DPReview TV: Nikon Z fc hands-on preview

@Chris, it stands for Z - Fuji Camera

11 months ago*permalink

Nikita66

I'm so unhappy with my Sony a6400 I'd consider this ...IF the 18-140 is as compact as Sony's and IF Samyang would make a Z mount version of their 12mm F2. (I hope Nikon is making Z mount available to third parties.)

I do wish the fc had a higher res EVF. I just don't understand how 2.3m "dots" (what, 0.7 mp?) is acceptable to everybody.

11 months agopermalink

VadymA

So they made the body identical in size to a full frame vintage film camera, paired it with a full frame lens, yet equipped it with a smaller APS-c sensor. Why is that? I think a full frame version would make much more sense for a body of this size and look.

11 months agopermalink

jonby

Good point about the aperture value not being shown when the camera is off. One of the main functional advantages of dedicated dials is that you can see your settings with the camera off. Given that they went to the trouble of having a dedicated window for aperture, seems like they missed an opportunity here. Maybe they could address this in firmware?

Jun 30, 2021*permalink

Rolandigital

I'm absutely with Chris wanting dedicated APS-C lenses for this camera. Maybe not the full line up, but at least a few most popular fast (f1.8 or f2) primes like 20, 35 and 50 mm (FF eq.). That would show Nikons' dedication for the system as well, that customers would be braver to invest into it. I like to think those lenses could be smaller than FF primes ruining the looks and the balance on this gorgeous body.

Jun 30, 2021permalink

jonby

I guess it will depend on how many cameras they sell. Seems unlikely they would risk investing in a whole lineup of retro-styled APS-C lenses without first getting confirmation that the camera is selling. But then, they won't sell so many cameras without the lenses. Chicken and egg dilemma.

Jun 30, 2021permalink

Rolandigital

@jonby you are right about the design. It should be a compromise to look good on both Z50 and Zfc. But I'm almost certain this wish will stay as a wish and will not meterialise. None of the manufacturers are paying enough attention to their APS-C line, apart from FujiFilm, obviously.

Jun 30, 2021*permalink

PredatorsPrey

The biggest pro didn't get mentioned. With its brick design, you could smash the head of a thief trying to steal it from you ;-)

Jun 30, 2021permalink

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentax_K1000

There was that time in Soho with my F2AS and motor drive...

11 months agopermalink

MrBrightSide

Who is still stealing cameras? Unless it’s an Alexa or an Alpa where is the market for these things?

11 months agopermalink

Mateus1

Agree with Chris Zfc is nicer ("sexier") then Fuji X-T30 I use too, Zfc has bigger EVF (x68 vs x62), more controls, has D-Pad which I prefer over X-T30 joystick that is unconfortable to oparate - too small and badly positioned, I must say Fujis joysticks are the worst to use comparing to other brands, and probably Zfc has better AF-C then X-T30. 40/2 prime is on the road, hope Nikon will brig soon 16mm and 60mm primes too.

Jun 30, 2021*permalink

keolisho56

For classic cameras redefining style (ancient with modern) Fuji XT have stolen the show along with Leica setting new standards. Nikon F3 / Nikon FA surpassed Nikon F2 and Nikkormat for style and handling in my opinion.

You can push old designs like MINI Mustang and Beetle only so far. But there has to be an extra element to make them really special. Of those three cars the Beetle lost out and now out of production. MINI pushed the marque with Countryman and Clubman with even more success. New Mustangs have achieved near star status but it took Ford a while to get back to reconnect to its soul. Old designs alone are not enough.

Jun 30, 2021*permalink

FoxShutter

This one is going to be a hit. Waiting for the black version. It looks very cool and authentic unlike the A la Leica M3 clones : Fujifilm X100 and X-Pro series. The only thing that annoys is the absence of the built in flash present in Z50.

