Nikon releases firmware update for Z 6 and Z 7 cameras

Nikon announced a major firmware update centered around autofocus performance in Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 cameras. The firmware adds eye-tracking autofocus for still

By Ellis Vener 5.17.2019

Nikon announced a major firmware update centered around autofocus performance in Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 cameras. The firmware adds eye-tracking autofocus for still photography, improved low-light autofocus capability for still and video photography, and enables auto-exposure subject tracking in the continuous high-speed (extended) frame rate mode.

Eye tracking in still photography

With a Z 6 or Z 7 in auto-area AF mode and photographing in either AF-S or AF-C mode, the camera now can automatically detect and track the shape of a human eye as the person moves across a frame. When multiple subjects are in the photo, you can use either the multi-selector or sub-selector to select the eye you want the camera to focus on and track. As well as enabling the photographer to track a moving subject even if the view of the chosen eye is partially blocked.

Improved low-light autofocus performance for still and motion photography

For the 24-megapixel Z 6 the auto-focus sensitivity sees a 1.5-stop improvement from -2 EV to -3.5 EV and when the Low-light AF function is enabled, there is a 2-stop improvement from -4 EV to -6 EV. In other words, AF now works in situations where rendering a mid-tone subject as a mid-tone would require a slightly longer than 20-second exposure at f/1.4, ISO 100 and in Low-light AF mode should work down to exposures requiring a 128-second exposure at f/1.4.

For the higher resolution (45.7 megapixel) Z 7, the AF detection range is extended from -1 to -2EV (situations where you’d need a 30-second exposure at f/2.8, ISO 100 to record a mid-tone subject as a mid-tone), but there is no extension of the Low-light AF function.

AE tracking in continuous high-speed (extended) mode

Prior to this firmware release, auto exposure (AE) focus was locked with the first fram of a high-speed burst of continuous shooting. Ver. 2.0 supports AE tracking in continuous high-speed (extended) mode and can change the exposure through the burst as the brightness of a scene changes. This should be a huge benefit, for example, to sports photographers who photograph on playing fields where there is sunlight and shadow.

Additional updates and upgrades

With Image Review set for On or On (monitor only) in the Playback menu, the blackout period between exposure and playback is now shorter.
Custom Settings Menu d5, the option formerly known as Electronic front-curtain shutter, has been renamed Shutter type, and now offers a choice of Auto, Mechanical shutter, and Electronic front-curtain shutter. If Auto is selected, the camera automatically chooses a shutter type according to shutter speed.
With Auto-area autofocus selected and face detection or target tracking activated, pressing the AF-On button, or pressing the shutter-release button halfway, makes the color locator of the focus point an easily readable yellow.
Some Help texts that explain various functions have been revised.

Fixes

•The camera would stop responding if certain operations were performed while HDMI output was in progress with 3,840x2,160 (4K UHD) selected for frame size.
The value selected for maximum sensitivity would sometimes be exceeded during movie recording in mode M with On selected for Auto ISO control (mode M) if Active D-Lighting was enabled.
The display would sometimes briefly behave unexpectedly in movie mode before or during recording.
The items in My Menu would sometimes not display correctly.

Installing the update is straightforward, and with a reasonably fast internet connection, the process should take less than 10 minutes. The new firmware is free of charge.