I used a Z9 last season for football under poor light (12,800), thought the images looked pretty good. But then this summer I picked up a D6 and have since used it under the same conditions (12,800) and I find the images much better than the Z9 noise wise. So much so I'm going to use the D6 for all my low light work.
It surprised me a little but I had my suspicions. I'm amazed though, how well the D4s compares to more modern cameras. It's still the go to camera for cross country event photographers.
This video gave me a great mental satisfaction. 😅 I arranged the money for a new Z9 but instead of buying it I bought a D5 & a 400mm f2.8 used. I think i made a right choice
Thank you! As a hobbyist, I am satisfied with D4s. This video confirms that Z9 would only improve my capabilities in videos (which I don't have time to spend on currently). I use AI for noise removal and super-resolution so I don't see how the spec for Z9 ISO would have much real world meaning to me if I still need to post-process the files (e.g., apparently the ISO8000 pictures from Z9 would require postprocessing). Superresolution provides 4-6 times increase without sacrificing realism (especially for feathers, fabrics, and eyes, but might lose accuracy on edges or high-contrast areas). That also means the 45 MP resolution means nothing. 16 MP upscales to 64 MP without losing details (and file managements can be easier on the hardware). Of course, for high FPS shooting (120 FPS), Z9 would dominate. But I don't see how often my weekends would require me to shoot more than 10 FPS. Also, running the battery in the EVF is always a shortcoming of mirrorless.
I remember when the D5 came out and was being reviewed people noticed that at 6400 ISO it had a kind of noise level "reset" as if it has some sort of dual ISO sensor.
well, I just made a purchase on a D4s in new condition!!!!! with 200k count! costs me 549 british pounds!! it blew me away with its condition!! came from a photographer who should win an award for looking after cameras :)
Great comparison Sean I’ve learned that the Z9 stops at 25600 ISO which I didn’t know. as I own a D6 I thought the the next generation flagship camera would be at least at the same level. For indoor sport photography with my 70-200 f/2.8 at 1/1000th s I often reach 32000 ISO with the D6 with such incredible results that I’m realizing that considering my use of this camera I would never switch to the Z9…
Look, Nikon was basically in the financial swamp for years and years, before the Z mount series! Nikon had to do something drastic, which for most consumers of their cameras, meant worse autofocus and such for the Z5-Z7 series… worse in the terms of action photography requirements. The D500 is still far superior to the Z6II, if for no other reasons, the ability with one pressable button to instantly switch autofocus target size and mode. So, along came the Z9, also because at this point, their own marketing was creating the necessity to kill off their top performers , such as the D850, D500, D5 & D6… According to this review, which seems quite factual and solid, the Z9 is also a compromise… I bet Nikon is still focusing on earnings, and has forgone their original thoughts about serving photographers, rather than reviewers and stockholders
I've not yet used the D6 for any length of time but hoping to try out one soon. I think the Z9 is a stunning camera but the D5/D6 are incredible low light cameras. Maybe I was hoping for too much with the first Pro mirrorless.
Don't get me wrong, the Z9 is a stunning camera and a huge relief for all Nikon kit owners. I just wish the ISO hadn't taken a back step as Nikon have presented this model as their latest flagship sports camera, replacing the D6. Not all sports are well lit but they certainly all need higher shutter speeds. As I often say, 8000 ISO is my normal requirement, any less and I have to start compromising. For myself, I don't really need 45mp I'd rather have higher ISO.
I have been pulling my hair out doing this comparison!! I just took my D4s out of my bag and replaced it with the Z9. man have I been eaten alive on the DPreview forms about this comparison. although the camera is faster and autofocus is out of this world, iso definitely failed to impress me. I’m hoping they fix this issue with the Z9h
im using a d4s an im not changing it ! if you cannot take a good pic with a d4s d850 d610 etc etc you wont with a mirrorless its you not having a latest mirrorless at 5 k
Would have been maybe more interesting to have seen the tests, where the iso was being bumped because of a Low Light scenario as this I feel also may be a contributor to the relative noise levels. My own experience is that my D6 is way better than my Z9 in low light/ high iso scenarios.
That matches my experience; when it gets dark noise becomes overwhelming. Waxy: that is a very good word to describe what programs like DeNoise do. I need to remember that. So far, I tend to limit my ISO to 6400, but when it gets dark even that is a bit high (D500, Z6II). We'll see if that holds true for the Z9.
For ISO's of 8000 and 10,000 I would normally use DeNoise, but sparingly. At 20,000 I think the job was just too much for the program. The Z9 is superb at lower ISO's though.
I regularly use 25,6 to 51,2 on the Canon R3 for indoor sports. Would have liked to have seen these comparisons created under fluorescent or led lights. Think it would have impacted the resulting noise.
The first set of images (the two cameras) were taken under LED video lights. I'd like to have have used them in an indoor school setting but unfortunately I think people would have complained about the length of the video
Hi Sean, I owe a D750 and D850 tbh I never go further than 3200iso, I guess I’m a bit too much old school and I do see noise at those settings. That’s out of the camera btw.
As you know, I've nothing but good thoughts about my Z9. However, at the higher ISO's I usually pop it through DeNoise, whereas I don't need to with the D5. The Z9 is a lot easier to good shots with though.
Great video thank you for posting. A quick question if you have access to a D6 is there and difference to the D5? The D6 seems to be over shadowed by the Z9.
I'm hoping to get one for a couple of days and I'm keen to test it against the D5, as I never believed that there was much difference. However, the people that have one reckon it's much better
I think that Nikon has worried too much about Sensor MP and less about ISO. I started to get worried when I heard 64mp was the starting point. I got more concerned when the advertising showed the camera shooting a model in the studio. However, the focussing is really good and a huge relief to me. Considering the number of cameras I have, the Z9 is the first one that I pack for a job or just a day out. The D5 always comes along too :)
@@seancameronphotographic3740I was thinking the same thing, the issue is mirrorless is here to stay. I’m investing into the future of camera gear. Going from D4s to D6 just didn’t make sense to me. although the Z9 is great in terms of speed but lacks ISO I’m more or less waiting for the rumored Z9h to outperform and correct for these issues