Jun 30, 2021*permalink

Light Waves

Pipe dream but I wish Nikon would make a mirrorless FF that autofocuses with my dozen or so non-G Nikkor lenses. I’m sure many Nikon owners have a bunch of glass invested on F & D bodies sitting around and would like to use them despite their lower IQ instead of trashing them all to buy a whole new set of lenses.

Jun 30, 2021permalink

Savviest

Nikon really could have given Fujifilm a competitor in the retro market, but failed to do so with the Zfc. The Zfc is basically an X-T30 with lower resolution (20MP versus 26MP). If Nikon had priced the Zfc at $699, then it would compete with Fujifilm's offerings. At $956, nobody but those who are already Nikon customers will buy this.

Jun 30, 2021*permalink

Mike Flanagan

The list of features discussed in the video about the newly released Nikon Z FC mentions a 24mm f/2.8 lens in the highlighted links, while the lens being released is a 28mm f/2.8 version, not 24mm.

Jun 30, 2021permalink

jaberg

Nice camera. Not in the market, but I’d love to take one out for a walk some time.

The continuous references in these forums to “hipsters” and “YouTubers” is getting tiresome.

One need not be a hipster to appreciate, perhaps even prefer, retro styling. One need not be a V’logger to prefer, or at least tolerate, a “flippy screen”.

(Push comes to shove, I prefer a tilty screen myself, but the flippy screen works just fine for still photography.)

Why not just say “not for me”. Better yet, think it and go about your day. Why the need to label and, by implication, disparage?

Jun 29, 2021*permalink

belnan

For those saying this looks like a Fuji perhaps you should look at the pentax K1000, I'm sure Nikon also had a similar camera.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

badi

actually it is compared in the video with the nikon fe film camera (hold in hand, side by side)

Jun 30, 2021permalink

Aren't buyers of retro cameras required to have a hipster beard and man bun? :-)

Jun 29, 2021permalink

And they must zip around in scooters :-)

Jun 29, 2021permalink

I would have preferred a digital version of the classic S2 rangefinder. Still, a much nicer design than Nikon's first attempt at retro, the Df.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

ericbowles

Interesting to see all the odd comments here from haters. I guess everyone needs a hobby - perhaps they should try photography?

My retailer told me that pre-orders are very strong. This camera has three paths - Nikon DSLR enthusiasts who want to try mirrorless, Fuji and Olympus owners that want an alternative, and current Nikon Z owners that want to add a fun camera for street, travel, and casual use.

This is an enthusiast camera for street, travel, and casual use. The styling is great for a retro look. Functionally it's well positioned for the target genres.

I expect this camera to do quite well, and the 28mm lens is an easy purchase decision.

This camera is great with some of the older lenses and the FTZ. Nikon made some nice, inexpensive primes in the 70's and 80's that can be picked up for almost nothing.

What amazed me is the price point. This is under $1000, and has good lens options.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

It's amazing that a variant of the Z50 is priced (body only) $100 more than the Z50?

Jun 29, 2021permalink

FoxShutter

@eric
The fact itself that there are some comments from haters means that it’s a successful camera.

Jun 30, 2021permalink

justmeMN yeah, I'm puzzled too by the OP.
"Preorders are strong", "what amazed me is the price point". Maybe it's coincidence or mimicry but this reads like copy written by a marketing department.

Jun 30, 2021permalink

Inspired Shot

People talk about how it looks like Fuji. Fuji looks like old film cameras. Who's the biggest in film cameras? Nikon!

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Nikon/Canon aren't interested in making many new APS-C lenses. They only care about FF lenses, particularly high margin FF lenses.

Jun 29, 2021*permalink

Generally true, but the 28mm f2.8 is one of those (rare) full frame lenses that could as well be an APS-C lens, due to the small size and light weight.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

snapshtr it looks about twice the thickness, and much bigger diameter due to the large mount compared to the Fujifilm 27 F2.8 which is only one mm away and the same f stop, basically the same lens. Not exactly compact for an APS-C camera.

