p.1 #1 · 2026 Nikon Speculation Thread. What’s the next big thing?
Happy 2026 Everyone.
Kicking off 2026,I’m itchingto know what Nikon’s got cooking this year. We’ve all heard some of the buzz—like maybe a Z9II with global shutter and more processing power, or a Z90 that’s basically the mirrorless version of the D500 for action shots.
That’s just stuff I’ve seen floating around. What about you? Throw out your crazy guesses, any hot tips or rumors you’ve heard, and what you’re crossing fingers for this year.
p.1 #3 · 2026 Nikon Speculation Thread. What’s the next big thing?
It seems like with the Winter Olympics starting in early February we might get the long rumored z9ii. I’m not really holding my breath though. I’d also like to see a 300 f2.8. Hopefully the next camera released has raw pre capture, but it seems like that feature would only come out on the flagship. We’ll see!
p.1 #5 · 2026 Nikon Speculation Thread. What’s the next big thing?
I’m really hoping Nikon releases a lovely little full frame or crop compact camera with some kind of 28/35 f2 lens. Something to compete with the X100 series, RX1, and Ricoh GR series. The Coolpix A was a cool camera that I owned, but Nikon needs to really commit to make it good.
p.1 #6 · 2026 Nikon Speculation Thread. What’s the next big thing?
You heard it first here, folks and it's one from left field. Nikon wants to update the 70-200 f2.8 VR S and also wants to introduce a Z version of the 120-300 f2.8 + TC. OK, let's see if they can make a 70-300 f2.8 + TC. "Kill two birds with the one stone" as the saying goes. I know it is impractical and if it could be done would cost a bomb - more than those that buy a 70-200 f2.8 would generally be willing to pay and would probably end up too big for the 70-200 target market. Keep it under 2kg and boy, what a great lens that would be!
p.1 #7 · 2026 Nikon Speculation Thread. What’s the next big thing?
New Nikon products I would like to see in 2026:
1) Z 70-200/4 VR S (< 800 g);
2) Z 70-300/4.5-5.6 VR S (< 800 g);
3) a semi-pro Z DX body with 24-26 Mpix BSI sensor, IBIS, in-camera sensor cleaning, EN-EL15c battery, optional external high-res EVF that can be rotated 90° and/or built-in flash that works as commander.
Anyway, I've been waiting for these products for years, so I don't think we'll see them in 2026.
p.1 #10 · 2026 Nikon Speculation Thread. What’s the next big thing?
What I think we will get in the next 6-12 months:
- Z9II (probably with global shutter or a faster read out sensor, Nikon will have designed the Z9II to dominate high end for years to come not just to catch up with the R1/a1II) + video version (high end ZR with Z9II sensor)
- 70-200mm f2.8 mkII
- 24-70mm f2.0
- 100-200mm f2.0 S TC
- 100-300mm f2.8 S TC
- a longer zoom super tele, probably 200-500mm f4 S TC that will be significantly lighter than the monster Sigma 300-600mm f4
- 50mm f1.2 mkII
- 12mm f1.8 S
- 28mm f1.2 S
- Cinema lenses
p.1 #12 · 2026 Nikon Speculation Thread. What’s the next big thing?
cmm1398 wrote:
Happy 2026 Everyone.
Kicking off 2026,I’m itchingto know what Nikon’s got cooking this year. We’ve all heard some of the buzz—like maybe a Z9II with global shutter and more processing power, or a Z90 that’s basically the mirrorless version of the D500 for action shots.
That’s just stuff I’ve seen floating around. What about you? Throw out your crazy guesses, any hot tips or rumors you’ve heard, and what you’re crossing fingers for this year.
I am always in the "temper expectations" camp. Expect more of the same, price hikes, slowing down of releases. This way if they do anything more, I will be surprised they did than disappointed if they didn't meet my wild expectations.
That said, minimum, the Z9ii should be a simple refresh. New generation chip using a new nm process or an additional chip to help subject recognition, something that the competition are already doing to some effect. Body barely any updates, same sensor, same body, maybe if they can surprise us with the multi-hinge back screen that Sony and Fujifilm has. It's a tried and tested formula. Just updating the constants to modern standards.
The Z30ii. They took the Z30 and refined it to give us the ZR. Maybe some of what the ZR got will trickle back down to the Z30ii. Things like multi-functional hotshoe for mics and maybe other accessories or even an EVF accessory.
That should be the two bodies for the year.
Economy's not doing great for everyone not involved in AI. The way memory prices have shot up I also suspect more electronics are going to be more expensive to make and that in turn means a higher price tag for us. The camera companies will probably foresee that us commonfolk have less spending power and will adjust their plans accordingly. In some way they already are, especially Nikon. They are done with their initial ramp up phase now that their key bodies and lenses are out and nobody can maintain that pace forever, they gotta slow down at some point. So we have seen slowing down on lens releases too the last year.
Not going to expect anything wild. 2026 doesn't look like it's a great year to look forward to in non-AI tech with AI sucking up all the money, resources and attention and making things difficult for everyone else.
p.1 #13 · 2026 Nikon Speculation Thread. What’s the next big thing?
