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Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

Donniemac
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

So I was pretty excited back in December when rumors were a promising FW update.... higher frame rate in raw, along with several other potential changes. I remember a comment that stated a firmware update would be very promising before Olympics rather than a new Z9ll or whatever they would call it. It certainly would make more sense financially to update FW rather than to campaign a new frontrunner.
Since then I've heard crickets........has anyone got anything.....Should we expect new features in the Z9

Feb 19, 2024 at 05:46 PM

woodstork
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

Fun to speculate. I’d love to see it reach parity with the Z8 FW 2.0 regarding timer release. And pixel shift, but with a more refined algorithm for addressing localized movement within the scene (similar Panasonic’s). And have no idea if feasible but would love the following:
1) pre-release burst capture with raw files
2) means to assign a fnc button or i-menu item that reverses the command and sub dials from defaults (this would be most helpful in some dive housings that only access the rear dial but not the front one) - the Z7 has this but not Z9.

Still my favorite camera of all time even without these.

Feb 19, 2024 at 06:09 PM

sjms
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

aren't we in a hurry?

are you proficient at all the current functionality of the Z9?

where did you hear that comment?

Edited on Feb 19, 2024 at 06:28 PM · View previous versions

Feb 19, 2024 at 06:12 PM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

Can you elaborate on “timer release” and what is missing from the Z9?

woodstork wrote:
Fun to speculate. I’d love to see it reach parity with the Z8 FW 2.0 regarding timer release. And pixel shift, but with a more refined algorithm for addressing localized movement within the scene (similar Panasonic’s). And have no idea if feasible but would love the following:
1) pre-release burst capture with raw files
2) means to assign a fnc button or i-menu item that reverses the command and sub dials from defaults (this would be most helpful in some dive housings that only access the rear dial but not the front one) - the Z7 has this but not Z9.

Still...Show more →

Feb 19, 2024 at 06:20 PM

woodstork
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

Whoops, I had a brain fart. Firstly, by ‘timer release’ I was thinking about ‘exposure delay.’ Second, they added exposure delay to Z9 at fw4.0. Duh! In my defense I haven’t been using the Z9 for landscape or macro and forgot they added it already.

To your larger question, I don’t think it is missing anything I need. If they add pre-release raw capture I will use it. If they add pixel shift shooting I will shoot some macro and close up scenes, (coupled with exposure delay 😁.)

RoamingScott wrote:
Can you elaborate on “timer release” and what is missing from the Z9?

Feb 19, 2024 at 07:57 PM

RoamingScott
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

Ok, just making sure cause I totally missed that they added it in 4.0 until last week!

woodstork wrote:
Whoops, I had a brain fart. Firstly, by ‘timer release’ I was thinking about ‘exposure delay.’ Second, they added exposure delay to Z9 at fw4.0. Duh! In my defense I haven’t been using the Z9 for landscape or macro and forgot they added it already.

To your larger question, I don’t think it is missing anything I need. If they add pre-release raw capture I will use it. If they add pixel shift shooting I will shoot some macro and close up scenes, (coupled with exposure delay 😁.)

Feb 19, 2024 at 08:07 PM

Eric214
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

The Z9II s still 2 years away. 4 year cycle from Nikon on flagship bodies. Expect end of 2025 or early 2026.

Infinitely more likely a firmware update before a Z9II or the immediate unicorn Z9h.

Feb 19, 2024 at 08:28 PM

woodstork
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

Haha! I didn’t miss it, but I definitely forgot it. Shows how important it is to me 😂. It kind of got lost in the mix, auto capture took almost all my attention on that release. I was also exploring the possibilities of pre-release too. One of these days I’ll put the z9 on a tripod with a long exposure, perhaps.

RoamingScott wrote:
Ok, just making sure cause I totally missed that they added it in 4.0 until last week!

