I am really surprised that Nikon does not include this function native in the latest Z series bodies. Nikon is the choice for many pro photoreporter...they go in the most remote location of the world to document life with images. How come that I need something external to associate GPS coordinates to a shot if even a cheap smartphone can do it from scratch when you start using it. Nikon enginners/marketing...are you listening? Thanks
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Nikon Z bodies and geotagging
- Thread starter albero
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PLShutterbug
Veteran Member
I think you are asking for a built-in GPS in the camera.
GPSs use a tremendous amount of battery. They don’t work in buildings - they require line of sight to satellites. They can take several minutes to acquire their position after power-on. They add cost and size.
Not everyone needs or wants GPS. With connection to a smartphone, they can get a geotag very easily without any of the downsides above.
GPSs use a tremendous amount of battery. They don’t work in buildings - they require line of sight to satellites. They can take several minutes to acquire their position after power-on. They add cost and size.
Not everyone needs or wants GPS. With connection to a smartphone, they can get a geotag very easily without any of the downsides above.
allanimal
Forum Enthusiast
Location data is saved to exif via SnapBridge if you enable that functionality - so yes, it is “something external”, but I almost always have my smartphone with me, as do a vast majority of people I assume.
also I believe the z9 has built in GPS
John Retsal
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Is the location data sent to the file in the camera from Snapbridge? Meaning, if I never sync or download any photos from my camera to my phone (via Snapbridge) that the GPS data will still be added to the EXIF data for each photo file in the camera?
shuncheung
Veteran Member
The Z9 has a GPS built in, and so does the D6. A few years ago, the D5500 also has a GPS built in.
People want smaller cheaper bodies. You always end up cutting something.
You want everything? Get the Z9.
Or use one of the GPS modules. The same ones from DSLRs work with the Z cams. One of the advantages of buying into a system is your accessories continue to work
You want everything? Get the Z9.
Or use one of the GPS modules. The same ones from DSLRs work with the Z cams. One of the advantages of buying into a system is your accessories continue to work
adam49
Well-known member
I am using Pentax K-1 II with a very good GPS build-in, and the battery stands eternally.
That Nikon won´t install this function is simple - the want to sell their external GPS module (bulky and uses a lot of energy).
It´s that simple
Truly
areallygrumpyoldsod
Senior Member
You are out of date mate -- the Z9 does. For decades folk wanting GPS on DSLR bodies that did not have it built in simply added a GPS Unit GP-1/GP-1A AND now we use Snapbridge. Not everyone wants this built in, and running a GPS does drain battery.
The one I used on my D800 and Z6 didn't drain the battery much. Not enough to notice.
Now I use the Z7 and except for AF I find it an exceptional camera...I hope in the Z8 to have implemented GPS built in because Z9 is to big.
nflanders2
Leading Member
As many mentioned, the Z9 has built in GPS.
With my Z6II my iPhone is permanently connected with the camera – I don't need to do any complicated pairing ceremonies before shooting. That's very well solved by Nikon.
Snapbridge tags every photo automatically in the camera. There is no additional step necessary.
With my Z6II my iPhone is permanently connected with the camera – I don't need to do any complicated pairing ceremonies before shooting. That's very well solved by Nikon.
Snapbridge tags every photo automatically in the camera. There is no additional step necessary.
ghostfox_1
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Moving goal posts going whoosh.
Yeah, adding more stuff into cameras makes them bigger, especially for the larger battery it requires. I'm sure you'll nitpick the z8/z7iii/whatever to death because it's also too big/small/hot/cold, when the rest of us adjust or use other tools for the job.
You can use a old smartphone as a range finder to geotag. You can buy a $30 track-smartphone and not activate it too. Cheaper than the GPS module and you have a visual reference to the location as well.
You can also use a trail hiking app on your phone to track your movement throughout the day, and line up the times after the fact. I get the usefulness, but don't find the need to geotag myself.
You can also use a trail hiking app on your phone to track your movement throughout the day, and line up the times after the fact. I get the usefulness, but don't find the need to geotag myself.
drjfly
Member
The GPS info is written to the image file.
Chuck Yadmark
Veteran Member
I’ve come to appreciate gps data in my photos either via photos app on Apple or potentially in photo mechanic. I tried the gp1 . A little clunky and slow. Then I tried the d5300 with built in . Very slow . Then snapbridge . Works great . Some want better accuracy but I find it accurate enough . I like it enough I sold most of my non snapbridge compatible cameras
I hope you are joking, even digital compact camera much smaller than Z6/Z7 series have built in GPS:
Best Compact Cameras with GPS in 2025
Here you can find the list of Best Compact Cameras with GPS, review their Pros and Cons and compare and decide which one is a better match to your needs.
cameradecision.com
For example, Nikon S9900 compact camera have built in GPS and use 2 AA batteries.
To me it is just a matter of cutting costs.
I have a couple of questions: do you need to maintain Snapbridge app always open in the iPhone when you use the Z6II. The pairing of those two devices is instantaneous when you start up the Nikon Z6II? Thanks in advance.
The point about precision and how fast the geotagging happen is also partially explored here:
I find it just few minutes ago.
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nflanders2
Leading Member
There is no need for me to open Snapbridge before. Sometimes I notice that when turning on the camera, also Snapbridge loads on the phone. So there is some kind of permanent connection. In any case it doesn't bother me at all, I don't have to do anything
Regarding precision I would say it is good enough, but never really did a test. I'll read the link you provided, but so far I wasn't too disappointed in the cases I checked the GPS location
Edit: forgot to mention that you can tune precision in Snapbridge. It may drain battery faster. I think I left it on default
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John Retsal
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Yes, but the question is, is it written to the file in the camera and not when the file is transferred to the phone?
It appears that is works this way...
Photo taken <-- GPS data from Snapbridge (then) --> photo to iphone
What I want is...
Photo taken <-- GPS data from Snapbridge (no photo sent to iPhone)
nflanders2
Leading Member
No it is written in the camera. Otherwise where is the point? The files are geotagged even if you copy them from card to your computer because GPS is embedded in the files
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