Nikon Z8 Image Formats, Sizes & Types

The Nikon Z8 gives you granular control over your image output. You can choose the file type, the resolution, the sensor crop, and the compression level.

These settings are likely among the first you’ll want to configure on your new Z8. Here is a plain English rundown of your options for still photography.

Image file formats & quality settings on the Nikon Z8

Image file formats on the Nikon Z8

Two of these formats will be very familiar. The third might be new to you unless you’ve used a very recent camera model (although you will have come across it if you use an iPhone).

RAW / .NEF

The Nikon Z8 saves 14-bit RAW files using the standard .NEF extension. Unlike older DSLRs, the Z8 uses a modern compression architecture.

You can choose between Lossless Compression or two types of High Efficiency compression:

• Lossless compression: No data is discarded. Best for maximum editing flexibility.
• High efficiency★: Produces smaller files with higher quality than standard High efficiency. This is often the “Goldilocks” setting for most shooters.
• High efficiency: The smallest RAW file size.

You can find the option to change the RAW compression under:

MENU > PHOTO SHOOTING MENU > [RAW recording]

RAW recording	File size (approx.)
Lossless compression	51.6 MB
High efficiency★ (the default)	32.6 MB
High efficiency	21.1 MB

For how these compare in quality and burst depth, and why High efficiency files won’t open in macOS Preview, see Nikon Z8 NEF files.

JPEG / .JPG

This format doesn’t need much introduction. It’s the universal standard. You can choose levels of compression from Fine (approx. 1:4 ratio), Normal (1:8), or Basic (1:16).

HEIF / .HIF

If you are coming from an older camera, this format might be new to you (though you’ve likely seen its cousin, HEIC, on iPhones). HEIF is a modern replacement for JPEG that offers better compression and higher quality.

However, the Nikon Z8 uses HEIF in a very specific way: for HDR capture.

You won’t find a simple menu switch to toggle between JPEG and HEIF. Instead, the file format is determined by your Tone Mode setting.

If you set Tone Mode to SDR (Standard Dynamic Range), the camera saves JPEGs. If you set Tone Mode to HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), the camera saves HEIFs to capture that extra highlight data.

Photo Shooting Menu > Tone Mode

Image quality options

You can choose to save just a single format, or combination pairs. For example, shooting RAW + JPEG Fine gives you an archival RAW master and a high-quality JPEG for immediate sharing.

This is useful for:

• Separate copies: Recording RAW to one card and JPEG to the other, with [Secondary slot function] set to [RAW primary – JPEG secondary]. More in Nikon Z8 dual memory card slots.
• Speed: Transmitting small JPEGs to a client immediately while keeping RAWs for editing later.
• Workflow: Using JPEGs for quick culling before processing the heavy RAW files.

Format	Quality Setting
RAW	Lossless / High efficiency* / High efficiency
JPEG / HEIF	Fine (1:4) / Normal (1:8) / Basic (1:16)
RAW + JPEG / HEIF	Saves both files simultaneously

Note: If Tone Mode is set to HLG, the JPEG options disappear and are replaced by HEIF.

MENU > PHOTO SHOOTING MENU > [Image quality settings] > [Image quality]

Each JPEG/HEIF option comes in two versions. Options with a star (for example [JPEG/HEIF fine★]) maximize quality, so file size varies with the scene. Options without the star keep every file about the same size. The camera ships set to [JPEG/HEIF normal]; if you shoot JPEGs, fine or fine★ is worth the extra space.

JPEG size	Fine	Normal	Basic
Large	19.0 MB	11.8 MB	4.0 MB
Medium	12.4 MB	7.0 MB	2.7 MB
Small	6.7 MB	3.5 MB	1.8 MB

The high-speed frame capture + modes (C15 to C120) have their own setting, [Image quality (HSFC)], limited to JPEG fine or JPEG normal. No RAW in those modes.

One caution Nikon’s manual spells out: with RAW + JPEG and one card (or with Overflow or Backup), deleting the JPEG on the camera also deletes the RAW.

Image area

You can have the Z8 crop the image in camera, with FX (the full sensor, 8256 × 5504), DX (the center, 5392 × 3592, 1.5× the apparent focal length), 1:1 (5504 × 5504), or 16:9 (8256 × 4640). The crop applies to RAW files too. At default settings, hold the Fn2 button and turn a command dial to switch.

Image Area	Aspect Ratio	Explanation
FX	36 x 24 (3:2)	Full Frame. Uses the entire sensor. Equivalent to 35mm film.
DX	24 x 16 (3:2)	APS-C Crop (1.5x). This crops into the center of the sensor. Useful for extra “reach” on telephoto lenses or when using DX-designed lenses.
1:1	24 x 24 (1:1)	Square. Uses the full height of the sensor but crops the sides.
16:9	36 x 20 (16:9)	Video / Panoramic. Uses the full width of the sensor but crops the top and bottom. Matches standard TV/Video ratios.

Image sizes

Finally, you can choose the resolution (pixel dimensions). Note that RAW files are always recorded as “Large” (the largest size for the image area) on the Z8; the Medium and Small options apply only to JPEG/HEIF output.

With the FX image area, Large is 8256 × 5504, Medium is 6192 × 4128, and Small is 4128 × 2752. If you want DX photos to use a different JPEG/HEIF size from the other image areas, turn on [Enable DX image sizes].

Format	Size	Pixel Dimensions	Megapixels
FX	Large	8,256 x 5,504	45.4 MP
	Medium	6,192 x 4,128	25.6 MP
	Small	4,128 x 2,752	11.4 MP
DX	Large	5,392 x 3,592	19.4 MP
	Medium	4,032 x 2,688	10.8 MP
	Small	2,704 x 1,792	4.8 MP
1:1	Large	5,504 x 5,504	30.3 MP
	Medium	4,128 x 4,128	17.0 MP
	Small	2,752 x 2,752	7.6 MP
16:9	Large	8,256 x 4,640	38.3 MP
	Medium	6,192 x 3,480	21.5 MP
	Small	4,128 x 2,320	9.6 MP

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