Nikon Z9 Review by Ken Rockwell 

Thank you! PS - I LOVE Indian food; wish we had more here in the USA.

@@rizzabarcarse Here's my written Z9 guide www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/z9-users-guide.htm and my new unpublished Z9 guide video ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-n_VIfEaKYN8.html

Agreed! The speed with which you speak and the experience in that noggin😆 - perfect combo for us. 🙏🏽

@@wanderlostNW Indian foods are quite yummy and Ken has expressed his love for Indian food. That has got nothing to do with this review.

True this camera also not for me. I prefer 25-35s megapixel full frame mainly for still photography. Even its only shoot 1 frame per second or cant shoot video Its not problem for me as long as its shoot world best RAW image

Thank you! Just calling it as I see it after actually shooting every day for months with this.

And it will trickle down, always does. Thanks!

It’s a lot of camera. Once you learn to set up custom functions it’s awesome. I still own a D4 that is much better under lower light and has as much as useful optical sharpness. Sometimes I look at a Z9 at 45mp and a D4 at 16mp and I don’t see an obvious difference until you enlarge image to 100%.

Thanks Jim!!!

Thank you! Enjoy some of those world class steaks down there for me!

Thanks; "No BS" is exactly what I'm trying to accomplish; thanks for noticing!

Thank you!! Just saying it like it is.

Thanks! Actually I have a ton of work I’ve shot but haven’t gotten to sharing it yet. Stay tuned!

There's already 4.0 firmware

Thanks, but the even more complete review is written at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/z9.htm Thanks!

Try photo mechanic for sorting through all the pictures www.kenrockwell.com/tech/photo-mechanic.htm thanks!

It always does trickle down, while the Z9 is actually quite reasonable compared to other genuinely pro cameras.

Yup, it’s me! Thanks!!!

Thanks Joe!

Superb! Far cry from what we had years ago.

Nikons best Mirrorless yet - but the d750 was an instant classic as well. Thanks!

Toda raba! Thanks for noticing; I put a lot of effort into exactly what you noticed. It takes forever to get my product shots looking as they do.

Thanks; the more complete review and samples are at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/z9.htm

@@KenRockwellTV Thanks! I have been reading your reviews for a long time and I've always enjoyed the text and the images with the bold, vivid colors and creative compositions. Here, the saturation seems to be taken up a notch. Has Nikon changed its color science?

Thanks for noticing !

How is your family? I remember how excited you were back when your first child was born.

Thank you!!! All is well here - but kids now 14 and 15 and won’t let me take their pictures anymore. Still in Tehran?

Thank you!!!!!!!

Yes! No BS and I try to get to the point. If I’m too fast or slow youtube has playback options to slow or slowed up everything. Thanks!!!!

Exactly! Thanks!

Lumix is very under rated. They have all kinds of little neat things first. I heard recently they were technically the first mirrorless camera to market? (RangeFinder cameras not included :)

Did they ever leave? Thanks!

Thank you!!

Thanks! That comes from actually shooting with it every day.

Thanks!

Thanks!

Already done; the complete review is at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/z30.htm from back in July. Videos here are for entertainment, but if you want the real story always go directly to KenRockwell.com for the most complete and updated reviews. No plans for a Z30 review on YT. Thanks!

@@KenRockwellTV Thanks!

Only issue with that is that half pressing the shutter button already engages an autofocus mode (or can). So it would need to be processing two streams at once (and some people still reach across the grip to depress the normal shutter button in horizontal even though they are shooting vertically). You can't win! LOL

Agreed; paying attion to which shutter is tapped is an orientation sensor. Thanks!

Thanks for noticing! Since I'm just one guy, not a RU-vidr, I have no assistant to help me shoot; it's nearly impossible to frame myself with a remote camera without a dedicated camera operator or operatrix, and yes, it's about the camera, not me. Thanks!

Details are all in the comments; I shoot all my view on my iPhone, which has much better video for real-world use than any of these interchange lens cameras. No way can any lens on the Z9 focus as close and autofocus as fast and clairvoyantly and have such depth of field as the video you just saw.

@@KenRockwellTV - I never thought a phone camera would ever be so good, but they are. I have an iPhone 13 Pro and the macro, low light capabilities and overall photo quality is incredible in such a tiny space. The main reason I upgraded was for the extra-wide lens, but overall the camera is so much better. This is the reason I don't use my DSLR very much anymore, but still I want to get back into serious photography someday.

Thank YOU!!!

Thanks!