Jun 30, 2021permalink

Yes not as tiny as the Fujinon 27 f2.8 but close-ish to the size of the 23mm f2

11 months agopermalink

blessingx

Is it just me or is this review not as critical as a lot of camera models with similar issues/considerations? Like they're anticipating blowback and getting in front of it.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Vit Adamek

It is not review.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Brev00

Yes. Chris is very enthusiastic. Not every review has to be impersonal. If he really likes it, why not express that? It's good to feel positive every once in a while.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

And...will I be able to put my existing Nikkor primes on it??? Will I???

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Get over it...

Jun 30, 2021permalink

Pretty much over it. The 28 z mount looks pretty plastic and the other Z primes are over-sized and poorly designed not to mention ugly. I only wanted a digital FM2n. The Df tripped and fell. We'll see about this one. At least my X-Pro 2 with it's lenses can be shot old-school.

11 months agopermalink

That's the thing... there is no way to make a digital FM2n. It was too simple compared to even the simplest of digital cameras. I'm a huge X-Pro fan too... I think it's the best we can expect.

11 months agopermalink

DarkShift

@matt lit

I find the Z primes very well designed, and they easily outperfom the old F mount versions. When image quality is priority.

11 months agopermalink

The Z primes I've seen are big and ugly...I love my Fuji X-Pro2 with primes for how compact it is. The Nikkor Z primes seem overly large and I don't understand the size of the focus ring. What a shame...I really was excited for a moment.

11 months agopermalink

But are the files any good??? If the files are solid...with excellent noise handling...then, yeah...it'll be like the years I spent with my FM2n. Might lead me to ditch my Fuji X-Pro 2 system. It just might.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Presumably Sony sensor just like Fujifilm, so same noise per image height. Compared to your Fuji, you'd have to start paying for (and carrying) FF lenses.

Jun 30, 2021permalink

Vignes

the zfc sensor is same or similar as the D500 sensor with PDAF and some tweaks. the D500 Hi ISO performance is good. Certainly better than Fuji. zfc has the same native ISO range as D500, 100 - 51200. XT4 (which is high tier model) native ISO is only 160-12800.
I think many here has missed this point.

11 months ago*permalink

Vignes iso is just a number and Fujifilm use a different scale. Their iso 160 is about the same as Nikon's iso 100.

11 months agopermalink

Vit Adamek

Great vid guys, lovely cam.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

StevenN

Lots of Sony/Canon/Fuji fanboys in the comment section. The new Nikon wasn't built to please everybody. If you don't like it, buy something else.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

MaxBelardo

I think it's a cool design. I owned many old school Nikons, actually still do. I just take pictures and do some occasional vacation travel video and this checks off all the boxes. So maybe the camera was designed for me. I read that some people are complaining it's only 21 megapixels. Most of the time I view the images on my computer or email them. Maybe print out on a 11x14 page. It works for all that. I also read that some people comparing it to Fujifilm cameras and it's features. Fujifilm makes some really good cameras. At the end of the day you just get what works for you. You'll know when you pick up a camera and it responds to a way that inspires confidence and doesn't get in the way of creating that it's a useful tool.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Problem is, there is sooo much blowback when, say, Olympus /Panasonic put out a camera with "only" 20 MP. It should work both ways.
Personally, I like the look of this camera. 20 MP is more than enough for me. The ultimate question is: will Nikon produce GOOD DX format lenses for these APS C cameras?

Jun 29, 2021permalink

ericbowles

But the photosites of this camera are larger than the 4/3 cameras, and the difference is worth about a stop.

The 16-50 is a good lens. If I want more, I can mount any other lens I own.

As a Nikon user, this camera is very attractive. I already own three Z lenses that are perfect for this camera.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Brev00

I have a lot of nice, large prints from my 12mp D90. Getting great stuff from my D500. It's a myth that you can't print large unless you have a 36mp or more camera. Maybe Nikon will offer this with the Yellow promotion. Free returns after a month.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

@ericbowles
One stop, don't think so. There is no practical difference between APSC and 4/3rds sensors. I shot Nikon along side Olympus for a number of years. The difference was imperceptible then, and much less so now. That's why all of the 4/3rds haters now compare FF to m4/3rds , not APSC.

