Expert review of the Nikon Z fc
Nikon Z fc
- With the 3 dials at the top, you can easily adjust the settings of the retro camera.
- The versatile 16-50mm lens allows you to take portrait, landscape, and architectural photos.
- Thanks to the large Z mount, you can take sharp photos in different lighting situations.
- The camera body doesn't have a built-in flash to add more light to your photo.
First impression of the Nikon Z fc
When I open the box of the Nikon Z fc, I'm wondering something. Does it include photo film? I'm a fan of analog photography, so I'm excited. The camera doesn't need a photo film, but the Z fc does feel like an old-fashioned camera. It's partly made of iron. It doesn't feel heavy. Not even with the 28mm f/2.8 lens, which I'm using to test the camera. I don't mind hanging the camera around my neck while I walk through the city.
Retro look
Nikon did their best to make the Z fc look like the Nikon FM2, its analog predecessor. They did a good job. The combination of iron and plastic gives this camera a retro feel. Even the controls of the camera are based on the FM2. At the top of the body are 3 dials to easily adjust the ISO value, shutter speed, and exposure compensation. I find this comfortable to use, because I can see if my settings are correct right away.
Fast and accurate autofocus
The autofocus of the Z fc isn't retro. This camera focuses fast and accurately. During my walk, I didn't take blurry photos. I'm especially happy with the Eye AF function, with which the camera focuses on the eyes of people and animals automatically. As soon as I aim the camera at a face, it focuses. It doesn't matter if the person or animal is close to or far away from the camera. If you like to take portrait photos, this function is very useful.
Excellent image quality
You can't compare the image quality of the Z fc to its analog predecessor. With this camera, you don't have to worry about a light leak, a color cast, or an overexposed film. With the Z fc, you can take photos with a high image quality. The 20.9-megapixel APS-C sensor provides razor-sharp photos. In combination with the light-sensitive 28mm f/2.8 lens, I can take nicely lit photos in every situation. I notice that the dynamic range of the RAW photos is very high when I edit them afterwards, so you can easily adjust the colors and lighting.
A lot of user-friendliness
I find the camera comfortable to hold. The camera has a flat design, so some photographers might need to get used to the way they can hold the camera. The camera does offer enough grip. The Z fc has a 180-degree tiltable screen that responds fast and turns into a touchscreen if you tilt it forward. This way, you have control over your settings when you take selfies and record vlogs.
Conclusion
If you're looking for a unique camera that performs well, the Nikon Z fc is the camera for you. This camera combines the timeless design of analog cameras with the excellent performances of the modern digital cameras. You might need to get used to the controls with the 3 dials at the top of the camera. I like to use them, because I can see if my settings are correct right away. You can easily focus with the fast and accurate autofocus, so you won't miss a moment.
