I hoped it wouldn’t be a R1 or A1 II release but looks like it will be. Either way, Z9 is still stellar in almost every way
The new Z9II will not be a major update from the current Z9 – think about the Nikon D5->D6 update
- It should be announced before the 2026 Olympics (February 2026)
- It will have new RED video features (already reported)
Same sensor
- EVF from the Nikon Z6III (5760k dot)
Content credentials (Nikon already mentioned that here and here)
The same sensor is totally fine, but it needs Expeed 8. There are clear data pipeline limitations between the EVF/video feed and the rest of operation, and if they are gonna bump up th EVF resolution, they have to increase the data pipes to not only keep it performing the same but better.
Punching in to check focus on the Z9 is AWFUL and can only be addressed by a new data pipeline.
It seems to be the same story with RAW precapture.
There is so little to want from the Z9 now short of anything a better/bigger processing pipe would allow that an iterative release seems smart. They'll undercut Sony's pricing as usual and they can use Z9 bin parts for 90% of the camera.
RoamingScott wrote:
The same sensor is totally fine, but it needs Expeed 8. There are clear data pipeline limitations between the EVF/video feed and the rest of operation, and if they are gonna bump up th EVF resolution, they have to increase the data pipes to not only keep it performing the same but better.
Punching in to check focus on the Z9 is AWFUL and can only be addressed by a new data pipeline.
It seems to be the same story with RAW precapture.
There is so little to want from the Z9 now short of anything a better/bigger processing pipe would allow that an iterative release seems smart. They'll undercut Sony's pricing as usual and they can use Z9 bin parts for 90% of the camera....Show more →
Expeed8 would bring a whole lot to the table. I mean, the Expeed7 delivered 8K/60p RAW, and that's darn impressive.
I suspect that we won't see an Expeed8 any time soon.
In a now clearly volume-constrained dedicated camera market, I would rather expect Nikon to milk Expeed7.
Be it by working with dual Expeed7, upgrading the SoC in other ways, or combining it with an additional AI chip, similar to the competition, so that tasks can be outsourced and performance can be gained on the other side.
I think we'll see longer cycles to recoup the high R&D costs of a new SoC.
I am not expecting the Z9II to be a radically different camera. I would expect it to have pre capture raw and maybe slightly better AF from Expeed 8, but the rest of the improvements will probably mostly be from camera models released since the Z9, such as improved IBIS, pixel shift, better EVF, and so on. Maybe they will add 30FPS raw too.
If they keep the price the same, it would be a nice update, especially for people who don't already have a Z9. Personally, I would like to see it come out in 2025 and not have to wait until 2026.
It's going to be hard to make a camera such as the A1 / Z9 / Z8 / R5 II much better within the next few years. My guess is we will see the next technology jump in a new model line, such as a model with a global sensor for speed, or a higher resolution sensor for dynamic range, but such cameras will also come with compromises compared to the Z9.
Edit: Even if Expeed 8 is more of a minor change than Expeed 6 to Expeed 7, such as adding an AI chip to Expeed 7, I would expect Nikon would call it Expeed 8 for marketing reasons and being able to easily distinguish 3rd generation Nikon Z cameras. As far as I know, there is no technical distinction for what needs to change to be considered a new Expeed generation. Also Expeed 4 came out in 2014, Expeed 5 came out in 2016, Expeed 6 came out in 2018, Dule Expeed 6 came out in 2020, and Expeed 7 came out in 2021, So it's about time for a new generation too.
I expect Expeed 8 but what is in Expeed 8, that remains to be seen.
Certainly there will be some video upgrade from Red.
Scan speed is already a bit ahead of the curve for non global shutter sensor so sensor itself should hold up pretty well for another generation.
I would expect precapture RAW like everyone else expected. 30FPS RAW should be doable. The sensor certainly can handle that.
I don't really need 30 FPS most of the time but there are occasions where it could be useful.
If Expeed8 can handle 30 FPS, at least that would mean more powerful CPU and data stream management, so that might translate into better or more sophisticated AF perhaps.
If all of these are true, I think this as a more significant upgrade than D5 to D6 though.
Don't really hear much about Z9 ii except I was told it will not arrive in time for my big trip later on this year
For the first time I can remember there is honestly nothing more I want from my camera or lenses, for now I'm done. So unless something unexpected lands, I will miss this round and save up for Z9iii which I expect will represent a combined Red and Nikon.
Alistair1 wrote:
For the first time I can remember there is honestly nothing more I want from my camera or lenses, for now I'm done. So unless something unexpected lands, I will miss this round and save up for Z9iii which I expect will represent a combined Red and Nikon.
Yep, with a Z7II, Z8, Z9 and a bunch of great glass, this might be the end of the road for me with Nikon at 33 years as an NPS member. I’m now focusing more of my attention into medium format digital and film use to finish out my career with. Nothing wrong with Nikon and small format, I just don’t see as much of a future in terms of growth with it when it comes to of my use of it from here on out.
I'm mostly interested in seeing what RED stuff gets integrated, though just interested in the academic sense as I shoot stills. If they were really smart they'd give us raw histograms and traffic lights (and for stills too).
