While videography isn’t the key focus for the Nikon Z FC, the APS-C camera can shoot at up to 4K 30fps, or full HD at 120fps.
The native ISO range goes from 100 to 51200, which is about what you’d expect from it. On paper, this bit is somewhat mid-tier, so it remains to be seen how it works out in the real world. The Nikon Z FC also gets a 209-point hybrid phase detection and contrast autofocus module, which covers 87 percent of the frame. The top panel of the camera also has a hot shoe to connect accessories, and there is also a tiny LCD display that shows you the exposure reading – something that you can directly control from compatible lenses. In other words, you can control your essentials of shooting without touching the touchscreen.
Surrounding the shutter speed toggle, there is also a step-wise toggle that lets you select from full manual shooting, aperture priority, shutter speed priority, program and full auto modes.
On either end, it features three physical dials to control shutter speed, ISO and exposure compensation. The top panel is super interesting – there’s an electronic OLED viewfinder module that is designed in an old school optical pentaprism viewfinder housing design. In terms of its performance, the Nikon Z FC features an APS-C DX format image sensor with 20.9 megapixel resolution, which is exactly the same as what the Z50 offers. In terms of performance, the Nikon Z FC is quite close to what the Nikon Z50 offers – which is pretty decent for beginner photographers and occasional hobbyists. The Z FC also proves that Fujifilm isn’t the only one in the market that can make convincing retro designs for its cameras paired with cutting edge mirrorless camera tech, and while its primary design fuses a metal alloy and black plastic body, Nikon will also make it available in a total of six colour options some time in the future. Before any spec talk, it is a gorgeous take by Nikon that harks back to the classic, 35mm film SLR camera design. The Nikon Z FC is here, joining Nikon’s expanding list of Z-mount mirrorless cameras.