The PetaPixel crew analyzed the companies performance in 2025 so far and concluded:
Since the start of 2025, Nikon has quietly but effectively reinforced its position at the forefront of both stills and video photography. Here’s how the company has impressed in the first half of the year—and what it still has up its sleeve.
A More Complete Lineup
– The arrival of the Z52 fills a crucial gap in Nikon’s mirrorless portfolio: a truly full-frame, budget-friendly body with advanced video prowess.
– With in-body stabilization, 4K/60p C-Log3 capture, headphone ports, and a simplified ergonomics package, the Z52 competes directly with higher-priced hybrids.
• Z8 firmware refresh
– This summer brought Version 3.0 firmware for the flagship Z8, unlocking pixel-shift high-resolution shooting as well as focus-shift and AE bracketing.
– While a few third-party lenses (notably Tamron’s Z-mount optics) proved initially problematic, Nikon’s firmware cadence demonstrates its commitment to ongoing body enhancements.
• Enhanced lens ecosystem
– In addition to its own glass, Nikon has continued to open its Z-mount to a growing roster of third-party optics—Viltrox, Sigma, Laowa, and more—giving creators wider choice.
– Despite lingering frustration over Sigma’s exclusion from Nikon’s OEM programs, today’s Z-mount shooters enjoy an unprecedented selection of fast primes and professional zooms.
Cinema-Grade Ambitions
• Red collaboration
– Nikon’s release of Z-mount adapters and native support for RED’s DSMC3 ecosystem signals a long-term play in cinema production.
– Offering Z-body compatibility with DSMC3 lenses bridges the gap between photo-centric mirrorless and high-end digital cinematography.
• Power zoom experimentation
– The new 28–135 mm F4 PZ and upcoming motorized zoom grip demonstrate Nikon’s willingness to innovate for run-and-gun shooters.
– These tools—paired with the S1H-beating thermal and durability specs of the Z8—underscore Nikon’s desire to win on narrative, documentary, and indie feature sets.
Room to Grow
While the Z52 launch and Z8 updates have earned Nikon a solid A- in our mid-year “grading,” a few areas remain ripe for refinement:
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Third-party parity: Extending the same firmware support to all Z-mount lenses (including Sigma’s flagship Art series) will prevent confusion and user frustration.
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Entry-level APS-C: Reviving the beloved Z50 family with fresh sensor gains and V-log capabilities could energize Nikon’s smaller-format fans.
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Holiday season surprises: Rumors of new pro-photo bodies or an A7S-style low-light monster have Nikon loyalists eagerly watching for announcements.
Bottom Line
With the Z52 filling the price-sensitive full-frame slot, the Z8 receiving serious feature boosts, and a steadily expanding lens lineup, Nikon’s first half of 2025 has been anything but complacent. As firmware updates roll out and new optics arrive, Nikon continues to prove it can balance its storied heritage with the demands of modern hybrid shooters—whether they’re capturing stills, video, or both.