Update 10/28/2021: Nikon has officially unveiled the brand new Nikon Z9, available now for preorder. The camera’s powerhouse features include:
- 45.7MP Stacked CMOS sensor
- EXPEED 7 image processing
- Fast and powerful AF
- 8K/30p video recording
- 4K 120p slow motion video recording
- 10-bit 4K/30p from oversampled 8K
Learn more about the camera and read photographer Rod Mar’s hands-on review on 42West.
Original article published 3/11/2021: Nikon took the photography world by storm this week when it announced the development of its new Nikon Z9, promised to be the brand’s highest-end mirrorless camera yet. It’s also Nikon’s first Z-mount flagship camera.
While details remain limited and full specs are forthcoming, Nikon did share some highlights in its launch press release. “The Z9 brings together Nikon’s groundbreaking technologies to deliver the best still and video performance in Nikon history, meeting the advanced needs of professionals in a wide range of genres,” according to the release.
The Z9 will incorporate a newly developed FX-format stacked CMOS sensor for unparalleled image quality, with a new image-processing engine for even more precision. Another exciting feature that has videographers celebrating: Nikon is bringing 8K video recording and various additional video specifications to ensure a seamless workflow.
The Z9 is built to be user-friendly and function, while also delivering “an unprecedented imaging experience from capture to workflow exceeding that of previous digital-SLR and mirrorless cameras.”
What Nikon photographers hope for with the new Z9
Can’t wait for the new Nikon Z9? We’re with you! To go deeper with this Nikon Z9 announcement, we asked renowned Nikon photographer Seth Miranda what he hoped to see in this new addition to Nikon’s mirrorless line. Here’s what he told us:
“While little is known about the Z9, we can see Nikon’s mindset has pros in mind. It seems to be the first full-frame mirrorless camera with an integrated grip like a full-body DSLR that we’ve seen from the top brands.
To me, this shows Nikon is paying attention to things like optimal weather sealing and build quality. The stacked sensor also opens up a lot of possibilities for the fastest read outs we’ve seen in a Nikon—perhaps even more features like no black-out EVF?
I’m really amped to see what their new processor can bring because, while resolution is great, it’s the processing of the data off these great sensors that really optimizes not just the image and file, but how fast it can do that with frames-per-second for stills and video. I’d love to see an EVF that brings higher frame rates, and that new processor also helps if it’s an upgrade from the already-killer EVF in the Z6ii and Z7ii. Needless to say, I’m pretty pumped! And, while silly, I also hope this is the return of backlist buttons like my D850—it’s the little things, right?”
We’ll share the release date as soon as we have it. In the meantime, browse our line of NIKKOR Z lenses here to daydream about that perfect Nikon mirrorless kit!
