I respectfully disagree with just about everything you think, that I think. Your rationales are way off. You are picking on minor points, such as the plasticslly look and feel, the locking lenses, etc. The photo quality is fantastic and that is the most important fact. Cameras are made to take photos, end of story. The focus system is a major upgrade on the Z50, Z6 and Z7 (I have the Z6 and Z50). USB charging in camera is huge. Articulating screen is nice, but for photography, not a big deal. This is the first video of yours that I have watched and I am sad that I can't add you to my library of great youtubers. You are way ou off on your assessment and time will eventually prove out that your opinion is in the minority.
Agree with you (as elaborated in my own comment here). The job to be done is “enjoying taking great-quality pics” - which the Zfc does very well indeed.
Thanks for the video. Not everyone is going to agree. Here are some of my thoughts. The 16-50 lens is actually really great as long as you don't need a fast lens. For landscape photography, where this camera shines, the 16-50 is really great. It's sharp, light and, because of that awesome collapsable feature that you call a non-starter, it's tiny and takes up very little space in your bag. For vlogging the Z fc is very good, I've never used the X-S10 that you said might be a good alternative but if its video auto-focus is as bad about wandering off to la-la land as the X-T3 that I had and sold is, then I'd say there is no comparison. Once the Z fc (or any Nikon Z camera) has your face, it will not lose it. You should try it! Where the Nikon cameras suffer is audio quality. This can be fixed in post but it is truly a pain. If you record audio separately, it's no problem. I really enjoy your channel and I have the wrist strap that I purchased on your ETSY attached to my Z fc right now. :)
@@jasonandrews7355 Thanks, Jason. I do agree with Andrew about many things in this video. The selection of Z DX lenses being chief among the Z fc and Z50s shortcomings. The camera doesn't feel as cheap as he describes though, except for the battery door, I have to agree, that feels very cheap. The top dials actually feel and sound nice to me. I do really like my Z fc but the perfect tool for me is a Canon R6 or R5 with a nice collection of RF mount L series glass. Now that is perfection, at least until they overheat... LOL Thanks for the nice comment, Jason. Happy shooting to you as well!
I agree Phil. I own a D850, D780 and now a Z fc. I own an assortment of Nikon G 1.4 lenses as well as the 2.8 zoom holy trinity. That 16-50 z lens is very sharp and I'm very impressed with it's contrast and tiny profile when collapsed down. Definitely a very good lens.
I agree with you. I sold Fuji x-s10 and got Zfc for better autofocus. I absolutely love the Nikon kit lens, too. Funny thing is, after I got Smallrig grip, a lot of cheap feeling in my hand is gone. Only thing I miss from my Fuji is old 35mm f1.4 lens 😊
Andrew firstly I have always loved your channel. I get where you are coming from it being plasticky I bought the zfc without touching it having had an fm2 which I loved and my df dying (rip) but i actually enjoy the zfc a lot. I personally got the 28mm kit which was available in australia and have used the ftz with some older glass and it's become my family day to day camera. Honestly if you can try it with the 28mm do it it's a nicer experience. Personally what I would love is a new ftz with a motor drive for my old afd primes. Also viltrox has recently released the same primes available on fuji for the nikon z mount which provides some options. Also to clarify I'm a longtime nikon user so maybe I'm bias
The ZFc was not marketed as a serious tool but rather a casual camera. However, you're right about the lens situation that it's severely limited. If I got it I would have to go with the viltrox lenses like the 23 1.4 and 56 1.4 which would go well.
I think you overlooked a use-case where the Z fc really shines. A Z fc (with e.g. a 28/2.8 as kit) as cheap/inconspicuous secondary Nikon body to play with Nikon mirrorless and also with cheap 3rd party MF APS-C glass. I'm an experienced Nikon DSLR user (D850, previously D800, Df, D700, etc.) with quite a few Nikkors and accessories who until now did not do mirrorless. To me the Z fc was the perfect low-cost entry into Nikon mirrorless (initially thinking only about Z 28/2.8 kit + FTZ adapted lenses), and with a small, very inconspicuous/non-pro looking body. I've had the Z fc+28/2.8 since launch, used it quite a bit and really like it. Yes, initially I was disappointed by the APS-C choice. But APS-C has shown some major advantages for me a) a smaller body, b) the small/cheap APS-C TTArtisan 50/1.2 (and probably more to come), and c) a FTZ-adapted 85/1.4G gives me a really modern 135/2.0 look, something I cannot get on full-frame DSLRs to the same extent (the Z fc + FTZ + 85/1.4G performs really nice with eye-AF). E.g. I was shooting portraits/fashion with the Z fc + TTArtisan 50/1.2 (giving me a 75/1.8 look) in a hotel garden or around a tiny village as portfolio work. Without causing any notice/disturbances - something which would not work with my normal favorite D850+105/1.4 combo. All the time using my Nikon experience for fine-tuning the cam-handling and having my existing FTZ-adapted Nikkor glass + my Profoto A1 for Nikon still available as options (which I would not have with non-Nikon mirrorless).
Man, you've nailed my demographic information! I'm pretty much everything on that list except I'm Australian and I do t have a disposable income. Its a beautiful camera, but not for me. Im still loving my fujifilm xt1 & xt3 with vintage glass. Great video, Andrew!
Of course the Zfc is not for you. You are looking for a much higher price point for the build you want. Nikon is offering excellent value and performance, the latter as you acknowledge. But to treat it like a toy is disengenuous.
Nikon decided to attack a market segment that is dominated by Fuji: beginner cameras that look like vintage film cameras. Why would I choose this camera over a Fuji X-T30 that has an established line of lenses available? Nikon should have gone the opposite way and make the Zfc full-frame. If this was full-frame and had acces to all the nice Nikon glass it would sell like bread. Missed opportunity.
@@TaipeiGeek Bro, I‘m not even in the US, or another big country OR a boomer 😂 That‘s just,like, my opinion, no need to attack. You also ignored all the other „bs“ that I wrote. Fuji has cameras too at $1k or under and a huge selection of lenses and not just a crappy zoom lens or one prime lens like Nikon for the APS-C Z mount. I was comparing the two systems with their available lenses and if I was in the market for a camera at $1K I would always go with Fuji for the mentioned reasons. If the Taiwanese youth loves that camera with the 2-3 lenses that are available , good for them.
I don't think their intention was to go after Fuji market because anybody that holds a Fuji in hand would know that zfc wouldn't even come close to be compared to Fuji!
Why would you choose this camera? Well you're one of the prosumers Andrew addressed. You obviously have a overview over the camera market, guess what: most people don't and still think that there are only two big camera brands; Nikon and Canon, oh yes and DSLRs are still "the thing". Friends often ask me for camera recommendations and guess what; most even haven't heard of Fuji X)
@@TaipeiGeek seriously lol. You fanboys are so annoying. Nikon has an awesome Z full frame lineup (both lenses and bodies) but this one while looks good is just out of place. The whole Z lenses look is on the opposite direction while Fuji's look is consistent. I won't even comment on "The Zfc is better than any Fuji X currently on the market." as it is so so so LMAO.
Nice adoption of the Clay Christensen dictum (“job to be done”). I fit your target demographic. I disagree with your premise, however: the Zfc is a brilliant performer with night photography, landscapes, macros, city-walkaround shots, long-exposures … the list goes on and on. It feels less lightweight and better ergonomically in my old FM2 leather-jacket, and is compact and easy to use. It works great with all my DSLR auto-focus lenses AND with my vintage manual-focus lenses (focus peaking is a great help, here!). I accept completely that yours is your own personal opinion based on your OWN experience … BUT it does seem that you’re projecting your own individual tastes and experience (photographing dogs and cyclists) onto everyone else in your viewer demographic - as expressed in your title and your main messages. Perhaps I sit in the minority of your “viewer profile”, in that I enjoy and appreciate “the job it does”. One thing I would add here, is that it takes time with ANY camera to get accustomed to the workflow, to get the maximum leverage out of its individual features and idiosyncrasies: perhaps you just need more time with it?
I’m new to Nikon and I’ve been shooting the Zfc for a couple of weeks now. I’ve owned many Fuji cameras including x-t3, x-Pro3 and x100v. I agree with you that the built quality is disappointing. Feels very plasticky and that battery door is a joke. The implementation of the analog dials is also awkward. You have to dig in the menus to change ISO to auto. Cmon Nikon! With all that in mind, I have come to the conclusion that this camera produces way better images than any of my Fujis ever did. I don’t know what it is but photos look cleaner, sharper, more “organic”. I have a feeling it has to do with the bayer filter array being able to resolve more fine detail. The small kit lens is surprisingly good. Very sharp and in my opinion much better than the xf 18-55mm Fuji kit lens. Yes, the “unlock to shoot” gets annoying but I guess a price to pay for compactness. Overall I’m very happy with this camera. I’m considering getting a full frame Z and built a kit where I can buy full frame lenses and use them on both Zfc and whatever FF body I go with. You can’t do that with Fuji X system.
Mr Fotos...wow my experience with this Zfc vs many Fuji cameras I have owned is EXACTLY the same. I have owned nearly every version of the X100 still have the V, Had an XT2, XT3 too.still have an XT20 had an XE2..To cut a long story short SOMETHING about the Nikon files in both jpeg AND raw seem so much better to me than any Fuji I have owned. Matter of fact if anything, I'd say oddly, I'm a Fuji fan boy but lately I am plain tired of Fuji color where Nikon IMO just looks RIGHT, and beautiful and close to accurate/ and funny, esp Caucasian skin tones which many say is Fuji's forte. I MUCH prefer Nikon and the Zfc vs my Fujis.. I agree with Andrew on build quality not being great on the Z fc but somehow doesn't bother me. I further agree and maybe I had a bad copy my Fuji 18-55 was horrid and lifeless and over-hyped...though this kit Nikon lens is plasticy etc...it has great micro contrast, and is sharper than a tack..nice Bokeh too..when you can get it. The only reason I don't sell my X100V is it IS built like a tank.."it's a beautiful camera" with a very good lens now but I just cant stand Fuji color anymore nothing looks right to me. Yeah vivid for maybe landscapes, flowers..but Provia, Astia..people look martian to me now...and CHECK out the whites of people's eyes with the XTrans..often it will have a lot of skin tone somehow blended in with the white. Nikon and the Zfc just takes great pictures. Anyway sorry for the Novel. As to the review here it IS on point, but at the end of the day it just may be the FILES that are most important and to my eyes the Zfc is SO much better as to output vs any Fuji I have had... Yup big weak point I admit, Nikon needs a ton more lenses for this little guy and APS-C however not gonna lie. :)
@@kimrandall5349 wow I feel the same about Fuji colors. I went from rabid fanboy to despising Fuji colors. They look like Instagram filters to me. I’ve seen the issue with skin blending into the eyes!!! I’ve owned 2 X100V, they are beautiful machines but again I couldn’t stand Fuji images any longer. I just can’t believe how much better this Zfc IQ is over Fuji. I’m in shock.
Hey Dr. Fotos...it's great to have company that we both feel the same on Fuji colors. When I first got into Fuji WAY back...actually I loved LOVED the colors. But yeah that high contrasty deep black stuff esp if using a provia even Astia to a degree gets tiring. I don't want to get too far off point here as in many ways Andrew's review of the Zfc is spot on. ESP the flimsy battery door it's SO thin. But in other ways the fc...is the camera I want to pick up and use while my x100v stays home looking all pretty in it's case. REALLY. The FC is light but I find it a plus as a take with you anywhere camera. Again the kit lens is just super sharp...well guess I'm repeating. I got back into Nikon as in the old days I owned a D40 and D90 Slrs. I noticed going thru some older pics one night, esp on skin tones everything looked great and real and FILTER-less unlike Fuji. So I did bite the bullet and get the Z6II which to me is off the charts great. I have had other FF cams...several Sonys, still own the Pana S5..but because of the FILES!, I take the Z6II vs my S5 the only other FF cam I still own.. Back to THIS review so SOMETIMES I want a lighter camera to JUST take with me vs using a phone. The ZFc fits this bill perfectly.. Fc-HAS the Nikon files and color but is way light, a PLUS and handles great, hah even auto focus is VERY good...I don't do video btw I am just talking photography... I still love Fuji but if there is a way to get files to not look so Fuji, I'm all ears...Even in raw I find I'm fussing WAY too much with color/Fuji...NOT so with Nikon...Anyway sorry for droning on, and YEAH a big negative is skin tone sometimes bleeding into whites of the eyes in some/not all pics of portraits taken with all my Fujis...Be well..thx for the opinion company here lol
Oof, the pain as you talked about the camera is rather noticeable... Pain that it had so much promise, but just didn't deliver to the expectations you had of it. While it's priced at an interesting price, for $175 CAD more I can get an X100V that absolutely screams "take me home, then we shall go on plenty of adventures together!" it's a rather tough sell to me... So much so it didn't even get past the "oh, that's neat" phase and make it through my typical initial research I literally had to come up with excuses to not consider the X100F when I was last at my local camera store (although in my defense, having the UI disappear when wearing polarized sunglasses and you rotate the camera... That is kind of a big thing, potentially), while I'm fairly certain the X100V removes every last niggle I had with the previous design (Fuji also did this with the X-T3 to X-T4)
At first I really liked the idea that someone would get this as their first proper camera. Their zfc would be like how the nikon fm2 is to me, really nostalgic to use and would have plenty of good memories attached to it. BUT the build quality is kinda trash in my opinion and I don't see this camera physically lasting longer than 6 years.
Not really. This is a great camera and fulfill a huge gap in the market. I can use my DX lenses, my FX lenses and also some old prime manual lenses with a body with the latest technology. Yes I can use all my lenses in a very a compact, lightweight and capable body to go hiking, skiing, camping, for travel, for casual street photography and so on. Oh, but it's so plasticky... Yes, some people want a full titanium sealed compact body for under $1000. Really? Oh, isn't full frame... Well is plenty of full frame cameras out there. But people want a full frame metal compact and light body, with retro look (just because reminds me my film camera) for less than $1000. That's laughable! But Fuji has this or that... Well Nikon files blows Fuji ones out of the water any time! And the Zfc is even cheaper. than this or that Fuji. Always there will be many that gets disappointed because their dreams can not become real. Who cares! Well done Nikon for this great little camera! It's already a hit with a wide variety of photographers.
