New Nikon Z camera leaked: is this the 61MP Nikon Z8 or the pro Nikon Z9?

New Nikon Z camera leaked: is this the 61MP Nikon Z8 or the pro Nikon Z9?
(Image credit: Mirrorless Rumors)

A new patent registration has revealed the design of another upcoming Nikon Z-series camera, which could be the Nikon Z8 or Nikon Z9 – but seems likelier to be the former. 

The new design features a significantly larger body that is substantially chunkier than the existing Nikon Z cameras, though it appears to possess the same button layout and configuration. 

Interestingly, the new beefier grip – much like the optional Nikon MB-N10 battery grip for the Nikon Z7 and Z6 – does not accommodate portrait shooting with an integrated secondary shutter button, joystick or exposure dial. 

We believe the leaked design is for the Nikon Z8, expected to have a 61MP sensor

We believe the leaked design is for the Nikon Z8, expected to have a 61MP sensor (Image credit: Mirrorless Rumors)

This would be a glaring omission for a dedicated professional body, which leads us to believe that this design is for the Nikon Z8 – which is expected to be high-resolution camera featuring the same 61-megapixel sensor found in the recently announced Sony A7R IV

Since the Nikon Z9 is expected to be a mirrorless upgrade of the Nikon D5, designed to for heavy professional use and capturing fast action such as sport, it would be a major oversight for the design not to incorporate vertical shooting. 

Mirrorless Rumors, which uncovered the patent, nonetheless believes this is the Z9. However, its reasoning – that "a bigger body would allow better heat dissipation for professional video recording and also faster frame rate" – actually better supports the theory that this is the Z8. 

The absence of a integrated vertical grip suggest that it isn't the professional Nikon Z9

The absence of a integrated vertical grip suggest that it isn't the professional Nikon Z9 (Image credit: Mirrorless Rumors)

Heat dissipation would likely be a far bigger issue with the 61MP sensor – particularly if the Nikon Z8 becomes the latest camera to support 6K video shooting, following the lead of the Panasonic S1H, the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K and the Red Komodo

Whatever the reason, and whichever model it turns out to be, you can see how much larger the new design is in the images with a dark grey body – these illustrate the size of the new camera compared with the smaller existing Z models (in grey). 

There was talk that Nikon could announce its next Z camera by the end of the summer, so we should find out soon what its plans are – especially with the Tokyo Olympics creeping ever closer. 

The new design is much chunkier than the Nikon Z6 and Z7 bodies, represented by the grey area

The new design is much chunkier than the Nikon Z6 and Z7 bodies, represented by the grey area (Image credit: Mirrorless Rumors)

Read more: 

Camera rumors 2019: what new cameras are coming out this year?
Nikon Z5 and Nikon Z9 to be announced this year – Z3 in 2020?
61MP Nikon Z8 incoming… using the same Sony A7R IV sensor?

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James Artaius
Editor

The editor of Digital Camera World, James has 21 years experience as a journalist and started working in the photographic industry in 2014 (as an assistant to Damian McGillicuddy, who succeeded David Bailey as Principal Photographer for Olympus). In this time he shot for clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal, in addition to shooting campaigns and product testing for Olympus, and providing training for professionals. This has led him to being a go-to expert for camera and lens reviews, photo and lighting tutorials, as well as industry news, rumors and analysis for publications like Digital Camera MagazinePhotoPlus: The Canon MagazineN-Photo: The Nikon MagazineDigital Photographer and Professional Imagemaker, as well as hosting workshops and talks at The Photography Show. He also serves as a judge for the Red Bull Illume Photo Contest. An Olympus and Canon shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes – and a fondness for vintage lenses and instant cameras.