Jun 30, 2021permalink

Rob890

Now lets hope they don't repeat one of DF mistakes and not have matching lenses in style as well color

Jun 29, 2021permalink

DPFranz

This looks pretty cool. Not sure how it will work with manual dials and P-A-S-M-Auto dial? Would one put it in Auto in order for the *manual knobs to choose the actual settings? I'm a 17 year Nikon user, and I'm old enough to like the retro look/feel. But with Z7, D850, and Fuji X100V in hand, I'm not sure I need this camera, as much as it is pretty. In the end, here's the biggest negative for me: Nikon's history of very limited set of DX-optimized lenses. If they had lenses that were optimized for DX (sized smaller at least), as good as my stable of F- and Z-mount glass (24 f/1.4G, 28 f/1.4E, 58 f/1.4G, 105 f/1.4E, Z 14-24 f/2.8 S, etc.)...I'd pre-order. The price is peanuts.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

GoDP

Despite the "fully articulating display", that's a super duper camera!
Let's see Canon version...

Jun 29, 2021*permalink

OpticsEngineer

I know I am in the vast minority here, but I may just get one of these in pink.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Alice55

I for one am excited to see pink, but need over want says no.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Welsh

I want one in faded Sonic Blue.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Photodog2

I want to get one in the same color that matches my Apple iMac 24''. If the tones don't exactly match, no can do.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

fusoexplorer

Jun 30, 2021*permalink

fusoexplorer

Made from pink flamingo 🦩 leather

Jun 30, 2021permalink

FuhTeng

Very pretty, I like it. Not sure why Nikon can't release just a couple more APS-C lenses, but now they've put themselves in a styling conundrum too.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Jason Elander

You know, if they had even put a really nice viewfinder in this thing, you could have at least paired it with some appropriate 3rd party manual lenses with excellent results, but they didn't even do that. Total Z50 parts bin commitment.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

FuhTeng

As though there's something wrong with the EVF in this, particularly at this price point? Please.

Yes, it's a much prettier Z50. At this price there's nothing wrong with that.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

NeffKnows

Zfc + Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95
Yes please.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

jpeghorror

I can understand raiding the parts bin to save money, but Nikon could have made more of an effort on the software front without incurring a lot of expense. Would it have killed them to develop some film picture styles exclusively for this camera, or add 4:3 and/or 5:4 aspect ratios?

Jun 30, 2021permalink

badi

"exclusively for this camera" - yes it would have killed them. Imagine the hate if they didn't make it available for other cameras :))

Jun 30, 2021permalink

Looks pretty great.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

hwfhwf12F

As one of the many who left Nikon for Fuji long ago, this doesn't hit the mark. Nikon thinks it's about having dials. It's really about functionality. Fuji's cameras have all the exposure controls at the tip of your finger, and they accurately show the camera's settings. Depending on how the PASM switch is set on this camera, the top dials may not show the actual settings. There's no aperture ring, either, and the display doesn't show aperture if the camera is off. Finally, there are hardly any lenses to use. For the kit, you just get a plastic 28mm full frame lens, or the misshapen zoom that conflicts with the retro aesthetic. Just another sign to me that Nikon has no idea what they're doing anymore.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Jason Elander

Indeed.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Nikon has placed the dial in exactly the same spot as the Fuji XT-4… so not much difference…

Honestly I find it too look suspiciously close yo the Fujifilm.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

@mailing
I guess then you should complain about that to Fuji as the original Nikon Df came out long before Fuji and the new Nikon Z fc is a direct homage to the Nikon FM2 from the 80’s.
So if the Fuji looks like the Nikon, then it was Fuji that borrowed/stole Nikon’s styling queues.

