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Nikon new Z9 full-frame camera takes 45.7-megapixel photos and 8k videos at up to 30fps

By Kenny Yeo - on 31 Oct 2021, 10:51am

Nikon new Z9 full-frame camera takes 45.7-megapixel photos and 8k videos at up to 30fps

Note: This article was first published on 29 October 2021.

The new Nikon Z9. (image source: Nikon)

It has taken awhile but Nikon has finally unveiled its flagship full-frame camera. It's called the Z9 and it is capable of some impressive feats.

To start, the Z9 has a 45.7-megapixel stacked full-frame CMOS sensor and Nikon's new EXPEED 7 image-processing engine. According to Nikon, this new engine is a whopping 10 times faster than the Z7 II.

This is a completely new sensor not seen in other cameras. And Nikon says it scans so quickly that it can do without a traditional mechanical shutter. The electronic shutter can go down to as fast as 1/32,000 second.

Still on the subject of speed, the Z9 features Nikon's most sophisticated and fastest autofocusing system yet. It uses a new Subject Detection algorithm and machine-learning and it can do autofocus calculations at up to 120 cycles per second.

(Image source: Nikon)

Nikon says the Z9 has been trained to track nine different subject types including: humans, pets, birds, airplanes, trains, cars, motorbikes, and bicycles. And even more impressive is that the Z9 can intelligently identify these subjects without the need for the users to change modes.

To enable users to take maximum advantage of the quick autofocusing, the Z9 can shoot 20fps in RAW with a buffer of 1,000 images. If you turn it down to full-resolution JPEG mode that number goes up to 30fps. And if you need really high speed shooting, the Z9 can go up to 120fps with full autofocusing with 11-megapixels photos.

To help users get that shot, the Z9 has a new image stabilisation system that works in tandem with stabilised lens to enable up to 6 stops of shake compensation.

As for videos, the Z9 can shoot up to 8k at 30fps and it can do so for up to 125 minutes. As befits a flagship-class camera, the Z9 can shoot 10-bit N-Log and HLG in multiple codecs such as H.265 (HEVC), ProRes 422 HQ10, and H.264/MPEG-4 AVC.

And as if that's not enough, Nikon says a firmware upgrade will be coming in 2022 which will enable the Z9 to shoot up to 8k 60fps in a new 12-bit N-RAW high efficiency format.

This is not a small camera. With batteries installed, it weighs 1.3kg. (Image source: Nikon)

The body is made out of a magnesium alloy and features weather sealing and dual grips for greater flexibility. The rear 3.2-inch screen tilts and has a resolution of 2.08 million dots. The EVF has a resolution of 3.68 million dots.

 

Local availability and pricing

Unfortunately, Nikon hasn't announced when the Z9 will be available here and how much it will cost. However, we know that it will be available in the US by the end of the year and the body alone is US$5,499.95 (~S$7,412).

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