Video settings, in depth
What are the right video settings on a Nikon Z8 — 8.3K RAW, frame rates, N-Log and heat?
Choose the codec before the size
Video file type decides which frame sizes exist, so it is chosen first. H.265 10-bit (MOV) is the working default. ProRes 422 HQ 10-bit serves edit-heavy workflows. N-RAW 12-bit (NEV) and ProRes RAW HQ 12-bit (MOV) record true RAW for professional post-production — and simultaneously record a 1920 × 1080 H.264 8-bit MP4 proxy for playback and quick review. Each of the top formats offers SDR and N-Log tone modes.
Climb the frame-size ladder deliberately
3840 × 2160 (4K UHD) at 60p is the everyday rung; Extended oversampling optimizes the readout for FX 4K at 60p/50p, at the cost of faster battery drain, and 4K reaches 120p in the compressed types. H.265 also records 7680 × 4320 (8K UHD) to 30p at roughly 400 Mbps. In the RAW table, read the area labels: N-RAW records [FX] 8256 × 4644 (8.3K) to 60p and [DX] 5392 × 3032 to 60p; ProRes RAW HQ tops out at [FX] 4128 × 2322 to 120p; RAW 3840 × 2160 at 120p comes only from a 2.3× crop.
N-Log is a tone mode
Select N-Log as the tone mode inside a 10-bit or RAW file type. Its manual-mode ISO range runs from 800 to 25600 — ISO 800 is the base. While N-Log is on, Set Picture Control, Active D-Lighting, High ISO NR, Skin softening and Portrait impression balance are unavailable. It is footage meant to be graded. Custom Setting g14, View assist, restores contrast to the preview only; the zebra pattern at g15 guards highlights, with a threshold around 230 suggested for the low ISO extensions.
Destination, heat, and the shutter angle
Videos record to the slot chosen at Destination when two cards are inserted — stills slot settings do not govern them. Send RAW and high-rate work to the CFexpress/XQD slot on a fast card (250 MB/s class for high frame sizes and rates). Each shot may run up to 125 minutes, ending sooner if temperature rises; Setup Menu → Auto temperature cutout chooses Standard or High, High buying time before the countdown shutdown at the cost of a body that may become hot to the touch. Custom Setting g13 Shutter mode can express shutter speed as a shutter angle (5.6°–360°, mode M only) — selecting angle disables high-frequency flicker reduction and g12.
Build the chain end to end — H.265 10-bit, 4K 60p, oversampling, N-Log, View assist, CFexpress destination — and shoot the test clip. Flat is correct.