-Rod Mar, Award Winning Sports Photographer and Nikon Ambassador
A breakthrough algorithm developed using deep learning enables the Z 9 to automatically detect and track the world’s largest range of subjects3—people, dogs, cats, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, trains and planes—in stills and video with no menu changes.
AF and AE calculations are made at 120 cycles per second with rapid, constant communication between the lens and the camera through the Z mount. Even small, erratic subjects like birds in flight are tracked with ease.
Eye Detection AF automatically tracks the eyes of people, dogs, cats and birds (and similar creatures) even when they’re small in the frame, covered by hair, glasses or goggles, right-side up or upside down.
The power of Nikon’s acclaimed 3D Tracking is now available with deep learning subject detection. Effortlessly lock onto fast-moving subjects and track them moving toward you, away from you and everywhere in between.
Subject detection and AF works all the way down to -6.5 EV. Activate Starlight Mode, and focus all the way down to -8.5 EV. And since you’ll be spending more time in the dark, the Z 9’s buttons are illuminated.
EXPEED 7. The most powerful Nikon processing engine ever. 10x faster than previous generations. Handles complex AF and AE calculations at 120 cycles per second. Separately processes dual-streamed data from the stacked image sensor. Enables next-generation features like 120 fps still shooting, 8K video recording, a blackout-free viewing experience and more.
-Andrew Hancock, Award Winning Sports Photographer, and Nikon Ambassador
To capture moments you may never have seen before, the Z 9 captures 45.7-megapixel stills at an action-freezing 30 fps and press-ready 11-megapixel stills at an insanely fast 120 fps—all with full AF and AE performance and no blackout.
With a seemingly bottomless buffer, the Z 9 shoots continuously for more than 1,000 frames at 20 fps* as full resolution High-Efficiency RAW or JPEG (L) fine files.
*When using the recommended memory card: ProGrade Digital CFexpress™ Type B 2.0 Cobalt 1700R.
Under a newly designed latching door are two matched slots optimized for high-performance CFexpress Type B cards. The slots are independent from each other, so you can load cards with different write speeds—including XQD cards.
The electronic shutter in the Z 9 achieves the world’s most minimal rolling-shutter distortion2, eliminating the need for a mechanical shutter. Shoot at shutter speeds up to 1/32,000 second in complete silence, with no shutter vibration and no concerns about shutter wear.
When you need to be invisible, Silent Mode turns off menu sounds and VR Lock and minimizes lens drive noises. And since the Z 9 does not have a mechanical shutter, you can shoot without a shutter click—or plug in headphones so only you can hear the simulated shutter sound.*
*A simulated shutter sound and release timing indicator can be set as desired.
-Shannon Wild, Award Winning Photographer and Filmmaker
With an innovative body design that efficiently dissipates heat, the Z 9 records lush 10-bit 8K UHD video at 24, 25 or 30 fps internally for over 2 hours straight*—with no risk of overheating. Need stills from your shoot? Save 33-megapixel frame grabs right from your footage.
*At a temperature of 23°C/73.4°F
Record dense 10-bit 4K UHD footage in-camera with full pixel readout from the Z 9’s outstanding sensor at 24, 25, 30p as ProRes 422 HQ or H.265 video. Or create dramatic 4K UHD slow motion sequences up to 120p. A 2.3x crop format with full pixel readout is available for getting closer to your subject without changing lenses.
SDR, HLG and N-Log: Selectable tone mode for your preferred grading process.
24-Bit Linear PCM Audio: Use the internal stereo mic or an external stereo mic.
ProRes 422 HQ: Capture 10-bit 4:2:2 video up to 4K UHD/30p in-camera.
Z 9, 8K/30pL: 125 MINS.
Competitors3, 8K/30p: ~30 MINS.
The intelligence and processing power within EXPEED 7 improves electronic VR for video recording, correcting trapezoid distortion from wide angle lenses and allowing you to create smooth handheld walking shots.
12-bit RAW 8K/60p in-camera.
12-bit RAW Video Formats: N-RAW (Nikon’s original RAWmvideo format), ProRes RAW HQ.
