Nikon Z 8 gets first major firmware update with v2.0 

Nikon has released version 2.00 firmware for its full-frame, FX-format mirrorless camera, the well-regarded Nikon Z 8.

The new firmware is the Z 8's first major update since its launch, and Nikon reckons it offers users a significant improvement to the shooting of images or video thanks to the inclusion of cutting-edge functions also found in the Nikon Z 9 and the Nikon Z f.

Some of this is rather specific but no doubt will be welcomed by the people it is aimed at. Designed with bird photographers in mind, for instance, a dedicated [Birds] feature has been added to the Z 8's AF subject detection options, increasing bird-detection performance in a variety of high-contrast backgrounds, including forests and rocky mountains and in various states - flying or perched. 

Firmware version 2.00 for the Z 8 also enforces new Auto Capture functionality which introduces automatic shooting for both still images and video by pre-configuring auto capture criteria. This includes motion, distance, and subject detection, and these options can be used either separately or together, according to the user's needs.

There’s more too, with a new pixel shift shooting function using dedicated software to merge multiple NEF (RAW) files. This is ideal for capturing the finest details in subjects with complex designs - such as buildings and art pieces, with a precise rendering of the subject's colors, textures, and structures.

There is also a new Rich Tone Portrait Picture Control, harnessing the rich tones of subjects while retaining the most intricate details - essential for portrait photography. In fact, users can now assign further functions and operations to custom control and have the option to exit zoom with a half-press release which improves the general useability of the Z 8 a fair deal

Here’s the (fairly Brobdingnagian)  full list of new features taken from the Nikon Download Center.

Still Photography

• • Added [Pixel shift shooting] to the photo shooting menu.
• • Added new picture controls.
• • Added [Birds] to [AF subject detection options] in the photo shooting menu.
• • The maximum shooting display zoom ratio is now 400%.
• • Added [Auto capture] to the photo shooting menu. Users can select capture criteria from [Motion] (the direction the subject is moving), [Distance] (how far the subject is from the camera), and [Subject detection] (whether or not a subject of a given type is detected), and the camera will take photographs automatically while it detects subjects that meet the selected criteria. Note that [Distance] is available with NIKKOR Z lenses and may not function as expected when used with other lenses. The [FX (36×24)] and [DX (24×16)] image areas are available with auto capture.
• • The length of time the camera will continue to buffer frames before cancelling shooting during the Pre-Release Capture phase of high-speed frame capture + has been increased from 30 to 300 seconds.
• • Added [Large] to the size options available for [Secondary slot function] > [JPEG primary - JPEG secondary] in the photo shooting menu.
• • Added new bracketing increments for use during auto bracketing with [AE & flash bracketing], [AE bracketing], or [Flash bracketing] selected for [Auto bracketing set]. This change also applies to [Interval timer shooting] > [Options] > [AE bracketing] > [Increment].

Video Recording

• • Added new picture controls.
• • Added [Birds] to [AF subject detection options] in the video recording menu.
• • The maximum shooting display zoom ratio is now 400%.
• • Added [Auto capture] to the video recording menu. Users can select capture criteria from [Motion] (the direction the subject is moving), [Distance] (how far the subject is from the camera), and [Subject detection] (whether or not a subject of a given type is detected), and the camera will record video automatically while it detects subjects that meet the selected criteria. Note that [Distance] is available with NIKKOR Z lenses and may not function as expected when used with other lenses. The [FX] and [DX] image areas are available with auto capture.
• • Added low ISO sensitivity options to [ISO sensitivity settings] > [ISO sensitivity (mode M)] for use during N-Log video recording.
• • Changed the range of speeds available for Hi-Res Zoom.
• • Added slow-motion video recording.

Playback

• • Added [Playback speed] in the video playback “i” menu.
• • Added [Auto image rotation] in the playback menu.
• • Added [Auto series playback options] to [Series playback] in the playback menu.
• • Made changes to the [Select for upload to computer] and [Select for upload (FTP)] items in the playback “i” menu and added [Select for priority upload to computer] and [Select for priority upload (FTP)].

