New Tech Meets Retro Styling

I took the Nikon Zf to a nature park in late winter to find out.

One of the photographers who shoots weddings with me uses this camera, so I already had an idea of its capabilities, but I wanted to spend a week with it myself.

Nikon Zf Specs

• 24.5MP FX-Format BSI CMOS Sensor
• EXPEED 7 Image Processor
• UHD 4K 30p Video and Full HD 120p Video
• AF Subject Recognition with 3D Tracking
• 5-Axis In-Body Vibration Reduction
• Focus-Point Stabilization
• 3.2″ Vari-Angle Touchscreen
• 96MP High-Res Mode

Build & Appearance

The Nikon Zf feels incredibly solid in the hand and inspires confidence. The buttons and dials are taut and appear to be high-quality.

They’re probably leftovers from one of my favorite Nikon cameras, the Nikon Df DSLR that emerged nearly a decade ago.

The Nikon Zf has a threaded shutter button, allowing one to use an old-school, plunger-style wired release for those 96-megapixel high-resolution images or to insert the Nikon AR-11 Soft Shutter release, as seen in these photos.

This homage to the past is very welcome and adds even more to the camera’s retro aesthetics.

This good-looking camera can be purchased in black or multiple colors. Pink, Mint Green, White, Grey, Amber Brown, and Sand Beige versions will cost US$100 more than the regular model.

The Nikon designers deserve praise for melding a retro-design camera with modern features into a relatively small package.

I love the circular eyepieces offered on Nikon’s professional series cameras, and while the Nikon Zf has this, you are looking into a relatively low-resolution EVF.

I consider this a more photography-centric camera, and although it does have excellent video features, the electronic viewfinder is a bit of a letdown for this modern age.

The LCD screen swings out for video work but also folds in for protection and the ability to shoot like a film photographer.

While indeed not a necessity, this is a fun camera to “dress up,” and many of these accessories are available for this camera to do just that.

Ergonomics & Handling

Nikon has partnered with SmallRig to add the SmallRig L-Shape Grip for Nikon Zf.

I highly recommend this if you plan to mount lenses more considerable than the Nikon 40mm f/2 SE or Nikon 28mm f/2.8 SE.

I went even further and used the Nikon FTZ Adapter to use one of my favorite Nikon F-mount lenses, the Nikon 28mm f/1.4 E. This increased the size and weight, and having the added grip was much appreciated.

I like the look of the retro dials, but is a modern approach to camera usability more your style? Do you feel like slowing down your photography endeavor and thinking about the shot you’ll take? The Nikon Zf and its retro dials have you covered either way.

The shutter speed dial can be set to 1/3 step, and the photographer can then use the rear command dials to change these settings quickly.

The ISO setting can be changed via the dial on top or set to C, and then ISO can be mapped to the video record button (or elsewhere) for a more modern way of setting the exposure triangle.

In this regard, the Nikon Zf truly does reach the digital fusion that the original Nikon Df DSLR promised. You can use the manual dials as intended or shoot it like a modern mirrorless camera.

A small window on the top plate displays the aperture setting, which can be adjusted via the front rolling dial.

The shutter button is perfectly placed and threaded, enabling a soft-release button, and the camera’s on/off switch is positioned directly beneath it.

The mechanical shutter has a satisfying clunk to it when pressed.

Focus Performance

The Nikon Zf has outstanding autofocus thanks to using the same system as the flagship Nikon Z9 camera.

While I’m disappointed that the camera does not have a dedicated joystick for AF points, the excellent 3D tracking mode makes up for this. It’s beneficial in a fast-moving situation such as a wedding.

Since using this camera, the photographer who shoots weddings with me has seen an uptick in in-focus images.

The only downside is the lack of a dedicated AF On button for those using the back-button autofocus technique. This can be worked around by outfitting the AE button for this function instead.

The camera focuses down to -10EV with an f/1.2 lens, which is excellent for low-light autofocusing.

The Nikon Zf also comes with vibration reduction that can prioritize the focus point for sharper handheld images, no matter the placement of the AF point. This goes along with the class-leading eight stops of IBIS.

Low Light Performance

Photographers need not worry about high ISO performance with the Nikon Zf and its 24-megapixel sensor. I’ve delivered images up to ISO 6400 to clients with minimal noise reduction.

Combine the fact that you will have clean images right out of the gate with stellar low-light autofocus, and the Nikon Zf is a low-light champ.

Image Quality

Nikon put the same image sensor as the Z6 II into this camera, which is good. The venerable camera company typically uses slightly older sensors but retunes them for different cameras.

