Summary
Capturing a split-second moment remotely is now easier with the Nikon Z6 III: firmware 2.01 extends Pre-Release Capture to compatible Bluetooth remote controllers.
Released on 14 October 2026, the update also expands focus limiter support to eight NIKKOR Z lenses and addresses several issues affecting continuous shooting.
Pre-Release Capture without touching the camera
Pre-Release Capture retains frames from moments before the final shutter release. With version 2.01, photographers can also use the feature with compatible Bluetooth remote controllers. It is a practical addition for a remote wildlife setup or an action viewpoint where timing is difficult.
Nikon does not say that every Bluetooth remote is supported or that the update changes the underlying recording limits and formats of Pre-Release Capture. This is an additional way to trigger an existing feature, not a new RAW capture mode.
Focus limiter support expands to eight lenses
The update enables focus limiter settings with eight further lenses. Constraining the focus-search range can help when a moving subject stays within a predictable distance.
NIKKOR Z DX: 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR, 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR and 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR. NIKKOR Z: 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR, 24-50mm f/4-6.3, 14-24mm f/2.8 S, 24-70mm f/4 S and 14-30mm f/4 S.
The in-camera focus limiter arrived with the major firmware expansion in 2025, following Nikon’s earlier plans for substantial Z6 III updates. Version 2.01 widens compatibility to these specific lenses rather than every NIKKOR Z optic.
Burst shooting and F-mount reliability fixes
Nikon has fixed a rare overexposure problem during burst shooting in manual exposure mode M. It also addresses exposure instability during bursts with certain type E F-mount lenses and occasions when the camera stopped responding during continuous shooting.
Further fixes concern autofocus with flash value lock (FV lock), the number of shots recorded during pixel shift with a non-CPU lens, and live-view responsiveness when zooming with a manual lens during subject detection. These are relevant improvements for photographers still working with adapted F-mount glass.
Renamed menus and availability
Cloud Picture Control is now called Imaging Recipe, while the command for adding Picture Control files is renamed Download Imaging Recipes. Nikon also adjusted some Custom Settings numbers. These are naming and menu changes, not evidence of a new image-processing function.
Firmware “C” 2.01 is available from the official Nikon Download Center, including installation requirements and instructions. Nikon separately released NX Studio 1.11.0. Since the Z6 III debuted in 2024 as a full-frame hybrid mirrorless camera, continued firmware work has remained part of its development.
What we think
What makes this update useful is that it improves access to a feature photographers already have. If a camera is positioned close to the ground, beside an animal trail or away from the operator, triggering Pre-Release Capture remotely can make the setup more practical.
That should not be confused with a wholesale upgrade to action capture. Existing Pre-Release Capture restrictions still matter, and Nikon specifies compatible Bluetooth remotes rather than promising universal controller support. Testing the actual setup before an important shoot is essential.
The fixes for burst shooting and adapted F-mount lenses are arguably just as important. Missed frames at a sporting event or during a brief wildlife encounter cannot simply be recreated, and reliability changes may matter more to working photographers than an extra menu option.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pre-Release Capture new to the Z6 III in firmware 2.01?
No. The feature was already available; version 2.01 adds operation through compatible Bluetooth remote controllers.
Does the focus limiter work with every NIKKOR Z lens?
No. Nikon specifically identifies eight additional lenses supported by this firmware.