Controls

• • Added [Half-press to cancel zoom (MF)] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in positions d18 and g17.
• • Added [Focus point border width] to a11 [Focus point display] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• • Changes have been made to how a full format is performed with [Format memory card] in the [SETUP MENU].
• • White balance and exposure compensation can now be adjusted while recalling the shooting function settings.
• • Added support for the power zoom feature on power zoom lenses.
• • Added an [Exposure delay mode] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position d6.
• • Added to the custom controls and roles assignable via the following items in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU]. New reset options have also been added.
  • - f2[Custom controls (shooting)]
  • - f3[Custom controls (playback)]
  • - g2[Custom controls]
  •    Choose [Prefer focus point] or [Prefer focus point (face priority)] for f3 [Custom controls (playback)] > [Main command dial] or [Sub-command dial] > [Frame advance zoom position].
    The settings for f3 [Custom controls (playback)] > [Main command dial] or [Sub-command dial] > [Frame advance] can now be applied during playback zoom.
• • Made updates to [Non-CPU lens data] in the [SETUP MENU].
• • Increased the character limit from 3 to 256 for “Category” entries in IPTC presets.
• • Restructured the [Camera sounds] item in the [SETUP MENU] with the addition of new options, including new sounds and volume level adjustment for the electronic shutter.

Displays

• • Added focus-distance information to the focus distance indicator displayed during manual focus.
• • The option selected for [Viewfinder display size] (formerly [Finder display size (photo Lv)]) in the [SETUP MENU] now also applies in video and playback modes.

■ Network (Also NX Field)

• • A warning now appears when the connection to an ATOMOS AirGlu BT accessory is unstable or disrupted.
• • ATOMOS AirGlu BT accessories and MC-N10 remote grips can now be used together.
• • Made changes and additions to the [Connect to FTP server] item in the [NETWORK MENU].
• • Changed the procedure used when configuring the camera for synchronized release, increasing to twenty the number of groups that can be created, while the number of cameras in each group that can be controlled from the master camera has been increased to sixteen.
• • Added [Overwrite copyright info] under [Connect to other cameras] in the [NETWORK MENU].

App-Related Changes

With NX MobileAir:

• • the camera live view display for photo mode now shows NX MobileAir status, and
• • camera settings saved to a memory card using [Save/load menu settings] can now be downloaded to the smart device or copied from the smart device to the camera memory card using NX MobileAir.

■ Other Changes

• • The time the shooting display goes dark after shutter is released when [ON] is selected for [Photo flicker reduction] in the [PHOTO SHOOTING MENU] has become shorter.
• • Improved the accuracy of [3D-tracking] for small, fast-moving subjects when [Auto], [People], [Animal], or [Vehicle] is chosen for [AF subject detection options] and no subject of the selected type is detected.
• • Improved focus lock-on with flicker detection in low-speed continuous release mode.
• • Made other improvements to the autofocus operation and its reliability.
• • Fixed an issue that sometimes resulted in the viewfinder darkening during playback when [Auto] was selected for [Viewfinder brightness].
• • It is now easier to obtain the correct exposure from the first shot during interval-timer photography in high-contrast settings or settings dark enough for starlight view.
• • The histogram display is no longer available when starlight view is enabled.
• • Changed the video low-capacity warning so that it is now displayed in white on a red background when there is less than one minute remaining. The warning is now also displayed when recording is not in progress.
• • Users now have more precise control when scrolling through videos during playback using the progress bar.
• • When [AF-area mode] is set to [3D-tracking] and the human subject is large relative to the frame and multiple eyes are detected near the tracking focus point, the camera will assign priority for focusing to the eye closer to the point.
• • The RGB histogram is now easier to view when [Mode 1] or [Mode 2] is selected for d11 [Warm display colors] in [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• • Fixed the following issues:
  • - Photos taken with interval-timer photography could sometimes be underexposed.
  • - Flash may not sometimes fire during focus shift.
  • - The focus position unintentionally returned to the position saved using [Save focus position] if standby timer was expired while power was supplied via USB and a WR-R10 was attached.
  • - Optimal exposure could sometimes not achieved in burst or focus shift shooting.
  • - Pressing the AF-ON button immediately ended playback when [Playback] was assigned to [AF-ON button] and [Prioritize viewfinder (2)] was selected for monitor mode.
  • - Shutter release was sometimes disabled when “Bulb” was selected for shutter speed.
  • - Focus point selection using the multi selector and sub-selector was unavailable if a touch operation was performed using [Position focus point] when [3D-tracking] was selected for AF-area mode.
  • - Fine-tuning values set in [AF fine-tuning options] in the setup menu did not apply while the subject is detected with [Wide-area AF (S)], [Wide-area AF (L)], [Wide-area AF (C1)], or [Wide-area AF (C2)] selected for [AF-area mode].