With the big shift of camera manufacturers from DSLRs to mirrorless technology, it was a matter of time until we see truly robust, action-oriented mirrorless cameras. First was Canon with its EOS R5 and R6, then Sony released its impressive A1, and now it is Nikon’s turn to bring its best offering in the shape of the Z9. And looks like we are in for a real treat because Nikon says this camera is going to be better than the Nikon D6 in every way…
While this is only a “development” announcement, Nikon has already given us a glimpse of what we can expect from this beast. First of all, unlike all current generation full-frame mirrorless camera bodies, this is going to be a professional, full-size camera – the first of its kind. Prior to the Z9, only two mirrorless cameras had a built-in grip: Olympus OM-D E-M1X (Micro Four Thirds) and Fujifilm GFX 100 (Medium Format). This already makes the Z9 a unique camera on its own.
Second, Nikon labeled the Z9 as “flagship”, which is a designation that was only previously reserved for top-of-the-line DSLR cameras like the D6. This means serious business. A camera with no compromises, the finest engineering, the “best of the best”. Expect Nikon to pack everything it has in its arsenal into this camera – that’s what the Z9 is going to be. Nikon says “significant leap in technology in performance”, “the best still and video performance in Nikon history” – that’s some seriously strong verbiage.
The Z9 is going to be the first Nikon camera to be able to utilize a stacked CMOS sensor (most likely a high-resolution stacked sensor). It will also be the first Nikon camera to shoot 8K videos. Given the size of the body, I also expect it to house dual CFexpress cards, 20-30 FPS continuous shooting speed, a boatload of buffer memory, insane autofocus capabilities, illuminated buttons, full weather-sealing, and many new in-camera features. For sports and action shooters who do not want too much resolution, Nikon’s mRAW/sRAW formats will provide plenty of flexibility for faster workflows. In short, this will be a reference camera in terms of image quality, autofocus speed, and overall performance.
Another exciting part of this announcement is that we will know what to expect from Nikon’s future mirrorless line-up. As we have seen in the past, high-end processors, autofocus systems, and other features from top-of-the-line cameras eventually make their way to mid-range and lower-end cameras. Provided that Nikon blows things out of the water with the Z9 (which I am sure it will), this ensures a solid future for all upcoming Nikon mirrorless cameras – something many Nikon photographers have been worried about.
I expect the Nikon Z9 to be announced together with the 400mm f/2.8 S and 600mm f/4 S lenses later this year. The Nikon Z lens roadmap had those two lenses for some time now, and given the past history, Nikon isn’t going to release a flagship camera without matching pro-level super-telephoto lenses.
This is all very exciting. I cannot wait to see the actual specifications of the Nikon Z9.
March 9, 2021: NIKON IS DEVELOPING THE NIKON Z 9 FULL-FRAME FLAGSHIP MIRRORLESS CAMERA
MELVILLE, NY – Nikon Inc. is pleased to announce the development of the first flagship model for which the Nikon Z mount has been adopted: The Nikon Z 9. The full-frame (Nikon FX-format) mirrorless camera is scheduled for release in 2021, and represents a significant leap in technology and performance.
The Z 9 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. It utilizes a newly developed FX-format stacked CMOS sensor and new image-processing engine. In response to the growing needs of professionals, advanced enthusiasts and cinematographers, it includes support for 8K video recording as well as various other video specifications that fulfill diverse needs and workflows. The Z 9 embodies ultimate usability as a tool, offering users an unprecedented imaging experience from capture to workflow exceeding that of previous digital-SLR and mirrorless cameras.
Information regarding the release of this product will be announced at a later date.
For more information about current Nikon products, including the Nikon Z series camera line and NIKKOR Z lens lineup, please visit www.nikonusa.com.
