Nikon
WINNER
Past master The Nikon Z fc has delighted PN readers with its skilful fusion of vintage-inspired, tactile handling and ultra-modernmirrorless features
DRAWING INSPIRATION from past glories, the Nikon Z fc offers a delicious hint of what’s to come. Ever since the launch of the company’s mirrorless Z mount in 2018, photographers had pined for a retro-inspired version – and along it came in 2021, to great acclaim. PN readers have voted it best enthusiast APS-C mirrorless camera. But, with classic two-tone body work, circular eyepiece and a vintage Nikon logo on the pentaprism, it could have won the prize for exceptionally good looks.
The Z fc takes its cues from the seventies-era Nikon FM2 SLR, and its body is dusted with lovely retro elements and manual inputs. Built around the equally excellent Z 50, it adds physical dials for shutter speed, ISO and exposure compensation, as well as pleasingly chunky levers for shooting mode and switching between stills and video. There’s also a small LCD showing aperture setting. Shoot without reviewing the main screen if you like, and leave the camera set to the exposure you want when it’s off.
As a DX-format body, it’s smaller and lighter than its full-frame cousins. Though it will take any Z lens with a crop factor applied, due to the smaller sensor, we love it most when twinned with the Z 28mm f/2.8 SE. This has heritage-style focus and control rings, matching the body perfectly – and gives a 42mm view on the DX sensor, very close to standard. Resolution is 20.9 megapixels, it has an ISO range of 100-51,200 and shoots up to 11fps. Video tops out at 4K/30p and, of course, the Z fc also has the
mirrorless advantages of silent shutter and eye detection AF. Other modern benefits in this vintage-style body include a three- inch touchscreen with vari-angle design, allowing photographers to compose easily from high and low angles. But you can turn the screen over to hide it completely, for a more traditional approach. Like the Z 50, there’s a d-pad, rear control dial and i menu button, making it easy to access regular functions quickly. We had a great time reviewing the Z fc on launch, and it’s superb to see that PN readers shared our joy. Like the Z 50 it’s based on, this is a fast, functional and full-featured camera. Its vintage controls and aesthetic are the icing on the cake.
› Price £899 › Format APS-C (Nikon DX) 23.5x15.7mm › Sensor CMOS 20.9 megapixels, 5568x3712 pixels › Processor Expeed 6 › ISO range 100-51,200 (expandable to 102,400) › Focusing system Hybrid phase detection/contrast AF with AF assist › Autofocus 209 focus points, detection range -4.5 to +19EV. Pinpoint, single-point, dynamic- area, wide-area (S), wide-area (L), wide-area (L-people), wide- area (L-animals), auto-area, auto-area (people), auto-area (animals) › Shutter 30secs-1/4000sec, bulb, flash sync 1/200sec › Metering patterns Matrix, centre-weighted, spot › Shooting speed 11fps › LCD screen 3.0in vari-angle touchscreen › Storage media SD › Dimensions (wxhxd) 134.5x93.5x43.5mm › Weight 445g with battery and card
CLASSIC GOOD LOOKS The Nikon Z fc’s control-knob layout makes using it a pleasure – and, under its retro skin, this is a thoroughly modern and very powerful camera
nikon.co.uk
Issue 96 | Photography News 9
photographynews.co.uk
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