Jun 29, 2021*permalink

The original DF had a different layout on top! This one has placed the top almost with mm precision to the Fujifilm and that was what I reffed too.

Don’t get me started with the FM2 a camera I have used, It look as much like it as a dozen others

Fujifilm launched their first 11 years ago 3 year prior to Nikon DF

Jun 29, 2021*permalink

@mailing
Again, you are either showing your bias or your ignorance…you chose.
The Nikon Z fc has the button layout virtually identical to the camera it is designed after, the Nikon FM2.
If the Fuji has button layouts similar to the Z fc, then it was Fuji that copied Nikon (FM2) not the Z fc.
With regards to the Nikon Df, I only mention that camera as Fuji shooters think Fuji was the one that invented the retro look when Nikon had already done that well before.

Jun 29, 2021*permalink

The DF wasn’t the first retro get your fact straight, both Olympus and Fujifilm had launched retro digital cameras before Nikon launched its DF, I know that because I owned one of these when Nikon launched the DF.

And while we are at it Nikon FM2 where if anything a design copy of the original Olympus OM series from the early 70’s

Jun 29, 2021*permalink

Oh-boy, The XT-1 is the first Fuji to have the FM-2 like styling back in October 2014, the Nikon Df came out in 2013, almost a year before.
I am not including the rangefinder cameras, as they are not the subject of this discussion… as your statement was about Nikon copying Fuji, when in fact Nikon predated that style of camera with the Df.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

@Mailing
Gosh you really are reaching aren’t you (Olympus, LOL).
Olympus was so far from Nikon’s radar back then that it’s not even funny.
The FM2 came from the Nikon F and so on.
Please stop, you are making yourself look silly at this point.
Repeat after me, Fuji copied Nikon, not the other way around, heck for almost 20 years Fuji used Nikon bodies and Nikon lenses for their pro system.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Nikon did not design it Olympus did, a design Nikon blatantly copied in the 80’ies.

Olympus then launched a camera in 2012 with retro styling tonpay homage too the OM series. 1 year later Nikon did it with the DF paying homage to a camera that copied OM series design. Fujifilm made a series of retro styled rangefinder as far back as 2010/11.

I did not write Fuji invented the design as it where Olympus who really should be credited for it… lol of course Nikon knew of it, The Om series is one of the most well know design in the history of camera designs.

And everyone paid and tried to copy Olympus IBIS among other things.

Jun 29, 2021*permalink

So the Nikon F from 1959 dis not start the F line and the FM2 is not it’s direct descendent?
Talk about revisionist history!
We were not discussing Olympus, we/YOU were discussing Nikon and Fuji, and how you were attempting to suggest that Nikon copied Fuji when in fact (as I have proven already) the Zfc takes after the FM2 not the Fuji, which is the copy of the Nikon.
Fuji Rangefinder wannabe cameras were never in discussion as this was not pertinent to your claims.
And yes, the Olympus retro OMs predated the Nikon Df.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

https://www.lomography.es/magazine/258752-lomopedia-contax-rts-iii

Fuji copied the Contax RTS for its X-T1 through X-T4 series.

Jun 30, 2021*permalink

That’s news to me, but if true, just goes to show you that they have no original thoughts in their designs.

Jun 30, 2021permalink

I’d call it an homage…

Jun 30, 2021permalink

The F stop display from the 80s that strips working when the camera is off is a missed opportunity. Meanwhile Amazon sells electronic paper displays for a dime a dozen.

Jun 30, 2021permalink

Justin-Case

I parted with Nikon specifically because they didn't offer a camera like this that leveraged their fantastic heritage. Instead they abandoned it in favour of copying Canon. Now they have delivered this presumably as a ploy to stop the bleed to Fujifilm. Too late Nikon. We've already abandoned you and, frankly, this camera, as lovely and nostalgic as it is (I own a small gaggle of gorgeous FM2n's, FE's and FA's) it is not as good as a Fujifilm X-T3. The X-T4 takes it to the cleaners. Also, the Z mount is ridiculously large for APS-C. Add that to the lack of Z-mount lenses for this format and what you have is all decoration and no meaningful product.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

I guess you told them!!!

