Professional-Grade Feature Set. The Nikon Z9 boasts a range of features that makes it more suited to professional photographers than the Z8. The Z9 gives you up to 750 shots per charge, compared to the Z8’s 420. Its dual CFexpress slots allow for markedly faster data transfer and better reliability when compared to the Z8’s combination of one CFexpress slot and one SD slot. The Z9 boasts enhanced heat dissipation that helps prevent overheating, which is a concern on the Z8, and the Z9’s weather-sealed body design is more durable and ergonomic than the Z8’s, making it better for longer shoots in rougher conditions. The Z9 also includes a GPS feature, which the Z8 lacks.

Durable, Compact Build. As you’d expect, the pro-grade Z9 is built like a beast. The magnesium-alloy body features dust and moisture sealing, so inclement weather and harsh climates won’t be able to stop you. There’s a sensor shield that protects the sensor surface while you’re changing lenses, and there’s a dual electro-conductive and fluorine coating on the sensor’s optical filter for additional dust prevention. The form factor, ergonomic grip, anti-slip material, and intuitive control layout all add up to a camera that was designed with extended shoots in mind, while backlit buttons make it easier to control the camera when you’re working in low light.

Third-Gen Nikon Z. The Nikon Z9 is part of Nikon’s full-frame Z-mount system, which gives you exceptional image quality and optical design in a compact build. This system’s inner diameter is 17% larger than the F mount, allowing for more advanced optics and lenses, while the 16mm flange distance is 65% shorter than the F mount, which makes for markedly slimmer body designs. Z-mount cameras are only compatible with Z-mount lenses, and Z-mount lenses only work with Z-mount cameras.

Unmatched Image Quality. The 45.7MP full-frame sensor is paired with an EXPEED 7 image processor to give you a native ISO range of 64-25600 and an extended ISO range of 32-102400. The sensor’s back-illuminated design gives you clean, low-noise images at high ISO values, while its lack of a conventional low-pass filter gives you exceptional sharpness and resolution. The EXPEED 7 processor gives you a 20 fps high-speed continuous RAW-shooting frame rate and ensures speedy functionality.

UHD 8K 30p Video. The Z9 is capable of continuous, in-camera 10-bit 8K 30p video capture using full pixel readout for roughly 125 minutes. You can use an 8K area to record oversampled UHD 4K at up to 30p for excellent sharpness and detail. You also get full-frame 4K at up to 120p for slow-motion playback, and UHD 4K and Full HD at 24/25/30/60/100/120p. You can use the ProRes 422 HQ and H.265 codecs for internal recording with 10-bit color and 4:2:2 sampling, and you can also use H.264 and 4:2:0 color depending on your workflow needs. The N-Log gamma lets you capture flat-looking footage with a high dynamic range, the Electronic VR feature gives you smooth handheld shooting, and you get uncompressed, 10-bit data output over HDMI. You can capture stereo audio in-camera or externally via 1/8-inch mic input, while a separate 1/8-inch headphone input enables precision audio monitoring.

493-Point Phase-Detect Autofocus. The Z9’s autofocus system offers 493 phase-detection AF points that cover 90% of the image area both vertically and horizontally, making it great for stills and video. The combination of the Z interface’s high-speed communication and the fast sensor enable AF readings at up to 120 fps. The AF system’s automatic Subject Detection uses a new algorithm and deep-learning tech to recognize nine distinct subject types including humans, animals, bicycles, and airplanes. When you’re using Auto-Area AF, the camera will automatically detect, focus on, and track these subjects to ensure sharpness as they move across the frame. The Eye-Detection AF feature has been tuned for improved accuracy and refined eye recognition regardless of how small the eyes are in the frame. The Z9 is the first Nikon mirrorless camera to include the 3D Tracking mode, a popular focusing mode first introduced in Nikon’s DSLRs. This mode works in tandem with the Subject Detection feature to lock onto fast, unpredictable subjects that move parallel and perpendicular to the camera axis. A Starlight mode is great for working in low light, permitting focusing down to -8.5EV. Finally, there are three Dynamic-Area AF modes with a range of focus-area sizes, which allow you to capture a wide variety of moving subjects with ease.

Built-In Five-Axis Vibration Reduction. This five-axis sensor-shift Vibration Reduction system incorporates a new Synchro VR feature that gives you up to six stops of camera-shake compensation with select Nikon Z-mount lenses. The Nikon FTZ II Mount Adapter lets you use the Z9 with VR-enabled F-mount lenses, albeit only with three axes of stabilization. A VR safety lock secures the sensor and VR mechanism in place to prevent damage while you’re traveling.

High-Res Electronic Viewfinder and LCD. The built-in Real-Live Viewfinder is an EVF that boasts 3.7m-dot resolution, 100% coverage, and 0.8x magnification to give you a bright, clear view of what the sensor sees. It has an adjustable luminance up to 3000 cd/m2, which lets you work in bright light, and it works in conjunction with dual-stream technology to prevent blackouts during continuous shooting. You can use the 3.2-inch 2.1m-dot rear touchscreen LCD for image composition and review when shooting at arm’s length. It tilts on four axes for easy viewing from a wide range of angles, and the user interface automatically shifts depending on the position in which you’re holding the camera.

Memory and Power Options. The Z9 includes two XQD/CFexpress Type B memory-card slots for superior speed, capability, and reliability. The included EN-EL18d battery gives you up to 750 shots per charge—substantially more than what you’d get on the Z8—and can be charged in camera. The Z9 is also compatible with the optional Nikon EP-6A Power Connector w/ Nikon EH-6D Adapter and other EN-EL18 series batteries, but you’ll get fewer shots per charge with batteries other than the EN-EL18d.

Connectivity Options. The Z9 uses Nikon’s SnapBridge platform to transfer images from the camera to a phone or tablet. Using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, you can quickly transfer low-res proxy files to share; tag your files with dates, times and locations; remotely operate the camera; and manage your files. There’s FTPS support for secure connection to FTP servers, and a GNSS feature for in-camera geotagging and recording location info during your shoot. A full-size HDMI port lets you output video to an external recorder or monitor; a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port supports tethering, data transfer, and in-camera battery charging; a PC-sync port lets you use external strobes; an Ethernet port supports 1000BASE-T wired LAN connections for FTP file transfers; and a 10-pin port lets you use a range of remotes and accessories.