Skip to main content

Nikon adds pet eye AF with major firmware update for the Z 6 and Z 7

Nikon’s first-generation, full-frame mirrorless cameras are catching up, thanks to a firmware update. Announced late on Monday, February 17, Firmware version 3.0 for the Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 brings animal eye AF and improvements to subject tracking, along with some of the previously promised CFexpress memory card support. The new crop sensor Nikon Z 50 also sees an update with improvements to video autofocus for vlogging.

Nikon’s new animal eye AF could be better described as pet AF — the new feature works on cats and dogs. Like with focusing on humans, photographers can use the left and right keys to switch between eyes or faces when photographing groups. The animal eye AF also works with video, Nikon says.

Nikon

The update illustrates Nikon’s efforts at catching up with the competition, despite being on the first generation of cameras to Sony’s third and fourth. Sony added animal eye AF last year, though it’s worth noting that Sony advertises the system working on wildlife too, and not just pets. Nikon’s original people eye AF is a helpful tool, though in our tests it didn’t perform as fast as other systems.

With version 3.0, the Z 6 and Z 7 also see improved subject tracking autofocus. The update allows the AF-C tracking mode to feel more like using the system on Nikon’s DSLRs for still photos — tracking starts with a half-press of the shutter (or the AF-ON button) and when the button is released, the focus point goes back to the original location. Without the firmware update, the tracking follows the subject regardless of whether the button is half-pressed, and the focal point needs to be manually mode back to the original location if the subject leaves the composition.

The update also brings expanded support for CFexpress memory cards. Nikon promised support for the memory card type and already launched support for Sony CFexpress cards. With the firmware, that expands to select type B CFexpress cards from ProGrade Digital and Lexar. 

The native XQD cards accepted by the Z 6 and Z 7 are pricey, costing around $130 for 64GB. The expanded support for CF cards can be a cost savings for photographers that already have the old card type.

The Nikon Z 50 also gets a new feature with firmware version 1.10. The update improves autofocus specifically while in self-portrait mode for movies. The update uses AF-F or full-time autofocus to lock on a face, which should be a helpful update for users vlogging with the camera.

The firmware updates are available directly from each camera’s download page for the Nikon Z 6, Z 7, and Z 50.

Hillary K. Grigonis
Hillary never planned on becoming a photographer—and then she was handed a camera at her first writing job and she's been…
You can now get RAW video on your Nikon Z6 or Z7 — but you probably shouldn’t
Nikon Z6 Hands-on

Nikon launched a long-promised firmware update for its Z series cameras on Monday, December 16, bringing two high-end features to its full-frame mirrorless models. Firmware 2.20 brings support for CFexpress cards, a relatively new type of memory card that promises incredibly fast transfer speeds. Additionally, RAW video output is now an optional add-on for both the 24-megapixel Z 6 and 46MP Z 7 -- but you'll need to fork over $200 for it and you can't install the update yourself.

Customers interested in the RAW video update will have to send their cameras in to a Nikon service center. Nikon did not provide a turnaround time for this service. While the cost and hassle will undoubtedly prevent some people from installing the update, RAW video is not a feature that the average photographer or videographer needs. It produces huge files that require massive amounts of storage space and a powerful computer to process them. As such, only a certain level of professional is likely to take advantage of this upgrade, for whom the $200 cost may be a non-issue.

Read more
Nikon Z 50 camera deal gives you a month to decide if you really want it
nikon z50 camera deal gives you a month to decide if really want it

A special offer from Nikon lets you try out the latest addition to its mirrorless line-up for up to 30 days before deciding if you want to commit.

The deal, called Nikon Yellow and open to customers in the U.S., involves the recently unveiled crop-sensor Z 50, described by the Japanese company as a “little but fierce” travel camera.

Read more
The little but fierce Nikon Z 50 is a sub-$1,000 mirrorless destined for travel
nikon z 50 announced c35 z50 16 50dx  3 5 6 top

Previous

Next

Read more