Interesting review. I totally hear what you are saying and you seem like you are very much NOT the customer for this camera. Me on the other hand it might just be for. I want a new camera for photo taking, but not for paid work, I actually only want to use one lens 98% of the time the prime 28mm 2.8 Special Edition and use the organic feeling knobs for controls. I want a very simple and direct experience. I want it to be about the subject and not all the other stuff & noise including image quality. I am most likely going to deface the photo in editing into a misfit, degrading moss of decay anyway so for me all that normal photographer stuff isn't going to apply. And getting a Fuji seems to proper at this point. I had to with such iconic name in photographic history as Nikon just seemed perfect. And that is why I went with the ZFC. Snap Snap.
You did not shoot enough photos to fully assess the kit lens. So this video is incomplete and your assessment should be taken with a lot of salt. I own a 6D, XT-3, OM-10 ii, Nikon D5500 therefore I am not biased to a sensor size or brand. Tried the Z50 and the 16-50 kit lens combo and I can say that the 16-50 is one of the sharpest and contrasty lenses in the market right now.
The image quality from this camera is excellent . I own a viltrox 13mm prime and the kit lens supplied , and both are excellent . I previously owned an nikon full frame with a variety of lenses and it does not come close to the image quality out of camera with the nikon z fc . The best camera i could have bought .
I have an FE2 and love it. I was excited when I first saw the photos of the Z fc. But using 1983 as a guide, for this to be a modern FE2 (pro-summer compared to the F3), they would have needed to stuff the Z 5 internals in it. Instead what we got was an L35AF in an FE2 body.
Thanks for being honest. You're right it is not a camera designed for you. Sales figures say its a banger. Its for a different generation. I was excited at first but I want a FF Z f like you so we just have to wait and see. The fact that its been successful bodes well though. We may very well see a Z f - it just wont be a a cheap camera - buts thats ok - I want a digital F3 and happy to pay for it - but that's just me.
He wasn't honest, the Z-mount adapts all lenses from ages back, and APS-C not having great lenses yet is utterly bullshit, it takes very much a high advantage from the center sharpness of full frame lenses.
Having problems getting any new lenses with this pandemic. But I do use the full frame lenses on this camera and they are wonderful. Especially the F1.8 Primes. I like the camera for its size also. Portability is a must for me. Lot of places I go will not let me use a good camera like the Z6ii, Z5 or even the Z50 but I have Small Rig cages on them. But when I bring the Z fc they think it might be an old film camera. I like the USB C plugged into the wall via an Apple 30 Power Adapter and keeping charged while it is on. Lot of people do not like the LSC flippy screen but I do but when shooting pics I close it and use the EVF mainly. That might be another reason why I can bring this camera into a store with me because I have the screen facing in the camera and the back of the panel blends with the camera plastic exterior. Plus I like the weight of it and the touch screen plus buttons and dials of the Nikon system. I bought adapters to share my Sony APSC lenses to mount on this camera and they work but not as fast as the Z mount lenses. But the picture quality is excellent. The only problem I see is getting my hands on extra EL-EN25 batteries which I will not pay a fortune for like the video cards for pc which are outrageous.
My thoughts exactly...I wish this camera was full frame as well!!! That would have been a great differentiator. I of course am not a full frame is greater than APS-C guy...but I like shooting vintage lenses and even adapting M lenses. Also, being able to use Nikon's vast lens line up would have been awesome as well. This being full frame and releasing a few compact prime lenses like Sony has, would have won me over!
I thought similarly (having liked the Df except for it's AF). But now I think APS-C was the better choice - a smaller/inconspicious-looking body and playing with the cheap 3rd party MF lenses like the TTArtisan 50/1.2 on mirrorless (focus-peeking, always "seeing" the aperture) is far more fun than even the old Nikkors. And the Z fc + FTZ + 85/1.4G gives me an amazing 135/2.0 look with Eye-AF for portraits. No regrets on buying the Z fc + 28/2.8 kit at launch.
The Compact primes have arrived. Nikkor 40mm F2 and 28mm F2.8. There is even a pancake 26mm on the Nikon Z Roadmap ad well as 2 new DX lenses. I am sure the Full Frame Zf will come eventually.
@@joeltunnah I agree, this why I like the Z 28+40, Viltrox 56/1.4 and the Chinese MF Z lenses best. But optically the 85/1.4G+FTZ gives me a very interesting look with eyeAF (really liked the 135/2 on my Df). To me personally the only reason for a FTZ (got it discounted 2nd hand) on a Zfc, even if this makes the cam look weird.
You know me better than I do 😂 I do agree with you but still want one because it will fit in my ecosystem. I’m excited about the new viltrox apsc lenses as well as the new z pancakes.
I think a mirrorless nikon df is what they need to make. How’s it going Andrew! I posted a new Disneyland vid to my channel lol. Still hilarious we ran into each other there a while back.
Hey Reggie! Yes, that was one of the craziest coincidences. :) Glad to hear you've been able to get back. Denae is going next week without me. Sad times.
I read it's being a hit in Japan. I guess Nikon had a very specific market sector in mind when they developed it and we are not part of it but that doesn't mean that it cannot be successful.
Couldnt disagree more. Might be because its two years down the line and it aged like wine😂. But to me the Zfc is awesome. I have owned several Fujis, which I might prefer, but getting something similar to the nikon today you will have to pay double. And that is not because the Nikon is cheap, its because Fujis has become extremely overpriced
I like the style of that Nikon but Fujifilm has lots of style AND technology. That Nikon only goes to 1/4.000 s shutter speed!? My X100V in electronic shutter goes to 1/32.000 AND has an in built ND filter if necessary.
@@SRC1711 most camera's can reach insanely high shutter speeds in electronic mode anyways. The real benefit really is the shutter sync speed fitting the ND's was really just one of the benefits on using a leaf shutter. Its in place of where the shutter would normally be.
The feeling I get from Nikon with this camera: "...because people don't actually use vintage-looking cameras for serious work." The feeling I get from Fujifilm when I use their cameras (for serious work): "...why do people assume vintage-looking cameras can't be used for serious work?" And that difference I think inspires the results we see.
As a casual user pouring over reviews. I think the problem is that the Zfc is being compared to more upscale cameras. But those doing so don’t consider the price difference. Ex. A used Fuji Xt4 starts at $1200. Camera only. Whereas the Zfc brand new costs $1165. With lens
Honestly all I want from Fuji is a high end x-mount camera with a normal sensor instead of a x-trans sensor. I’ll be so happy if the X-T5 or X-H2 has a normal sensor!
Wow you missed me completely. I have a z7 and a bunch of z glass, but I do not like taking out my big camera when I go out on a family trip or evening. I love the ZFc for that. The lenses are great and I can a z lens if I need. I love the 16 to 55 as it's super compact, stabilized and af. It's super sharp and if I loose it I don't really mind. It has allowed me to use it in a lot of places that my z7 and big lens would not be allowed. The best part is I can shoot with usbc power which means it's perfect for hq zoom calls. I love the look. I would not like a FF version as my z7 is much more practical with its fn buttons dials etc and I will move to z9 in time. I will keep my ZFc for casual work and video. I agree if this was your only camera then you would be better off with a z50 unless you like taking your time and like the manual aspects. Good video, but I think you missed the z shooter that does not want to lug a big camera but wants more than a phone, with familiar settings
I also did a comparison to see if this camera could offer an analog feel. People have acted like I pooped on their carpet and don't want to hear that maybe it's not a good camera. 🤷♂️
Wrong !!! I’m 56 !! 😆😎 Ok , never mind, back to the video 😋 Yes! You nailed it. Film Shooter, but Love Fuji because of the 80% likeness to the film experience. 🙌
I find your perspective a very interesting one, and as one who fits into your first demographic, I think it has merit. I am not quite in the main part of that as I am retired and 69, but still highly active and engaged in creating images for my own enjoyment. I started my photographic career 40 years ago and shot a combo on Nikon F3 and Canon A-1 units to do industrial, travel, wildlife and commercial photography in NZ, Oz, Asia and North America. I went digital about 2002 and have chose to go with Canon because the glass offered benefits for my specific purposes. Once engaged with a system, as time and investment goes on, it becomes increasingly costly to switch brands. However, I did buy the Nikon Df (plus a couple of lenses) specifically for a couple of reasons: one the ergonomics produced an experience that took me back to the earlier days and it made me slow down: to make the process of taking an image an occasion in its own right. This unit had the excellent FF sensor of the flagship D4, tweaked for low-light performance, so it performed. I found the early criticism levelled at this model as indicating that those people did not understand the true nature of the unit. It abandoned the traditional DSLR mantra in favour of making a digital version of a classic camera series, and did so without apology. Yet, it had great imaging, was built like a tank and fulfilled the niche in my space for a fun camera - but it was not my go-to unit for most work. The Zfc seems to be an effort to cash into the retro style, and perhaps respond to some of the criticism of the Df levelled by the non-legacy community, but FOR ME misses the mark because: 1) it is not using a flagship FF sensor, thus (as you say) it relegates it to using cheaper crop-sensor lenses or having a bulky adaptor. 2) It does not have the same quality of build as its ancestor. I still have the two Df units and they will remain to scratch that retro itch. These were capable cameras when produced and their performance has not changed over time, despite what marketing may suggest. As you alluded to, a lot of people buy on the basis of what is offered and hyped, rather than what they need. I used to teach service management and included in that was the process of how to focus on value to make good purchasing decisions. There is a lot of muddy thinking about value. The concepts I am exploring are not specific to photography: they are used by fortune 500 companies to buy everything from paper clips to new buildings. A FEATURE: is a characteristic specific to a product or service, but has no inherent relationship to any specific user It can be be expressed by the phrase: "this is what we have, is it any use to you?" A BENEFIT: is specific to the potential purchaser and represents something that will either improve their performance, or mitigate a limit to their performance. This could be expressed by the line by the Spice Girls: "Tell me what you want, what you REALLY, REALLY want!" VALUE: is only achieved when you can map a specific feature to a specific benefit. So, to give an example. The Zfc has an ability to shoot 4k video - that's a FEATURE. However, since I don't shoot video it does not map to a benefit I need, so it has no value in my buying evaluation. On the other hand, it has a flip LCD and I actually find that valuable: the benefits being to protect the LCD when not required, and to help me get down very low, or shoot above my head. However it is not sufficient for me to invest in a new system. The following process works: 1. Establish Your Criteria: Define BENEFITS you want, rank them in priority: MUST HAVE, Want, would be nice... 2. Research for Products: Find products that have FEATURES the match your benefits list 3. Compare and Filter: Remove any that don’t match your “must have” criteria 4. Reduce the list to 2-3. 5. Evaluate: Try out the gear with a hands-on evaluation 6. Make your purchase: Shop around for good deals from reliable vendors that support local warranties.
Hi, new Nikon Z fc owner here! Traded my old Fuji X-T2 and X-E2 for this camera. Neither of those two did feel right for me, XE was too plasticky and XT was too DSLRy (lol). I think maybe X-E4 or X-pro2/3 could have also been good for my taste, but I have a Nikon FM2 film SLR so this new Nikon felt like a solid match. I agree with you about the 16-50mm kit lens, it's quite underwhelming UX-wise. But with the 16-50mm and 50-250mm I can cover a huge range of photography situations. (I also stuck the Lensmate X-T2 thumb rest to the Z fc to get a better grip, feels wrong but also so right :D) Waiting for the Z 28mm f2.8 SE retro lens to hit the shelves, that's going to be my street photo daily driver (and also gonna keep it if the full-frame Z fc ever comes out... Peace 🖤📸
also sold my XPro2 for a Zfc. Been a long time fujifilm user (X100, XT1 black/graphite silver, XT2, XPro1, XE1, XH1, XPro2) all just to satisfy the urge of wanting a vintage camera that makes me want to grab it and shoot everywhere I go. A feeling that I have left when I sold my Leica M8 for a modern system that I could use for my paid projects. Yes I used the Leica M8 for lifestyle portraits and weddings and all those other Fujifilm mentioned. I have stopped taking wedding gigs since covid19 has started and will just focus on lifestyle portraits. The fujifilms were almost there in bringing the feel of heritage but I felt there was something missing. Like coming from a Leica, I felt that the XPro series were kind of a boxy modern camera that is trying to look retro and same feeling goes for the rest. For nikon to go for the FM/FE look was the one that sold me.. I don’t care about the specs, surely they all do better than the M8, X100, XPro1, XT1 that I had. But to have a camera that makes me want to hold it and hang around my neck every hour of every day is something that I have been longing for since my Leica. Some might say that I am too attached to the feeling than the function and purpose. Well, I started in photography as a hobby. A passion for art and to just take pictures and just have fun. Along the way, it became a job, then things started to get boring. The 5DsR felt boring, the 1DsIII felt the same, the XH1 felt boring. The Leica M8 never did but the technology was just too outdated. Clients never questioned which camera I used. They were happy with the output whichever camera I used. I am yet to receive my Zfc unit and I am excited! Just before its announcement, I was even about to get myself a Nikon FE2 film camera and what joy have I felt when I saw the Zfc announced officialy. Also, the adapter by Megadap to take E mount lenses with full auto focus brings a whole to worlds of possibilities for this little fun camera. Imagine the whole line of E mount Sigma Contemporary I series lenses. Like the perfect match for a retro looking system. Sometimes it’s not just the easy things that drives us to deliver the goods. Sometimes, it’s the experience. After all, the Zfc is better than the 5DmII and the 1DsIII i used to shoot with albeit being less robust and having smaller sensor.
Thanks for being brutally honest. As someone who's frustrated with Fuji's refusal to give more tele prime options, probably headed back to Nikon. It's between this camera & z5
Been thinking about this camera and the plastic is definitely a deal breaker for me. I shoot about 2-5 rolls of HP 5 with my FM2 each week and since it's not exactly cheap I was super excited to see the ZFC, but I know I won't really love using it, so I think I need to save up to get the ZF instead.
