We’ve said this before, but you know you’ll get a major firmware update when a company creates dedicated website. Yes, it’s the Nikon Z9 again, and this time with firmware version 4.0—once again a free download for users of top mirrorless cameras.
The headline action is called Auto Capture, a new feature that automatically triggers the shutter or starts recording a video when your specified combination of three criteria is met—motion, distance, and object detection. statue. Activate the motion settings and the Z9 starts capturing when motion is detected. With the distance setting, the Z9 records when the subject is within the specified distance range; According to Nikon, you’ll get the best results when using a Z lens. Finally, the camera can be set to start shooting when the subject of your choice—person, animal, or vehicle—is detected in the frame. image. As Nikon said: “Put your camera on, set the Auto Shot criteria and walk away. Z9 will do the rest.”
Other major improvements are improved 3D tracking for small and fast-moving objects that the object detection system doesn’t recognize; significantly expanded pre-shutter buffer for Pre-Release Shot mode (increased from 30 to 300 seconds); and a new ISO 200 (Lo 2.0) setting when recording video in the N-Log format, which promises extremely low noise along with the ability to bring out even more detail in the shadows in post-production. Additional enhancements include better aperture increments, the option to assign custom functions to more buttons, and faster, easier image review in playback mode.
Now available, you can download the 4.0 firmware update for the Nikon Z9 from Nikon’s website. In case you were wondering, Nikon hasn’t said when or if these new features and enhancements will be available on the very spec sibling of the Z9, the Z8.
PRESS RELEASE
NIKON ISSUES THE THIRD MAJOR SOFTWARE UPGRADE FOR NIKON Z 9 FULL-FRAME Mirrorless Camera
The free Firmware V 4.00 upgrade offers new smart auto shooting, video enhancements, shutter sound customization and more
MELVILLE, NY (June 13, 2023) – Today, Nikon Inc. announced the release of firmware version 4.00 for its flagship full-frame/FX-format mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z 9. Firmware update 4.00 is the third major update for its flagship full-frame/FX-format mirrorless camera. Z 9 since its launch, adding many improvements to video and still photography, usability, operability, autofocus, etc.
Firmware upgrade 4.00 adds several new features to both stills and video capture, including the all-new Auto Capture function. This new feature enables automatic shooting when the subject meets one or more pre-configured criteria, especially in situations that require enhanced automation or when the camera must be placed in places where users can’t stay for long time.
Additionally, video functions have been further improved by expanding the minimum ISO sensitivity available with N-Log recording, increasing the number of options available for High-Resolution Zoom speeds, and adding slow motion video recording feature. With still photography, the subject acquisition performance of 3D tracking when capturing still images of small and fast-moving subjectsfirst has been improved. The firmware also supports enhanced operability by increasing the number of functions that can be assigned to custom controls, as well as adding new shutter sound options.
Starting today, Z 9 owners can visit the website here to download firmware 4.00 is free. Nikon will continuously meet user needs through firmware updates that expand the camera’s functionality.
New and enhanced features
Auto Capture:
- Users can set the camera to automatically record still images or record video by pre-configuring Auto Capture criteria. Three criteria can be configured including a [Motion] optionally detects objects making certain movements, a [Distance] option to start shooting when the subject is within a certain distance,2 and a [Subject detection] option to detect people, animals or vehicles in the frame. These options can be used separately or together to automatically trigger shooting when the selected criteria are met.
- This feature allows users to shoot remotely without having to manually determine the shooting/recording time, giving users the freedom to perform other tasks or leave the camera outside where they cannot. stay for long periods of time, such as when recording wildlife.
- When using multiple Z 9 cameras, one camera can be used for handheld shooting as the user moves from place to place, the other cameras can be set up for automatic shooting from a tripod legs in fixed positions. Auto Capture also allows shooting from multiple angles without the need for the extension cord previously required to control multiple cameras, eliminating connection worries during remote shooting. This feature can also be used with Pre-Release Capture to capture decisive moments more reliably.
Advanced video recording functions:
- You can now set ISO sensitivity as low as Lo 2.0 (ISO 200) with N-Log recording: ISO sensitivity has been extended low to increase dynamic range in the dark and enable show clear and rich shadow tones in which noise is removed.
- Speed Options High Resolution Zoom: Speed steps have been increased from 3 to 11 for more precise speed control. For instance, it is possible to fine-tune the zoom speed, allowing the interface to better align with user intent with more stable zooming at slower speeds.
- Slow motion video function: This new feature allows high-speed video recording to be played back at 1/4 (4×) or 1/5 (5×) frame rate to create slow motion effects.
Additional shooting improvements:
- Customizable shutter sounds: Users can choose from five types of shutter sounds that are played when the shutter is released and set a higher volume for the sound.
- Focus enhancement: Outstanding subject acquisition performance with 3D tracking is used to capture still images of small and fast-moving subjects that cannot be detected by subject detection.
- Pre-release buffer expansion: To better meet the needs of those working on-site, how long the camera continues to buffer frames before canceling capture during the Pre-Release Capture phase of Capture High-speed frames have been increased from 30 to 300 seconds, allowing users to wait longer between pressing the shutter-release button halfway and fully pressing the shutter-release button.
- Exposure delay mode: This item is added to the Custom settings menu, which helps to reduce blur caused by camera shake that occurs when the shutter-release button is pressed.
- More custom controls: The number of functions that can be assigned to custom controls has been increased, as well as the number of controls that can be customized.
- Improved manual focus user interface: The new manual focus distance indicator shows the approximate distance between the camera and the focus position in user-selected units.
- Playback Improvement: New [Frame advance zoom position] options that let users choose how the camera centered the screen when scrolling through photos while playback zoom can now be assigned to a custom control. When [Prefer focus point] is selected, the camera will center the screen on the active focus point when shooting. In addition, the accuracy of the progress bar displayed during video playback has been increased.
For more information on Nikon’s latest products, including the extensive NIKKOR Z lens collection and the entire Z series camera collection, please visit Nikonusa.com.
first*When the object is not detected with [AF subject detection options] set to [Auto], [People], [Animal]or [Vehicle].
2*[Distance] available only when NIKKOR Z lenses are used with the camera. Auto Capture may not work when using lenses other than NIKKOR Z lenses.
