What's happened to Nikon and Fujifilm in 2026? Why they haven't launched any cameras yet and what I expect to see later this year

Date:
Sat, 04 Jul 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Description:
Nikon and Fujifilm have been awfully quiet in 2026 here's what I expect to happen next.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter It's July, I'm fresh off
writing my 2026 cameras half-year review , and in the process something
became clear to me neither Nikon nor Fujifilm has released a new camera this year (the Instax mini Evo Cinema instant camera doesn't count).

So while I've personally tested standout models from other manufacturers in recent months, such as the Sony A7R VI and Canon EOS R6 Mark III mirrorless cameras, plus the Ricoh GR IV and Panasonic Lumix L10 premium compacts, we're yet to see new Z-mount or X-mount bodies. I'm sure the question on many a camera fan's lips is this: can we expect new Nikon and Fujifilm cameras later this year? Latest Videos From Watch full video here:

I've reviewed every major camera release over the last few years, attended countless events, and have studied the timeline and cadence of previous releases to form a picture of what could happen next.

I've considered which bodies could be due for an upgrade, and what direction each brand has been headed recently. So let's see what could happen next for 2026's quiet camera manufacturers, Nikon and Fujifilm. You may like Rumors of Nikon's long-awaited full-frame compact are already dividing fans I've been testing cameras for over 15 years here are my 5 personal favorites for 2026 so far Fujifilm X-T6: 5 upgrades it needs to truly improve the class-leading X-T5 Nik-none? The last Nikon camera body was the Nikon Zr from September 2025, which was its first cinema camera co-branded with RED. It packed super-impressive video specs, many of which were borrowed from the superb Z6 III , into a particularly small body with an epic 4-inch touchscreen and stellar audio features.

For a true mirrorless hybrid with viewfinder, we need to go even further
back, over a year in fact, to the Nikon Z5 II in May 2025. This was a decent upgrade of Nikon's affordable Z5, which delivered a raft of performance improvements to redefine what entry-level full-frame models can do, and went on to bag our Camera of the Year 2025 award. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Currently, the range of Nikon cameras includes the Nikon Z30, Z fc and Z50 II APS-C bodies, and the Z5 II, Z6 III, Z f, Z7 II, Z8 and Z9 full-frame bodies, plus the ZR cinema body. The Nikon ZR was the first Nikon / RED co-branded camera, and I expect other models to follow next (Image credit: Tim Coleman) The most heavily rumored Nikon cameras are the Nikon Z9 II what with the Z9 being over four years old and new cinema camera bodies; potentially a
premium and larger option with pro-grade connectivity that could sit above
the ZR, plus an even more affordable version with an APS-C sensor.

We could get a new Z f-series model both of the retro-styled bodies have
been around for a while now. Personally, I'd like to see a Nikon camera in
the Z f style, but as a compact camera version with a fixed fast aperture prime lens. What to read next The best mirrorless cameras, based on in-depth testing These are the 5 best lenses Ive tested in 2026 so far, from Sony, Canon and others I'm a cameras expert and these are the top 9 cheap cameras I recommend

Tipsters believe we're unlikely to see another Z7 camera; the Z6 III (and obviously the Z5 II) is too recent for a replacement, while the Z8 has aged well and still holds its own today. CoolPix compact cameras have seemingly been sunsetted besides refreshing its old 125x zoom bridge camera with the CoolPix P1100 , we haven't seen a true new CoolPix in several years.

For me, having been hosted by Nikon at IBC 2025 in Amsterdam last September around the launch of the ZR, it was clear that Nikon has its head in cinema camera gear, so a high-end cinema body to follow the ZR is highly plausible, though I don't know what it would be called.

A new Nikon cinema camera with an APS-C sensor is also highly likely. In theory, it would effectively render a direct Z30 successor redundant,
although it would cost a fair whack more than a potential Z30 II would. That would be a shame the Z30 is Nikon's cheapest mirrorless camera, and Nikon
has otherwise largely ignored truly affordable cameras for beginner photographers. Today's best Nikon Z50 II, Nikon Z5 II, Nikon Z6 III and
Nikon Z8 deals Nikon Z50 II 749 View See all prices Nikon Z5 II 1,519 1,319 View See all prices Nikon Z6 III 1,670 View See all prices Nikon Z8 2,518.50 2,441.99 View See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Fujifilm's next generation processor inbound? As for Fujifilm cameras , the X-T30 III was its most recent X-mount release, back in October 2025, which followed the classy X-E5 from June 2025.

Those launches meant that practically every current X-mount model is fitted with Fujifilm's latest X-Processor 5 chip, besides the X-Pro series, with a range of 26MP and 40MP options.

I wouldn't bank on an X-Pro 4 until the next generation of processor is out
in the wild, if at all, and usually each new processor comes with the latest high-end X-T model, the most recent of which was the X-T5 . The wacky
Fujifilm X-Pro 3 with its film simulation window and hidden rear LCD is among the X-series cameras most due a successor (Image credit: Future) It comes as no surprise then that the X-T6 is the most-rumored Fujifilm camera, which is being tipped for a September release when Fujifilm typically hosts its once- or twice-yearly X-Summit.

I've written about what upgrades I'd hope for in an X-T6 , especially
improved autofocus performance and an all-new processor, but otherwise it's hard to see where Fujifilm can better the X-T5 without treading on the toes
of the high-speed XH-series.

Elsewhere in the range, the X100VI premium compact continues to sell well,
and so I'd be really surprised if a seventh generation model comes this year a new processor needs to come first, too.

Stepping outside of new gear and into photography, it's worth noting that Fujifilm recently shared its new 'Look Up' campaign (see below), encouraging people to look up from their screens and connect with the world around them, saying:

'Our cameras bring you back into the moment, giving you agency over how you see, how you feel and how you remember. They allow you to turn emotions into images a grounding force that doesnt tell you what to think, but helps you stay focused and present.'

Are you a Nikon or Fujifilm photographer? Which camera would you like to see next, and what are the upgrades that would benefit your photography the most? Have your say in the comments. Look Up with Fujifilm - YouTube Watch On Today's best Fujifilm X-E5, Fujifilm X-T30 III, Fujifilm X-M5, Fujifilm X
Half and Fujifilm X-T5 deals Fujifilm X-E5 1,279 View See all prices
Fujifilm X-T30 III 805 View See all prices Fujifilm X-M5 799 729 View See all prices Fujifilm X Half 429 View See all prices Fujifilm X-T5 1,699 1,505.99 View See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to
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