This week brought a wave of firmware updates from Sony and Nikon, targeting full-frame and APS-C models. Sony released new software for the a7C, a7 III and ZV-E10, delivering stability improvements and minor tweaks. Nikon released updates for its flagship mirrorless Z9 and the newer Z50II, aiming to refine performance and fix a few lingering bugs. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new.

Sony

a7C updates for Version 2.01 (Mac) and (Windows)

a7 III updates for Version 4.02 (Mac) and (Windows)

ZV-E10 updates for Version 2.02 (Mac) and (Windows)

• Allows the camera to display a notification when new software is available
  WPA and WEP functionalities are no longer supported.
• You can no longer select WPA or WEP when connecting to Wi-Fi. Please use the more secure WPA2 moving forward.
• Improves the operational stability of the camera.
• Note: This update is only available for Windows and macOS. A memory card version is not provided.

Please note: the firmware updates are identical across these three camera models.

Nikon

Z9 updates for Version 5.20 (Mac) and (Windows)

• Added support for “NX Field,” a remote shooting system for corporate users. Note: “NX Field” app for smart devices may not be available in some countries and regions.
• Renamed d14 [Display on during burst] in [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• Fixed the following issues:
  • Pressing the playback button after repeatedly shooting bursts would in rare cases corrupt the display of all images.
  • In rare circumstances, optimal exposure could not be achieved during burst shooting after changing the exposure in mode M.
  • In synchronized release, pressing the shutter-release button of the master camera halfway initiated autofocus on the remote camera with the following setting selected. ▸ [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] > a6 [AF activation] > [AF-ON only]

Z50II updates for Version 1.01 (Mac) and (Windows)

• Pre-Release Capture is now available using a SmallRig SR-RG2.
• Added “русский” (Russian) to [Language] in [SETUP MENU] for Z50II cameras sold in the Middle East region.
• Renamed d13 [Display on during burst] in [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU].
• Fixed the following issues:
  • In rare cases, the camera would stop responding when it was reconnected to SnapBridge after it was connected to Nikon Imaging Cloud while connecting to SnapBridge.
  • In synchronized release, pressing the shutter-release button of the master camera halfway initiated autofocus on the remote camera with the following setting selected:
    ▸ [CUSTOM SETTINGS MENU] > a6 [AF activation] > [AF-ON only]

That’s it for this week. Make sure to check in every Friday, from here on out, for a round-up of firmware updates on all major camera models. Have a great weekend!

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The photography industry has weathered economic uncertainty, technological disruption and rising operational costs. However, according to Zenfolio’s newly released 2025 State of the Photography Industry report, conducted in partnership with other creative businesses including Format, ShootProof and Professional Photographers of America (PPA), it’s also finding strength through adaptability, community and more thoughtful business strategies.

Now in its 6th consecutive year, the report draws on insights from more than 4,500 photographers in 70 countries. North Americans accounted for 79% of the participants, while photographers from Korea and Bolivia chimed in for the first time. The findings reveal an industry in transition but not in retreat.

One of the standout trends is the return to personalized service. Photographers who conduct viewing appointments after a shoot see as much as 20% more revenue than those who rely on online delivery alone. “Clients value the personal touch,” the report notes, adding that face-to-face sessions create opportunities to upsell prints and foster long-term relationships.

A sign of the times? Full-time, self-employed work is on the rise compared to part-time. Copyright: © Zenfolio

As it turns out, adaptability pays off. Photographers who expanded their service offerings by pivoting to additional genres such as corporate headshots, drone photography, newborn portraits or sporting events were often rewarded with lucrative revenue streams. The report highlights that being open to last-minute gigs and unfamiliar styles that breach one’s comfort zone is now a competitive advantage instead of a compromise.

Nevertheless, the financial pressure is real. Between 65 and 70% of photographers reported increased business costs in 2024, including equipment and insurance. Zenfolio encourages professionals to revisit their pricing strategies and delivery models. Many new photographers still rely on selling digital files, but seasoned pros continue to profit from print sales. Print credits and tiered packages are recommended methods for boosting margins.

Technological change, particularly AI, is also reshaping the industry. Rather than replacing photographers, AI tools are helping them streamline their workflows. From culling and editing to delivering final images, that efficiency frees up more time to focus on the creative vision and client service that can’t be automated.

AI tools help with workflow so photographers can focus on other aspects of the business, especially creative vision. Copyright: © Zenfolio

Drone photography was introduced to the survey for the first time this year. The findings include that it is not only gaining traction but outpacing smartphone use among professional photographers. While the adoption of mirrorless cameras saw a slight dip, traditional cameras remain dominant.

Finally, the report underscores a less tangible but perhaps more critical theme: the value of community. From online forums to local peer groups, photographers who engage with one another are more likely to grow in business, confidence and creativity. State of the Photography Industry 2025 is free to view and includes helpful advice and actionable tips.

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World Press Photo has announced its 2025 Photo of the Year, along with two finalists, highlighting some of the most impactful photojournalism of the past year. 3,778 photographers submitted 59,320 photographs, and DPReview recently covered the category winners. This year’s top honor, revealed last night, was bestowed upon Samar Abu Elouf, a Palestinian photojournalist based in Doha, for The New York Times.

Her winning image is a portrait of Mahmoud Ajjour, a young boy wounded while fleeing an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in March 2024. The boy had turned his back to urge his family to move faster when an explosion tore through the street, severing one of his arms and damaging the other. It’s a stark depiction of the toll ongoing violence has taken on the denizens of the region.

Elouf was evacuated from Gaza in late 2023. She shares an apartment complex with Ajjor, the double amputee subject of her image. In recent months, she has continued to document the lives of a small number of severely-wounded Gazans who, like Mahmoud, were able to leave for medical treatment.

Mahmoud Ajjor has a modest goal: to receive prosthetic limbs and live like other children. By the end of 2024, the United Nations estimated that Gaza had the highest number of child amputees per capita in the world. Copyright: © Samar Abu Elouf, for The New York Times

Two other finalists were selected as runners-up: John Moore for Night Crossing, depicting Chinese migrants warming themselves at the US-Mexico border at night. Musuk Nolte was also recognized for Droughts in the Amazon, capturing a young man bringing food to his mother in the drought-ridden village of Manacapuru.

Moore’s image of Chinese migrants warming themselves after a rainstorm, at the US-Mexico border, captures a moment of vulnerability that contrasts with how migration is depicted in mainstream talking points. Copyright: © John Moore, United States, Getty Images

“I remain endlessly grateful for the photographers who, despite the personal risks and emotional costs, record these stories to give all of us the opportunity to understand, empathise, and be inspired to action,” said Joumana El Zein Khoury, World Press Photo’s Executive Director.

A young man carries food to his mother in Manacapuru, a village in the Amazon that was once accessible by boat. Now, the river has dried up due to drought, and he walks several kilometers across the cracked riverbed. A harsh reality: the world’s largest rainforest increasingly resembles a desert. Copyright: © Musuk Nolte, Peru/Mexico, Panos Pictures, Bertha Foundation

The awarded stories will be shown to millions as part of the World Press Photo annual traveling exhibition in over 60 locations worldwide. These locations include the premiere in Amsterdam and then move on to other significant metropolises, including London, Rome, Berlin, Vienna, and Budapest. More information about the images and photographers can be found on the World Press Photo site.

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