Nikon Z f Review
Most retro cameras are a shell around ordinary parts. The Z f is the opposite: the dials are real brass, and underneath sits the subject detection and stabilisation Nikon put in bodies costing twice as much.
The Verdict
The Z f is the rare retro body where the modern parts are the reason to buy it. Eight stops of stabilisation is the highest Nikon has shipped, and the subject detection is the same deep-learning system as the Z8 — it finds and holds birds, dogs and cars, not just faces.
The dials cut both ways. Setting ISO and shutter by feel without waking the camera is genuinely faster. But the grip is shallow, the card slot is a single SD next to a microSD, and a 70-200mm on the front makes the whole thing front-heavy. This is a camera for primes and for people who like the process.
| Sensor | 24,5MP Vollformat BSI CMOS |
|---|---|
| Prozessor / Processor | EXPEED 7 |
| ISO | 100–64.000 (erw. 50–204.800) |
| Video | 4K60 (1,5x Crop) / 4K30 oversampled |
| Autofokus | 273 Punkte, Deep-Learning-Motiverkennung |
| Stabilisierung / IBIS | 5-Achsen, bis 8 Stufen |
| Pixel Shift | bis 96MP |
| Serienbild / Burst | 14 B/s mechanisch, 30 B/s elektronisch |
| Kartenslots / Card Slots | 1x SD UHS-II + 1x microSD |
| Sucher / EVF | 3,69 Mio. Punkte |
| Gewicht / Weight | 710 g |
What We Like
- Eight stops of IBIS, the most in any Nikon body
- Z8-level subject detection for animals and vehicles
- Real brass dials that work with the camera off
- Pixel Shift to 96MP for static subjects
Trade-offs
- Shallow grip is uncomfortable with heavy zooms
- Second slot is microSD, not a full-size card
- 4K60 comes with a 1.5x crop
- No dedicated AF-area joystick
In Depth
Stabilisation
Nikon rates eight stops with the sensor working together with the lens. In practice it makes handheld shutter speeds that used to need a tripod routine for static subjects.
Subject detection
The same deep-learning stack as the Z8 recognises nine subject types. It will track a bird across the frame while you keep the focus point where you want it.
Handling
The dials are the point. ISO, shutter speed and exposure compensation are all readable and settable with the camera off, which is faster than any menu.
Video
4K30 is oversampled from 6K and looks it. 4K60 crops to 1.5x, which turns a 24mm into a 36mm equivalent and limits wide handheld work.
How It Compares
| Spec | Nikon Z f | Nikon Z6 III | Sony A7C II |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor | 24.5MP FF | 24MP FF Partially Stacked | 33MP FF |
| Video | 4K60 (1.5x crop) | 6K60 RAW | 4K60 |
| AF Points | 273 points | 273 points | 759 points |
| Burst | 14 fps | 20 fps | 10 fps |
| IBIS | 8 stops | 8 stops | 7 stops |
| Buy | Check price | Check price | Check price |
Recommended Accessories
Essential gear to maximize your Nikon Z f experience:
SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB
UHS-II speed for 4K and burst buffer clearing.
Nikon EN-EL15c
The Z f uses the same pack as the Z6 and Z8.
K&F Concept 25-in-1 (Full-Frame)
Correct 24mm swabs for the Z f sensor.
Peak Design Slide Lite
Light strap that suits a compact retro body.
More gear guides: Best TripodsBest Camera BagsBest SD Cards
FAQ
Z f or Z fc?
The Z fc is APS-C and much cheaper. The Z f is full-frame with 8-stop IBIS and Z8 autofocus. They look similar and are not close in capability.
Is the grip really a problem?
With a 40mm or 28mm prime, no. With a 24-70 f/2.8 or anything longer, most people add the optional grip.
Does the microSD slot matter?
For backup stills, no. For video or fast burst it is slow enough that you will treat the camera as single-slot.