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Nothing wrong with Canon EOS-M and Nikon mirrorless APS-C could have had a different platform, also.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Justin-Case

@20thCentury - Do you think? My work is done.

Jun 30, 2021permalink

What does that double ZZ mean?

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Nikon decided that doing a fashionable version of the Z50 was more important than having a mirrorless replacement for the D3500/D5600. I'm not so sure...

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Excellent point

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Photodog2

I thought the Z50 was the mirrorless replacement for the D5600. There has been talk of a Z30 to replace the D3500.

Jun 29, 2021*permalink

@Photodog2: With kit lens, the Z50 is $200 more than the D5600. The Z50 is $400 more than the D3500.

Jun 30, 2021permalink

sknai16

I think this will be a very popular camera for starting photogs and especially in Asia. The price point is right, which is the size and not everybody is interested in IBIS. The name will sell, but the competition is Fuji and it is good! Not for me, but many Nikon users will buy this for their children, who will be better served than with a smartphone, because of the far superior quality. The look is right and in the long run, lens selection will decide it's success. Come on, show us the Z9 and Z8 NIKON!

Jun 29, 2021permalink

$1,200 (with 28mm kit lens) for a child's first camera?

Jun 29, 2021permalink

When you think of what a university education costs these days, maybe, the camera is reasonably priced? Great high school graduation gift.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

fusoexplorer

Shh. he buys a Leica for himself.

Jun 30, 2021permalink

arhmatic

It was back in 2004 when I bought the d70. I never understood why the new dslr at that time has to be so plasticky, bubbly, aerodynamic even…
I was sure at that time that Nikon would return to their well established design. I did not care about retro. Just wanter a compact design, some metal construction, external dials. This is roughly 2 decades after the D100… still unclear what took this long. In any case, Fujifilm filled the void and will keep.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

TheRealYeats

@Chris_Niccolls - How is your foot?

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Chris Niccolls

Thanks for asking! It's doing better. I'm back to walking on it, and hopefully won't need to cut it off.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Jason Elander

You could go for the retro pirate peg-leg look though!

Jun 29, 2021permalink

hammarbytp

Looks like a re-badged Fuji....

I often think that designers only go retro, when they have run out of ideas. Not a good sign

Jun 29, 2021permalink

aut0maticdan

Nikon has no marbles left.

This release lacks the only thing that made the Df interesting and does nothing to improve the appeal of Z mount because…. Z DX is remarkably under served.

Congrats to all those that have been looking to shoot a 40/F4 equivalent in a small retro package!

Jun 29, 2021permalink

AsterAstraAsteria

If you think in equivalency terms then EVERYTHING apsc is moot. Love that 16-55/2.8? 24-70/4 essentially and why bother. 33/0.95 looks like incredibly good deal? Not that it could out value any 50/1.4 of the past.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

aut0maticdan

No. I natively think in 35mm film size, so I convert to that. I do the same thing with MF. I also have to convert Swedish to English in my head, since I’m not a native speaker.

I had the 17-55/2.8 back in the day. Today I have a Z 24-70/4 that is even better, lighter and more compact. There is no ‘equivalent’ to either of those for this camera. If there were, this would all make a lot more sense, lol!

Jun 30, 2021permalink

FatherCreamy

As a Fuji user I'll admit that Nikon's aesthetics do look better/bolder/retro-er than Fuji's, but they're both way sexier than anything else being put out by Canon & Sony. :) I'm glad they did their own thing by keeping the MASP and having an F-stop display.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

hammarbytp

I think the F-Stop display is probably the weakest point. It is only there because non of their lenses have aperture rings ala fuji. I know the camera is designed to have that 70's aesthetics, but using a LCD from an old casio watch is a bit jarring when attached to a camera with a EVF and screen.

