X100F user tempted by Nikon Z5 price

I mostly shoot street photography.

I've been using a X100F for some time.

I started to miss some other focal lengths.

I like my Fuji handling, so I was tempted to go S10 or T30 plus 18-55 and 27 prime (selling my X100F)

But I see that there's a lot of good deals on FF now, for instance Z5+24-70 f4 at 1700 Euro (vs 1400 for S10/T30+18-55). I could add a Nikon 40mm for a smaller package.

The Z5 is FF, sealed, much nicer viewfinder... It is very tempting. It seems like much better camera for a (relatively) not much bigger price. It is obviously bigger (I don't think that bothers me that much) and heavier (that worries me a little)

Any suggestions?

If you try it, I'd be extremely interested in your experiences and opinions.

I’m not sure it’s a much better camera than the X100V, but if you don’t care about it being a generically shaped digital camera with PSAM and no charisma, of course it’s a great deal and a good tool / camera. Your photography will not suffer if you use it but you might not use it as much as the X100V. It just isn’t as sexy. That matters to some and not to others though.

Smania wrote:

I mostly shoot street photography.

I've been using a X100F for some time.

I started to miss some other focal lengths.

I like my Fuji handling,

Easy… X-Pro2 🙂

My recently-acquired one is currently tempting me to sell my X100V.

Some factors...

Low light: One of the main benefits from going full frame is the low light, but people said the Z5 has a lot more issues than the Z6 models. So you won't fully experience this benefit from going full frame.

Size: The 24-70 F4 is grossly equivalent to the 16-55 F2.8, but it is smaller. But then the new Sigma 18-50 is smaller still. So yes it used to be a size advantage, and maybe it is if you're only using first party. But the APSC size advantage is starting to come back.

Video: The Z5 also has pedestrian video specs, though this may not be important for everyone.

Lens selection: The compact lens choices on Nikon are kind of slim. If you're okay with the 28 and 40, then it will work for you. But there isn't anything like the Samyang 12/Viltrox 13 or a compact portrait lens like the Sigma 56/Fuji 50 F2.

Personally, I own a good number of Z lenses but I'm happy with Fuji for travel. But I might switch some day if Nikon starts matching the video specs of the XH2S and comes out with more compact lenses.

Nikon Z 14-30 versus Viltrox 13: I personally find myself using distortion corrections a lot in Lightroom so I usually want to capture as wide as possible, so I am not really zooming too much on the wide end. The Viltrox has some extra stops for interiors or night, and has a better filter thread of 67mm for long exposure. The Nikon Z 20mm is great but just big enough to not fit comfortably into my camera cube.

Nikon Z 24-200: Personally I like a little more range because I use all-in-ones in places like hiking. It's nice to zoom in on a mountain or wildlife, so I'm using the Tamron 18-300 now. The photos don't look as sharp, it seems more comparable to the Fuji 18-55. But it provides a lot of flexibility. If I didn't need more than 200mm I'd prefer the Nikon, but I like shooting far. Then I'd need to bring a 70-300 or 300 PF which defeats the "all-in-one" ethos.

Nikon Z 28 and 40: These are great compact lenses with old school renderings. If this is all you need you're all set. But lens selection is limited. There's no wide or traditional portrait length, etc. Nothing is on the roadmap so it might be a while.

Smania wrote:

I mostly shoot street photography.

I've been using a X100F for some time.

I started to miss some other focal lengths.

I like my Fuji handling, so I was tempted to go S10 or T30 plus 18-55 and 27 prime (selling my X100F)

But I see that there's a lot of good deals on FF now, for instance Z5+24-70 f4 at 1700 Euro (vs 1400 for S10/T30+18-55). I could add a Nikon 40mm for a smaller package.

The Z5 is FF, sealed, much nicer viewfinder... It is very tempting. It seems like much better camera for a (relatively) not much bigger price. It is obviously bigger (I don't think that bothers me that much) and heavier (that worries me a little)

Any suggestions?

Full disclosure, I once owned a Nikon z6, I didn't buy many native Z lenses because they were relatively expensive. Nikon Z is the wrong system to get into if price/cost features high in one's buying decision except if you are going to restrict yourself to the kit lens, 40f2 and the 28f2.8.

A couple of years ago I left Fuji and tried the Z system (Z5 and briefly Z6ii) for several months, then tried Panasonic (S5), then came back to Fuji. I won't get into it too much here; both systems have their strengths and weaknesses. One of the main weaknesses of the Z5 is its slow/hesitant AF in low light. This is well documented on the Z forum. It might be worth your while to ask there about its capabilities for street photography. Other than that I think it's still the best entry-level ff cam when all features and specs are considered, compared to other entry-level ff cams.

*edited to add that yes, it is relatively heavy (it's a solid camera, felt a bit more sturdy than my old X-H1).

Lettermanian wrote:

A couple of years ago I left Fuji and tried the Z system (Z5 and briefly Z6ii) for several months, then tried Panasonic (S5), then came back to Fuji. I won't get into it too much here; both systems have their strengths and weaknesses. One of the main weaknesses of the Z5 is its slow/hesitant AF in low light. This is well documented on the Z forum. It might be worth your while to ask there about its capabilities for street photography. Other than that I think it's still the best entry-level ff cam when all features and specs are considered, compared to other entry-level ff cams.

