Nikon Z9 Camera: The Ultimate Guide to This Professional Mirrorless Camera

Discover all the features, specifications, and benefits that make Nikon Z9 Camera the perfect choice for professional photographers who demand nothing but the best. From lightning-fast autofocus to exceptional image quality, the Nikon Z9 Camera is a game-changer in the world of mirrorless cameras. This comprehensive guide will show you everything you need to know about this amazing camera.

Written by Victor Chan | Updated: Mon May 01 2023

Nikon Z9 article cover photo

Key Features

Oct 29 2021

Announced

46 megapixels

Resolution

BrandNikon
Sensor TypeFull frame
SensorStacked CMOS
Weight1340g
MSRP$5499USD

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Overview of the Z9

If you're a professional photographer or just someone who's passionate about taking stunning pictures, the Nikon Z9 Camera is a must-have. With its cutting-edge features and impressive specs, this mirrorless camera has been designed to help you capture the world around you with unmatched precision and clarity. Whether you're shooting fast-moving action, landscapes, or portraits, the Nikon Z9 Camera delivers excellent image quality, making it a great choice for any photography project. So, let's dive into the details and explore all the features that make this fantastic camera one of the world's best.

Nikon Z9 Pros and Cons

Now, we will look more closely at our review of the Nikon Z9 camera. We will see what it can do and compare it to other cameras like it. We will tell you what's good about it and what's not so good. This way, you'll know if it's the camera for you!

Pros

Stunning 8K and 4K video resolution
Impressive autofocus system with 1053 focus points
High-speed shooting at up to 20 frames per second
Large and bright electronic viewfinder for easy composition
Tilting touch screen for versatile shooting angles
Weather-sealed body for durability in tough conditions
Dual card slots for ample storage and backup
Full frame sensor for incredible image quality

Cons

Expensive price point
Limited lens options compared to other brands
No built-in flash
Short battery life
Heavy and bulky for extended use
Only one XQD memory card slot may be limiting for some photographers
Lacks image stabilization in body, requires lenses with VR technology

Build and Construction

Body and dimensions

Nikon Z9

Weather sealed
Dimensions149 x 150 x 91mm
Weight1340g
Thickness91mm
Weight
Min
Avg
This
Max
Thickness
Min
Avg
This
Max

Weather Sealing

The Nikon Z9 camera is equipped with environmental seals that make it resistant to weather, preventing water and dust from entering the camera. If you enjoy outdoor photography and need a camera that can handle extreme conditions, the Z9 is an excellent choice.

Design and Handling

Main design features

View FinderElectronic
Screen TypeTilting
Screen Resolution2,089k dots
Body typeSLR-style mirrorless

Suitable for:

PhotographyAbove Avg.
VideographyAbove Avg.
TravelAbove Avg.

LCD Screen

This camera has a tilting 3.20" screen, with a display resolution of 2,089k dots. This makes the Nikon Z9 not as suitable for those looking for a vlogging camera as you cannot view yourself while shooting selfies easily. The camera also features a touch screen, which adds to its ease of use.

Viewfinder

Z9 includes a electronic viewfinder with 3,686k dots of resolution with a coverage of 100% and a magnification of 0.8x. This feature enhances the camera's suitability for outdoor photography in bright conditions.

Image Quality

Nikon Z9 has a 46MP sized Stacked CMOS sensor. You can shoot at maximum resolution of 46 pixels. Nikon Z9 has a native ISO range of 64 - 25600 which can be boosted to 32 - 102400. It can also save files in RAW format which gives you a wider room for post processing.

Key Features

Oct 29 2021

Announced

64 - 25600

ISO Range

SensorFull frame
Extended ISO32 - 102400
Max resolution8256 x 5504 pixels

DXO Sensor Scores

Overall

98 / 102

Color Depth

26.3 / 26.5

Dynamic Range

14.8 / 14.8

Low Light ISO

2451 / 4505

DXO mark sensor scores

The DXOmark rankings indicate that the Nikon Z9 camera has excellent color depth performance, which refers to the number of colors the sensor can distinguish. Additionally, its dynamic range is also excellent, allowing it to retain medium amounts of details in both bright and dark areas of a scene. The camera's low light ISO performance is below average, which is an important factor to consider if you plan to use it in dimly lit indoor environments or at night. Overall the image quality of the Z9 is excellent

Crop Factor

Camera crop factor (or focal length multiplier) refers to how a camera's sensor size affects the apparent field of view of a lens. Crop factor is determined by comparing the size of a camera's sensor to that of a full-frame sensor, which is a standard reference size for camera sensors.

Size comparison

Medium FormatFull FrameAPS-C (Sony, Nikon)

Crop factor calculator

Crop factor

1x

Full frame equivalent

24mm

This camera: Full frame

24mm

850100150200

Connectivity, storage, battery

StorageDual CFexpress Type B slots
Battery Life740 shots
Battery ModelEN-EL18d
HDMI
USD
Wireless Connectivity

Storage

The Nikon Z9 supports Dual CFexpress Type B slots with 2 slots for storage. Having dual SD card slots on the Nikon Z9 is highly advantageous as it mitigates the risk of losing footage due to memory card malfunctions. This feature is particularly beneficial for wedding photography and other professional settings.

Battery

The Nikon Z9 uses the EN-EL18d model of battery pack. This is rated for 740 shots shots which is high. If you intend to take photos or record videos for an extended period, it might be a good idea to bring along additional batteries.

Photography Features

Flash

The Nikon Z9 does not have a built-in flash, but it does offer a flash shoe that allows you to attach external flashes. This provides more versatility in your lighting choices.

Shutter

The Nikon Z9 boasts a maximum mechanical shutter speed of n/a, which is ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects in bright environments, such as in sports photography. Faster shutter speeds enable you to freeze the action and capture every detail, making it easier to get the perfect shot.

With a continuous mechanical shutter speed of 30.0 fps or an electronic shutter speed of 30.0 fps, this camera is not capable of capturing the perfect moment more easily, making it not as suited for wedding, sports, and wildlife photography. Higher shutter speeds make it easier to capture fast-paced action, ensuring that you never miss the perfect shot.

Autofocus

The Nikon Z9 includes two autofocus (AF) systems: contrast detection and phase detection, with 493 number of focus points.

While contrast detection is generally more accurate and precise, phase detection autofocus is faster and more effective in most situations, particularly when photographing moving subjects.

Phase detection autofocus works by dividing the incoming light into pairs and then analyzing how they intersect on the camera's sensor. This method allows the camera to determine not only if a subject is in focus but also the direction and distance needed to adjust the focus to achieve perfect sharpness.

On the other hand, contrast detection autofocus works by analyzing the contrast of an image and adjusting the focus until the highest contrast is detected. While this method is very accurate, it can be slow, especially in low light conditions or when photographing moving subjects.

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FAQ

What is the sensor size of the Nikon Z9?

The Nikon Z9 features a Stacked CMOS sensor

Is the Nikon Z9 weather sealed?

Yes the Z9 does have weather sealing.

When was the Nikon Z9 announced?

The Nikon Z9 was announced on Oct 29 2021

Does the Nikon Z9 have in-body image stabilization?

Yes the Z9 does have in-body image stabilization that can compensate for camera shake, making it easier to shoot handheld in low light conditions.

What is the ISO range of the Nikon Z9?

The Z9 has a native ISO range of 64-25600, which can be expanded to ISO 32-102400 for even greater sensitivity in low light conditions.

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