NIKON Z F

Nikon's latest attempt to revive the days of film doubles down on retro charm, but it has the quality to back it up

The Nikon Z f isn't the manufacturer's first attempt at reviving the style of film cameras for the digital age. The Nikon D f arrived in 2013, but failed to garner any sequels. Nikon dipped its toe in the water again in 2021, with the Nikon Z fc and got a different reaction. Nikon claimed that demand for the Z fc far exceeded its expectations, showing that there was a serious appetite for cameras with a vintage aesthetic.

The Nikon Z fc was universally well received, although while critics loved its vintage looks there were criticisms of the camera's build quality and ergonomics. However, after the release of the Z fc, users demanded a full-frame version with the same classic styling, so it was inevitable that Nikon would deliver just that.

With the release of the Nikon Z f, it appears that Nikon is fully on board the vintage-inspired camera train the Z f is a full-frame version of the Z fc that is the true digital successor to the classic Nikon FM2 film camera. Nikon is hoping to answer the criticisms levelled at the Z fc with the considerably more expensive and larger Nikon Z f, but has it done enough to make this the perfect camera for vintage enthusiasts?

Key features

Despite its retro exterior, the Nikon Z f features the latest advancements from the company's flagship models, the Nikon Z 8 and Z 9. Core features include a 24.5MP full-frame sensor, powered by the Expeed 7 processor, which boosts autofocus performance, expands file format options, improves in-camera stabilisation and provides exceptional low-light capabilities with an ISO range of up to 64.000.

The Nikon Z f boasts the same impressive autofocus system as the Z 8 and Z 9. equipped with 299 focus points that cover a substantial part of the sensor area. This system is adept at subject tracking, including human faces and eyes, animals, birds and vehicles, ensuring precision even in shooting conditions as dark as -10EV.