Nikon has officially announced its latest flagship full-frame mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z9, price tag £5,299 / €6,299 / $5,496.95, which boasts a new 45.7MP CMOS sensor and 8K video capability.
At the heart of the new Nikon Z9 is a newly developed stacked 45.7-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, which was designed by Nikon. This is paired with Nikon’s latest EXPEED 7 processing engine, which makes it capable of shooting at ultra-fast speeds.
The Nikon Z9 is able to capture more than 1,000 full-resolution raw images at 20fps. Users can also shoot JPEGs at up to 120fps in 11-megapixel resolution using a new C+ mode.
Nikon says the new Z9 boasts the world’s fastest scan rate, eliminating rolling shutter distortion to the point that the camera has no mechanical shutter. With its electronic shutter the Nikon Z9 is capable of shooting at shutter speeds of 1/32,000sec.
The new Nikon camera’s native ISO range stretches from ISO 64 to 25,600, and it’s expandable to ISO 32 to 102,400.
Follow the link to read our hands-on Nikon Z9 review
Video
The Nikon Z9 joins the 8K video club in recording full-frame 8K video at up to 60p. If you’re filming 8K video, Nikon says you can record at 30p for around 125 minutes at a time.
What’s more, an upcoming firmware update will enable the Nikon Z9 to record Raw 8K video at 60p. Nikon’s new N-RAW format promises to keep file sizes manageable.
You can also shoot 4K video at 120p. Full AF/AE and Eye-Detection AF modes are also available in video mode.
Autofocus
The Nikon Z9 boasts a 493-point AF system, which include 405 auto-area AF points, and 10 AF area modes that allow users to customise their AF for different jobs. Nikon has also added an AI algorithm that automatically detects nine different subject types. And in a first for Nikon’s Z series, the Nikon Z9 adds a new 3D tracking mode.
Body Design
The Nikon Z9 offers a 3000-nit electronic viewfinder with dual-stream technology that prevents black-outs and ensures a continuous real-time view. Also new is a 4-axis vertical and horizontal tilting monitor.
Nikon says the Z9 camera body is even more robust than the D6, with weather sealing and the ability to shoot in ultra-harsh conditions. A new AF mode button lets you switch your AF and AF area modes when using the viewfinder.
Nikon has also made the top and rear LCD control panels and buttons illuminate via a power switch so that you can see them better in the dark.
Size-wise, the Nikon Z9 is 20% smaller than the D6 and features a deep handgrip. The body is made of magnesium alloy, while a conductive coating creates a magnetic field that repels dust particles from the sensor.
Nikon Mount Adapter FTZ III
Nikon has also announced a new version of its popular Z to F-mount adapter. The new Nikon Mount Adapter FTZ II is smaller and builds on the original adapter, supporting 360 Nikon F lenses.
The Mount Adapter FTZ II can also be used with a vertical grip and video accessories. The Mount Adapter FTZ II price tag is £249 / €299.
Nikon Z9 Price & Release Date
The Nikon Z9 price tag will be £5,299 / €6,299/ $5,496.95 for the body only. The Nikon Z9 release date will be in winter 2021, according to Nikon. We’ll update this post with a more precise date once it is revealed.
You can pre-order the Nikon Z9 from Adorama in the USA.