Nikon Z9

Nikon Z9
Nikon Z9 with Nikkor Z 24-70 mm f/2.8 S lens
Overview
MakerNikon
TypeFull-frame mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera
Released24 December 2021 (2021-12-24)
Intro priceJPY 700,000 (body only)
USD 5,500
Lens
Lens mountNikon Z-mount
Sensor/medium
Sensor typeStacked back-illuminated CMOS sensor
Sensor sizeFull frame (35.9 x 23.9 mm)
Nikon FX format
Sensor makerSony[1]
Maximum resolution8,256 × 5,504 (45.7 effective megapixels)
Film speedNative range of ISO 64-25,600 (expandable to 32-102,400)
Recording medium2 × CFexpress Type B / XQD
Focusing
Focus
  • Single-servo AF (AF-S)
  • Continuous-servo AF (AF-C)
  • Full-time AF (AF-F; only available in video mode)
  • Predictive focus tracking
  • Manual focus
Focus modes
  • Pinpoint AF
  • Single-point AFs
  • Dynamic-area AF (S, M, L)s
  • Wide-area AF (S, L, C1, C2)s
  • 3D-Trackings[2]
  • Auto-area AFs
  • s supports Subject Detection
Focus areas493 points (single-point AF) with 90% coverage
Exposure/metering
ExposureTTL metering using camera image sensor
Exposure modes
  • Programmed Auto [P] with flexible program;
  • Shutter-Priority Auto [S];
  • Aperture-Priority Auto [A];
  • Manual [M]
Exposure meteringTTL metering using camera image sensor
Highlight-weighted metering: -3 to +17 EV (ISO 100, f/2.0 lens, 20°C/68°F)
Metering modesMatrix metering
Center-weighted metering
Spot metering
Highlight-weighted metering
Flash
FlashBuilt-in: No
Hot shoe
Flash synchronization1/200s (up to 1/8000s using high-speed sync)
Flash bracketing3 or 5 frames up to 3 EV
in 1/3 or 1/2 steps
Shutter
Frame rateUp to 120 fps in 11 MP continuous (C120), up to 60 fps in 19MP continuous (C60), up to 30 fps at full-resolution with JPEG output (C30), up to 20 fps with RAW output
ShutterElectronic shutter
Shutter speeds900s – 1/32000s
Continuous shooting20 fps / 30 fps / 120 fps (expand)
Viewfinder
ViewfinderQuad-VGA (1280×960) EVF (3,690,000 dots), 0.8x magnification with 50 mm lens, 3000 nits brightness, 120 Hz refresh rate
Image processing
Image processorExpeed 7
White balance
  • Auto (3 variants)
  • natural light auto
  • direct sunlight
  • cloudy
  • shade
  • incandescent
  • fluorescent (3 variants)
  • flash
  • manual white point (2500‑10000 K)
  • preset manual (6 variants)
WB bracketing3 or 5 frames up to 3 EV
in 1/3 or 1/2 steps
General
Video recording8.3K up to 60 fps in 12-bit N-RAW,
8K up to 30 fps with N-log,
4.1K up to 60 fps in 12-bit ProRes RAW HQ,
4K up to 120 fps,
1080p up to 120 fps
LCD screen3.2-inch vertically and horizontally tilting TFT LCD with 2.1 million dots with touchscreen
BatteryEN-EL18d
USB-C PD rechargeable
(EN-EL18/a/b/c useable with lower battery life)
Optional accessoriesMC-N10 remote grip (fw. 3.00+)
AV port(s)USB Type-C,
HDMI Type-A,
3.5 mm microphone jack,
3.5 mm headphone jack
circular 10-pin accessory port
Data port(s)IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac/Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy, Gigabit Ethernet
Body featuresIn-Body Image Stabilization, GPS receiver
Dimensions149 × 149.5 × 90.5 mm (5.87 × 5.89 × 3.56 in)
Weight1,340 g (47 oz) (with battery, memory card)
1160g (body only)
Latest firmware5.32 / 31 March 2026 (31 March 2026)[3]
Made inThailand
Chronology
PredecessorNikon D6

The Nikon Z9 is a flagship full-frame mirrorless camera produced by Nikon. The camera was announced on October 28, 2021. It is the eighth Z-mount camera body and the sixth full-frame Z-mount body.

