Nikon Z9
Announced October 28, 2021
PixelMeter The PixelMeter is our 1–100 aggregate of reviewer scores from trusted publications and creators. Weighted by source tier — not a raw average, and not PetaPixel’s own review.
Reviewer Consensus
Exceptional
Nikon Z9 is a powerhouse full-frame mirrorless camera that combines a 45.7-megapixel stacked sensor with robust build quality and advanced autofocus tracking. Though its large, heavy body and high price point make it a serious investment for professionals, it delivers exceptional performance for both high-speed sports and high-resolution video production.
Weighted from 46 reviewer scores
Pros
- Highly reliable and fast autofocus with advanced subject tracking
- High-performance stacked sensor capable of 120 FPS burst shooting
- Professional-grade 8K video recording with no overheating issues
- Rugged, weather-sealed design with a built-in vertical grip
- Excellent battery life and efficient power management
Cons
- Large, heavy chassis that can be cumbersome for some users
- High cost of proprietary CFexpress memory cards
- Lack of a fully articulating screen limits certain video angles
- Complex menu system and button configurations require a learning curve
- EVF resolution is lower than some flagship competitors
- Launch price $5,499.95 (USD)
- Sensor 45.7MP Full-Frame Stacked BSI CMOS
- Video 8K 60p 4K 120p
- Stabilization In-body IS
- Burst 30 fps electronic
What the Reviewers Say
All 46 expert reviews, weighted into the PixelMeter score.
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- PetaPixel 10/10
The Z9 is easily the most addicting camera I have ever shot with.
- DPReview 94/100
The Nikon Z9 is perhaps the most complete camera we've ever tested.
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The Nikon Z9 is a flagship-level camera with an integrated grip and enough data transfer ports for any occasion. Even though the Z9 is geared toward sports and event photography pros, it has some features meant for almost everyone.
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In any case, this particular model will evolve in time and will offer even greater filming flexibility to anyone who considers purchasing it.
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Its flagship Nikon Z9 is right up there as most accomplished of them all and one of the best cameras for photography you can buy.
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The Z9 is an incredible camera. It’s the camera that’s made us all but forget about DSLRs.
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The Z9 is a top performer, and a bit of a bargain.
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This is the top of the line Flagship Z series camera, and we can tell. It has every feature imaginable, is beautifully made, performs impeccably and is every bit the professional photographic tool.
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As the spiritual mirrorless successor to the D6 DSLR, the new Z9 surpasses its sibling to become the best camera that Nikon have ever produced, irrespective of what technology lies inside it.
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I still say if you can afford this camera, go pre-order it or go order it because I guess you'll get it whenever they finally can ship them all, and you will not be upset with it. It passed the tests that I was hoping that it would pass.
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The Nikon Z9 is a fantastic mirrorless camera offering a versatile design, sharp screen, extensive autofocus system and fast frame rate that produces vibrant and detailed images with little to no effort.
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The Nikon Z9 is one of the most capable all-round professional cameras we've ever used. Its 45.7MP stills resolution puts it on an effective par with the best of its rivals, and its 8K 30p seems able to record as long as you want it to – a far cry from its competitors.
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The Nikon Z 9 is a bleeding-edge full-frame camera, one from a crop of recent Stacked sensor models with exceptional subject recognition and tracking, brisk continuous drive modes, and cinema-quality video.
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It's a shame some video features won't be available until a firmware update in 2022, but the Z9's video prowess impresses already and we're looking at a modern-day Nikon classic.
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The Z9 is Nikon's most versatile and powerful mirrorless camera yet, and the lack of a mechanical shutter is a non-issue.
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These frustrations did not stop me from getting great pictures with the Nikon. I've been shooting with it for almost a year now, and I've gotten a whole set of pictures that I'm really proud of.
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So all in all the Z9 is definitely far improved with the latest firmware update and now works reliably and consistent in the field.