-Jerry Ghionis, Fashion, Portrait and Commercial Photographer, Filmmaker and Nikon Ambassador
Designed by Nikon specifically to bring ultra-high-resolution image quality to high-speed shooting applications. Achieves the world’s fastest scanning speed2, 12x faster data readout than the acclaimed Z 7II and absolutely spectacular image quality in stills and 8K videos.
The extreme scanning speed of the Z 9 suppresses rolling-shutter distortion. Capture natural-looking images of extremely fast moving subjects like golf and baseball swings, and vehicles.
The Z 9 delivers advanced Vibration Reduction (VR) with Synchro VR* where 5-axis in-body VR and 2-axis lens VR work together, achieving an effect equivalent to a shutter speed up to approx. 6.0 stops** faster.
*Compatible with the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S, NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S and NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S. The NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S requires firmware update.
**Based on CIPA Standards. When using the telephoto end of the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S with NORMAL mode.
Turn your shutter speed all the way up to 1/32,000 second and shoot wide open in harsh light. Enjoy the beautiful bokeh of NIKKOR Z lenses in more situations than ever.
New RAW format retains the same high image quality, dynamic range and flexibility as conventional RAW files with approximately 1/3 smaller file size. Speed up your workflow.
Until now, achieving a blackout-free view meant repeating certain frames within the viewfinder. The Z 9 is the first camera with a viewfinder that reveals every single moment1—including those previously blocked by conventional EVF or DSLR systems. Smoothly follow every movement of your subject, even when capturing at 120 fps.
- Quad-VGA Panel: World’s brightest; adjustable to 3000cd/m2.
- Customizable: Choose what settings and information appear in the EVF.
- Glasses Mode: Reduces display size so the whole frame is visible.
The Z 9 outputs two data streams from the stacked CMOS sensor: one for writing to the memory card and one for viewing. The viewing stream is unaffected by any capture processing, leaving a pristine, lag-free, uninterrupted view with absolutely no blackout.
It goes up. It goes down. It goes left. It goes right. Shoot from nearly any angle—high, low or sideways—and maintain a clear, bright view of the frame. When you rotate the Z 9 for vertical shooting, the user interfaces within the monitor and the Real-Live Viewfinder also rotate to a vertical orientation*.
*When using the camera in photo mode.
- 2,100K-dot Resolution: 3.2 inches (diagonal), bright and beautiful.
- Touchscreen: Tap, swipe and flick and pinch.
- Weather Sealed: All moving parts are sealed against dust, dirt and moisture.
Go from “off” to “shooting” in less than half a second.
Customizable and placed to prevent misoperation.
Because the world doesn’t fit in just one orientation.
High-speed CFexpress Type B for maximum capacity and write speed.
Theft prevention when you need to leave your camera unattended.
Works with EN-EL18 series batteries and a new EN-EL18d battery that can handle up to 170 minutes of video recording.*
*Based on CIPA Standards. In “monitor only” mode.
Power and charge Z 9 from a laptop, mobile battery or wall adapter.*
*Requires optional UC-E25 Cable sold separately.
The Z 9 maintains a button layout and integrated vertical grip similar to the D6, but it’s 20% smaller.
Magnesium alloy shell with phenomenal heat dissipation and cold tolerance down to -10°C/14°F. Flagship weather-sealing to keep out dust, dirt and moisture.
Automatically closes when you remove a lens. Blocks out dust and accidental touches.
An electro-conductive coating repels dust while a fluorine coating makes it easy to wipe the sensor clean of dust.
Locks the sensor securely in place to prevent jostling when traveling over rough terrain.
Deliver your images to your editor faster than ever with built-in 2.4 and 5 GHz Wi-Fi for over-the-air transfers and 1000BASE-T, the fastest wired LAN protocol, for faster wired transfers.
In venues where Wi-Fi access is spotty or in high-demand, get an edge over the competition by transferring images at high speed with a 4G or 5G smartphone. Automatically transfer shots in real-time, or add IPTC information, voice memos, crop and rotate with the smartphone before sending.
By simply flicking upward or downward in fullscreen playback, images can be sent, protected or rated, voice memos can be added and images can be prioritized to skip the queue during large transfers.