Z8 firmware v. 3.00 is now available for download

[Øivind Tøien]

The previously announced v. 3.00 firmware for Nikon Z8 just became available for download:
https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/563.html

It comes with a stern warning not to have any non-Nikon lens or adapter attached to the body during upgrade.

The list of improvements is long:

"Changes from “C” Firmware Version 2.10 to 3.00

Note: The changes listed below under “Still Photography”, “Video Recording”, “Playback”, “Controls”, 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

• Extended the dimensions of focus areas available with [Wide-area AF (C1)] and [Wide-area AF (C2)] AF-area modes.
• The subject detection function became available during manual focus.
• The subject detection area selection is now available for manual focus.
• Added support for “Flexible Color” Picture Controls.
• Added a [C15] high-speed frame capture + release mode option.
• The image quality for high-speed frame capture + can now be set separately from other release modes.
• Added [High ISO NR mode] in [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] that allows to select a noise reduction processing mode.
• Added frequency setting mode to [High-frequency flicker reduction] in [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] that allows frequency presets to be configured.
• [Options] has been added under [Focus shift shooting] in the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] to allow [Pixel shift shooting] to be used together with focus shift shooting.
• [Options] has been added under [Pixel shift shooting] in the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] to allow [AE bracketing] to be used together with pixel shift shooting. [Starting storage folder] has also been added.
• [Pixel shift shooting] options can now be set when the self-timer mode is selected.
• Added and changed the following functions to [Auto capture] in [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU].
- Date and time to start auto capture can now be configured in advance
- Auto capture is now available with camera’s manual focus settings
- The appearance and some item names in the settings display have been changed
- The detection range available for [Advanced: Distance] has been extended
- Auto capture is now compatible with the new [C15] release mode option
- A yellow frame is now displayed during auto capture
• The Profoto A10’s continuous LED light can now be used as an AF-assist illuminator.
Note: The firmware update is needed for Profoto A10. See Profoto’s corporate website for details.

■ Video Recording

• Extended the dimensions of focus areas available with [Wide-area AF (C1)] and [Wide-area AF (C2)] AF-area modes.
• The subject detection function became available during manual focus.
• The subject detection area selection is now available for manual focus.
• Added support for “Flexible Color” Picture Controls.
• Added and changed the following functions to [Auto capture] in [VIDEO RECORDING MENU].
- Date and time to start auto capture can now be configured in advance
- Auto capture is now available with camera’s manual focus settings
- The appearance and some item names in the settings display have been changed
- The detection range available for [Advanced: Distance] has been extended
- A yellow frame is now displayed during auto capture
• Selecting [ON] for [Hi-Res Zoom] in the [VIDEO RECORDING MENU] now displays a focus point on the detected subject in the shooting display.
• 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 May 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 [Date] to [Filtered playback criteria] in playback menu and playback “i” menu.
• Added [Customize retouch options] to [Retouch] in the playback “i” menu.
• Added [Auto-rotate during playback] to the playback menu.

■ Controls

• Added a [Maximum aperture Lv] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position of a14.
• Added a [Focus limiter setting] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position of a16.
• Added a [Minimum] option to Custom Setting c2 [Self-timer] > [Interval between shots] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• Added [Auto capture] to the roles assignable to the “i” menu via [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] > f1 and g1 [Customize <i> menu].
• Added assignable custom controls and roles to the following items in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU]. Also, the options for [Zoom on/off] have changed.
- f2 [Custom controls (shooting)]
- g2 [Custom controls]
• Added assignable custom controls and roles (for example, [Jump to the source image] and [Trim]) to [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] > f3 [Custom controls (playback)].

■ Network

• Added [Wi-Fi connection (STA mode)] which allows you to connect the camera to the smart device via a wireless LAN access point.
• Port numbers can now be specified using [Connect to FTP server] in [NETWORK MENU].
• Added [Upload in HEIF format] to [Connect to FTP server] > [Options] in [NETWORK MENU].
Note: Converted HEIF images are not stored on the memory card.

■ Other Changes

• Voice memo recording is now available with external microphones.
• The speed at which the camera cycles through focus points using the multi selector or sub-selector no longer slows down when changing direction.
• The tonal characteristics have been changed when [ON] is selected for Custom Setting g14 [View assist] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• The camera now records company and model names in the video metadata recorded with [ProRes 422 HQ 10-bit (MOV)] selected for [Video file type] in the [VIDEO RECORDING MENU].
• Added support for “NX Field*”, a remote shooting system for corporate users.
* Visit the “NPS” website for overview and user’s manual of NX Field.
Nikon Professional Services (NPS) (English)
Note: “NX Field” app for smart devices may not be available in some countries and regions.
• Automatically obtained IP address will be maintained after automatic IP addressing disabled.
• Automatically obtained gateway/DNS server addresses are now displayed in the TCP/IP edit display.
• File names of the image and audio now match if the file name of the image is renamed during transfer."


Link to the parent download page with the Supplementary Firmware Update Manual:
https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/616/Z_8.html

[Øivind Tøien]

I was going to wait a day, but could not resist. The update went without problems.

[aerobat]

Many thanks Øivind, mine went fine as well 

[Erik Lund]

Impressive amount of added features! Well done Nikon

[Nasos Kosmas]

I just updated to 3.00 and exploring the new capabilities

[Øivind Tøien]

One limitation I found with the Focus Limiter feature is that it does not seem supported on AFS lenses - tested with 300PF, 500PF and 50mm f/1.8. The latter test indicates that it is not because the lenses already have a focus limiter switch. (If present on Z-lenses it has to be set to full range). With the AFS lenses mounted on the FTZ II adapter the focus limiting can be turned on/off in the menu, but the option to set the range is greyed out.

Beyond this, on DPreview unsurprisingly a number of users report problems with using some third party lenses with the new firmware, including some Tamron lenses (more surprising). Hopefully it is temporary problems until manufacturers can provide firmware updates for the lenses. If one are stuck, it is reported that it is possible to reinstall the previous version of the firmware.

[ColinM]

I was interested to read Thom Hogan's post about how far firmware updates for the Z9 have fallen behind other Z hardware (he posted that in mid June)

I guess he's still just as concerned now, though maybe Nikon just wanted to get the Z8 one released first.

Obviously, his writing usually carries a certain "perspective", but the observation that professional users of the Z9 weren't being well looked after is an interesting one

[Nasos Kosmas]

The limitation you describe Oivid is marketing limitation IMO
Look at the asterisk on the picture: “Available for Nikon Z lenses only”
The technology for every lens is already there, if you play with auto capture you may be able to introduce distance limits with 500pf