Nikon is enhancing its original Z8 mirrorless camera with a new firmware update, bringing significant improvements such as pixel shift shooting, enhanced color control, and better autofocus.
The key features of firmware version 3.00 include a new pixel-shift shooting mode, which works alongside focus shift shooting or bracketing to enhance image quality in various lighting conditions.
Overall performance has been upgraded, resulting in images with greater detail and dynamic range.
Image Credit – NikonUSA
Nikon claims to be the first camera company to integrate multiple functions that allow the capture of high-resolution images up to 180 MP.
Additionally, in AE bracketing mode, moiré patterns are reduced in high contrast and bright lighting conditions, and users can now lock the white balance in the first shot.
Color accuracy and dynamic range have also received a boost in this firmware update.
Users can take advantage of a tool in Nikon’s NX Studio app called Flexible Color Picture Control.
This feature offers more flexibility for color correction, including tools like Color Blender and Color Grading, providing intuitive control over color, contrast, and brightness.
Image Credit – NikonUSA
Users can configure settings and save them to a memory card, allowing for easy access to the camera settings in the Z8.
These settings will be visible on the live view display, providing real-time data on color gamut and dynamic range, similar to a LUT, which reduces the need for extensive post-processing.
Image Credit – NikonUSA
Firmware 3.00 also introduces a new in-camera focus limiter, enabling camera operators using Nikkor Z lenses to set a specific focus range.
This helps prevent the camera from getting distracted by elements outside the selected limits, ensuring more accurate focus and sharpness for subjects tracked within the designated range.
Therefore, the camera will ignore any subject that wanders into frame or should conditions shift that could break focus.
Image Credit – NikonUSA
Other improvements in this update include:
- The ability for users to choose which type of subject to prioritize for detection, applicable in both autofocus and manual focus modes.
- Subject detection areas can now be selected during manual focus.
- Focusing is now possible at the maximum aperture in live view.
- A magnification option of 400% has been added to the Zoom on/off function available in Custom Settings.
- The patterns of focus areas available with custom wide-area AF settings have been expanded.
- A new, slower release mode [C15] option has been introduced to facilitate shot count management, along with a new [FINE] image-quality setting for improved image quality when using High-Speed Frame Capture +.
- Support for using an external microphone (wired or wireless) has been added for recording voice memos.
- Several housekeeping and bug fixes to improve overall performance and reliability.
**Availability and Installation:**
Firmware version 3.00 will be available “soon” from NikonUSA. Z8 users can visit NikonUSA’s Z8 Firmware website for more information.
In the meantime, if you are considering purchasing a new Z8, B&H is currently offering a $500 discount, so act quickly!
[source: Nikon USA]
Order links:
- Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera (B&H)
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