After the success of the Nikon Z50, Nikon has released the Z fc, which is the company’s second mirrorless camera with an APS-C crop sensor. Even though the two cameras are almost the same inside, it is abundantly evident that the experience of taking pictures with each one is unique. The new look of the Nikon Z fc is the primary topic of discussion during this review.
There are currently two APS-C cameras, two second-generation full-frame versions, the Nikon Z6 II and the Nikon Z7 II, and the Nikon Z5, which are all part of the current Nikon Z portfolio. The native lens lineup for full-frame is far more developed than that for APS-C, with 17 lenses instead of just two specialized zoom kit lenses.
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The new Z 28mm f/2.8 SE lens, which was released alongside the Nikon Z fc and which we used for this test, is a clear 42mm f/2.8 equivalent lens in addition to being an attractive combination with the Nikon Z fc.
So, why was this brand-new camera given such a peculiar name? “F” is for “fusion,” as the combination of the present and the past. This language is present in the full-frame Nikon Df, which was released in 2013, and similarly, here we have a digital camera that was influenced by the company’s historical analog cameras.
Design
The design of the Nikon Z fc is something that can be appreciated by everybody, regardless of whether or not they are fans of the Nikon FM2. The camera has an exquisite appearance. We have fond memories of the Nikon FM2, which was an aspirational camera for photography enthusiasts. The careful attention to detail in redesigning the Nikon FM2 for today is impressive.
There is not a single feature about the Nikon Z fc that is not appealing. When viewed from the front, the camera has almost the same proportions as the FM2, which indicates that it is a tiny and lightweight device. Everything about it, from its physical factor to design elements, screams FM2. Even the typeface is a direct reflection of that.
The vista that you get from the summit is just as breathtaking. Even though it is slimmer than the FM2, it still has exposure settings for ISO, shutter speed, and an exposure compensation dial. One of our favorite features is the little window with an LCD readout of the current aperture setting. Nikon has accomplished a significant portion of their goal, but they still need to work on its lenses.
Nikon Zfc Features & Performance
Even with the classic appeal and a focus on manual control, the Nikon Z fc is no slacker and comes packed with a feature set that can compete with similar cameras.
The camera has a quick start-up time and may begin taking pictures less than a second after it has been powered on. No dawdling here. When used in everyday situations, Z-series lenses focus swiftly and softly and provide the option to focus manually.
An on-screen touch tracking auto-focus remains fixed on your target, and the Z fc recognizes faces and eyes with speed, precision, and dependability that is decent.
While the viewfinder is active, you can press the OK button to bring up a manual AF selection area. Still, you will not be able to use the available touchscreen to swipe through the general sites to choose an autofocus region.
Nikon Zfc Image Quality
Because the Nikon Z fc has the same 20.9-million-pixel APS-C sensor as the Nikon Z50, we may anticipate it will produce images of the same high quality. And aside from a few handling modifications that may affect the photos you are obtaining – like the at-hand exposure compensation dial – things are indeed the same, which is not harmful.
The 20.9-megapixel sensor can control noise, as all settings up to ISO 6400 appear clean, particularly those with an ISO lower than 800. If you wish to avoid the unfavorable effects of noise, a good rule of thumb is to avoid the top two ISO levels, which in this case are ISO 25,600 and ISO 51,200. These settings may be found here. The dynamic range is rather impressive, and the incorporation of an HDR option is both straightforward and efficient.
Nikon Zfc Specs
| Body type | SLR-style mirrorless |
|---|---|
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 5568 x 3712 |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 21 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 22 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Expeed 6 |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100-51200 (expands to 100-204800) |
| Boosted ISO (minimum) | 100 |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 204800 |
| White balance presets | 8 |
| Custom white balance | Yes (6 slots) |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, normal, basic |
| File format | JPEG (Exif v2.31)Raw (12 or 14-bit NEF) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 209 |
| Lens mount | Nikon Z |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Fully articulated |
| Screen size | 3″ |
| Screen dots | 1,040,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 1.02× (0.68× 35mm equiv.) |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,360,000 |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Exposure modes | ProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManual |
| Built-in flash | No |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
| Flash modes | Front-curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync, off |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/200 sec |
| Drive modes | Single frameContinuous LContinuous HContinuous H (extended)Self-timer |
| Continuous drive | 11.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedHighlight-weightedSpot |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±5 (2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Modes | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I supported) |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 GBit/sec) |
| USB charging | Yes |
| HDMI | Yes (micro HDMI) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11ac + Bluetooth |
| Remote control | Yes (via smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 300 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 445 g (0.98 lb / 15.70 oz) |
| Dimensions | 135 x 94 x 44 mm (5.31 x 3.7 x 1.73″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | None |
Nikon Zfc Verdict
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2 used from C $1,025.97
The Nikon Z fc is a design achievement that differentiates itself from the Nikon Z50 by providing a unique shooting experience at an affordable price. The adjustable screen is another brilliant feature that perfectly exemplifies Nikon’s ‘fusion’ of traditional and modern elements.
More experienced photographers may be disappointed by the absence of weather sealing and a bigger full-frame sensor, especially when considering the variety of native lenses now on the market. But for everyone else, the Z fc is a beautiful combination of classic styling and the powerful shooting capabilities of a mirrorless camera.
