It’s low light performance and AF acquisition along with superior VR puts it right up there with the best 24.5 megapixel cameras Nikon has produced to date IMO
Add an inexpensive SmallRig grip, which complements it rather nicely, will make the camera way more handy with larger optics; equally remove the grip and use it bare with smaller lenses for travel and street photography; basically the best of both worlds which is also worth praise in any review.
Not only does the Zf cater for that retro niche, it will also hold its ground and possibly even go head-to-head with other higher end cameras; it wouldn’t be out of place for say professional studio work or landscape photography. Hence, my personal view is that the Zf more than any modern Nikon camera makes the perfect all-rounder and it’s no wonder it was awarded the TIPA “Best Full Frame Expert Camera” in 2024
Pavel
September 10, 2024 6:51 am
Anybody tried comparison with z6II? I like the price more, grip also. I know ZF has muc hbetter AF. I shoot concerts in bad light and weddings here and there. While with primes, my D810 was relatively ok, but with 2,8 it starts struggle in extreme conditions so I think now about upgrade and deciding between z6II and ZF. AF, Iso performance and pulling shadows/higlights is important to me. How much will it be upgrade from D810 if i pick cheaper variant? how much upgrade would it be if I pick ZF, thanks.
I don’t know about a z6 too, but I had z6 with all the firmware updates until it was stolen this fall.. I now have a ZF and it is way better at focusing in low light. It’s much faster and more responsive and the autofocus is much much better. I think the z62 is just a minor upgrade to the z6, personal opinion. The ZF is a major upgrade, Personal opinion
I had two number of z6II camera and I sold one immediately after z8 was launched and thereafter I sold the second body for zf over z6III, reason was that I am into still photography than video, I needed a camera like z6II with a good lowlight performer and most importantly AF system is a huge leap from the z6II and I am highly satisfied with it. I am basically a bird, wildlife and landscape type enthusiasts. I hope it helps.
Michael
September 10, 2024 3:35 am
As a Nikon ZF user I am finding the camera first class for all my outdoor and indoor general requirements, I mainly use the Z 24-70/F4S lens as this covers the majority of my work, however I do have one annoying feature that I have no idea how to resolve, every so often when looking through the viewfinder to take a shot I get a white balance information screen appear that obscures my view, by pressing the ok button it then disappears, but I have no idea why this is occurring every so often and would like to stop it happening, any comments would be greatly appreciated. Regards
Antonio Perez Abella
July 3, 2024 6:29 pm
La duda es……… enfoca igual que la z6 iii?, exclusivamente en fotos el rendimiento del sensor en cuanto a iso y rango dinamico es igual a la z6 iii, mejor?, peor?. Saludos.
The question is………focuses the same as the z6 iii?, exclusively in photos, the performance of the sensor in terms of ISO and dynamic range is the same as the z6 iii, better?, worse?. Greetings.
I’ve read that the z63 has less dynamic range because you give up something with that partially stacked sensor especially in low light. I went with the ZF because I don’t need high frame rates or the crazy video specs of the z63
Stephanie
April 22, 2024 8:49 am
I bought this with the moderate zoom and all the defects are pluses for me! Never had such sharp photos except with the Nikon dslr 850 which had a horrible screen. Deactivated half the buttons and am instantly where I want to be. Not missing a shot, change shutter speed, exposure compensation and iso manually and only use the screen to play back. Sheer heaven. Oh , and also use pro-focus – essential to me.
Robert Gregory
March 29, 2024 7:56 am
Apologies for my comment – I confused the Df (DSLR) with the Zf (mirrorless)
Krishna
December 16, 2023 7:55 am
Can Zfc be used as a backup photograph for someone who photographs birds? Does it detect bird while using wide Area AF ?
Unfortunately, Zfc is not very suitable for bird photography. Its subject detection cannot recognize birds. The Zf, on the other hand, is very suitable as a backup body. It’s quite small, so it won’t take up too much space in a backpack. Still, if bird photography is your main interest, I would wait for the Z6 III.