Hi Micheal, The crop setting doesn’t care about orientation. In he case of my Z9, there simply is no 4:3 or 4:5 option. Weird. Thanks for asking!

They are in two different sets of banks, which are only available by getting into two different menus, and even when you eventually recall both; only 2/3 of the settings are actually recalled - making them not very useful. This has been a major shortcoming in Nikon since the D2 of 2003. Thanks!

Thanks! Hope you love it!

Thanks, but that doesn’t help while using the finder.

Be sure to order it today; could be months till it shows up; so k is that there is a long lead time to get one because they are so popular. I got mine at www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1629829-REG/nikon_z_9_mirrorless_digital.html/BI/287/KBID/1037

IQ is great in every camera. What matter to full time pros is if the camera get out of the way or not. The AF system is pretty bad in the Z9 and all nikon Mirrorless; I prefer Canon by far.

Good point! Thanks!

I mention that in my guide at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/z9-users-guide.htm#eb Thanks!

Thanks!

I prefer the Canon system, and we’re all different. Thanks!

So far so good. Pretty boring here, I need to get out for a hike.

Merci!

Thanks!

I prefer the finder mode which mimics an optical finder by not applying the effects of exposure settings. Try it. Here’s how to do it on OM system www.kenrockwell.com/om/om-1-users-guide.htm#usefinder

Yeah, is it still 1979 with 8-place file names?

Thank you!

Thanks, but the most detailed review has been at www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/z9.htm since last year; these videos are just for fun. Thanks!

Thank goodness!!

Thank you!

Yes, a significant advance from the other sad first tries at Mirrorless. Thanks!

@@KenRockwellTV Great review. As a long term Nikon user, its great to see them finally hit the nail on the head, & then some, in mirrorless👍

Sorry, but you'll never see a good sniper; that's the whole point. These are used not to spot, but to observe, document and report. Thanks!

Thanks; hadn’t thought of that. I use photo mechanic all day.

Nikon goofed. Not the first time, and won't be the last. Thanks!

Thank you!!!

Thanks!

Thank YOU!

Thanks!

It has the Settings Banks, which I find almost useless compared to U1, U2 and U3 settings. My concern its that the two different menu settings banks together still don't recall everything that I need. Thanks!

@@KenRockwellTV can't f1 f2 f3 buttons recall settings

When you turn it off and on again, does it use your last settings ?

Thank you!!!

Not likely. 120 FPS is nice, but not that much more useful in actual use than 30FPS and Canon makes a better system and supports it better.

In France? Thanks!

You’re welcome - or you could take this as a sign that it’s time to go Canon and get the R3 for the future. Thanks!

R3 every time. Thanks! I'm returning this one; I'm not getting ripped-off with an offshored product whose country of origin wasn't disclosed before purchased.

@@KenRockwellTV 24 MP not a problem?

So am I! Thanks!

I do, and also this is shot close-up with a wide lens that makes whatever’s closest look even bigger. Thanks!

Why? The D850 is the best Nikon's ever made. Nikon is still figuring out mirrorless, while they've been making SLRs since the 1950s.

Beep beep! Thanks!

D500 is still the best bird camera from Nikon. I prefer Canon and especially the 90D for birds. www.kenrockwell.com/canon/90d.htm

