Nikon Firmware Codes

Nikon uses several codes to designate types of firmware for their cameras and accessories. Here’s how to make sense of the codes.

How to Update Nikon D3400 Firmware Version Confirmation

Text & Photos By David Coleman

Last Revised & Updated: February 15, 2024

Filed Under: DSLRs, Mirrorless Cameras

Topics: Nikon

I MAY get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

These days, accessories such as lenses, flashes, teleconverters, electronic remotes, and even grips can come with firmware.

That’s true of many of the newer Nikon cameras, even some of the later DSLRs, and it’s especially true for the latest generations such as those in their Z mirrorless range.

The most common you might come across when updating your camera is the C firmware. That is, after all, the core camera body firmware.

But there are several other types that you might see. You’ll only see these on the camera’s menu system if you have the relevant and compatible accessory attached, such as a lens or grip.¹

Not all of these are used for all types of Nikon cameras and accessories.

C	Camera firmware. This code is used for updates related to the camera body itself, affecting the camera’s overall operation, performance enhancements, and sometimes adding new features or compatibility with new lenses.
A/B	Camera firmware. This is the older code that has since been superseded by C.
LF	Lens firmware. Updates designated with this code are for Nikon lenses. These updates can improve autofocus performance, fix bugs, or add compatibility with newer camera bodies.
L/LD	Lens distortion control data.
MA	Mount adapter firmware. Such as the FTZ adapter.
S	Speedlight / flash firmware.
W	Wireless remote controller firmware.
TC	Teleconverter firmware.
RG	Remote grip firmware.
W	Wireless firmware version.

If you need to update the firmware of one of these other types, you will have the option to select which firmware to update in the menu system.

How to Check the Firmware Version

I’ve provided some specific guides for particular cameras elsewhere on this site, but here are general guidelines across various types of Nikon cameras.

DSLR & Z Mirrorless Cameras

Turn the camera on.
Press the camera MENU button and select Firmware version in the SETUP MENU to display the camera firmware version.
The firmware version information will be displayed on screen.

COOLPIX Cameras

Turn the camera on.
Press the camera MENU button to display the menus.
Press the multi-selector left to display menu icons, then highlight Set up and press OK.
Highlight Firmware version in the Setup menu and press OK to display the camera firmware version.
The firmware version information will be displayed on screen.

Where to Find Firmware Updates for Nikon Cameras & Accessories

Firmware is essentially the operating system for your camera or accessory, and it dictates everything from how the device operates to compatibility with lenses and other accessories.

Not all firmware updates are the same. Some add major new features, improvements, or bug fixes. Others are just minor tweaks. But it’s still good practice to update to the latest official release. It’s quite rare that a firmware update will have negative consequences (although it can happen).

Official Nikon Firmware Updates

By far the best place to get firmware updates is from Nikon directly. Those are the official releases supported by Nikon.

Nikon releases firmware updates for its products on the domain https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/. It’s a shame that Nikon doesn’t use a domain that looks a little less suspicious, but it is what it is; that’s an official Nikon domain. And you’ll find links to it from the official product pages on Nikon’s websites (plural, because there are different sites for different parts of the world). As an example, you can find firmware updates for the Nikon Z8 at the URL https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/495.html.

And you can search directly from that domain’s home page.

Third-Party (or Hacked) Firmware

Sometimes you might come across hacked versions of the firmware by third-party persons.

By “hacked,” here I don’t mean maliciously (although that’s also possible). I mean designed to unlock features or capabilities of a camera that are not officially supported by the manufacturer. Some brands seem to attract this kind of interest regularly, but I don’t often hear about it with Nikon cameras; it’s just less of a thing with them. That said, if you do come across some and are tempted to try it, third-party firmware can sometimes be incredibly useful, but it’s also very much in you’re-on-your-own territory if something goes wrong. And things can definitely go wrong when you start messing with firmware.

More to Check Out

If you enjoyed this, these might also be of interest:

By “compatible” in this sense, I’m referring specifically to compatibility with Nikon’s firmware system. The vast majority of accessories, whether from Nikon or third parties, that are compatible with Nikon cameras do not use this same system. So you can have, say, a Sigma lens that otherwise works normally with Nikon’s cameras but won’t show up here in this firmware system; they have their own methods of updating the firmware that aren’t run through the camera body. [↩]

David Coleman

I'm a professional photographer based in Washington, DC. Seven continents, up mountains, underwater, and many places in between. I've been shooting for 30+ years, and my photos and time-lapse videos have appeared in a bunch of different publications, from major newspapers to magazines and books, billboards, TV shows, professional sports stadiums, museums, and even massive architectural scrims covering world-famous buildings while they're being renovated. You can see some of my travel photography here and here.

