Nikon’s Camera Innovation Slowdown – What’s Really Happening?

Nikon has been on an innovation spree over the past few years – but something has changed. Firmware updates are slowing down, major improvements seem to have stalled, and cameras like the Z 6III and Z 8 received only minor refinements. But is this really a problem, or is Nikon simply reaching a mature phase in its development cycle?

In this video, I explore the slowdown in Nikon’s camera updates, why Expeed 7 might have reached its limits, and when we might see the next big leap forward – Expeed 8. I also discuss Nikon’s growing presence in cinema, new lens possibilities, and what we can realistically expect in the next few years.

🚀 What do you think? Is Nikon making the right move, or do you want to see more innovation sooner? Let me know in the comments!

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#Nikon #NikonZ9 #NikonZ8 #NikonZ6III #NikonXPEED8 #NikonFirmware #NikonCameras #MirrorlessCameras #Photography #CameraGear #TechReview

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⏩ Chapters: (See below for precise timestamps)
0:00 Are firmware updates indicating a Nikon slowdown?
1:08 Expeed 7 and Nikon's current camera lineup
2:50 Dual Expeed 6 was not a success - has Nikon learned?
4:35 Should you still buy Nikon's latest cameras?
4:52 Expeed 8 – When Will It Arrive and What to Expect?
6:58 The Lens Roadmap – What’s Missing?
8:59 Nikon Enters Cinema – The Red Partnership & New Lenses
10:26 Final Thoughts – Should We Be Worried?

[waveland]

Slowdown? Not compared with the competition. Four years later the Z9 still leads the market in a number of ways (though certainly not in AF subject recognition), and by comparison let’s look at the lackluster release of the S1RII, which despite having so much more time to develop their internals is still stuck at 4:2:0 in many modes, and uses a slow readout jello sensor for their “flagship”. The a1II does a lot of things well, but Sony couldn’t manage an update to faster 4.0 cards which cripples the buffer, etc. Anyway, small volume chip development is expensive and time consuming. And as Panasonic has shown us with its latest, sensor development has nearly ground to a halt. In that context, I think Nikon has done remarkably well and I look forward to seeing how they move the product line ahead from here.

[JayWeis-gd]

Nikon has virtually everything any photographer could want. Recently switched over from Canon because Nikon has so much more to offer.

[johnw.]

I'm enjoying my Z camera and lenses now. Whatever Nikon does and whenever they come, so be it. I'm enjoying using the gear I have today to make beautiful images and capture the true essence of photography - telling a story with images. There's far too much focus on gear nowadays.

[Vemovemo]

Couple of points: 1- Nikon is a small company compared to Canon or Sony that are huge, so they have more restricted resources. 2 - Innovation takes time: they work for YEARS on the z9, wich was the solid fundation for the z8 and later z6iii with all they learned. 3 - For shure Nikon is working with RED to take the video to what cinema pros require. 4 - They just release a 35mm 1.2 lens, with Sony or Canon doesn't have yet, this take R&D too. I think is doing great.

[michaelrasmussen]

Global shutter on a high megapixel sensor could be a way for Nikon to be the number one hybrid camera manufacture.

[jasonrmacomber]

Do you understand how good cameras are right now, from 10 years ago?! People complaining about what they don't have all day long on these channels. The Z6III and Sony A7V-IV are all one really needs now. There really isn't a need for more till we get 8K OLED TVs and streaming. All videos online are highly compressed, and images are mostly viewed on low resolution screens. Seems most channels are sad that they have nothing to talk about other than complaining...

[albedopoint]

This is an interesting discussion.

Nikon seem good at optimising limited development funds… they make a big costly stride, then re-use tech, sensors and bodies down the line to bring the lower models up. I think your projections for Expeed 8 makes sense… but that leaves Nikon needing to create some fresh models in the next 18 months to keep people buying and the funds coming in. I think there are some ‘parts bin’/‘trickle down’ gaps they could fill.

Z7ii replacement. They could take the Z6iii body and put the Z9 sensor in it… but would this be too close to the Z8? Or the Z6iii with the Z7ii sensor… maybe a bit disappointing an upgrade? Instead I’d create a Zf’r’ edition which is the Expeed 7 Zf body with the Z7ii sensor. Folks would be happy with the more limited video in that form factor, and photo centric folks would love the high-res opportunity. The retro style would more obviously differentiate this from the 8.

Or they could even use the Z9 sensor in the Zfr, dispense with the shutter assembly and shave 50g off its weight…

(If and when a ‘real’ Z7iii comes I think it has to be 60mpix+)

Then how about a DX movie beast, taking a crop of the Z9 sensor (20mpix at DX)? Sony have had a ton of success doing similar in their shutter-less FX30, and this would be a very strong competitor in that space… also opportunity to roll out Red profiles and branding at a lower end.

