Nikon Z6, Z7, Z5, Z6 II, Z7II and Z50 autofocus system explained

How to use the AF system in the Nikon Z-series of mirrorless cameras

//

As they were Nikon’s first full-frame mirrorless cameras, the Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 introduced a new autofocus (AF) system to get to grips with. This is also present in the new APS-C format Nikon Z50 and the full-frame Nikon Z5, Nikon Z6 II and Nikon Z7 II. Unlike Nikon’s DSLRs, the Z6, Z7, Z5, Z6 II, Z7 II and Z50 rely on a hybrid AF system. This means they use both phase detection and contrast detection. However, as they have different sensors with different pixel counts, they don’t have the same number of AF points. The 45.7Mp Z 7 and Z7 II have 493 AF points and the 24.5Mp Z 6, Z6 II and Z5 have 273 points. In each case, these AF points cover approximately 90% of the sensor. That means that you can focus closer to the edges of the frame than with a Nikon DSLR like the D850. Similarly, the Nikon Z50 has a 209-point hybrid AF system and the points cover 90% of its imaging area. Nikon introduced Eye detection focusing to the Z6 and Z7 with a firmware update. This is also present in the Z6 II and Z7II without any need to upgrade the firmware. What’s more, it works in both still and video with the Mark II cameras. Follow the link to read how to use Nikon Eye detection AF

Single, Continuous and Full-time

As with Nikon DSLRs, the Z 6, Z 7, Z5, Z6 II, Z7 II and Z 50 have Single (AF-S) and Continuous (AF-C) autofocus modes. As usual, AF-S is designed for use with stationary subjects whereas AF-C is for moving subjects. Another mode, Full-time AF mode is available for shooting videos. When this is in operation, the camera adjusts focus continuously when the subject distance changes. However, it locks the focus when the shutter button is pressed half-way.

Nikon Z 6, Z 7 autofocus system explained You can select the focus mode that you want to use via the ‘i’ menu. Alternatively, by default, press and hold the Fn2 button on the front of the camera while rotating the main command dial. The command dial is the dial on the top of the camera near the thumb rest.

Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 autofocus system explained

AF-Area Mode

The Z6, Z7, Z5, Z6 II, Z7 II and Z50 allow you to select the AF point you want to use individually or in groups using the AF-Area modes. These options can be found in the ‘i’ menu, the main menu or by pressing the Fn2 button while rotating the sub-command dial. The sub-command dial is the dial near the top of the grip, beneath the shutter button and power switch.

Single AF mode

Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 autofocus system explained In Single AF mode there’s a choice of Pinpoint AF, Single-point AF, Wide-area AF (Small), Wide-area AF (Large) and Auto-area AF. Pinpoint AF and Single-point AF let you target a small area in the frame. Pin-point AF is a little more precise than Single-point, but it can be slower and is only available for stills photography, not video. The Wide-area AF modes give you a larger area for focusing than Single-point AF. Using the Small setting allows you to target the subject more closely than the Large option. The Large setting is useful when the subject is hard to distinguish in the scene. Nikon has added two new Wide-area AF modes with the Z6 II and Z7 II, Wide-are AF (human) and Wide-area AF (animal). When either of these is selected, the camera looks for humans or animals, and specifically their eyes, in the AF frame. Nikon Z6 II When Auto-area AF is selected the camera attempts to find the subject automatically. By default, it will defer the focus to a face in the scene. If multiple faces are detected, you can use the multi-selector control (navigation pad). Again, the Z6 II and Z7 II have two new options, Auto-are AF (human) and Auto-area AF (animal). When either of these is selected, the camera looks for the specified subject across the whole AF area, which covers 90% of the frame.

Continuous AF mode

The available Area-AF modes change when you switch from Single AF to Continuous AF mode. The options include Single-point AF, Dynamic-area AF, Wide-area AF (Small), Wide-area AF (Large) and Auto-area AF. As previously mentioned, the Z6 II and Z7 II also have Auto-area AF (human) and Auto-area AF (animal). Single-point AF, Wide-area AF (Small) and Wide-area AF (Large) modes work as in AF-S mode, but the focus adjusts for as long as the shutter button is depressed. Dynamic-area AF mode allows you to set the location of the focusing, but the camera will use the information from the surrounding points if the subject moves from the selected area. This makes it easier to keep a fast-moving subject sharp than Single-point AF as you’ve got a bigger target to keep over the subject. Auto-area AF mode is useful for subjects that move erratically. It can be used to detect and track subject automatically, but there’s also an excellent Subject Tracking mode that is activated by pressing the OK button in Auto-area AF mode. When the white tracking point (box) appears in the frame, you just need to position it over the subject before pressing the OK button again (or AF-on). This turns the white subject-tracking box yellow, as shown in the image below. The camera will then try to track the subject around the frame. It can also do this in AF-S mode, but in AF-C mode it adjusts the focus as subject distance changes.

Shortcuts for changing the AF mode on Nikon Z cameras

Rather than dipping into the main or Info menus, there are shortcut options to make adjustments to the AF setting. These are quicker to use and they’re especially helpful when you’re holding the camera to your eye. Here’s what you need to do:
  1. Press and hold the FN2 button on the front of the camera near the lens mount.
  2. Use the rear command dial to scroll through the Focus modes (manual, Single AF and Continuous AF) in stills mode and manual, Single AF, Continuous AF and Full-time AF in video mode).
  3. Still pressing the FN2 button, use the front command dial to scroll through the AF-area options (Pinpoint AF, Single-point AF, Wide-area AF (Small), Wide-area AF (Large), Auto-area AFWide-area AF (human), Wide-area AF (animal), Auto-area AF (human) or Auto-area AF (animal) etc).
If your camera isn’t set to access the AF settings via the FN2 button, follow the link to read how to customise Nikon Z cameras.

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
4 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Trash Bin
Trash Bin
2 years ago

was looking for info about what f stop the bodies use for focussing?

chris larson
chris larson
1 year ago

Is there a way to SAVE the setting to single-point auto AF as the default?

Digby Green
Digby Green
1 year ago

The tip at the end on how to change the AF modes using the FN2 button was good.