Nikon has announced it’s latest ‘Son of FM2’ digital camera, with the $3500 Nikon Zf sporting a full-frame 24-megapixel BSI sensor and continuous shooting to 14 fps. It comes in a range of colours.
The camera is clearly in homage to the much-loved FM2 film SLR from the 1980s, following in the path of the Df digital SLR and the Zf c mirrorless APS-C format model released in 2021.
Key specifications:
– 24MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor;
– In-body image stabilization rated up to 8EV;
– Dedicated monochrome mode;
– Up to 14fps continuous shooting (JPEG), 11 fps Raw;
– ‘C30’ JPEG-only 30fps mode with pre-burst function;
– AF system with tracking and recognition of 9 subject types;
– 4K/60 video from 6K capture with 10-bit N-Log recording;
– 32-shot high-res mode to give 96MP images;
– SD and MicroSD card slots
– Range of colours available;
The Zf is advertised for pre-order on the Nikon Australia website and is being marketed online for $3500 RRP body only and $4000 with the suitably retro-looking Nikkor Z F2 40mm SE lens. Overseas, it will be available from mid-October.
Here’s the US press release – we haven’t seen a local version as yet:
THE NIKON Z f: INNOVATION THAT DRIVES CREATIVITY
The Nikon Z f is the Beautiful Convergence of Groundbreaking Technology + Iconic Design
MELVILLE, NY (September 20, 2023) Today Nikon announced the release of the Z f, a full-frame mirrorless camera that harmonizes a timeless aesthetic with the best of Nikon’s next-gen camera technology, derived directly from the acclaimed Z 8 and flagship Z 9. At first glance, the Z f is a definitive statement in functional design that ignites the desire to craft an image. Looking closer, it’s a veritable powerhouse of modern performance fueled by the EXPEED 7 processing engine that enables an enhanced AF system, impressive speed and astounding low-light capability. The new processing power also adds incredible new features such as pixel-shift shooting, the most advanced in-body stabilization of any Z series camera, plus the addition of a dedicated monochrome mode.
“It’s exciting to see the leaps in innovation that propelled the Z 9 trickling down, making the latest technology and features more accessible than ever before inside the Z f, a camera which is a beautiful marriage of form and function,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. “The Z f is more than a means to simply capturing an image; using the camera is an experience unto itself, one which not only sparks creativity, but also elevates the user’s intent with its advanced performance and feature set.”
Technology Forward
The Z f is equipped with the EXPEED 7 image-processing engine, enhancing response time, burst speed and AF performance, while adding new features to create an entirely new category of Z series full-frame mirrorless. The 24.5-megapixel full frame BSI CMOS sensor effortlessly captures stunning colors and incredible definition with minimal noise and stellar dynamic range, even in challenging light. This well-balanced sensor is paired with an AF system that offers 3-D Tracking plus subject detection developed with Deep Learning technology, detecting and locking on to 9 different types of subjects. Similar to the Nikon Z 8, the camera finds people, dogs, cats, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, trains and planes. It can even detect the world’s smallest1 size of a face in the frame — approx. 3% of the frame’s longest side. The AF system uses 299 AF points in Auto Area AF, covering 96% of the horizontal axis of the frame, making it easy to lock on and track a subject, even near the edge of the viewfinder. When the inspiration hits to go fully manual, the Z f uses Eye/Face-Detection in MF mode, recognizing the eye and allowing users to magnify the area on the screen to nail critical focus.
With the additional processing power, the Z f achieves 5-axis in-camera vibration reduction (VR) image stabilization equivalent to an 8.0-stop2 increase in shutter speed, the best among Nikon Z series cameras. The Z f is also the world’s first camera3 to support focus-point VR4, which minimizes blurring at the focus point rather than the center of the frame, even when subject is positioned near the edge of the viewfinder. The camera is also capable of high-speed continuous shooting at approx. 14 frames per second, or up to 30 frames per second5, when High-Speed Frame Capture+ (C30) is set. To ensure no shot is missed, the camera is also capable of using the Pre-Release function to start recording before the shutter is fully pressed.6 What’s more, the additional processing power in combination with the BSI sensor improves low-light performance, raising the standard ISO range from 100 to 64,000. In challenging light, even fine details and textures come out sharp and clear with rich saturation, while mid-tones, where noise tends to increase, come out much cleaner than before.
