Some new Nikon rumors from China:
- Nikon is currently testing N-Log2 (leveraging the expertise of RED)
- All Nikon cameras capable of recording with N-Log will update to N-Log2 at almost the same time
- Nikon Z8 will get Imaging Cloud support, but Z9 won’t – at least for now (maybe later)
The information comes from a source that has been correct in the past.
Nikon has done a fantastic job with firmware updates in the last few years. Here’s a quick recap of how the Nikon Z9 features and capabilities have grown over the years:
- Dec 2021 (v1.00): Initial release
- Jan 2022 (v1.10): Extended buffer for RAW+JPEG, better flash compatibility
- Apr 2022 (v2.00): Added internal 8K 60p N-RAW & ProRes RAW, 120Hz EVF, Pre-Release Capture, 20 custom wide-area AF zones
- Oct 2022 (v3.00): High-frequency flicker reduction, Hi-Res Zoom, DX-format C60 burst mode
- Jun 2023 (v4.00): This was the most significant update — it introduced Auto Capture, much better subject tracking (which had been a weakness in earlier versions and not as strong as Canon’s), and new video tools. In the past, this would’ve been released as a Z9a on an entirely new body, but Nikon chose instead to improve the existing hardware via firmware.
- Dec 2023 (v4.10): Bird and airplane detection in subject tracking
- Mar 2024 (v5.00): Portrait enhancements, new shooting modes (C15), 400% LV zoom, advanced button and menu customisation
- Dec 2024 (v5.10): Video features like shutter-angle mode, custom zebras, HDR monitoring tools
- Apr 2025 (v5.20): NX Field remote shooting support, burst mode fixes, renamed settings
Nikon Z8 firmware update version 3.0 is rumored to be officially released next week