Andrew, It's great to hear a review from you (lots of us miss you and Denae), and thank you for your very honest assessment of the fc. The X-T4 & X100V bring me joy, as does the Nikon FA & FM2n. Some other cameras do not have that joy factor which is key in whether it is a keeper, or if it gets returned / sold in rather quick order. Thanks again, and take care.
I’d try the full-frame primes on it. I use them on my Z50 and they’re amazing with that sensor. I’d say my Z50 paired with any of them is actually a much nicer setup than either my X100V or XE3. Just something about the files out of the Z50, they’re stellar. My favorite lens on the Z50 is actually the 85/1.8S right.
But they're not stabilized, right? Without IBIS or in-lens VR you're back to doing it old school. Maybe not really a concern with the 85 but my use case would definitely benefit from stabilization.
@@markwornom1050 yeah, not stabilized, but then again most of the Fuji stuff isn’t stabilized either. Really it’s only the XT4 and XS10 with IBIS right? The rangefinder style bodies certainly don’t have it.
@@thisisbenji90 I'm a Nikon shooter and have a very similar sensor in my D500. I've been shopping Fuji a little but definitely not an expert. I do believe you are correct about the cameras you mentioned and certainly you would know more about the lenses. Everything I've seen indicates that the Z lenses are fantastic but I just need the full flexibility provided by stabilization. The Zfc with the two kit lenses would compliment my D500 and give me a light weight body for traveling that I can also adapt my current DX glass to without getting penalized with the crop imposed by a full frame sensor. Zooms work better for me, I never seemed to get the use out of primes despite their great glass. I'm strongly considering the Z50 and would probably own one if I could find one. I'm not quite convinced enough yet to order. The Zfc offers a few compelling upgrades over the Z50 but I'm also very spoiled by a top display and that's pulling me to one of the full frame bodies. I personally find this transition to mirrorless pretty complicated.
@@markwornom1050 I use the D500 and Z50. With the same sensor and maximum fps, they complement each other perfectly, but oddly I've seen no TH-camr talk about this. If you like switching between OVF and EVF, between a rugged and lighter camera, between DSLR and mirrorless, yet always with the same results, and with the ability to adapt all your F-mount lenses to the Z50, this may be your combo. Like Andrew, I have no interest in the Zfc. It does seem more a toy than a serious camera, even compared to the Z50, and I cringe at a color for each day of the week, except the Sabbath :)
@@robwinklerphoto2189 I think that since the D500 is around 5.5 years old now and the focus is on the new mirrorless platforms that it's just kind of been forgotten about and that's probably why nobody's made that comparison. But, your comments reflect some of my thoughts about it too and I seriously considered the Z50 and found a lot to like about it. And although I dream of a complete switch to full frame one day, I also find the APS-C sensors more than capable for what I really do. With that in mind I considered the long term factors and decided that I really needed an IBIS sensor to support any future purchases of Z mount glass. As of now I'm only aware of three lenses with built in VR and two of them are DX. For what I do, I'd probably be fine with that and my current F mount glass but then I considered the age of the Z50 and that I might be buying one too late in the product cycle. And then I am seriously trying to drop some weight from my backpack so... believe it or not I chose the Sony ZV-1 to compliment the D500. It's less than half the weight of the D500 body, includes a f1.8-2.8, 24-70mm lens and captures in 10 video formats including HLG, Cine and SLog. It's only a 1 inch sensor but I'm a day hiker. LOL at the Zfc color options. And only $100 more for the privilege! I was initially very interested in the Zfc but the more I understood the ergonomics and switchology the less interest I had. From what I've seen Fuji has a much more refined and intelligent control setup. I really have no plans to sell my D500 anytime in the near future. It's just so capable even now 5.5 years later that there's almost nothing other than lighter weight that I wish for.
It is shocking. Not a typical Nikon at all. But I think it’s intended for a young trendy hipster beginners. If you want style and substance. Go for Fuji
very interesnting rwview. I am looking to buy this new Nikon , and to be my video camera. I am a nikon guy and have being since 1997 so many N60,70,80 and FM10 in film and now several APS-C bodies It has much better video than my D7500 and it looks very small and light, and this time, that is a good thing. Maybe a Z7II is what you want Andrew.??? anyway thanks for the video.
The Zfc is like Elvis near the end: phoning it in... I need a lightweight, 4K flippy screen video camera like the Xt4, but this is 2/3rds the price and 1/3rd that camera. Expensive for what it is. It's got the Z mount and I'll use it, but it's a very poor showing. Nikon's got their head up their arse as usual. No mystery as to why they went from first to last in 20 short years...
I won't compare a Fuji to a Nikon, Fuji is the first cheater in Digital photography, when they lied about their sensors, claiming higher res, when in fact they are not, Nikon on the other hand, is a reputable company, with extended experience in marketing their products, and knowing exactly, the purpose of their products, I don't think they were dumb not to know the direction, they are aiming at, your assumption that you know who we are, is an absurd one, you can't tell from online data, who you talking to, and decide what they like and what they don't, what's wrong with plastic? its light, compact, and easy to carry a round, do we really need an FM2? why? to keep it proudly for three generation to come? I don't think so, none of our great grand kids, will consider using it, or lusting over it, they will have their own tools. but most likely, may consider, the Zfc, the camera is great I personally love it, I am a pro photographer for over 35 years, it is a beautiful highly functional, adorable toy, if you wanna call it that, I hate the weight of old cameras, especially after 3 hours of continuous shoot, Fuji sucks.
Interesting! First, I don´t quite fit into your demographic (I´m a Sony A6300 shooter younger than 30 with a general interest in all things photography). Second, what the heck was Nikon thinking when they threw this camera onto the (already quite saturated) market?
This could've been a better video if the creator did not stick to the "probably" and try to assume so many things. Instead he should've stuck to simple review.
One thing I can agree is that unless someone is a subscriber, he/she may not share your same feelings or thoughts about this camera. Personally I am a pro-sumer user and as I moved from DSLR to mirrorless, I found this camera being a good entry point. It is expensive for what it offers, yes, and it feels cheap. But if you get it used for 599, it is a great deal; which is what I got it for. The rest is relative... I don't care about the looks, even if I had those film cameras in the past, as that is not enough alone to make me open my wallet, if the specs are not what I need. And as I have other Nikon lenses, the switch is not that bad as it would be with Fuji; which are the other range I was looking at. With some work the z-FC may work but it is a product made for specific people, and if you find it used it is hitting the mark 100% IMO. Then if you buy it new at 999 for just the body; there is better stuff around, but still, it is not as bad as many reviews paint it. I would call this the equivalent of a "dumb phone": it takes pictures, so it does what a camera should do; but lacks all that bloat and stuff that we came to accept in modern digital cameras. If you look at the objective that this camera set for itself, it did hit the mark perfectly, as it is a camera that takes pictures and that's it... With a retro look. It is just overpriced but you can get it used.
I have a Fujifilm X-T2 with the 18-50mm kit lens. I do enjoy the camera very much, but was considering switching to a Nikon Z fc due to hearing that Canon lenses convert better to Nikon than Fujifilm (wife has a Canon R7 and we have invested in quality EF mount Sigma lenses and it would be nice to share them). Does anyone have thoughts or experience in this area?
Why would you 'try not to compare it too much to Fuji?'...The Nikon Z fc is specifically a shot over Fuji's prow. Until now only (now departed) Olympus and Fuji have paid ANY attention to offering up modern digital image making tools with the look and feel evocative of the gear and spring days. NIKON is comparing itself to Fuji with this camera and while I LOVED my FM2 bodies (and all of my other Nikons, including the many DSLRs I eventually had before I found the X-T1) Nikon has fallen short. Thanks for the new content though, entertaining as always. PS. I am your demographic perfectly except 100% of my income is from licensing my Photography. :)
I don't know what I liked more; your review or the comments. The dissenter are so butt hurt; guys (or ladies) it's just cameras not pets or kids. I had an FE then FE2 (my brother regrets selling me his to this day) with a 50 1.4 and when Kodak released T-Max 3200 that combo was a game changer. I now have an X-E3 w/ a 23 f2 and 50 f2 and shoot it like my old FE2. I think you nailed the shooting experience bit. The only thing I don't agree with is the S-10 recommendation since it has the PASM dial meaning you can't just crank the aperture ring between "A" and an f stop.
Hah! Was fully attacked in the first two minutes of this video ;-) I know this video is a year old, made around the release date of the ZFC. However I feel like your review unfairly misses the mark when it came to the lens. On pre-order with the kit there were two lenses - 28mm 2.8 and the 16-50 3.5, the latter is featured and I think the bulk of your negativity towards the ZFC is the lens that you chose to come with it. You compared it directly to which is a Nikkor f2 prime lens - that doesn't "fold" which is your biggest gripe with it. I think a more direct comparison would have been between the 28mm 2.8 prime. I migrated from the D810 (3 lbs with lens) to the ZFC (1.5 lbs with lens) and I admit moving from 36 megapixel to 21 is rather painful, but I choose the camera and the lenses that are light and portable (plasticky sure whatever) if I am going to be shooting for hours and won't make my shoulders sore - with excellent picture quality. Not as much a full framed - but enough to get anything I need done that's not an escquire or vogue cover.
Andrew, I obviously don't if you are still reading comments on this video, but just in case: There is a third group of potential buyers for this camera. Those, who wonder if the Z fc is really a solid replacement for an updated Z50-II, which we will probably never see now. If you are serious about your APS-C format video camera, then the Z50 is a let down. Nikon messed up, realized it, and now we get the Z fc instead of the Z50-II. The Z50: - Doesn't have an articulating screen, as you mention. The Z fc does. - Uses the pesky micro USB-B connector, which can neither power nor charge the camera. The Z fc uses an USB-C connector, which can do both, in addition to being much faster to use for downloading huge video files to your host computer. - Is missing a few of the important AF features from Nikon's larger cameras, needed for live video focusing. These are added on the Z fc. Unfortunately, due to the retro styling, the Z fc has horrible ergonomics, as it is missing the deep grip for your fingers on the RH side of the body. Which the Z50 has. Try 'vlogging' with the Z fc by holding it away from your body in your left hand, facing yourself, and see what I mean. There is an optional Z fc grip from some chinese manufacturer or other, yet it is a lot less substantial, compared to the usual Nikon camera bodies. I used to own and extensively used an FM2n and a F3HP back in the day. I don't care what the Z fc feels like. I just want my Z50 Mk. II... 😞
More competition in the market with analogue dials would be nice. Fuji is creeping their prices up to making a used Leica look reasonable with each release, it seems. Their sheep will repeat the "it's a shortage problem!", but they've been creeping up prices for years. Now that all their used items are shooting to the moon in cost, I wouldn't be surprised to see even more price increases at a disproportionate rate to cost. Not long ago you could grab a nice X-T2 for around 500 bucks, lower if you were patient and even an X-T3 at around 650-700. Now the X-T2's are 700-900 and past that you're pretty much better off just saving a bit and getting an X-T5 with a warranty (if you actually buy one).
Time to rain on your parade Andrew... I guess from your description I am a PROsumer... having earned most of my income over the past 15 years through photography.... shooting with micro 4/3 - Phase One digital medium format - Nikon Z system - Nikon Fm2 / FA film bodies - and yes Fuji too. About a month ago I got the Nikon Z FC with the 28mm kit lens... and I do agree with the construction of the camera itself and how it is not going to be a professional kit due to potential durability... but having used it with my Nikon 300mm f:4 PF ( along with a 1.4 and 1.7 teleconverters) and comparing the images to my xt4 with the 100-400 at similar focal lengths, I think it's time to just sell off all of my Fuji gear.... I'm finding the focus acquisition of Nikon ZFC system to be outstanding, birds in Flight included.... dare I say better than the Fuji XT4? The image quality I'm getting from the little Nikon crop sensor and my full frame Z7 are everything I need to satisfy my retro passion and image quality for my clients.... True, the road map for Z mount crop sensor lenses is pretty sparse, but with a Z to F Mount adapter I can use an awful lot of my retro lenses and almost be back into to my film experience... I can pretty much duplicate any of the Fuji film simulations if I want to take the time and yes I do like the Fuji colors... But after the pandemic it's just not viable to maintain more than one camera system so off goes the Fuji kit!
People don't understand this camera that well. I have been shooting FUJI and Leica for a long time. The sensor in this camera is awesome. You can compare it on DP Review studio scene and see it stomps the FujiX100V and XT4. The thing everyone misses is the fact that with a 2mm thick megadap converter, you get all the Sony lenses, like the brilliant Sony Zeiss lenses with superfast AF. I gotta say you sound like a baby. I have enjoyed your Fuji feedback in the past but if you put the time in with this camera, as I have with good lenses like the sony zeiss 35 and the Nikon 26mm you will start to understand this camera. For the price and performance, it beats modern Fujis despite the tears.
36 megapixel, 15 stops of dynamic range, IBIS, full frame, stacked sensor, true 10 (FPS) with (full tracking) (bird Af like Sony or canon), all metal magnesium alloy design, premium dials. That’s what we all want. Why is that too much too ask? Look I could do with our a coupe of those (kind of) but that what I really want.
Funny thing. I'm not a designer of cameras. I'm a user. Have a bunch of DSLRs. Love them. My D780 is a workhorse. Just much to carry around daily. The Z fc does not make me sad. It doesn't let me down. Takes great photos. Is easy to use after customizing to me desires. Nice hit job though. Who pays for this?
So I'm a almost 20 year 4/3 to m4/3 user and im wanting to try something new and I have dilemma. I've looked and tried this zfc and a xpro 3. So what I've found is put the zfc and 24mm 1.8 weather sealed lens and it smokes every similar equivalent lens in rendering photo quality fuji has except being equal with the new 23mm 1.4 and you save $100-$150 with the nikon lens. 2nd tracking and focusing is better on the nikon. Low light seems marginally better with the nikon. The dials seemed to work just as snappy and solidly good as on the fuji. There was no rattling on the zfc except the neck strap rings. If you removed the springs that are on most battery doors it would feel the same and just as sturdy, it's just you are used to having springs on doors. I would say the only plus for the fuji camera is the titanium body and better weather sealing. I don't believe you gave it a fair shake.
