The Zfc is a retro-style APS-C Z mount camera from Nikon, and it was popular enough for Nikon to later release the full-frame Zf. The Z50 II on the other hand is a more traditional APS-C camera that brings many welcome upgrades to the original Z50. Which one of these cameras is right for you?
Nikon Zfc vs Nikon Z50 II Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon Zfc | Nikon Z50 II |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | June 2021 | November 2024 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 6 | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 20.9 MP | 20.9 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 5568×3712 | 5568×3712 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 23.5 x 15.7 mm (APS-C) | 23.5 x 15.7 mm (APS-C) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 4.22µ | 4.22µ |
| Low Pass Filter | No | No |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | No | No |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 51,200 | ISO 51,200 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 100-204,800 | ISO 100-204,800 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | No |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | No | No |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | No | Yes (JPEG only) |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/4000 | 1/4000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 900 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 11 FPS | 11 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 11 FPS | 11 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | 12-bit raw at 11 FPS (14-bit raw is available at 9 FPS) | 11 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 35 frames (11 FPS) | 200 frames (11 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition |
| Autofocus Points | 209 | 209 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -4 EV | -7.5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/200 |
| Curtain to Protect Sensor at Shutdown | No | No |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 8 bits | 10 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 8 bits | 10 bits |
| Raw Video | No | No |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 30 FPS | 60 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 120 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | No | 1.5x crop at 4K 60p (4K 30p has no additional crop) |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:0 | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 30 min | 125 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Slot 1 Type | SD (UHS-I) | SD (UHS-II) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.0 in | 3.2 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 1.04 million dots | 1.04 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Fully Articulating | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 1.02x (0.67x FF equiv.) | 1.02x (0.67x FF equiv.) |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 2.36 million dots | 2.36 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | No | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | No | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | No | Yes |
| GPS | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Battery Type | EN-EL25 | EN-EL25a |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 280 frames | 230 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 320 frames | 250 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | N/A | 270 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 445 g (0.98 lbs.) | 550 g (1.21 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 135 x 94 x 54 mm (5.3 x 3.7 x 2.1″)1 | 127 x 97 x 82 mm (5.0 x 3.8 x 3.2″)2 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $960 (Check Current Price) | $910 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices (Affiliate) | Nikon Zfc Used Prices | Nikon Z50 II Used Prices |
| 1The Nikon Zfc’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 10mm were added to the Zfc’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
| 2The Nikon Z50 II’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 15mm were added to the Z50 II’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
Summary and Recommendations
If you haven’t yet, I recommend first reading the Nikon Z50 vs Nikon Z50 II comparison to see what has changed from the original, because the original Z50 is quite similar in capabilities to the Zfc.
And although the Zfc gave Nikon shooters some new features over the Z50 like eye-AF in video and up to 900 second exposures, the main appeal about the Zfc was really the retro design with all manual wheels for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation designed to mimic the classic film cameras of your granddaddy’s era.
The Z50 II on the other hand does offer many new features over the Zfc (and Z50) such as better autofocus with a huge 200-frame butter, subject recognition modes and pre-release capture, and 10-bit 4:2:2 video with 125 minutes of record time. Suffice it to say, the Z50 II is a superior camera to the Zfc.
Now, when it came to the Z50 versus the Z50 II, there still is a decent case for getting the original Z50 just because you can get it so cheaply used, and even the MSRP of the Z50 is $50 less than that of the Z50 II. But the Zfc costs $50 more than the Z50 II, so in this case, there is really no reason to get the Zfc at all unless you really like the retro design and controls. Of course, the Zfc is a great camera, but the Z50 II is clearly the best bang for your buck.
What does the Nikon Zfc offer over the Nikon Z50 II?
- Lighter weight (105g lighter or about 1.2 times lighter)
- Retro controls and style
What does the Nikon Z50 II offer over the Nikon Zfc?
- Lower price, costing $50 less
- Better autofocus with more subject recognition modes
- Better buffer
- 10-bit 4:2:2 video
- Pre-release capture in JPEG
Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
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