Fujifilm X-T10 vs Nikon Z8: A Thorough Comparison for Every Photographer’s Needs

Choosing between cameras as divergent in target audience and generation as the Fujifilm X-T10 and Nikon Z8 can feel like comparing night and day. But in fact, their differences highlight the rapid evolution of mirrorless technology over the last decade - and how user priorities have shifted. Having tested both extensively, I’ll walk you through their key features, real-world performance, and help you pick the right tool for your photographic journey. Whether you are an entry-level enthusiast, seasoned pro, or somewhere in between, this guide covers all the bases.

Getting to Grips: Size, Build, and Handling

Let’s start with the physical - how these cameras feel in your hands. The Fujifilm X-T10 is a compact, lightweight mirrorless system classic from 2015. Its retro SLR-style controls and dials provide a tactile joy for enthusiasts craving manual control. In contrast, the Nikon Z8 is a robust professional-grade body released in 2023, designed for endurance and speed.

Look at this size comparison:

At only 381 grams, the X-T10 is nimble and perfect for travel and street photographers who prioritize portability. The Z8, tipping the scales at 910 grams, has more heft - but that weight translates to a commanding grip and weather sealing (absent on the Fuji). For long shoots and demanding conditions, the Z8’s ergonomics and durability pay dividends.

Both have tilting rear screens, but the Nikon’s bigger 3.2-inch touchscreen taps into modern usability, a point we’ll discuss further when considering controls.

Controls and Interface: Classic Simplicity Meets Modern Refinement

If you love physical dials, the Fujifilm X-T10 won’t disappoint. Its traditional shutter speed and exposure compensation dials feel tactile and intuitive. The Nikon Z8, on the other hand, brings a more advanced control layout, with customizable, illuminated buttons and more fine-tuned digital controls to match its professional ambitions.

Here’s a top-down look at how the controls stack up:

The Nikon’s top screen is a handy status hub missing from the Fuji, enhancing quick readouts in the field. Plus, the Z8 adds touchscreen capabilities that the X-T10 lacks, allowing you more direct menu navigation - a boon for videographers and shooters adapting swiftly to complex settings.

Sensor and Image Quality: From APS-C to Full Frame Excellence

One of the most fundamental differences is the sensor technology and size. The X-T10 uses a 16MP APS-C X-Trans II sensor - a well-liked performer in its day but modest by today’s standards. The Nikon Z8 features a cutting-edge 46MP stacked full-frame CMOS sensor that elevates image quality and speed.

See the sensor dimension comparison here:

The Z8’s sensor size of roughly 858mm² dwarfs the 368mm² APS-C sensor in the Fuji. This translates into better dynamic range, lower noise at high ISOs, and more detail resolution - essential for professional landscapes, portrait clarity, and large prints.

The Nikon Z8 enjoys a DxOMark overall score of 98, placing it at the top tier for color depth and low-light sensitivity (ISO-like 2548 score). While the Fuji’s lower resolution and older sensor architecture can’t match this headroom, it still produces pleasing JPEGs with its EXR II processor that suit hobbyists and casual shooters.

Display and Viewfinder: How You Frame Matters

Both cameras feature electronic viewfinders, but the Nikon Z8 significantly outperforms the X-T10 in resolution and magnification - a critical factor when composing or focusing in bright light or fast-paced scenarios.

The Nikon boasts a 3.2-inch 2,089k-dot touchscreen versus the 3-inch 920k-dot non-touch tilting LCD on the Fuji. Watching autofocus performance, reviewing images, or tweaking settings is easier and more precise on the Z8’s display.

In the field, especially for wildlife or sports, a higher resolution EVF with 0.8x magnification provides an edge in quickly acquiring subjects. The Fuji’s EVF, while decent, feels dated with only 0.62x and lower resolution.

Autofocus and Speed: Catching the Moment

This is where the cameras diverge profoundly. The Fujifilm X-T10’s 77-point hybrid AF system, which combines phase and contrast detection, works well for static or slowly moving subjects. You get face and eye detection too, which performs reliably in good light.

The Nikon Z8, however, features 493 focus points with staggering tracking ability, including animal and human eye detection – a consideration if you shoot wildlife or portraiture regularly. Autofocus speed and accuracy, especially in continuous shooting or video AF, are superior.

Check out the continuous shooting performance:

• X-T10: 8 fps (mechanical shutter)
• Z8: 30 fps (electronic shutter), with sustained tracking at that speed

For sports and wildlife photographers who depend on high burst rates and relentless focus tracking, the Nikon Z8 is in a league of its own.

Battery Life and Storage: The Practical Details

Both cameras use battery packs designed for their systems: NP-W126 for the Fuji and EN-EL15c for the Nikon. The Fuji clocks roughly 350 shots per charge, which is quite good for an entry-level mirrorless, though the smaller battery and lack of power-hungry features help.

The Nikon Z8 offers around 330 shots per charge, which is impressive considering the bigger sensor and faster screen refresh rates. Plus, its dual card slots (CFexpress Type B and UHS-II SD) provide robust data management and backup, ideal for professionals shooting critical events.

