Nikon's 2026-2027 Roadmap: Z9 II Delayed, RED Baked In

The Z9 II sliding to 2027 is the only genuinely surprising line in this update, and the RED integration angle explains why Nikon would take that commercial risk on a delay. If you're shooting high-end commercial or broadcast and were holding budget for a Z9 successor, that's a real planning problem right now. For everyone else, the actionable news is closer: a cheaper wide-angle companion to the 24-105mm suggests Nikon is finally building a practical kit around the Z5II at a price point that doesn't require a second mortgage. The 120-300mm f/2.8 in the second half of 2026 is the sports and wildlife story worth watching. None of this is confirmed, and Nikon Rumors is the source, not Nikon, so plan around it loosely.