Eighteen months after release, Nikon continues to improve the Nikon Z-series cameras with firmware updates.

2.0 brought significant improvement to AF tracking with implementation of eye detection for stills. 2.1 and 2.10, to the dismay of naysayers unimpressed by Nikon’s focus tracking, squished a few bugs without further additions. 2.20 added support for Type B Sony CFexpress memory cards but not the anticipated functionality for ProRes Raw codec for video — that was announced as a paid $250CAD upgrade that requires a factory modification (shipping not included).

The latest version 3.0 is chock full of goodies, including the following additional functions and fixes:

• Support for ProGrade and Lexar CFexpress memory cards (Type B).
• Animal detection added to Custom Setting a4 (Auto-area AF face/eye detection). 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 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 behaviour of the camera when tracking is ended 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.

As I demonstrate in the video above, the ability to control the focus “box” (via Function or OK button) goes a long way to making the tracking  more intuitive. The video tutorial includes a guide to Fn button assignment for Subject-tracking AF and a how-to for those new to firmware updates.

The latest versions can be accessed at Nikon’s Download Centre.

Incidentally, this video debuted as my first “viral” video, relative to the reach of my little channel.