The new Z 9 – the long-awaited, long-rumoured first flagship model in Nikon’s Z mount series – is a full-fledged game-changer: an FX-format (full-frame) mirrorless camera that introduces a slate of innovative new technologies and promises to deliver some of the best image-capture performance – including 8K video recording – in the company’s history.
Designed to meet the advanced needs of today’s professionals, the Z 9 features a newly developed 45.7MP stacked CMOS sensor and a powerful new Expeed 7 image-processing engine. Together, they contribute to substantially increased AF speed, burst rate, buffer capacity, video resolution and more.
Intelligent AF
Using a new subject-detection algorithm developed with deep-learning technology, the Z 9 boasts Nikon’s most sophisticated AF tracking performance yet. It’s capable of detecting nine distinct types of subject – including humans, pets, birds, airplanes, trains, cars, motorbikes and bicycles – with a 3D-tracking mode (in another first for a mirrorless camera) to track especially difficult subjects, such as a fast-moving racecar or sprinting athlete.
With the Z 9, you can capture images at incredibly fast burst speeds – entirely with full AF/AE performance intact – including 20 fps RAW and 30 fps full-resolution JPEG images. High Speed Frame Capture+ enables up to 120 fps with full AF/AE, freezing a moment in time at resolution higher than that of 4K video. Dual-Stream technology ensures fast and seamless transfers of information to the Real-Live viewfinder/LCD and memory card simultaneously, all without skipping or repeating frames.
Although 20% smaller than its nearest DSLR counterpart, the Z 9 body features a durable drip- and dust-resistant magnesium-alloy chassis with an integrated vertical grip and controls. The new four-axis 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD tilts horizontally and vertically to enable shooting at just about any angle or orientation. The viewfinder performs handily in bright sunlight conditions, revealing the subtlest details even in shadows, thanks to the Z 9’s 3000-nits adjustable Quad-VGA panel.
8K UHD video
The Z 9 is Nikon’s most capable video camera to date, with an extensive suite of advanced features that, when combined with the resolving power of Nikkor Z S-Line lenses, delivers exceptional clarity and reliable edge-to-edge sharpness. Supported frame rates and resolutions include in-camera recording at 8K UHD 24p/30p and 4K UHD 24p/30p/60p/120p (FX-format). This camera also currently achieves the world’s longest recording time at 8K UHD 30p: more than two hours (125 minutes consecutively). It also supports various codecs, including H.265 (HEVC), ProRes 422 HQ10, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, to suit a wide range of production workflows.
Dale and Nikon’s Chris Ogonek discuss the features and benefits of Nikon’s new flagship camera, the Nikon Z9.
Features
