Nikon Z series' promised eye-detection feature has arrived with new 2.0 firmware
With further improvements to autofocus performance
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Nikon’spromiseof improving the performance of itsZ7andZ6full-frame mirrorless cameras has been kept. We knewwhat to expectfrom the latest firmware update and the camera manufacturer has not disappointed.
Firmware version 2.0 for the Z7 and Z6 is now available, and focuses on improving, well, autofocus (AF) functionality in both cameras.
The most anticipated upgrade is the addition of eye detection when using the Auto-area AF mode in both single shot (AF-S) and continuous shooting (AF-C) modes. According to Nikon, the cameras will now be able to lock onto subjects’ eyes even when they’re moving, or partially obscured by another object. When photographing multiple subjects, focus can be shifted from one face to another (or between eyes) by pressing the multi-selector or sub-selector to the left or right.
Nikon has also extended the AF detection range for both Z series cameras, which should also improve autofocus performance in low-light situations. The Z7 can now focus down to -2EV (from -1EV) while the Z6 will be able to lock on to subjects at -3.5EV (a jump from -2EV). The new firmware takes it up a notch with the AF performance on the Z6 in even darker scenarios, with improvements to its dedicated Low Light AF mode, which has been extended from -4EV to a significantly dim -6EV.
The last upgrade that the 2.0 firmware brings is auto-exposure (AE) tracking when using the extended burst mode. Earlier, auto exposure was locked with the first shot, but now the cameras will be able to meter the scene between frames and adjust exposure accordingly, resulting in more consistent shots through the entire burst (12fps for the Z7 and 9fps for the Z6).
The new Nikon firmware is free to download and is available fromNikon’s Download Center.
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While she’s happiest with a camera in her hand, Sharmishta’s main priority is being TechRadar’s APAC Managing Editor, looking after the day-to-day functioning of the Australian, New Zealand and Singapore editions of the site, steering everything from news and reviews to ecommerce content like deals and coupon codes. While she loves reviewing cameras and lenses when she can, she’s also an avid reader and has become quite the expert on ereaders and E Ink writing tablets, having appeared on Singaporean radio to talk about these underrated devices. Other than her duties at TechRadar, she’s also the Managing Editor of the Australian edition of Digital Camera World, and writes for Tom’s Guide and T3.
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