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.
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.
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.
The Z9 uses the Nikon Z-mount, developed by Nikon for its mirrorless digital cameras.
Nikon F-mount lenses can be used, with various degrees of compatibility, via the Nikon FTZ (F-to-Z) and FTZ II mount adapters.
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.
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. The new Nikon Z9 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. 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.
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.
The Z9 has won numerous awards:
The Z9 received several major firmware updates since the initial release. Notable features added by firmware updates include: Firmware 2.0 adding internal N-RAW video recording, "pre-release capture" and 120 Hz operation of the electronic viewfinder. Firmware 3.0 added video flicker reduction and digital zoom for 4K video, as well as a 19 MP 60 fps continuous release photo mode and general autofocus improvements. Firmware 4.0 added "auto capture", which can automatically trigger shutter release upon motion, subject or distance detection, and improved autofocus as well as video functions. Firmware 5.0 added several functions to the "auto capture" feature for more automated workflows as well as improvements to flicker reduction, several minor features and usability improvements.
When launched, Nikon used the marketing slogan: âÂÂUnstoppable.âÂÂ