Feb 19, 2024 at 08:38 PM

Donniemac
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

It was here on Nikon Rumors

:Rumored Nikon Z9/Z8 firmware updates roadmap
By [NR] ADMIN | Published: DECEMBER 2, 2023
FacebookTwitterEmailShare

I received this Nikon Z9/Z8 firmware roadmap covering the firmware updates that should appear in the future – I am not sure how legitimate this information is, so treat it as a rumor (you are on NikonRumor after all):

45M 30fps RAW continuous shooting.
Continuous shooting speed switching. Continuous shooting in the process of C30 mode and C120 mode free switching, JPG recording only.
Pre-capture continuous shooting with RAW.
C60-FX Burst Shooting Mode. Working at 60fps, each shot is 45M, followed by two shots of 11M in a cyclical loop. Sufficient frame rate to balance high resolution with the possibility of capturing decisive moments.
A new log curve extremely close to LogC4, was created for N-RAW to maximize encoder efficiency and record the sensor’s original color space.
8.3K 120fps burst video mode, shooting only 2.5 seconds. It uses the same high-speed readout mode as still photos.
Anamorphic Lens Support. Provides FX-format 45Mp Open Gate 3:2 30fps RAW video recording. Supports 1.33x, 1.5x, 1.6x, 1.8x, 2x de-squeezed display function.

Read more: https://nikonrumors.com/2023/12/02/rumored-nikon-z9-z8-firmware-updates-roadmap.aspx/#ixzz8SExujDqT

Cheers

Don

Feb 19, 2024 at 08:40 PM

bernardl
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

Eric214 wrote:
The Z9II s still 2 years away. 4 year cycle from Nikon on flagship bodies. Expect end of 2025 or early 2026.

Infinitely more likely a firmware update before a Z9II or the immediate unicorn Z9h.

I am not sure the 4 years cycle applies to mirrorless flagships, we don't have any data points one way or the other.

Besides, Nikon used to have minor updates half way through the life cycle of their bodies, so this is a possibility also.

Of course in mirrorless more things can be done through firmware, but the envelope is pretty much driven by the SOC used to process data, so a Z9s could mean an Expeed 7x of some sort.

Expeed 7 is probably around 3 years old if we believe the rumors that the Z9 was delayed due to covid. Smaller manufacturing processes have been made available in the mean time, so an Expeed 7x or even an Expeed 8 is totally possible as we speak.

Add to that a larger buffer, a slightly improved EVF (even brighter, 240 fps), a redesigned memory card door, pixel shift, a digital hot shoe, a new battery,... and you have interesting material for a Z9s that could reach at least 30 fps raw, have raw pre-capture, have an even better AF,...

Not sure it's gong to happen, but it's a credible possibility ahead of the Olympics and to keep the Z9 in the race against the phantom R1 and possible a1II.

Cheers,
Bernard

Feb 19, 2024 at 09:35 PM

Alistair1
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

As a minimum I would expect the Z9 to be updated with the missing elements from the Z8; pixel shift, airplane, HEIF etc. Beyond that I think it entirely feasible to introduce faster raw stills framerate, albeit lossy. I don't believe that raw precapture is likely, it already chugs a bit on jpeg precapture.

Feb 20, 2024 at 02:59 AM

unchecked
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

Well if there's any constant, it's each flagship has their own EXPEED processor. The D3 with EXPEED, D3s with EXPEED2, D4 with EXPEED3, D4s with EXPEED4, D5 with EXPEED5, D6 with EXPEED6. We'll see the next flagship and EXPEED8 when Nikon is done with EXPEED7.

Feb 20, 2024 at 03:44 AM

suteetat
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

Since it is summer olympic this year with Sony just releasing A9 iii and assuming R1 is coming soon, I assume Nikon will do something. However, whether it is Z9h or another significant update of Z9 fw,
is anybody's guess at this time but I don't think Nikon will be quiet on this front.

Feb 20, 2024 at 04:38 AM

bernardl
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

suteetat wrote:
Since it is summer olympic this year with Sony just releasing A9 iii and assuming R1 is coming soon, I assume Nikon will do something. However, whether it is Z9h or another significant update of Z9 fw,
is anybody's guess at this time but I don't think Nikon will be quiet on this front.