Based on the firmware features added to the Z9, like shutter angle. I doubt the Z9 II will be announced until maybe November. Perhaps Nikon has some more features up their sleeves for the Z9 in the form of firmware updates.
But a Z9 II with the 5.76m EVF, 8+ stop IBIS, Pre-Raw, new video features would definitely amount to a nice update. Kinda like the D810 was to the D800. A lot of little updates that made a nice update.
I wish Nikon would now focus on making some other niche lenses like Sony’s 20-70 F4. Amazing carry around lens, overall sharp and good range. They’re still due tilt shifts.
I am sure there are also other people like me who entered the Z ecosystem with the Z8 and are now looking for a second body. Between seeing the improvements the Z8 and Z6III got, seeing Canon and Sony putting out pre capture raw, and knowing the Z9 is due for an update, it makes you wonder if now is a good time to buy a Z9 if it's not a necessity. Now, polish up the Z9 with the previous improvements, add a few new features, keep the price the same, and the Z9 line becomes a standout camera again in the market.
The Z9 basically proved that Nikon can make a mirrorless camera as good as any other manufacturer, and I am sure Nikon wants to keep that perception going forward. Even if it's not a deal braking feature to most, such as 20 FPS raw vs 30 FPS raw, you know some people will blow it out of proportion to say Nikon is behind Canon and Sony.
DWOfPaul wrote:
it makes you wonder if now is a good time to buy a Z9
The prices haven't begun to fall on used Z9s, they are holding steady at 3800 and have been for a while. This summer when the rumor mill heats up will be better. There's no "shutter count" worry on the Z9, just get a clean body and you're golden.
Ai_Print wrote:
Yep, with a Z7II, Z8, Z9 and a bunch of great glass, this might be the end of the road for me with Nikon at 33 years as an NPS member. I’m now focusing more of my attention into medium format digital and film use to finish out my career with. Nothing wrong with Nikon and small format, I just don’t see as much of a future in terms of growth with it when it comes to of my use of it from here on out.
RoamingScott wrote:
The same sensor is totally fine, but it needs Expeed 8. There are clear data pipeline limitations between the EVF/video feed and the rest of operation, and if they are gonna bump up th EVF resolution, they have to increase the data pipes to not only keep it performing the same but better.
Punching in to check focus on the Z9 is AWFUL and can only be addressed by a new data pipeline.
It seems to be the same story with RAW precapture.
There is so little to want from the Z9 now short of anything a better/bigger processing pipe would allow that an iterative release seems smart. They'll undercut Sony's pricing as usual and they can use Z9 bin parts for 90% of the camera....Show more →
Oh gosh - you need to check focus, how annoying, and then to be tripped up by that terrible EVF, doubly annoying !
I seem to recall making the exact same complaint when the camera was released and being called a troll !!
Ah well you got there in the end - just another troll !!
bernardl wrote:
The development announcement of the Z9 happened beginning of March 2021. Nearly exactly 4 years ago.
Yup - and it's a 6 year cycle for the camera platform - all their development effort has been put into lenses because lenses are the only important thing according to their customer surveys.
duncangr wrote:
Yup - and it's a 6 year cycle for the camera platform - all their development effort has been put into lenses because lenses are the only important thing according to their customer surveys.
Lenses are essential and the Z9 is still highly competitive except according to some well known trolls.
No idea where you got that 6 years number from, but certainly not from any source connected with reality. The reality is that the team working on bodies isn't the same as the team working on lenses.
Btw, a lower res EVF makes it easier to check critical sharpness. Just like it is easier to check sharpness on a FullHD screen than on a 4K screen. Since the purpose of an EVF is to check whether an image was correctly captured, the lower the res the better. The 9mp EVF of my GFX-100II and former a9III is beautiful to look at... but way less useful than my Z8/Z9's EVF to perform the checks that matter. I really hope that Nikon sticks to the res of the Z8/Z9's EVF. Please.
bernardl wrote:
Lenses are essential and the Z9 is still highly competitive except according to some well known trolls.
No idea where you got that 6 years number from, but certainly not from any source connected with reality. The reality is that the team working on bodies isn't the same as the team working on lenses.
Btw, a lower res EVF makes it easier to check critical sharpness. Just like it is easier to check sharpness on a FullHD screen than on a 4K screen. Since the purpose of an EVF is to check whether an image was correctly captured, the lower the res the better. The 9mp EVF of my GFX-100II and former a9III is beautiful to look at... but way less useful than my Z8/Z9's EVF to perform the checks that matter. I really hope that Nikon sticks to the res of the Z8/Z9's EVF. Please.
The initial D1 and D2 cameras had pretty rapid updates as technology was advancing in the early DSLR era. Since then it's been about 4 years between major updates of the flagship model (D2H->D3->D4->D5) and 2-3 years between minor updates (the D2Hs/D2XS, D3X/D3S, and D6). Based on this, a Z9ii model is due soon although the lower model lines have increasingly had larger timeframes between updates, so it wouldn't be surprising if the flagship updates are stretched out as well. All signs point to the Z9ii getting a secondary AI chip to increase performance alongside the EXPEED 7, rather than getting a new EXPEED 8 chipset.
