Lens Logic Verdict
The Nikon Zf brings the old-school look of a classic film camera but packs all the power of a modern mirrorless. It has a sharp 24.5 MP sensor, a fast Expeed 7 processor, and a responsive 3D-tracking autofocus that makes it easy to capture movement in action. This is a great fit for photographers who want a vintage look with updated tech.
TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon
Pros
- Stylish, functional vintage design
- High-quality 24.5MP images
- Compact, ideal for travel
- Fast, precise autofocus
- Durable, weather-sealed build
Cons
- Shorter battery life
- Limited custom buttons
- No 4K at 60fps
- Less ergonomic for extended use
- SD card slot placement
Why you can trust Lens Logic? we put hours into testing each product or service we review. This way, you know you’re getting the best. Learn more about our testing process.
Mason knows photography inside and out. With 15 years of hands-on experience, he’s written about cameras, lenses, and gear of all kinds. He even spent five years as a journalist, diving deep into music and writing sharp, engaging stories. Now, Mason shares his photography knowledge, helping readers find the right gear and perfect their skills. He’s also proud of his unbeatable Wordle streak!
Jump to
The Nikon Zf is a modern camera that looks like a vintage film camera. It’s designed for photographers who love the feel of old cameras but want the latest technology. This camera is part of Nikon’s Z series, which offers professional features in a stylish and practical body.
The Zf is more than just a camera; it’s a statement. It’s for people who want to stand out from the crowd of modern digital cameras. The Zf offers a unique shooting experience that combines the fun of manual controls with the precision of digital technology. Whether you’re a street photographer, portrait artist, or photography enthusiast, the Nikon Zf is worth considering.
Nikon Zf: SPECIFICATIONS
- Sensor: 24.5 MP full-frame for sharp, rich photos
- Processor: EXPEED 7 for fast performance
- Lens Mount: Nikon Z mount; works with F-mount lenses (adapter needed)
- Autofocus: Tracks movement with smart subject detection
- ISO: 50-204,800 (extended) for low to high light
- Video: Records 4K at 30p; Full HD at 120p for slow motion
- Viewfinder: Clear 3.69M-dot OLED screen
- Memory: Dual slots for SD (UHS-II) and MicroSD (UHS-I)
- LCD: 3.2-inch touchscreen that flips out
- Max Burst: Shoots at 14 frames per second
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C
- Size: About 144 x 88 x 44 mm
- Weight: Roughly 710g with battery and card
Key Features Of Nikon Zf
The Nikon Zf is packed with features that cater to both the nostalgic photographer and the modern image-maker. Let’s break down the key specifications that make this camera stand out in the crowded mirrorless market.
Sensor and Processor
The Nikon Zf has a 24.5-megapixel full-frame sensor that takes great pictures. It works with the EXPEED 7 processor, which is also used in Nikon’s best cameras. Together, they make high-quality pictures with lots of detail, good colors, and great performance in low light. The 24.5MP resolution is perfect for taking big pictures and cropping them without losing quality. The sensor is designed to capture more light, which is great for taking pictures in low light. The EXPEED 7 processor is very fast, so the camera works quickly and can take pictures quickly. It can also easily track moving subjects
Autofocus System
The Nikon Zf has a smart focusing system with 273 focus points covering most of the image. It can focus quickly and accurately in different lighting. The camera can find and focus on the eyes of people and animals, which is great for taking pictures of portraits and wildlife. It uses new technology to recognize and follow various subjects like people, animals, and vehicles. This makes the Zf very good for taking action and sports photos. The camera’s ability to track subjects and keep them in focus is impressive and works well in many situations.
Video Capabilities
Although the Nikon Zf is mainly for taking photos, but it’s also great for making videos. It can record very clear 4K 30fps videos and even slow-motion videos. The camera has special settings that help make videos look better when you edit them later. It also has tools to help you get the right focus and brightness in your videos.
The video capabilities are further enhanced by the inclusion of N-Log and HLG profiles, providing greater flexibility in post-production color grading. Videographers will also appreciate the inclusion of focus peaking, zebra stripes, and a waveform monitor to assist in achieving perfect exposure and focus.
Retro Design with Modern Tech
The Zf looks like an old-style camera but has new technology inside. On top, it has dials that are easy to use, just like old cameras. These dials let you quickly change important settings without going through complicated menus. Even though it looks old, the Zf has new features that make taking pictures easier and better.