Image sensor and processor

The Z9 has the same 45.7 MP resolution as the Z7 and Z7II cameras, but uses a much faster stacked CMOS sensor which improves autofocus and continuous shooting performance.[4][5]

The Z9 introduced the EXPEED 7 image processor, which provides an improvement of 10 times over the image processing speed of the EXPEED 6 predecessor, which was used in the previous Nikon full-frame Z6II and Z7II cameras. The continuous shooting capabilities of the Z9 significantly exceed those of Nikon's previous flagship camera, the Nikon D6, while providing more than double the resolution. The Z9 is the first Nikon Z camera to support 8K video, which can be recorded internally at 60 fps in 12-bit N-RAW.

The Z9 is the first flagship full-frame camera without a mechanical shutter.[6]

Lenses

The Z9 uses the Nikon Z-mount, developed by Nikon for its mirrorless digital cameras.[7]

Nikon F-mount lenses can be used, with various degrees of compatibility, via the Nikon FTZ (F-to-Z) and FTZ II mount adapters,[8] although the FTZ II allows for easier vertical shooting.

Features

  • "Synchro VR" where both in-body and in-lens image stabilization can stabilize the same axes.
  • Advanced autofocus, with subject detection of people, faces, animals, birds, vehicles, and airplanes.
  • Burst lengths of over 1000 shots (previous Nikon cameras were limited to at most 200 shots per burst).
  • Internal 10-bit video recording in H.264, H.265 and ProRes 422 HQ (also supports HLG and Nikon N-Log).
  • Internal 12-bit raw video recording using ProRes RAW HQ (up to 4.1K at 60 fps) and Nikon N-RAW (up to 8.3K at 60 fps) using intoPIX TicoRAW.[9] .
  • Video recording length limit extended from 30 minutes to 2 hours and 5 minutes.
  • Dedicated "sensor shield" to protect the sensor from dust and dirt when the camera is off or the lens is taken off.
  • VR lock to reduce sensor shock during standby.
  • 10-pin remote and flash sync connectors.
  • Built-in GPS, GLONASS and QZSS receiver for geotagging.
  • Allows switching between linear and non-linear focus throw in manual focus with some lenses.[10]
  • "Dual-Stream Technology" providing separate paths for capturing images and updating the viewfinder, which eliminates viewfinder blackout and reduces viewfinder lag.
  • Supports pre-release capture.

Z9 generation

The Z9 was the first of the so-called "Z9 generation" of Nikon cameras, including the Z8, Zf, Z6III, Z50II, and Z5II. They all use the Expeed 7 image processor, autofocusing system, a revamped menu structure, button customization options, and video-related features.[11]

Use in outer space

In January of 2024, Nikon revealed that NASA launched 13 unmodified Nikon Z9 cameras to the International Space Station (ISS) via the 20th Northrop Grumman commercial resupply services mission.[12][13] The new Nikon Z9s replaced the aging high-end Nikon D5 and D6 DSLRs on board the ISS.

On February 29, 2024, NASA revealed a signed agreement between them and Nikon to develop the Handheld Universal Lunar Camera (HULC) as the first handheld camera to be used on the Moon, for use beginning with the Artemis III mission.[14] The resulting design consists of a modified Z9 camera with thermal shielding, custom grip with modified buttons, and modified electrical components to minimize issues caused by solar radiation.[15][16]

On the Artemis II mission, in addition to Nikon D5s, a Z9 was included for testing. As described by Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman, “That’s the camera that they’ll be using, the crew will be using on Artemis III plus, so we were fighting really hard to get that on the vehicle to test out in a high-radiation environment in deep space.”[17]

Nikon Corporation and NASA share a long history together with Nikon being the camera brand that continuously supplies the agency with modified cameras since the 1970s.[18]

  • Z9 + Nikkor Z 24-70 mm f/2.8 S
  • Sensor, with sensor shield not engaged
  • Top controls and top screen
  • Main display in a tilted orientation

