Nikon has announced new firmware for the Z6 and Z7 cameras that adds animal detection AF, support for CFexpress memory cards, among other improvements.
Nikon Z6 and Z7 firmware version 3.00 adds a new animal-detection AF support that identifies and locks focus on the face and eyes of dogs and cats. When multiple animal faces or eyes are detected, you can then use the joystick or touchscreen LCD to select the face or eye of choice.
What’s more, Nikon’s new animal detection AF works in video recording and can detect the faces of animals.
Another addition with firmware version 3.00 is increased usability for subject tracking AF. Nikon says:
Subject tracking with still-image shooting in AF-C mode has been modified to give an operational feel more like 3D-tracking in Nikon digital SLR cameras. The camera tracks the subject while the shutter-release button is pressed halfway or the AF-ON button is held down. Subject tracking ends when the user takes their finger off the button and the focus point selected before subject tracking began is reactivated, for increased operability. In addition, the transition from Auto-area AF display to Subject selection display can be assigned to a custom control. These changes all improve subject-tracking operation, and make it easier to activate and change the target subject while looking through the viewfinder.
Lastly, the new Nikon Z6 and Z7 firmware update adds support for Type B CFexpress cards from ProGrade and Lexar.
Nikon Z50 firmware version 1.10
Nikon has also announced a new firmware update for the APS-C sensor Z50, which modifies control specifications for recording selfies in Movie mode.
Currently, when self-portraits are recorded in Movie mode, the focus mode is locked at AF-S mode. With the update to Ver. 1.10, the focus mode will be locked at AF-F mode. This change improves operation by allowing the camera to maintain focus on the user’s face in movie recording.
Visit Nikon’s download centre to get all the new firmware.