NIKON PROMISES PRO Z CAMERA THIS YEAR
NIKON HAS CONFIRMED it has a professional-level Z series full frame mirrorless camera in the pipeline with a launch date scheduled for some time later this year. The camera gets a model number – the Z 9 – and we know it will have a stacked backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor, but that’s about it at the moment. However, the stacked sensor design suggests that the Z 9 will be built for speed, with a key audience being the many sports and press photographers who currently use Nikon’s top-end DSLRs. Nikon has also revealed that the Z 9 will be able to record 8K video, which implies it’ll also be able to do 4K at 50/60 fps and the 100/120 fps speeds for super slow-mo effects. The faster read-outs made possible by the stacked configuration – which includes built-in RAM – also enables faster autofocusing, another important feature of a camera designed for shooting sports and high-speed action. A no-black-out EVF – even at 30 fps – will undoubtedly be part of the package.
The product image Nikon has released shows that the Z 9 has an integrated vertical grip – also allowing for a high-capacity power supply – and there are control elements that users of the D5 and D6 prolevel DSLRs will be familiar with. You can also expect a rugged, all-metal body with full weather protection, including for subzero temperatures. Given the apparent size of the Z 9, we suspect it’ll have
