Nikon Updates ZR Firmware and NX Tether With Touch, Tethering Fixes

Nikon pushed two quiet but useful updates on March 17: firmware version 1.11 for the ZR camera and version 2.5.0 of NX Tether, its tethering software. Neither update rewrites the rulebook, but for working photographers who rely on the ZR's touchscreen or shoot tethered in a studio, the fixes address genuine pain points.

The ZR firmware update targets an issue affecting touch controls, though the precise nature of the bug hasn't been spelled out in detail across Nikon's published release notes as summarized through available coverage. Beyond the touch fix, v1.11 delivers broader usability bug fixes and stability improvements. Reliable touch controls and consistent shutter speed behavior are, as the coverage notes, essential for professional shooting on the ZR, making even a low-version-number update worth installing.

NX Tether v2.5.0 is the more broadly relevant release for studio workflows. The update expands compatibility across operating systems and video workflows, with an explicit focus on ensuring the software plays nicely with the latest macOS versions. For studio photographers and videographers who pipe live images to a tethered laptop, a compatibility gap between Nikon's software and an updated OS can grind a shoot to a halt. The v2.5.0 release is designed to close that gap and keep Nikon cameras integrating seamlessly into professional setups.

Both updates are recommended. If you're installing the ZR firmware, have a spare battery on hand before you start, and make sure you're running a reliable USB-C cable for any NX Tether sessions that follow. CFexpress card users shooting high-speed continuous or video workflows will want a fast card to match the stability these updates are meant to deliver.

Official downloads are available through Nikon's support channels. The full itemized changelog, particularly the complete description of the touch control fix, is worth pulling directly from Nikon's support pages for anyone who wants the unabridged version before updating.