Nikon confirms date for the release of new firmware for the Z6 and Z7

Nikon has just announced that new firmware for the Z6 and Z7 will be released on May 16.

This new firmware will include Eye Detection AF. But it will not only include Eye AF, but also improved autofocus performance in low light conditions and the ability to use CFexpress cards.

In beta, Eye AF worked relatively well on the Z7 and could be easily switched from one eye to the other with the joystick or dial on the back of the camera. Other competing cameras, such as Sony’s a7R III, have had Eye AF for quite some time.

The most surprising thing about this news is that Nikon has commented that at the moment the Eye AF only works for photos and does not work, yet, for video recording. Hopefully Nikon will make Eye AF work for both video and photos.

Will this new firmware release see the inclusion of 12-bit RAW output for the Z6 and Z7? It seems rather unlikely at this point. Nikon camera users will have a long wait before they can capture ProRes RAW on a compatible Atomos device.

It’s good to see Nikon continuing to improve and add features for the Z6 and Z7. With a flexible mount, a large collection of lenses that can be used through adapters, good video performance and the eventual ability to record RAW Prores on an Atomos Ninja V, they are gaining new fans for their products.