As a bird and wildlife photographer, it has been a very long wait to potentially obtain a mirrorless camera with all the bells and whistles both Canon and Sony are offering, particularly the eye tracking technology. Yes, I love my D500 and over the years my other Nikon bodies, (D300, D3s, D750) and consider myself very adept at capturing sharp images of birds, particularly in flight without the new technology, but it appears to certainly help! Friends and associates have all switched to these brands producing amazing results, but I have been holding on in the hope Nikon will also deliver. I have been contemplating obtaining a full frame mirrorless body particularly for travel to help lessen the weight and load, but the Z9 looks very similar to the D6 in size. Not sure about weight. It is also looking to be outside my budget. Therefore I am hoping there might be a smaller and possibly cheaper alternative in the works, maybe the Z8 that will also have that much wanted eye tracking technology? And of course, lenses are another consideration! Otherwise I am not sure which way to go moving forward.
At least there are three things we know. It will have better ergonomics than the Sony A1, better battery life than the A1 and better buffering than the A1.
Don’t understand how Nikon will survive, they seem to be abandoning Z50 line already after they betrayed all their users of A-PSC DSLR with never-developing rounded lens assortment.
Now they seem to be putting all cards on full frame mirrorless, while it is apparent that they cannot develop autofocus system comparable to Sony, or even Canon.
I personally don’t care for such an advanced autofocus, but people who purchase latest gear seem to care about that much. The only option available for them is to reduce prices significantly, so to offer price-to-value ratio that will compete Sony and Canon – but they don’t seem to be able to do that.
Morever, it seems that every new iteration will negate previous one, so after Z6II it is hardl feasible to purchase Z6 anymore. Z5 seems to be awkward camera as Z50 – too weak specs for too high price.
Would they even consider that many people would stay with their very successful DSLR lines, like D850, D750, D7200, even D610, D7500, D5/3xxx for ages, if they would have kept them alive?! How many people would purchase D7200 MarkII compared to Z9? Why not continuing hybrid system like D780 that noone else has?
Many of their cameras are truly great, but I fear they will disappear because of incompetent strategic management.
Z9 really looks to be an amazing camera and two interesting features caught my attention.
*Mosquito
The Z9 can send ultrasonic sound to repel mosquitoes about 3 m away from the camera. If you’re out on the field and shoot nature/landscape, this will definitely make your life a little easier.
*If you accidentally drop your camera in the water, the camera’s safety bag will deploy activated by the water pressure and it will float up to the surface so that you’ll be able to locate your camera.
It looks like Nikon engineers went the extra mile to make the photography experience more safe and enjoyable.
Actually quite funny 😄.
Though I will probably never own a Z9, I hope Nikon hits it out of the park as it did with its D850 and get a new lease on life as a camera company. I’ve been shooting Nikon gear for 45 years now and I would love to see the brand survive.
Like politicians they always over promise and under deliver, Nikon is very political.
Manufactures especially Nikon tend to get their product out into the market and finish developing it with consecutive upgrades and refreshed versions.
The Z9II follow up will come quickly like the Z6II and like Sony dose with their models.
Ask your self what do you now do with your first edition of the Z6 you bought and all the issues effecting resale, you sell it cheaply and buy the Z6II, after the Z9 there will be a Z6III released bragging about having the Z9 features and refinements, reminds me of people buying smartphones LOL. Is this all possible ?
You upgraded from a D4s to the D5, ok your shutter count is up so you upgraded to the D6 in January 2021, now you need to think about dumping in less than12 months as the Z9 is the wholly grail, plus your up for a fortune in new Z glass system, all on the back of if teh Z9 will not be a original Z6 unrefined version.
Will it be right or will it be another Z6 first edition, gee, decisions, decisions, and you have to mortgage the house to pay for the whole new Z9 and glass system.
The thing missing in all this is Trust, we have become skeptical based on experiences and history of manufactures not delivering finished products fundamentally unrefined and designee/issue – free.
The D6 is third generation, can it be the Z9 may be the 4th generation but in mirrorless as connectivity and video is the future. I just hope the Z9 is not going to be a replica of the original Z6 in need of improvements and refinements.
