Nikon reveals full-frame Z9 mirrorless camera — and it’s a true DSLR killer

Nikon reveals total-frame Z9 mirrorless camera — and it'south a true DSLR killer

(Image credit: Nikon)

Nikon is developing a new full-frame mirrorless camera called the Nikon Z9 that will evangelize "the best still and video performance" in its history.

The Z9 was revealed in a blog mail service this morning time, together with a single photo of the device. And based on what we already know about information technology, information technology volition almost certainly take over from the D6 DSLR equally Nikon'due south flagship model.

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Nikon's post revealed several details about the Z9 — the most important of which are that it'due south in development, it'll accept a total-frame sensor and it will go far this year.

Nosotros likewise know that the Z9 will be able to shoot 8K video — putting it on a par with other flagship cameras such equally the Canon EOS R5 — and that information technology volition use a newly developed FX-format stacked CMOS sensor and prototype-processing engine.

The latter news is potentially large, because stacked CMOS sensors accept faster read-out speeds than BSI (behind-illuminated) sensors. In theory, this could give the Z9 speedier burst shooting and autofocus than potential rivals with a BSI sensor, such as the Sony A7R Four — though obviously we'll have to come across it in action before nosotros tin judge that.

Nikon didn't reveal much more about the Z9, even so the fact that information technology'due south described as "the showtime flagship model for which the Nikon Z mountain has been adopted" and "meeting the avant-garde needs of professionals" suggests that it volition indeed supervene upon the D6 as Nikon's pinnacle camera.

That's further backed upwardly by the image of the camera: with its built-in vertical grip, the Z9 looks very much similar a cantankerous between the full-frame mirrorless Z7 and the pro-level D6 DSLR.

While Nikon's official announcement doesn't tell us that much, some specs have leaked via the Nikon Rumors site. At that place's no fashion of knowing whether they're accurate or non, but Nikon Rumors more often than not has a adept track tape with these things.

Co-ordinate to the leak, the Z9 volition have either a 45-46MP, 50MP or 60MP sensor, with the latter two beingness the nigh probable. It will also have a high-resolution, blackout-costless electronic viewfinder with a 120Hz refresh rate, 20fps burst shooting and "stunning" autofocus tracking.

Of class a pro camera such equally this volition carry with information technology a pro price tag — and Nikon Rumors predicts that the Z9 will price $6,000-vii,000 when it arrives, probably this fall. And so no, the Z9 won't be making it into our listing of the all-time cheap cameras.

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As U.K. Editor in Chief on Tom's Guide, Marc is responsible for the site's U.Thousand.-focused output also every bit overseeing all gaming, streaming, audio, Boob tube, entertainment, how-to and cameras coverage. He previously edited the tech website Stuff and has tested and written nigh phones, tablets, wearables, streaming boxes, smart dwelling house devices, Bluetooth speakers, games and much more. He besides spent years on a music magazine, where his duties mainly involved spoiling other people's fun, and on a car magazine. An avid photographer, Marc likes nothing better than taking pictures of very small things (bugs, his daughters) or very big things (distant galaxies). When he gets fourth dimension, he as well enjoys gaming (console and mobile), cycling and attempting to sentry equally much sport equally whatsoever human can (particularly cricket).