Nikon Zf Body (silver) (141387657VOK)

Nikon Zf - full-frame image quality, depth, and dynamic range; autofocus created using deep learning technology; outstanding low-light performance and image stabilization. The Nikon Zf is a classic-style full-frame system camera based on a 24 MP BSI CMOS sensor. It is designed to emulate the look of the company's FM2 SLR from the early eighties, making it essentially a full-frame equivalent of the company's Z fc APS-C camera. The Nikon Zf uses the same EN-EL15c battery as most mid-range Nikon cameras, allowing for 380 shots (LCD) and 360 shots (EVF) on a single charge. When power-saving mode is turned on, these numbers increase to 430 and 410 shots per charge. It charges via the camera's USB C port, which, unlike the Nikon Z8, is a single port.














OBJECT RECOGNITION, CONTRAST NOISE REDUCTION, AND OTHER USEFUL FEATURES





"Nikon" does not claim that the Nikon Zf 24 MP BSI CMOS sensor is new, and, except for a larger AF coverage, most of its parameters match the older but well-regarded Nikon Z6 II sensor. However, the installation of the newest "Expeed 7" processor brought significant changes. First, it incorporates an object recognition function into the camera's AF system, as well as an implementation of "3D tracking" similar to the Nikon Z9 along with a 9-type object recognition system. Additionally, contextual noise reduction is installed, which more aggressively smooths areas that appear to lack detail. It is specifically this noise reduction in JPEG and HEIF files that convinced "Nikon" to allow the camera's ISO range to be extended to 204,800 (the unextended limit also increased to 64,000). The transition to the newest processor also allows the Nikon Zf to capture Raw files compressed using a more efficient high-efficiency compression system, which we first saw in the Nikon Z9. A speed of 11 frames per second is observed in Raw mode (non-continuous high-volume mode, which presumably does not include real-time preview updates between frames), and in JPEG mode - up to 15 or 14 frames per second, depending on whether an electronic or mechanical shutter is used. There is also a "C30" JPEG-only mode, which uses a 30 frames per second video stream for video photography, with a pre-set shutter, like the Nikon Z8 and Nikon Z9.














B&W (BLACK AND WHITE) MODE





The camera's black and white color mode, which allows for selecting photography and video recording modes, has its own control where one of the mono profiles can be selected, including low-contrast "flat mono" and "deep tone mono," which highlights red scene details. These profiles can be applied to both photos and video material, and they emphasize Nikon's focus on the creative process.






NOT ONLY PHOTOGRAPHY, BUT ALSO FILMING





Unlike the Nikon Df, which promised photographic purity by sacrificing video functions, the Nikon Zf is a quite powerful camera for filming. It can film up to 4K/60 from APS-C (DX, in "Nikon" speak) sensor cropping or can film 4K up to 30p from the full 6K pixel area sensor. Also included are waveforms, which help in evaluating the exposure of the video recording, especially now that we have 10-bit internal recording, allowing for "Log" recording.







MULTI-PIXEL BUMP





"Nikon" joins the camera manufacturers who use an image stabilization system and offer a multi-pixel bump mode, where the sensor is moved by precise degrees so that every color is captured in every pixel position or part of a pixel, aiming to increase the image's spatial resolution. The Nikon system offers four modes, all of which require merging "Raw" files in desktop software: a four-shot mode, which captures the full color in every point, an 8-shot mode, which does this twice to further improve tone quality and noise, a 16-shot mode, which also increases the image resolution to 96 MP, and then a 32-shot version, which doubles this resolution.














IMAGE STABILIZATION LINKED TO AF POINT





For companies trying to maximize the performance of their IS systems, it becomes increasingly difficult to offer additional improvements. Nikon claims that the Nikon Zf's performance is improved by linking the IS system to the selected autofocus point. The logic is that tilt and tilt movements (pitch up/down and yaw left/right) cause larger image shifts from the center, especially when using wide-angle lenses. The Nikon Zf IBIS system can use the selected autofocus point as the center of its corrections, rather than the center of the image, thereby helping to ensure more effective stabilization when using wide lenses with autofocus points that are not in the center. This method should help keep the focus sharp at the focused point, which helps the camera achieve an 8 EV stabilization rating when tested according to the CIPA standard.






DURABLE CONSTRUCTION





The most obvious thing that can be said about the Nikon Zf body is that it is very similar to the eighties "Nikon FM2" strip camera. Placing the camera side by side, it is obvious that the new camera is larger, but the proportions are maintained, so it still looks like it did before. The Nikon Zf construction is essentially made of magnesium alloy (with a few plastic plates acting as radio windows for "Wi-Fi"), which, according to Nikon, is "dust and splash resistant." Adherence to the traditional look means there are no protruding handles, but, like the FM2 and similar cameras of that era, it can be used quite comfortably. Due to a few millimeters of additional depth, it is not difficult to hold, and the dials are well-placed so that they can be operated without feeling like you are about to drop the camera. The smaller Nikon Z fc was criticized for looking fragile due to its low weight, and this impression was further reinforced by the quite plastic-looking dials. Due to the heavier weight of the Zf, these problems are avoided: it looks sturdier, and the feel of the control buttons matches this.