@@KenRockwellTV Thanks! 👏👏👏

Mauro, I own the D500 (and love it). That said, you can't go wrong with the Sony a1, Canon R3/5 for stills, or the Nikon Z9. Clearly, there is a step up in price. Short quick responses do not begin to address the plethora of issues for a detailed enough answer. I'll mention just a few which can not be accomplished with Ken's recommendations. 1. Precapture on the Z9. I go out shooting with Sony and Canon friends. One day, on the beach, we had a night heron walking along the brush. Problem was there were Tern nests near by (and maybe he knew that). The adult terns became very annoyed at his presence and repeatedly did a low, fast "dive fly by". Because it was repeated behavior I set the Z9 up quickly on the tripod and used animal eye detect to stay on the night heron as it moved. All I had to do is frame the shot and dial in shutter speed and aperture. With the focus button pressed, each time I saw the tern enter the frame I hit the "shutter" release at 120 fps (and my Canon R3 friend did as well). In 10 repeated sequences I was able to capture from beginning to end (with precapture) the entire fly-by. The R3, only tail feathers on all passes, all with the bird leaving the scene (stay tuned for why). When we reviewed the images of each fly by and were amazed - not only had the entire sequence been captured (with 1 second pre-capture), but that the Tern was dropping excrement on the Night Heron on each and every pass. The number of shots that showed that were at most 4 to 5 (with the birds in close proximity). I wish I could post the example here. Four out of 120 frames per second. That's 0.03 percent or 1 frame if shooting the R3 at 30 fps. That said, the entire sequence of fly by where the birds are in even close proximity were about 7 to 8 frames, and about 12 frames with the bird just entering the frame. That's 0.1 seconds. The average human reaction time for a visual stimulus is 0.25 seconds (250ms). Point is, there was no way my Canon or Sony friends could capture the event unless anticipating the event and then they would likely have only one shot to choose from. Clearly, this is a outlier of an example, but we repeated a similar, more common event. We focused on a bird eating berries on a branch. We both had animal eye detect enabled. I was in 3D tracking AF area mode. We both photographed 3 bird launches from a perch to see who could capture the best images. Again, the R3 got tail feathers each time. The Z9, with precapture (JPG - both at 30 fps - full sized MP and 120 11 JPG MP files) captured all three take offs with precapture enabled. EXPOSURE: My D850/D500 shots had many inconsistent exposures (user error) for rapidly changing wildlife scenes (and changing light even with autoISO). I would say nearly 95 percent of my photos on the Z9 are properly exposed even in tricky lighting (i.e. dark bird bright water, bright bird bright water, dark and bright bird with iridescent feathers). The Video AF is the best Nikon yet. There are many other examples of why this Nikon Z9 is the best hybrid camera/mirrorless, but I would say the Sony a1's AF is stickier. Canon's finds the birds eye slightly better - that said - my R3 friend and I were out shooting Least Bitterns in the Texas Morning and his R3 could not find the eye (nor could the Z9 - until I put it into DX mode - making the bird larger in the frame - and then it had much less trouble). To be sure, the Z9 (and other mirrorless cameras) with horizontal linear OSPDAF masked pixels types will have AF issues until the software improves (this is what Ken describes in this video - the hunting) - as detecting horizontal lines is one of the current design flaws. This will require, I image, a duel or quad pixel array. If you shoot sports, action, wildlife - this will be the best camera you've ever used. That said, there is a learning curve and it will work best eventually with NEWER, NAITIVE Z lenses. I've used mostly E mount glass (200-500, 600mm) and they are quicker to focus on the Z9 than D500, D850). The 200-500 actually feels like a new lens on the Z9 (much faster responsive AF). Hope this "long" but short response helps some with your thoughts. Try one out if you can.

@@dance2jam Thanks for sharing your experience, but full frame cameras are out of my budget. I refuse to pay $5500 for a Z9 that outperforms a $3000 mirrorless camera, whose autofocus speed is similar to APS-C DSLR cameras between $1200 and $1500. If I migrate to mirrorless, I will definitely go to the Canon system. In my country Nikon technical support is no longer available and if I choose the Nikon D500, I will have to send it abroad in case it needs repair. I still haven't decided which camera to buy, as I'm waiting for the tests with the R7, which has pre-capture, but there is no information about the autofocus speed and FPS in the real world. Thank you for your answer and it will certainly be useful in the analysis of which camera to choose

@@maurogalch2098 I just typed you a response (and it disappeared). I'll keep it short: DSLRs and DSLR lenses are going to be bargains and a great option. As the advantages of mirrorless evolve, it will be there in the future and you'll know when you want to jump (when you need or want the features). For me, silent shooting, blackout free EVF, silent shooting, weather sealing with rugged build, and higher megapixel camera with extended battery life were things I needed. Good video AF was something I wanted. Image quality goes without saying. Biggest downside of the Z9 is weight and low light performance (but that goes with any FF/High megapixel camera with small pixel pitch). Good luck with your choice. Happy Shooting.

Not of D850; just like with the Z9 the most detailed review is the written one at KenRockwell.com. Thanks!

As soon as I get mine! Thanks!

Easy: The D1 series used a CCD rather than today's CMOS sensors, and actually its sync speed included 1/16,000 if you used the PC terminal for sync! It all comes down to the way the data is collected and then read from the sensor. Built-in flashes went away when they had to put the bluetooth antennas up where the flash used to go.

Nothing. Thanks!

Thank you! As a guy who actually shoots every day I like to explain how the camera works for people who take pictures, rather than just read from marketing baloney. Thanks!!!

Here are the basics of each brand. From there you can look at the specifics of the Z9 and R3 for your purpose and voila have your answer. Hint: I’d prefer the R3.

www.kenrockwell.com/tech/comparisons/nikon-vs-canon-vs-sony-full-frame.htm only advantage of Z9 is 120 FPS. I’d rather the advantages of the R3 and I’ll be just fine at 30 FPS.