I believe they should have killed the z50, and made the zFc the new Z50. At this point there should be only two cameras, the retro photography camera with all the options photographers want, and then the Z30 with all the video options that the vloggers want. Nikon could be king right now selling the two models like hot cakes, instead they wanted to be cute, play games and try to get away with continuing to sell an outdated model the Z50, a Micky mouse retro, and the only good option out of the 3 for it's defined purpose, the Z30. What we got to do as consumers is to send the message and don't buy any of the three models, instead go get the Fuji XS20, which fixed all the issues of the XS10, and comes with the best kit lens available the Fuji 18-50mm, Fuji has put forward a better effort to give you a more complete camera in this segment so go ahead and reward them with good sales. Canon still stuck trying to make an SLR out of a mirror less so that is another dead end, R100, R50, R10, 3 different models competing with one another and none provide any of the desired features wanted. These camera companies are in the middle of an identity crisis, they fell asleep on the wheel and just got awaken by the vloggers rush and they don't know who they want to be, so they just putting out as many models as possible to see what sticks, half bake experimental products for which they are charging an arm and a leg. Go on strike and refuse to buy anything that doesn't meet your standards. Wait and Save a little longer for something that feels good and has all the features you want. At this point the only brand that gets close to what I want is Fuji.
I'm more or less in your demographic but you are far out. This is another case of "I do not like it thus no one will like it" That's teenager reasoning, sorry. The camera has an amazing sensor, is small, light and looks great. The problem with other Nikon Canon and Sony cameras is that they are mostly ugly. This one is not. Usability on the Z Fc is top notch and DX suits me much better than full frame, for lightness and increased zoom power. And if I want a full frame lens (like the 28 mm or the 50mm 1.8) It's there at my disposal, or even better, by trustworthy 50 mm f1.4 AIS with the FTZ. But again just because it suits me, it does not mean it is for everybody. I just do not generalize ;-) Cheers.
I love my Nikon Z50 and Z FC but hate the crappy 16-50 lens. I do use the Z adapter and will throw on the 35mm, 24mm, 16-80, or the 17-55. But….. the set up is just way too big for me, as the adapter is quite large for the camera. I want to shoot film again, so I will need to pull out the F100 again.
It’s almost half of 2022 and there is only 3 native options for DX Z system. I have a Z5, had a Z50 before that… But I’m tired of waiting third party lenses, the Z system is one of the most expensive for lenses. Finally it’s more important for me to enjoy the experience of shooting rather than having the absolute best image quality. So with all this… I’ll give up Z system and move to Fuji 🤷🏼♂️
I like your videos and your work but here I tend to disagree. And you “lost” me from the first couple of minutes. This camera doesn’t meant to appeal to prosumer crowd. It’s Nikon’s experiment to compete in the territories of Fuji (not the Leica), hence the price, the build, and the apps-c sensor. And it faces the entry level of Fuji, not even the XT-x0 series. For me it isn’t appealing at all since I am a DSLR guy and Canon user, but if I had to pick something in that level from Nikon, that would be the Z50.
100% agree. The build quality is awfully cheap. There are limited lens choices, only two kit lenses. Even worse there is almost no APS-C lens on roadmap. This is just an expensive toy or a kind of already dead Nikon 1 / Keymission / DL related product. I see huge clouds on the future of Nikon. If they made a nice quality FF mirrorless and retro style lenses, it could have extended their life.
I’m loyal to Nikon but they missed a golden opportunity…thus could have been a fujifilm challenger …no in body stabilisation ..20 mp …. It was a cheap attempt …it’s a gimmick approach. It’s why I purchased a Fuji for a street camera
Man, that's 100% how I feel about it too. I was excited when they came into the store I work at. Opened one up, grabbed it, and put it right back in the box. Feels like an expensive digital holga or something. Nikon also doesn't have a good track record making exciting DX lenses. Seems like only Fuji and Pentax have a decent APSC lens selection these days.
@@TheVFXbyArt haha, may be a slight exaggeration. It really did feel disappointing to pick up though. Kinda like holding a 90s 35mm point and shoot. You know it'll work fine, just feels bad 😂
Andrew, you didn't review the camera for your core audience because you decided they weren't the target market. You didn't review the camera for the content creators because you decided they weren't your core audience. But you talked for 12 minutes. You must take off your professional photographer-philosopher hat and find out if the camera is useful to it's target audience, otherwise you display no insight. All these little hybrid cameras have great still photos and some level of compromise with video. Your job was to check the kits lens zoom range, 4k and 1080p video quality, video autofocus/face detection and the video auto exposure and tell us if this camera is the sort you can turn on and stand in front of without a lot of tech knowledge. To make it worse, you said the camera was probably OK, which may or not be true - but you didn't check. You pointed to the X-S10, which is a bad choice for people stepping up from an iPhone - 2nd tier autofocus/face detect, requirement for totally manual exposure if you want exposure compensation without brightness stepping and the Fuji menu mess. Content creators sell on their X-S10s because of these issues. TH-cam reviewers seem to have trouble putting themselves in the user's shoes and actually using the product for its intended purpose. Dpreview.com is also having this trouble - pro reviewers are not doing due diligence, partly because they themselves are never going to use the product. It's not just cameras - we are drowning in reviews that cause us to buy the wrong product.
Fully agree with their poor lens offering on the Zfc...plastic junk unlike the AIS lenses I currently shoot with. Did contemplate the use of the FTZ adapter which will inevitably make it look hideously bulky.
I must admit, I don't like Nikon or Canon. I own Sony, Fuji, Sigma and Panasonic cameras and I am just put off by Nikon and Canon. I perceive Nikon as being slow to update and innovate. I see Canon as the brand which just cripples releases to protect other camera lines. I know both have made some improvements in that direction but those feelings and perceptions are still very much alive in me so I rarely give their releases any attention. I'm also invested in mirrorless. I got into mirrorless fairly early and have never owned a DSLR camera and see both those brands as hanging on to that old too long.
You focus too much on the vintage part to be honest. Sure, your demographic is people with a ton of money to burn that like the idea of nostalgia and buy something they may not even need just because remind them of their old days... But even so, people buy things not only for how close they are to the old thing (some people didn't touch an classic camera for 20-30 years maybe? Good for them if they can remember things so far back; I can't remember what I ate last week or how did it taste :D ), but for how functional they are. You said it right at the start; people buy things as if they would hire someone; and that is the main point you should focus on when giving feedback on a product. Does the camera work as intended? Does it compare to other products in the same price range and does it deliver on what is saying is supposed to do? The rest is fluff for your channel subs maybe; but for the viewer that is looking for some help on why this camera is NOT good, your points may not really resonate with them (shill are shills, they will say that everything is fine; which is why people look for videos that show the issues and problems, not the positive only shill reviews)
I have the opposite opinion. If you’re a content creator stepping up from a cell phone then there are plenty of interchangeable lens cameras which are easier to learn, handle, and which have sturdier and affordable, non-plastic glass available. I won’t recommend Nikon for video until they incorporate a fully modal menu system as on recent Fuji cameras. Much easier to teach. So to me the Z fc is a nostalgia purchase for existing Z shooters who want an easy to carry, unobtrusive alternative to the capable but utilitarian dark grey work cameras. I added a metal plate and grip from SmallRig to my fc which makes the camera much more bump resistant on the bottom and much easier to handle overall. And the integrated Arca Swiss mount is a nice bonus.
Think a big mistake to diss the 16-50mm which is absolutely excellent as a kit lens. It shoots amazing picures for what it is. It also means the camera is small light and portable when not in use. I sense you are stuck a bit prejudice on this lens and would highöy recommend you test it and remember the purpose is to keep the camera small and light weight when doing so. Also you say the camera failes to do what it should - without even try it. Put a heavy metal lens like viltrox Z 23mm 1.4 and the camera feels much more robust as it gets heavier. I think this review was to much about your personal preferenses making the review highly bias. But that is your privilage on your channel 😌
Your opinion may not be that of your viewers. I have this camera and the main criticism I have is the lack of a real grip. So I bought one and it transformed the cameras handling. I f you hold a Z9 and flick the battery door and shake the body with no straps attached you will get the same rattle. The output from this camera is very good . Be fair. This is not an expensive camera. Good value for money
The lack of aperture rings on the lenses makes a nonsense of the retro styling. Many of us shoot in aperture priority. As you say, the camera doesn't deliver on its promise. OTOH, I like the Z50 and often use it.
There is something magical about that 20.9 sensor. I agree that kit lens is a little boring however that 16mm is pretty interesting. I purchased a z30 on morning took it out and captured an amazing low light shot. Now wanting a EVF camera with that same sensor. Might just grab a z50 for my photography type.
Interesting video! The demographic for me is close-ish. I know it isn't a better camera than the ones I have. I am not that interested in video. But for me it is light (because it is plastic) - good. The flimsy door I already knew about - I won't be changing batteries very often - I can't buy spares anywhere anyway, lol, but mainly, because USB-C is how it will be charged. Images will be transferred wirelessly or mostly via USB-C. I am not bothered about native Z lenses or lack thereof - I have bought it body only with FTZ (I also hate lock/unlock lenses and would never buy one). It will be mainly to adapt vintage lenses and as a bridge/intro to Nikon Z and a small/light travel camera. I could have bought a Z50, but the useless flip-down touch screen was a problem. I could have bought a used Z6 for about the same money and I'm sure a better buy, but I have existing crop lenses so a crop Z makes sense. To me, something to play with. If I don't use it, I will simply sell it and buy a Z6 instead.
Probably better to go Fuji route if you want retro-inspiring cameras in the APS-C market. Nikon just lacks proper lenses to support the retro styled camera.
The experience of those old AIS lenses on a modern digital FX Nikon is much better than adapting them to mirrorless crop sensor (although I do anyways) and D610s and D750 are so cheap 2nd hand.
Kinda sad to see the formidable Nikon of my youth making this kind of camera. Reminds me of an old guy wearing trendy sneakers or Bjorn Borg trying to come back at Wimbledon with a wooden racket.
I’m confused. The Fuji XS10 has garbage autofocus. The Nikon Zfc has amazing autofocus. The quality of the photo sites is so much better than anything Fuji offers that it’s not even funny. This review, and I am a 30 year pro photographer, is just silly. You act like a product designer so you “know” what you are talking about but you seem to be a Fuji fanboy. I owned the Xh1, the XT3 the Xpro2 and the XE3 and performance wise, the Nikon is superior. No, it’s not as hefty and clicky but it’s a far better camera in every other way. I sold my Fuji’s because there was always a dynamic range problem. A lens quality problem. A performance problem. I’ve found that Nikons don’t have any of the “lack of” problems that Fuji faces. I get that you like Fuji, but let’s be clear here. You didn’t really test this camera fairly. You just didn’t like that it’s light weight. I’m sorry for that but your behavior on this review also made me question you as a reviewer and made me think that maybe you are just a Fuji shill. I think, knowing what you push, all of the time, Fuji, that you really are that. I hoped you’d actually be fair about your review. I’m sorry to say you have proved you are not.
Firstly Andrew you hit me exactly with your demographics analysis. I am 45, I take photos in my free time as a hobby. This Nikon Z fc at first glance looks exciting but after you try you change quickly your opinion. At first I though this Z fc will be similar to Nikon Df, which was and still is a good full frame camera, but the APS-C sensor in Z fc is disappointing. I took pictures with Nikon and I still take pictures with it on film but not in case of digital. For F-mount and now also for Z-mount I am missing a wide range of good DX lenses for APS-C sensor size. For Nikon, the APS-C sensor is just a way to attract new customers and persuade them to switch to a full frame and not a full-fledged system for a variety of photographic needs. I am now very happy with Fuji cameras and especially with their XF lenses. I have six of them and they are really wonderful. So thank you for this video and I am looking forward for another. Have a great time and good luck. Greetings also to Denae.
i think a fuji xt1 with a good fuji lens is better than a zfc and will cost significantly less (for now) and be worth double what this nikon kit camera will cost in 10 years
Hey I totally get it. When I got my hands on my very first film camera (Minolta XE5), even though it was decades old and didn't have any modern capabilities, the HEFT and quality of that thing inspired the heck outta me to use it day and night. That word. HEFT. Is no longer a word we associate with cameras anymore. The DSLR were just big. And mirrorless cameras are small and light. There was something about old school cameras that was SMALL but had substance. It was the coolest thing.
Bro everything can be a pro camera Carson thousands of dollars the void is this camera and intend it all users is spot on like a sports car in a car lineup not gonna sell much of it but it’s for a specific niche what country and what you said I think Nikon is going to do well with this camera
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I respectfully disagree with just about everything you think, that I think. Your rationales are way off. You are picking on minor points, such as the plasticslly look and feel, the locking lenses, etc. The photo quality is fantastic and that is the most important fact. Cameras are made to take photos, end of story. The focus system is a major upgrade on the Z50, Z6 and Z7 (I have the Z6 and Z50). USB charging in camera is huge. Articulating screen is nice, but for photography, not a big deal. This is the first video of yours that I have watched and I am sad that I can't add you to my library of great youtubers. You are way ou off on your assessment and time will eventually prove out that your opinion is in the minority.
Agree with you (as elaborated in my own comment here). The job to be done is “enjoying taking great-quality pics” - which the Zfc does very well indeed.
Thanks for the video. Not everyone is going to agree. Here are some of my thoughts. The 16-50 lens is actually really great as long as you don't need a fast lens. For landscape photography, where this camera shines, the 16-50 is really great. It's sharp, light and, because of that awesome collapsable feature that you call a non-starter, it's tiny and takes up very little space in your bag. For vlogging the Z fc is very good, I've never used the X-S10 that you said might be a good alternative but if its video auto-focus is as bad about wandering off to la-la land as the X-T3 that I had and sold is, then I'd say there is no comparison. Once the Z fc (or any Nikon Z camera) has your face, it will not lose it. You should try it! Where the Nikon cameras suffer is audio quality. This can be fixed in post but it is truly a pain. If you record audio separately, it's no problem. I really enjoy your channel and I have the wrist strap that I purchased on your ETSY attached to my Z fc right now. :)
This is awesome! Goes to show that an unusable camera for one person might be the perfect tool for another. Happy shooting :)
@@jasonandrews7355 Thanks, Jason. I do agree with Andrew about many things in this video. The selection of Z DX lenses being chief among the Z fc and Z50s shortcomings. The camera doesn't feel as cheap as he describes though, except for the battery door, I have to agree, that feels very cheap. The top dials actually feel and sound nice to me. I do really like my Z fc but the perfect tool for me is a Canon R6 or R5 with a nice collection of RF mount L series glass. Now that is perfection, at least until they overheat... LOL Thanks for the nice comment, Jason. Happy shooting to you as well!
