Nikon Z9 camera body

Nikon Z9 camera body

The Nikon Z9 is a professional-grade SLR camera. In short, this is the manufacturer's best and most versatile camera. The features include features valued by photographers such as fast 3D tracking autofocus with fast subject recognition, fast continuous shooting.

The heart of the camera is a 45.7 megapixel image sensor, which is so fast that the camera does not have a traditional shutter at all! Exposure is achieved without distortion with the electronic shutter, even when photographing fast-moving subjects such as flying birds or ball games. This means the shutter is fast, silent and does not contain any mechanical parts.

In video shooting, this is suitable for demanding production use: 8K Raw recording directly to memory card and 4K 120P slow motion without fear of overheating. All this in a body that can withstand even rough use.

The Nikon Z9 is still technically top-notch a few years after its release, but the manufacturer deserves special praise for its comprehensive software updates.

Currently, the latest software is firmware version 5.10. The latest update includes a shutter angle setting for video recording, meaning that when shooting 24P or 60P video, the exposure time will automatically be optimized, and the histogram, zebra and waveform exposure aids can be better adjusted.

So there have been several releases and the updates have not been just bug fixes, but each update has included new features: usability improvements, several improvements to autofocus (better tracking for birds, for example), 8K Raw video recording directly to the memory card, burst shooting with pre-recording of images. So really, and for some manufacturers, this could have been a Mark II version of the camera and not an obvious software update.

• 45.7MP Stacked CMOS full-frame sensor
  
• 5-stop in-body image stabilization
  
• 493 PDAF focus points, 3D-tracking AF with human, animal, bird and vehicle detection
• The image remains in the viewfinder even during exposure
• continuous shooting RAW 20fps, buffer memory 1000 images and full focus and light metering during shooting
• 8K 30P Raw video recording directly to memory card
• 4K 120P and FullHD 240P slow motion videos
• Pre Burst pre-recording for capturing fast-moving subjects
• Integrated additional handle, 2 CFExpress memory card slots, Wifi, Bluetooth and GPS
• Professional-grade weather protection
  
• Compatible with older Nikon lenses with adapter
  

New sensor technology - no traditional shutter

The Nikon Z9 features a so-called stacked sensor. This sensor type is also used in top cameras from other manufacturers, such as the Sony A1 and Canon EOS R3. Nikon takes the technology further and the camera does not have a mechanical shutter at all.

The sensor's read speed is so good that even fast movements do not cause distortion and the fastest possible shutter speed is certainly sufficient at 1/32000 seconds. The camera is also completely silent when shooting. In addition, with this camera you don't have to think about the number of shutter releases because there are no mechanical parts to wear out. Flash synchronization is possible at a speed of 1/200.

A fast sensor and processor also determine many other features, from autofocus to video recording:

Fast autofocus

The most important feature of a professional-style camera like the Nikon Z9 is its fast and reliable autofocus. There are 493 phase-detection autofocus points. The autofocus updates 120 times per second, meaning the camera reacts and detects movement quickly.

The Nikon Z9 is the manufacturer's first mirrorless camera to feature the 3D Tracking feature familiar from Nikon's previous pro models. This acclaimed technology means better tracking of movement perpendicular to the camera. Traditionally, mirrorless cameras have been quite fast at focusing on a subject, but movement, especially in the depth direction, has been difficult. So this bodes well for those who shoot sports, dog activities, and birds of prey flying perpendicularly in a hiding place.

Like other top models from other brands, the Nikon Z9 includes subject-aware focus modes, meaning that focus on people, animals, vehicles, and birds will lock onto the subject based on the content of the image. In addition, this top model (unlike the Z6 III, for example) has a focus mode specifically for bird photography.

Advanced focus modes combined with programmable buttons on the body will reward the skilled photographer. Even the best AI-taught focus doesn't work in all situations, so by programming, for example, 3D tracking, wide-area focus and single focus point selection to different buttons, you are well prepared and can change settings while keeping your subject in the viewfinder - without the hassle of menus.

Burst shooting: Burst shooting at 20 frames per second with raw images, 30FPS with JPG recording and 60FPS with JPG recording and 1.5X cropping. Exposure and intermediate focus work in all these modes without restrictions. The raw image cache can hold up to 1000 copies, so when it happens, you can definitely take enough pictures and without worrying about restrictions.

Pre Capture: When you press the shutter button halfway, a burst of images is recorded for up to a second in advance, meaning 30, 60 or 120 images are saved! This feature allows you to capture very fast events, such as the exact moment a bird catches a fish or a sports performance in the perfect position. The image format is JPEG and the speed depends on the amount of cropping.

Auto Capture: This is an interesting feature! Auto Capture, announced in the fourth major software update, allows you to program the camera to take a picture according to rules. For example, if an object comes to a certain point or at a certain distance, the camera will automatically take a picture. When shooting a sporting event, you can leave another camera to automatically take some of the pictures, or, for example, when shooting animals, the camera's patience will not run out.

Internal image stabilization: The stabilization works according to the subject of the active focus point, meaning the stabilization can change its behavior if the subject is at the edge of the frame compared to if it is in the center of the frame. Synchro VR, or stabilization, works together with lens stabilization and in video also e-VR digital stabilization as an addition.

Video description: the changes are extensive, so more about these in a separate chapter.

