How much dynamic range does the Nikon Z9 offer?
According to measurements carried out by DXO Mark, the sensor in the Nikon Z9 provides a maximum of 14.4 EV of dynamic range (DR). DR is defined as the ratio between the highest and lowest brightness a camera can capture. A value of 12 EV or above is considered excellent.
High dynamic range of a camera sensor is particularly desirable for scenes with a mix of very bright and very dark parts, such as in some landscape photography settings. It helps to avoid that highlights get washed out or that detail in shadows is lost.
Sensor specs and performance
The table below compares the sensor specs of the Nikon Z9 to those of several similar cameras. The reported DXO values are indicators of the sensor's imaging quality (higher is better). In addition to dynamic range (DXO Landscape), the listing also covers color depth (DXO Portrait) and high-ISO noise (DXO Sports). Larger sensor cameras tend to outperform cameras of the same generation that are equipped with a smaller imager. On the other hand, larger sensors are more expensive and require bigger and heavier lenses than smaller light receptors.
| # | Camera Model |
Sensor Class |
Resolution (MP) |
Horiz. Pixels |
Vert. Pixels |
Video Format |
DXO Portrait |
DXO Landscape |
DXO Sports |
DXO Overall |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Nikon Z9 | Full Frame | 45.4 | 8256 | 5504 | 8K/30p | 26.3 | 14.4 | 2451 | 98 | |
| 2. | Canon 1D X Mark III | Full Frame | 20.0 | 5472 | 3648 | 4K/60p | 24.2 | 14.5 | 3248 | 91 | |
| 3. | Canon R5 | Full Frame | 44.8 | 8192 | 5464 | 8K/30p | 25.3 | 14.6 | 3042 | 95 | |
| 4. | Leica SL2-S | Full Frame | 24.0 | 6000 | 4000 | 4K/60p | 25.2 | 14.1 | 3504 | 95 | |
| 5. | Nikon Z8 | Full Frame | 45.4 | 8256 | 5504 | 8K/30p | 26.3 | 14.2 | 2548 | 98 | |
| 6. | Nikon D6 | Full Frame | 20.7 | 5568 | 3712 | 4K/30p | 25.3 | 14.3 | 2886 | 95 | |
| 7. | Nikon Z5 | Full Frame | 24.2 | 6016 | 4016 | 4K/30p | 25.3 | 14.3 | 2929 | 95 | |
| 8. | Nikon Z7 II | Full Frame | 45.4 | 8256 | 5504 | 4K/60p | 26.3 | 14.7 | 2841 | 100 | |
| 9. | Nikon Z6 II | Full Frame | 24.3 | 6048 | 4024 | 4K/60p | 25.0 | 14.4 | 3303 | 94 | |
| 10. | Nikon Z7 | Full Frame | 45.4 | 8256 | 5504 | 4K/30p | 26.3 | 14.6 | 2668 | 99 | |
| 11. | Sony A1 | Full Frame | 49.8 | 8640 | 5760 | 8k/30p | 25.9 | 14.5 | 3163 | 98 | |
| Note: DXO values in italics represent estimates based on sensor size and age. | |||||||||||
In the United States, the Z9 was initially launched in October 2021 at a price of $5,499.
Check Z9 price at
amazon.com
Camera to camera comparisons
In case you would like to check on the differences and similarities with other camera models, just make a corresponding selection in the search boxes below. An an alternative, you can also directly jump to any one of the listed comparisons that were previously generated by the CAM-parator tool.
| Camera Model | Nikon Z9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Camera Type | Mirrorless system camera | |
| Camera Lens | Nikon Z mount lenses | |
| Launch Date | October 2021 | |
| Launch Price | USD 5 499 | |
| Sensor Specs | ||
| Sensor Technology | Stacked BSI-CMOS | |
| Sensor Format | Full Frame Sensor | |
| Sensor Size | 35.9 x 23.9 mm | |
| Sensor Area | 858 mm2 | |
| Sensor Diagonal | 43.1 mm | |
| Crop Factor | 1.0x | |
| Sensor Resolution | 45.4 Megapixels | |
| Image Resolution | 8 256 x 5 504 pixels | |
| Pixel Pitch | 4.35 μm | |
| Pixel Density | 5.30 MP/cm2 | |
| Moiré control | no AA filter | |
| Movie Capability | 8K/30p Video | |
| ISO Setting | 64 - 25 600 ISO | |
| ISO Boost | 32 - 102 400 ISO | |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 7 | |
| DXO Sensor Quality (score) | 98 | |
| DXO Color Depth (bits) | 26.3 | |
| DXO Dynamic Range (EV) | 14.4 | |
| DXO Low Light (ISO) | 2451 | |
| Screen Specs | ||
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic viewfinder | |
| Viewfinder Field of View | 100% | |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 0.80x | |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 3690k dots | |
| Top-Level Screen | Control Panel | |
| LCD Framing | Live View | |
| LCD Size | 3.2 inch | |
| LCD Resolution | 2089k dots | |
| LCD Attachment | Fully flexible screen | |
| V-logging Friendliness | No front-flip | |
| Touch Input | Touchscreen | |
| Shooting Specs | ||
| Focus System | On-Sensor Phase-detect | |
| Manual Focusing Aid | Focus Peaking | |
| Maximum Shutter Speed | 1/32000s | |
| Continuous Shooting | 30 shutter flaps/s | |
| Silent Shooting | Electronic Shutter | |
| Time Lapse Photography | Intervalometer Built-in | |
| Image Stabilization | In-body stabilization | |
| Fill Flash | no On-Board Flash | |
| Storage Medium | CFexB or XQD cards | |
| Single or Dual Card Slots | Dual card slots | |
| Connectivity Specs | ||
| External Flash | Hotshoe | |
| Studio Flash | PC Sync socket | |
| USB Connector | USB 3.2 | |
| HDMI Port | full HDMI | |
| Microphone Port | External MIC port | |
| Headphone Socket | Headphone port | |
| Wifi Support | Wifi built-in | |
| Bluetooth Support | Bluetooth built-in | |
| Geotagging | GPS built-in | |
| Body Specs | ||
| Environmental Sealing | Weathersealed body | |
| Battery Type | Nikon EN-EL18d power pack | |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 740 shots per charge | |
| In-Camera Charging | USB charging | |
| Body Dimensions |
149 x 150 x 91 mm (5.9 x 5.9 x 3.6 in) |
|
| Camera Weight | 1 340 g (47.3 oz) | |
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