Nikon's eye-tracking AF in action

Video: Nikon Eye AF in action

Nikon's forthcoming firmware update which adds eye-tracking AF  to the Nikon Z 7 and Nikon Z 6 was being demonstrated in public for the first time in Europe at The Photography Show

We reported on the firmware update previously, which also adds CFexpress support and Raw video output, as well as improved low-light autofocus and auto-exposure performance. Nikon UK's Senior Product Manager Tim Carter revealed, however,  that these enhancements may well come as a series of separate updates if different elements are ready at different times. 

Nikon Eye AF in actrion

Nikon Eye AF in actrion

Eye tracking has become especially important for photographers using the latest wide-aperture prime lenses, where there is no margin for any focus error, and especially for vloggers, who often need to film themselves talking to the camera and have to trust the camera to keep them in focus.

When we tried the eye-tracking AF it proved unnervingly accurate, locking onto a subject's eyes and maintaining focus on them as they moved their head, switching to full-face focus if the subject moved further away, or moved in such a way that they eyes weren't visible, as our video clip shows. We look forward to testing out this exciting new feature properly once we're able to install the firmware update on our own Z cameras.

Adam Waring
Guides Editor

Prior to joining digitalcameraworld.com as Guides Editor, Adam was the editor of N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine for seven years, and as such is one of Digital Camera World's leading experts when it comes to all things Nikon-related.

Whether it’s reviews and hands-on tests of the latest Nikon cameras and lenses, sharing his skills using filters, tripods, lighting, L brackets and other photography equipment, or trading tips and techniques on shooting landscapes, wildlife and almost any genre of photography, Adam is always on hand to provide his insights.

Prior to his tenure on N-Photo, Adam was also a veteran of publications such as PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine, so his wealth of photographic knowledge isn’t solely limited to the Big N.

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