For those who want the ultimate in fidelity while reducing moiré, false colors and noise for immersive depth, the Z f is the first Nikon camera capable of pixel-shift shooting7 to create images up to 96 megapixels. Ideal for landscape, architecture and commercial artists, the system works by subtly shifting the image sensor position when capturing between 4, 8, 16 or 32 RAW (NEF) files, acquiring more accurate color information and massive resolution.
Forever Iconic
The heart of the Z f is “fusion”- an idea embedded in the name while paying homage to important models through Nikon’s history. It represents the fusion of past, present and future. With an iconic exterior design reminiscent of the FM2, the Z f links Nikon’s heritage of innovation and precision craftsmanship. The magnesium-alloy body is durable and features a glossy finish, which is adorned with a classic Nikon logo. The characters on the mechanical dials for shutter speed, ISO and exposure compensation are all etched, and provide the user with satisfying tactile response, while the feel of the shutter-release button was given meticulous consideration.
Black and white capture is an ageless medium, one that lets the user see a different perspective and explore the principles of light in new ways. The Z f includes a physical switch to engage a dedicated B&W photo mode, which enables multiple monochromatic Picture Controls. In addition to the sharp, dynamic and higher-contrast “Monochrome” mode in Picture Control, the new “Flat Monochrome” mode reproduces tones with a smooth gradation from shadow to light, rich in mid-tones for a warm, soft impression. The new “Deep Tone Monochrome” mode expresses high-contrast and highlights by bringing more emphasis to dark tones, keeping mid-tones dark and with fewer blocked shadows.
Primary features of the Z f
Full-frame 24.5-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor combined with the new EXPEED 7 Processing engine for amazing fidelity and image quality paired with stellar processing power.
Excellent AF tracking capability with 3D-tracking mode for photographers and dedicated Subject-tracking AF in video mode.
With up to 299 points in Auto-area AF, the range of coverage and number of focus points used in Auto-area AF mode have been increased for better focus acquisition performance with distant or moving subjects.
The first full-frame Z-series mirrorless camera to be equipped with a vari-angle touchscreen monitor.
Starlight view mode boosts display brightness for users to visually confirm composition in extremely dark scenes. It also achieves sharp focus with the low-light limit extendable down to -10 EV.8
Video frame rates and resolutions up to 4K UHD 30 oversampled from 6K,9 as well as 4KUHD 60P (DX-mode) and 1080/120P with recording times up to 125 minutes.10
The first Nikon camera to feature video recording in shutter-priority auto mode, letting the user select the shutter speed, while the camera adjusts the aperture and ISO.
In-camera, 10-bit H.265 recording, allowing users to record full-scale video directly to the camera without the need for an external recorder.
The first Z-series camera to support Touch Fn for adjustment of camera settings while framing pictures in the viewfinder. The user is now able to move the focus point via the LCD screen while looking through the viewfinder.
Supports the merging of NEF (RAW) images shot with pixel shift shooting to create a highly detailed image up to 96 megapixels.
Fast shooting, with up 14 fps bursts plus High-Speed Frame Capture+ (C30), which achieves high-speed continuous shooting at up to 30 fps. Pre-Release Capture is also available, buffering the images before the shutter is fully depressed.
Advanced features for dedicated portrait photographers include the skin softening function and a portrait impression balance function for users to better achieve the portraits they intended. Rich Tone Portrait Picture Control is a new setting that better captures details of the subject’s complexion.
Equipped with two memory card slots, one compatible with widely available UHS II SD cards and the other compatible with Micro SD cards.
Rugged and reliable construction, with magnesium alloy on the front and top covers, for maximum durability with minimal weight. The camera is engineered with high dust- and drip-resistance,11 effective sealing on the exterior cover joints, shutter-release button and vari-angle mechanism. Additionally, an electro-conductive coat that keeps the surface clean from dust and a fluorine coat that makes for easier cleaning.
In addition to the basic black body, the Z f lets users express their own style through six different color options. These premium exteriors render the embossed artificial leather sections of the camera — covering the grip and all around to the rear of the folding camera monitor — in three rich, expressive standard colors (Indigo Blue, Sepia Brown, Bordeaux Red) and three deep, warm natural colors (Sunset Orange, Moss Green, Stone Gray), rendered with individually matching surface textures. These colors will be sold in limited quantity and will be sold exclusively through the Nikon Store.
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