Major Nikon Zf firmware update version 2.00 released (birds AF, Imaging Cloud, and much more)

1 week ago
Categories: Nikon Zf
Tags: Firmware updates, Nikon Zf

Nikon officially released the previously reported significant firmware update version 2.00 for the Zf camera ($1,997). Here is the long list of changes:

Note: Users of the following software will need to update to the latest versions.

NX Studio version 1.7.1 or later, NX Tether version 2.2.0 or later, IPTC Preset Manager version 1.3.0 or later, SnapBridge version 2.12.0 or later, NX MobileAir version 1.2.0 or later

Note: The changes listed below under “Still Photography”, “Video Recording”, “Playback”, “Controls”, “Displays”, and “Network” are detailed in the Supplementary Firmware Update Manual.

Note: Due to the addition of new menu items, some Custom Settings menu items have been renumbered.

■ Still Photography

Added support for the Nikon Imaging Cloud service.
- Importing imaging recipes (image editing settings published on Nikon Imaging Cloud) to the camera is now available.
- Uploading images taken with the camera to Nikon Imaging Cloud and automatically transferring them to other cloud services is now available.
Added support for importing Custom Picture Controls based on “Flexible Color” created in NX Studio.
Added [Birds] to [AF/MF subject detection options] > [Subject detection] in the photo shooting menu.
Added [Large] to the size options available for [Secondary slot function] > [JPEG primary – JPEG secondary] in the photo shooting menu.
Added new bracketing increments for use during auto bracketing with [AE & flash bracketing], [AE bracketing], or [Flash bracketing] selected for [Auto bracketing set]. This change also applies to [Interval timer shooting] > [Options] > [AE bracketing] > [Increment].
Long exposure noise reduction is now enabled when the following menu items are set to [ON]:
- [Interval timer shooting] > [Electronic shutter options] > [Electronic shutter]
- [Time-lapse video] > [Electronic shutter options] > [Electronic shutter]
- [Focus shift shooting] > [Electronic shutter options] > [Electronic shutter]
Flash mode is now set to off when [Focus shift shooting] > [Interval until next shot] is set to [0] during focus shift.

■ Video Recording

Added support for the Nikon Imaging Cloud service.
- Importing imaging recipes (image editing settings published on Nikon Imaging Cloud) to the camera is now available.
Added support for importing Custom Picture Controls based on “Flexible Color” created in NX Studio.
Added [Birds] to [AF/MF subject detection options] > [Subject detection] in the video recording menu.
Added low ISO sensitivity options to [ISO sensitivity settings] > [ISO sensitivity (mode M)] for use during N-Log video recording.
Added [Hi-Res Zoom] to the [VIDEO RECORDING MENU].
Added a [Hi-Res Zoom speed] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position of g7.
Added options for customizing the brightness information display to g15 [Brightness information display] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
Added a function to include file names used in the camera when recording videos to an external recorder that supports file name transmission via HDMI. The following Atomos external recorders support this function (as of March 2025).
- Ninja V *
- Ninja V+ *
- Ninja (2023 models)
- Ninja Ultra
- Shogun (2023 models)
- Shogun Ultra
- Shogun Connect *
* Some recorders may require an ATOMOS OS upgrade or paid activation of the recorder. Contact ATOMOS for details.

■ Playback

Added [Customize retouch options] to [Retouch] in the playback “i” menu.
Added [Auto image rotation] in the playback menu.
Added [Auto series playback options] to [Series playback] in the playback menu.
Added a width of 4608 pixels to the size options available for [Resize (current picture)] and [Resize (multiple pictures)] for [Retouch] in the playback “i” menu when RAW images are displayed.

■ Controls

Separate settings are now available for [ISO sensitivity settings] > [Auto ISO sensitivity control] in the photo shooting menu when the ISO sensitivity dial is set to C or to a value of 100 to 64000.
Added [Save and load power zoom position]* to f2 [Custom controls (shooting)] and g2 [Custom controls] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
Added a [Zoom ring control (PZ lens)] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position of f11.
Custom Settings f12 and g8 in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] is now [Assign power zoom]. In addition, [Power zoom speed] has been divided into two items: [Power zoom speed (zoom buttons)] and [Power zoom speed (zoom switch)]*.
Added [Focus point border width] to a10 [Focus point display] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
Added an [Easy ISO] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position of b3.
Added an [Exposure delay mode] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position d5.
Added [Half-press to cancel zoom (MF)] items to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in positions d18 and g16.
Added to the custom control roles assignable via the following items in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU]. New reset options have also been added.
- f1 and g1 [Customize i menu]
- f2 [Custom controls (shooting)] and g2 [Custom controls]
- f3 [Custom controls (playback)]
Note: Added an advanced feature of [Exposure setting (mode M)] to Custom Setting f2 [Custom controls (shooting)] > [Command dials] > [Exposure setting] and exposure compensation and ISO sensitivity can now be set using the command dials in photo shooting in mode M.

Note: The command dial roles in mode S can now be switched using Custom Setting g2 [Custom controls] > [Command dials] > [Exposure setting] when recording video.
Added [Double-tapping operation] to f4 [Touch Fn] > [Assign touch Fn] > [Move focus point] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
Made updates to [Non-CPU lens data] in the [SETUP MENU].
Increased the character limit from 3 to 256 for “Category” entries in IPTC presets.

* This feature is available with NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 PZ lenses (as of March 2025).

■ Displays

Added focus-distance information to the focus distance indicator displayed during manual focus.
Live view display zoom is now up to 400%.
The option selected for [Viewfinder display size] (formerly [Finder display size (photo Lv)]) in the [SETUP MENU] now also applies in video and playback modes.

