Nikon debuts mirrorless flagship Nikon Z 9, two lenses

Nikon Corp. announced its long-rumoured professional-class mirrorless camera, the Z 9, which is powered by a completely new, Nikon-developed 45.7 megapixel stacked CMOS sensor and EXPEED 7 image-processing engine. Additionally, the camera is capable of sustained fast continuous shooting bursts, in-camera 8K video recordings for extended periods, truly blackout-free Real-Live visibility in the viewfinder and a sensor scan rate so fast that it completely eliminates the need for a traditional mechanical shutter.

The Nikon Z 9 full-frame mirrorless camera will be available within this year (US) for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $5,499.95.

“The Z 9 is the complete package, offering an unprecedented balance of speed, resolution, reliability and performance that will exceed expectations for any type of shoot, including fast-action sports, commercial fashion, low light, landscapes and more,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. “The Z 9 looks to the future, with innovations and features that give all types of imaging professionals and content creators the advantage when it matters most and the confidence to create in nearly any conditions.”

Nikon also added two S-line telephoto zooms and a mount adapter.

Pro Mirrorless

At the core of the Z 9 is the Nikon-developed 45.7MP BSI stacked CMOS sensor, coupled with the new EXPEED 7, which is approximately 10x faster than the Z 7II. This combination brings significant increases in AF speed, burst rate, buffer capacity, video resolution and so much more, the company said.

With the world’s fastest1 image scan rate, the Z 9 achieves the world’s smallest rolling shutter distortion, equaling that of a mechanical shutter. The Z 9 achieves fast and accurate AF calculations at up to 120 cycles per second, even between frames during continuous shooting.

8K UHD Video Camera

The Z 9 offers an extensive array of advanced video features:

• Supports a variety of frame rates and resolutions, including in-camera recording at 8K UHD 24p/30p and 4K UHD 24p/30p/60p/120p (FX-format).
• The world’s longest record time 7 at 8K UHD 30p for more than 2 hours consecutively (up to approximately 125 minutes).
• For more latitude when color grading in post, tone mode profile options are available in-camera, including 10-bit N-Log and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), as well as the Flat color profile.
• Supports multiple codecs including H.265 (HEVC), ProRes 422 HQ10, H.264/MPEG-4 AVC for a variety of production workflows.
• Users can create 33MP/8MP frame grabs in camera from 8K /4K videos.
• Full-size HDMI connection, with output latency significantly reduced.
• High-resolution 24-bit linear PCM audio allows for cleaner sound quality with greater range.
• A free firmware upgrade in 2022 will enable internal 8K 60p capture in the new 12-bit N-RAW high efficiency video format, 12-bit ProRes RAW and other pro level video features.

Rugged body

• The rugged body of the Z 9 features an integrated vertical grip and controls, while the durable magnesium alloy chassis has drip and dust-resistance equivalent to the D6, yet is 20% smaller than its DSLR counterpart.
• The new four-axis 3.2” touchscreen LCD frees the monitor to tilt both horizontally and vertically for shooting at any angle in any orientation. The interface will also adjust automatically to the appropriate orientation while shooting stills.
• The Z 9 is equipped with the a Quad-VGA panel adjustable to 3000cd/m2 (nits)1, revealing the most subtle details in the shadows.
• Vibration Reduction image stabilization has been enhanced with new Synchro VR to achieve up to 6 stops of compensation with compatible lenses. 11
• For powerful dust prevention, the Z 9 includes dual coating on the optical filter with an electro-conductive coating and fluorine coating to repel dust in front of the sensor, in addition to a sensor shield that protects the sensor when changing lenses.
• VR safety lock protects the sensor from the risk of damage caused by unintentional movement when the camera’s power is off while in a bag or during bumpy off-road travel.
• For work in low light, the new “starlight” mode enhances the camera’s ability to focus down to a faint -8.5 EV, while illuminated buttons help astrophotographers and event or concert photographers change settings in the dark.
• Adjustable shutter release volume, which can be totally silent in sensitive situations or serve as an audible cue for a subject.
• New network options are organized under a new menu tab for fast access and include; in-camera Bluetooth and WiFi (2.4/5Ghz), 1000BASE-T wired LAN connection, direct transfer to FTP without the need for a wireless accessory, multiple camera sync and built-in GNSS GPS for precise location data.

Two S-line telephoto zooms and a mount adapter

Nikon also announced new NIKKOR Z zoom lenses The NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S and the NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S are Nikon’s latest S-line lenses. Additionally, the new Mount Adapter FTZ II is a streamlined solution to seamlessly adapt F-mount lenses with the integrated vertical grip on the new Nikon Z 9.

The new NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S is a premium, S-line telephoto zoom lens with along 100-400mm range for Z mount mirrorless camera users. Suited for sports, wildlife and those in the field, the lens features a great combination of focal range and wide aperture for professional photographers, advanced enthusiasts and photo hobbyists who want to dynamically capture distant subjects. This S-line lens is designed to the strictest standards, offering excellent sharpness and clarity with minimum aberration and color fringing even at the maximum aperture, throughout the entire zoom range.

This lens weighs only 1355g, making it easy to use handheld. It’s superbly balanced, purposely built with a small 80-degree rotation angle and new “Inner Balance Technology”, which minimizes the weight shift caused by zooming, the company said. The new NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S will have a suggested retail price (SRP) of $1099.95.

The NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S is ideal for landscapes, events, weddings and portraits as well as for video and content creators, the company said. With a constant f/4 aperture, the lens attains beautiful rendering with large bokeh, especially in the telephoto range. The 24-120mm f/4 is the lightest lens in its class, weighing only 630g. The NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S will have an SRP of $2699.95.

The Nikon Mount Adapter FTZ II further improves the usability of the existing Mount Adapter FTZ by featuring a streamlined design with minimal projections, making it easier to use with the vertical grip of the Z 9, the company said. It removes the tripod socket and reduces the size, compared to its predecessor. The Mount Adapter FTZ II seamlessly adapts F-Mount lenses to the larger Z-Mount, retaining the image quality, autofocus performance7, weather sealing and comfortable handling of approximately 360 NIKKOR F lenses from AI type onwards. the Mount Adapter FTZ II will be available for an SRP of $249.95.