Nikon’s staunch devotion to DSLRs meant the corporate is now making an attempt to play catch as much as Sony, Canon, and even Fujifilm on the subject of the ever-growing mirrorless digicam market. The Nikon Z9, revealed final yr, wasn’t fairly the runaway hit the corporate wanted, however a possible new characteristic might change the market share tides: customizable shutter button sound effects.

Although most mirrorless cameras nonetheless embrace mechanical shutters for quite a lot of causes (together with that satisfying click on sound whenever you press the shutter button) digital shutters are proving increasingly helpful as they permit photographers to seize a sequence of photographs at spectacular body charges (as much as 20 fps when taking pictures RAW with the Z9) guaranteeing the proper second isn’t missed. So with the $5,500 full-frame Z9, Nikon didn’t embrace a mechanical shutter in any respect, decreasing the quantity and complexity of transferring components. But no mechanical shutter means there’s by no means the sound of a mechanical shutter snapping into motion when a photograph is snapped: one thing Nikon could possibly be spinning into a professional as an alternative of a con.

As noticed by Nikon Rumors, throughout a streamed presentation Nikon made on the CP+ 2022 Camera & Photo Imaging Show (which was held as an online-only occasion) the corporate demonstrated a novel characteristic included in beta firmware working on a Z9, which you’ll be able to hear in motion at across the 1 minute and 35-second mark of the presentation which is now on YouTube.

Instead of a conventional shutter sound, the digicam meowed when the shutter was pressed, and when the shutter button was held down, the digicam performed a fast succession of meow sounds because it captured picture after picture. A Nikon Rumors reader translated a part of the presentation which revealed different optionally available sound results included within the beta firmware such because the sound of a Nikon D750 DSLR, a Nikon F4 movie SLR, and even sounds recorded by the presenter themselves.

Furthermore, for photographers searching for a bit of caprice whereas they shoot, the beta firmware allowed the shutter sound to be randomly chosen from all of the obtainable choices on the digicam. What Nikon didn’t reveal was whether or not or not the shutter sound results characteristic can be finally included on the Z9’s official firmware in a future replace, or simply restricted to inside use throughout the firm, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly contemplating it. And whereas it’s a enjoyable characteristic (who doesn’t love Easter Eggs of their devices?) there don’t appear to be any sensible makes use of for the characteristic simply but. A cat’s meow may assist a portrait photographer to get a toddler to smile, however at that time, the photograph’s already been taken.