Indeed, a Z9h is a possibility also.

Cheers,
Bernard

Feb 20, 2024 at 04:49 AM

sjms
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

Donniemac wrote:
It was here on Nikon Rumors

:Rumored Nikon Z9/Z8 firmware updates roadmap
By [NR] ADMIN | Published: DECEMBER 2, 2023
FacebookTwitterEmailShare

I received this Nikon Z9/Z8 firmware roadmap covering the firmware updates that should appear in the future – I am not sure how legitimate this information is, so treat it as a rumor (you are on NikonRumor after all):

45M 30fps RAW continuous shooting.
Continuous shooting speed switching. Continuous shooting in the process of C30 mode and C120 mode free switching, JPG recording only.
Pre-capture continuous shooting with RAW.
C60-FX Burst Shooting Mode. Working at 60fps, each shot is 45M, followed by two shots of 11M...Show more →

i wouldn't use Nikon Rumors as the highest quality reference tool. but, something is coming as it always is. lots of good tools in that black box as is.
my question to you is how much of the current cameras capabilities do you actually use as this time or is this just the "churn"?

Feb 20, 2024 at 05:43 AM

Eric214
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

bernardl wrote:
I am not sure the 4 years cycle applies to mirrorless flagships, we don't have any data points one way or the other.

Besides, Nikon used to have minor updates half way through the life cycle of their bodies, so this is a possibility also.

Of course in mirrorless more things can be done through firmware, but the envelope is pretty much driven by the SOC used to process data, so a Z9s could mean an Expeed 7x of some sort.

Expeed 7 is probably around 3 years old if we believe the rumors that the Z9 was delayed due to covid. Smaller...Show more →

Until they show otherwise, the cycle is 4 years in flagships. So we'll see. The delay for the Expeed 7 wasn't COVID. The Z9 just want ready to be released at that time and the insane 2.0 FW update proven that. They panic released it because the R3 was released a couple months earlier.

There an Olympics every 2 years, winter and summer. Nikon doesn't put a flagship out every 2 years. People need to think instead of losing their minds over rumors.

I find it infinitely more possible a major FW update is coming for the Z9 than a Z9II or Z9h or whatever the flavor of the month is next with Nikon Rumors

Feb 20, 2024 at 07:11 AM

OwlsEyes
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

For a stills photographer who prefers natural light to flash or studio lighting, I think these pro cameras (A1 and Z9) are beginning to reach and end point where most upgrades will be more about gimmicks and unused features than anything else. I'm not sure what Nikon could add to the Z9 that would transform it into a viable upgrade that would generate profits that return the R&D that was invested in its development. While I know some sports photographers would like to see 30fps RAW capture, the need for this speed is very limited by the general public and is available in jpg should it be required. A higher resolution sensor leads to a lot more noise, and there are better affordable options if you need 100MP (Fuji GFX).
From this shooter's perspective, I think clean noise reduction at ISO 6400 and above that does not smear details may be the only new feature that might appeal to me... but not worth the upgrade price. So long as it does not break, I could see myself using the Z9 as my primary body until 2030... and beyond.
cheers,
bruce

Feb 20, 2024 at 07:24 AM

nhmorgan
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

Well, nikonrumors did promise there was a major Z6ii update coming 2 years ago that I'm still waiting on........

Feb 20, 2024 at 07:40 AM

sjms
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

Feb 20, 2024 at 07:57 AM

arbitrage
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Z9 Upcoming 4.2 or 5.0 firmware possibilities..OR Z9II

Eric214 wrote:
There an Olympics every 2 years, winter and summer. Nikon doesn't put a flagship out every 2 years. People need to think instead of losing their minds over rumors.

They were doing a flagship every 2 years for a while with the "s" models. Only the D5 to D6 broke that trend. But D6 to Z9 was 2 years also. Although maybe we can't count that one as the switch to MILC flagship was a different situation.

If we look at the past 15 years there is way more data supporting a 2 year release and only a single data point for a 4 year release.

Feb 20, 2024 at 09:42 AM

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