One cool feature is a system that keeps the camera steady. This helps you take clear pictures even when it’s dark or when you’re moving. The camera also includes a tilting touchscreen LCD that can tilt up or down. This is helpful when you want to take pictures from high up or low down.
Connectivity
The Zf can connect to your phone using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This means you can easily share your pictures or control the camera from your phone. There’s also a special port that lets you charge the camera and move pictures to your computer quickly.
Build and Design Of Nikon Zf
The Nikon Zf’s design is undoubtedly one of its most striking features, seamlessly blending retro aesthetics with modern functionality. This fusion creates a camera that’s not just a tool, but a conversation piece and a joy to use.
Retro-Inspired Design
The Nikon Zf, a classic-style camera, resembles an old film camera, particularly the FM2 from 1982. Its black with silver parts and metal dials make it feel like using an old film camera. The camera’s leather covering and bump on top hold a digital screen. Made with magnesium, it’s strong but not heavy, and protected against rain and dust, making it suitable for outdoor use. One of the most impressive aspects of the Zf’s design is its compact and lightweight nature. Measuring just 5.7 x 4.1 x 2 inches and weighing about 22.3 ounces, it’s considerably smaller and lighter than many full-frame DSLRs, making it an excellent choice for street photography or travel.
LCD and Viewfinder
The Nikon Zf has a 3.2-inch screen that you can touch and tilt. This screen can move up and down, which helps you take pictures from high or low angles. It’s easy to use the screen to change settings or choose where to focus. The camera also has a special viewfinder you look through to take pictures. It boasts 3.69 million dots offers 100% frame coverage and shows you exactly what you’ll capture in your photo. It works well even when it’s very sunny outside.
Ergonomics and Controls
The Nikon Zf is a small and comfortable camera that’s easy to use, even with big lenses. The dials on top let you quickly change settings, and the ISO dial is especially helpful. The camera also has two wheels for easy setting changes. On the left side, a dial lets you choose different shooting modes, like manual and automatic, and three custom modes.
Performance Of Nikon Zf
The Nikon Zf may look like a blast from the past, but its performance is thoroughly modern. From its swift autofocus to its impressive burst shooting capabilities, this camera is designed to keep up with the demands of contemporary photography.
Autofocus Performance
The Nikon Zf’s autofocus system is impressive. It uses 273 phase-detection points to focus quickly and accurately on subjects in different lighting, even in low light. It can track the faces and eyes of both humans and animals, making it great for portraits and wildlife photography. The Zf’s autofocus is responsive and reliable, locking onto subjects quickly and tracking them even when they’re moving.
Burst Shooting
The Nikon Zf is great for taking pictures of fast-moving things. It can take up to 14 pictures every second with full focus and light adjustment when you use the regular shutter. If you use the electronic shutter, you can take even more pictures, up to 30 every second, but the picture might be a little smaller.
These fast speeds don’t make the pictures look bad or slow down the camera. The Zf can keep taking pictures quickly for a long time because it has a powerful processor and can handle data efficiently.
The camera also has a feature that starts saving pictures before you press the shutter all the way. This helps catch the perfect moment in sports or nature photography.
Battery Life
The Nikon Zf’s battery life is quite good. It can usually take around 330 photos on a single charge. You can probably get even more photos if you use power-saving features or take pictures quickly. The Zf uses the EN-EL15c battery, which is compatible with many other Nikon cameras. This is helpful if you already have these batteries. You can also charge the Zf using a USB-C cable.
Image Quality Of Nikon Zf
The true measure of any camera lies in the images it produces, and the Nikon Zf doesn’t disappoint in this crucial area. Its 24.5-megapixel full-frame sensor, coupled with Nikon’s color science and image processing, delivers outstanding image quality across a wide range of shooting scenarios.
Sharpness and Detail
The Zf takes really clear pictures that are easy to work with. The pictures are very sharp and detailed, and they can look as good as pictures from cameras with even more pixels in many cases. Because it doesn’t have an anti-aliasing filter, the camera can capture very small details, but sometimes this can cause a problem called moiré. You can crop the pictures a lot without losing quality, which is great for photographers who take pictures of animals or sports.
