Would be curious if the tests compared highlight recover range at different ISOs as well. Curious if the Z9 performs similarly to video’s performance where you get additional headroom in the highlights as you approach the second native ISO. You may have 1 stop of highlights at base 800 but then at 3200 you may have 3 stops or more before you reset at 4000. On the Z9 in stills mode there is a second native ISO at 500 so I’m curious how much latitude you gain between 400/500 in the highlights.
Ron
March 11, 2023 1:40 pm
I am planning a move into the Nikon ecosystem (from Fuji X). The initial purchase will be the Z9 and 24-120 f4. Then follow with a bright prime and/or 100-400. My interests are indoor and outdoor day/evening events, some sports, and landscapes. Am I covered? How is Nikon’s jpeg? I do minimum backend processing. Is it possible to back up the Z9 photos to an external SSD for month-long trips? Thanks
If you read this, you’ll probably know that the Z8 was released today (for those that pre-ordered it, at least). You cannot transfer images directly to an ext drive directly. I have the f series 200-500/5.6 on a FTZII – it needs a monopod it’s so unwieldy so I’d recommend also looking at the Z400/4.5 instead of the Z100-400 zoom – especially when many use the long end of a tele-zoom more than intermediate lengths.
Zapp
February 21, 2023 12:59 am
The camera has no mechanical shutter… why do we need exposure delay modes?
I miss it for a couple of reasons. There is no 0.2 second, 0.5 second, or even 1 second self timer. Also, the self timer can’t be assigned to a custom button for quickly toggling on and off (or changing the duration of the timer). Exposure delay mode can. I don’t hate the Z9’s drive mode dial, but the Fn buttons are faster. Exposure delay/self timer is something that I change constantly as a landscape photographer, so I appreciate any way to do it quicker.
If Nikon added those changes to the self timer, though, I would have no reason to care about the removal of exposure delay mode on the Z9.
Alex F.
February 8, 2023 1:39 pm
During a recent daytime thunderstorm, I had the chance to put the pre release burst through its paces. It works like a marvel, except: it can buffer only for 30″ before showing an exclamation mark instead of the green dot, which marks that buffering stops. You have to release the shutter button and half press it again to restart buffering images, again for 30″. This has been documented nowhere by Nikon, and I found it to be frustrating.
That’s true, the pre-release buffer expires after about 30 seconds. It can be reset by half-pressing the shutter button again. I didn’t normally find that to be an issue, but for long spells of waiting, it could matter of course.
Bill Catania
January 2, 2023 2:03 pm
Great article, thank you. I have just purchased a Z9 and have decided to upgrade to Z lens. I plan to purchase 2 lens. 1. 100-400 2. Not sure. Either the 24-70 f2 or the 24- 120. What would you recommend? Also thinking to add 1.4 or 2x converter.
Sure thing, Bill. I’d go with the 24-120mm f/4 personally, unless you feel a strong need for f/2.8 for your nature photos. It’s much more convenient as a one-lens solution and will allow you to leave the 100-400mm at home for longer walks. That said, the 24-70mm f/2.8 S has some remarkable optics, so you can’t go wrong.
Bob Wright
December 28, 2022 11:19 am
Hi Spencer and thanks for an excellent review. I am considering adding a Z series camera to my DSLR lineup in order to be able to use the forthcoming 800mm PF lens (unless Nikon come up with an F mount version – seems unlikely at present). I have the 300 and 500mm PF lenses and have been astonished at the price / quality equation. The blistering continuous rate of 30fps is also a consideration – though not a deal breaker. I see from your review that you have used F mount lenses on the Z9. Did the use of F lenses with an FTZ adapter affect the burst rate? I noted with interest your comments on the focus speed of F mount lenses. Many thanks,
Sure thing, Bob. The burst rate stays the same with F-mount lenses. (In this case, the burst rate that you get is more dependent on your memory card than anything else.)
I’ve used the 800mm f/6.3 for several thousand photos at this point and really like it. It’s amazingly light for the focal length and even handholdable.
Thanks for your prompt response Spencer, keep up the good work.