The X-T10’s single SD slot and standard USB 2.0 transfer capabilities feel constrained compared to the Z8’s modern, high-speed USB 3.2 Gen 1 and wireless connectivity.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: What You Can Shoot Matters

Fuji’s X-mount has a mature lineup with approximately 54 native lenses ranging from primes to zooms. The lens options cover most focal lengths and specialties, with some beautiful primes that excel in portraiture and street photography.

Nikon’s Z mount, though younger, boasts 46 native lenses and rapidly expanding third-party support. The full-frame sensors make these lenses more versatile for professional work, offering superior optical quality - especially the high-end telephoto and macro lenses you crave if you’re into wildlife or studio disciplines.

Adapters exist for both, but for the Z8’s pro workflows, native Z-mount glass paired with sensor stabilization (5-axis IBIS) make it the more flexible and future-proof choice.

Hands-on Photography Performance Across Genres

Portrait Photography

The X-T10’s film-simulations and natural color science shine here, delivering flattering skin tones and classic Fuji bokeh. Eye AF is present but basic; the Z8’s advanced eye and animal eye detection focus markedly faster and more accurately, beneficial for fast-moving portrait sessions or pets.

Landscape Photography

With its larger sensor and higher resolution, the Nikon Z8 pulls ahead in dynamic range and detail retention - critical for HDR landscapes and fine printing. The Fuji’s weather sealing is absent, so the Z8’s robust environmental resistance is a serious advantage on outdoor shoots.

Wildlife and Sports

The burst rate and autofocus sophistication of the Nikon Z8 are decisive. The X-T10 struggles to keep fast-moving subjects sharp at 8 fps and has no animal eye detection. The Z8’s 30 fps and AI-powered tracking is a game changer for these demanding genres.

Street Photography

Here, the Fuji’s compact size, retro style, and lighter weight make it more discreet and less intimidating. Though its autofocus lags in low light compared to the Z8, the X-T10’s form factor is perfect for candid, urban shooting.

Macro Photography

The Nikon’s sensor stabilization combined with compatible Z-mount macro lenses gives it an advantage for precise manual focus and sharper shots. The X-T10 lacks in-body stabilization, so handheld macro is more challenging.

Night and Astro Photography

The Fuji’s maximum native ISO hits 51,000 (boosted, practically unusable), but real-world usable ISO tops around 3,200. The Z8’s full-frame sensor performs superbly at ISO 25,600 native and can be pushed higher with retainable detail - making it a better astro or night shooter.

Video Capabilities

The Fuji’s Full HD 1080p tops out at 60fps and uses H.264 codec. There’s no 4K, making it limited for serious videographers. The Z8, however, delivers up to 8K60p recording with ProRes and H.265 codecs, plus headphone and microphone jacks, sensor stabilization, and 10-bit 4:2:2 internal recording, fulfilling pro-video workflows.

Final Scoring and Genre Suitability

I’ve tabulated overall scores and specific strengths per shooting category here:

My Recommendations: Who Should Buy Which?

• Choose the Fujifilm X-T10 if:

  • You’re an enthusiast or beginner on a tight budget (around $800-ish new or less on used market)
  • You prefer a compact, lightweight camera for travel, street, or casual portrait work
  • You appreciate classic dials and Fuji’s film simulations
  • You don’t need the latest sensor technology, fast autofocus, or 4K video

• Choose the Nikon Z8 if:

  • You’re a professional or advanced enthusiast demanding top image quality and speed
  • You shoot wildlife, sports, landscape, or professional video frequently
  • You want a weather-sealed, durable body with advanced autofocus
  • You need dual memory card slots, powerful video features, and comprehensive connectivity
  • Budget around $4,000 fits your investment in a future-proof system

Wrapping Up With a Practical Perspective

Having put these cameras through countless hours of fieldwork, from hiking remote mountains to studio portrait sittings and wildlife hides, I can confidently say both cameras serve valuable niches. The Fuji X-T10 is a gem for casual shooters, street photographers, and those who value tactile analogue controls without breaking the bank.

The Nikon Z8 is the camera I’d hesitate to send into any assignment that demands reliability, speed, and uncompromised image quality. Though quite an investment, professionals and demanding hobbyists will find its performance unmatched.

Ultimately, your choice depends on what you shoot, your budget, and future growth plans. Whichever you pick, shooting with a camera that feels good in your hands and inspires creativity is the most important factor.

Sample Images From Both Cameras

To give you a taste of their output quality and character across genres, check out this side-by-side gallery taken under various conditions:

Fujifilm X T10 front Fujifilm X T10 screen back Nikon Z8 front Nikon Z8 screen back

I hope this comparison has helped clarify the practical differences between the Fujifilm X-T10 and Nikon Z8. Remember, my reviews come from hands-on testing across diverse real-world scenarios, so feel free to reach out with specific questions or shooting needs.

Happy shooting!