I agree Phil. I own a D850, D780 and now a Z fc. I own an assortment of Nikon G 1.4 lenses as well as the 2.8 zoom holy trinity. That 16-50 z lens is very sharp and I'm very impressed with it's contrast and tiny profile when collapsed down. Definitely a very good lens.
Guy has no idea what's he talking about.
I agree with you. I sold Fuji x-s10 and got Zfc for better autofocus. I absolutely love the Nikon kit lens, too. Funny thing is, after I got Smallrig grip, a lot of cheap feeling in my hand is gone. Only thing I miss from my Fuji is old 35mm f1.4 lens 😊
Andrew firstly I have always loved your channel. I get where you are coming from it being plasticky I bought the zfc without touching it having had an fm2 which I loved and my df dying (rip) but i actually enjoy the zfc a lot. I personally got the 28mm kit which was available in australia and have used the ftz with some older glass and it's become my family day to day camera. Honestly if you can try it with the 28mm do it it's a nicer experience. Personally what I would love is a new ftz with a motor drive for my old afd primes. Also viltrox has recently released the same primes available on fuji for the nikon z mount which provides some options. Also to clarify I'm a longtime nikon user so maybe I'm bias
The ZFc was not marketed as a serious tool but rather a casual camera. However, you're right about the lens situation that it's severely limited. If I got it I would have to go with the viltrox lenses like the 23 1.4 and 56 1.4 which would go well.
I think you overlooked a use-case where the Z fc really shines. A Z fc (with e.g. a 28/2.8 as kit) as cheap/inconspicuous secondary Nikon body to play with Nikon mirrorless and also with cheap 3rd party MF APS-C glass.
I'm an experienced Nikon DSLR user (D850, previously D800, Df, D700, etc.) with quite a few Nikkors and accessories who until now did not do mirrorless. To me the Z fc was the perfect low-cost entry into Nikon mirrorless (initially thinking only about Z 28/2.8 kit + FTZ adapted lenses), and with a small, very inconspicuous/non-pro looking body. I've had the Z fc+28/2.8 since launch, used it quite a bit and really like it.
Yes, initially I was disappointed by the APS-C choice. But APS-C has shown some major advantages for me a) a smaller body, b) the small/cheap APS-C TTArtisan 50/1.2 (and probably more to come), and c) a FTZ-adapted 85/1.4G gives me a really modern 135/2.0 look, something I cannot get on full-frame DSLRs to the same extent (the Z fc + FTZ + 85/1.4G performs really nice with eye-AF). E.g. I was shooting portraits/fashion with the Z fc + TTArtisan 50/1.2 (giving me a 75/1.8 look) in a hotel garden or around a tiny village as portfolio work. Without causing any notice/disturbances - something which would not work with my normal favorite D850+105/1.4 combo. All the time using my Nikon experience for fine-tuning the cam-handling and having my existing FTZ-adapted Nikkor glass + my Profoto A1 for Nikon still available as options (which I would not have with non-Nikon mirrorless).
Viltrox makes a trio of 1.4’s native apsc lenses for zfc 23mm, 33mm, 56mm
Man, you've nailed my demographic information! I'm pretty much everything on that list except I'm Australian and I do t have a disposable income.
Its a beautiful camera, but not for me. Im still loving my fujifilm xt1 & xt3 with vintage glass.
Great video, Andrew!
…still rocking the xt3 here too!
Of course the Zfc is not for you. You are looking for a much higher price point for the build you want. Nikon is offering excellent value and performance, the latter as you acknowledge. But to treat it like a toy is disengenuous.
Yes, I wanted this to be nicer and more expensive. I thought I was pretty clear about this camera not being for me. Not sure what we're arguing about.
Nikon decided to attack a market segment that is dominated by Fuji: beginner cameras that look like vintage film cameras. Why would I choose this camera over a Fuji X-T30 that has an established line of lenses available? Nikon should have gone the opposite way and make the Zfc full-frame. If this was full-frame and had acces to all the nice Nikon glass it would sell like bread. Missed opportunity.
@@TaipeiGeek Bro, I‘m not even in the US, or another big country OR a boomer 😂 That‘s just,like, my opinion, no need to attack. You also ignored all the other „bs“ that I wrote. Fuji has cameras too at $1k or under and a huge selection of lenses and not just a crappy zoom lens or one prime lens like Nikon for the APS-C Z mount. I was comparing the two systems with their available lenses and if I was in the market for a camera at $1K I would always go with Fuji for the mentioned reasons. If the Taiwanese youth loves that camera with the 2-3 lenses that are available , good for them.
I don't think their intention was to go after Fuji market because anybody that holds a Fuji in hand would know that zfc wouldn't even come close to be compared to Fuji!
Why would you choose this camera? Well you're one of the prosumers Andrew addressed. You obviously have a overview over the camera market, guess what: most people don't and still think that there are only two big camera brands; Nikon and Canon, oh yes and DSLRs are still "the thing". Friends often ask me for camera recommendations and guess what; most even haven't heard of Fuji X)
@@TaipeiGeek That's your opinion. What's better about it? At least back up your claim.
@@TaipeiGeek seriously lol. You fanboys are so annoying. Nikon has an awesome Z full frame lineup (both lenses and bodies) but this one while looks good is just out of place. The whole Z lenses look is on the opposite direction while Fuji's look is consistent. I won't even comment on "The Zfc is better than any Fuji X currently on the market." as it is so so so LMAO.
Nice adoption of the Clay Christensen dictum (“job to be done”). I fit your target demographic. I disagree with your premise, however: the Zfc is a brilliant performer with night photography, landscapes, macros, city-walkaround shots, long-exposures … the list goes on and on. It feels less lightweight and better ergonomically in my old FM2 leather-jacket, and is compact and easy to use. It works great with all my DSLR auto-focus lenses AND with my vintage manual-focus lenses (focus peaking is a great help, here!). I accept completely that yours is your own personal opinion based on your OWN experience … BUT it does seem that you’re projecting your own individual tastes and experience (photographing dogs and cyclists) onto everyone else in your viewer demographic - as expressed in your title and your main messages. Perhaps I sit in the minority of your “viewer profile”, in that I enjoy and appreciate “the job it does”. One thing I would add here, is that it takes time with ANY camera to get accustomed to the workflow, to get the maximum leverage out of its individual features and idiosyncrasies: perhaps you just need more time with it?
I’m new to Nikon and I’ve been shooting the Zfc for a couple of weeks now. I’ve owned many Fuji cameras including x-t3, x-Pro3 and x100v.
I agree with you that the built quality is disappointing. Feels very plasticky and that battery door is a joke. The implementation of the analog dials is also awkward. You have to dig in the menus to change ISO to auto. Cmon Nikon!
With all that in mind, I have come to the conclusion that this camera produces way better images than any of my Fujis ever did. I don’t know what it is but photos look cleaner, sharper, more “organic”. I have a feeling it has to do with the bayer filter array being able to resolve more fine detail.
The small kit lens is surprisingly good. Very sharp and in my opinion much better than the xf 18-55mm Fuji kit lens. Yes, the “unlock to shoot” gets annoying but I guess a price to pay for compactness.
Overall I’m very happy with this camera. I’m considering getting a full frame Z and built a kit where I can buy full frame lenses and use them on both Zfc and whatever FF body I go with. You can’t do that with Fuji X system.
Mr Fotos...wow my experience with this Zfc vs many Fuji cameras I have owned is EXACTLY the same. I have owned nearly every version of the X100 still have the V, Had an XT2, XT3 too.still have an XT20 had an XE2..To cut a long story short SOMETHING about the Nikon files in both jpeg AND raw seem so much better to me than any Fuji I have owned. Matter of fact if anything, I'd say oddly, I'm a Fuji fan boy but lately I am plain tired of Fuji color where Nikon IMO just looks RIGHT, and beautiful and close to accurate/ and funny, esp Caucasian skin tones which many say is Fuji's forte. I MUCH prefer Nikon and the Zfc vs my Fujis.. I agree with Andrew on build quality not being great on the Z fc but somehow doesn't bother me. I further agree and maybe I had a bad copy my Fuji 18-55 was horrid and lifeless and over-hyped...though this kit Nikon lens is plasticy etc...it has great micro contrast, and is sharper than a tack..nice Bokeh too..when you can get it. The only reason I don't sell my X100V is it IS built like a tank.."it's a beautiful camera" with a very good lens now but I just cant stand Fuji color anymore nothing looks right to me. Yeah vivid for maybe landscapes, flowers..but Provia, Astia..people look martian to me now...and CHECK out the whites of people's eyes with the XTrans..often it will have a lot of skin tone somehow blended in with the white. Nikon and the Zfc just takes great pictures. Anyway sorry for the Novel. As to the review here it IS on point, but at the end of the day it just may be the FILES that are most important and to my eyes the Zfc is SO much better as to output vs any Fuji I have had... Yup big weak point I admit, Nikon needs a ton more lenses for this little guy and APS-C however not gonna lie. :)
@@kimrandall5349 wow I feel the same about Fuji colors. I went from rabid fanboy to despising Fuji colors. They look like Instagram filters to me. I’ve seen the issue with skin blending into the eyes!!!
I’ve owned 2 X100V, they are beautiful machines but again I couldn’t stand Fuji images any longer. I just can’t believe how much better this Zfc IQ is over Fuji. I’m in shock.
Hey Dr. Fotos...it's great to have company that we both feel the same on Fuji colors. When I first got into Fuji WAY back...actually I loved LOVED the colors. But yeah that high contrasty deep black stuff esp if using a provia even Astia to a degree gets tiring. I don't want to get too far off point here as in many ways Andrew's review of the Zfc is spot on. ESP the flimsy battery door it's SO thin. But in other ways the fc...is the camera I want to pick up and use while my x100v stays home looking all pretty in it's case. REALLY. The FC is light but I find it a plus as a take with you anywhere camera. Again the kit lens is just super sharp...well guess I'm repeating. I got back into Nikon as in the old days I owned a D40 and D90 Slrs. I noticed going thru some older pics one night, esp on skin tones everything looked great and real and FILTER-less unlike Fuji. So I did bite the bullet and get the Z6II which to me is off the charts great. I have had other FF cams...several Sonys, still own the Pana S5..but because of the FILES!, I take the Z6II vs my S5 the only other FF cam I still own.. Back to THIS review so SOMETIMES I want a lighter camera to JUST take with me vs using a phone. The ZFc fits this bill perfectly.. Fc-HAS the Nikon files and color but is way light, a PLUS and handles great, hah even auto focus is VERY good...I don't do video btw I am just talking photography... I still love Fuji but if there is a way to get files to not look so Fuji, I'm all ears...Even in raw I find I'm fussing WAY too much with color/Fuji...NOT so with Nikon...Anyway sorry for droning on, and YEAH a big negative is skin tone sometimes bleeding into whites of the eyes in some/not all pics of portraits taken with all my Fujis...Be well..thx for the opinion company here lol
Oof, the pain as you talked about the camera is rather noticeable... Pain that it had so much promise, but just didn't deliver to the expectations you had of it. While it's priced at an interesting price, for $175 CAD more I can get an X100V that absolutely screams "take me home, then we shall go on plenty of adventures together!" it's a rather tough sell to me... So much so it didn't even get past the "oh, that's neat" phase and make it through my typical initial research
I literally had to come up with excuses to not consider the X100F when I was last at my local camera store (although in my defense, having the UI disappear when wearing polarized sunglasses and you rotate the camera... That is kind of a big thing, potentially), while I'm fairly certain the X100V removes every last niggle I had with the previous design (Fuji also did this with the X-T3 to X-T4)
At first I really liked the idea that someone would get this as their first proper camera. Their zfc would be like how the nikon fm2 is to me, really nostalgic to use and would have plenty of good memories attached to it. BUT the build quality is kinda trash in my opinion and I don't see this camera physically lasting longer than 6 years.
Yup
6 years? Ok. People change cars within 3 years on avg. just fyi
Not really. This is a great camera and fulfill a huge gap in the market.
I can use my DX lenses, my FX lenses and also some old prime manual lenses with a body with the latest technology. Yes I can use all my lenses in a very a compact, lightweight and capable body to go hiking, skiing, camping, for travel, for casual street photography and so on.
Oh, but it's so plasticky... Yes, some people want a full titanium sealed compact body for under $1000. Really?
Oh, isn't full frame... Well is plenty of full frame cameras out there. But people want a full frame metal compact and light body, with retro look (just because reminds me my film camera) for less than $1000. That's laughable!
But Fuji has this or that... Well Nikon files blows Fuji ones out of the water any time! And the Zfc is even cheaper. than this or that Fuji.
Always there will be many that gets disappointed because their dreams can not become real.
Who cares! Well done Nikon for this great little camera! It's already a hit with a wide variety of photographers.
Interesting review. I totally hear what you are saying and you seem like you are very much NOT the customer for this camera. Me on the other hand it might just be for. I want a new camera for photo taking, but not for paid work, I actually only want to use one lens 98% of the time the prime 28mm 2.8 Special Edition and use the organic feeling knobs for controls. I want a very simple and direct experience. I want it to be about the subject and not all the other stuff & noise including image quality. I am most likely going to deface the photo in editing into a misfit, degrading moss of decay anyway so for me all that normal photographer stuff isn't going to apply. And getting a Fuji seems to proper at this point. I had to with such iconic name in photographic history as Nikon just seemed perfect. And that is why I went with the ZFC. Snap Snap.
You did not shoot enough photos to fully assess the kit lens. So this video is incomplete and your assessment should be taken with a lot of salt. I own a 6D, XT-3, OM-10 ii, Nikon D5500 therefore I am not biased to a sensor size or brand. Tried the Z50 and the 16-50 kit lens combo and I can say that the 16-50 is one of the sharpest and contrasty lenses in the market right now.
