Nikon announces flagship mirrorless "Z 9"-Realizes 120 frames per second continuous shooting without mechanical shutter

On October 28, Nikon officially announced the full-size mirrorless camera "Nikon Z 9". It is scheduled to be released within 2021, and the estimated price is around 700,000 yen.

Nikon Z 9

The Z 9 is the company's flagship camera. It is the first flagship model in about two years since the digital single-lens reflex camera "D6", and the first standing product in the company's mirrorless camera "Z" series. Like the flagship model so far, in addition to targeting professional photographers and advanced amateurs, as a mirrorless camera, it targets video creators and professional photographers who are uneasy about mirrorless cameras.

　Equipped with a stacked CMOS sensor with an effective pixel count of approximately 45.71 million pixels. The still image readout performance from the sensor is about 12 times that of the "Z 7II". The fastest shutter speed is 1/32000 seconds, and the usual ISO sensitivity is 64-25600. In addition, it is the first Nikon mirrorless camera to be equipped with a sensor shield to protect the image sensor. In addition, a double coating on the imaging element is adopted for the first time in the history of digital cameras. Fluorine coating and conductive coating are applied to reduce dust adhesion and improve wiping performance.

The sensor shield is installed for the first time in the Z series

This product is Nikon's first full-frame camera without a mechanical shutter. It is said to have the world's fastest scan rate among mirrorless cameras with 30 million pixels or more, and it suppresses rolling distortion in the electronic shutter. For example, the club does not distort when shooting a golf swing. The continuous shooting speed achieves a maximum of 30 frames per second with approximately 45.71 million pixels. Approximately 11 million pixels of "High Speed ​​Frame Capture +" enables high-speed continuous shooting at a maximum of 120 frames per second.

In addition, since there is no mechanical shutter, it is possible to release without sound, but it is equipped with an electronic shutter sound that has been verified from previous products and pursued "camera-likeness".

493 AF points. Equipped with the first 3D tracking function (available only when shooting still images) for the first time in a Nikon mirrorless camera, it is compatible with subjects moving forward and backward at high speed. In addition, the auto area AF point is smaller than the Z7II, improving subject tracking performance. In addition, deep learning technology is utilized to expand detection targets. The world's largest number of nine types: "person", "dog", "cat", "bird", "car", "motorcycle", "bicycle", "train", and "airplane (overall, front part, cockpit)".

　As a video recording function, it supports internal recording of 8K UHD 30p video for up to 125 minutes. 4K UHD 120p video can also be shot in full frame. The recording codec supports H.265 (HEVC) and ProRess 422 HQ. In addition, the electronic camera shake correction function has been improved to correct trapezoidal distortion. It is said that it will more strongly correct shooting when walking.

　The viewfinder uses a "Real-Live Viewfinder" that surpasses conventional optical viewfinders and electronic viewfinders. There is no image loss when the mirror is raised, and the image is always displayed even during continuous shooting. It is said that there is no same image display or display skipping like other companies' EVFs claiming to be "blackout free".

Mechanism of "Real-Live Viewfinder"

　In addition, a new Quad-VGA panel compatible with 3000 candela/m2, which is the world's highest brightness, has been adopted, achieving 3 times the brightness of the previous model. It has a new display size reduction function to improve visibility for spectacle wearers.

　In order to achieve these advanced functions, the newly developed "EXPEED 7" image processing engine is used. It enables high-speed processing about 10 times faster than the Z7II. High-level specifications are achieved through the adoption of a newly developed engine, improved sensor readout performance, "dual stream" that simultaneously processes EVF and image recording processing separately, and high-speed communication performance of the Z mount.

　Magnesium alloy is used for the body. It has dust-proof and drip-proof performance including the monitor. The size is about 20% smaller than the D6. Considering the hold feeling, it is said that it is a design suitable for long-term use. The layout of the rear buttons is similar to that of the Z series such as the "Z 7", but many customizable buttons are arranged with the convenience of professional users in mind. It follows the operability of D6.

Compared to the D6 (left), the Z 9 (right) is about 20% smaller in volume ratio

　The rear monitor is equipped with a vertical and horizontal 4-axis tilt mechanism for the first time in the company's products. The tilt mechanism can be used both horizontally and vertically. The camera shake correction function is equipped with a 5-axis correction mechanism in the body. By combining with a VR compatible lens, a maximum of about 6.0 steps of image stabilization is possible. The memory card slot supports high-speed continuous shooting and continuous shooting of 8K movies, and is a double slot compatible with CFexpress TypeB.

The memory card slot is a CFexpress TypeB compatible double slot

　The battery uses the newly developed "EN-EL18d". The maximum number of shots that can be taken is 700, and a movie can be shot continuously for about 170 minutes. It also supports USB power supply.

Nikon also announced the release of the new lenses "NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S" and "NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S" and the mount adapter "FTZ II".

"NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S" is the first super-telephoto lens in the Z series. It is an "S-Line" product that meets the highest standards among the lenses in the series. A newly developed center-of-gravity-less mechanism is adopted, and when zooming, part of the rear lens retracts in line with the forward movement of the front lens element, minimizing the movement of the center of gravity.

NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S

"NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S" is a wide-angle to telephoto zoom lens belonging to the S-Line. In the Z series lens roadmap previously announced by the company, it was "24-105mm", but the focal length at the telephoto end has been changed. Aluminum alloy is used for the mount part, and resin material is used extensively for the lens barrel.

NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S

"FTZ II" is a mount adapter for connecting F-mount lenses for single-lens reflex cameras to Z series cameras. We have been selling "FTZ" as a similar product so far, but the tripod socket is abolished in the new product. Change to a shape that takes into account ease of grip. In the domestic market, although FTZ and FTZ II will be sold together for the time being, sales of the old model will end in the future.

Mount adapter "FTZ II" (left). The tripod mount has been removed from the conventional "FTZ"

　Nikon also announced the development of a new "400mm f/2.8". This is the first super-telephoto prime lens in the Z series.

　The suggested retail price is 385,000 yen for 100-400mm, 154,000 yen for 24-120mm, and 36,300 yen for FTZ II. The two new lenses are scheduled to be released in February 2022, and the FTZ II in 2021.