@@KenRockwellTV thanks for reviewing both and coming to the same conclusion

Always greener elsewhere… but… Watch Steve Perry approach… it is very interesting…

I use video cameras or my iPhone for video. Thanks! I did make more; here's the Z9 Tutorial I shot yesterday ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-n_VIfEaKYN8.html

I’d recommend going straight to Canon for Mirrorless. I prefer it as a system (see www.kenrockwell.com/tech/comparisons/nikon-vs-canon-vs-sony-full-frame.htm) and it’s important to realize that what you own and think will work well adapted to Z doesn’t. Thus in a few years you’ll have re-bought everything for Mirrorless - and could have upgraded to Canon for free if you choose to go that way.

I hear they let the engineers define the features rather than the marketing people, product management or other normal people who actually shoot all day for a living. I’m here if they want me. Thanks!

Maybe, but sadly in only found the clickers worked on the Z9; no eye control focus or optical finger sensors like in R3

Of course! Still waiting for my Zf; I'm shooting and reviewing my R6 II right now. Nikon's mirrorless AF performance I find to be well behind Canon and Sony. I haven't found any Nikon Z I like better than my Canon’s. Thanks!

Yes, I set mine the same way: I can set my Z9 OK button to zoom to 100%. The problem is it's not one-click from idle. It will zoom as programmed if you're playing, but you have to hit PLAY first to start playback. Ideally it would be programmable so that one click of OK both initiates PLAY and ZOOMS as it does on many DSLRs. Thanks!

@@KenRockwellTV Oh, ok, I understand now. Whew! You scared me there. Thanks for the reply. I've learned a lot from you over the past 20 years. Thanks for all you do.

No. Not recommended. I suggest the 100-400 to replace both the 400/4.5 and 70-200: www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/100-400mm.htm with digital a stop either way makes very little difference.

Thanks Peter!!!!

Good news is it works so poorly that I never have any reason to move it, so it won't break on mine!

@@KenRockwellTV It's easy to ignore. Just like the collapsing Z lenses that people bitch about. It's just an option if you need another inch of room in your bag - otherwise - just leave the zoom at the widest setting - or wherever you want. You aren't required by law to collapse it.

Thank you!!!

Correct, and the Z9 has no rolling shutter problem. See www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/z/z9.htm#af for samples. Thanks!

As always, see my website for all the details. The FTZ only works with some of the newest lenses, if you’re a long time Bunin guy like me than many of our lenses don’t work properly on the FTZ, which is why I simply upgraded directly to Canon. Here’s all about the FTZ: www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/lenses/ftz.htm ultimately we all wind up replacing our old lenses with new, so since you’ll be rebuying an entire new system eventually, I’d take a hard look at Canon, which I prefer. www.kenrockwell.com/tech/comparisons/nikon-vs-canon-vs-sony-full-frame.htm thanks!!!

That’s was long time NIKON guy …

Good points! I do speak fast: I don't have time to dilly-dally about this. Thanks!

No. I’m not excited by new firmware; no time with everything else out there. My experience has shown me that for the last 40 years every slight revision has heralded “Better Autofocus!!!,” and that may be true, but the improvements are always too small to be significant. I have never seen much of any improvement in Nikons iffy mirrorless AF performance.

Exactly. See also www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htm and www.kenrockwell.com/tech/pixel-dumping.htm

I haven’t looked for that. I thought everyone gave up on that concept about a week after it came out and the whole system was defeated by a seven-year old. Thanks!

Haven’t tried. I’d stick with d500 if it’s working well.

I never used auto focus lenses. Always used manual focus. This is how photography is for decades.

This is why I prefer Canon, among any other things www.kenrockwell.com/tech/comparisons/nikon-vs-canon-vs-sony-full-frame.htm . Thanks!

Now you’re talking! Thanks!

Looks the same as all other modern nikon digital Mirrorless and DSLRs, which is good because I can shoot them all and mix the results and use the same settings that I’ve taken so long to perfect for my look in the past. Same for Canon; each brand looks different from others, but all cameras in the same brand do share the same look. Thanks!

That's what we all told ourselves back in 2003 when we looked for excuses to buy the new toys: DSLRs. The reality is that you would NEVER shoot that much film, and what we didn't realize is that digital cameras are disposable and usually replaced every few years with the next great thing.

I simply upsample in Photoshop and no one has ever complained. Thanks!