The high-end Nikon APS-C camera that D500 owners have been waiting for since the DSLR days has a new target: November. According to the latest update from Official Nikon Rumors Mill, the Z70 is expected after the NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S (itself now pointed at the end of October). The same report immediately undercuts the date by noting that the announcement “can be delayed.”
We first saw the name of the Nikon Z70 camera when it appeared on the Apple-compatible camera list. After that, we received strong indications from our sources. The camera was expected to arrive sometime in September 2026, but for some reasons, along with the Z5 II camera announcement, the announcement of the Z70 was rescheduled. Now, we are waiting for additional confirmation before we make our next move, and finally, we have that. According to the trusted rumour mill, the announcement/arrival month of the Nikon Z70 is November 2026. Finally, the wait may soon be over. We are going to have a true professional APS-C mirrorless camera and a potential replacement for the Nikon D500. We have already discussed the possible set of core specifications of the upcoming camera.
The Pattern of Moving Dates
Early reports pointing to September: a source close to Nikon was pointing to a September announcement for the professional DX body (circulating under the names Z70 and Z90). That window closed without an announcement. Before that, the strongest public signal came in August when Apple briefly listed an unreleased “Nikon Z70” on its official ProRes and ProRes RAW Authorized Products page — a listing we covered here: Nikon Z70 Appears on Apple ProRes Page. The entry was later removed.
Why the Conflict Matters
Nikon still does not have a professional APS-C mirrorless body. The Z50 II is a capable camera, but it sits well below the level of a D500 successor in terms of speed, dual-card pro features, and build. Canon has the R7. Sony has options in the a6700 class and above. Fujifilm has the X-H2S. Nikon’s DX lineup stops at the enthusiast level.
The rumoured Z70 has been described for months as the missing piece: a fast, high-end DX body built more like a compact Z8 or mini-Z9, with strong autofocus, high continuous shooting, and video features closer to the ZR family (supported by the ProRes listing). Yet every concrete timeline has slipped. Earlier in the year, Nikon Rumours itself noted that much of Nikon’s 2026 pipeline was sliding, with some items potentially moving into 2027. The Z70 is now part of that pattern.
What We Actually Know
Nothing is official. There are no confirmed specs, no price, no images, and no firm announcement date from Nikon. The consistent rumor picture remains:
- Professional DX (APS-C) body positioned above the Z50 II
- High-speed shooting and advanced subject-detection autofocus
- Likely IBIS (still missing from current Nikon DX cameras)
- Serious video capabilities, including internal ProRes / ProRes RAW based on the Apple listing
- Possible dual card slots and a more robust build than the Z50 series
Sensor resolution and exact feature set remain unconfirmed. Older rumors have mentioned everything from a ~26MP sensor to higher-resolution stacked options. None of those details have been locked in.
The Lens That Comes First
The same Nikon Rumors report says the next product out the door will be the NIKKOR Z 120-300mm f/2.8 TC VR S. Nikon officially announced this lens as “in development” in May 2026. It includes a built-in 1.4x teleconverter and is aimed at sports and wildlife. Production is expected to be limited, with long waits and a price rumored higher than the current Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S.
Bottom Line
The Z70 (or whatever final name it receives) is still the camera that would fill the biggest hole in Nikon’s current lineup. The latest rumor gives it a November window — the most specific date yet — while immediately warning that the date can move again. After the Apple leak, the September source reports, and the broader pattern of 2026 delays, that caveat is doing a lot of work.
Previous coverage:
- Nikon Z70 Appears on Apple ProRes Page
- Nikon Z70 / Z90 – A Pro APS-C Camera Expected Before September 2026
All of the above remains unconfirmed until Nikon says otherwise.
The article “Nikon Z70 Coming: The Latest Date Is November” was written by thenewcamera.com team at 6:46 pm, Sunday, 11 October 2026, Greenwich Mean Time | You can also follow us on Our Official Social Media Handles FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM > get live news — > DJI Rumors | Insta360 News