[dancejam]

Thanks for your thoughts. Surprised you left out a number of basic issues (like zebras/blinkies in stills. Why is that not already a thing since it is in video?). I agree that a higher resolution EVF is likely next - and hopefully, so is precapture in RAW. That was a big thing with Nikon that had Canon shooters thinking of switching. Now it's Nikon's turn. A higher sync speed or global shutter would also be welcome. Shooting video with duel backup to both CFE cards would also be nice. Oct of 2025 would be the right time for Nikon to announce the Z9 ii - and like Canon and Sony, it will likely share many similarities with the Z9, but only improve those options mentioned and AF.

[rpvfr]

Interesting video. I'm assuming the Z7iii will arrive later this year with the Expeed 7?😀🤞I won't mind a 200-800mm for birding!

[isotechimages.]

People often don't realise that so many features and speed rely on the processor power in the camera.

[FuchsDE]

I am still shooting the original Z7 (and some M43 Oly) which is very good since the new firmware update, even for Eye-AF.
Honestly if you can not produce decent work with the ZU6 /Z7II, then the blame is on you.
The only exception I might grant is sports or professional wildlife. For serious video you have RED.

[nelsonclub]

Since Nikons recent acquisition of Red Cameras I can tell you with some inside info that they are in fact planning big things in the movie industry - it may mean other areas might have to wait - just what I have been told

[brianeibisch]

Nikon really needs to create a Medium Format camera to compete with Fuji. The idea of a 100MP Nikon camera using Z mount lenses that many of us already have means that Nikon could create a cheaper entry price into MF photography. So, something like the Z7II but MF at its heart could really turn heads in the photographic world.

[ToddStoilov]

They absolutely need to make it possible to record video to both cards on the next camera. That's the one major drawback still remaining

[csc-photo]

The thing is, if the Z8/9 were released tomorrow, I could easily get a solid 10 years of use out of them. They are literally magic to me, like using a cheat code in a video game. So I think "slowdown" is a tricky term, given the current market and refresh cycles of modern bodies (from all companies). We're entering an age where 3+ years for model versions is not unreasonable.

Autofocus / tracking, we've kind of hit a plateau (for now) across all brands. Honestly the most innovative new AF feature to come out lately from anyone is the R1's "stick to the guy with the ball" tracking (obviously I don't know the name of the mode 😆), very impressive even in its initial version with limited sports. But for everything else, man if anyone's struggling with the latest Canon / Nikon / Sony bodies in the last two years, I promise you it's not the gear. I remember when Jerry Ghionis was promoting the Z8, he just said "I'm sorry but if you can't get a good image with this camera, you suck." Maybe I'm remembering what it was like shooting sports on film, with manual-focus lenses, when you HAD to come back with a good shot or the paper had nothing to print the next day... all of this new tech is so much a matter of perspective. Sorry, not trying to sound like the "hey kids get off my lawn" old guy there 😆

So for me it's the little things in modern bodies. I'll pick on Nikon a little since that's my system, but believe me every system has it's bs oversights. Like having Bird tracking in the Z50II, but not the Z6III. I'm not even really a birder but things like that Nikon should tighten up, there's no reason for it. Cycle AF Mode should be in ALL Expeed7 bodies (I hear it's coming to the Zf in fw 2.0). Menu button being in a different spot on the Zf, vs the Z6III, Z8 etc. There's no reason for that with the amount of time all these bodies take to design and get to production. In fairness to Nikon, they are also the king of absolutely generous firmware updates - nothing touches the additions they gave us with the Z8/9. Long comment, hope it's helpful or interesting to someone.

[psoon]

A Z5 ll with uncropped 4K, more précised AF and a little more burst speed, but stay with the dual SD. All that should be doable with a processor upgrade

[kjltube]

I don’t see a slow down, I see a speed up.

[tejraju]

I want one, at least one, photo-centric camera - with a fuji xt5 like 3-way axis LCD panel. A z6iii with a 3 way LCD panel would be perfect. But I don't expect that happening anytime as Nikon has acquired RED and now everything has to be about video for some reason. As a photographer I feel left out. If the z7iii or z5ii can be made into a photographer's camera, I would buy 2 instantly...because they're so rare!

[craigcarlson]

Hamer, What are your thoughts on if Nikon will release any bigger aperture DX lenses?

[Commonyou]

Nikon need to make a small version of z8, for someone who needs a performance camera in small size. Not everybody is having big hands.
Also 105mm f1.4, 200 f2 in small size. 😊