Nikon unveils the Z 9 Flagship Camera
Posted on Oct 28, 2021
The Z 9 is Nikon’s most advanced flagship camera ever
Nikon has just announced the Z 9 mirrorless camera alongside the NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S lens and Mount Adapter FTZ II.
The Nikon Z 9 marks a significant development for Nikon and professional imaging. It is packed full of features, including a stacked 45.7 MP full-frame CMOS sensor, an ultra-fast EXPEED 7 processor, and Nikon’s most sophisticated autofocus system and 3D tracking yet. The Z 9 has been designed for professional photographers pushing the boundaries of image-making – be that in the realm of sport, wildlife, photojournalism, fashion or commercial photography. Nikon have risen to this challenge with a camera that they claim delivers exceptional EVF, AF, operability and robustness.
The camera combines extraordinary processing, speed, AI-driven technologies and ergonomics to overcome difficult lighting and environmental challenges to deliver high-resolution images in a range of shooting environments.
An impressive 493-point AF system offers 405 auto-area AF points and 10 AF-area modes, allowing users to customise their AF settings according to the optimal settings required for their shoot. Thanks to the system’s deep-learning AI, the Z 9 is capable of detecting up to nine different subject types at the same time. For the first time ever in a Nikon mirrorless camera, 3D tracking helps users to keep up with fast moving subjects such as animals and vehicles. The camera uses intelligent detection software, recognising what is being photographed so that it can react instantly to rapid, even erratic movements.
The Z 9 boasts a bright (3000-nit) electronic viewfinder display and dual-stream technology, guaranteeing always-live, black-out free shooting. Furthermore, the display provides continuous real-time view so that photographers can see even the slightest movement in the scene they are capturing. Users can also enjoy great flexibility when operating the Z 9 thanks to its 4-axis vertical and horizontal tilting monitor.
Nikon have taken on feedback from professional photographers when thinking about the ergonomics of the Z9. The camera has a refined button layout, with a new AF mode button that lets users switch easily between AF mode and AF area mode when shooting with the viewfinder. The LCD control panels and key buttons can also be illuminated for easy operation in the dark.
To be released alongside the Nikon Z 9 is the NIKKOR 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S, a fast, high-precision lens that delivers excellent optical performance across a wide range of scenarios. It boasts a powerful VR performance equivalent to 5.5 stops, allowing photographers to achieve crisp, high-resolution images even when shooting handheld at slower shutter speeds. At the wide-range end of the zoom range, the lens has a minimum focus distance of just 0.75m, compared to 0.98m at full extension.
Also announced today is the Mount Adapter FTZ II, which builds on the Mount Adapter FTZ with a streamlined design. The adapter supports a vast number of NIKKOR lenses, from AI type onwards. This will allow existing NIKKOR F lenses to be used with Z series cameras and allows users to change lenses without having to dismantle the camera from a tripod.
The Nikon Z 9 will retail at £5299 (body only), whilst the NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S will sell for £2699. The Mount Adapter FTZ II will cost £249.99.
All products will become available in Winter 2021. For more information, please visit Nikon’s website.
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