Live Science Verdict
The thoroughgoing in - between for motion-picture show fans who require the comfort station of a digital mirrorless , this fresh model from Nikon has all the latest characteristic with gorgeous tactile feedback .
Dials feel and sound majuscule
Fully joint touchscreen
The Nikon Zf has a wrap-around texture reminiscent of film SLRs(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
Full - frame detector
Flagship Nikon processing engine
No screen contention when tucked
A lens release button (right) and a programmable function button sit at the front of the camera.(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
Learning curve for those used to standard mirrorless
Shutter focal ratio dial lock frustrating
Shallow hold can carve up opinion
Mode dials and switches live on the top of the Zf.(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
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The Nikon Zf might just be the mirrorless camera you ’ve always dreamt of , if the tactility and esthetic of a moving-picture show camera but the public convenience and versatility of a digital camera is what you ’re after .
Myriad retro - looking DSLR and mirrorless television camera are out there on the grocery store , and they invoke to a range of photographers who love the aspect of the filmic SLRs of the past — but usually , they ’re compromised on performance and speed through one feature or another . That ’s not the vitrine with the Zf .
The camera ships with everything you need to get started, but ships without a mains plug for charging the battery.(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
While its 24.5 MP stills and 4 K UHD 30p video are nothing to get over - worked up about these years , what is telling is that it lark about the same flagship processing engine , the EXPEED 7 , as found in the Nikon Z9 and Z8 , both absolute powerhouse .
Plus , low faint lovers should rejoice because the autofocusing on the Zf sees the accuracy drop down to -10EV . That ’s the lowest of any Nikon television camera , ever , and the lowest we ’ve ever tested here at Live Science .
Nikon Zf review
Nikon Zf: Design
Do you want a shutter speed telephone dial ? You got it . ISO telephone dial ? Yep . Mode selector switch alternatively of a button ? The Zf has that too . There ’s even a switch to move between stills , TV and black & white modes . Each dial and switch gives a satisfying , audible ' clunk ' as it ’s move back and forth . No cheap , rattly thin plastic and clicks and taps . This sounds deep and solid .
The fact that this camera also has a fully articulate touch screen means there ’s more than one way to do the same job . What we love about the dials and button layout is that everything is tactile . Not only does this appeal to the nostalgic lensman but it ’s in reality practical . Muscle memory counts for a heck of a mass when it comes to shoot national , and the speed with which you’re able to flick a shot or protrude transcription is sometimes just as important as what scope you have dial in .
Ever got frustrated with your smartphone when the apps update , change color , lumber you out and user user interface move around with each looping of the computer software ? You wo n’t find that job with the Nikon Zf , because not only are the dedicated dials and buttons just there , their numbers and alphabetic character are etch into them , evermore .
Modes are switched with a lever and ISO control is operated using a dial(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
Type : Mirrorless
Sensor:24.5 MP , full - systema skeletale
Lens mount : Nikon ezed
The shutter speed dial sits above the shooting modes of black & white stills, normal stills and video(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
ISO range:100 - 64,000 ( expandable to 204,800 )
Viewfinder : Electronic , 3.69 m dots
Video capability:4 K 30p / FullHD 120p
Exposure compensation has its own dial next to the shutter release(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
Weight:22.29 oz . ( 630 g )
Size:5.7 x 4.1 x 2 in / 144 mm x 103 mm x 49 mm
Memory card:1x SD UHS - II , 1x microSD UHS - I
A small LCD screen displays the current aperture setting in f/stops(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
drape in a beautiful grain that ’s similar to many vintage SLRs , we call up the Zf looks good from any angle . A round viewfinder eyepiece is a nice soupcon but take a expression at the top and you ’ll discern a teeny , bantam niggling LCD window . This display the f / stop that ’s dialed into the lens system . So mellifluous . So little . So cool !
There ’s even a threaded connector on the shutter release button which grant photographers to impart a piano shutter release button . Some argue that this serve to lose weight vibration when pressing the button , which would be useful for depressed - light shooting where longer shutter speeds bewitch television camera shake fuzz easier . We did n’t test this function ourselves , but the customizability of this is invoke .
Nikon make its ownAR-11 flabby shutter releasewhich was originally design for the Df , but there aremany other colors and material typesto help the esthetically - conscious viewpoint out from the crowd .
The ultimate test, autofocusing in the dark with the Nikon Zf, was a breeze as it latched onto the silhouetted horizon
When it comes to standing out , if you ’re finding a black camera a small 2022 , then pick from the six extra colours the Zf comes in . Blue , red , brown , green , gray and orangish ( with their own proprietary names ) each have unique textures , too .
Nikon Zf: Performance
The first performance exam that really stood out to us was the autofocusing velocity and dependableness . Almost like a train it ’ll chug back and away between subject without so much as a breathing time . It does this all , of course , while rattling out up to 14 FPS still photos using the mechanically skillful shutter which hold the same satisfying audible thump as its dial .
It owes this in part to a combining of its Deep Learning technology — which gives appropriate trailing and subject recognition for multitude , CT , heel , birds , bicycles , motorbikes , cars , aircraft and gearing — and its power to autofocus down to -10EV .