■ Network

Added a [Nikon Imaging Cloud] item to the [NETWORK MENU].
- Firmware can now be downloaded directly from Nikon Imaging Cloud.
Added features to [Connect to FTP server] in the [NETWORK MENU].
ATOMOS AirGlu BT accessories and MC-N10 remote grips can now be used together.
A warning now appears when the connection to an ATOMOS AirGlu BT accessory is unstable or disrupted.

■ App-Related Changes

With NX MobileAir:

the camera live view display for photo mode now shows NX MobileAir status, and
camera settings saved to a memory card using [Save/load menu settings] can now be downloaded to the smart device or copied from the smart device to the camera memory card using NX MobileAir.

■ Other Changes

Changed the video low-capacity warning so that it is now displayed in white on a red background when there is less than one minute remaining. The warning is now also displayed when recording is not in progress.
The RGB histogram is now easier to view when [Mode 1] or [Mode 2] is selected for d12 [Warm display colors] in [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
Fixed the following issues:
- Some operations would prevent the focus points from being displayed or cause delays in monitor display.
- The monochrome option would not be available in the “i” menu when B&W (black-and-white photo mode) was selected.
- The exposure compensation icon appeared in the settings display for g2 [Custom controls] > [Command dials] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
- Files could not be uploaded if the destination folder name contained half-width spaces when an FTP server was added in the connection wizard in [Connect to FTP server] > [Network settings] in the [NETWORK MENU].
- The camera would sometimes stop responding if the monitor was closed while zooming in the image during playback when connected to an external monitor or recorder via HDMI.
- The displayed images would be corrupted when zooming in during playback with the camera monitor closed and the camera connected to an external monitor or recorder via HDMI.
- The values on the control panel would remain on after the camera was turned off and the lens was removed while the camera was connected to SnapBridge via Wi-Fi and upload of pictures to smart devices was enabled even when the camera was off.
- Renamed d13 [Display on during burst] in [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].

At the 2025 CP+ show in Japan Nikon demos Zf camera firmware version 2.0 with… Nikon Imaging Cloud support

Press release:

NIKON RELEASES THE UPGRADED FIRMWARE VERSION 2.00 FOR THE NIKON ZF FULL-FRAME MIRRORLESS CAMERA

Melville, NY — Nikon Inc. is pleased to announce the release of firmware version 2.00 for its full-frame/FX-format mirrorless camera, the Nikon Zf.

This is the first major firmware update for the Zf since its launch and the next step in the camera’s evolution, adding new functions inherited from the Nikon Z9 flagship camera and full-frame mirrorless model, the Nikon Z6III. Firmware version 2.00 also adds support for Nikon Imaging Cloud, enabling the automatic transfer of images to third-party cloud storage services, automatic camera firmware updates, and access to a wide range of creative Imaging Recipes.

The Zf now incorporates a dedicated [Birds] subject-detection option, providing more powerful detection and tracking performance to enhance bird photography support. In addition, the Hi-Res Zoom function has been added, and functions have been expanded for greater usability when manual-focus lenses are used.

Firmware version 2.00 makes shooting with manual-focus lenses, including vintage lenses, even more enjoyable, with the ability to quickly exit the magnified display simply by half-pressing the shutter-release button and a function that allows users to record the aperture values used when shooting.

Primary Features of Firmware Version 2.00 for the Nikon Zf:

Support for Nikon Imaging Cloud enables more creative imaging expression

Nikon Imaging Cloud is Nikon’s cloud service accessible via computers and smart devices. It hosts the Imaging Recipes color presets, both those recommended by Nikon and those carefully crafted by established creators. Up to nine recipes can be downloaded to the Zf, allowing users to get the look and style of their favorite creators easily. Connection to Nikon Imaging Cloud also facilitates updating the camera firmware without the need for a computer or smart device. Furthermore, the advanced setup enables the automatic transfer of captured images to various third-party cloud storage services when the Zf is connected via Wi-Fi, providing even greater convenience for storing and sharing images captured with the camera.

Dedicated [Birds] subject-detection option enhances support for bird photography

A dedicated [Birds] subject-detection option has been added. It offers better bird-detection and tracking performance than when [Auto] or [Animal] subject-detection is selected. It also ensures quicker, more accurate detection and tracking of birds in various shooting scenarios, such as when complex, high-contrast backgrounds like rocky mountains or forests are in the frame. The [Birds] option satisfies the expectations of those who enjoy photographing birds with a greater ability to detect birds whether in flight, at rest, or characterized by a unique size or visual feature such as a long neck or vibrant colors.

Addition of the Hi-Res Zoom function enables zooming even when a prime lens is used

With firmware version 2.00, users can zoom-in to up to twice the actual focal length with no loss in resolution in full-HD recording*. This enables recording that makes the most of the superior rendering characteristics of prime lenses. Selection from 11 different zoom speeds expands possibilities for imaging expression during video recording, allowing users to achieve the exact look and feel they want. The Hi-Res Zoom function can also be assigned to the Fn ring or control ring on a lens.

More convenient functions when shooting with a manual focus lens

A new function has been added that lets users exit the magnified display by half-pressing the shutter-release button, making shooting with manual focus more convenient. Additionally, in the live view display, the maximum magnification has been increased from the previous 200% to 400%, providing greater convenience when shooting portraits and other situations that require more precise focusing. Furthermore, exposure compensation and ISO sensitivity can now be assigned to the main or sub-command dial in manual shooting mode. A new function has also been added that allows users to manually record aperture values to the Exif data when using non-CPU lenses. This enables them to review and appreciate the subtle differences in image results when shooting with different aperture values at or near the maximum aperture.

Nikon will continuously meet users’ needs through firmware updates that expand the functionality of its cameras.

*AF-area mode is fixed at [Wide-area AF (L)]. The focus point is not displayed. [Electronic VR] in the video recording menu is fixed at [OFF].