If they finally get the focus tracking right on the Z9 doesn’t that mean you can throw your Z6II Z7II in the bin and rush out to buy the ZIII series with the Z9 focusing system. Gee its like the Bold and the Beautiful, is it these hi tech companies are playing us.
Personally I am watching for the D850 upgrade, as a professional I can relate to the Video and connectivity demand, as a enthusiast gee a lot of bucks for video and connectivity.
But gee I have to buy it because I want the new glass and 20-30 FPS, and I need to be competitive, Ok will there be a consumer version of the Z9 , yes there will be, just like the D700 was to the D3s.
One thing for certain in life is history repeats itself.
For me a camera is a toll that uses time light and speed to record an image
I the Image should tell a story, provide a message that connects with the viewer, it should be technically sound, and have a WOW factor, this has been the fundamentals since cameras were invented.
Today we have auto everything, eye tracking etc etc, so our skillsets as photographers are being diminished, so composition is really the only thing many of us have left, not quite, now that’s being made somewhat obsolete as stills are being taken from high quality video and even printed.
Ok back to the Z9 I hope it is everything its claimed to be, I think Nikon has done a brilliant job in developing new glass, and if the Z9 breeds better mirrorless models thereafter than yes in time it may be worth investing in, but the twist is,
video killed the radio star
Video is killing the still photographic star
Smartphones, 5g will see large video clips sent as quick as sending a text……..Camera manufacturers are desperately trying to head of the issue and going hybrid more and more with focus on connectivity.
Ok my wedding photographer buddy’s are being asked for video with just a few stills if possible but not critical, this is consumer demand driven by the generation that was almost born with an iPhone in their hand LOL.
Love it or hate it, Welcome to the future.
Only and opinion as always
Oz down under
Make money with my Z6 every weekend doing event work. Keeper rate blows away my D750. Face/Eye focus makes composition so easy during fast moving events. You are reading to much internet garbage… Cannot wait to see what the Z9 can do.
BTW – D6 is a 6th generation camera…
Oz, you nailed it! Nikon is on such a downward spiral, that the only thing that would help them is if they just closed shop! So, Nikon announced a Z9. There will be no possibility to build a Nikon system around this body. Why? Because you will never be able to buy any accessories (except lens), period. Don’t believe me, I could list dozens of Nikon accessories listed in their catalogue for the D850, D500, D this or D that are unavailable and have been unavailable for years! I have over $90,000 invested in Nikon gear and love it all, will I buy a Z9? NOT ON YOUR LIFE, OR MINE!
While I am looking forward to see the Z9 announced it is disappointing to see solid action AF performance and tracking only available in presumably $6,000+ camera. It may be a good way for me to move into mirrorless without leaving Nikon. However Nikon also needs to upgrade the FTZ adapter or make one that gets better focus speed performance than the existing FTZ adapter. Indeed new glass is exciting but getting the most out of what I already have is more important for me to stay with Nikon.
And expect a close to $7,000 price tag for the body only.
Can’t wait for the Z9 to come out. That will be followed (or slightly preceded) by Japan’s copious well-heeled, middle aged Nikon enthusiasts selling their D6 bodies in nearly mint condition, just like I picked up my D5 for $2500 when the D6 came out.
Im sure this will be amazing and equal sure we will all find new things to wish for ;) For now I would like a few firmware things, that also maybe Nikon could mange to put into current system: 1) Auto VR on/off with same programmable functions like auto-iso (fixed range, or related to focal length) (ex if you photo landing bird, and reduce shutter when its still to save on iso then vr could kick inn). 2) More crop settings (1.2, 1.4, 1.7, 2.0) when cropped the AF and metering have less area to consider, the buffer has room for more files, and if camera is in silent mode then probably also FPS can increase, so its real benefits compared to crop in post. A 2x crop would also mimic any advantages off using smaler lighter lenses on a micro 4/3 systems. 3) Programmable AF search range – ex focus on the closest and farthest area off interest and then lens only hunts in this range -this could probably also help current z range with faster af.