The Nikon Z9 is about to get much more highly effective because of a free firmware replace that provides in-camera 12-bit RAW video at as much as 8K at 60 frames per second, oversampled 4K at 60 frames per second, a pre-release picture seize button, and a lot extra.
The updates to the Z9 are so substantial that it might simply have constituted a Z9 Mark II (simply have a look at the minor variations between the Sony Alpha 9 and Alpha 9 II). As a substitute, Nikon is sending them to all Z9 house owners without cost later this month.
Taking Video Seize Significantly
The updates to the Z9 make Nikon’s flagship digicam a critical video powerhouse. With the brand new Firmware 2.0 replace, the digicam can seize 12-bit inside RAW video in a variety of body charges and resolutions in addition to will add features and interface changes which can be tuned particularly for videographers.
Footage can now be captured at as much as 8.3K at 60 frames per second in Nikon’s new N-RAW format, or as much as 4.1K at 60 frames per second in ProRes RAW HQ. N-RAW footage is captured at as much as 8.3K (8256×4644 pixels) which permits for export in UHD or DCI 8K facet ratios. Nikon says that N-RAW (which seems as a .NEV file) incorporates all of the depth and element of a 12-bit RAW video and crams it right into a file that’s half the dimensions of equal ProRes RAW HQ recordsdata. This functionality is probably going made doable because of Nikon’s integration of TicoRAW.
Nikon says that this improve offers the Z9 the flexibility to seize the biggest doable coloration depth (with a variety of greater than 68 billion colours) and an enormous quantity of dynamic vary, which is extraordinarily helpful to colorists and editors. N-RAW footage could be recorded in 8.3K 60p, 24p, or 4.1K 120p, 60p, 30p, 24p whereas in full-frame/FX mode, 3.8K 120p with a 2.3x crop, or 5.3K 60p, 30p, 24p with a DX (1.5x) crop. Something shot in N-RAW is accompanied by an MP4 proxy file.
4K footage can also be getting improved, and 4K 60 frames per second footage can now be oversampled from 8K footage. Along with these enhancements, Nikon is releasing a set of different upgrades for the flagship digicam.
Firstly, a Pink “REC” body indicator on the monitor and viewfinder will probably be added throughout recording to simply establish when a video is being captured.
A Waveform monitor is coming that enables shooters to verify the brightness ranges and place of the topic whereas recording.
A brand new devoted video information show offers varied video recording settings at a look, similar to body measurement and fee, audio settings, codec, bit depth, and HDMI output settings, all of which could be confirmed on a single display. Moreover, a body fee/measurement show on the highest management panel helps to verify when the rear monitor is tough to view.
4 different video options are additionally coming to the Z9:
- A “Tremendous ISO management (Mode M)” allows publicity adjustment in increments of 1/6 EV for ultra-precise and clean adjustments in publicity.
- The Quick AF-ON perform permits a person to assign totally different AF speeds to separate controls. From a sluggish rack focus to a quick transition, two speeds at the moment are assignable on customizable buttons to enhance video taking pictures effectivity.
- To allow sluggish shutter video recording of extraordinarily darkish scenes or deliberately introduce blur when taking pictures video in M mode, the shutter velocity could be set at a slower than 1/body fee.
- With choose body charges and determination settings, the person now has the flexibility to save lots of consecutive frames in a particular part of video footage as a collection of JPEG photos whereas the playback is paused.
However it doesn’t cease with software program enhancements. Nikon has additionally revealed that it plans to launch a brand new camcorder-style grip for the Z9 and a brand new first-party CFexpress card.
The corporate is creating the MC-N10 Distant Grip, which controls Nikon Z-mount mirrorless cameras through a wired connection. Nikon reveals the grip connected to a fluid head arm which gives most of the buttons discovered on the digicam itself however is positioned in a extra advantageous location to be used in skilled video workflows. Whereas primarily for video shooters, Nikon stipulates it additionally will work for nonetheless taking pictures.
Nikon’s MC-CF660G CFexpress Kind B reminiscence card will come within the unconventional capability of 660 GB and guarantees a most learn velocity of roughly 1700 MB/s and a most write velocity of roughly 1500 MB/s. The cardboard is, unsurprisingly, designed to work effectively with the Z9 digicam.
