, and does not have folding screen, so no selfie.
I don't care about the MP difference, and noise and DR differences are a wash. Also if you want to upload to Nikon cloud or backup your files during travel, Z6III small file size helps.
p.1 #3 · Looking for Guidance - Z8 or Z6 III For Travel
Sound like the Z6 III would do what I need and weigh/cost less. I did read a review that complained a bit about Z6 III autofocus performance. Have you experienced any issues with it, perhaps for low light photography.
p.1 #4 · Looking for Guidance - Z8 or Z6 III For Travel
You might get occasional out of focus especially with the F4 lens (it is mostly slower focus acquisition in af-c, and not really missed focus), but I usually shoot small bursts (to capture better moments), so I don't miss anything.
p.1 #6 · Looking for Guidance - Z8 or Z6 III For Travel
A smaller-than-Z8 camera (Z5 II, Z6 III, Zf) with 24-120 is an ideal one lens setup for the use cases you describe IF you don't mind the lack of 45mp.
Since you already have a Z9, you know well what you'll be missing. I am very happy with my Zf/Z9 kit and like the very different experience of the Zf when I don't want to shoot my stacked sensor.
p.1 #10 · Looking for Guidance - Z8 or Z6 III For Travel
Going to Italy next week. Taking a Z6iii & Zf. 24-120 f/4 z. Voightlander 28 f/2 APO , Viltrox 14 Air. Maybe a Viltrox 35 f/1.8 EVO. The 35 might be redundant. I have a Z8 but don’t think I want to lug it around. It’s not that it’s heavy. Just takes up more room in bag
p.1 #11 · Looking for Guidance - Z8 or Z6 III For Travel
My go to kit has been the Z8 with 24-120 f4 S and 14-24mm f2.8 S. I think your first question is, would you miss the higher MP and higher FPS of the Z8 / Z9. If not, then if you prioritize video Z6III, if you prioritize photos ZF or Z5II.
p.1 #12 · Looking for Guidance - Z8 or Z6 III For Travel
As long as you don't need the higher mp for commercial reasons or large landscape shots, I would go with the Z6III or a Z5II. 24-120 certainly sound fine, its my favorite travel lens. I combine mine with a lightweight Viltrox 14 4.0 mm Air. The 35 1.8 EVO might come handy walking around at evenings. Due to the 'heat' during the day, the life starts at the evening in 'southern' European cities.
The smaller camera looks less commercial, expensive and attracts less attention. I would bring a small lightweight table top tripod for night shots. The whole region has beautiful buildings, plazas/squares and Palazzos, they shine when illuminated at dawn. It does not break, and is good for check in luggage.
Its a beautiful region, enjoy your trip. And Verona (Arena di Verona Opera Festival) and Venice are not far away. Perfectly fine for a day trip.
p.1 #14 · Looking for Guidance - Z8 or Z6 III For Travel
Personally, I didn't find the Z6iii to be more convenient from a size/weight standpoint for travel, so if I were to choose between those two I would probably go for the Z8.
I actually would prefer the Z50ii as a travel camera. You could pick up the 12-28, 24 1.7 and just use the 24-120 as a walkaround when you know you won't need to go super wide, and it would weigh about as much as the Z8 and one lens. I was abroad for the last 3 weeks, and had the Z8 and Z50ii with me, and I would always just bring the Z50ii with me when sight seeing because it's so small and light. For ultra wide, to be honest I often just use my iphone 16 pro.
p.1 #15 · Looking for Guidance - Z8 or Z6 III For Travel
I think you got your answer lots of good guidance in here.
I usually leave my Z8 at home when traveling.
I just either pick the ZF or Z5II | I am a fan of primes ... So usually bring the Nikkor Z 26/2.8 | Voigtlander 40/1.2 | Nikkor Z 50/1.8 S | Viltrox 85/2 EVO
p.1 #16 · Looking for Guidance - Z8 or Z6 III For Travel
I see that you will go with your family. In that case I would recommend to take just 1 lens so that you can avoid the lens switches and don’t hold up the other family members too much which can be annoying quite fast. I always take my Z8 and never found it too big or heavy. But I also only take 1 prime with me and it depends on the destination which one that is. In your case I think you can do a lot with a 28 or 35 prime. For me this works because not having options gives me more rest and I feel I can focus more on the composition.
