Nikon announces new firmware for the Z series mirrorless cameras and other innovations still in development
New firmware is available for the flagship mirrorless camera Nikon Z 9 e per le fotocamere mirrorless Nikon Z 7II e Z 6II! The firmware v.2.0 of the Z 9 includes a wide range of updates developed to ensure the maximum performance of the camera for photos and videos. Firmware v.1.4 for the Z 6II and Z 7II cameras improves focus during shooting and video recording. In addition, Nikon today introduces the 660GB (Type B) CFexpress memory card, which can support the high-resolution video recording and high burst shooting speeds of the Z 9 camera.
Nikon Z: all firmware available
For those who make videos, the firmware v.2.0 of the Z 9 camera includes important new features. They can record 8.3K / 60p RAW video and incredibly sharp 8K oversampled 4K / 60p Ultra HD footage. 12-bit recording will be possible directly from the camera thanks to ProRes RAW HQ (up to 4K / 60p) or Nikon’s new N-RAW format (up to 8K / 60p and 4K / 120p). Other new features, meeting the demands of professionals using the Z 9, include a waveform monitor, a red REC frame indicator and a custom “i” menu for convenient viewing of video settings while shooting.
The Z 9 camera firmware 2.0 also offers key updates for image shooting as well. With the update, you can customize AF settings using up to 20 selectable wide-area AF patterns and enable a higher refresh rate (up to 120 fps) for the display in the camera’s electronic viewfinder (3000 nits). Other new features include Pre-Shot Capture and the ability to recall focus positions using multiple camera buttons.
For the Z 6II and Z 7II cameras, firmware v.1.4 refines the auto-area AF algorithm for better focusing of foreground subjects positioned in the center of the frame. In addition, support for linear manual focus will allow video shooters to accurately reproduce the focusing distance from point A to point B. In addition, both cameras will be compatible with Nikon’s ML-L7 Bluetooth remote control.
Finally, Nikon’s new 660GB (Type B) CFexpress high-capacity memory card, compatible with the Z 9 camera, was also launched today. over 8K at a very high number of frames per second, it achieves read speeds of up to 1700MB / s and write speeds of up to 1500MB / s.
Firmware v.2.0 for the Z 9 camera
- 8.3K / 60p video directly from the camera: Internal recording of 8.3K RAW video in ultra-smooth 60p. Shoot in N-RAW format to record 8.3K (8256 × 4644 pixels) video in ultra-high resolution using the full width of the Z 9 sensor.
- 8K UHD 4K UHD: Record incredibly sharp 8K UHD 4K / 60p UHD footage.
- 12-bit RAW directly from the camera: with ProRes RAW HQ format (up to 4K / 60p) or Nikon’s new N-RAW format (up to 8K / 60p and 4K / 120p).
- Waveform Monitor: Checks complex exposures at a glance during N-Log or RAW shooting.
- Custom i menu: Displays all major video settings on the monitor at the same time. Confirm the resolution and shooting rate with the camera’s top screen.
- Red REC frame: When the video REC button is pressed, a red REC frame appears on the monitor.
- 8K Frames: Extracts consecutive high-resolution frames from an 8K sequence of up to 10 seconds.
- Up to 20 selectable wide-area AF models – lets you focus on the action and avoid disturbances such as obstacles or tennis nets.
- EVF-Refresh Rate Up to 120 fps: For the camera’s bright (3000 nit) electronic viewfinder display. Ideal for shooting fast-moving subjects such as racing cars.
- Focus recall: Assigns the focus position to multiple camera buttons. Each of them can recall a different focus position or the same focus position.
- Pre-Shot Capture: Records images for up to one second before the shutter button is fully pressed. Set a post-shot sequence to continue for up to 4 seconds.
Firmware v.1.4 per Z 7II e Z 6II
- Improved Auto Area AF: Better detection and focus of foreground subjects in the center of the frame.
- Linear manual focus support: videographers can accurately reproduce the focus distance from point A to point B.
- Nikon ML-L7 Bluetooth Remote Control Compatibility: Allows you to control key camera functions while shooting remotely. Includes separate buttons for shooting and video recording.
Nikon: other news for owners of Z series mirrorless
The news is not over for owners of Z series mirrorless, in fact Nikon is developing the Nikon MC-N10 remote grip for mirrorless cameras with Nikon Z-Mount.
The MC-N10 Remote Grip is a remote control that allows you to control Nikon Z mirrorless cameras via a wired connection. It is capable of handling various functions, increasing the efficiency and expanding the possibilities of Nikon Z in video shooting when working in a small crew. It also supports taking pictures.