Dynamic Range and Low-Light Performance
The Nikon Zf is a versatile camera with a wide dynamic range, helping photographers capture details in both bright and dark areas. It performs well in low light, with a native ISO range of 100-51,200, expandable to 204,800, making it perfect for events and challenging lighting. The camera also provides balanced noise reduction options for clear, high-quality photos.
Color Rendition
The Nikon Zf is a great camera for taking colorful pictures. It can automatically adjust the colors to match the lighting conditions. You can also choose from different picture settings to make your pictures look exactly how you want, including bright and neutral colors, or beautiful black and white
Video Quality
Though mainly designed for still photography, the Nikon Zf handles video well, capturing 4K UHD at up to 30fps with full pixel readout for sharp, detailed footage. The colors in video mode match those in still photos, making it easy to blend both in multimedia projects. In-body stabilization ensures smooth handheld shots and features like focus peaking, zebra patterns, and a waveform monitor help serious videographers. It can record 10-bit N-Log or HLG footage, allowing more flexibility in color grading for a cinematic look.
Competitors Of Nikon Zf
| Feature | Nikon Zf | Fujifilm X-T5 | Sony Alpha A7 IV | Leica Q2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 24.5 MP Full-Frame CMOS | 40.2 MP APS-C X-Trans CMOS | 33 MP Full-Frame CMOS | 47.3 MP Full-Frame CMOS |
| AF Points | 299 | 425 | 759 | 49 |
| Video | 4K 30p, 4K 60p, Full HD 120p | 6.2K 30p, 4K 60p, Full HD | 4K 60p, 4K 30p, Full HD | 4K 30p |
| Viewfinder | 3.69M-dot OLED EVF | 3.69M-dot OLED EVF | 3.69M-dot OLED EVF | 3.68M-dot OLED EVF |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II | Dual SD UHS-II | CFexpress Type A + SD UHS-II | Single SD UHS-II |
| LCD | 3.2” Tilting Touchscreen, 2.1M-dot | 3” Tilting Touchscreen, 1.84M-dot | 3” Tilting Touchscreen, 1.04M-dot | 3” Fixed Touchscreen, 1.04M-dot |
| Max Burst | 14 fps | 15 fps | 10 fps | 10 fps |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
| Size | 144 x 88.5 x 39.5 mm | 130.8 x 91.9 x 63.4 mm | 131.3 x 96.4 x 79.8 mm | 130 x 80 x 91.9 mm |
| Weight | 710g (with battery) | 557g (with battery) | 658g (with battery) | 734g (with battery) |
Fujifilm X-T5
The Nikon Zf and Fujifilm X-T5 are both retro-styled mirrorless cameras, but the Zf stands out with its full-frame sensor, 24.5MP, offering superior low-light performance and dynamic range. It also has Nikon’s extensive full-frame lens lineup, offering more options for wide-angle and shallow depth-of-field photography. The Zf’s autofocus system, combined with Nikon’s latest AF algorithms, sets it apart in low-light situations and video recording.
Sony Alpha A7 IV
The Sony Alpha A7 IV and Nikon Zf are powerful competitors in the full-frame mirrorless market, offering advanced video capabilities and autofocus systems. The A7 IV offers 4K 60p recording and advanced features like an S-Cinetone color profile and breathing compensation. The Zf’s intuitive control scheme and lower price make it an attractive option for those looking to enter the full-frame market without breaking the bank.
Leica Q2
The Leica Q2 and Nikon Zf are both premium compact full-frame cameras, with the former offering a fixed lens design and the latter offering more versatility with its interchangeable lens system. While the Leica Q2 has a higher resolution 47.3MP sensor, the Zf’s lower pixel count and advanced autofocus system make it a more versatile tool for a wider range of photographic situations. Both cameras are accessible options for photographers seeking a premium shooting experience.
Conclusion
The Nikon Zf is a great camera that shows Nikon is back in the business of making mirrorless cameras. It combines the classic look of old cameras with the modern technology of new ones, making it a fun and exciting camera to use. The Zf takes amazing pictures, focuses very quickly, and can take great videos. It’s a serious camera that can take professional-quality pictures for many different kinds of photography. It might not be the best camera for everyone, especially if you need a camera that lasts a long time or has all the latest video features. But if you like the feel of a real camera, love the design, and want great pictures and reliable performance, the Zf is a perfect choice.