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May 3: I tested the new Samsung PRO Plus V30 UHS-I SDXC card. Results were practically identical to the PRO Ultimate, which isn’t entirely surprising.
May 1: There’s new firmware for the Nikon Zf. It’s a relatively minor release, but it does add a new feature: slow-motion recording. It also fixes a display issue that I’d found frustrating. You can find v.1.10 here.
Apr 25: Fujifilm has announced new firmware updates for several cameras: X-T5, X-H2, X-H2S, X-S20, and X100VI. The updates vary by model, but include a new Reala Ace film simulation, improvements to autofocus tracking, and enhanced features for connecting cameras with the FUJIFILM XApp. You can find details for each specific model here.
Apr 24: Nikon has released a firmware update for the Nikon Z8. It’s mostly a bug fix update, but a couple of them are bugs I’ve personally experienced related to the viewfinder display. You can get v.2.01 from Nikon’s website.
Apr 16: Sony has released a new lightweight and compact wide zoom: the FE 16-25mm ƒ/2.8 G (SEL1625G). It’s highly portable, fast, and weather resistant. Priced at $1199. Which all makes it an attractive package for Sony full-frame Alpha cameras, especially if you’re traveling or looking for a wide-angle carry-around lens. Preorders are opening tomorrow (April 17, 10am ET).
Apr 16: Insta360 has released their new 8K 360-degree camera, the Insta360 X4. Up to 8K capture, higher framerates (5.7K60, 4K100), active HDR, and 72MP 360-degree photos. Available now for $499.
Apr 15: Ricoh has released new firmware for the GR III and GR IIIx. It’s a fairly minor update, adding a couple of features that were already included with the new HDF versions: new custom white balance options and a new Zone Select AF option. Get the update (V.1.91) here.
Apr 13: OM System has released new firmware for the OM-1 and OM-5. But it’s a stability update that doesn’t add any new features or performance. But they have said to expect a slightly meatier update in the fall to improve AF and provide the option to assign the trash button as a menu access shortcut. You can find the new firmware here.
Apr 12: There’s a new fastest CFexpress Type B card. At least, on paper. Taiwanese brand Wise has announced a new CFexpress 4.0 Type B Mk-II with speeds up to 3700 MB/s read and 3400 MB/s sustained write. But, again, it’s mostly for bragging rights at the moment, because it’s a CFexpress 4.0 spec card, which requires that the camera be compatible with CFexpress 4.0 (hint: none so far).
Apr 11: Western Digital, which owns the SanDisk memory card brand, has announced the first 4TB SD card. But for now, it’s mostly for bragging rights than anything practical. For two reasons: it’s not expected to hit stores until next year, and it’s an SDUC card, which requires a device that’s compatible with SDUC (i.e., I’ve not heard of any SDUC-compatible cameras available yet).
Apr 8: Samsung has released new microSD cards with faster speeds. But these aren’t going to topple the current fastest SD cards in my tests; in this case, the emphasis is on a different type of speed than is useful for cameras–more for gaming devices and mobile phones. The new EVO Select and EVO Plus cards carry A2 and V30 speed ratings.
Mar 27: Nikon has released a new consumer superzoom lens for their Nikon Z cameras: the NIKKOR Z 28-400mm ƒ/4-8 VR. It works on both full-frame and DX cropped-sensor, and on the latter, you’ll get the equivalent of 42-600mm focal length reach. It’s not particularly fast, especially zoomed in, but it’s competitively priced and remarkably small. It’s almost certain to be a hit. Available for preorder with an estimated ship date of April 18.
Mar 26: Canva and Affinity are joining forces. This makes sense, with some really powerful and interesting imaging apps each specializing in different areas. I’ve been a long-time user of Canva and have long been impressed with Affinity’s apps. So I’m looking forward to where they take this. Synergy is corporate jargon that’s thrown around too much, but in this case the potential synergies just leap out. Read more.
Mar 26: Sigma has announced a new ultra-fast 50mm ƒ/1.2 lens for Sony E in their Art line. As well as being fast and bright, it’s notably lightweight for this type of lens and has a dust and splash resistant build.
Mar 7: Nikon is buying RED outright. It’s an interesting pairing, with Nikon’s obvious strength in imaging and RED’s innovative approach to high-end cinema shooting and associated technology like their cutting-edge RAW compression. It wasn’t long ago that RED was suing Nikon for infringing on their compression patents (case was dismissed).
