Melville, NY—Nikon officially introduced the full-frame Nikon Z 9, the most advanced Z series mirrorless camera to date. The interchangeable-lens camera (ILC) is powered by a completely new, Nikon-developed 45.7-megapixel stacked CMOS sensor and next-gen Expeed 7 image processor.
In addition, to complement the Z 9, Nikon debuted the Nikkor Z 100–400mm f/4.5–5.6 VR S and Nikkor Z 24–120mm f/4 S lenses as well as the Mount Adapter FTZ II. New Nikon software was also announced.
The full-frame Z 9 is engineered to render ultrahigh-resolution images and enhanced AF performance using a new scene detection system built on deep learning technology. Consequently, the camera is capable of sustained fast continuous shooting; in-camera 8K video recording for extended periods; blackout-free real-live visibility in the viewfinder; as well as a sensor scan rate that eliminates the need for a traditional mechanical shutter.
“The Z 9 is the complete package, offering an unprecedented balance of speed, resolution, reliability and performance that will exceed expectations for any type of shoot, including fast action sports, commercial fashion, low light, landscapes and more,” said Jay Vannatter, executive vice president, Nikon Inc.
“The Z 9 looks to the future, with innovations and features that give all types of imaging professionals and content creators the advantage when it matters most and the confidence to create in nearly any conditions.”
Nikon Z 9 Specs
At its core is a Nikon 45.7MP BSI (backside-illuminated) stacked CMOS sensor. It’s coupled with the new Expeed 7. Nikon’s most powerful engine yet, the Expeed 7 is approximately 10x faster than the processor in the Z 7II. This combination brings significant increases in AF speed; burst rate; buffer capacity; as well as video resolution.
Nikon also says the camera currently offers “the world’s fastest image scan rate; the Z 9 achieves the world’s smallest rolling shutter distortion, equaling that of a mechanical shutter.” As a result, actions like a fast-moving golf swing that would typically distort the club are accurately captured with the electronic shutter, even at 1/32,000 second. It also allows users to shoot large quantities of silent frames without worrying about shutter breakdown.
Furthermore, specs state the Z 9 achieves fast and accurate AF calculations at up to 120 cycles per second, even between frames during continuous shooting. And for shooting in low light, its native ISO range of 64–25,600 is expandable from ISO 32 to 102,400.
In addition, the new starlight mode augments its ability to focus down to -8.5 EV. Plus, illuminated buttons help astrophotographers as well as event and concert photographers change settings in the dark.
Nikon’s Most Intelligent AF System Yet
The Z 9 also features Nikon’s fastest, most sophisticated AF-tracking system ever. It takes advantage of the Z mount’s high-speed communication capabilities with frame-by-frame sharing of distance information. Moreover, the system utilizes a new subject-detection algorithm developed with deep learning technology, as well as 3D-tracking.
The camera’s subject-detection capability detects a large range of subject types; they include humans, pets, birds, airplanes, trains, cars, motorbikes and bicycles. Moreover, when in auto-area AF, the camera detects any of these subjects automatically and focuses on them, without a change in settings.
In addition, using eye-detection AF, the camera can focus on a subject’s eye more effectively than ever; this is possible even when the eyes are smaller or farther away. A custom function will now also let users change the color of the focus point to green to confirm focus.
What’s more, the 3D-tracking mode from Nikon DSLRs debuts for the first time in a mirrorless camera. It is coupled with subject detection to track fast, erratically moving subjects. These could include a racing car that approaches close and then moves away quickly, or a swiftly moving athlete.
The Z 9 also brings more flexibility by offering three dynamic-area AF modes with a new range of focus-area sizes (S/M/L).
Enhanced Speed
The fastest, most powerful Nikon flagship ever, the Z 9 enables photographers to capture images at fast burst speeds with full AF/AE. Photographers can shoot 20-frames-per-sec RAW images with a 1000+ image buffer. However, when a balance of quality and burst rate is needed, it can capture full-res JPEGs at 30 fps.
Conversely, the Z 9’s high speed frame capture+ function enables up to 120-fps shooting with full AF/AE at a manageable file size of 11MP. The Z 9 also introduces High Efficiency RAW, which retains the level of image quality as the conventional uncompressed RAW in a 1/3 smaller file size.
And blackout-free shooting is possible because of Dual-Stream technology. It simultaneously feeds information to the real-live viewfinder/LCD and memory card. This results in reliable confirmation of a subject’s movement without skipping or repeating frames in the viewfinder.
In addition, speeds of 1/32,000 sec are possible with the electronic shutter. This expands the opportunities to use fast lenses, letting photographers shoot wide open in brighter light, even at f/0.95.
8K UHD Video Camera
The Z 9 also offers advanced video features, supporting a variety of frame rates and resolutions. They comprise in-camera recording at 8K UHD 24p/30p and 4K UHD 24p/30p/60p/120p (FX format). Nikon also states that the ILC currently achieves the “world’s longest record time at 8K UHD 30p for more than two hours consecutively (up to approximately 125 minutes).”
For more latitude when color grading in postproduction, tone mode profile options are also available in-camera. They include 10-bit N-Log and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma), as well as the flat color profile.
The Z 9 additionally supports multiple codecs, including H.265 (HEVC), ProRes 422 HQ and H.264/MPEG-4 AVC. Other video features include the ability to create 33MP/8MP frame grabs in-camera from 8K/4K videos; a full-size HDMI connection, with output latency significantly reduced; and high-resolution 24-bit linear PCM audio for cleaner sound quality with greater range.
Nikon also plans to release a free firmware upgrade in 2022 to enable internal 8K 60p capture in the new 12-bit N-RAW high efficiency video format; 12-bit ProRes RAW; as well as other pro-level video features.
Additional Features
The Z 9 employs a new four-axis 3.2-inch touch–screen LCD that frees the monitor to tilt horizontally as well as vertically. The interface also adjusts automatically to the appropriate orientation while shooting stills.
And for better visibility through the viewfinder in bright sunlight, there’s a bright Quad-VGA panel that’s adjustable to 3000cd/m2 (nits).
Vibration Reduction image stabilization was also enhanced with new Synchro VR technology; it achieves up to 6 stops of compensation with compatible lenses.
The Z 9’s body features an integrated vertical grip and controls. Its magnesium alloy chassis provides drip and dust resistance equivalent to the D6 yet is 20% smaller. The camera boasts dual coating on the optical filter with an electro-conductive coating and fluorine coating to repel dust in front of the sensor, in addition to a sensor shield that protects the sensor when changing lenses.
For further dust prevention, VR safety lock protects the sensor from the risk of damage caused by unintentional movement when the camera’s power is off.
Other features include an adjustable shutter release volume, which can be totally silent in sensitive situations or serve as an audible cue for a subject; and network options are organized under a new menu tab for fast access. These options include in-camera Bluetooth and Wi–Fi (2.4/5GHz); a 1000BASE-T wired LAN connection; direct transfer to FTP without a wireless accessory; multiple camera sync; and built-in GNSS GPS for location data.
Nikon plans on releasing the Z 9 full-frame mirrorless camera within this year. It will have a suggested retail price of $5,499.95.