Do you mean the ZF? Zfc is an older crop sensor camera without the new new subject auto detection that is in the ZF
Tom from MI
December 12, 2023 7:17 am
Excellent review! I’ve had my Zf for a few months and I agree with most of your findings. The one thing I take exception to is where you seem to be critical of the ability to bypass the ISO, Shutter and Exposure compensation dials. You talk about this in your section on “Disadvantages of the Zf Design” and again in your conclusions where you state: “However, for working quickly, I found myself setting “C” on a lot of the dials, which somewhat negates the reason to buy the Zf in the first place.” I’ve read similar sentiments in other reviews and always find it puzzling. This should be considered an advantage of the Zf as it’s like having two cameras in one. For example, when I want to shoot more deliberately, I use the Zf with my collection of MF primes and take advantage of the manual focusing aids. When I want to shoot fast, I attach AF lenses and bypass the dials. I agree that having some type of User or Bank settings would make this easier. Maybe that will be added in a firmware update. For now, I have added f2: Custom Controls (shooting) to My Menu and change the Video button to Zoom 100% for MF shooting and to ISO control for AF shooting. I mostly use the Zf with MF lenses, but it’s nice to be able to “speed up” if needed.
Thanks for the comment, Tom. Actually, I wouldn’t explicitly consider this feature a disadvantage. Rather, it’s that muscle memory combined with ordinary human lyzyness would cause me to end up using only one way to set ISO, shutter speed, etc. But it’s certainly good to have a choice, and I’d say Nikon has done a great job of combining the best of both worlds.
After having a ZF for a few months now, I would say I enjoy using the camera. It is both fun and frustrating sometimes. Sometimes I miss the z6 that I had in terms of ergonomics and controls and of course my d850 which just became too much for travel and was terrible at video. That said, I think I would buy the ZF again and not get the z63 there’s something enjoyable about the analog nature of the camera, even though occasionally it complicates things a bit when you are trying to switch between having control and letting the camera be automatic. It’s a great camera but also an acquired taste.
George
December 1, 2023 2:08 pm
I am so enamored by the zf that I created nikon-zf.com just for this camera.
I feel like this can bring photography back to its roots rather than photography with a computer.
The Zf is a truly phenomenal camera IMO.
It’s low light performance and AF acquisition along with superior VR puts it right up there with the best 24.5 megapixel cameras Nikon has produced to date IMO
Add an inexpensive SmallRig grip, which complements it rather nicely, will make the camera way more handy with larger optics; equally remove the grip and use it bare with smaller lenses for travel and street photography; basically the best of both worlds which is also worth praise in any review.
Not only does the Zf cater for that retro niche, it will also hold its ground and possibly even go head-to-head with other higher end cameras; it wouldn’t be out of place for say professional studio work or landscape photography. Hence, my personal view is that the Zf more than any modern Nikon camera makes the perfect all-rounder and it’s no wonder it was awarded the TIPA “Best Full Frame Expert Camera” in 2024
Anybody tried comparison with z6II? I like the price more, grip also. I know ZF has muc hbetter AF. I shoot concerts in bad light and weddings here and there. While with primes, my D810 was relatively ok, but with 2,8 it starts struggle in extreme conditions so I think now about upgrade and deciding between z6II and ZF. AF, Iso performance and pulling shadows/higlights is important to me. How much will it be upgrade from D810 if i pick cheaper variant? how much upgrade would it be if I pick ZF, thanks.
I don’t know about a z6 too, but I had z6 with all the firmware updates until it was stolen this fall.. I now have a ZF and it is way better at focusing in low light. It’s much faster and more responsive and the autofocus is much much better. I think the z62 is just a minor upgrade to the z6, personal opinion. The ZF is a major upgrade, Personal opinion
I had two number of z6II camera and I sold one immediately after z8 was launched and thereafter I sold the second body for zf over z6III, reason was that I am into still photography than video, I needed a camera like z6II with a good lowlight performer and most importantly AF system is a huge leap from the z6II and I am highly satisfied with it. I am basically a bird, wildlife and landscape type enthusiasts. I hope it helps.
