Nikon Zf Review: Retro Charm Meets Modern Performance
Hey everyone, welcome to the blog! I'm sharing my final thoughts on the Nikon Zf after putting it through its paces at a wedding, some street photography sessions, and vlogging tests in Phoenix. Is it the perfect travel, street, and vlogging companion? Let's find out!
I initially picked up the green Zf at launch, even using it to shoot a wedding. However, I encountered some minor fit and finish issues, likely related to being an early production model, and had to return it. The camera's performance was never in question. I recently got my hands on a black Zf and have been testing it extensively, including a street photography outing and vlogging tests using the internal mics and the 28mm f/2.8 SE lens.
Zf: The Specs
Let's start with a rundown of the key specifications:
Sensor: 24.5 MP BSI Full-Frame
Shooting Speed: 14 FPS Mechanical, 30 FPS Electronic
Video: 4k 24, 30, and 4k 60 (with APS-C crop)
Dimensions: 5.7W x 4.1H x 2D inches (without grip)
Weight: 630 grams
Autofocus: 273 AF Points, down to -10EV
The Zf uses the same Expeed 7 processor as the Z8 but pairs it with the 24.5MP sensor from the Z6ii. This combination results in impressive low-light performance. You get the Z8's autofocus capabilities with the Z6ii's larger pixels, allowing more light in, and leading to less noise. This has been my experience shooting weddings with both the Z8 and Zf.
My Zf Experience: Wedding, Street, and Vlog
I typically use the Z8 and Z6ii for wedding photography. For my first experience with the Zf, I left the Z6ii at home and shot an entire wedding with the green Zf (without the grip). While I was using a camera harness, I still felt the weight of the 24-120mm f/4 lens on the Zf body after just a few hours. My wrist was quite fatigued by the end of the day.
But how did it perform? Incredible! It outperformed the Z6ii in almost every way except ergonomics for photography. The photos were sharp and in focus. It rarely missed a shot. While I loved the performance, I think I'll stick with the Z6ii or the newer Z6iii for wedding photography. However, the Zf's flippy screen makes it perfect for wedding videography, or videography in general!
For street photography, I previously used the Fuji X-T5. When the Zf was announced, I sold the Fuji and pre-ordered the Nikon. Since I use Nikon for paid work, the Zf benefits from a wider range of lens options. However, I've primarily used the 40mm f/2 and 28mm f/2.8 SE lenses, which look fantastic on this camera and are surprisingly sharp for non-S-line glass. The image quality is excellent, and 24MP is more than enough for street photography. Combined with the advanced autofocus system and highlight-weighted metering, the Zf is a dream for street photography.
One tip: when using highlight-weighted metering, the sky can sometimes get very dark. Use exposure compensation to brighten it up, or recover it in post-processing.
You can use the manual dials or switch to PASM modes. Simply put, this camera is my ideal full-frame retro street photography machine!
For vlogging and travel photography, the Zf ticks all the boxes. The flippy screen is perfect for video, and it's compact enough to fit in any bag. I even tested it out at Disneyland. (Show vlog footage here.)
While the Zf doesn't have as many custom function buttons as the Z8 or Z6ii, or a dedicated ISO button, you can remap the record button in photo mode to control ISO, which is a great workaround. It also offers manual dials for shutter speed and ISO. It lacks the custom Banks or U1/U2 settings found on other Z cameras, but that's a fair trade-off considering the Zf's target audience.
In summary, the Zf is incredibly versatile. With the grip, it can be a capable wedding photography camera. The low-light and autofocus performance are outstanding, thanks to the 24MP BSI sensor and Expeed 7 processor. Its compact size makes it ideal for vlogging and travel. And the manual controls enhance its appeal for street photography. It's a true all-rounder!
Pros and Cons
Pros:
3D Subject Tracking AF (like the Z8)
Manual Control Dials
Beautiful Retro Design
Same Soft Shutter Button as Fuji!
SmallRig Grip Available
Highlight Weighted Metering
Cons:
No Dedicated ISO Button (Pro Tip: Remap the record button)
Grip is Lacking (Wrist fatigue after a full wedding day)
Suboptimal Memory Card Placement
Shutter Not as "Clicky" as Z8/Z6ii
No Custom User Settings
What I'd Change in the Zf ii
Custom User Settings
Sensor Shield
Dual SD Card Slots
Conclusion
The Zf has everything I loved about the Fuji X-T5 and more: better AF, full-frame depth of field, highlight-weighted metering, low-light capabilities, subject tracking, and eye AF. The video specs, while not as robust as the Fuji, are sufficient for my needs. I wish it were a tad smaller like the X-T5, but the full-frame advantages are worth it. If I could only keep one camera, it would be a very tough choice between the Zf and the Z8! Just buy it! You won't be disappointed.
While I'll likely stick with my Z6ii for weddings due to its superior ergonomics, the Zf is a go-to for travel, street photography, vlogging, and in-studio video.