Disagree with this, when all features and specs are considered, the s5 is more capable than the z5 by a country mile. When video is taken into account, the z5 is not even in the running.

*edited to add that yes, it is relatively heavy (it's a solid camera, felt a bit more sturdy than my old X-H1).

holashobby wrote:

Lettermanian wrote:

A couple of years ago I left Fuji and tried the Z system (Z5 and briefly Z6ii) for several months, then tried Panasonic (S5), then came back to Fuji. I won't get into it too much here; both systems have their strengths and weaknesses. One of the main weaknesses of the Z5 is its slow/hesitant AF in low light. This is well documented on the Z forum. It might be worth your while to ask there about its capabilities for street photography. Other than that I think it's still the best entry-level ff cam when all features and specs are considered, compared to other entry-level ff cams.

Disagree with this, when all features and specs are considered, the s5 is more capable than the z5 by a country mile. When video is taken into account, the z5 is not even in the running.

*edited to add that yes, it is relatively heavy (it's a solid camera, felt a bit more sturdy than my old X-H1).

I will give you that, though to be fair (to myself) I didn't think of the S5 as entry-level exactly because of its incredible feature set. The only thing entry-level on it is its EVF. If I had the money I'd still have that and pair it with the new Sigma 20mm f1.4.

Smania wrote:

holashobby wrote:

Smania wrote:

I mostly shoot street photography.

I've been using a X100F for some time.

I started to miss some other focal lengths.

I like my Fuji handling, so I was tempted to go S10 or T30 plus 18-55 and 27 prime (selling my X100F)

But I see that there's a lot of good deals on FF now, for instance Z5+24-70 f4 at 1700 Euro (vs 1400 for S10/T30+18-55). I could add a Nikon 40mm for a smaller package.

The Z5 is FF, sealed, much nicer viewfinder... It is very tempting. It seems like much better camera for a (relatively) not much bigger price. It is obviously bigger (I don't think that bothers me that much) and heavier (that worries me a little)

Any suggestions?

Full disclosure, I once owned a Nikon z6, I didn't buy many native Z lenses because they were relatively expensive. Nikon Z is the wrong system to get into if price/cost features high in one's buying decision except if you are going to restrict yourself to the kit lens, 40f2 and the 28f2.8.

Really? I only looked at those and they don't seem to be more expensive compared to Fuji equivalent lenses (and Nikon's are FF...).

Same thing with Canon RP: a FF camera which is way less expensive compared to Fuji APSC cameras.

In many respects the Canon RP is less capable than the x-s10,  for starters it has no IBIS, it also uses a sensor that has less dynamic range than it's current APSC competition, It is FF alright, just not a very good 'un.  The Nikon z5  is unequivocally better, and if you are happy with the lens situation, a better buy.

Smania wrote:

holashobby wrote:

Smania wrote:

I mostly shoot street photography.

I've been using a X100F for some time.

I started to miss some other focal lengths.

I like my Fuji handling, so I was tempted to go S10 or T30 plus 18-55 and 27 prime (selling my X100F)

But I see that there's a lot of good deals on FF now, for instance Z5+24-70 f4 at 1700 Euro (vs 1400 for S10/T30+18-55). I could add a Nikon 40mm for a smaller package.

The Z5 is FF, sealed, much nicer viewfinder... It is very tempting. It seems like much better camera for a (relatively) not much bigger price. It is obviously bigger (I don't think that bothers me that much) and heavier (that worries me a little)

Any suggestions?

Full disclosure, I once owned a Nikon z6, I didn't buy many native Z lenses because they were relatively expensive. Nikon Z is the wrong system to get into if price/cost features high in one's buying decision except if you are going to restrict yourself to the kit lens, 40f2 and the 28f2.8.

Really? I only looked at those and they don't seem to be more expensive compared to Fuji equivalent lenses (and Nikon's are FF...).

It really depends on what you need.

Same thing with Canon RP: a FF camera which is way less expensive compared to Fuji APSC cameras.

Just because it is full frame does not mean it is better than a modern APSC.

The Z5 is a fine camera with a good proven sensor. Nikons Z series Z50/1.8s is terrific and so is Nikons Z24-120s. These 2 lenses alone make the Nikon Z system very tempting. The 24-70/4 is also a very nice lens. I would prefer a used Z50/1.8s over a 40/2.

https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-z5

https://photographylife.com/reviews/nikon-z-24-70mm-f4-s

Luke Forrest wrote:

For street photography, the z5 might not be the best choice. I think you'll miss the size and weight of the x100f.

Any camera can be used for street photography... it isn't like the Z5 with a 40mm is huge and heavy.

Plus it has an f2 lens.

Well, you can get those for any camera.

Why not get a body and prime lens to compliment your x100, something like an XT30 with 50mm f2 or 56mm 1.2 lens.

It seems he needs the money to pay for the next camera.

Can you shoot in full sunlight at f2 and use the flash at the sametime with the Nikon?

Zaax wrote:

Can you shoot in full sunlight at f2 and use the flash at the sametime with the Nikon?

Nope but not everyone cares about this…

Bummer on not "everyone" caring about those cool features.

The digital teleconverter is another great feature in the X00F.

I forgot to mention the Z5 has a much better EVF than the S10 or T30. The cripppled down EVFs are the Achilles' heel of the smaller Fuji system cameras. Great small, lightweight bodies but not so great EVFs when you get older.