What the Hell Did Nikon Do to the Zf?

Yesterday, Nikon announced their new firmware 3.0 for the Nikon Zf. So we’ve updated our review accordingly to reflect some of the changes to the camera that will specifically affect photographers — not content creators and not video shooters. To be really honest here, Nikon is giving the camera some seemingly cool stuff that is falling flat on its face like a person in a drunken stupor. With this said, I really want to tell Nikon to go home — it’s drunk. On top of this, they haven’t addressed any of the issues around the flash system not working the way it should: which is something several journalists at the Phoblographer have complained about.

You can read our full Nikon Zf review here; but if you want to see the latest changes, then scroll on below. You can also always purchase the Nikon Zf. Despite all my complaints about it, there’s still a lot of great things about it that you’ll love especially if you’re coming away from the Fujifilm camera system.

Ease of Use Update October 2025

Nikon has released firmware 3.0. I tried updating it via the Snapbridge app, but instead, it ended up reinstalling the same previous firmware. So instead, I recommend that you download the firmware via Nikon’s website.

Here are the details of Firmware 3.0:

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Note: The changes listed below under “Still Photography”, “Video Recording”, “Playback”, “Controls”, “Displays”, and “Network” are detailed in the Supplementary Firmware Update Manual.

Note: Due to the addition of new menu items, some Custom Settings menu items have been renumbered.

■ Still Photography

• • Added [Film grain options] to the photo shooting menu. You can use it to take grainy pictures that simulate the look of traditional film photography.
• • Added a [C15] high-speed frame capture + release mode option.

■ Video Recording

• • Added [Film grain options] to the video recording menu. You can use it to take grainy videos that simulate the look of traditional film photography.
• • Selecting [ON] for [Hi-Res Zoom] in the video recording menu now displays a focus point on the detected subject in the shooting display.

■ Playback

• • The [Record camera orientation] item in the playback menu now has separate options for [Photos] and [Video]. The camera orientation for video recording and time-lapse video recording can also be saved.

■ Controls

• • Added a [Maximum aperture Lv] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position of a13.
• • Added a [Focus limiter setting] item to the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] in position of a15.
• • Added a [Minimum] option to Custom Setting c2 [Self-timer] > [Interval between shots] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• • Added assignable roles to the custom controls via the following items in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
  • – f2 [Custom controls (shooting)]
  • – g2 [Custom controls]
• • Exposure compensation and ISO sensitivity can now be assigned to the command dials in mode M using g2 [Custom controls] > [Command dials] > [Exposure setting] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• • Added [Automatic monitor display switch] to the [SETUP MENU].
• • Contents of [Camera sounds] in the [SETUP MENU] have been changed. Now you can select whether the camera makes an electronic shutter sound during high-speed frame capture + or pixel shift shooting. The electronic shutter sound volume can also be adjusted.

■ Displays

• • Added an [Only during zoom] option to a12 [Focus peaking] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• • Added a framing grid option of 4:3 to d16 [Grid type] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• • Added a framing grid option of 9:16 to g14 [Grid type] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].

■ Network

• • Added [USB streaming (UVC/UAC)] to [USB] in the [NETWORK MENU].
• • Changed some messages and the default values related to Nikon Imaging Cloud.
• • A new method for adding Picture Controls from Nikon Imaging Cloud is now available.
• • Added [Wi-Fi connection (STA mode)] which allows you to connect the camera to the smart device via a wireless LAN access point.

■ Other Changes

• • [Pixel shift shooting] options can now be set when the self-timer mode is selected.
• • Pre-Release Capture is now available from compatible Bluetooth remote controllers.
• • Aperture is no longer restricted when recording videos in mode S (Shutter-priority auto).
• • The tonal characteristics have been changed when [ON] is selected for Custom Setting g13 [View assist] in the [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• • The headphone volume level can now be adjusted in the “i” menu during video recording.
• • Voice memo recording is now available with external microphones.
• • Changed the specifications for uninterrupted video output to HDMI devices such as external monitors when recording ended.
• • Fixed the following issues:
  • – The camera displayed the message “The shutter is closed. To start shooting, press the shutter-release button.” in rare circumstances, when single frame shooting was repeated with the monitor closed.
  • – The [Maximum aperture] values set for [Lens number] at positions 18 and 19 in the non-CPU lens data feature were not correctly applied when shooting.

I’ve been an owner of the Nikon Zf for a long time now. It’s really one of my favorite cameras in my office. But wow, this is a super weird update. In this section below, I’m going to touch on all the important things that photographers will care about as well as my findings:

• Film grain: This is a very fun addition — if not really flawed. When you combine it with film looks like those on NikonPC then you’ll be able to adore the classic look that is otherwise hard to get. At least that’s what I thought would be the case. I did all the things needed to really make my images look like film: like shooting in the Ektachrome render that I’ve got loaded onto it and shooting at ISO 100. Additionally, I only shot in mechanical shutter mode. Despite this, I have to be very frank here: this is some of the ugliest film grain that I’ve ever seen.
• High speed frame capture under c15: this is electronic shutter only. It’s alright I guess. Honestly, I rarely ever need to use shutter speeds this fast.
• Exposure compensation and ISO can be assigned to command dials: defeats purpose of the camera. I don’t understand why this was added but the brand couldn’t fix the hot shoe issues.
• Setup menu automatic menu display switch: There are two options: on or when the screen is docked. Docked, in this case means that when it is clicked in all the way or nearly all the way. Tilt the screen out and that will change. It’s a weird update, and I’m not sure why it was added
• Camera sounds: Not much has really changed here at all.
• Flash problem is still occurring
• New method of adding picture controls from Imaging cloud: Imaging Cloud is still a pain to use and I almost never want to access it. It’s nowhere as simple as something like Panasonci’s Lumix Lab.

Honestly, I don’t think that this firmware was really needed. The brand needed to fix the flash issues more than anything else.

Here are some renders of the new film grain effect. I like film grain, but this isn’t it. This is a digital simulation that lacks the soul of the real thing. I even tried changing intensities and grain size but each and every time I was disappointed. I’m sure it’ll look fine in black and white mode, but otherwise I’d never bother using it.