Nikon didn’t present pricing or availability for the MC-N10 Distant Grip as it’s nonetheless beneath growth, however the MC-CF660G CFexpress Kind B reminiscence card is slated for launch in June for $730.
Updates for Photographers, Too
Nikon’s Z9 updates function enormous efficiency positive aspects for video shooters, however photographers haven’t been forgotten. To begin with, Nikon is including a Pre-Launch Seize function that it says will make it simpler for photographers to nail fast-moving topics which can be onerous to foretell. The function permits the Z9 to seize a burst of photos as much as a second earlier than the shutter is absolutely pressed.
“Think about attempting to anticipate essentially the most decisive second of a sport or motion sequence,” Nikon explains. “When taking pictures at 30 or 120 frames per second in Excessive-Pace Body Seize+, the digicam begins capturing as much as one full second earlier than the shutter is absolutely depressed, giving the photographer further time to set off the digicam and nonetheless seize essentially the most impactful shot. From the moment a receiver jumps for a go in the long run zone, or a chicken dives into the water for a meal, the quickest fleeting frames will probably be captured earlier than a human can bodily react. When half-pressing the shutter, the digicam can file frames as much as one full second earlier than and as much as 4 seconds after the shutter is absolutely pressed, all with no viewfinder blackout or distractions that may in any other case interrupt the motion.”
Nikon has additionally added a brand new menu choice known as Movement Mix. This function, which will probably be discovered within the Retouch menu, creates an in-camera overlay from a collection of topic actions from steady taking pictures right into a single image in-camera.
Nikon can also be including 20 forms of Customized Broad-Space AF choice patterns which supplies photographers extra management over what a part of the body they wish to deal with. As proven beneath, that is helpful for a wide range of sports activities and conditions similar to volleyball or a end line. 12 of those patterns can be found for video seize.
Firmware 2.0 additionally enhances AF stability, monitoring efficiency, and topic detection in low-light conditions. Moreover, when reviewing photos, customers now have the choice to skip to the primary shot in a given burst. Lastly, for capturing star trails and lengthy exposures, Firmware 2.0 enhances the Z9’s Lengthy Publicity show to incorporate a dwell rely of the publicity time. Customers can also now dim the viewfinder additional and with larger precision to protect energy and their night time imaginative and prescient.
Nikon has numerous different normal performance updates that spherical out the massive variety of adjustments coming to the Z9:
- Optionally available improve to 120 frames per second on the digital viewfinder
- Auto Publicity (AE) has been enhanced to have extra steady publicity with human faces, similar to when a topic turns away from the digicam after which faces it once more, or when the composition adjustments.
- Improved “Prioritize viewfinder” monitor mode offers a well-recognized taking pictures and assessment circulate.
- “Want sub-selector heart” has been added to the customized menu, bettering the operability of the sub-selector.
- Enhancements in AWB even when the scene adjustments quickly and changes to “Select coloration temperature” and preset guide WB.
- A brand new customized setting: Focus Level Choice Pace permits customers to regulate the velocity that AF factors could be moved by way of the body.
- For affirmation of high-speed taking pictures, visible shutter launch indicators seem clearly on the show and the Actual Stay Viewfinder.
- Enhanced reminiscence set/recall perform allows instantaneous recall of a number of focus positions.
- “Recalling taking pictures features (maintain)” has been added to the standard “Recalling taking pictures features,” enabling the customers to keep up the recalled perform with out regularly urgent a button.
- The choice to modify focus/management ring roles helps photographers who don’t want guide focusing make use of the management ring.
Pricing and Availability
Altogether, Nikon’s Firmware 2.0 is a big replace for photographers and filmmakers with a ton of recent options and a number of other notable enhancements to present ones. The firmware replace is free and could be downloaded on April 20 from Nikon’s web site.
Nikon can also be updating each the Z7 II and Z6 II with higher autofocus efficiency in firmware model 1.40, obtainable on the identical day, which boosts the soundness of the autofocus and prevents the main target level from unintentionally shifting to the background.
Picture credit: All photographs courtesy of Nikon.