While a 24.5-megapixel sensor does not allow tight cropping, it’s a perfect compromise for excellent low-light image quality and enough resolution for most photography, such as landscapes and portraits.

The dynamic range of this full-frame camera didn’t blow me away, but the raw files have plenty of latitude for most needs and it’s on par with most other full-frame mirrorless camera systems.

Nikon Zf Sample Images

Here are some sample images I took using the Nikon Zf with the Nikon 28mm f/1.4 E  lens.

Overall Performance

The Nikon Zf is a fast camera, powered by the excellent Expeed 7 image processor shared with top-tier bodies like the Nikon Z8 and Z9. Yet, it also gives you the freedom to slow down and use manual dials for adjusting exposure settings.

This is not a sports-oriented camera, but it does shoot at a respectable 14 fps at maximum resolution.

This is a fun camera that inspires one to get out and shoot. I know this is a problematic performance evaluation to quantify, but it does make you want to create imagery whenever you can.

Other Useful Features

I haven’t mentioned the video capabilities much, as I feel this is primarily a stills-oriented camera. However, the motion specs are good, and the fold-out LCD can enable one to film themselves or let the talent monitor themselves in an interview setting.

For those who shoot video as their primary creative outlet, there are better options on the market.

For me, the most exciting feature of the Zf is the ability to use Leica M Mount manual-focus lenses or Voigtlander lenses and turn them into autofocus lenses via the Techart PRO Leica M—Nikon Z Autofocus Adapter Version II (TZM-02). These lenses are small and lightweight and have a vintage look that fits the aesthetics of this retro-inspired camera.

The dual card slots are welcome, with Nikon cleverly making one a standard SD slot and the other a micro-SD slot, which effectively can double as an in-camera backup.

I recommend using a high-quality, high-capacity ProGrade microSD card and leaving it in the body permanently for automatic image backups, while using the SD card as your primary, removable storage.

There is a dedicated black-and-white mode along with various picture control options, but these do not translate to RAW capture and are JPEG only.

How I Tested the Nikon Zf

I tried out the Nikon Zf for one week and used only one prime lens for testing. I wanted to keep it simple, and this camera is begging for fast primes to be mounted onto it.

The body was accessorized with the SmallRig L-Shape Grip, the Nikon AR-11 soft shutter release, and a Peak Design camera strap.

It would be perfect for street photography and the travel/nature photography I used it for. As mentioned, one of my second shooters at weddings uses the Nikon Zf.

For this outing, I walked in nature in late winter.

Alternatives to Nikon Zf

The obvious alternative for a retro-styled camera such as this would be the Fujifilm X-T5 mirrorless camera. However, the Nikon Zf will net you a larger, 35mm sized sensor, although Fujifilm has a broader selection of small lenses suitable for a smaller camera.

At this writing, the only other full-frame retro camera on the market is the Panasonic Lumix S9. However, this camera has no vintage heritage to look back on and also functions quite differently.

Nikon also has its own Nikon Zf C crop sensor body, but it lacks the build quality of its bigger brother. The OM System OM-3 camera also features retro good looks.

Value for Money

At under US$2000, and often on sale, the Nikon Zf offers good value for its performance.

Be prepared to spend a bit extra for the add-on grip, as I think you’ll want this for larger lenses and long days of using the camera handheld.

While the Fujifilm XT-5 is a few hundred dollars less expensive, it lacks the low-light qualities of the Zf’s larger sensor.

FAQ’s

Can I mount older Nikon F lenses to this camera?

Yes, F-mount lenses can be used with the Nikon FTZ adapter for full autofocus performance.

Does this camera come in other colors?

Yes, the Nikon Zf comes in Pink, Mint Green, White, Grey, Amber Brown, and Sand Beige versions.

Nikon Zf Review | Conclusion

As someone who owned the original Nikon digital retro camera, the Nikon Df, and loved it, the Zf is a dream for me.

It’s not perfect for every situation, but I’d like to add two Zf’s (in blue and gray), along with some fast primes, as my go-to kit for weddings where I do not need or want to drag out my Nikon Z9 with the large Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 lens attached.

If you’re a street photographer longing for that 35mm look, the Zf should be at the top of your list.

And, if you value your image, in addition to your created images, then the Zf is also for you.

The Nikon Zf is a camera that makes you want to go out and shoot and feel and look good doing it.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Nikon Zf

Full-frame performance with tactile manual controls in a stylish, retro body.