Nikon has announced a firmware upgrade for Z Series cameras. In general AF (AutoFocus) and tracking capabilities are improved. Furthermore, prices of the Z6 and Z7 models drop (30% and 20% accordantly). All details below.

Nikon’s firmware upgrade for Z series cameras

Today, Nikon has announced that firmware Ver. 1.20 for the Z 7II and Z 6II, firmware Ver. 3.30 for the Z 7 and Z 6, firmware Ver 1.10 for the Z 5, and firmware Ver. 2.10 for the Z 50 will be released on April 26.

Enhanced AF

Firmware Ver. 1.20 for the Z 7II and Z 6II will offer increased AF (AutoFocus) performance, including faster focusing when shooting with AF in low light situations. Further, AF usability when using an external Speedlight will also increase, through improvements to detection performance in scenes where it was difficult to detect faces and eyes, as well as improvements to subject visibility during live view shooting.

Tracking

In addition, tracking frames used for face and eye detection, as well as subject-tracking AF have been improved, enabling smoother and more stable shooting. Additional firmware updates will also be available on April 26 for other Z series cameras. These updates include firmware Ver. 3.30 for the Z 7 and Z 6, as well as Ver. 2.10 for the Z 50, which will add the Save Focus Position option that allows the current focus position to be saved when the camera is turned off and restored when next turned on. The new firmware for the Z 6 will also add the voice memo recording/play function, popular with the D6. The addition of the voice memo recording/play function is also planned for the Z 6II in a future firmware update.

Further, firmware Ver. 1.10 for the Z 5 will include faster AF detection speed during low light situations when shooting in the Low-Light AF mode, thereby improving usability. The Z 5 will also gain the Save Focus Position option.

It’s hard to tell though if the upgrade includes video or just stills. By reading between the lines, it’s understandable that video shooters will enjoy that too.

Laying the groundwork for the new flagship

Nikon is getting ready for the launch of its new flagship, the Z 9. The Nikon Z 9  is defined (by Nikon) as “The best still and video performance in Nikon’s history”. The Z 9 will be armed with a new full-frame sensor that capable of 8K video recording. Thus, this is the time to reduce the prices of the other full-frame alternatives (aka Z 6 and Z 7).

Nikon drops prices of Z series cameras

Nikon introduces new prices to the Z series cameras. We’ve picked the most significant price reductions which are applied to the Z 6 and Z 7. Here are the details:

• Camera: Nikon Z6 FX Camera Body. Price: $1,996.95 $1,396.95 .Saving:$600.00 (30%).
• Camera: Nikon Z7 FX Camera Body. Price: $2,796.95 $2,296.95. Saving:$500.00 (18%).

Head over to this link to explore all the other Nikon rebates.

Offers valid April 19, 2021, at 12:00 A.M. ET until May 2, 2021, at 11:59 P.M. ET.

Final thoughts

As a new flagship is on the horizon, this is the time to reduce the prices of the other high-end models. The upcoming Z 9 looks promising, but its price point would be even more intriguing. We’ll keep you posted about the development status of the Z 9. Stay tuned. Till then, the Z models offer solid solutions for filmmakers and are still relevant in the market.

Products list

• Camera: Nikon Z6 Body. Price: $1,400 [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://adorama.rfvk.net/WDq52J” ]
• Camera: Nikon Z7 Body. Price: $2,300 [maxbutton id=”1″ url=”https://adorama.rfvk.net/n1LMWV” ]