Chu
November 17, 2022 9:42 am
A very detailed review enjoyed with thanks. I tend to be of the view however that the video comparing the autofocus performance of both the Sony A1 and the Z9 was a bit unfair towards the Sony. Firstly, the instances not done on the same subject (and I do acknowledge the almost impossibility to replicate for both camera unless two persons shooting at the same time and using comparable settings) and secondly, the subject were always much smaller in the frame with the Sony sample compared with the Z9 which were all much larger in the frame. I’m still a DSLR user (Nikon D850) but I understand that with mirrorless , the more you can fill the frame with the subject the better the autofocus performs. Thanks for review once again… the Z9 is arguably the best all-purpose camera in the market today, albeit at a weight disadvantage….
Thank you, Chu! We tried to make the video as fair as possible, of course. I think the clips that appear are representative of each camera’s performance. The Sony didn’t get the smaller subject every time, but in any case, it should be a good sign for Sony shooters that it tracked some small subjects so well. The two cameras both perform at a very high level.
Rob Katibah
November 13, 2022 11:51 am
Hi Libor – I have a question for you. My Z9 is setup very similar to yours. My F1 button is programed to 3D tracking with Animal Detection (AD) on. I noticed you did not discuss the differences of 3D tracking with and without AD on. I’ve had very good luck with the 3D/AD combination tracking small birds. Any thoughts on 3D with and without AD? Thanks in advance.
Hi Rob, to be honest, after my experience with 3D trekking on other Nikon Z cameras, I haven’t tried turning the AD off. I can try it, but I don’t think the results will be very convincing. After all, once you disable the camera’s eye recognition, the 3D will catch some distinctive texture. That could be a head, but it could be anything else. But this game is all about millimeters, and that can be secured by AD.
Richard Stas
November 13, 2022 9:08 am
The Z9 is undoubtably a great camera, albeit at a large size and weight. However, Nikon’s failure to release a mid-range camera with autofocus and tracking performance to match that of the Sony A7 line and Canon’s second generation R cameras is perplexing. Having owned the Z7 then the Z7ii, I waited in vain through all the various firmware updates to get a Nikon with matching autofocus performance to Nikon’s competitors. Z8 rumours are just that and given the time the Z9 went from rumour to actual free availability was over a year, that route seems at lease to suggest a long wait. Recently I used a Sony A6600, a small APS-C camera, and was staggered by its autofocus performance – every shot was tack sharp. It has proved a turning point for me, albeit an expensive one, and I’ve sold my Z7 ii and 6 lenses and have pre-ordered and am now waiting for the soon to be released Sony A7RV. Sorry Nikon, but you’re moving far too slowly and the Z9 won’t be the answer for most Z6/Z7 owners.
1. The depth of field of the drops is higher) and, accordingly, the chance of hitting is higher) 2. I have a budget Z5 and there are no issues with autofocus except for shooting in complete darkness. Under normal lighting, almost all frames are clear) Although I had to read the instructions, change the settings several times and learn. I really missed 3D tracking at the beginning. 3. If you can sell the equipment and not take it off, then maybe it’s not yours?
I suspect that the upcoming Z6 III and Z7 III (perhaps the Z8 too) will be closer competitors to cameras like the A7R V and Canon EOS R6 Mark II.
Canon and Sony have done a good job of bringing high-end autofocus to their smaller, less expensive cameras, and it’s one area where Nikon is behind at the moment. But camera companies always leapfrog each other, it’s always been the case. To me, the Z9 shows that Nikon is capable of AF that’s top-class – so it’s a matter of waiting, for those who can.
Willy Williams
November 13, 2022 7:44 am
While I recognize that the Z9 is a true workhorse and has been made even better with firmware v3, a couple of items that were fussed over as being innovative were introduced in 2017 with the Panasonic Lumix G9. Specifically “Starlight AF” (p. 87 in the manual) and “Night Mode” (p. 224 in the manual). These features are new to Nikon, but not to Panasonic’s G9, S1, and S1R. Probably the S5 has them, too, but I don’t have the manuals.
I’m not familiar with the G9 specifically, but the Nikon Z9 isn’t the first camera that can focus on the stars at night. Some Fuji cameras have been able to do it for at least 4-5 years. Even so, it’s not the norm – most Nikon, Canon, and Sony cameras cannot autofocus on the stars even today.
