Nikon has announced the release of the full-frame mirrorless camera Nikon Z9 for which the Nikon Z mount is adopted.

The Z9 is the first flagship model of the Z series mirrorless cameras. Thanks to the newly developed stacked CMOS sensor and the Expeed 7 image-processing engine, the most powerful AF performance among Nikon cameras is realised. Nikon claims this advanced AF system detects the world’s largest range of nine subject types for both stills and video: people, dogs, cats, birds, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, trains, and airplanes. With this system, decisive moments can be reliably captured for diverse subjects.

For video recording, 8K UHD/30p video can be recorded on a memory card in-camera without using an external recorder for up to 125 minutes — the world’s longest. It is also possible to record 4K UHD/120p/60p/30p video.

A newly employed four-axis vertical/horizontal tilting monitor facilitates shooting from high or low angles regardless of vertical or horizontal orientation. In addition, the “Real-Live” Viewfinder, which, claims Nikon, surpasses the performance of conventional optical viewfinders (OVF) and electronic viewfinders (EVF).

In an official press release, Nikon states, “Unlike conventional blackout-free shooting that displays the same frame to prevent interruption of the finder image, this viewfinder continues to display the actual movement of the subject within the scene, so that every single moment can be smoothly and continuously confirmed with no skipped frames or loss of view.”

The Z9 features various functions and high performance that surpass previous Nikon digital SLR and mirrorless cameras, realising the “continuous and confident capture of decisive moments, even in extreme conditions”.

Primary features

1. The most powerful AF performance in Nikon history and ultra-fast still shooting that reliably capture decisive moments for diverse subjects – Employing an advanced algorithm that utilizes newly developed deep-learning technology, the camera detects the world’s largest range of nine subject types*¹ including birds, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, trains, and airplanes, as well as the conventional cats, dogs, and people. When selecting the “auto” subject detection option, any of these subjects can be automatically detected and focused on without changing settings.
   With Eye-Detection AF, the camera can detect and focus on a subject’s eye more effectively than ever, even if it is small in the frame. In any situation where AF cannot detect the eye or face, detection will automatically shift to the head or upper body, to maintain focus on the subject.
   The Z 9 provides the 3D-tracking feature as an AF-area mode option for the first time in a Nikon mirrorless camera. It can continue tracking a subject even in a scene where subjects move drastically. The Z 9 also brings new advances by offering three dynamic-area AF modes with different focus-area sizes (S/M/L) which is useful when shooting with a fixed composition. In still shooting, with High-Speed Frame Capture+ at what Nikon claims is the world’s fastest frame rate of 120 fps, a moment that cannot even be seen with the naked eye can be captured with approx. 11-megapixel images.
2. The highest video performance in Nikon history fully meets the demands of video creation – Thanks to an efficient heat-dissipation design, 8K UHD/30p video can be recorded on a memory card in-camera for up to approx. 125 minutes. Utilising the resolving power of NIKKOR Z S-Line interchangeable lenses, 8K UHD/30p video realises both exceptional high rendering performance from edge to edge and extended video recording. 4K UHD/120p/60p/30p video can also be recorded. Because 4K UHD/120p enables the creation of dramatic slow motion without any crop, footage recorded at different frame rates can be edited while maintaining the same angle of view.
3. Real-Live Viewfinder — a new technology providing a clearer view than conventional viewfinders – Thanks to Nikon’s Dual-Stream technology, enabled by the newly developed stacked CMOS sensor and new EXPEED 7 image-processing engine, images displayed on both the electronic viewfinder (EVF) and LCD monitor, and still-image data for recording can be processed simultaneously. Unlike conventional blackout-free shooting that displays the same frame to prevent interruption of the finder image, this viewfinder continues to display the actual movement of the subject within the scene, so that every single moment can be smoothly and continuously confirmed with no skipped frames or loss of view. Because this is achieved even when continuous shooting is repeated over a short period of time, it is ideal for scenes in which tracking of quickly moving subjects is required, such as during sports, allowing users to reliably capture the finest moments without missing any shutter opportunities.
4. Operability and reliability supporting the image expression of professionals – Nikon’s first four-axis vertical/horizontal tilting monitor provides outstanding operability especially for shooting from high or low angles, regardless of vertical or horizontal orientation. When shooting in vertical orientation, the user interface in live-view still images is automatically displayed vertically both in the viewfinder and on the LCD monitor, for easy checking and adjustment of settings. The Z 9 delivers Nikon’s highest class of reliability, with outstanding robustness equivalent to the Nikon D6 (released in June 2020), plus superior dust- and drip-resistant performance and an operating temperature down to -10°C/14°F, enabling it to withstand the severest conditions and reliably support the shooting needs of professionals.
5. Additional features

• 45.7 effective megapixels deliver overwhelming resolution maximizing the superior performance of NIKKOR Z lenses.
• High-Efficiency RAW which retains the same level of high image quality as the conventional uncompressed RAW in an approx. 1/3 smaller file size.
• High-speed continuous shooting at 20 fps for more than 1,000 frames*² realized in both JPEG and RAW file formats.
• Powerful dust-prevention measures for the image sensor include the world’s first*³ dual coating and sensor shield.
• The combination of ISO 64 capability and 1/32000-sec. shutter speed expands the range of creative expression of fast lenses.
• Silent mode for minimized operational sound of in-camera/in-lens VR, making it possible to shoot indoor events such as theatrical plays, press conferences and weddings.
• The sound of the electronic shutter can be set at three different volume levels to inform the subject of the shutter release timing in scenes such as portrait shooting.
• Compatible with CFexpress Type B memory cards with faster writing speed that are ideal for 8K UHD video recording and high-speed continuous shooting at high pixel count.
• Various image transfer functions are supported by 1000BASE-T wired LAN and built-in wireless LAN.Achieves a body 20% smaller than the D6 while adopting a design with integrated vertical grip.

Key selling points:

• Exceptional AF performance
• Best video performance in Nikon history
• New groundbreaking viewfinder technology

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