Can a Nikon Z6 load saved settings after a firmware update, and can firmware be downgraded?
Asked 11/24/2020
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2 answers
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My Nikon Z6 is returning from repair with firmware 3.12 installed, but my saved settings file (NCSET002.BIN) was created on firmware 3.11. Will that settings file still load correctly on the camera after the update? If not, is it possible to reinstall firmware 3.11 over 3.12?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
5y ago
2 Answers
1
Can I still load this file into the camera which now has the new firmware?
Almost certainly. While the saved settings file is stored in a binary format, it is backwards compatible with the firmware versions for the same camera model. If there are new settings or options that Nikon made available in the updated firmware, when you apply your saved settings from then .BIN file, the new options will just have their default settings applied.
I have updated firmware on several Nikons (D500, D800, D750, D3) several times, and have never had any problems re-applying my saved settings after firmware update.
If not, can re-install firmware 3.11 to replace 3.12?
Unsure. Searching around, there are lots of anecdotes saying this has been possible for at least some of Nikon's DSLRs for several years. There are also lots of statements saying that the camera won't allow you to downgrade firmware.
This discussion at dpreview.com shows a responder suggesting to try to install an older firmware on a Z-series body, but the original poster replies that it only recognizes newer firmware to install:
Have you tried loading the older firmware file? (uncompress file, place binary in card, insert in camera, update from settings page)
It seems it only [recognize] newer version of file.
Originally by user11924. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11924
5y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes, your saved settings file will very likely still load on the Z6 after updating from 3.11 to 3.12. Nikon settings backups for the same camera model are generally backward-compatible across firmware updates. If the newer firmware adds options that were not present when the file was created, those newer settings would typically remain at their defaults when the backup is restored.
As for downgrading firmware, it may be possible on some Nikon cameras, but the provided answers do not confirm that for the Z6 specifically. In general, downgrading firmware is less certain and should only be attempted if Nikon officially provides the older version and supports reinstalling it. In most cases, there is no need to downgrade just to restore your saved settings.
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