As a Nikon ZF user I am finding the camera first class for all my outdoor and indoor general requirements, I mainly use the Z 24-70/F4S lens as this covers the majority of my work, however I do have one annoying feature that I have no idea how to resolve, every so often when looking through the viewfinder to take a shot I get a white balance information screen appear that obscures my view, by pressing the ok button it then disappears, but I have no idea why this is occurring every so often and would like to stop it happening, any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Regards
La duda es……… enfoca igual que la z6 iii?, exclusivamente en fotos el rendimiento del sensor en cuanto a iso y rango dinamico es igual a la z6 iii, mejor?, peor?.
Saludos.
The question is………focuses the same as the z6 iii?, exclusively in photos, the performance of the sensor in terms of ISO and dynamic range is the same as the z6 iii, better?, worse?.
Greetings.
I’ve read that the z63 has less dynamic range because you give up something with that partially stacked sensor especially in low light. I went with the ZF because I don’t need high frame rates or the crazy video specs of the z63
I bought this with the moderate zoom and all the defects are pluses for me! Never had such sharp photos except with the Nikon dslr 850 which had a horrible screen. Deactivated half the buttons and am instantly where I want to be. Not missing a shot, change shutter speed, exposure compensation and iso manually and only use the screen to play back. Sheer heaven. Oh , and also use pro-focus – essential to me.
Apologies for my comment – I confused the Df (DSLR) with the Zf (mirrorless)
Can Zfc be used as a backup photograph for someone who photographs birds? Does it detect bird while using wide Area AF ?
Unfortunately, Zfc is not very suitable for bird photography. Its subject detection cannot recognize birds. The Zf, on the other hand, is very suitable as a backup body. It’s quite small, so it won’t take up too much space in a backpack. Still, if bird photography is your main interest, I would wait for the Z6 III.
Do you mean the ZF? Zfc is an older crop sensor camera without the new new subject auto detection that is in the ZF
Excellent review! I’ve had my Zf for a few months and I agree with most of your findings. The one thing I take exception to is where you seem to be critical of the ability to bypass the ISO, Shutter and Exposure compensation dials. You talk about this in your section on “Disadvantages of the Zf Design” and again in your conclusions where you state: “However, for working quickly, I found myself setting “C” on a lot of the dials, which somewhat negates the reason to buy the Zf in the first place.” I’ve read similar sentiments in other reviews and always find it puzzling. This should be considered an advantage of the Zf as it’s like having two cameras in one. For example, when I want to shoot more deliberately, I use the Zf with my collection of MF primes and take advantage of the manual focusing aids. When I want to shoot fast, I attach AF lenses and bypass the dials. I agree that having some type of User or Bank settings would make this easier. Maybe that will be added in a firmware update. For now, I have added f2: Custom Controls (shooting) to My Menu and change the Video button to Zoom 100% for MF shooting and to ISO control for AF shooting. I mostly use the Zf with MF lenses, but it’s nice to be able to “speed up” if needed.
Thanks for the comment, Tom. Actually, I wouldn’t explicitly consider this feature a disadvantage. Rather, it’s that muscle memory combined with ordinary human lyzyness would cause me to end up using only one way to set ISO, shutter speed, etc. But it’s certainly good to have a choice, and I’d say Nikon has done a great job of combining the best of both worlds.
After having a ZF for a few months now, I would say I enjoy using the camera. It is both fun and frustrating sometimes. Sometimes I miss the z6 that I had in terms of ergonomics and controls and of course my d850 which just became too much for travel and was terrible at video. That said, I think I would buy the ZF again and not get the z63 there’s something enjoyable about the analog nature of the camera, even though occasionally it complicates things a bit when you are trying to switch between having control and letting the camera be automatic. It’s a great camera but also an acquired taste.
I am so enamored by the zf that I created nikon-zf.com just for this camera.
I feel like this can bring photography back to its roots rather than photography with a computer.
nice!! I even registered but I am not willing to make my files smaller just to upload them
Thank you very much for this review, Libor!
I am interested in Nikon’s Pixel Shift technology more than in the Zf – I am glad you tested its implementation in the Zf.
I hope that Nikon will continue to improve this technology in future cameras…