Feb 21: Sony has announced a new lightweight, versatile, and fast mid-range zoom for their full-frame cameras: the Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G. Priced at $1099. Its key appeal is the combination of portability, speed, and image quality, and it’s likely to be a hit with travel and everyday shooters alike.
Feb 20: Fujifilm has (finally!) announced the new X100VI compact street shooter. It has the same basic form factor and retro styling as the X100V (which is itself an awesome camera), a new 40MP APS-C sensor, 23mm ƒ/2 lens, in-body stabilization, and various other tweaks and improvements. Expect this to be a hit; I’ve pre-ordered mine already. Priced at $1599.
Feb 20: Laowa has announced the long-teased 10mm ƒ/2.8 full-frame autofocus lens. That’s a super-wide perspective for full-frame, and I’m looking forward to trying it out. If you’re not familiar with Laowa lenses (from Venus Optics), they’ve been coming up with some really interesting left-field optics. They’ve generally exclusively manual-focus so far–this is their first autofocus lens. I’m a big fan of some of their macro lenses. The 10mm ƒ/2.8 is priced at $799. Currently versions for Canon RF, Leica L, and Sony E; Nikon Z coming soon. Available for preorder.
Feb 7: Nikon has released a major firmware update for the Nikon Z8. And it really is a big one! Version 2.00 adds several big features, including Auto Capture, Pixel Shift shooting, Rich Tone Portrait, and a very long list of other fixes, tweaks, and enhancements. You can find more details on it, as well as download it, on the Nikon USA site.
Feb 7: DxO has released a new update that adds compatibility for new cameras and lenses, including the Nikon Z 135mm ƒ/1.8 Plena lens and Canon’s 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM wide angle lens. More info.
Jan 31: OM System has announced an update to their flagship camera: the OM System OM-1 Mark II. Same sensor and general form factor. Dropped the Olympus branding completely. Slightly tweaked features overall, such as better stabilization. But the headline updates are that they’ve leaned into AI on-camera processing, with computational processes such as an electronic graduated neutral density filter and better AI autofocus detection (i.e., it automatically detects a wide range of types of subjects and tracks focus on them). The rugged build has also been taken up a notch with IP-53 rated body, which is great for travel photography. I’m a big fan of the OM-1, but I’m not sure overall that this new version would convince me to rush out and upgrade it. Find more info here.
Jan 31: OM System also announced a new super telephoto zoom that, not coincidentally, would go very nicely with the OM-1. It’s a 150-600mm ƒ/5-6.3. Which doesn’t sound remarkable until you convert it to 35mm equivalent of 300-1200mm. Not super fast, but it’s surprisingly small and portable considering its reach. It’s available for preorder; expected to start shipping towards the end of February.
Jan 9: DXO has added Nikon Zf compatibility to their suite of software. I’ve been waiting for this with PureRAW.
Jan 2: South African photographer Peter Magubane has died. He was known for his lifelong work against apartheid. An inspiring obituary and some of his photos in today’s New York Times.
Dec 13: Amazon Drive will be shutting down at the end of December. If you have any files or photos stored there, they’ll continue to be available through Amazon Photos. So don’t panic if you suddenly can’t get into Amazon Drive; use the Amazon Photos website instead.
Dec 1: Camera Bits, the company behind Photo Mechanic, is pushing back their announced transition to a subscription model. They’ve received a lot of pushback, and they’ve decided to add a perpetual license option as well (details still being worked out on that). More here.
Nov 30: Renowned French/American Magnum photographer Elliott Erwitt has died at 95 at his home in Manhattan. You can find an extensive collection of his decades-worth of photographs on the Magnum site.
Nov 22: ProGrade Digital has released their next-generation CFexpress 4.0 cards. Using PCIe Gen 4, they provide read speeds of up to 3400MB/s and sustained write speeds of up to 2400MB/s. They’re available in 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB sizes. But an important caveat before you rush out and buy one: These are designed for future cameras, not currently available ones. That’s because current cameras don’t use CFexpress 4.0 and therefore can’t take advantage of the speed benefits that it provides. So, for now, the only benefit you’ll see with these is if you happen to be using the ProGrade Digital PG05.6 USB 4.0 Reader you should get faster download speeds to your computer. And in case you’re wondering what happened to 3.0 . . . they’re skipping that, going straight from 2.0 to 4.0.