The image quality from this camera is excellent . I own a viltrox 13mm prime and the kit lens supplied , and both are excellent . I previously owned an nikon full frame with a variety of lenses and it does not come close to the image quality out of camera with the nikon z fc . The best camera i could have bought .
Viltrox has a trio of APSC primes for Z mount.
I have an FE2 and love it. I was excited when I first saw the photos of the Z fc. But using 1983 as a guide, for this to be a modern FE2 (pro-summer compared to the F3), they would have needed to stuff the Z 5 internals in it. Instead what we got was an L35AF in an FE2 body.
Thanks for being honest. You're right it is not a camera designed for you. Sales figures say its a banger. Its for a different generation. I was excited at first but I want a FF Z f like you so we just have to wait and see. The fact that its been successful bodes well though. We may very well see a Z f - it just wont be a a cheap camera - buts thats ok - I want a digital F3 and happy to pay for it - but that's just me.
He wasn't honest, the Z-mount adapts all lenses from ages back, and APS-C not having great lenses yet is utterly bullshit, it takes very much a high advantage from the center sharpness of full frame lenses.
Having problems getting any new lenses with this pandemic. But I do use the full frame lenses on this camera and they are wonderful. Especially the F1.8 Primes. I like the camera for its size also. Portability is a must for me. Lot of places I go will not let me use a good camera like the Z6ii, Z5 or even the Z50 but I have Small Rig cages on them. But when I bring the Z fc they think it might be an old film camera. I like the USB C plugged into the wall via an Apple 30 Power Adapter and keeping charged while it is on. Lot of people do not like the LSC flippy screen but I do but when shooting pics I close it and use the EVF mainly. That might be another reason why I can bring this camera into a store with me because I have the screen facing in the camera and the back of the panel blends with the camera plastic exterior. Plus I like the weight of it and the touch screen plus buttons and dials of the Nikon system. I bought adapters to share my Sony APSC lenses to mount on this camera and they work but not as fast as the Z mount lenses. But the picture quality is excellent. The only problem I see is getting my hands on extra EL-EN25 batteries which I will not pay a fortune for like the video cards for pc which are outrageous.
I think it would have been perfect if it was fullframe and sold it with a vintage look adapter so we can use nikon legacy glass.
My thoughts exactly...I wish this camera was full frame as well!!! That would have been a great differentiator. I of course am not a full frame is greater than APS-C guy...but I like shooting vintage lenses and even adapting M lenses. Also, being able to use Nikon's vast lens line up would have been awesome as well. This being full frame and releasing a few compact prime lenses like Sony has, would have won me over!
I thought similarly (having liked the Df except for it's AF). But now I think APS-C was the better choice - a smaller/inconspicious-looking body and playing with the cheap 3rd party MF lenses like the TTArtisan 50/1.2 on mirrorless (focus-peeking, always "seeing" the aperture) is far more fun than even the old Nikkors. And the Z fc + FTZ + 85/1.4G gives me an amazing 135/2.0 look with Eye-AF for portraits. No regrets on buying the Z fc + 28/2.8 kit at launch.
The Compact primes have arrived. Nikkor 40mm F2 and 28mm F2.8. There is even a pancake 26mm on the Nikon Z Roadmap ad well as 2 new DX lenses. I am sure the Full Frame Zf will come eventually.
@@andikunar7183 putting an FTZ plus G lens on this camera completely destroys the vintage look and feel, which is the whole appeal of it.
@@joeltunnah I agree, this why I like the Z 28+40, Viltrox 56/1.4 and the Chinese MF Z lenses best. But optically the 85/1.4G+FTZ gives me a very interesting look with eyeAF (really liked the 135/2 on my Df). To me personally the only reason for a FTZ (got it discounted 2nd hand) on a Zfc, even if this makes the cam look weird.
You know me better than I do 😂 I do agree with you but still want one because it will fit in my ecosystem. I’m excited about the new viltrox apsc lenses as well as the new z pancakes.
I think a mirrorless nikon df is what they need to make. How’s it going Andrew! I posted a new Disneyland vid to my channel lol. Still hilarious we ran into each other there a while back.
Hey Reggie! Yes, that was one of the craziest coincidences. :) Glad to hear you've been able to get back. Denae is going next week without me. Sad times.
I read it's being a hit in Japan. I guess Nikon had a very specific market sector in mind when they developed it and we are not part of it but that doesn't mean that it cannot be successful.
Couldnt disagree more. Might be because its two years down the line and it aged like wine😂. But to me the Zfc is awesome. I have owned several Fujis, which I might prefer, but getting something similar to the nikon today you will have to pay double. And that is not because the Nikon is cheap, its because Fujis has become extremely overpriced
Good, honest, straightforward review!
I like the style of that Nikon but Fujifilm has lots of style AND technology.
That Nikon only goes to 1/4.000 s shutter speed!? My X100V in electronic shutter goes to 1/32.000 AND has an in built ND filter if necessary.
That's a leaf shutter compared to a focal plane shutter, and not to mention a fixed lens to interchangeable lens system
1/32000? Really? I never new that. Amazing! So I guess there is no need for ND filters while shooting wide open?
@@SRC1711 most camera's can reach insanely high shutter speeds in electronic mode anyways. The real benefit really is the shutter sync speed
fitting the ND's was really just one of the benefits on using a leaf shutter. Its in place of where the shutter would normally be.
@@SRC1711 Even an old FujiFilm X-T1 has 1/32.000 s as maximum electronic shutter speed.
The feeling I get from Nikon with this camera: "...because people don't actually use vintage-looking cameras for serious work." The feeling I get from Fujifilm when I use their cameras (for serious work): "...why do people assume vintage-looking cameras can't be used for serious work?" And that difference I think inspires the results we see.
Call me when they release a full frame version. Until then you'd be crazy to buy this over a Fuji.
After watching your video I was not in a hurry to give this camera a try. But now that I have, I'm glad I did. I love it.
As a casual user pouring over reviews. I think the problem is that the Zfc is being compared to more upscale cameras. But those doing so don’t consider the price difference. Ex. A used Fuji Xt4 starts at $1200. Camera only. Whereas the Zfc brand new costs $1165. With lens
A full frame version of this would be perfection. Until then I pray for a Fuji full frame
Fujifilm already have the GFX line. No need for full frame. :)
@@bjornelenfors2039 I’m looking to sell my full frame canon system for the gfx but it’s big the lenses are slow and the experience seems clunky
I can see Nikon coming out with the Full Frame Zf in the future. Hopefully with IBIS.
Honestly all I want from Fuji is a high end x-mount camera with a normal sensor instead of a x-trans sensor. I’ll be so happy if the X-T5 or X-H2 has a normal sensor!
@@just_eirik why do you dislike the sensor? Maybe try Capture One instead of Lightroom if that is the reason. It handles the Fujj-Raws much better.
Wow you missed me completely. I have a z7 and a bunch of z glass, but I do not like taking out my big camera when I go out on a family trip or evening. I love the ZFc for that. The lenses are great and I can a z lens if I need. I love the 16 to 55 as it's super compact, stabilized and af. It's super sharp and if I loose it I don't really mind. It has allowed me to use it in a lot of places that my z7 and big lens would not be allowed. The best part is I can shoot with usbc power which means it's perfect for hq zoom calls. I love the look. I would not like a FF version as my z7 is much more practical with its fn buttons dials etc and I will move to z9 in time. I will keep my ZFc for casual work and video. I agree if this was your only camera then you would be better off with a z50 unless you like taking your time and like the manual aspects. Good video, but I think you missed the z shooter that does not want to lug a big camera but wants more than a phone, with familiar settings
I also did a comparison to see if this camera could offer an analog feel. People have acted like I pooped on their carpet and don't want to hear that maybe it's not a good camera. 🤷♂️
😂
Wrong !!! I’m 56 !! 😆😎 Ok , never mind, back to the video 😋
Yes! You nailed it. Film Shooter, but Love Fuji because of the 80% likeness to the film experience. 🙌
😆
I find your perspective a very interesting one, and as one who fits into your first demographic, I think it has merit. I am not quite in the main part of that as I am retired and 69, but still highly active and engaged in creating images for my own enjoyment.
I started my photographic career 40 years ago and shot a combo on Nikon F3 and Canon A-1 units to do industrial, travel, wildlife and commercial photography in NZ, Oz, Asia and North America. I went digital about 2002 and have chose to go with Canon because the glass offered benefits for my specific purposes. Once engaged with a system, as time and investment goes on, it becomes increasingly costly to switch brands.
However, I did buy the Nikon Df (plus a couple of lenses) specifically for a couple of reasons: one the ergonomics produced an experience that took me back to the earlier days and it made me slow down: to make the process of taking an image an occasion in its own right. This unit had the excellent FF sensor of the flagship D4, tweaked for low-light performance, so it performed. I found the early criticism levelled at this model as indicating that those people did not understand the true nature of the unit. It abandoned the traditional DSLR mantra in favour of making a digital version of a classic camera series, and did so without apology. Yet, it had great imaging, was built like a tank and fulfilled the niche in my space for a fun camera - but it was not my go-to unit for most work.
The Zfc seems to be an effort to cash into the retro style, and perhaps respond to some of the criticism of the Df levelled by the non-legacy community, but FOR ME misses the mark because: 1) it is not using a flagship FF sensor, thus (as you say) it relegates it to using cheaper crop-sensor lenses or having a bulky adaptor. 2) It does not have the same quality of build as its ancestor. I still have the two Df units and they will remain to scratch that retro itch. These were capable cameras when produced and their performance has not changed over time, despite what marketing may suggest.
As you alluded to, a lot of people buy on the basis of what is offered and hyped, rather than what they need. I used to teach service management and included in that was the process of how to focus on value to make good purchasing decisions. There is a lot of muddy thinking about value. The concepts I am exploring are not specific to photography: they are used by fortune 500 companies to buy everything from paper clips to new buildings.
A FEATURE: is a characteristic specific to a product or service, but has no inherent relationship to any specific user It can be be expressed by the phrase: "this is what we have, is it any use to you?"
A BENEFIT: is specific to the potential purchaser and represents something that will either improve their performance, or mitigate a limit to their performance. This could be expressed by the line by the Spice Girls: "Tell me what you want, what you REALLY, REALLY want!"
VALUE: is only achieved when you can map a specific feature to a specific benefit. So, to give an example. The Zfc has an ability to shoot 4k video - that's a FEATURE. However, since I don't shoot video it does not map to a benefit I need, so it has no value in my buying evaluation.
On the other hand, it has a flip LCD and I actually find that valuable: the benefits being to protect the LCD when not required, and to help me get down very low, or shoot above my head. However it is not sufficient for me to invest in a new system.
The following process works:
1. Establish Your Criteria: Define BENEFITS you want, rank them in priority: MUST HAVE, Want, would be nice...
2. Research for Products: Find products that have FEATURES the match your benefits list
3. Compare and Filter: Remove any that don’t match your “must have” criteria
4. Reduce the list to 2-3.
5. Evaluate: Try out the gear with a hands-on evaluation
6. Make your purchase: Shop around for good deals from reliable vendors that support local warranties.
Hi, new Nikon Z fc owner here! Traded my old Fuji X-T2 and X-E2 for this camera. Neither of those two did feel right for me, XE was too plasticky and XT was too DSLRy (lol).
I think maybe X-E4 or X-pro2/3 could have also been good for my taste, but I have a Nikon FM2 film SLR so this new Nikon felt like a solid match. I agree with you about the 16-50mm kit lens, it's quite underwhelming UX-wise. But with the 16-50mm and 50-250mm I can cover a huge range of photography situations.
(I also stuck the Lensmate X-T2 thumb rest to the Z fc to get a better grip, feels wrong but also so right :D)
Waiting for the Z 28mm f2.8 SE retro lens to hit the shelves, that's going to be my street photo daily driver (and also gonna keep it if the full-frame Z fc ever comes out...
Peace 🖤📸
also sold my XPro2 for a Zfc. Been a long time fujifilm user (X100, XT1 black/graphite silver, XT2, XPro1, XE1, XH1, XPro2) all just to satisfy the urge of wanting a vintage camera that makes me want to grab it and shoot everywhere I go. A feeling that I have left when I sold my Leica M8 for a modern system that I could use for my paid projects. Yes I used the Leica M8 for lifestyle portraits and weddings and all those other Fujifilm mentioned. I have stopped taking wedding gigs since covid19 has started and will just focus on lifestyle portraits. The fujifilms were almost there in bringing the feel of heritage but I felt there was something missing. Like coming from a Leica, I felt that the XPro series were kind of a boxy modern camera that is trying to look retro and same feeling goes for the rest. For nikon to go for the FM/FE look was the one that sold me.. I don’t care about the specs, surely they all do better than the M8, X100, XPro1, XT1 that I had. But to have a camera that makes me want to hold it and hang around my neck every hour of every day is something that I have been longing for since my Leica. Some might say that I am too attached to the feeling than the function and purpose. Well, I started in photography as a hobby. A passion for art and to just take pictures and just have fun. Along the way, it became a job, then things started to get boring. The 5DsR felt boring, the 1DsIII felt the same, the XH1 felt boring. The Leica M8 never did but the technology was just too outdated. Clients never questioned which camera I used. They were happy with the output whichever camera I used. I am yet to receive my Zfc unit and I am excited! Just before its announcement, I was even about to get myself a Nikon FE2 film camera and what joy have I felt when I saw the Zfc announced officialy.
Also, the adapter by Megadap to take E mount lenses with full auto focus brings a whole to worlds of possibilities for this little fun camera. Imagine the whole line of E mount Sigma Contemporary I series lenses. Like the perfect match for a retro looking system.
Sometimes it’s not just the easy things that drives us to deliver the goods. Sometimes, it’s the experience. After all, the Zfc is better than the 5DmII and the 1DsIII i used to shoot with albeit being less robust and having smaller sensor.
Definitely update us when you get your unit would love to see how you use it and take great pictures with it
Thanks for being brutally honest. As someone who's frustrated with Fuji's refusal to give more tele prime options, probably headed back to Nikon. It's between this camera & z5
Been thinking about this camera and the plastic is definitely a deal breaker for me. I shoot about 2-5 rolls of HP 5 with my FM2 each week and since it's not exactly cheap I was super excited to see the ZFC, but I know I won't really love using it, so I think I need to save up to get the ZF instead.
