The Nikon Z9 is Nikon's flagship full-frame mirrorless camera, released in 2021. It shoots 45.7 megapixels at 20 fps RAW burst or up to 120 fps with JPEG, with no mechanical shutter. It is Nikon's answer to professional sports and photojournalism use, and it introduced internal RAW video recording to Nikon's mirrorless lineup.
The Z9 has two CFexpress Type B slots. There is no SD slot, and there is no CFexpress Type A compatibility. Both slots accept CFexpress Type B or XQD cards interchangeably.
For N-RAW 8K or N-RAW 4K video recording (Nikon's proprietary RAW format), Nikon specifies cards exceeding 700 MB/s write speed. This rules out cards that only clear the 500 MB/s mid-tier mark. Top cards from Sony (CE-G series), Delkin POWER, and ProGrade Digital Gold 1TB clear this requirement; the ProGrade Digital Gold 128GB does not (260 MB/s sustained write — confirmed from ProGrade's own specification page).
For 4K 60fps ProRes (added in a firmware update), Nikon specifies a CFexpress Type B card with at least 400 MB/s write. This is a lower bar than N-RAW and is cleared by more cards.
For standard 4K 30fps XAVC or H.265, most current CFexpress Type B cards are sufficient.
XQD compatibility note: The Z9 accepts XQD cards in both slots. XQD cards have lower maximum speeds than CFexpress Type B (XQD tops around 440 MB/s write). This is sufficient for standard recording modes but will not support N-RAW or ProRes 4K 120fps.
The Z9 has a standard 3.5mm TRS mic input. It is compatible with DJI Mic 2 (via included TRS cable), DJI Mic Mini, and Rode Wireless GO II.
Body weight of the Z9 is approximately 1,340g — the heaviest body in this database due to the integrated vertical grip. With any standard lens, the combined weight will exceed the DJI RS 3 Mini and RS 4 Mini payload limits (2kg each). The DJI RS 4 (3kg payload) is required for the Z9.
With a standard 24-70mm f/2.8 lens (approximately 800–900g), the combined weight approaches 2.2kg — within the RS 4's 3kg rating. With a 70-200mm f/2.8 or heavier, verify the specific lens weight against the RS 4's payload.
N-RAW and ProRes minimum write speeds are sourced from Nikon's official Z9 specifications and firmware update notes. XQD compatibility is confirmed via Nikon's media compatibility documentation. Learn how we score compatibility.
The Nikon Z9 has 6 confirmed compatible products, 1 that work with conditions, and 15 known incompatible. All verdicts are sourced from manufacturer spec pages or verified community reports. How we verify compatibility.
Sony Tough G 128GB CFexpress Type B
Nikon Z9 accepts CFexpress Type B in both slots. Sony Tough G is VPG400-rated at 1480 MB/s write — meets all Z9 recording requirements including N-RAW 12-bit and ProRes RAW HQ 12-bit, which Nikon specifically recommends VPG400 CFexpress cards for.
Lexar CFexpress Type B Professional Gold 128GB
Nikon Z9 accepts CFexpress Type B in both slots. Lexar Professional Gold is VPG400-rated at 1500 MB/s write — meets all Z9 recording requirements including N-RAW 12-bit and ProRes RAW HQ 12-bit, which Nikon recommends VPG400 cards for.
Delkin Devices POWER CFexpress Type B 128GB
Nikon Z9 accepts CFexpress Type B in both slots. Delkin POWER is VPG400-rated at 1700 MB/s write — meets all Z9 recording requirements including N-RAW 12-bit and ProRes RAW HQ 12-bit, which Nikon recommends VPG400 cards for.
DJI Mic 2
Nikon Z9 has a 3.5mm stereo mini jack external microphone input. DJI Mic 2 includes a 3.5mm TRS analog camera output. Direct plug-and-play connection, no adapter required.
DJI Mic Mini
Nikon Z9 has a 3.5mm stereo mini jack external microphone input. DJI Mic Mini includes a 3.5mm TRS analog camera output. Direct plug-and-play connection, no adapter required.
Rode Wireless GO II
Nikon Z9 has a 3.5mm stereo mini jack external microphone input. Rode Wireless GO II includes a 3.5mm TRS analog camera output. Direct plug-and-play connection, no adapter required.
Sony Tough CEA-G480T 480GB CFexpress Type A
Nikon Z9 accepts only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards in both slots — there is no SD slot and no Type A slot. Sony CEA-G480T is CFexpress Type A, a physically different connector that cannot be inserted into either Z9 slot.
Nextorage NX-A2PRO 160GB CFexpress Type A
Nikon Z9 accepts only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards in both slots — there is no SD slot and no Type A slot. Nextorage NX-A2Pro is CFexpress Type A, a physically different connector that cannot be inserted into either Z9 slot.
Lexar Professional CFexpress Type A Gold 256GB
Nikon Z9 accepts only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards in both slots — there is no SD slot and no Type A slot. Lexar Professional CFexpress Type A Gold uses a physically different connector that cannot be inserted into either Z9 slot.
ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type A 120GB
Nikon Z9 accepts only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards in both slots — there is no SD slot and no Type A slot. ProGrade Digital CFexpress Type A uses a physically different connector that cannot be inserted into either Z9 slot.
Angelbird AV PRO SD V90 128GB
Nikon Z9 has no SD slot. Both slots accept only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards. Angelbird AV Pro SD V90 is an SD card and cannot be used in the Z9.
Delkin Devices PRIME SD V90 128GB
Nikon Z9 has no SD slot. Both slots accept only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards. Delkin PRIME SD V90 is an SD card and cannot be used in the Z9.
Sony SF-G Tough 128GB
Nikon Z9 has no SD slot. Both slots accept only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards. Sony SF-G Tough is an SD card and cannot be used in the Z9.
Kingston Canvas React Plus V90 128GB
Nikon Z9 has no SD slot. Both slots accept only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards. Kingston Canvas React Plus V90 is an SD card and cannot be used in the Z9.
Lexar Professional 2000x 256GB SD
Nikon Z9 has no SD slot. Both slots accept only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards. Lexar Professional 2000x 256GB is an SD card and cannot be used in the Z9.
Lexar Professional 2000x 128GB SD UHS-II
Nikon Z9 has no SD slot. Both slots accept only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards. Lexar Professional 2000x 128GB is an SD card and cannot be used in the Z9.
Transcend 700S V90 128GB
Nikon Z9 has no SD slot. Both slots accept only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards. Transcend 700S is an SD card and cannot be used in the Z9.
Lexar Professional 1667x 64GB SD
Nikon Z9 has no SD slot. Both slots accept only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards. Lexar Professional 1667x is an SD card and cannot be used in the Z9.
ProGrade Digital V60 128GB SD
Nikon Z9 has no SD slot. Both slots accept only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards. ProGrade Digital V60 SD is an SD card and cannot be used in the Z9.
Sony SF-M Tough Series 128GB SD UHS-II
Nikon Z9 has no SD slot. Both slots accept only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards. Sony SF-M Tough is an SD card and cannot be used in the Z9.
Samsung PRO Plus 256GB SD
Nikon Z9 has no SD slot. Both slots accept only CFexpress Type B and XQD cards. Samsung PRO Plus is an SD card and cannot be used in the Z9.