TWO MEMORY CARD SLOTS





"Nikon" provided the Nikon Zf with two card slots, but, wanting to control its size, decided that the second card slot would be of the MicroSD type. These cards are quite small, and they can be difficult to insert and remove from the camera, so it may be wise to always leave a fast "microSD" card in the camera as a backup, rather than planning to remove it often. However, the SD slot is compatible with UHS II, while the "Micro SD" is only compatible with UHS I.

















FEATURES





- 24 MP full-frame BSI CMOS sensor.

- In-body image stabilization up to 8EV.

- Special monochrome mode.

- Up to 14 frames per second continuous shooting (JPEG), 11 frames per second Raw.

- "C30" JPEG-only 30 frames per second mode with pre-shooting function.

- AF system with 9 object types tracking and recognition.

- 4K/60 video from 6K recording with 10-bit N-Log recording.

- 32-shot high-resolution mode, allowing for 96 MP images.

- SD and MicroSD card slots.










SPECIFICATIONS





Lens mount: Nikon Z mount

Manufacturer: Nikon

Effective pixels: 24.5 million

Image sensor size: 35.9 mm x 23.9 mm

Image sensor format: FX

Image sensor type: CMOS

Total pixels: 25.28 million

Image file formats: JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compatible with fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8) or base (approx. 1:16) compression; size priority and optimal quality compression available; NEF (RAW) + JPEG: one image recorded in NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats; NEF (RAW): 14-bit with lossless, high-efficiency* or high-efficiency compression; HEIF: fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8) or base (approx. 1:16) compression supported; size priority and optimal quality compression available; NEF (RAW)+HEIF: One image recorded in NEF (RAW) and HEIF formats

Memory card type: SD (Secure Digital), SDHC and SDXC memory cards meeting UHS-1 and UHS-II requirements; microSD cards (microSDHC and microSDXC memory cards meeting UHS-1 requirements)

File system: DCF 2.0, Exif 2.32, MPEG‑A, MIAF

Viewfinder: 1.27 cm / 0.5 inch approx. 3690k dot (Quad VGA) OLED electronic viewfinder with color balance and automatic and 13-step manual brightness controls; viewfinder field of view - approx. 100% horizontal, 100% vertical; viewfinder magnification: approx. 0.8x (50 mm lens at infinity, -1.0 m -1); viewfinder eye point: 21 mm (-1.0 m -1; from the center of the viewfinder eyepiece lens); viewfinder diopter adjustment: from -4 to +2 m-1

Shutter type: mechanically operated vertical focal plane shutter; electronic front curtain; electronic shutter

Shutter speed: using shutter speed dial: 1/8000 to 4 sec. in 1 EV steps, Bulb, Time, X (flash sync); using main command dial: 1/8000-30 s in 1/3 EV steps (can be extended to 900 s in M mode), Bulb, Time, X (flash sync)

Exposure measurement system: TTL measurement using the camera's image sensor

ISO sensitivity: ISO from 100 to 64000 in 1/3 and 1 EV steps; also possible to set approx. 0.3, 0.7 or 1 EV below ISO 100 or approx. 0.3, 0.7, 1 or 1.7 EV above ISO 64000; automatic ISO sensitivity control can be used, note: ISO sensitivity is limited to 400-64000 when HLG tone mode is selected

Autofocus system: hybrid phase detection / contrast AF with AF assist

Flash control: TTL: i-TTL flash control; i-TTL balanced fill flash used with matrix, center-weighted and spot metering, standard i-TTL fill flash with spot metering

Video format: 4K UHD 3840 x 2160 / 30p / 25p / 24p; Full HD 1920 x 1080 / 120p/100p/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p; Factual 120p, 100p, 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p and 24p frame rates are respectively 119.88, 100, 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25 and 23.976 frames per second.; 4K UHD 3840 x 2160 / 60p using DX cropping

Screen size: 3.2 inch diagonal

Connections: USB C type connector (SuperSpeed USB); D-type HDMI connector; Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5 mm diameter; power supply supported)

Battery: one EN-EL15c rechargeable lithium-ion battery; EN-EL15b and EN-EL15a batteries can be used instead of EN-EL15c. However, note that fewer photos can be taken on a single charge than when using EN-EL15c. EH-7P AC adapters and EH-8P AC adapters can only be used to charge EN-EL15c and EN-EL15b batteries

Tripod mount: 1/4 inch (ISO 1222)

Dimensions: approx. 144 mm x 103 mm x 49 mm

Weight: approx. 630 g