4K vs 8K: What's the Difference?

Whether you're shopping for a TV, monitor, camera, or gaming console, resolution is always a key factor—and often a confusing one. From 720p and 1080p to 2K, 4K, and now 8K, resolution has evolved rapidly in recent years. But do advancements like 8K actually represent a significant leap forward? What do 4K and 8K really mean, and is 8K that much better than 4K?

In this article, we’ll break down the differences between 4K and 8K resolutions to help you make an informed decision based on your actual needs.

Understanding the Basics of 4K and 8K Resolution

Resolution refers to the number of pixels a screen displays horizontally and vertically. The pixels are the points that make up the image. The higher the number of pixels a screen can show, the sharper the image quality is. The "K" in resolutions like 4K or 8K stands for “kilo,” meaning a thousand. It refers to the number of pixels across the width of the image.

What is 4K?

4K resolution, also known as 2160p or Ultra High Definition (UHD), refers to an image with approximately 4,000 pixels horizontally. According to DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives), the standard for 4K is 4096 × 2160 pixels. But in consumer media, the most popular 4K resolution is 3840 × 2160 pixels, totaling approximately 8.3 million pixels.

What is 8K?

8K refers to an Ultra High Definition (Ultra HD) resolution with approximately 8,000 horizontal pixels. 8K DCI refers to the slightly wider 256:135 aspect ratio used in movie projection, measuring 8192 × 4320 pixels. But in the consumer-electronics industry, it measures 7680 × 4320 pixels, totaling over 33 million pixels. That’s four times the pixel count of 4K (3840 × 2160) and sixteen times that of Full HD (1920 × 1080). As of now, 8K offers the highest resolution available for cameras and screens.

4K vs 8K: What Are the Differences?

Image Clarity

While resolution isn't the only factor for image quality, it remains a major one. The primary distinction between 4K and 8K lies in the pixel count: 4K delivers 3840 × 2160 pixels, whereas 8K jumps to 7680 × 4320 — a fourfold increase in total pixels. This dramatic leap in pixel density translates into noticeably smoother textures and sharper detail, particularly on large screens or when viewed up close.

Screen Size and Viewing Distance

The screen size and the distance from the display impact a viewer’s ability to see the maximum resolution. 4K technology is ideal for screens ranging from 40 to 65 inches, while 8K resolution becomes noticeably more effective on displays 85 inches and larger, providing a superior viewing experience.

Based on the research of Bernard J. Lechner, formerly an electronics engineer and VP at RCA Laboratories, each resolution has an optimal viewing distance, typically expressed as a multiple of the screen’s height (H). For a 4K UHD screen 140 cm high (112 inches diagonal), the optimal distance is 140 × 1.6 = 224 cm. According to this principle, for a person with 20/20 vision sitting about 10 feet (3 meters) away from the screen, you would need roughly a 134-inch screen to fully appreciate the detail of 4K, and an astonishing 267-inch screen to notice the extra clarity offered by 8K.

Content Availability

4K content is widely accessible. You can stream 4K content on primary streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Disney+, and Apple TV+. It’s also available on 4k Blu-ray discs, and increasingly used in gaming consoles—with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X supporting native 4K output.

8K content, by contrast, is still scarce. Currently, YouTube and Vimeo are among the few platforms offering native 8K videos, but the library remains small. Most 8K TVs rely heavily on upscaling, converting lower-resolution content (usually 4K) to simulate 8K quality. Native 8K physical media is nonexistent, and broadcast, cable, and satellite services don’t yet support 8K delivery. While gaming like PS5 and Xbox Series X are marketed as 8K-capable, they currently do not support native 8K gaming. Even maintaining a constant framerate at 4K is challenging for modern hardware.

Hardware Requirements

4K technology is widely compatible with most modern TVs, cameras, and streaming devices, as HDMI 1.4, 2.0, and 2.1 all support 4K. It also works seamlessly with existing home entertainment systems, which only need minor changes to existing infrastructure.

In contrast, 8K demands more specialized equipment. To handle the increased resolution and data rates, devices must support HDMI 2.1 connections and have enhanced processing power, including stronger CPUs and graphics units for decoding and rendering 8K video efficiently. For a full comparison of 4k and 8k HDMI cable, see this guide.

Storage and Bandwidth

4K content is relatively storage-efficient and well-suited for home use. A standard 4K movie on Blu-ray takes up about 100 GB, and streaming 4K content requires a bandwidth of 25 Mbps.

In contrast, 8K content demands far more resources. A single 8K video may require 200 GB or more storage. Streaming 8K also involves significantly higher bandwidth, typically 50-100 Mbps.

Cost

4K TVs and monitors are much more affordable and widely available, offering options across nearly every budget.

In contrast, 8K remains a high-end technology with significantly higher costs, limiting its reach to professionals and tech enthusiasts.

4K vs 8K: How to Choose?

For TVs

8K is currently the highest resolution available in consumer TVs. Famous brands like Samsung, LG, TCL, and Sony all offer 8K models. But is upgrading to 8K really necessary?

Image quality: 8K has four times the resolution of 4K, but that doesn’t necessarily equate to quadruple the quality. There’s a limit to how much resolution the human eye can perceive from typical viewing distances, and increasing the pixel density beyond that limit offers no advantage. Warner Bros. et al conducted a well-designed, double-blind study, the result indicates that increasing spatial resolution from 4K to 8K under typical viewing conditions does not result in significant visual improvement.

