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After I first obtained phrase of the Nikon Zf I assumed, as I am certain many did, that it might primarily be a Z6II repackaged in a vintage-style housing. In actuality, the Zf has much more to supply than simply some retro allure – although it does have loads of that, too.
I used to be excited to seek out out what it is like to make use of, particularly after being so impressed with its bigger sibling, the Nikon Z8. I have been taking pictures with it over the past week, and this is how I obtained on.
Nikon / Pocket-lint
Nikon Zf
Beneficial
The Nikon Zf is an attractive digicam, however greater than that, it is a superb performer and nice worth, too.
- Attractive design and construct
- Spectacular 3D autofocus monitoring
- 8-stop IBIS / VR
- As much as 30fps burst taking pictures (JPEG / digital shutter)
- 10-bit H.265 video and N-Log
- Huge crop at 4K60
- Not probably the most comfy grip
Value, specs and availability
The Nikon Zf was introduced in September 2023 and is obtainable to pre-order now. It retails for round $2000 within the US and £2229 within the UK. It is going to be transport in direction of the top of October.
Nikon Zf
- Model
- Nikon
- Sensor Measurement
- Full body
- Video Decision
- as much as 4K60 cropped / 4K30 full body
- Picture Decision
- 24.5MP
- Battery
- EN-EL15c
- Measurement
- 144 x 103 x 49mm
- Weight
- 630g
- Water Resistance
- Climate sealed
- Lens
- Z mount
- Storage
- SD + microSD
Design
Is it unusual to name a digicam horny? As a result of that appears like one of the simplest ways to explain the Nikon Zf. It has the feel and appear of a Nineteen Sixties movie SLR, very similar to the model’s first-ever SLR the Nikon F, which is undoubtedly the place this mannequin will get its identify from. It is heavy and dense in your fingers, and the shiny magnesium alloy chassis feels cool to the contact. It simply oozes high quality.
The plain comparability is Nikon’s Zfc, which has very related aesthetics, however this mannequin is scaled as much as home its bigger sensor, and it has a bit extra of a grip on the right-hand facet.
This grip is respectable sufficient for those who’re utilizing smaller lenses, however I examined utilizing the hefty Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S, and it wasn’t precisely comfy with such a front-heavy setup. Fortunately, Nikon has considered this, and it has teamed up with SmallRig to supply a bigger width grip accent that mounts to the bottom of the digicam and retails for about $50.
On the highest panel, you get an array of classic dials that management your ISO, shutter pace and EV comp. There is a PASM lever on the left-hand facet, which I used to be completely satisfied to see, as that is one thing that you do not get on the Fujifilm X-T5 with its in any other case related controls.
There’s additionally a selector swap beneath the shutter pace dial the place you may swap between photograph and video modes, in addition to a devoted black-and-white mode. It is a neat little addition, and I positively felt that it inspired me to make the most of the monochrome image types extra usually.
One other cool characteristic is the tiny LCD on the highest panel, which shows your aperture. It is not probably the most helpful factor on the earth, but it surely provides to the classic really feel, all we’d like now could be a movie advance lever.
There is a distinct lack of Fn buttons, however there’s one on the entrance of the digicam, and it is suitably retro. Wanting one thing like a flowery cufflink, the identical styling is utilized to the lens launch button, too. There is not any autofocus joystick, which took some getting used to, however you may, not less than, use the touchscreen and directional buttons to attain the identical factor.
Connectivity and shows
The Nikon Zf physique is well-equipped with ports, although some compromises have been made to go well with its petite kind issue. For instance, you do get twin SD card slots, however one of many slots is microSD. In apply, it is no problem, speedy microSD playing cards are plentiful lately and might be had for discount costs. These card slots can do just about all the pieces their bigger counterparts can do, too.
Elsewhere, you get separate 3.5mm headphone and microphone ports, a USB-C port for knowledge and charging and a micro HDMI output. In fact, a full-size HDMI can be preferable for video shooters, however the micro connector is smart given the scale constraints. The ports are properly positioned, too, and in regular use, solely the USB-C is prone to intervene with the articulation of the LCD.
