June 13, 2013 – On June 13, Nikon released version 4.00 of its new firmware for the brand’s flagship camera, the Z 9. The firmware is the third update to the Nikon Z 9 since its release, adding the “Auto Shot” feature and optimizing some of the operations for video recording and photo shooting.
The new firmware is the third update since the release of the Nikon Z 9.
Among other things, the “Auto Shot” feature works when the camera is placed in places where the user cannot stay for long periods of time, allowing the user to set pre-set shooting conditions in advance that will automatically trigger the shooting function when the selected criteria are met.
For video recording, the new firmware allows the ISO sensitivity to be set to a minimum of Lo 2.0 during N-Log recording, which increases the dynamic range of dark areas and reduces noise. In addition, a new “slow motion” function with 4x or 5x frame rate has been added.
For photo shooting, the new firmware enables higher subject capture performance and supports exposure delay mode, which helps reduce blurred images caused by camera shaking.
In addition, the firmware update also provides new features such as an increase in the number of customizable controls, a higher shutter volume, a display of the approximate distance between the camera and the focus position in manual focus mode, and an improved accuracy of the video playback progress bar.
The full update log is here:
- Auto Shooting
The new “Auto Shot” feature automatically shoots when the subject meets one or more pre-configured conditions, giving users new options for photo and video shooting, especially useful in situations where more automation is needed or when the camera must be placed in a place where the user cannot stay for long periods of time.
Users can set the camera to automatically record photos or videos by pre-configuring the trigger conditions for “Auto Shot”. The three configurable conditions include the “Motion” option, which detects subjects in specific motion, the “Distance” option, which starts recording when the subject is within a certain distance, and the “Object Detection” option, which detects people, animals, or cars in the frame. The “Object Detection” option detects people, animals, or cars in the frame. These options can be used individually or in combination, and the shooting function is automatically triggered when the selected criteria are met.
This feature allows users to shoot remotely without having to manually determine when to shoot and record, giving them more freedom to perform other tasks or the ability to place the camera in places where they cannot stay for long periods of time, such as when shooting or recording wildlife.
When shooting with multiple Nikon Z 9 cameras, users can move around with one camera in hand for manual shooting, while placing the other cameras in a fixed position for automatic shooting from a tripod. Auto Shooting also allows shooting from multiple angles without the shutter cables previously required to control multiple cameras and without worrying about connectivity issues when shooting remotely. It can also be used in conjunction with the “pre-shoot” function to capture decisive moments more reliably.
- Improved video recording capabilities
Video functionality has been further enhanced with an expanded minimum ISO sensitivity for N-Log recording, an increased number of options for high-resolution zoom speeds, and the addition of “slow motion” video recording. The ISO sensitivity can be set as low as Lo 2.0 when recording with N-Log, and the expanded ISO sensitivity for dark areas increases the dynamic range of dark areas and reduces noise for a rich and clear representation of dark tones.
The number of options for high-resolution zoom speed has been increased from 3 to 11 for more accurate speed control. The zoom speed can now be more finely tuned, for example, to provide a more stable zoom at a slower speed, resulting in a zoom expression that better matches the user’s intent. Firmware version 4.00 also adds a “slow-motion” video feature, which enables videos with slow-motion effects to be played back at 1/4 (4x) or 1/5 (5x) frame rates.
- Photo shooting improvements
3D Tracking’s “object capture” performance has been improved when taking photos to capture small and fast-moving subjects. When small or fast-moving subjects cannot be detected using the 3D tracking photo object detection function, higher object capture performance is now possible. In addition, to better respond to the needs of field workers, the length of time that the camera continues to buffer frames before canceling a shot during the pre-shot phase of high-speed frame capture has been extended from 30 seconds to 300 seconds, allowing users to wait longer between half-pressing and fully pressing the shutter release button. Firmware version 4.00 also adds an “Exposure Delay Mode” option to the Custom Settings menu, which helps reduce image blur caused by camera shake when the shutter-release button is pressed.
- Other improvements to operability and functionality
This firmware release also supports greater operability by increasing the number of controls that can be assigned to custom functions and adding a new shutter sound option.
Increases the number of functions that can be assigned to custom controls, as well as the number of controls that can be customized.
The focus distance indicator when manually focusing is newly added to show the approximate distance between the camera and the focus position in user-selected units.
Users can choose from five shutter sounds when the shutter is released and can set a higher volume.
A new “fast-forward zoom position” option allows users to choose how to center the photo as they scroll through it during zoom playback, which can be assigned to custom controls. When the preferred focus point is selected, the camera is displayed centered on the focus point that was active when the shot was taken.
Improved accuracy of progress bar display during video playback.
