Nikon Z 9 Firmware Update 4.10 Released – Dedicated Detection of Airplanes and Birds

Firmware Update

by Alexandra ThompsonOctober 5^th, 2023

If you’re passionate about capturing images of flying objects, Nikon has recently unveiled a firmware update for their Z 9 that significantly simplifies the process, whether you’re shooting photos or recording videos. Birds and Airplanes have been added to the AF subject detection option in the photo and video recording menus. You can download it here.

Nikon continues to enhance the firmware for the Z 9, a camera that we deemed the top choice for mirrorless video in 2021. Earlier this year, the Nikon Z 9 received a significant 4.0 firmware update, introducing features like a lower minimum ISO and Auto Capture, and much more. Now, they’ve introduced a new feature that will particularly interest those of us who look to the sky.

Nikon Z 9 firmware update is for the birds!

Added to the AF subject detection options are Birds and Airplanes. The tracking performance has also gotten a boost across different scenarios, including birds in full flight, and even in instances where they are not the primary subject in the frame. Furthermore, AF detection has been improved to increase the likelihood of capturing those birds when they are not in flight, like when they are perched in a tree. Plus, Nikon tells us that AF now excels at recognizing subjects in more complex and high-contrast environments.

Soon-to-be-released firmware update for the Z 8

Nikon has also announced that there will be a firmware update for the Z 8 sometime early in 2024, which will add the dedicated bird subject detection option to their Airplane option along with other improvements.

Check out the last big update as well

If you missed the last big update for the Nikon Z 9, you can read about it here, and if you’re still thinking about buying one of these cameras and these recent firmware updates have almost got you convinced, take a look at our review from when it first came out. When we said it had lots of room to grow, Nikon must have heard us!

Do you have the Z 9 and have you tested their latest firmware update? Are you a nature or bird photographer, and does this release spark your interest in this camera? Let us know in the comments down below!