Nikon has released a new firmware update for the Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z7 full-frame mirrorless cameras.
Updating the Z6 and Z7 to firmware version 3.00 adds a new Animal-detection AF feature to the current Face/eye-detection AF. Subject tracking has also been modified to function more like the 3D-tracking feature in Nikon digital SLR cameras and support for additional CFexpress memory card brands has also been added. Check brands at Adorama, B&H, and Amazon in the US.
Below are the main changes:
- Animal eye detection AF
- Added support for ProGrade and Lexar CFexpress memory cards (Type B)
- Improved subject-tracking AF
- Added support for the NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S
- Other fixes and improvements
Nikon Z6 Firmware Version 3.00:
- • Added support for ProGrade and Lexar CFexpress memory cards (Type B). For more information, see the Nikon website for your country or region.
- • Custom Setting a4 (Auto-area AF face/eye detection) now offers an Animal detection option that adds dogs and cats to the subjects supported by face- and eye-detection autofocus. As a result, the camera can now detect and focus on the faces and eyes of dogs and cats. Animal face detection (but not eye detection) is also available in movie mode.
- • Improved the functionality of subject-tracking AF (available when Auto-area AF is selected for AF-area mode) as follows:
- – Subject-tracking AF can now be initiated via the Fn1 or Fn2 button on the camera or the Fn1 or Fn2 button on the lens. Subject-tracking AF must first be assigned to the control using Custom Setting f2 (Custom control assignment) in Group f (Controls) of the CUSTOM SETTING MENU or Custom Setting g2 (Custom control assignment).
- – The behavior of the camera when tracking is end by pressing the AF-ON button or by pressing the shutter-release button halfway with AF-C (continuous-servo autofocus) and subject-tracking AF enabled in photo mode has been changed to more closely resemble that of the 3D-tracking option for digital SLR cameras.
- • Custom Setting f2 (Custom control assignment) in Group f (Controls) of the CUSTOM SETTING MENU now offers a Lens Fn2 button option, which can be used to choose the role played by the L-Fn2 button available on certain Z mount lenses (as of February 12, 2020, only the NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S).
- • Added support for the focus limit switch available on certain Z mount lenses (as of February 12, 2020, only the NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S).
- • Optimized the responsiveness of the switch to manual focus when the focus or control ring on a Z mount lens is rotated during autofocus. Note that the control ring only functions in this capacity when assigned the Focus (M/A) role.
- • Fixed the following issues:
- – When Viewfinder brightness was adjusted manually, brightness would sometimes change when the standby timer was restarted.
- – iOS devices running iOS 13 would sometimes display a Bluetooth pairing request when pairing was complete.
- Note: For information on the license for the open-source software included in the camera’s NVM Express driver, see “BSD License (NVM Express Driver)”.
Nikon Z7 Firmware Version 3.00:
- • Added support for ProGrade and Lexar CFexpress memory cards (Type B). For more information, see the Nikon website for your country or region.
- • Custom Setting a4 (Auto-area AF face/eye detection) now offers an Animal detection option that adds dogs and cats to the subjects supported by face- and eye-detection autofocus. As a result, the camera can now detect and focus on the faces and eyes of dogs and cats. Animal face detection (but not eye detection) is also available in movie mode.
- • Improved the functionality of subject-tracking AF (available when Auto-area AF is selected for AF-area mode) as follows:
- – Subject-tracking AF can now be initiated via the Fn1 or Fn2 button on the camera or the Fn1 or Fn2 button on the lens. Subject-tracking AF must first be assigned to the control using Custom Setting f2 (Custom control assignment) in Group f (Controls) of the CUSTOM SETTING MENU or Custom Setting g2 (Custom control assignment).
- – The behavior of the camera when tracking is end by pressing the AF-ON button or by pressing the shutter-release button halfway with AF-C (continuous-servo autofocus) and subject-tracking AF enabled in photo mode has been changed to more closely resemble that of the 3D-tracking option for digital SLR cameras.
- • Custom Setting f2 (Custom control assignment) in Group f (Controls) of the CUSTOM SETTING MENU now offers a Lens Fn2 button option, which can be used to choose the role played by the L-Fn2 button available on certain Z mount lenses (as of February 12, 2020, only the NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S).
- • Added support for the focus limit switch available on certain Z mount lenses (as of February 12, 2020, only the NIKKOR Z 70–200mm f/2.8 VR S).
- • Optimized the responsiveness of the switch to manual focus when the focus or control ring on a Z mount lens is rotated during autofocus. Note that the control ring only functions in this capacity when assigned the Focus (M/A) role.
- • Fixed the following issues:
- – When Viewfinder brightness was adjusted manually, brightness would sometimes change when the standby timer was restarted.
- – iOS devices running iOS 13 would sometimes display a Bluetooth pairing request when pairing was complete.
- – Horizontal lines would sometimes appear in photographs.
- Note: For information on the license for the open-source software included in the camera’s NVM Express driver, see “BSD License (NVM Express Driver)”.
Download links:
Nikon Z6 Firmware Version 3.00
Nikon Z7 Firmware Version 3.00
See also: Best Lenses for Nikon Z6 and Z7 | Best Memory Cards for Nikon Z6 & Z7
Nikon Upcoming Cameras 2020
Read more Nikon Camera Rumors.
Join the Nikon Camera Users Group to share your Nikon photography, ask and answer questions that arise and help each others!