Awards

The Z9 has won numerous awards:

  • Camera Grand Prix 2022 Camera of the Year[19]
  • Camera Grand Prix 2022 Readers Award.[19]
  • Best of the Best: 2022 Red Dot Product Design Award[20]
  • Camera of the Year: EISA Awards 2022-2023[21]
  • DPReview Awards 2021 Product of the Year[22]
  • DPReview Gold Award & Highest Ever Score[23]
  • 2022 TIPA World Awards: Best Full-Frame Professional Camera[24]
  • RedDot Product Design Awards 2022: Best of the Best[25]
  • iF Design Award 2022[26]

Update history

The Z9 has had its functionality augmented many times. For details of the various firmware updates, refer to the official Nikon website.

Marketing slogans

When the Z9 was launched, Nikon used the marketing slogan: “Unstoppable.”[27]

References

  1. ^ Sony IMX609AQJ Full Frame 45.7 MP Stacked Back-Illuminated CMOS Image Sensor from Nikon Z9 Mirrorless Device Essentials Folder
  2. ^ 3D Tracking is an advanced autofocus mode. When selected, it locks onto a subject by analyzing its shape, contrast, and color. Once locked, this allows the camera to follow it across the frame as either the subject moves or your framing changes.
  3. ^ "Z 9 Firmware 5.32". Retrieved 31 March 2026.
  4. ^ "The Nikon Z9: Unstoppable Performance, Revolutionary Innovation". Nikon. 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
  5. ^ "Nikon Imaging Products Z 9". Nikon. 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
  6. ^ Butler, Richard (2021-10-28). "Nikon Z9 initial review: We take a detailed look at Nikon's new pro mirrorless camera". Retrieved 2021-10-29.
  7. ^ Hogan, Thom. "Nikon Z9 Camera Review". Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  8. ^ Hogan, Thom. "FTZ Adapter Compatibility". ZSystemUser. Retrieved 14 September 2025.
  9. ^ "TicoRAW technology added with High Efficiency RAW recording of Nikon Z 9 flagship mirrorless camera". IntoPIX Blog. Retrieved 2025-11-17.
  10. ^ "NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Firmware". Nikon. 2021-11-10. Retrieved 2021-11-10.
  11. ^ Hogan, Thom. "Nikon Z50II Camera Review". ZSystemUser. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
  12. ^ "Nikon Z9 Goes to Space: Space Station Astronauts Receive Nikon's Flagship Full-frame Mirrorless Camera | News | Nikon About Us". www.nikon.com. 2024-02-07. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  13. ^ Schneider, Jaron (2024-02-07). "NASA Goes Mirrorless: The Nikon Z9 is on the International Space Station". PetaPixel. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  14. ^ Due to changes in mission scheduling, the first lunar landing and use of the camera will now be on Artemis IV.
  15. ^ NASA Communications (2024-02-29). "NASA Signs Agreement with Nikon to Develop Lunar Artemis Camera". NASA.gov. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  16. ^ Gray, Jeremy (2024-02-29). "The Nikon Z9 Is the Camera of Choice for Humanity's Return to the Moon". PetaPixel. Retrieved 2024-03-14.
  17. ^ Gray, Jeremy. "A Nikon Z9 Made it Aboard the Artemis II Moon Mission at the Last Minute". PetaPixel. Retrieved 6 April 2026.
  18. ^ Zhang, Michael (2009-12-21). "NASA Showing Some Serious Nikon Love". PetaPixel. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  19. ^ a b Camera Grand Prix 2022
  20. ^ "Nikon Z 9 wins major 'Best of the Best' product design award". Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  21. ^ "Photography". Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  22. ^ "Nikon Z9 - The Best Product of the Year - 2021". Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  23. ^ "Nikon Z9 review: a DSLR-like stills/video monster". Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  24. ^ "TIPA Words Awards 2022". Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  25. ^ "Z9". Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  26. ^ "Nikon products receive the iF DESIGN AWARD 2022". Retrieved 7 September 2025.
  27. ^ "Zi. Unstoppable". Nikonusa. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
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