Nikon Z f Announced: Retro Full-Frame Mirrorless
Nikon just announced the Z f, a retro-styled full-frame mirrorless that artfully blends the most modern technology from the Nikon Z 8 and Z 9 models with the timeless aesthetics of Nikon’s legendary 35mm cameras of yesteryear—and adds a heaping helping of new innovation as well.
Featuring a magnesium-alloy body built around a 24.5-megapixel full frame BSI CMOS sensor and Nikon EXPEED 7 processing engine, the Z f is the first Nikon camera capable of pixel-shift capture mode. Creating images up to 96 megapixels, the Z f makes microadjustments to the image sensor position when capturing between 4, 8, 16 or 32 Raw format (NEF) files.
More Firsts
For video shooters, the Z f is 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. The Z f is also the first full-frame Z-series mirrorless camera to be equipped with a Vari-angle touchscreen monitor.
Designed to appeal to even the most diehard advanced shooters, Nikon has added a dedicated B&W photo mode that’s selected via an external switch. The new monochromatic Picture Controls include high-contrast Monochrome, Flat Monochrome and Deep Tone Monochrome.
Additionally, the new Z f provides VR (vibration reduction) 5-axis image stabilization equivalent to an 8.0-stop increase in shutter speed—the most advanced VR of any Nikon Z.
Another first, the newest Nikon supports Touch Fn for adjustment of camera settings while framing pictures in the viewfinder. Users can adjust the focus point via the LCD screen while peering in the viewfinder.
New features for portrait photographers include the skin softening function and a portrait impression balance function plus new Rich Tone Portrait Picture Control to enhance details of the subject’s complexion.
The Nikon Z f has two memory card slots, one for UHS II SD cards and the other for Micro SD.
Hold on to Your Hat
Similar to the current Nikon Z fc APS-C mirrorless [read our review here], the Nikon Z f has color options. In addition to traditional black-on-black, you can choose Indigo Blue, Sepia Brown, Bordeaux Red, Sunset Orange, Moss Green or Stone Gray. Available in limited quantities, the colorful models are to be sold exclusively through the Nikon Store.
Price and Availability
The new Nikon Z f will be available around mid-October 2023 for $1999.95 (body only). Other configurations include the Nikon Z f body with a Nikkor Z 40mm f/2.0 SE ($2239.95) or with the Nikkor Z 24-70mm F/4 ($2599.95). The body-only price for any of the six color options is $2099.95.
—Shutterbug Staff