They should of gone with e-ink then at least the info would be retained on power off, and expanded it to add more info

Jun 30, 2021permalink

SRHEdD

I'd consider a black body.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Jwaltb

I don’t want a long-legged wading bird in my camera. Looking for stabilization? Try holding the camera still.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

aksu purist

Nikon testing waters doubt they gonna go all in on lenses and actually make 1.4 glass

Jun 29, 2021*permalink

Sigmal would have it already ... they should make a deal.

Jun 30, 2021permalink

starbase218

20.9MP isn’t much of a problem for me. No IBIS and limited lens choices are bigger concerns. However, this still has an attraction to me. Small, light, aluminium dials… when I see it in the video I instinctively know I want it.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

TFD

Personally If the first digital cameras had dials it would have been logical No after so many years I have no interest in going back to dials.

Hands on shooting experience - I think not, pulling the camera away from you eye to do an adjustment that I can do via menus and buttons without removing my eye, this is retro but it is not progress.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

pseudobreccia

Don't buy it then.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

You don’t have to pull it away from your eye since the dial settings are displayed in the viewfinder and rear screen. Just turn the dials with the camera to your eye.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

With my current camera I have front and back wheel for time and aperture, compensation and ISO on wheels in reach without changing the grip of the camera.
Nikons layout is a step back from that but I must say it really looks great ;-)

Jun 30, 2021permalink

@IAMF - Based on my experience with Fujis, there shouldn't be that issue with the Nikon either. You should be able to reach the Exp Comp dial with your thumb, the shutter speed dial with your right index finger, and move your left hand up to change to the ISO dial. Additionally you should be able to adjust exposure with the command dials. The only possible awkward point of handling is needing to move the PASM lever to change modes whereas with Fujis you just set the dials to A to change modes.

Still, I doubt its much of an issue once you get used to it.

Jun 30, 2021permalink

@DGP - I'm sure that it works somehow.
But I don't see any benefit over Front/Back wheel + ExpComp wheel + command wheel for ISO - it's a step back.

11 months agopermalink

Riccardo Polini

It's even larger than FE ! Another ridiculous product by Nikon. No innovation, same 5-year old sensor as D500, and that 28 SE remind me the mediocre series-E Nikon 28/2.8 ...
Nikon! wake up and make a serious and pocketable APS-C ML camera! Improve the sensor, add IBIS and sensor cleaning. Add a built-in flash that could work as commander (like in the Coolpix P7800). And change the whole management:
https://petapixel.com/2021/03/03/nikon-only-has-7-5-share-of-the-mirrorless-market-report/

Jun 29, 2021permalink

aksu purist

Whats the source for d500 sensor info ?

Jun 29, 2021permalink

chris80

If you want a "serious" APS-C, then get a Fuji. Nikon should rather focus on FF. For Canonikon it makes no sense to spend much money on R&D for APS-C - that sensor size had its time when FF was very large and very expensive. But these times are over, and Nikon should look forward to the future, which is not APS-C. People that buy this Z fc will only do it for the style, everyone seriously interested in photo/video will better get the Z6 with its brilliant sensor for the same price.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Riccardo Polini

In fact I own a Z6 :) (and a D7200 for the crop advantage)

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Apt comment about Series E lenses.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

s1oth1ovechunk

They should either do apsc or not. They do it half-a you get squished like grape.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Rob890

wouldn't count Fuji as a serious APS-C maker anymore, they've changed and are continuing to move away from being photograph-centric

Jun 29, 2021permalink

s1oth1ovechunk

They've changed man, they used to be about the music.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

jetstream

Some complain about lack of IBIS but existing APS-C Z lenses come with VR, I'm more concerned about lack of sensor cleaning... in particular on a ML where sensor is more exposed.

Jun 29, 2021permalink

aksu purist

sensor cleaning has been gimmick u always need to clean it yourself

Jun 29, 2021permalink

Sensor cleaning is no gimmick. It actually works. Going back to Olympus E1.

Jun 29, 2021permalink