Nikon today introduced Z8 firmware 2.10 and Z6III firmware 1.10. While some are calling these "major updates," note the numbering. Nikon's true major updates are a change to the number on the left of the dot. So before we deal with what's in these updates, let's make sure to correctly identify Nikon engineering's pattern of numbering:
- X.## — When X to the left of the dot changes, that's a truly major update, generally introducing significant high level features.
- #.X# — When the X immediately to the right of the dot changes, that indicates that there are feature additions and changes. Often this has to do with an existing feature, where something is added or changed. Sometimes it has to do with a new accessory (in this case power zoom lenses).
- #.#X — If the X that changes at the end of the number, that generally indicates bug and performance fixes.
Note that each level of update can also contain things in the lower levels.
While Nikon hasn't been 100% perfect with the above, I know from interviews that the above is their internally stated goal.
Okay, now on to the Z8 2.10 firmware. The feature additions and changes here have to do with video and controls for it:
- Hi-Res Zoom is now available when Imaging area is set to DX.
- #G10 was added to include Power/Hi-Res Zoom collaboration. This allows for a continuous zoom that starts with a power zoom lens optically zooming and continues seamlessly with Hi-Res Zoom when the maximum optical focal length is reached. This feature first appeared on the Z50II.
- #G13 added Shutter mode to the list of options.
- #G15 added Zebra pattern color to the list of options.
- #G18 added options for Brightness information display.
- PHOTO SHOOTING and VIDEO RECORDING modes can be set individually in the bank system. (I don't like the way this option was done; it basically is a kludge until they do it right ;~)
- #F2 and #G2 add an option for Save and load power zoom position.
- #F10 adds Zoom ring control (PZ lens).
- #F11 and #G9 is now Assign power zoom (two consolidated power zoom features).
- Power zoom speed (zoom buttons) can be added to #F1 and #G1.
A number of bugs and performance issues were addressed, including buffer capacity changes that shouldn't happen, a lockup that happened during burst photography, a problem with Auto capture not starting properly, an ATOMOS AirGlu BT connectivity bug, and the fact that sometimes the camera could create images that wouldn't respond to i > Retouch.
The Z6III 1.10 firmware basically provides the same feature additions and changes, though Custom Setting numbering is different than for the Z8 as the two cameras each have some features the other doesn't. The big news in the Z6III firmware update has to do with bug/performance fixes:
- The noise jitter described by Horshack on dpreview has been addressed. It isn't 100% gone, but in terms of visibility, it is. One thing I had noticed is that the jitter was really in the Green/Magenta levels, and high ISO video on the Z6III with the new firmware seems to not run to a slight green tint as did the earlier version. Whatever Nikon did seems to have also addressed color shift at high ISO.
- A number of "video stopped prematurely" problems were identified and addressed. One big one was sometimes an N-RAW video would end abruptly and not record to the card.
- Audio noise for non-powered microphones set manually was addressed.
- When using a Micro-Nikkor lens on a tripod with Electronic VR active, the image would jitter. Now fixed.
- Other more esoteric or minor problems were addressed.
Curiously, the Z8 firmware does not include support for Flexible Picture Controls or Nikon Imaging Cloud. Frankly, that's a big miss by Nikon, and needs to be addressed.