Would be curious if the tests compared highlight recover range at different ISOs as well. Curious if the Z9 performs similarly to video’s performance where you get additional headroom in the highlights as you approach the second native ISO. You may have 1 stop of highlights at base 800 but then at 3200 you may have 3 stops or more before you reset at 4000. On the Z9 in stills mode there is a second native ISO at 500 so I’m curious how much latitude you gain between 400/500 in the highlights.
I am planning a move into the Nikon ecosystem (from Fuji X). The initial purchase will be the Z9 and 24-120 f4. Then follow with a bright prime and/or 100-400. My interests are indoor and outdoor day/evening events, some sports, and landscapes. Am I covered? How is Nikon’s jpeg? I do minimum backend processing. Is it possible to back up the Z9 photos to an external SSD for month-long trips? Thanks
If you read this, you’ll probably know that the Z8 was released today (for those that pre-ordered it, at least). You cannot transfer images directly to an ext drive directly. I have the f series 200-500/5.6 on a FTZII – it needs a monopod it’s so unwieldy so I’d recommend also looking at the Z400/4.5 instead of the Z100-400 zoom – especially when many use the long end of a tele-zoom more than intermediate lengths.
The camera has no mechanical shutter… why do we need exposure delay modes?
I miss it for a couple of reasons. There is no 0.2 second, 0.5 second, or even 1 second self timer. Also, the self timer can’t be assigned to a custom button for quickly toggling on and off (or changing the duration of the timer). Exposure delay mode can. I don’t hate the Z9’s drive mode dial, but the Fn buttons are faster. Exposure delay/self timer is something that I change constantly as a landscape photographer, so I appreciate any way to do it quicker.
If Nikon added those changes to the self timer, though, I would have no reason to care about the removal of exposure delay mode on the Z9.
During a recent daytime thunderstorm, I had the chance to put the pre release burst through its paces. It works like a marvel, except: it can buffer only for 30″ before showing an exclamation mark instead of the green dot, which marks that buffering stops. You have to release the shutter button and half press it again to restart buffering images, again for 30″. This has been documented nowhere by Nikon, and I found it to be frustrating.
That’s true, the pre-release buffer expires after about 30 seconds. It can be reset by half-pressing the shutter button again. I didn’t normally find that to be an issue, but for long spells of waiting, it could matter of course.
Great article, thank you.
I have just purchased a Z9 and have decided to upgrade to Z lens. I plan to purchase 2 lens.
1. 100-400
2. Not sure. Either the 24-70 f2 or the 24- 120. What would you recommend?
Also thinking to add 1.4 or 2x converter.
Mostly nature photography.
Gratefully
Bill
Sure thing, Bill. I’d go with the 24-120mm f/4 personally, unless you feel a strong need for f/2.8 for your nature photos. It’s much more convenient as a one-lens solution and will allow you to leave the 100-400mm at home for longer walks. That said, the 24-70mm f/2.8 S has some remarkable optics, so you can’t go wrong.
Hi Spencer and thanks for an excellent review. I am considering adding a Z series camera to my DSLR lineup in order to be able to use the forthcoming 800mm PF lens (unless Nikon come up with an F mount version – seems unlikely at present). I have the 300 and 500mm PF lenses and have been astonished at the price / quality equation.
The blistering continuous rate of 30fps is also a consideration – though not a deal breaker.
I see from your review that you have used F mount lenses on the Z9.
Did the use of F lenses with an FTZ adapter affect the burst rate? I noted with interest your comments on the focus speed of F mount lenses.
Many thanks,
Sure thing, Bob. The burst rate stays the same with F-mount lenses. (In this case, the burst rate that you get is more dependent on your memory card than anything else.)
I’ve used the 800mm f/6.3 for several thousand photos at this point and really like it. It’s amazingly light for the focal length and even handholdable.
Thanks for your prompt response Spencer, keep up the good work.
