Nikon Z9 5.33 and Z8 3.12 firmware fix a lens-related camera freeze
Nikon has pushed "C" firmware 5.33 to the Z 9 and 3.12 to the Z 8, each carrying a single change: a fix for a bug that could make the camera stop responding with some lenses. Nikon does not say which lenses were affected. Two S-line zooms, the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S and the 24-70mm f/2.8 S II, moved to firmware 1.10 in the same week.
The details
- Nikon's Download Center lists "C" firmware version 5.33 for the Z 9 and "C" firmware version 3.12 for the Z 8, both carrying a date of 20 October 2026.
- Both camera updates contain a single change, worded identically on Nikon's two download pages: "Fixed an issue that would cause the camera to stop responding with some lenses."
- Nikon does not identify the affected lenses on either download page, referring only to "some lenses"; Nikon Rumors, which reported the two releases on 19 October 2026, likewise names no lenses and quotes only Nikon's "some lenses" wording.
- Z 9 firmware 5.33 supersedes 5.32, and Nikon's updater accepts cameras running "C" firmware versions 1.00 through 5.32.
- Z 8 firmware 3.12 supersedes 3.11, with the updater accepting "C" versions 1.00 through 3.11; Nikon states that each update includes all changes made in previous updates.
- The previous Z 8 release, firmware 3.11, fixed a camera freeze during shooting that could follow certain operations after Manage Picture Control settings, and stopped unsupported features becoming selectable during a wireless NX Tether connection.
- In the same week Nikon issued firmware 1.10 for two S-line zooms, the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S and the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II, both listed on the Download Center with a 22 October 2026 date and both moving up from version 1.00.
- The NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S 1.10 update makes manual-focus distance change according to how far the focus ring is turned rather than how fast, when a Focus ring rotation range option other than "Non-linear" is selected in the camera's Custom Settings menu, and it adds support for the camera's "Switch focus/control ring roles" option.
- The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II 1.10 update improves aperture operation reliability and reduces aperture operation noise, according to Nikon's changelog.
- Nikon says the two lens updates apply to Z-series and Z CINEMA series cameras, require the lens to be mounted on the camera while the update runs, and can alternatively be performed by a Nikon-authorised service representative.