Verdict
The Nikon Z9 is an impressive all - libertine that offers 120fps shooting , fast autofocus and 8 K video support in one package .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
If you ’re look for the most innovative camera in Nikon ’s mirrorless lineup , look no further than the Nikon Z9 .
This full - physical body mirrorless camera sit at the top of Nikon ’s zee pipeline making it a more affordable alternative to the brand ’s flagship DSLR , the Nikon D6 ( that is , if you have a spare £ 5000 lying around ) .
Not only is the Z9 small and more lightweight – at least in comparison to the D6 – but it also boasts a more advanced autofocus system , a quicker burst mode and livelihood for 8 potassium picture over the DSLR .
It ’s also cheap than some of its gamey - end mirrorless opposite number , including Sony ’s Alpha 1 tv camera .
Whether you ’re a longtime Nikon exploiter or a Canon or Sony fan thinking of jumping ship , this may just be the thoroughgoing time to make the transition from DSLR to mirrorless while you ’re at it .
It ’s been a year since the Z9 formally “ launch ” in the UK in December 2021 but only recently have we pick up the television camera fully stocked in most television camera retail merchant , include Nikon ’s own store .
That mean you may be revisiting the idea of pick up the camera as a treat for yourself or someone very lucky this vacation time of year . If that sounds like you , read on to get a line more about how I recover the photographic camera during my clock time testing it .
Design and Handling
romp a a magnesium alloy body , the Z9 is a large , square television camera that measures a sizeable 149 x 149.5 x 90.5 mm and weighs in at 1340 g. It ’s significantly more cumbersome than old Z - series cameras – such as theZ6and theZ7 – and , as someone who is n’t used to a tv camera of this size , I unquestionably felt its dimensions in my arms having hold it out for an afternoon of shot .
Despite its looming sizing , the Z9 is in reality a smaller and more lightweight alternative over Nikon ’s flagship DSLR , the D6 . Size and portability is one of the main benefits of opt for a mirrorless photographic camera over a DSLR , and the Z9 in particular is 20 % smaller and 110 g idle than its mirror - packing material equivalent .
Like the D6 , the Z9 comes with two hold – one that runs along the side of the camera and another along its bottom . It also include two shutter - exit buttons . The second grip and release make it possible to splay the camera 90 - degrees and capture portrayal with your arms at a natural angle , making it easier to hold the camera steady in this predilection and thus reducing fatigue .
These traveling bag are sufficiently deep and textured to offer reassurance and the Z9 ’s organic structure is weather condition - sealed with a conductive coating to forestall dust from swipe into the sensor .
The turgid dimensions of the Z9 intend there ’s sight of space for buttons , wheel and joysticks . These physical control work alongside touching ones , urinate accessing any option a riotous operation once you become familiar with what they all do . There are a number of Fn buttons , too , which can be customised to proffer quick access to your most frequently used preferences .
The tv camera have Nikon ’s Z - mount lense mount , which works alongside the firebrand ’s Z lenses . instead , you’re able to pick up an FTZ / FTZ II adaptor to equip F lenses ; but the adaptor itself costs over £ 200 , meaning neither pick is particularly cheap .
Another disbursal you ’ll need to factor into the price of the Z9 is a memory card . The camera includes two slots for XQD or CFexpress Type B cards . Both options propose truehearted speeds than Coyote State cards , but are significantly more costly than the older card format .
Ports admit USB Type - C , HDMI Type - A , 3.5 millimetre jack , Ethernet and a 10 - fall remote terminal . There ’s support for Wi - Fi and Bluetooth 5.0 as well .
Viewfinder and Screen
The Z9 come with a 0.5 - inch electronic viewfinder plus a sensor that will mechanically switch the horizon from the screen door to the viewfinder on position over your heart . The 3690k - dot , 3000 - nit display has a 120fps refresh rate for a continuous view and there ’s a new AF modality button on the camera that have you move between AF mode and AF - country mode while looking through the finder .
There ’s a 3.2 - in 2100k - dot LCD touchscreen monitor , too . Built on 4 ax , the reminder can be tilted both vertically and horizontally with a 170 - degree viewing slant . I retrieve the tilting function to be particularly utilitarian for capturing shots from tricky slant ( up high or low on the earth , for example ) , allow for me to see what I was doing without crane my neck opening .