A very detailed review enjoyed with thanks. I tend to be of the view however that the video comparing the autofocus performance of both the Sony A1 and the Z9 was a bit unfair towards the Sony. Firstly, the instances not done on the same subject (and I do acknowledge the almost impossibility to replicate for both camera unless two persons shooting at the same time and using comparable settings) and secondly, the subject were always much smaller in the frame with the Sony sample compared with the Z9 which were all much larger in the frame. I’m still a DSLR user (Nikon D850) but I understand that with mirrorless , the more you can fill the frame with the subject the better the autofocus performs. Thanks for review once again… the Z9 is arguably the best all-purpose camera in the market today, albeit at a weight disadvantage….
Thanks once again for the review…. the Z9 is arguable the best all-rounded camera in the market today albeit at a weight disadvantage
Thank you, Chu! We tried to make the video as fair as possible, of course. I think the clips that appear are representative of each camera’s performance. The Sony didn’t get the smaller subject every time, but in any case, it should be a good sign for Sony shooters that it tracked some small subjects so well. The two cameras both perform at a very high level.
Hi Libor – I have a question for you. My Z9 is setup very similar to yours. My F1 button is programed to 3D tracking with Animal Detection (AD) on. I noticed you did not discuss the differences of 3D tracking with and without AD on. I’ve had very good luck with the 3D/AD combination tracking small birds. Any thoughts on 3D with and without AD? Thanks in advance.
Hi Rob, to be honest, after my experience with 3D trekking on other Nikon Z cameras, I haven’t tried turning the AD off. I can try it, but I don’t think the results will be very convincing. After all, once you disable the camera’s eye recognition, the 3D will catch some distinctive texture. That could be a head, but it could be anything else. But this game is all about millimeters, and that can be secured by AD.
The Z9 is undoubtably a great camera, albeit at a large size and weight. However, Nikon’s failure to release a mid-range camera with autofocus and tracking performance to match that of the Sony A7 line and Canon’s second generation R cameras is perplexing. Having owned the Z7 then the Z7ii, I waited in vain through all the various firmware updates to get a Nikon with matching autofocus performance to Nikon’s competitors. Z8 rumours are just that and given the time the Z9 went from rumour to actual free availability was over a year, that route seems at lease to suggest a long wait. Recently I used a Sony A6600, a small APS-C camera, and was staggered by its autofocus performance – every shot was tack sharp. It has proved a turning point for me, albeit an expensive one, and I’ve sold my Z7 ii and 6 lenses and have pre-ordered and am now waiting for the soon to be released Sony A7RV. Sorry Nikon, but you’re moving far too slowly and the Z9 won’t be the answer for most Z6/Z7 owners.
1. The depth of field of the drops is higher) and, accordingly, the chance of hitting is higher)
2. I have a budget Z5 and there are no issues with autofocus except for shooting in complete darkness. Under normal lighting, almost all frames are clear) Although I had to read the instructions, change the settings several times and learn. I really missed 3D tracking at the beginning.
3. If you can sell the equipment and not take it off, then maybe it’s not yours?
I suspect that the upcoming Z6 III and Z7 III (perhaps the Z8 too) will be closer competitors to cameras like the A7R V and Canon EOS R6 Mark II.
Canon and Sony have done a good job of bringing high-end autofocus to their smaller, less expensive cameras, and it’s one area where Nikon is behind at the moment. But camera companies always leapfrog each other, it’s always been the case. To me, the Z9 shows that Nikon is capable of AF that’s top-class – so it’s a matter of waiting, for those who can.
While I recognize that the Z9 is a true workhorse and has been made even better with firmware v3, a couple of items that were fussed over as being innovative were introduced in 2017 with the Panasonic Lumix G9. Specifically “Starlight AF” (p. 87 in the manual) and “Night Mode” (p. 224 in the manual). These features are new to Nikon, but not to Panasonic’s G9, S1, and S1R. Probably the S5 has them, too, but I don’t have the manuals.
I’m not familiar with the G9 specifically, but the Nikon Z9 isn’t the first camera that can focus on the stars at night. Some Fuji cameras have been able to do it for at least 4-5 years. Even so, it’s not the norm – most Nikon, Canon, and Sony cameras cannot autofocus on the stars even today.