Andrew, It's great to hear a review from you (lots of us miss you and Denae), and thank you for your very honest assessment of the fc. The X-T4 & X100V bring me joy, as does the Nikon FA & FM2n. Some other cameras do not have that joy factor which is key in whether it is a keeper, or if it gets returned / sold in rather quick order. Thanks again, and take care.
I’d try the full-frame primes on it. I use them on my Z50 and they’re amazing with that sensor. I’d say my Z50 paired with any of them is actually a much nicer setup than either my X100V or XE3. Just something about the files out of the Z50, they’re stellar. My favorite lens on the Z50 is actually the 85/1.8S right.
But they're not stabilized, right? Without IBIS or in-lens VR you're back to doing it old school. Maybe not really a concern with the 85 but my use case would definitely benefit from stabilization.
@@markwornom1050 yeah, not stabilized, but then again most of the Fuji stuff isn’t stabilized either. Really it’s only the XT4 and XS10 with IBIS right? The rangefinder style bodies certainly don’t have it.
@@thisisbenji90 I'm a Nikon shooter and have a very similar sensor in my D500. I've been shopping Fuji a little but definitely not an expert. I do believe you are correct about the cameras you mentioned and certainly you would know more about the lenses. Everything I've seen indicates that the Z lenses are fantastic but I just need the full flexibility provided by stabilization. The Zfc with the two kit lenses would compliment my D500 and give me a light weight body for traveling that I can also adapt my current DX glass to without getting penalized with the crop imposed by a full frame sensor. Zooms work better for me, I never seemed to get the use out of primes despite their great glass. I'm strongly considering the Z50 and would probably own one if I could find one. I'm not quite convinced enough yet to order. The Zfc offers a few compelling upgrades over the Z50 but I'm also very spoiled by a top display and that's pulling me to one of the full frame bodies. I personally find this transition to mirrorless pretty complicated.
@@markwornom1050 I use the D500 and Z50. With the same sensor and maximum fps, they complement each other perfectly, but oddly I've seen no TH-camr talk about this. If you like switching between OVF and EVF, between a rugged and lighter camera, between DSLR and mirrorless, yet always with the same results, and with the ability to adapt all your F-mount lenses to the Z50, this may be your combo. Like Andrew, I have no interest in the Zfc. It does seem more a toy than a serious camera, even compared to the Z50, and I cringe at a color for each day of the week, except the Sabbath :)
@@robwinklerphoto2189 I think that since the D500 is around 5.5 years old now and the focus is on the new mirrorless platforms that it's just kind of been forgotten about and that's probably why nobody's made that comparison. But, your comments reflect some of my thoughts about it too and I seriously considered the Z50 and found a lot to like about it. And although I dream of a complete switch to full frame one day, I also find the APS-C sensors more than capable for what I really do. With that in mind I considered the long term factors and decided that I really needed an IBIS sensor to support any future purchases of Z mount glass. As of now I'm only aware of three lenses with built in VR and two of them are DX. For what I do, I'd probably be fine with that and my current F mount glass but then I considered the age of the Z50 and that I might be buying one too late in the product cycle. And then I am seriously trying to drop some weight from my backpack so... believe it or not I chose the Sony ZV-1 to compliment the D500. It's less than half the weight of the D500 body, includes a f1.8-2.8, 24-70mm lens and captures in 10 video formats including HLG, Cine and SLog. It's only a 1 inch sensor but I'm a day hiker. LOL at the Zfc color options. And only $100 more for the privilege! I was initially very interested in the Zfc but the more I understood the ergonomics and switchology the less interest I had. From what I've seen Fuji has a much more refined and intelligent control setup. I really have no plans to sell my D500 anytime in the near future. It's just so capable even now 5.5 years later that there's almost nothing other than lighter weight that I wish for.
It is shocking. Not a typical Nikon at all. But I think it’s intended for a young trendy hipster beginners. If you want style and substance. Go for Fuji
very interesnting rwview. I am looking to buy this new Nikon , and to be my video camera. I am a nikon guy and have being since 1997 so many N60,70,80 and FM10 in film and now several APS-C bodies It has much better video than my D7500 and it looks very small and light, and this time, that is a good thing. Maybe a Z7II is what you want Andrew.??? anyway thanks for the video.
The Zfc is like Elvis near the end: phoning it in... I need a lightweight, 4K flippy screen video camera like the Xt4, but this is 2/3rds the price and 1/3rd that camera. Expensive for what it is. It's got the Z mount and I'll use it, but it's a very poor showing. Nikon's got their head up their arse as usual. No mystery as to why they went from first to last in 20 short years...
I won't compare a Fuji to a Nikon, Fuji is the first cheater in Digital photography, when they lied about their sensors, claiming higher res, when in fact they are not, Nikon on the other hand, is a reputable company, with extended experience in marketing their products, and knowing exactly, the purpose of their products, I don't think they were dumb not to know the direction, they are aiming at, your assumption that you know who we are, is an absurd one, you can't tell from online data, who you talking to, and decide what they like and what they don't, what's wrong with plastic? its light, compact, and easy to carry a round, do we really need an FM2? why? to keep it proudly for three generation to come? I don't think so, none of our great grand kids, will consider using it, or lusting over it, they will have their own tools. but most likely, may consider, the Zfc, the camera is great I personally love it, I am a pro photographer for over 35 years, it is a beautiful highly functional, adorable toy, if you wanna call it that, I hate the weight of old cameras, especially after 3 hours of continuous shoot, Fuji sucks.
Interesting! First, I don´t quite fit into your demographic (I´m a Sony A6300 shooter younger than 30 with a general interest in all things photography).
Second, what the heck was Nikon thinking when they threw this camera onto the (already quite saturated) market?
This is not the review I was looking for. But it's the review that I needed.
This could've been a better video if the creator did not stick to the "probably" and try to assume so many things. Instead he should've stuck to simple review.
One thing I can agree is that unless someone is a subscriber, he/she may not share your same feelings or thoughts about this camera. Personally I am a pro-sumer user and as I moved from DSLR to mirrorless, I found this camera being a good entry point. It is expensive for what it offers, yes, and it feels cheap. But if you get it used for 599, it is a great deal; which is what I got it for.
The rest is relative... I don't care about the looks, even if I had those film cameras in the past, as that is not enough alone to make me open my wallet, if the specs are not what I need. And as I have other Nikon lenses, the switch is not that bad as it would be with Fuji; which are the other range I was looking at. With some work the z-FC may work but it is a product made for specific people, and if you find it used it is hitting the mark 100% IMO. Then if you buy it new at 999 for just the body; there is better stuff around, but still, it is not as bad as many reviews paint it.
I would call this the equivalent of a "dumb phone": it takes pictures, so it does what a camera should do; but lacks all that bloat and stuff that we came to accept in modern digital cameras. If you look at the objective that this camera set for itself, it did hit the mark perfectly, as it is a camera that takes pictures and that's it... With a retro look. It is just overpriced but you can get it used.
I have a Fujifilm X-T2 with the 18-50mm kit lens. I do enjoy the camera very much, but was considering switching to a Nikon Z fc due to hearing that Canon lenses convert better to Nikon than Fujifilm (wife has a Canon R7 and we have invested in quality EF mount Sigma lenses and it would be nice to share them). Does anyone have thoughts or experience in this area?
Tou just have described everything accurate of who I am! OMG, just except I live in Mexico.
Nah. It's because it's light that I bought it. Threw away my Canon system because it was so heavy. 21st century is all about it being LIGHT!
Why would you 'try not to compare it too much to Fuji?'...The Nikon Z fc is specifically a shot over Fuji's prow. Until now only (now departed) Olympus and Fuji have paid ANY attention to offering up modern digital image making tools with the look and feel evocative of the gear and spring days. NIKON is comparing itself to Fuji with this camera and while I LOVED my FM2 bodies (and all of my other Nikons, including the many DSLRs I eventually had before I found the X-T1) Nikon has fallen short. Thanks for the new content though, entertaining as always.
PS. I am your demographic perfectly except 100% of my income is from licensing my Photography. :)
I don't know what I liked more; your review or the comments. The dissenter are so butt hurt; guys (or ladies) it's just cameras not pets or kids. I had an FE then FE2 (my brother regrets selling me his to this day) with a 50 1.4 and when Kodak released T-Max 3200 that combo was a game changer. I now have an X-E3 w/ a 23 f2 and 50 f2 and shoot it like my old FE2. I think you nailed the shooting experience bit.
The only thing I don't agree with is the S-10 recommendation since it has the PASM dial meaning you can't just crank the aperture ring between "A" and an f stop.
I'm using anamorphic Siriu lenses on this to shoot video on my next project. I absolutely love love this camera. Thank you Nikon.
Hah! Was fully attacked in the first two minutes of this video ;-)
I know this video is a year old, made around the release date of the ZFC. However I feel like your review unfairly misses the mark when it came to the lens. On pre-order with the kit there were two lenses - 28mm 2.8 and the 16-50 3.5, the latter is featured and I think the bulk of your negativity towards the ZFC is the lens that you chose to come with it. You compared it directly to which is a Nikkor f2 prime lens - that doesn't "fold" which is your biggest gripe with it. I think a more direct comparison would have been between the 28mm 2.8 prime.
I migrated from the D810 (3 lbs with lens) to the ZFC (1.5 lbs with lens) and I admit moving from 36 megapixel to 21 is rather painful, but I choose the camera and the lenses that are light and portable (plasticky sure whatever) if I am going to be shooting for hours and won't make my shoulders sore - with excellent picture quality. Not as much a full framed - but enough to get anything I need done that's not an escquire or vogue cover.
Andrew,
I obviously don't if you are still reading comments on this video, but just in case: There is a third group of potential buyers for this camera. Those, who wonder if the Z fc is really a solid replacement for an updated Z50-II, which we will probably never see now.
If you are serious about your APS-C format video camera, then the Z50 is a let down. Nikon messed up, realized it, and now we get the Z fc instead of the Z50-II.
The Z50:
- Doesn't have an articulating screen, as you mention. The Z fc does.
- Uses the pesky micro USB-B connector, which can neither power nor charge the camera. The Z fc uses an USB-C connector, which can do both, in addition to being much faster to use for downloading huge video files to your host computer.
- Is missing a few of the important AF features from Nikon's larger cameras, needed for live video focusing. These are added on the Z fc.
Unfortunately, due to the retro styling, the Z fc has horrible ergonomics, as it is missing the deep grip for your fingers on the RH side of the body. Which the Z50 has. Try 'vlogging' with the Z fc by holding it away from your body in your left hand, facing yourself, and see what I mean. There is an optional Z fc grip from some chinese manufacturer or other, yet it is a lot less substantial, compared to the usual Nikon camera bodies.
I used to own and extensively used an FM2n and a F3HP back in the day. I don't care what the Z fc feels like. I just want my Z50 Mk. II... 😞
More competition in the market with analogue dials would be nice. Fuji is creeping their prices up to making a used Leica look reasonable with each release, it seems. Their sheep will repeat the "it's a shortage problem!", but they've been creeping up prices for years. Now that all their used items are shooting to the moon in cost, I wouldn't be surprised to see even more price increases at a disproportionate rate to cost. Not long ago you could grab a nice X-T2 for around 500 bucks, lower if you were patient and even an X-T3 at around 650-700. Now the X-T2's are 700-900 and past that you're pretty much better off just saving a bit and getting an X-T5 with a warranty (if you actually buy one).
You need a Leica M camera.
Time to rain on your parade Andrew...
I guess from your description I am a PROsumer... having earned most of my income over the past 15 years through photography.... shooting with micro 4/3 - Phase One digital medium format - Nikon Z system - Nikon Fm2 / FA film bodies - and yes Fuji too.
About a month ago I got the Nikon Z FC with the 28mm kit lens... and I do agree with the construction of the camera itself and how it is not going to be a professional kit due to potential durability... but having used it with my Nikon 300mm f:4 PF ( along with a 1.4 and 1.7 teleconverters) and comparing the images to my xt4 with the 100-400 at similar focal lengths, I think it's time to just sell off all of my Fuji gear.... I'm finding the focus acquisition of Nikon ZFC system to be outstanding, birds in Flight included.... dare I say better than the Fuji XT4? The image quality I'm getting from the little Nikon crop sensor and my full frame Z7 are everything I need to satisfy my retro passion and image quality for my clients....
True, the road map for Z mount crop sensor lenses is pretty sparse, but with a Z to F Mount adapter I can use an awful lot of my retro lenses and almost be back into to my film experience...
I can pretty much duplicate any of the Fuji film simulations if I want to take the time and yes I do like the Fuji colors... But after the pandemic it's just not viable to maintain more than one camera system so off goes the Fuji kit!
People don't understand this camera that well. I have been shooting FUJI and Leica for a long time. The sensor in this camera is awesome. You can compare it on DP Review studio scene and see it stomps the FujiX100V and XT4. The thing everyone misses is the fact that with a 2mm thick megadap converter, you get all the Sony lenses, like the brilliant Sony Zeiss lenses with superfast AF.
I gotta say you sound like a baby. I have enjoyed your Fuji feedback in the past but if you put the time in with this camera, as I have with good lenses like the sony zeiss 35 and the Nikon 26mm you will start to understand this camera. For the price and performance, it beats modern Fujis despite the tears.
36 megapixel, 15 stops of dynamic range, IBIS, full frame, stacked sensor, true 10 (FPS) with (full tracking) (bird Af like Sony or canon), all metal magnesium alloy design, premium dials. That’s what we all want. Why is that too much too ask? Look I could do with our a coupe of those (kind of) but that what I really want.
Funny thing. I'm not a designer of cameras. I'm a user. Have a bunch of DSLRs. Love them. My D780 is a workhorse. Just much to carry around daily. The Z fc does not make me sad. It doesn't let me down. Takes great photos. Is easy to use after customizing to me desires. Nice hit job though. Who pays for this?
