Nikon Z9 to Shoot 8K at 60FPS Thanks to New Compressed RAW Codec

A high-efficiency RAW recording codec developed by intoPIX has been successfully integrated into the Nikon Z9. The company says that its TicoRAW technology allows for low processing and fast transfer speeds of up to 8K at 60 frames per second in RAW.

Nikon formed a strategic partnership with intoPIX in order to leverage the company's RAW compression technology, TicoRAW. The company claims this technology delivers the most efficient RAW files that do not compromise image integrity at all thanks to "innovative processing and coding." intoPIX says the full power of an image sensor is preserved while TicoRAW is able to reduce bandwidth, storage needs, and transfer times.

It is thanks to TicoRAW that the Nikon Z9 will be able to capture 8K at up to 60 frames per second, which will come to the camera in a 2022 firmware update as noted at the time of announcement. The reason this capability wasn't available at launch might have been because intoPIX had not yet finalized the implementation of the RAW codec into the camera by the October announcement, but today intoPIX has confirmed that it has successfully done so.

"TicoRAW is the world’s first RAW codec, handling both RAW pictures and RAW videos, that can offer compression efficiency with such low complexity on RAW Bayer and other Color Filter Arrays (CFA) patterns," intoPIX says.

TicoRAW is a patented technology that intoPIX claims allows for the capture of high image quality as well as the capability to manage very high resolutions, high frame rates, and high dynamic range workflows.

"TicoRAW is the world’s first RAW codec that can offer compression efficiency with such low complexity. It also has the advantage of retaining this very fast format for editing, regardless of resolution and/or frame rates used," the company adds.

intoPIX says TicoRAW is capable of supporting a huge number of resolutions, from 1080p Full HD through 20K RAW.

intoPIX doesn't just say the technology is limited to the Z9, though that is where the codec will make its first appearance. The company broadly states that it has successfully integrated the TicoRAW technology into "the new generation of Nikon cameras" which happens to start with the Z9, though the company appears to leave the door open to see its technology leveraged on other Nikon cameras.

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Nikon India Leaks Nikon Z9’s 120FPS Shooting, 8K 60FPS Capability

Nikon India appears to have jumped the gun on the Nikon Z9 and published a short presentation video. While the original source has since been deleted, it has been re-uploaded to multiple sources.

The leaked video appears to be a pretty early version since the audio watermark is still present. According to Canon Watch, the video is still avaialble on Weibo and Bilibili if the YouTube link below is removed:

The video doesn't spill all the information about the Z9, but it does confirm a few of the rumors that were previously shared in the last few months, the most eye-catching of which is 120 frames per second still frame capture. In August, a rumor stated that the camera would feature somewhere between 120 and 160 frames per second still capture capability. While that seemed outrageous at the time, this Nikon video shows that the company plans to claim 120 frames per second continuous shooting speeds thanks to the world's fastest scan rate sensor. The video doesn't specify at what resolution or quality the camera is capable of outputting that speed, but don't expect at full resolution or RAW: the company also notes that it will cap out at 20 frames per second for RAW capture.

It's not clear what the resolution of the sensor will be, but the same rumor that included the 120 frames per second specification also stated an expectation of around 45-megapixels, and to achieve the speeds touted here, it would have to be stacked as well.

Other features to expect are the ability to capture 8K at up to 60 frames per second, which is another world's first, and a double coat on its optical low pass filter. Nikon already teased the ability to capture 8K at lower frame rates continuously with no apparent recording limits, but the addition of 60 frames per second is a nice surprise and will enable slow motion in addition to incredible resolution.

The leaked presentation also gives a longer look at Nikon's new rear LCD and its ability to orient differently than its cameras of the past, which was the major feature that the company's official first teaser spent nearly its entire runtime showing off.

With the amount of information found in this leak, it's unlikely that the official launch of the camera is far off.

#equipment #news #rumors #120fps #20fps #20fpsraw #8k #8kp60 #leak #nikon #nikonindia #nikonz #nikonz9 #z9