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Look folks, in summary, it's not perfect, there are little bug bears, but it's an epic camera, and since it was released it's won just about every award that the imaging industry has to offer.
- Photo Review 9.0/10
Nikon Z9 is a complex and highly developed piece of imaging equipment that will reward photographers who are prepared to spend time working with it, exploring its capabilities and learning how to configure it to suit their personal working styles [...]
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Taking money out the equation, it’s probably a no brainer next camera for most serious Nikon wildlife or sports photographers.
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An absolute monster for stills and video, the Nikon Z9 is a brilliant astro camera. However, it comes at a high price and with features more suited to other photo styles like weddings and wildlife it may be overkill for night sky photographers.
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The Z9 and the Z8 are tech marvels and the finest cameras I have ever used in my lifetime. There are no real limitations (unless shooting in the dark), no real weaknesses and for me it bests the current crop of competition from the other big two names.
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Much hyped and much anticipated, the range-topping Nikon Z9 combines 45.7-megapixel resolution stills with up to 8K video to make this a powerfully enticing all-in-one option for pro snappers being called upon to play ‘content creator’ in both disciplines.
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Every once while you get a camera that's a game changer, and this camera is a game changer.
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The Nikon Z9 is an absolute beast of a camera, that much is true. In many respects, aside from size, it’s possibly the best mirrorless camera in existence right now.
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The Nikon Z9 brings together speed, intelligence, durability, and high-resolution imaging in a way that truly positions it as a flagship for professional creators.
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The Nikon Z9 is a professional grade camera aimed at multiple genres of sports, wildlife, landscape, weddings and events, portraits and more.
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I was so happy with this camera in every single aspect.
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The Nikon Z9 is certainly a spiritual successor to Nikon's pro level DSLR cameras but leveraging the advantages that the mirrorless format brings.
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It allows you to be creative.
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The Nikon Z 9 is an amazing camera, and at this moment, I think it’s one of the best sports, action, and wildlife cameras on the market.
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The Z9 has a load of new, cool stuff going on that you probably won't appreciate until you get yours, too.
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At a $5,500 price point for just the body, this camera is definitely for the professional or the person that is actually being financially compensated for their creative work, right?
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So is the Nikon Z9 good enough to get a Sony shooter's attention?
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There's certainly no professional photography or videography purpose that this can't handle as well as, mostly better than, the competition.
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All right, so yeah, I think the Nikon Z9 is a fantastic performing camera.
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I think the Z9 is a really nice camera for wildlife and bird photography. However, I think the R5 provides the better value.
- Sam Hurd Photography 8.5/10
It’s a big deal for Nikon to finally have AF performance on par with the best bodies from other brands like Sony and Canon, but I’d recommend the Zf instead.
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So my recommendation on this camera, it's a great camera. If you're in the market, if you're a Nikon shooter and you're in the market for a pro-line camera, this thing can't be beat.
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We would highly recommend the Nikon Z9, and I can't believe I'm even saying this, but I do believe that Nikon has finally made a comeback and is something to be considered when choosing your next camera.
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See, because in a vacuum, the Z9 is arguably one of the best cameras available today. And it's a no brainer to recommend that you purchase it to film weddings or really honestly, anything else for that matter.
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I do believe that for a lot of creators, if you are looking to get the best sensor for the dollar, the Nikon Z9 might be the best sensor for the dollar at that six thousand dollar price point on the market right now.
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These minor issues aside, the Z9 is an outstanding camera which can lay a strong claim to being the finest camera currently available for bird photography, and this position is only reinforced when you factor in the formidable Nikon mirrorless lens line-up.
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All in all, the Z9 is a formidable camera. It is the giant leap forward that Nikon users have been waiting for, bringing every aspect of flagship performance to the mirrorless realm.
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All of those features alone are the reason why this is my favorite hybrid camera going into 2023.
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The Z9 manages to offer one of the most balanced packages for hybrid shooters in the market today. [...] If your workflow and needs justify the price, for pros, this could easily be your main body for years to come.