Autofocusing down to -10EV might not intend much to the regular user but trust us , it ’s huge ! This advert to the last light level at which it can automatically focus on a subject field accurately , and this is the lowest of any Nikon ever create . Even the monster Nikon Z8 only step down to -9EV , and that is jaw - dropping on its own .
Impressive image noise handling. Image cropped to 100% and shot at: f/1.8, shutter speed: 1/2 sec, ISO: 8000(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
Look at our example range of a function above of a silhouetted suburban skyline and you could see that even on this moonless night the photographic camera did an excellent line at latch autofocus onto the contrast rooftops . It was instant as well : no hunt back and forth , just a unbent latch .
Nikon state that across the ISO range 100 - 64,000 ( expandable to 204,800 ) is the widest range among Z series tv camera . By direction of comparing , the Z8 can muster an ISO range of 64 - 25,600 ( expandable to 102,400 ) . We screen the limit of this in some humiliated - light shooting and were impressed with the invariability of the image noise throughout the frame , even at high-pitched ISOs into the decade of G .
If you ’re a substance abuser that upgrade their camera geartrain every decennary or so , you ’ll find that the ikon dissonance handling of the Zf when set to ISO 8000 is about the same as an equivalent full - physical body DSLR set to ISO 1000 - 1500 from 10 or so years ago .
The same image and crop shot at: f/1.8, shutter speed: 20 sec, ISO: 250(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
Take a spirit at our above exercise images and you may see just how well this image dissonance comes out . Even at ISO 8000 with only 1/2 2d shutter speed at f/1.8 on a 24 millimeter lens , this 100 % harvest into the epitome show negligible noise , minimum colour straining ( a picayune Battle of Magenta ) and undifferentiated grain across the skeleton . ISO 250 is clean by comparison but this noise manipulation is impressive by any standards .
Nikon Zf: Functionality
For the users that this camera is design for , it ’s really hard to image out what else we would add to make it more likeable . perchance the shallow grip could be deep ? But then there ’s a SmallRig hairgrip adaptor to deepen it , so that ’s covered .
What about if it shot in microSD ? Yep , double card one-armed bandit intend Nikon have thought of that , too .
OK , we could boost the resolution and add a second retention visiting card one-armed bandit for dual shooting for the pros , but let ’s front it , they ’re going to drop some dollar on the Z8 or Z9 .
The Zf takes a standard EN-EL15c battery and the compartment also houses the SD and microSD slots.
Everything is solid . The dials clop into place and that ’s the camera preferences do . We can see what ’s go on , and the touch screen is excellent too . Maybe we could split hairs and ask for a tilting touch screen , but then we might lose the power to full articulate it , which is serious for video and selfies .
It is a little frustrating that we have to fold out the touchscreen to take high- and low - slant shot , and we know from talking to some of our pro lensman Quaker that they favour a tilting silver screen that does n’t fold fully out , because they ’re a little rough and ready with their gear and have broken a few screens in their fourth dimension . But for everyone else , this is n’t really an issue .
Should you buy the Nikon Zf?
As a full - frame mirrorless camera with all these spec and performance tucked away inside a stylish and immaculately design exterior , we ’d happily recommend the Zf to booster , family and photographers who love the retro feel .
If you ’re a pixel voyeur and only care about the pure specifications , you may detect the maximum image and telecasting resoluteness and compatibility a footling limiting . It ’ll create trope and videos that can be displayed on large posters and the boastful screen door , but it ’s not a cutting - edge spec designed for those that want to go pro .
The tangible take - family about this television camera is that it effortlessly commingle sweetheart and brawniness . It look good , it shoots well and it ’s got just enough oomph to land some truly sensational images without compromise .
The fully articulating touchscreen can be pulled out from the main body.(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
Add that to the one low - luminance carrying out and we imagine it ’s a steal for under $ 2,000 .
If this product isn’t for you
Not every photographer will need the aesthetic stylings of the Nikon Zf , and for those that require to stick with the company we ’d recommend spend more and opt for the Nikon Z8 if your budget stretches to it — though this really only appeals to amateurs with mystifying pockets and work professionals .
The Nikon Z9 is the flagship model in Nikon ’s Z mirrorless line - up but again is only suited to professionals , and specifically those that need to shoot sports and tight - pace action or wildlife .
require to keep the vintage stylings but spend around one-half as much ? Then the Nikon Zfc may be the correct option for you . It has those gratify telephone dial and switches but it jumpstart down in terms of performance too , with an APS - C harvest sensor body . However , that craw sensor means a 1.5x exaggeration so telephoto lenses will bet like they accomplish further — slap-up for the bird and aviation photography relish by many hobbyist at this price stove .
The touchscreen rotated for selfie viewing(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
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The touchscreen tucked away into the body, screen flipped out.(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
The USB-C, 3.5 mm jacks and mini HDMI connections reside on the left of the camera body as viewed while shooting with it(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
The bottom of the camera is home to the battery and memory card compartment and has a tripod mount adapter port.(Image credit: Jase Parnell-Brookes)