I also found the monitor hopeful and sharp , and the touchscreen responsive . Touch proved to be one of the fastest ways to set a specific focussing point on an ikon , as well as for swiping through photos in the playback manner , and navigate the options pageboy on the camera .
Finally , there ’s the SnapBridge app , which can be used to download trope from the camera wirelessly , and as a remote shutter . While the app definitely suffers some hiccough , forcing me to connect to the camera several time on more than one occasion , the convenience of being able to transfer images to my earphone on - the - go outweighed the issues here .
Image Quality and Performance
The Nikon Z9 is a camera that makes it genuinely difficult to take a poor picture , with paradigm sharp , detailed and rich in coloring across the board .
The Z9 is powered by Nikon ’s Expeed 7 processor , along with a 45.7 - megapixel full - frame heap CMOS detector . Combine this full - skeleton sensor with a native ISO image of 64 - 25600 ( expandible to 32 - 102400 ) and the television camera ’s dissonance - step-down algorithm , and the result is a photographic camera that ’s capable of a reach of lighting conditions with picayune noise .
The Z9 is outfit with a 493 - level autofocus system of rules , with Nikon having packed 405 AF points into its automobile - area mode . There are actually 10 AF - area modality you’re able to opt from in totality , including unmarried - level , group area , active and 3D trailing . The camera is also capable of detect nine different subject types including humans , animals , shuttlecock and different musical mode of transport such as cars and plane .
I found the AF performed very well , latching onto a smorgasbord of subjects – from people to birds to cars – quickly and accurately . There were times that it stumbled – the focus shifted from the cat ’s side to the table behind it in the range below , for example – but I was impressed that the television camera was able to parse Archie from the plant in front of him in some images .
The AF works hand - in - hand with the speedy figure rate when germinate fast - moving case . The Z9 is capable of capturing RAW images at up to 20fps , and 11 - megapixel JPEGs at up to 120fps with full AF / AE capabilities .
I found the burst mode tops - fast , making it possible to conquer precise moments in incredible detail . The autofocus does a fantastic line of tracking the vast majority of the time , which induce capture tight - moving subjects feel casual .
As far as its video capabilities go , the Z9 is able to capture full - frame 8 K TV at up to 60p , or 4 K at up to 120p . There ’s support for ProRes 422 HQ and full AF / AE when film , too , along with a built - in time - backsliding modal value .
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Should you buy it?
The Z9 ’s eminent frame rate and sophisticated autofocus system makes it a fantastic option for shooting tight - moving subject area , such as wildlife and sports .
The Z9 is high-priced and you ’ll require to factor in additional expenses such as XQD / CFexpress remembering cards , Nikkor Z lenses , or a lens adapter .
Final Thoughts
The Nikon Z9 is a fantastic mirrorless tv camera offering a versatile design , sharp screen , blanket autofocus system and fast frame of reference charge per unit that produces vibrant and detailed images with little to no elbow grease .
My biggest issue with the camera , apart from the buggy SnapBridge app , is that it ’s quite expensive . However , the damage is n’t out of the question for a mellow - end mirrorless camera .
While the photographic camera costs less than corresponding professional camera such as the Sony A1 , for those exterior of the professional orbit the Z9 may be overkill . Nikon has a number of cheaper choice available in its Z serial for hobbyists , while contender such as Sony and Fujifilm proffer outstanding crossbreed tv camera in theSony Alpha IVandX - T4 , both of which get along in at a fraction of the price of the Z9 .
Trusted Score
How we test
We test every television camera we brush up thoroughly . We utilize set tests to liken features properly and we use it as our chief gadget over the reassessment menstruation . We ’ll always tell you what we witness and we never , ever , take money to brush up a product .
FAQs
The television camera features a stacked 45.7 - megapixel full - frame CMOS sensing element .
The Z9 can entrance video at 8K/60p or 4K/120p .
The Z9 use Nikon ’s zee lenses , or you may use F lenses if you pick up the FTZ / FTZ II mount transcriber .
