Nikon Z30

7 May 2026 · Launch Rumour

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.

24 Sept 2026 · Camera Review

The Phoblographer has published a full review of the Nikon Z5 II C, a compact mirrorless body with no EVF that Nikon positioned as a street camera at its own press briefing. The review focuses on form factor and zone focusing usability rather than spec-sheet comparisons.

14 Oct 2026 · Firmware News

Nikon has updated NX Tether to 2.6.1 and Wireless Transmitter Utility to 1.16.1, both adding Z5IIC support. NX Tether gains Imaging Recipe selection in the shooting settings pane for the ZR, Z5IIC, and Zf, plus live view for the Z50II and Z30, and R3D NE 12-bit auto mode for the ZR. Wireless Transmitter Utility 1.16.1 ends support for macOS Ventura 13.

27 Oct 2026 · Firmware Tutorial

Community developers have used Claude to reverse-engineer and modify firmware on cameras including the Hasselblad X2D (adding AF-C), the X2D II (in-camera 400MP pixel shift), the Sony a7 IV (shutter angle), and the Nikon Z30 via WonderLantern. Northrup also covers bricking risk, warranty status, and how the EU Cyber Resilience Act could restrict this kind of access on future bodies.

10 Nov 2026 · Firmware News

Unofficial firmware mods for Sony, Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Ricoh and Hasselblad cameras are accumulating on GitHub, with working builds that add shutter angle control to the Sony a7 IV, 3000x2000 open-gate CinemaDNG on the Sigma fp, higher bitrates on the Nikon Z30, and film looks on a 2005 Canon EOS 5D. All projects are experimental and unsupported. CineD flags that using them is at the owner's risk, and is running a multi-part series covering each project in detail.