Nikon Zfc Review

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Article: description: Nikon’s retro-looking Nikon Zfc is anything but retro. Under its classic body is a host of features and amenities that make it a worthwhile compact mirrorless camera for 2024.
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The Nikon Z series is known in the photography industry for its state-of-the-art features and high-quality performance. One game-changing camera that perfectly matches that description is the award-winning Nikon Zfc.

In this Nikon Zfc review, we’ll examine this popular Nikon Z mirrorless camera in depth. We’ll discuss its design and handling, photo and video performance, recommend our favorite Nikon Z lenses, and more. Additionally, thanks to websites like MPB, buying a used mirrorless camera has never been cheaper and easier.

Who is MPB? It’s a trustworthy and innovative photography company that offers high-quality used photo and video gear at affordable prices. Better yet, every camera and lens it sells is hand-inspected by professional product specialists with years of experience and backed by a six-month warranty, allowing you to make your purchases confidently and worry-free.

What truly distinguishes MPB, though, is its state-of-the-art online platform. It’s a revolutionary tool that has helped us save thousands of dollars buying, selling, and trading photography equipment over the years, and we believe it can do the same for you. Now, join us as we discover everything there is to know about the Nikon Zfc! 

Check out the video above by Christopher Frost to learn more about the Nikon Zfc. 

Table of Contents

Nikon Zfc: Overview

The Nikon Zfc is an entry-level APS-C mirrorless camera designed for beginner and enthusiast photographers and videographers. It hit shelves in the summer of 2021 and immediately became one of the most popular hybrid cameras for digital content creators like vloggers and social media influencers.

The Zfc is equipped with a 20.9-megapixel DX-format sensor and an Expeed 6 image processing engine. The sensor delivers high-resolution photos, while the speedy image processor enhances the camera's video and autofocus (AF) capabilities, ensuring smooth, high-quality video footage and fast and accurate autofocus. 

Speaking of AF, the 209-point AF system is reliable in both photo and video modes. Moreover, you can now use the eye AF mode during video capture, which makes maintaining focus on moving subjects easier. If you want the best AF in this price range, we recommend the Sony ZV-E10.

Now, here’s a closer look at the Nikon Zfc specs and key features: 

  • Camera Type: Mirrorless
  • Sensor: 20.9MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
  • ISO: 100 - 51,200 (expandable to 100 - 204,800)
  • Lens Mount: Nikon Z Mount
  • Speed: 11.0 fps
  • Autofocus: 209 focus points
  • Video: 4K/30p & 1080p/120p
  • Size/Weight: 135 x 94 x 44 mm / 445 grams
  • Battery Life: 300 shots
  • Stabilization: No
  • Touchscreen: Yes
  • Weather-Sealed: No
  • Used Leica SL2-S Price: $624 - $654

Nikon Zfc: Design & Handling

The first thing you will notice when you set your eyes on the Nikon Zfc is its beautiful retro design. The Nikon engineers who designed it wanted to emulate the look and feel of classic Nikon film cameras but with advanced modern technology inside. And let us tell you, they nailed it! 

Its sleek design omits a hand grip, making it roughly the same size as most point-and-shoot cameras. Its compact and portable size makes it ideal for on-the-go travel photographers and vloggers. However, the lack of a grip won’t be for everyone, and if it’s a dealbreaker for you, two good alternatives are the Nikon Z30 and Z50. 

Another design feature we love is the three control dials on the top plate. One adjusts the shutter speed, one adjusts the ISO, and the other adjusts the exposure compensation. The dials allow you to quickly and easily change exposure control settings on the fly. In addition, a small screen displays your selected aperture, and a switch lets you toggle between photo and video modes. 

Lastly, although the camera body is constructed primarily from durable magnesium alloy, it isn’t weather-sealed.

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Nikon Zfc: Imaging Capabilities

The Nikon Zfc's hallmark feature for still photography is the aforementioned 20.9MP image sensor. The sensor’s resolution falls slightly behind that of competitors like the Canon EOS R50 and Fujifilm X-H1, but it’s more than sufficient for creating content for social media platforms like Instagram.

Due to the lack of an anti-aliasing filter, detail retention in both JPEG and RAW images is excellent. JPEG colors are more vibrant and are automatically sharpened by the camera. However, if you plan to edit your images, RAW files are better because they store more color/contrast data and have a wider dynamic range.

Burst shooting and white balance settings are other important photo specs to consider. The Zfc can shoot continuously as fast as eleven fps. That number drops to nine fps when capturing 14-bit RAW images. At the same time, there are three auto white-balance settings: Keep White, Keep Warm Lighting, and Keep Overall Atmosphere. This allows you to select the one that best matches the mood you want to create. 

Nikon Zfc: Video Capabilities

 

Thanks to its impressive video feature set, the Nikon Zfc is a popular choice for YouTubers and vloggers. Its top video spec is that it can record uncropped 4K/30p footage from the full width of the APS-C sensor. Furthermore, it films super-smooth 1080p/120p slow-motion video.

For people who like more control over their videos while shooting, you will be excited to hear that the Zfc has focus peaking, zebra patterns, and audio settings, all of which you can adjust in real time while recording. While we are discussing audio, there is also a microphone port to attach an external microphone to better monitor audio levels.

Other video features include a fully articulated rear screen, separate stills/video menu systems, and a time-lapse movie mode. The articulating screen is perfect for filming selfie content and is a must-have feature for vloggers. The dual menu systems let you customize and save settings for photos and videos, increasing the workflow speed of people who commonly switch between the two. And the time-lapse mode builds stunning time-lapse videos directly in the camera. 

Recommended Lenses for the Nikon Zfc

Here’s a quick list of some of the best Nikon Z mount lenses for photos and video to pair with the Nikon Zfc.

Final Thoughts on the Nikon Zfc

The Nikon Zfc is a wonderful camera for people just getting started in photography and videography. Both its photo and video quality are fantastic, while its small size makes it incredibly easy to carry around. Finally, with an average price currently hovering around $650, its affordable price makes it a great value buy. 

If you know you want a Nikon mirrorless camera but aren’t convinced the Zfc is the right fit, we completely understand. In that case, check out the list below to compare and contrast it with other popular Nikon options in stock now at MPB. Every camera has unique features and advantages, so it's crucial to consider your specific preferences and needs before purchasing.

Friendly disclaimer: Our articles may contain affiliate links that support us without costing you more, and sometimes we spice things up with sponsored content—but only for products we truly stand behind!

 

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