WHAT’S NEW

Big news as Nikon reveals that there’s a pro-level full frame mirrorless camera on the way which will be called the Z 9. Meanwhile, Sony continues to forge ahead with new FE mount lenses, with the latest additions taking the system to 63 models. Sigma launches a new version of its quirky fp compact L mount camera, now with 61 megapixels resolution on tap and a nifty clip-on EVF. Also in the L mount ecosystem, Panasonic adds a 70-300mm telezoom to its Lumix S line. And there’s a new range of Kuvrd’s clever lens caps which also serve as protective covers.

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 dual CFexpress Type B memory card slots (so XQD types can be used as well), rather than following Sony with the smaller-form-factor Type A version.

Sony has used stacked BSI-CMOS sensors in a number of its more recent full frame mirrorless cameras and, in the flagship Alpha 1, it allows a resolution of 50 megapixels to be combined with a shooting speed of 30 fps (and video at 8K/30p). There’s a good chance that the Z 9 will use a version of this sensor as Nikon has tuned Sony-made imagers to its own specifications in the past. However, there’s been speculation that Nikon may opt for a higher resolution – says 60 MP – as a point of differentiation.

Nikon states, “The Z 9 embodies ultimate usability as a tool offering users an unprecedented imaging experience, from capture to workflow, exceeding that of previous digital-SLR and mirrorless cameras”.

Whatever the Z 9 brings, it would seem to suggest that we won’t see another prolevel Nikon DSLR to succeed the D6, superb though it is. The gap in Nikon’s mirrorless camera numbering is now ‘Z 8’ and into this slot would have to go something with higher spec than the already hugely capable Z 7II… maybe something with the Z 9’s sensor, but not quite as super-fast and without the integrated vertical grip?

All will eventually be revealed.