Melville, NY—For the Nikon Z 9 full-frame mirrorless camera, Nikon firmware V5.00 was just released. Firmware version 5.00 is the fourth major update since the release of the Z 9. The update is based on feedback from professionals.
The new release increases usability for sports photography by expanding the auto capture and high-speed frame capture+ functions. Further, portrait photography is also enhanced for more effective capture of the images photographers want. Upgrades include the skin softening and portrait impression balance functions, as well as rich tone portrait picture control. This function enables rendering of details of the subject’s complexion with rich tones.
Nikon Firmware V5.00 Features for Sports Photography
Expanding operability for sports photographers, a new function lets them specify the shooting start date/time and duration in advance. This improvement was added to the auto capture function. Moreover, it helps reduce battery consumption for more efficient shooting, even when the camera is positioned and configured well before shooting. Auto capture flexibility was also increased to allow users to shoot using the DX crop (24×16) image area. What’s more, it adds an [airplanes] AF subject-detection mode, plus the display of a yellow frame when the camera is in standby for shooting.
In addition, a low-speed [C15] item was added to the high-speed frame capture+ options for increased usability with continuous shooting. Plus, frequency presets for common LED lighting and signboards were added to the high-frequency flicker reduction function. Consequently, it is easier to choose the optimal shutter speed and reduce the effects of high-frequency flicker.
Portrait Functions
Nikon added a rich tone portrait picture control function for creating base images in situations that require retouching, such as wedding and studio photography. Also, a variety of functions to improve portrait photography, including portrait impression balance and skin softening, are incorporated.
In addition, Nikon offers Nikkor Z lenses, including the Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.2 S, Nikkor Z 85mm f/1.2 S and Nikkor Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena. All support the capture of portraits that accurately express the user’s intent.
Overall, Nikon sought to increase the ILC’s convenience with the ability to use the continuous LED light of the Profoto A10 as an AF-assist illuminator. The company also added a [prefer focus point (face priority)] option for frame advance when reviewing images displayed with playback zoom enabled.
Additional Features
When [extended menu banks] is used, photographers can now manage the shooting modes for photo mode and video mode separately. Previously, they were linked. And visibility is improved with an option that lets users adjust the width of the focus point border.
Also, manual focusing is now possible with maximum aperture live view in manual focus mode. What’s more, Nikon incorporated a function that lets users cancel zoom when focus mode is set to manual focus and the view through the lens is zoomed in by pressing the shutter-release button halfway.
High-res zoom operability was also improved, and the AF-area brackets display color when the subject is in focus was changed from red to green. In addition, the number of functions you can assign to custom controls was increased, as was the number of controls that are customizable.
Another addition is a [customize retouch options] item. It permits users to choose the functions displayed in the retouch menu. Furthermore, Nikon included [loop playback], [wait before playback] and [auto series playback speed] options for playback of a series of images captured with a continuous shooting burst. Photographers can also now specify in advance the playback speed for all videos from the i menu ([original speed], [1/2× speed], [1/4× speed]).
Finally, the Wi-Fi station mode was added. It enables connection to SnapBridge without occupying the entire Wi-Fi connection on a smartphone.
Nikon SnapBridge Update
In addition to firmware version 5.00 for the Nikon Z 9, Nikon announced updates to its SnapBridge app. SnapBridge is Nikon’s companion Android and iOS app that connects to a camera to automatically download photos and videos. It also remotely activates the shutter. Now with Ver.2.11.0, SnapBridge adds new functions. Among them are an easy shooting setup feature that permits users to configure camera shooting settings for a particular scene or subject directly from a smart device.
Photographers can use the new easy shooting setup function by tapping [easy shooting setup] in the SnapBridge camera tab. They can then select a main subject or situation as well as decide output parameters. This may include having a soft out-of-focus background or motion blur. This function enables even those unsure about camera functions and terms to create camera shooting settings for desired results. Settings are applied the moment they are sent to the camera. 
Easy shooting setup also provides tips for available scenes and subjects, such as people, landscapes and pets, to help users better achieve the intended results. Furthermore, they can assign favorite shooting settings to one of the user setting positions. Cameras supporting V2.11.0’s easy shooting setup are the Nikon Z f, Z 5, Z fc, Z 50 and Z 30.
Finally, Nikon will discontinue its NX Ready app in some regions with the release of SnapBridge V2.11.0.
