Rumors: New Nikon Z9 Firmware Update With Enhanced AF Acquisition Coming Soon (or not 🙂)

[Vincent_VdB]

Now coming up to December 2024. Am I the only Nikon Z9 user who is still bemoaning the lack of Pixel Shift? I find it very difficult to believe that Nikon will not be bringing this to the Z9. It is there on the ZF, Z6-111and Z8. I am really feeling very abandoned by Nikon. Have I missed any important Nikon announcements on this issue?

Seriously, how can you feel abandoned when Nikon never made any promise to pixel shift?
It sure would be nice to get it and might be released next week Tuesday but maybe not.
The curse of believing rumours and speculations. Some might happen, others do not.

 

[pxPHIL]

The problem is that rumours earlier have stated all sorts of things, I don't feel abandoned at all and its entirely possible that some of the features that people believe may come to a Z9 might actually be for its replacement for nothing other than commercial reasons.

Unfortunately rumour, speculation have all fuelled a fire that we wouldn't know about without rumour sites.

But I am sure that many of the ambassadors, reviewers and long term YouTubers will have had access to something over the past few months and we can only wait it out and see what, if anything, is published over the next few weeks.

The problem is that rumours earlier have stated all sorts of things, I don't feel abandoned at all and its entirely possible that some of the features that people believe may come to a Z9 might actually be for its replacement for nothing other than commercial reasons.

Unfortunately rumour, speculation have all fuelled a fire that we wouldn't know about without rumour sites.

But I am sure that many of the ambassadors, reviewers and long term YouTubers will have had access to something over the past few months and we can only wait it out and see what, if anything, is published over the next few weeks.

Yes of course what you are saying is quite right and I do have to be realistic and concede that Pixel Shift may not come to the Z9. I also do landscape photography and I recently borrowed a Z8 and played with Pixel Shift and got into some very interesting results. Pixel Shift is something I want to dabble with but I do not want to have to purchase a Z8 in order to achieve it. ........I'm selfish....other Z cameras have it, so why not the Z9? I want. I want.....I want...!

 

[Cameron T]

In all fairness, not having a feature in the flagship is a really odd (and poor, imo) choice by nikon. I get that sony doesn't care and does whatever it wants, but I'd prefer not to follow that business model when it comes up to upgrades/updates.

 

[pxPHIL]

In all fairness, not having a feature in the flagship is a really odd (and poor, imo) choice by nikon. I get that sony doesn't care and does whatever it wants, but I'd prefer not to follow that business model when it comes up to upgrades/updates.

I have JUST heard that Nikon Z9 firmware update 5.1 is imminent........I will not be holding my breath for too long!!!..
It is only a small update over v5.00 so I am not going to assume that Pixel Shift will be included. Still ... I live in hopes...and with fingers crossed

 

[Cameron T]

I've only seen rumors of 5.1 as well, though I believe there's an update with the powerzoom stuff upcoming. I also don't know when I'd use pixel shift, but that's just a generic gripe on my part (if you're going to have a flagship, it should also have all the features first, if not really quick after they come out).

 

[jpgrove]

I have JUST heard that Nikon Z9 firmware update 5.1 is imminent........I will not be holding my breath for too long!!!..
It is only a small update over v5.00 so I am not going to assume that Pixel Shift will be included. Still ... I live in hopes...and with fingers crossed

You mean another rumour for all any of us know 5.10 is a development update, which was stated in the YT video from Japan.

Nikon have done a fantastic job with FW on the Expeed 7 series cameras, and it’s clear that they also know how much end users value updates, this is in contrast to other camera makers, and makes Nikon stand out as a brand. But a time comes when Nikon need to move on, especially if a new flagship is due late 25 early 26, i would imagine FW is not cheap or quick to develop, test and release.

Pixel Shift - I have mixed views on it, I haven’t found a use for it, even with landscapes. But it could be because I haven’t take the time to use it, and then use it properly.

Either way, my cameras help me enjoy the landscape and the wildlife in it, as much as I’ll always want more in firmware, I haven’t found any real issues with my Z9 or Z8 as they are.