Nikon Z 50, Z5, Z6, and Z7 Firmware Update Released – Improved AF Performances and Stability

Firmware Update

by Jeff LochNovember 12^th, 2021

Nikon recently released a series of firmware updates for its Nikon Z 50, Z 5, Z 6, and Z 7 mirrorless cameras. All firmware updates improve the cameras’ autofocus performances, they add compatibility with the new Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F/4 S and FTZ II lens mount adapter and fix a couple of bugs. Let’s take a closer look at these!

Following the recent announcement of the Nikon Z 9 with incredible video recording capabilities, it looks like Nikon took a bit of its flagship mirrorless camera technology and decided to implement it on “older” cameras.

The company recently released a couple of firmware updates for the Nikon Z 50, Z 5, Z 6, and Z 7.

Nikon Z 50 and Z 5 firmware updates

Let’s start with the firmware updates for the Nikon Z 50 (Firmware 2.20) and Nikon Z 5 (Firmware 1.20), which are very similar. Indeed, both firmware updates add support for the FTZ II mount adapters and NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S lenses that were released last month.

In terms of autofocus performance improvement, Nikon claims that “face/eye detection performance and the visibility of subjects in pictures taken using an optional flash unit” have improved.

Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 firmware updates

The firmware updates for the Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 (Firmware 3.40) includes all the improvements listed above but add a couple of other benefits. Here is the complete list of changes and modifications:

• For filmmakers recording externally to an HDMI monitor/recorder like the Ninja V/V+ or Blackmagic Video Assist: in low-light shooting conditions, flicker is less likely to appear in the display when N-Log or RAW footage recording is used.
• Nikon also improved eye detection performance for Auto-area AF.
• Increased the refresh rate for the focus point displayed during face/eye-detection and subject-tracking AF.
• Fixed: the camera would sometimes stop responding when Auto was selected for Set Picture Control in the PHOTO SHOOTING MENU.
• Fixed: the camera would sometimes exceed the value selected for ISO sensitivity settings > Maximum sensitivity in the MOVIE SHOOTING MENU.

As you can tell, these improvements and fixes are primarily targeted at filmmakers.

Availability

All these firmware are available now for free:

• Firmware update 2.20 for the Nikon Z 50
• Firmware update 1.20 for the Nikon Z 5
• Firmware updates 3.40 for the Nikon Z 6 and Z 7

What do you think about these updates? Do you use a Nikon mirrorless camera as your A cam? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!