Nikon Z8 Firmware 3.0 is here - Many new free features (including AF, N-Log)

[18:00 Thu,3.July 2025 by Rudi Schmidts]

Announced three weeks ago with a somewhat vague "Soon" release date (www.slashcam.de/news/single/Nikon-Z8-Firmware-3-00-bringt-Verbesserungen-bei-F-19347.html), it is now available: Firmware 3.0 release for the Nikon Z8, which brings a lot of new features for photo and video applications.

Noteworthy is not only the abundance of new features, but also the media preparation of the update. Nikon has created its own website for this (www.nikonusa.com/content/z-8-firmware-3-point-0), which presents and explains the new features in detail visually. Other manufacturers usually leave it at a keyword-like list of new functions.

But it is perhaps also the abundance of new features that makes the update special:

In the photo area, among other things, pixel-shift photography is expanded. This can now be combined with focus shift or AE bracketing without the need for external accessories. File management for pixel-shift shots should also be easier thanks to new folder options.

But the video area also gains some new functions: For example, there is a new autofocus limiter with which the minimum and maximum focus distance for a subject can be set. By setting a near and far point, you can prevent the camera from focusing on unwanted objects in the foreground or background.

Furthermore, more focus area patterns are added for custom settings of the wide-area AF, and photographers and videographers get better control over the subject recognition area in MF and AF shooting. A new Live View magnification option (400%) is added to the custom settings menu. Subject recognition is available for both manual focus and high-resolution zoom.

The tonal values for N-Log View Assist are updated and should now better match the RED Technical LUT. New metadata fields are now correctly populated with "Nikon" and "Z 8" as standard for ProRes 422 HQ footage in Apple&s Final Cut Pro.

And to reduce flicker due to high-frequency LEDs, frequency and shutter speeds can be set via new preset options.

Flexible Color Picture Controls are supported by creating color profiles in NX Studio, which can then be imported into the Z8 as custom Picture Controls via memory card.

There are new custom settings and display options for image playback in the camera.

The complete overview of all innovations can be found on the special website (www.nikonusa.com/content/z-8-firmware-3-point-0).

I.e. not quite everything: Because although unmentioned there, the Z8 with the new firmware also supports NX Field (nps.nikonimaging.com/technical_info/nx_field/). A LAN sync solution for industrial applications. However, this must be specially licensed from Nikon before use.

more infos at bei www.nikonusa.com

deutsche Version dieser Seite: Nikon Z8 Firmware 3.0 ist da - Viele neue kostenlose Funktionen (u.a. AF, N-Log)