Nikon rumors 2023
The Nikon rumors have, of late, all come to fruition – which only gives further credence to the old "where there's smoke, there's fire" adage.
Longstanding rumors about the Nikon Z8 came to pass, and it was indeed a "baby Z9" as rumored. Likewise, we got the oft-rumored Nikon Zf – a full-frame version of the Nikon Z fc, which itself was a mirrorless version of the Nikon Df (read our Nikon Zf vs Z fc comparison to see the differences).
With the Z lineup now comprising everything from entry-level to professional to prestige retro cameras, what are the latest Nikon rumors we hit the tail end of 2023?
Nikon Z6 III
Rumors have swirled about the Z6 III for some time, without many concrete details. Of late, though, we've heard chatter that it could have a lot in common with the Zf – which is interesting, given that the Zf shares so much with the Nikon Z6 II.
Principally that would mean we're looking at new tricks like 96MP pixel shift shooting (from the same 24.5MP sensor), Focus Point VR (which uses the focus point to inform and improve the in-body image stabilization system) pre-release capture (that takes shots before you fully depress the shutter button), along with the new subject recognition routines for the autofocus system.
Nikon Z4
Take plenty of salt with this long-in-the-tooth scuttlebutt, as advised by Nikon Rumors. The site reports that this is an EVF-free camera along the lines of the Sony A7C – "think Z50 but with an FX-format sensor". It is said to be smaller (63 x 129 x 96mm) and lighter (565g) than the Nikon Z5, and may even be an "iCamera" with all-new interface and potentially apps. However, as Nikon's recent re-strategizing has seen the company move away from entry-level mirrorless, this one might be a relic of past concepts.
Nikon 1000fps 4K camera
Frames per second hadn't been Nikon's forte up until the release of the Z9, but the change looks set to continue with the advent of an astonishing new 4K sensor that can capture up to 1000fps – all while delivering what Nikon calls "the world's highest levels of sensor performance".
"This new stacked CMOS image sensor uses a fine-pitch wafer level wire connection technology consistent with the 2.7 um pixel size," Nikon told us. "Also, it has a total pixel count of approximately 17.8 megapixels that realizes 4K × 4K high-resolution imaging of 1,000 frames per second and 110-dB high dynamic range (HDR) characteristics. This is one of the widest dynamic ranges in the industry."
The caveats are that this is a one-inch sensor, and is likely to be intended for industry rather than consumer use. However, with Nikon working on such bleeding-edge technology, it could open some very interesting doors for its consumer cameras going forward.
The Nikon verdict
What we think: Nikon has struck gold with the Z8 and Z9 pro cameras, and the Zf and Zf c retro cameras – and it knows it. With the company working hard to claw back market share, we wouldn't be surprised to see more of a focus on these areas in particular.
More camera rumors: Canon rumors • Sony rumors • Olympus rumors • Fuji rumors • Panasonic rumors • Sigma rumors • Hasselblad rumors • Leica rumors • Ricoh rumors