So I'm a almost 20 year 4/3 to m4/3 user and im wanting to try something new and I have dilemma. I've looked and tried this zfc and a xpro 3. So what I've found is put the zfc and 24mm 1.8 weather sealed lens and it smokes every similar equivalent lens in rendering photo quality fuji has except being equal with the new 23mm 1.4 and you save $100-$150 with the nikon lens. 2nd tracking and focusing is better on the nikon. Low light seems marginally better with the nikon. The dials seemed to work just as snappy and solidly good as on the fuji. There was no rattling on the zfc except the neck strap rings. If you removed the springs that are on most battery doors it would feel the same and just as sturdy, it's just you are used to having springs on doors. I would say the only plus for the fuji camera is the titanium body and better weather sealing. I don't believe you gave it a fair shake.
I believe they should have killed the z50, and made the zFc the new Z50. At this point there should be only two cameras, the retro photography camera with all the options photographers want, and then the Z30 with all the video options that the vloggers want. Nikon could be king right now selling the two models like hot cakes, instead they wanted to be cute, play games and try to get away with continuing to sell an outdated model the Z50, a Micky mouse retro, and the only good option out of the 3 for it's defined purpose, the Z30. What we got to do as consumers is to send the message and don't buy any of the three models, instead go get the Fuji XS20, which fixed all the issues of the XS10, and comes with the best kit lens available the Fuji 18-50mm, Fuji has put forward a better effort to give you a more complete camera in this segment so go ahead and reward them with good sales. Canon still stuck trying to make an SLR out of a mirror less so that is another dead end, R100, R50, R10, 3 different models competing with one another and none provide any of the desired features wanted. These camera companies are in the middle of an identity crisis, they fell asleep on the wheel and just got awaken by the vloggers rush and they don't know who they want to be, so they just putting out as many models as possible to see what sticks, half bake experimental products for which they are charging an arm and a leg. Go on strike and refuse to buy anything that doesn't meet your standards. Wait and Save a little longer for something that feels good and has all the features you want. At this point the only brand that gets close to what I want is Fuji.
I'm more or less in your demographic but you are far out. This is another case of "I do not like it thus no one will like it" That's teenager reasoning, sorry. The camera has an amazing sensor, is small, light and looks great. The problem with other Nikon Canon and Sony cameras is that they are mostly ugly. This one is not. Usability on the Z Fc is top notch and DX suits me much better than full frame, for lightness and increased zoom power. And if I want a full frame lens (like the 28 mm or the 50mm 1.8) It's there at my disposal, or even better, by trustworthy 50 mm f1.4 AIS with the FTZ. But again just because it suits me, it does not mean it is for everybody. I just do not generalize ;-) Cheers.
Love my X100V, but great video 🙏🍻
I love my Nikon Z50 and Z FC but hate the crappy 16-50 lens. I do use the Z adapter and will throw on the 35mm, 24mm, 16-80, or the 17-55. But….. the set up is just way too big for me, as the adapter is quite large for the camera. I want to shoot film again, so I will need to pull out the F100 again.
It’s almost half of 2022 and there is only 3 native options for DX Z system. I have a Z5, had a Z50 before that… But I’m tired of waiting third party lenses, the Z system is one of the most expensive for lenses. Finally it’s more important for me to enjoy the experience of shooting rather than having the absolute best image quality. So with all this… I’ll give up Z system and move to Fuji 🤷🏼♂️
I like your videos and your work but here I tend to disagree. And you “lost” me from the first couple of minutes. This camera doesn’t meant to appeal to prosumer crowd. It’s Nikon’s experiment to compete in the territories of Fuji (not the Leica), hence the price, the build, and the apps-c sensor. And it faces the entry level of Fuji, not even the XT-x0 series. For me it isn’t appealing at all since I am a DSLR guy and Canon user, but if I had to pick something in that level from Nikon, that would be the Z50.
100% agree. The build quality is awfully cheap. There are limited lens choices, only two kit lenses. Even worse there is almost no APS-C lens on roadmap. This is just an expensive toy or a kind of already dead Nikon 1 / Keymission / DL related product. I see huge clouds on the future of Nikon. If they made a nice quality FF mirrorless and retro style lenses, it could have extended their life.
I’m loyal to Nikon but they missed a golden opportunity…thus could have been a fujifilm challenger …no in body stabilisation ..20 mp ….
It was a cheap attempt …it’s a gimmick approach. It’s why I purchased a Fuji for a street camera
Man, that's 100% how I feel about it too. I was excited when they came into the store I work at. Opened one up, grabbed it, and put it right back in the box. Feels like an expensive digital holga or something. Nikon also doesn't have a good track record making exciting DX lenses. Seems like only Fuji and Pentax have a decent APSC lens selection these days.
“exoensive digital holga” … ouch! 🤣🤣🤢
@@TheVFXbyArt haha, may be a slight exaggeration. It really did feel disappointing to pick up though. Kinda like holding a 90s 35mm point and shoot. You know it'll work fine, just feels bad 😂
Andrew, you didn't review the camera for your core audience because you decided they weren't the target market. You didn't review the camera for the content creators because you decided they weren't your core audience. But you talked for 12 minutes. You must take off your professional photographer-philosopher hat and find out if the camera is useful to it's target audience, otherwise you display no insight. All these little hybrid cameras have great still photos and some level of compromise with video. Your job was to check the kits lens zoom range, 4k and 1080p video quality, video autofocus/face detection and the video auto exposure and tell us if this camera is the sort you can turn on and stand in front of without a lot of tech knowledge. To make it worse, you said the camera was probably OK, which may or not be true - but you didn't check. You pointed to the X-S10, which is a bad choice for people stepping up from an iPhone - 2nd tier autofocus/face detect, requirement for totally manual exposure if you want exposure compensation without brightness stepping and the Fuji menu mess. Content creators sell on their X-S10s because of these issues. TH-cam reviewers seem to have trouble putting themselves in the user's shoes and actually using the product for its intended purpose. Dpreview.com is also having this trouble - pro reviewers are not doing due diligence, partly because they themselves are never going to use the product. It's not just cameras - we are drowning in reviews that cause us to buy the wrong product.
Fully agree with their poor lens offering on the Zfc...plastic junk unlike the AIS lenses I currently shoot with. Did contemplate the use of the FTZ adapter which will inevitably make it look hideously bulky.
I must admit, I don't like Nikon or Canon. I own Sony, Fuji, Sigma and Panasonic cameras and I am just put off by Nikon and Canon. I perceive Nikon as being slow to update and innovate. I see Canon as the brand which just cripples releases to protect other camera lines. I know both have made some improvements in that direction but those feelings and perceptions are still very much alive in me so I rarely give their releases any attention. I'm also invested in mirrorless. I got into mirrorless fairly early and have never owned a DSLR camera and see both those brands as hanging on to that old too long.
You focus too much on the vintage part to be honest. Sure, your demographic is people with a ton of money to burn that like the idea of nostalgia and buy something they may not even need just because remind them of their old days... But even so, people buy things not only for how close they are to the old thing (some people didn't touch an classic camera for 20-30 years maybe? Good for them if they can remember things so far back; I can't remember what I ate last week or how did it taste :D ), but for how functional they are.
You said it right at the start; people buy things as if they would hire someone; and that is the main point you should focus on when giving feedback on a product. Does the camera work as intended? Does it compare to other products in the same price range and does it deliver on what is saying is supposed to do? The rest is fluff for your channel subs maybe; but for the viewer that is looking for some help on why this camera is NOT good, your points may not really resonate with them (shill are shills, they will say that everything is fine; which is why people look for videos that show the issues and problems, not the positive only shill reviews)
I have the opposite opinion. If you’re a content creator stepping up from a cell phone then there are plenty of interchangeable lens cameras which are easier to learn, handle, and which have sturdier and affordable, non-plastic glass available. I won’t recommend Nikon for video until they incorporate a fully modal menu system as on recent Fuji cameras. Much easier to teach. So to me the Z fc is a nostalgia purchase for existing Z shooters who want an easy to carry, unobtrusive alternative to the capable but utilitarian dark grey work cameras. I added a metal plate and grip from SmallRig to my fc which makes the camera much more bump resistant on the bottom and much easier to handle overall. And the integrated Arca Swiss mount is a nice bonus.
Think a big mistake to diss the 16-50mm which is absolutely excellent as a kit lens. It shoots amazing picures for what it is. It also means the camera is small light and portable when not in use. I sense you are stuck a bit prejudice on this lens and would highöy recommend you test it and remember the purpose is to keep the camera small and light weight when doing so.
Also you say the camera failes to do what it should - without even try it. Put a heavy metal lens like viltrox Z 23mm 1.4 and the camera feels much more robust as it gets heavier. I think this review was to much about your personal preferenses making the review highly bias. But that is your privilage on your channel 😌
Your opinion may not be that of your viewers. I have this camera and the main criticism I have is the lack of a real grip. So I bought one and it transformed the cameras handling. I f you hold a Z9 and flick the battery door and shake the body with no straps attached you will get the same rattle. The output from this camera is very good . Be fair. This is not an expensive camera. Good value for money
The lack of aperture rings on the lenses makes a nonsense of the retro styling. Many of us shoot in aperture priority. As you say, the camera doesn't deliver on its promise. OTOH, I like the Z50 and often use it.
There is something magical about that 20.9 sensor. I agree that kit lens is a little boring however that 16mm is pretty interesting. I purchased a z30 on morning took it out and captured an amazing low light shot. Now wanting a EVF camera with that same sensor. Might just grab a z50 for my photography type.
Interesting video! The demographic for me is close-ish. I know it isn't a better camera than the ones I have. I am not that interested in video. But for me it is light (because it is plastic) - good. The flimsy door I already knew about - I won't be changing batteries very often - I can't buy spares anywhere anyway, lol, but mainly, because USB-C is how it will be charged. Images will be transferred wirelessly or mostly via USB-C. I am not bothered about native Z lenses or lack thereof - I have bought it body only with FTZ (I also hate lock/unlock lenses and would never buy one). It will be mainly to adapt vintage lenses and as a bridge/intro to Nikon Z and a small/light travel camera. I could have bought a Z50, but the useless flip-down touch screen was a problem. I could have bought a used Z6 for about the same money and I'm sure a better buy, but I have existing crop lenses so a crop Z makes sense. To me, something to play with. If I don't use it, I will simply sell it and buy a Z6 instead.
..forgot to add - powered & charged by USB-C it will do double duty for video conferencing in my office
This camera follows closely the Iconic FM2. Beautiful camera. 😍
Probably better to go Fuji route if you want retro-inspiring cameras in the APS-C market. Nikon just lacks proper lenses to support the retro styled camera.
1:13 - you're freaking me out man......nailed every single demographic.......except one ....I'm tuning in from Australia (and late to the chanel)
The experience of those old AIS lenses on a modern digital FX Nikon is much better than adapting them to mirrorless crop sensor (although I do anyways) and D610s and D750 are so cheap 2nd hand.
Kinda sad to see the formidable Nikon of my youth making this kind of camera. Reminds me of an old guy wearing trendy sneakers or Bjorn Borg trying to come back at Wimbledon with a wooden racket.
I’m confused. The Fuji XS10 has garbage autofocus. The Nikon Zfc has amazing autofocus. The quality of the photo sites is so much better than anything Fuji offers that it’s not even funny. This review, and I am a 30 year pro photographer, is just silly. You act like a product designer so you “know” what you are talking about but you seem to be a Fuji fanboy. I owned the Xh1, the XT3 the Xpro2 and the XE3 and performance wise, the Nikon is superior. No, it’s not as hefty and clicky but it’s a far better camera in every other way. I sold my Fuji’s because there was always a dynamic range problem. A lens quality problem. A performance problem. I’ve found that Nikons don’t have any of the “lack of” problems that Fuji faces. I get that you like Fuji, but let’s be clear here. You didn’t really test this camera fairly. You just didn’t like that it’s light weight. I’m sorry for that but your behavior on this review also made me question you as a reviewer and made me think that maybe you are just a Fuji shill. I think, knowing what you push, all of the time, Fuji, that you really are that. I hoped you’d actually be fair about your review. I’m sorry to say you have proved you are not.
Just depends on what you need and want. If you prioritize AF, sure, of course, get the Nikon.
Firstly Andrew you hit me exactly with your demographics analysis. I am 45, I take photos in my free time as a hobby. This Nikon Z fc at first glance looks exciting but after you try you change quickly your opinion. At first I though this Z fc will be similar to Nikon Df, which was and still is a good full frame camera, but the APS-C sensor in Z fc is disappointing. I took pictures with Nikon and I still take pictures with it on film but not in case of digital. For F-mount and now also for Z-mount I am missing a wide range of good DX lenses for APS-C sensor size. For Nikon, the APS-C sensor is just a way to attract new customers and persuade them to switch to a full frame and not a full-fledged system for a variety of photographic needs. I am now very happy with Fuji cameras and especially with their XF lenses. I have six of them and they are really wonderful.
So thank you for this video and I am looking forward for another. Have a great time and good luck. Greetings also to Denae.
Iam super egree with you, this felt like an expensive toy, its flimsy and plasticky.
Nowhere near to what olympus did with the penF.
Beautiful camera
If the zfc had more resolution & brighter / faster APS-C lenses at launch..would have sold many more
I just think Nikon doesn’t like making cameras OR money anymore cause wtf are they thinking over there 😂😂😂😂😂
i think a fuji xt1 with a good fuji lens is better than a zfc and will cost significantly less (for now) and be worth double what this nikon kit camera will cost in 10 years
Hey I totally get it. When I got my hands on my very first film camera (Minolta XE5), even though it was decades old and didn't have any modern capabilities, the HEFT and quality of that thing inspired the heck outta me to use it day and night. That word. HEFT. Is no longer a word we associate with cameras anymore. The DSLR were just big. And mirrorless cameras are small and light. There was something about old school cameras that was SMALL but had substance. It was the coolest thing.
How about 70 years old who loves cameras of all types (but mainly Pentax) but just a youtube camera junky
As i watch your videos for the first time, who is your sponsors or are you a version of an Explorers of Light/Ambassadors/x photographers?
Bro everything can be a pro camera Carson thousands of dollars the void is this camera and intend it all users is spot on like a sports car in a car lineup not gonna sell much of it but it’s for a specific niche what country and what you said I think Nikon is going to do well with this camera