For 8K to be noticeable to the average viewer, it requires massive screens (usually 85 inches or larger), which may make the technology a good investment for theaters, stadiums, and signage, but more complicated and unlikely for the average viewer at home.

Content Availability: As mentioned before, 4K TVs can display countless compatible programs and content, but 8K content is still very limited. Currently, only Vimeo and YouTube are leading the way when it comes to production of 8K content.

Future-proofing: When investing in a new TV, consider how long you plan to keep it and how TV technology might evolve. While 4K offers excellent quality for today's content, 8K provides additional headroom for future developments in video content and gaming, often equipped with advanced features such as HDMI 2.1, QLED panels, and enhanced HDR.

Cost: 4K TVs have a wide choice of solutions available at various price ranges, while 8K TVs are wildly expensive. 4K TVs range in price from around $400 to more than $2,000. A 65-inch Samsung 8K TV costs around $4,999, while some earlier models like LG’s 88-inch OLED 8K TV debuted at $25,000.

For Cameras

Image Quality: With four times the pixel count, 8K offers noticeably sharper detail and smoother textures—especially beneficial for large displays or close-up viewing. For work involving intricate visuals, 8K can provide a clear edge. However, 4K remains more than adequate for most professional workflows.

Storage: 8K footage requires significantly more storage. For example, one hour of 8K RAW video can exceed 7 TB, compared to much smaller 4K file sizes. This means investments in high-capacity drives and faster storage systems are essential for 8K production.

Hardware Demands: Editing 8K content requires top-tier hardware — a fast processor, powerful GPU, and plenty of RAM. You'll also need high-capacity SD cards and drives, which increases cost. By contrast, 4K can be edited on mainstream laptops or desktops, making it far more accessible.

Cost: The price gap between 4K and 8K cameras is significant. While 4K models range from $500 to $6,000, 8K systems often start at $4,500 and can exceed $49,000. Combined with storage and editing expenses, 8K workflows demand a much larger investment.

For Security Cameras

4K resolution, with its 3840 x 2160 pixels, has become the benchmark for high-definition video in many industries—including security.4K security cameras find a good mix between economy and high-resolution quality. Without the sharp price leap to 8K, they provide noticeably better resolution than 1080p.

8K resolution for security cameras refers to extremely detailed footage far more than what 4K cameras can currently produce. Nevertheless, given its high data needs and large infrastructure investment in storage and bandwidth, 8K security cameras are still under development.

Best 4K Security Camera - eufyCam S3 Pro

The eufyCam S3 Pro is a premium 4K security camera kit that delivers day-like crystal-clear footage even in ultra low light conditions without spotlights with MaxColor Vision™ technology. Its 4K ultra-HD resolution allows you to zoom in on faces and even read license plates clearly from up to 30 ft away, even at night. Additionally, the dual motion detection system, combining radar and passive infrared (PIR), accurately identifies human movement and reduces false alerts by 99%, guaranteeing that alerts are only triggered by major security events in specified areas.

8K vs 16MP - eufy PoE NVR Security System S4 Max

8K video has a resolution of 7680 × 4320, totaling about 33.2 megapixels per frame, while a 16MP image typically measures around 5312 × 2988 pixels. This means each frame of 8K video contains roughly twice the pixels of a 16MP photo. But a 16MP photo contains roughly twice the pixel count of a 4K video frame. So if you are seeking uncompromising surveillance like 8K security cameras, 16MP security cameras are worth considering.

eufy PoE NVR Security System S4 Max features a powerful 16MP triple-lens setup, with the upper 4K wide-angle camera providing a 122° fixed view of the entire scene, while the lower 2K PTZ camera featuring 8× auto-zoom and 360° pan for complete coverage. With nearly twice the detail of 4K, a 16MP stream can capture license plates, vehicle damage, faces, or small objects even at night, making it ideal for lots where incidents often turn into insurance claims. For night vision, eufy has multiple modes for human vision, starlight, color vision, infrared, and spotlight color night vision.

Conclusion

While 8K delivers higher image detail, choosing between 4K and 8K comes down to your budget, setup, and usage. For most users, 4K is the most practical option — it's affordable, well-supported, and offers excellent visual quality. That said, 8K may appeal to enthusiasts or professionals who have the right conditions and want to stay ahead as technology evolves.

FAQs

Can you really see the difference between 4K and 8K?

There is a clear difference between 4K and 8K resolutions, particularly on bigger screens or close viewing of the display. Sharper and more detailed images come from 8K's much better pixel density. The quality of the content and the observer's distance from the screen will, however, determine the visibility of these variances.

Is 8K TV worth over 4K?

For most people, an 8K TV isn’t worth it over a 4K TV — at least not yet. While 8K offers four times the resolution of 4K, the difference is hard to notice unless you’re using a very large screen (typically 85 inches or more) and sitting unusually close. On top of that, 8K content is extremely limited, and most videos you'll watch are still in 4K or lower, meaning the 8K TV has to upscale.

Is 8K the highest resolution?

In consumer electronics, yes. While even higher resolutions like 12K or 16K exist in specialized fields such as digital cinema and industrial imaging, they are not widely accessible.