One factor that hasn’t been downsized is the battery. The Zf makes use of an EN-EL15c battery, just like the Z6II, quite than the smaller EN-EL25 pack that is discovered within the Zfc. In sensible phrases, I discovered {that a} single cost was greater than sufficient to get me by means of a full day of taking pictures. Although, that was primarily pictures, and I would nonetheless advocate carrying a spare for those who’re taking pictures numerous movies. In any case, it may be recharged by way of USB-C when required.
The EVF seems to be the identical because the Z6II, it presents a 3.69 million dot decision, which is lots sharp sufficient for me, but it surely’s nothing too thrilling. With a 60fps refresh fee, you won’t have the smoothness you need for fast-moving sports activities shoots.
The touchscreen LCD is a flip-out type, which is an attention-grabbing alternative. Clearly, it is nice for video taking pictures, particularly if it is advisable movie your self, however on condition that the digicam appears largely geared in direction of pictures, a tilting display screen may need made extra sense. Particularly since the remainder of Nikon’s full-frame lineup utilises tilting shows. That mentioned, it is an excellent show, with a 2.1 million dot decision it is good and sharp, and the contact controls are very responsive.
Picture and video efficiency
The Nikon Zf has the identical 24.5MP sensor because the Z6II, but it surely’s paired with the Xpeed 7 processor that is discovered within the Z8. This permits the Zf to do the identical wonderful 3D focus monitoring because the Z8, and it is the primary time we have seen this characteristic come to such an reasonably priced physique.
The processor additionally permits for some fairly speedy taking pictures. You get burst taking pictures in RAW as much as 14fps with autofocus, or 30fps in JPEG utilizing the digital shutter. There are pre-burst choices accessible, too.
The Zf additionally boosts the IBIS (or vibration discount) to permit for as much as 8 stops of compensation, probably the most we have seen from any Nikon digicam. There’s one other distinctive characteristic with this IBIS system, too, and that is the truth that it may be set to centre the stabilisation across the focus level quite than the centre of the body. This helps keep away from distortion and blur when your topic is framed within the nook of your picture – nevertheless, it solely works in photograph mode, and never with telephoto lenses.
Since this digicam has such classic styling, you may be tempted to pair it with classic lenses. For those who do, there’s an excellent characteristic that makes use of the attention detection characteristic to permit you to punch in and manually focus in your topic’s eyes. This can be a incredible thought, and as somebody who regularly shoots with handbook lenses, I hope it turns into a extra widespread characteristic.
I used to be actually happy with the pictures that I used to be capable of seize with the Nikon Zf, the IBIS is superb, creating tack-sharp photographs even with longer exposures in low-light circumstances. It handles noise very well, and the autofocus is each speedy and dependable.
Now, the Zf is clearly designed with pictures in thoughts, the array of retro dials are sufficient to offer that away. However, that does not imply it might probably’t carry out in relation to video.
What’s on supply here’s a stunning quantity {of professional} video options, together with 10-bit seize in H.265 and N-Log. It additionally inherits a bunch of helpful video options from the Z8, like waveform scopes and the big selection of autofocus choices.
You possibly can shoot uncropped video at 4K 30fps, and it will do 4K 60fps, albeit with a heavy 1.5x crop. It loses out on a few of the fancier codecs from Nikon’s pricier cameras, akin to ProRes choices, however as a B-camera, this can get the job executed handily.
I spent most of my time utilizing the digicam for pictures, as I think about that is the way it will mostly be used. However, the few clips I took regarded wonderful. Autofocus labored properly, and the IBIS is respectable for video, too. The one factor to be careful for is the rolling shutter, as this sensor would not have the quickest readout, however as long as you are not whip-panning regularly, try to be high quality.
Verdict
The Nikon Zf is an excellent digicam, it feels nice in use, and it is superbly designed. What’s extra, it supplies significant enhancements over the Z6II, and presents a few of the issues that make the Z8 so nice, however at a way more reasonably priced value.
If you need the classic look, however aren’t married to Nikon, then the Fujifilm X-T5 can be value contemplating. However, for those who go for that, you then step all the way down to an APS-C sensor and solely save round $300.
If you need the classic look and a full-frame sensor, then I am unable to consider a greater choice than the Nikon Zf. Even when the classic factor would not draw you in, it is a well-priced and very succesful digicam basically, so it is actually value your consideration.
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