Nikon

Z 9

Full Frame Mirrorless Camera Body

The Nikon Z 9 is a professional-grade full-frame mirrorless camera characterised by a newly developed sensor, advanced autofocus (AF) performance, and high-resolution 8K video recording to deliver speed, image quality, and connectivity.

The FX-format 45.7MP BSI-stacked CMOS sensor features fast readout speeds and reduction in rolling shutter as well as contibutes to impressive clarity and minimal noise when working at higher sensitivities. Its high 45.7 MP high resolution benefits capturing images of greater detail and enables recording video at resolutions up to 8K. This full frame design offers exquisite colour and detail rendering and a native ISO 64-25600 range that can be expanded to ISO 32-102400.

An advanced processing engine, the EXPEED 7, offers speeds approximately 10x than a Z 7II and complements the sensor to realise impressively fast AF speeds, burst shooting rates, a high buffer capacity, fluid video performance, and quick all-around handling. The Z 9 can achieve top continuous shooting speeds of 20 fps when shooting in raw, 30 fps when shooting in JPEG, and an impressive 120 fps shooting rate when recording 11MP stills with all rates supporting full AF/AE performance. In addition, it is able to buffer over 1000 raw images in a burst, which enable raw image sequences to be recorded for approximately 50 seconds continuously. A new High Efficiency RAW file format maintains image quality akin to uncompressed raw files, with the bonus of file sizes that are approximately 30% smaller for faster reading/writing to the memory card.

Designed as with only an electronic shutter for all capture modes, the Z 9 is still able to achieve recording at up to 1/32 000 sec with little motion distortion and flash sync up to 1/200 sec and high speed sync functions are supported thanks to the outstanding speed and stacked design of the sensor. The removal of a mechanical shutter means a completely silent operation, although a shutter release sound can be added and its volume adjusted if the user has a preference for an audio indication when taking a photo.

Fast and accurate focusing performance is realised by Z 9's 493-point phase detection AF system. High communication of the Z interface as well as the speed of the sensor enables AF readings to occur at up to 120 fps. A Starlight mode permits focusing down to -8.5 EV to enable working in low light conditions such as in a concert, nighttime shooting, and astrophotography. The utlisation of a new algorithm and deep learning technology now enables recognition of nine distinct subject types that range from humans to animals to airplanes to bicycles. When shooting in Auto-Area AF, these subjects are automatically detected, focussed on, and tracked to ensure sharp focus as they move across the frame. The fine-tuned Eye-Detection AF mode, on the other hand, can recognised eyes within the frame regardless of their size. The Z 9's 3D Tracking mode is the first in a Nikon mirrorless camera. It pairs with subject detection capabilities to lock onto fast and erractically moving subjects that move parallel and perpendicular to the camera axis. A further three Dynamic-Area AF modes provide a range of focus area sizes to suit capturing a broader variety of moving subject types.

The Z 9 boasts equally impressive video capabilities, with a variety of resolutions and frame rates at up to 8K.  A UHD 8K 30p video can be recorded with continuous shooting possible for about 2 hours and 5 mins using full pixel readout. A full frame 4K recording up to 120p is also available for slow-motion playback. By utilising an 8K area, oversampled UHD 4K recording is possible at up to 30p for increased sharpness and detail. In addition, 33MP or 11MP stills can be obtained via high-resolution frame grabs from 8K and 4K videos respectively. Internal recording with 10-bit colour and 4:2:2 sampliing can be made in the ProRes 422 HQ and H.265 codecs. H.264 and 4:2:0 colour can used depending on the requirements of the workflow. A 10-bit N-log setting as well as a Flat colour profile provides greater latitude when grading in post. In addition, HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) can be employed for creating HDR-ready content straight the camera.

The Z 9 professional body design features a Real-Live Viewfinder, which is an advanced EVF utilising a 3.69m-dot OLED panel with adjustable luminance up to 3000 cd per square meter for visibility in bright conditions. This EVF works in conjunction with dual-stream technology for blackout-free viewing when shooting continuously. A unique 3.2" 2.1m-dot four axis tilting touchscreen LCD improves working from high and low angles in both horizontal and vertical orientation. Also, the four-way tilt permits easier viewing from a variety of positions and the user interface orientation will also shift depending on how the camera is held. An in-body Vibration Reduction supports Synchro VR to achieve up to 6 stops of camera shake compensation when paired with select Z lenses.

Constructed to be highly durable and tough, the Z 9 features a magnesium alloy chassis that is 20% smaller than the former flagship DSLR body. It is also dust and moisture resistant for working in less favourable conditions. Additionally, a sensor shield aids in keeping dust from the sensor when changing lenses while a dual electro-conducive and fluorine coating on the optical filter covering the sensor further prevents dust. A VR safety lock maintained the sensor and VR mechanism in place to prevent damaged by movement during travelling. It ergonomic form factor, coupled with the inclusion of a vertical grip, supports easy switching between horizontal and vertical shooting orientations. The Z 9 is designed with a dual CFexpress Type B memory card slots that permits flexible file saving and support high-speed reading and writing to keep up with the fast continuous shooting and high-resolution 8K video recording. Designed to connect with ease, the Z 9 feautres a full-size HDMI port for outputting to an external recorder or monitor, a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port that supports tethering, data transfer, and in-camera battery charging, an Ethernet port that supports 1000BASE-T wired LAN connection, a 10-pin port for connecting remotely as well as to wide varierty of accessories, PC sync port for flash sync, and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz) for wireless file transfer, remote camera control via a mobile device, and file management via the NZ Mobile Air app. Thanks to its GNSS (Global navigation satellite system), in-camera geotagging and recording of shooting location information are also available.

The Z9 comes supplied with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, a battery charger, a charging AC adapter, a battery chamber comver, a USB cable, a cable clip, a hot shoe cover, a strap, a body cap and a rubber eyecup.