Nikon has announced a new silver edition of the full-frame/FX-format Nikon Z f mirrorless camera. The Nikon Z f is claimed to combine a timeless design inspired by an iconic Nikon film camera with the modern-day performance of a full-frame mirrorless camera.
Three new Premium Exterior color options will also be available. Additionally, the Z f will support a new Film Grain feature that adds grain to photos and videos, further expanding creative possibilities.
Three New Colors
The new versions of the Z f were designed to resemble the chrome plating on film-era cameras like the Nikon F. Three new Premium Exteriors color options have been added: Cognac Brown, Teal Blue, and Mauve Pink, all with an embossed texture. Nikon states that these are subtle, yet elegant tones that complement the silver body, providing more options for customizing the exterior of the camera.
In addition to the three colors, Moss Green, Stone Gray, and Sepia Brown are available, allowing for six color variations in total.
Film Grain Feature
A future firmware update for the Nikon Z f will offer a new Film Grain feature, which, as the name suggests, adds grain to photos and videos. Users will be able to adjust grain size (3 options) and strength (6 options). By combining this feature with Imaging Recipes (downloadable imaging presets created by Nikon and creators) and Picture Controls, users are claimed to be able to obtain film-like expression. This update is scheduled for release in 2025.
The Nikon Z f was announced in September 2023, and it is a full-frame mirrorless camera that combines old-world aesthetics with Nikon’s next-gen camera technology.
The exterior design is reminiscent of the FM2. The magnesium-alloy body is durable and features a glossy finish, and it features a classic Nikon logo.
The characters on the mechanical dials for shutter speed, ISO, and exposure compensation are all etched.
Key features
- 24.5MP FX-Format BSI CMOS Sensor
- EXPEED 7 Image Processor
- UHD 4K 30p Video and Full HD 120p Video
- AF Subject Recognition with 3D Tracking
- 5-Axis In-Body Vibration Reduction
- Focus-Point Stabilization
- 3.2″ Vari-Angle Touchscreen
- 96MP High-Res Mode
The Z f features an EXPEED 7 processing engine that, according to Nikon, enables an enhanced AF system, impressive speed, and good low-light capabilities. The camera also has pixel-shift shooting, and what Nikon is claiming is the most advanced in-body stabilization of any Z series camera.
The Z f is equipped with a 24.5-megapixel full-frame BSI CMOS sensor and an AF system that offers 3-D Tracking plus subject detection developed with Deep Learning technology. It can detect and lock onto 9 different types of subjects. Similar to the Nikon Z 8, the camera finds people, dogs, cats, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, trains, and planes. According to Nikon, it can even detect the world’s smallest 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. 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.
Video Features
Te Z f is capable of recording video at up to 4K UHD 30p, which is oversampled from 6K. You can also capture 4K UHD at up to 60P in the DX mode. There is also the ability to record 1080/120P with recording times of up to 125 minutes.
This is 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. There is internal 10-bit H.265 recording, and the Z f is the first Z-series camera to support Touch Fn for the 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.
The camera has two memory card slots, one compatible with widely available UHS-II SD cards and the other compatible with Micro SD cards.
Other Features
The Z f also has 5-axis in-camera vibration reduction (VR) image stabilization equivalent to an 8.0-stop increase in shutter speed, the best among Nikon Z series cameras. The Z f is also the world’s first camera to support focus-point VR4, which minimizes blurring at the focus point rather than the center of the frame, even when the subject is positioned near the edge of the viewfinder.
The camera is capable of high-speed continuous shooting at approx. 14 frames per second, or up to 30 frames per second, when High-Speed Frame Capture+ (C30) is set. It also has a Pre-Release function to start recording before the shutter is fully pressed.
The Z f is the first Nikon camera capable of pixel-shift shooting to create images up to 96 megapixels, which is 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.
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.
Specifications
Price & Availability
The new Nikon Z f Silver Edition will be available in late September for $2,199.95 USD, or $2,299.95 USD depending on the premium exterior options.
It appears that Nikon is trying to capture some of the same market that FUJIFILM has when it comes to more retro-inspired camera designs.
