Major Nikon D5 firmware update version 1.10 now available



The new Nikon D5 firmware update I have been reporting about is now officially released and is available for download. Here is the full list of changes:

The camera can now record movies up to 29 minutes and 59 seconds long. Movies are recorded across up to 8 files, each up to 4 GB size, which can be joined together using the ViewNX-Movie Editor option in ViewNX-i version 1.2.0 or later. *

An Electronic VR option has been added to the MOVIE SHOOTING MENU. Note that electronic vibration reduction is not available at frame sizes of 3840×2160 or 1920×1080 crop, and that the angle of view is slightly reduced when electronic vibration reduction is in effect. *

A Flicker reduction option has been added to the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU. *

Dynamic-area AF (9 points) has been added to the AF-area mode options available during viewfinder photography. *

The chief changes to viewfinder photography autofocus are:

– Improved camera response when the button assigned Auto-area AF using Custom Setting f1 (Custom control assignment) > AF-area mode or AF-area mode + AF-ON is pressed to temporarily select auto-area AF.

– Improved tracking when Wide is selected for Custom Setting a5 (3D-tracking watch area) and 3D-tracking is selected for AF-area mode.

The following changes have been made to the shooting display in the web browser when Silent photography is selected in HTTP server mode:

– An “SL” (“silent”) icon has been added to the release mode button.

– The “number of shots remaining” display for continuous release modes now shows the time remaining.

– Exposure compensation can now be adjusted by up to ±3.

The file name (extension “.NDF”) is now displayed in HTTP server mode when Image Dust Off data are displayed in a web browser either full frame or in the image viewer.

The web browser displays for computers, iPads, and Android OS now identify white balance presets 1 through 6 by number when preset manual white balance is selected in HTTP server mode.

If movie recording is started while the camera is focusing in movie live view, the camera will now stop focusing before beginning recording.

Fixed the following issues:

– The camera would sometimes record the date of recording incorrectly during leap years and the like.

– The Save/load settings option in the SETUP MENU would only load up to 10 of the up to 20 items that could be stored in “My Menu”.

– The camera would display the encryption key for Direct (access point) connections when searching for wireless networks using Search for wireless network with Direct (access point) selected in the SETUP MENU > Network connection wizard.

– The device would sometimes be unable to connect to the D5 when Connect and exit wizard was chosen with Direct (access point) selected in the SETUP MENU > Network connection wizard.

– The OS X edition of the Wireless Transmitter Utility would not function as expected when used to edit or add profiles for a camera connected via USB if Password protection was enabled for wireless or Ethernet LANs in the Network > Network settings menu.

– The camera would sometimes not correctly display pictures created using the Trim option in the RETOUCH MENU.

– If playback zoom was activated while the memory card access lamp was lit, the picture would sometimes not display correctly or the camera would zoom in on a point other than the active focus point if:

• RAW Slot 1 – JPEG Slot 2 was selected for Role played by card in Slot 2 in the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU,

• On was selected for Image review in the PLAYBACK MENU,

• Memory cards were inserted in Slots both 1 and 2, and

• The NEF (RAW) and JPEG images were different sizes

* Details can be found in an updated edition of the camera manual.

Press release:

Release of new firmware for the D5, C: Ver.1.10

Further advance of Nikon D5 digital SLR camera performance through expanded functions

Tokyo – Nikon Corporation has released new firmware, C: Ver. 1.10, that expands the functions of its flagship Nikon FX-format digital SLR camera, the D5.

The D5 has been extremely well received on all fronts, winning such globally prestigious photo and imaging awards as the TIPA Awards 2016, and the Camera GP (Grand Prix) 2016 Readers Award (sponsored by Japan’s Camera Journal Press Club), which is selected through voting by users.

Nikon has released new firmware for the D5, C: Ver. 1.10, that enhances D5 performance even further. The new firmware offers a major upgrade to the camera’s shooting capabilities, delivering four key improvements. First, the maximum recording time of movies, including for 4K UHD movies, is extended, and three functions — Flicker reduction for still images, 9-point dynamic-area AF AF-area mode, and Electronic VR for movies — are added. In addition to these four major changes, some additional updates* have been applied to the new firmware.

  • *Details regarding “additional updates” are provided on the firmware’s free download page (Nikon Download Center).

Release overview

The new firmware is available for download from June 23, 2016. It can be downloaded free of charge from the following URL.

*The camera’s current firmware version can be checked using the Firmware version option in the setup menu.

Four major improvements

1. Maximum movie recording time, including for 4K UHD movies, extended to 29 min. 59 s

Movies up to 29 minutes 59 seconds in length can now be recorded at all Movie quality and Frame size/frame rate settings. The new firmware increases the maximum recording time of even 4K UHD (3840×2160) movies from 3 minutes to 29 minutes 59 seconds. In addition, movies are recorded to up to eight separate files, each of which has a file size of up to 4 GB. Separate movie files can be combined to create a single movie using ViewNX-Movie Editor.

  • The maximum recording time for 4K UHD time-lapse movies is 3 minutes.

2. Flicker reduction for still images added for more stable exposure under lighting that flickers

When shooting under fluorescent and some other types of artificial lighting, flickering may cause uneven exposure in parts of images and/or variations in exposure and color reproduction characteristics between individual images captured continuously or in quick succession. We have equipped the new firmware with a Flicker reduction function for still images*1 that reduces these effects. When Flicker reduction is enabled, the camera detects peak brightness as light flickers and automatically times shutter release with these peaks in brightness for stable exposure and color reproduction characteristics. This function is effective when continuous shooting is used for indoor sporting events or similar situations captured at fast shutter speeds*2.

  • *1Still images captured during viewfinder photography (not available with mirror up mode).
  • *2The continuous shooting rate may decrease.

3. 9-point dynamic-area AF AF-area mode added for focusing on a limited portion of a moving subject

With dynamic-area AF, the camera focuses based on information from surrounding focus points* if the subject briefly leaves the focus point selected by the photographer. The D5 originally supported 25-point, 72-point and 153-point dynamic-area AF. A 9-point dynamic-area AF option has been added with the new firmware. This new option is effective for focusing on a more specific portion of a moving subject.

  • *In dynamic-area AF with 9, 25 or 72 points, the number of focus points actually used may be fewer than 9, 25 or 72, depending on the selected primary focus point.

4. Electronic vibration reduction function, effective with hand-held recording, added (for HD and full-HD*1 movie recording)

The new firmware has been equipped with an Electronic VR function that reduces the effects of camera shake with hand-held recording of movies in the FX- or DX-based movie formats (image areas)*2. The effects of camera shake in three directions — vertical (up and down), horizontal (left and right), and rotational (around the center of the lens) — are reduced. This function is effective when recording movies in places or situations in which use of a tripod is prohibited or inconvenient, or when there simply isn’t time to set one up. In addition, electronic VR can be used in combination with the optical vibration reduction (VR) built into a NIKKOR lens for more effective reduction of the effects of camera shake.

*1 Not available with 1920 x 1080 crop settings.

*2 The angle of view will be reduced slightly.

The effects of electronic VR are also reflected when photos are captured during movie recording (Live frame grab).

When Electronic VR is enabled, the maximum sensitivity allowed is ISO 102400, even if ISO sensitivity is set to Hi 0.3 or higher.

The Nikon D5 is currently in stock at