Nikon Z 9

The Nikon Z9 is a flagship full-frame mirrorless camera produced by Nikon. The camera was announced on October 28, 2021. It is the eighth Z-mount camera body and the sixth full-frame Z-mount body.

The Z9 has the same 45.7 MP resolution as the Z7 and Z7II cameras, but uses a much faster stacked CMOS sensor which improves autofocus and continuous shooting performance.

The Z9 introduced the EXPEED 7 image processor, which provides an improvement of 10 times over the image processing speed of the EXPEED 6 predecessor, which was used in the previous Nikon full-frame Z6II and Z7II cameras. The continuous shooting capabilities of the Z9 significantly exceed those of Nikon's previous Nikon D6 while providing more than double the resolution. The Z9 is the first Nikon Z camera to support 8K video, which can be recorded internally at 60 fps in 12-bit N-RAW.

The Z9 is the first flagship full-frame camera without a mechanical shutter.

In January of 2024, Nikon revealed that NASA launched 13 unmodified Nikon Z9 cameras to the International Space Station (ISS) via the 20th Northrop Grumman commercial resupply services mission. On February 29, 2024, NASA revealed a signed agreement between them and Nikon to develop the Handheld Universal Lunar Camera (HULC) as the first handheld camera to be used on the Moon, for use beginning with the Artemis III mission. The resulting design consists of a modified Z9 camera with thermal shielding, custom grip with modified buttons, and modified electrical components to minimize issues caused by solar radiation.

The new Nikon Z9 will replace the aging high-end Nikon D5 and D6 DSLRs on board the ISS. Nikon Corporation and NASA share a long history together with Nikon being the camera brand that continuously supplies the agency with modified cameras since the 1970s.

Features

* "Synchro VR" where both in-body and in-lens image stabilization can stabilize the same axes.
* Burst lengths of over 1000 shots (previous Nikon cameras were limited to at most 200 shots per burst).
* Internal 10-bit video recording in H.264, H.265 and ProRes 422 HQ (also supports HLG and Nikon N-Log).
* Internal 12-bit raw video recording using ProRes RAW HQ (up to 4.1K at 60 fps) and Nikon N-RAW (up to 8.3K at 60 fps).
* Video recording length limit extended from 30 minutes to 2 hours and 5 minutes.
* Dedicated "sensor shield" to protect the sensor from dust and dirt when the camera is off or the lens taken off.
* VR lock to reduce sensor shock during standby.
* 10-pin remote and flash sync connectors.
* Built-in GPS, GLONASS and QZSS receiver for geotagging.
* Allows switching between linear and non-linear focus throw in manual focus with some lenses.
* "Dual-Stream Technology" providing separate paths for capturing images and updating the viewfinder, which eliminates viewfinder blackout and reduces viewfinder lag.

Gallery

File:Nikon Z 9 11 jun 2022a.jpg, Z9 + Z 24-70 S
File:Nikon Z 9 11 jun 2022b.jpg
File:Nikon Z 9 11 jun 2022c.jpg, Sensor, with sensor shield not engaged
File:Nikon Z 9 11 jun 2022d.jpg, Top controls and top screen
File:Nikon Z 9 11 jun 2022e.jpg
File:Nikon Z 9 11 jun 2022f.jpg, Main display in a tilted orientation

Awards

The Z9 won Camera Grand Prix 2022 Camera of the Year and Readers Award.Camera Grand Prix 2022
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Update history

The Z9 received several major firmware updates since the initial release. Notable features added by firmware updates include: Firmware 2.0 adding internal N-RAW video recording, "pre-release capture" and 120 Hz operation of the electronic viewfinder. Firmware 3.0 added video flicker reduction and digital zoom for 4K video, as well as a 19 MP 60 fps continuous release photo mode and general autofocus improvements. Firmware 4.0 added "auto capture", which can automatically trigger shutter release upon motion, subject or distance detection, and improved autofocus as well as video functions. Firmware 5.0 added several functions to the "auto capture" feature for more automated workflows as well as improvements to flicker reduction, several minor features and usability improvements.

References

External links

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{{Nikon Z cameras

Z9
Z9
Cameras introduced in 2020
Full-frame mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras