In this 6 month review of the Nikon Zfc mirrorless camera I’m going to show you the good, the bad and the ugly of this camera. Make sure you watch this before buying the camera. This nostalgic retro or vintage looking camera packs a lot into its small case, but does it come up short in a few easy win areas?
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Have you bought or would you consider buying the Nikon Zfc?
I’ve only owned my ZFc for a few days but as a long time Nikon shooter I’ll offer my quick impressions. I have read numerous reviews calling the camera cheap, as in build quality. As a Z6 owner I don’t know where that is coming from. Some say the silver paint looks cheap. What paint? That is a metallic plating and it looks just fine. It does not feel hollow IMO. Only the battery door and maybe the plastic bottom plate feel a bit consumer. A quick solution to that issue is addition of a Small Rig grip which covers the bottom plate and adds a solid grip which changes the camera’s handling in a positive way. Nice looking too. The viewfinder and rear screen are not at the same level as is the Z6 but very useable even in low light situations. As you mention the aperture indicator window is comically small and hard to see. One feature that I am enjoying is the ability to track a subject with just a tap on the rear screen. I have been using AF-a but that quick tap tracks the tap point like glue. Love it. Overall a very enjoyable camera. If anyone is turned off by the so called “aging” sensor I will refer them to Nikon guru Thom Hogan’s opinion regarding that 20MP sensor. He says it holds its own with most of the 24mp sensors and exceeds some. Yes the kit lens is plastic but works quite well. My filter solution was a 46-52mm step up ring which allows 52mm filters of which I own a zillion and then a 52mm Nikon HN-1 aluminum hood. Anyway thanks for your take on ZFc👍.
What is it made of – plastic ? metal ? VR in lenses ??
I can’t be the only one who find digital cameras that mimic the look of SLRs so ugly.
This camera is fine for the price. But it needs a grip ,otherwise it is difficult to handle
I purchased the Zfc in the Chalk Blue with the twin lens kit. I was deciding on weather to purchase a video camera or a digital camera that did video really well. I have only had it a couple of months and am very happy with it so far. I just love the look of it, the retro look was the tipping point for me.
I am not a professional photographer by any means, not sure I would ever get there, I am just having fun. I do have a keen interest in urban and nature photography.
I am still learning learning the photography side of this camera (previously I had an olympus tough).
Any tips or advise will be very much appreciated.
But what about the actual photos ?? Quality ???
Can one program the Fn button to be able to adjust the ISO using the scroll wheel?
Im sight impaired and the dots you used on screen for the guide through were perfect.
Thank you great video, but the small numbers on the dials could be frustrating for me.
The Nikon Zfc Black Edition fits perfectly with the beautiful Voigtländer lenses for Z Mount. Of course especially true if you want to use the camera in full manual operation mode (including the lens).
I have a filter on the 16-50mm lens. A 46mm filter size may not be that common but there are out there. Protects both the front lens and keeps it clean, as it is a heck easier to clean a filter than that front glass (This applies to all lenses, as dust has the nasty habit of landing there).
That point about not being able to change makes this camera useless for landscape photography in any capacity. I often like to change settings for different shots and having to close the screen each time would drive me absolutely Batty full stop that one thing has made me not want to buy this camera
Will wait for mark 2. This is a good start with too many annoying limitations. Great camera that needs a lot of clean up. Senator size is perfect for me.
Beautiful Nikon Colors
Exposure Compensation is actually a huge function for certain types of photography, and personally I find a larger dial easier to dial in small increments, rather than a smaller dial which could require more pressure to adjust, meaning you may overshoot your target exposure compensation setting accidentally and have to backtrack. Fuji's exposure comp dial is about the same size too. The aperture LCD is a nice touch, something Fuji cameras don't even have, although they do make up for this for aperture markings on most of their premium lenses (the cheaper XC lenses don't have this so it's a tie there I guess). I do like how they included the ISO dial, which the Fuji omits unless you get the higher-end Fuji X-T series (like the XT2/XT3/XT4). Ariculating screen is nice altough when it comes to shutter speed, I would like to have seen them include an Auto mode (and not 1/3 stop) on the dial, and allow you to adjust in 1/3 or 1/2 stops between full shutter speed stops using the rear command dial. All in all, I think the Zfc has some nice features the equivalent Fuji lacks (like the ISO dial and aperture display, and a fully articulating screen), but it lacks in other areas. But I'd say if you're invested in the Nikon Z system, it would make more sense to get a Zfc over a Fuji, unless you don't mind spending the extra money on supporting a second lens mount.
AS for your Auto ISO comment, yes this is a drawback, but if I was doing travel or street, I would just leave Auto ISO turned on, as the high ISO on the Zfc (and Z50) is very good up to ISO 6400 which is where most people will probably stop (not go above), so you could just leave auto ISO on (I do on my FF Z cameras without much worry — on the Z7 I do scale it back to max out at ISO 3200, but on the Z6 I have no issues setting the max to ISO 6400). I will say that if I remember correctly, on the Fuji XT20/XT30, there isn't a fast way to turn on auto ISO either. You can set up your Q menu with a short cut but since the XT20/XT30 don't have an ISO dial to begin with, this has to be set in the menu anyway so it's not much different than how both companies do it. The only Fuji's that I thinik can set this without menus is the cameras that have an ISO button or a dedicated dial with the "A" notch.
I love this camera with the grip on ..It a fun to get out with and just shoot away or take your time and dial it in. Have had some great conversations about this gem people seem to want to know about it..Good review some miss info but no worries . Having a thunderstorm today and i was stuck inside so I thought i catch some new photography channels ..🤔
I've only had the Zfc for a little while and haven't used it much. The retro vibe appeals to me and I really like that the screen can be flipped around or stowed completely. Appreciate all of good (in depth) info and interesting points. I don't really understand the reluctance to use a 46mm filter but no worries. Thanks!
U can charge with battery pack ,,,and also use while charging…
oh so the not able to use while charging is why when it's on display in stores it doesn't wanna work, it's such a shame bc cameras rly need a hands-on experience to make sure one wants it
Seen a dozen of reviews over last couple weeks and this feels best 🙏
You can actually have full functionality of the camera buttons/dials when the screen is fully flipped out. Just change self-portrait mode to “off” in the menu
I bought the SmallRig grip for my ZFC and I will not go back. It makes the ZFC so much more usable. I think that it's how the camera should have been made, so much so that I frequently forget that the grip isn't standard.
Their product site made the camera so tempting, an easy insta-buy. But this is like the 20th video review I've watched and it's becoming an easy pass for me. All those quirks about different functionality when the screen is in vs flipped out is like… what were they thinking? Just too many horrible decisions that went into this camera, I feel like I'd need to carry around a cheat sheet just to remember how to properly use it.
I really like your style and your reviews but please, learn to use the camera before putting "lies" out on YouTube. People do watch reviews and base their purchases on these reviews so please, at least make sure the camera functions are reported correctly (especially since it was one of your biggest complains).
Go into the "Menu" > "Setup Menu" scroll down til you find "Self-Portrait mode" and set that to "OFF".
Now all your buttons, the touch screen and spirit level will work when you're vlogging with the screen facing forward. That function has been there since the Z50 came out.
So, why is it not turned on by default, you ask? The answer is; this camera is made for the common people that just want to take a video of themself at the beach, without thinking about settings.
Not all people aspire to be pro YouTubers.
A trick or two about Auto ISO.
You definitely can use Auto ISO in video mode. It is on by default in all mode except in "Manual".
You also want it in Manual? You just have to remember, to turn it on in the "video setting" in the menu.
The settings you use in "photo mode" does not transfer over in "video mode" and vice versa.
The way the Nikon Z fc control Auto ISO is pretty neat.
In the ISO menu, you can set the highest value you want your Auto ISO to go to. Let's say 3200.
When shooting, the ISO dial now function as the lowers value you want you ISO to drop to. Maybe you set it to 800. The Auto ISO will now only work in the range of 800 – 3200.
My little rent for now. Hope my tips and tricks will make you appreciate the little gem of a camera more.
Have a good summer 😊
I have one and also a z6 and z9, the Zfc is a go to take everywhere camera
I don't know what the were thinking and they didn't put the auto iso on the dial… instead they thought it was a brilliant idea to put 51200 iso… As for the filters on the 16-50mm lens, I use filters on it and I don't have any issue.
You absolutely can use the camera while using USB-C or a wall AC charger. 08:40
This was in fact a much bandied about feature. It may not charge the battery at the same time, however while the camera is ON. But you can use an external power source to power the camera for extended periods of time.