After months since its development was announced, and a countdown during this month of October based on teasers, has finally been officially announced Nikon Z9, the house’s first full-frame mirrorless camera aimed at professionals and that is at the top of its catalog of mirrorless. And it does it loaded with very interesting specifications, such as those that we have advanced in the headline, to face tough competition.
Starting with a new stacked type CMOS sensor, full frame and 45.7 MP resolution, which is complemented by the processor Expeed 7 they advertise as “ultrafast“And following the systems of autofocus and 3D tracking “most sophisticated Nikon to date, class-leading video capabilities, an exceptional electronic viewfinder screen, up to 120 fps with full autofocus and exposure metering, among many other things“.
For all this the brand advertises it as “its most advanced flagship camera ever” and “an important step for both Nikon and professional photography“Also, according to Nikon“The Z9 is the most advanced camera we’ve ever made. It is far above everything else out there. Few cameras have the ability to truly change the “rules of the game,” and this is one of them.”.
A statement that clearly refers to the competition that this model is going to be found on the market. Starting with the Canon EOS R3 and continuing with the Sony A1 and Sony A9 II, since it seems to want to compete in the field of both. Whether it is true or not, we are going to see in a little more detail the news of this long-awaited camera.
Main news
Among the features that Nikon stands out from its new model we have a AF and 3D tracking system that they advertise as “of extraordinary performance”. Specifically, the system includes 493 AF points with 405 of them automatic zone (five times more than the Nikon Z7 II), and with ten AF area modes to offer users the possibility to optimize their configuration for any type of work.
On the other hand, it makes use of artificial intelligence type Deep learning to enhance the simultaneous and advanced detection of up to nine types of subjects different (including people, animals, birds and vehicles). This is combined with a 3D tracking system, a first in the Nikon mirrorless range, which “helps capture every important moment. The Z 9 understands what is being photographed, be it people and their characteristics or animals and vehicles, and reacts instantly to changes in position, orientation or speed of the subject”.
Another field in which the new Nikon wants to play hard it’s the one from the video, which announces capabilities “that change the rules of the game”. For this he promises a “incredible power”And the ability to record 8K videos from 24p to 60p and 4K 24p to 120p full format, in addition to timelapse in the camera.
In addition, it will be possible to record 8K video footage at 30p for approximately 125 minutes in a row, “a record among all mirrorless cameras”. In addition, for video professionals, it will have compatibility with the recording format ProRes 422 HQ, will offer the new format N-RAW from Nikon so files don’t skyrocket in size and announce an upcoming update “that will allow you to record 8K RAW videos in ultra-smooth 60p”.
Another of the most outstanding features of the new model has to do with its firing speed, a feature that had been talked about a lot in the previous months. Well, it is confirmed that he will be able to shoot up to 120 fps but, yes, it will be in JPEG and with a crop in the image that will leave the photos in approximately 11 MP, albeit with full AF / AE capability in the new C + mode.
Therefore, the actual gust stays in 20 fps, which is not bad at all, and they also announce the possibility of capturing more than 1000 photos in RAW format in a single burst. On the other hand, they promise “the world’s fastest scan speed that virtually eliminates rolling shutter distortion, to the point where the mechanical shutter is gone”.
To keep up with this rate of fire, the Z9 “has the brightest electronic viewfinder screen (3000 nits), with dual transmission technology that guarantees live shooting without downtime, so that photographers do not miss a moment”. Therefore, it is confirmed that the viewer will not have no type of blackout so that the user does not miss any of the action.
A professional body
As expected, the camera will ultimately not have a fully folding screen, like those that proliferate in the market today, but will do so with a 4-axis vertical and horizontal flip-up screen “allowing photographers to adapt to the moment with fast and flexible framing”.
Something that is new to the brand and that appears for the first time in a model designed to be “a professional tool on all four sides. The ergonomics of the camera, such as the button layout, have been refined and improved based on the suggestions of professional photographers”.
As for their resistance, they announce a solidity that goes beyond even the Nikon D6 (the professional DSLR of the house), so that users “can capture it all even in the harshest conditions”. As far as the buttons are concerned, the new AF mode button stands out, which allows “switch AF mode and AF area mode during viewfinder shooting, while top and rear LCD control panels and main buttons light up when you swipe the main switch to easily change settings in the dark”.
Its measurements by the way are 149 x 149.5 x 90.5 mm and its weight 1,160 grams without card or battery. A few figures for what Nikon considers a compact body that is 20% smaller than the Nikon D6, but features “a deep grip that allows a secure grip for horizontal and vertical shooting“.
Although in principle it is intended for action, sports, nature and photojournalist photographers, it is also advertised as “ideal for fashion and advertising professionals who need to get the most of their creativity with still images and high resolution video, and for video creators who want quality results in efficient and agile production environments”. Therefore, it is a broad spectrum camera, not like the Canon EOS R3 which is aimed at a more specific audience.
Nikkor Z 100-400mm f / 4.5-5.6 VR
Along with the new camera, the brand has introduced the new Nikkor Z 100-400mm f / 4.5-5.6 VR lens, a “bright, sharp and versatile companion for Z cameras”That comes boasting of offering fast, precise and quiet focus when tracking fast-moving subjects. A wide range within telephoto zoom lenses that you want to stand out for its “superior optical performance […]in a variety of situations * ”, a stabilization system that compensates the equivalent of 5.5 stops and a minimum focusing distance of only 75/98 cm at its minimum and maximum focal lengths.
Lastly, Nikon has also announced the new mount adapter FTZ II, to use Nikon F mount lenses on Nikon Z cameras, which “further enhances the ease of use of the existing FTZ mount adapter thanks to an optimized design“.
Price and availability
As usual, Nikon Spain has not given data on when it will be available or what price it will have.
Nikon Z9, but Nikon USA report that it will hit stores this year 2021 (at least in that country) with a recommended price of $ 5,499.95 just the body.
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