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Nikon’s8Kmaster stroke N ikon may be the last of the major manufacturers to launch a flagship pro-level mirrorless camera, but the new Z 9 is here. The 45.7-megapixel, full-frame Z 9mirrorless camera sets a new standard for high-resolution video and superfast stills photography and 3D tracking to date, and shoots stills up to 120fps with full autofocus and exposure metering. However, this is from an 11-megapixel cropped section of the sensor. For full-frame stills, it matches record 8K, but only up to 30p. The 8K Nikon video footage at 30p can be recorded for approximately 125 minutes at a time, which Nikon says is the longest duration in mirrorless cameras. An upcoming firmware update will enable the recording
In some ways, it edges out the rival Sony A1 and Canon EOS R3 cameras. And with a body-only price of £5299/$5497, it undercuts the Sony by a cool £1200/$1000, while the Canon sits roughly midway at £5879/$5999. All three use the stacked image sensor, which brings pro-level stills performance to mirrorless cameras, and up until this year has been exclusive to Sony. The stacked sensor allows continuous real- time view without blackout – vital for fast-moving subjects. The Z 9 has a new, stacked, 45.7-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor designed by Nikon and an ultra-fast processor. The company says it has the most sophisticated autofocus system
the 30fps of the Sony and Canon. The Nikon also does not have a mechanical shutter, but relies on an electronic one – unlike the Canon and Nikon that have both. Nikon obviously believes that, as the sensor readout is incredibly quick, the camera does not have any problems with rolling shutter artefacts, which are so often the bane of e-shutter cameras. However, doing away with it has affected flash sync speed. The Nikon manages 1/200sec, while the Sony can sync at 1/400sec, for example. In video spec, the Z 9 can record full- frame 8K in up to 60p and 4K up to 120p, as well as time-lapse movies in-camera. Both the Sony A1 and Canon EOS R5 can
of ProRes 422 HQ and Raw 8K video in 60p. Full AF/AE and eye detection AF is available while filming. However, it seems there is no 240fps video recording, as the specs top out at 120fps in HD and 4K. There is built-in N-Log and HDR recording, though. Nikon claims autofocus is more advanced than their rivals. The 493-point system includes 405 auto-area AF points – five times more than the Nikon Z 7 II – while ten AF-area modes let users optimise set-up for any shoot. Deep- learning AI allows simultaneous detection of up to nine subject types, including people, animals and motor sports.
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