As a bird photographer I'd like to see the Z9II with 30+ FPS, RAW precapture, AF improvements and a long shot of an adding a 3rd back button and 3rd wheel. Getting the weight down to Canon R1 or R3 level would be a welcome improvement also.
I also think Nikon should look at some sort of fast zoom lens like a replacement for the 120-300/2.8 or 200-400/4TC. The 120-300/2.8 with a built-in TC would be sweet if they could knock a lot of weight off compared to the Canon 100-300/2.8 version (that thing was a bit too heavy when I'm used to my 300/2.8 prime). Heck even a 300/2.8 prime with TC would be SWEEET.
p.1 #14 · 2026 Nikon Speculation Thread. What’s the next big thing?
I think Z9II and cine lenses are the safe bets. Probably some sports-focused teles to go with the Z9II, too.
For me personally I don’t see much being released from Nikon that I’d pick up this year..
I’d be interested in compact primes with aperture rings, but more likely that the Viltrox EVO line will be the way to go. Same for a 35mm f1.4 - waiting for Viltrox to release one in their PRO line.
Also interested in a rangefinder-styled body and/or APS-C, but I‘ll wait for the new generation from Fujifilm, hoping they catch up in AF.
I‘d consider swapping the 24-200mm for Tamron‘s 25-200mm when it comes in Z-mount. Again not a Nikon product..
A reasonably compact 24-50mm f2.8 or 18-50mm f4 would be neat. With nice sunstars please. Don’t think we’ll get either though.
p.1 #15 · 2026 Nikon Speculation Thread. What’s the next big thing?
I see z7 III with a nice viewfinder, modern autofocus and a high resolution quality sensor is not even a pipe dream for folks here
I would love 'no compromises' z24-50/2.8 [with an aperture ring] too.
A compact high end full frame camera with 28mm or 35mm lens would be nice too.
p.1 #16 · 2026 Nikon Speculation Thread. What’s the next big thing?
olegkin wrote:
I see z7 III with a nice viewfinder, modern autofocus and a high resolution quality sensor is not even a pipe dream for folks here
I would love 'no compromises' z24-50/2.8 [with an aperture ring] too.
A compact high end full frame camera with 28mm or 35mm lens would be nice too.
Well, it would instantly become my main landscape camera and if it features a 80+ mp sensor might even convince me to sell my GFX kit.
So I would personally be very interested, but I am wondering whether such a camera would be a priority for Nikon in 2026. It certainly is a possibility but I see them more focus on the Z9II and its matching cinema body with follow up firmwares. I could obviously be wrong.
p.1 #17 · 2026 Nikon Speculation Thread. What’s the next big thing?
arbitrage wrote:
As a bird photographer I'd like to see the Z9II with 30+ FPS, RAW precapture, AF improvements and a long shot of an adding a 3rd back button and 3rd wheel. Getting the weight down to Canon R1 or R3 level would be a welcome improvement also.
I also think Nikon should look at some sort of fast zoom lens like a replacement for the 120-300/2.8 or 200-400/4TC. The 120-300/2.8 with a built-in TC would be sweet if they could knock a lot of weight off compared to the Canon 100-300/2.8 version (that thing was a bit too heavy when I'm used to my 300/2.8 prime). Heck even a 300/2.8 prime with TC would be SWEEET....Show more →
I’m a zoom man and desire as few lenses as practical. I like my 180-600. It’s still handhold-able if necessary and the internal zoom is silky smooth.
However, I wholeheartedly agree with you that the 300 2.8 is a super lens; it is unique ...... and that’s probably regardless of manufacturer. I tested the 1.4, 1.7 and 2.0 TC’s with one of the copies/models I’ve had in the past (Nikon, but I believe results would be as outstanding with Sony or Canon 300 2.8’s). The differences in sharpness or resolution between the TC’s was indiscernible to my eyes. 2.8’s are the best. But a 400 2.8 is just too heavy for me. So, yes, the 120-300 2.8 must be sweet, though I have not tried one yet. And the 120-300 2.8 with a built-in TC could become my favorite
p.1 #19 · 2026 Nikon Speculation Thread. What’s the next big thing?
olegkin wrote:
I see z7 III with a nice viewfinder, modern autofocus and a high resolution quality sensor is not even a pipe dream for folks here
I would love 'no compromises' z24-50/2.8 [with an aperture ring] too.
A compact high end full frame camera with 28mm or 35mm lens would be nice too.
I'm still waiting on a Z7iii. I don't need the speed of a Z8 or Z9 for what I do, but a high resolution monster would be something I would definitely drop money on
p.1 #20 · 2026 Nikon Speculation Thread. What’s the next big thing?
pr4photos wrote:
I'm still waiting on a Z7iii. I don't need the speed of a Z8 or Z9 for what I do, but a high resolution monster would be something I would definitely drop money on
Same. I like the Z8, but it’s huge, and I find the RAW files a bit “thin” sometimes, they don’t let me edit images the way I want. A bit more dynamic range would be nice. I checked SL3 RAW files, and they seem much closer to GFX than the Z8’s.
"Kill two birds with the one stone" as the saying goes. I know it is impractical and if it could be done would cost a bomb - more than those that buy a 70-200 f2.8 would generally be willing to pay and would probably end up too big for the 70-200 target market. Keep it under 2kg and boy, what a great lens that would be!