Nikon Z9 in video shooting - for demanding 8K quality

The Nikon Z9 is the manufacturer's demonstration of its power in video photography. In DSLR cameras, video was a kind of mandatory addition for Nikon, but now video production is an important focus and in terms of technology, it has enough performance, just like still photography. It's no wonder that Nikon acquired the film camera company RED!

• 8.3K 30P RAW 12bit video recording directly to the card, without cropping
• 4K 60P video oversampled from 8K footage, 4K 120P slow-motion videos
• 4.1K 60P ProRes RAW
• In addition to raw shooting, share a selection of codecs
• Waveform view for precise exposure adjustment
• Better audio: also line-level input, 24bit recording
  
• Full-size HDMI Type A connector
• Good thermal management without active cooling, up to two hours of shooting time in 8K recording

The Z9 was Nikon's first body to record raw images and wide-gamut Log video directly to the memory card internally. At the same time, the other codec selection is also really comprehensive. 8K video and other features are not just a demonstration of the largest possible numbers, but the device is truly a device suitable for professional video productions. Battery life, thermal management and most importantly image quality are first class.

The partially stacked structure of the sensor means fast data readout, meaning that the rolling shutter effect that occurs when the camera moves is very well minimized. The sensor is faster than the R3 or Sony A1 bodies.

In addition to raw resolution, good sound is important in video, and the Nikon Z9 also takes line-level audio via a 3.5mm connector, for example from a mixing console or a separate recorder in 24bit linear format.

Nikon Z9 or Nikon Z8?

The Nikon Z8 is a very popular camera and offers the same image quality and video capabilities as the Z9 in a compact body. If you use the battery grip a lot, you should get the Z9 with a larger battery. If you are shooting very long, i.e. hectic or continuous video shooting, the Z9 offers longer battery life.

The Z9 is great for extreme burst shooting thanks to its dual fast card slots. Additionally, the integrated grip and larger body work more well with super telephoto lenses.

GPS and voice memo are also only found on the Z9 body.

Professional-grade frame

In addition to autofocus and image quality, the third important feature for professional use is the camera's usability and durability.

• Nikon's best weather protection
• 3.96 million-dot OLED electronic viewfinder
• Cell protection and dust reduction curtain
  
• Large EN-EL18D battery, battery charging also in the camera and additional power via USB-C connection
• GPS location data recording
• Two fast CFExpress memory card slots
• The most important buttons are backlit, so they are easy to find even in the dark
• Voice memo mode for recording notes
• 3.2' rotating touchscreen, so-called four-axis, i.e. tilting, folding and rotating again
  
• Full-size HDMI Type A connector, RJ45 network connector

According to the technical specifications, the viewfinder has fewer pixels than the top models of its competitors. However, we recommend testing it with your own eyes if this is a threshold issue. The optics and image quality of Nikon's viewfinder are very good, and when shooting, especially with fast shutter speeds, the viewfinder is truly unobstructed, meaning it shows the image the entire time during exposure without jerking. The lag is also very small. For many, this Nikon Z9 may be the best user experience of this generation of devices.

The button layout is familiar from Nikon's mirrorless models, so switching from the Nikon Z7 II model, for example, is smooth.

The integrated handle allows the camera to accommodate a large battery and the most important buttons are duplicated on the handle, meaning that vertical shooting is possible even with larger lenses. The stated number of shots is 700 according to CIPA estimates, but in practice this figure is exceeded many times over, meaning there can be thousands of shots.

All in all, this is a tough professional device, so bad weather is no excuse for taking pictures this time.

• Sensor: full-frame Partially Stacked CMOS, 45.7 megapixels
• Bayonet: Nikon Z, (Nikon F compatibility with adapter)
• Focus points: 493
  
• Sensitivity: ISO 64 - 25600 (expanded to ISO 32 - 102400)
• Shutter speeds: up to 1/32000 with electronic shutter
• Flash sync: 1/200 s
• Burst shooting: 20fps raw, 30fps JPEG, 11MP cropped images at 120FPS, all modes with full exposure metering and focus, buffer memory for approximately 1000 raw images
• Video recording: 8K RAW and 4.1K Proress Raw internally to memory card, 4K oversampled from 8K footage, 4K 120P slow-motion videos
• Viewfinder: OLED, resolution 3.69M dots, magnification 0.8x
  
• Display: 3.2'cm 4-axis tilting touchscreen, 2.1M dots
• LCD screen on top of the camera
• 2pcs XQD or CFExpress memory card slots
• Microphone connection: 3.5mm
• Headphone jack: 3.5mm
• Connections: HDMI Type A, USB C, Nikon DC2, PC sync, RJ45
• wireless: Wi-Fi 2.5 / 5GHz WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0
• GPS
• Size: 149 x 149.5 x 90.5mm
• Weight: approximately 1340g with battery and memory card, 1160g body only

Sales package includes: Nikon Z9 body, BF-N1 body cap, EN-EL18d Li-ion battery (with terminal cover), MH-33 battery charger, HDMI/USB cable holder, AN-DC24 strap, UC-E24 USB cable, BS-1 hot shoe cover

Note: In accordance with EU Directive 2022/2380 (Charging Cable and Charger Waste Reduction Directive), the Nikon Z9 product package no longer includes the EH-7P AC adapter.