Nikon go back to the future with the retro Z fc Mirrorless Camera
Nikon today announces the Nikon Z fc DX format mirrorless camera - the first Z-series camera to adopt a ‘heritage’ design while supporting advanced features. The Nikon Z fc’s exterior is inspired by the iconic Nikon FM2 SLR film camera released in 1982, a pivotal product in Nikon’s history. Alongside the camera itself, Nikon is releasing two new lenses that complement its heritage style; the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Silver Edition and NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 SE.
Sales Start: 28th July 2021
RRPs:
Z fc body only - £899 – Pre-Order NOW
Z fc + Z 28mm f/2.8 SE kit - £1,129 – Pre-Order NOW
Z fc + Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 kit - £1,039 – Pre-Order NOW
Z fc + Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 + Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 kit - £1,249
Z 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR SL - £329
Design inspiration from a legendary camera
Here, there is passion in the detail. The pentaprism design and the balance between black and silver elements on the Nikon Z fc’s body reflect the FM2, as do the adoption of a circular eyepiece for the electronic viewfinder (EVF), the design of the dials, and the inscribed Nikon logo from the 1970-80s. Reliable robustness, meanwhile, is achieved by employing magnesium alloy.
Simplified operation and creative expression
The top of Nikon Z fc’s body features three dials and a small window that displays the aperture. The dials control shutter speed, exposure compensation and ISO sensitivity, enabling setting changes with simple operation. Further, the i button and i menu, which allow users to quickly adjust a variety of settings with the press of a button, can be customised based on the user’s individual shooting preferences.
For the first time in a Nikon Z series camera, the Nikon Z fc supports exposure compensation during AUTO mode, enabling users to achieve their desired expression by increasing brightness and enhancing silhouettes, etc. The camera also features 20 Creative Picture Control options that deliver unique expressions. By selecting themes with different parameters such as hue, toning and saturation, users can express a variety of moods, as well as adjust effects to their taste.
Enhanced focus capabilities and vari-angle shooting
The Nikon Z fc supports Eye-Detection AF and Animal-Detection AF with the shooting of stills and video—features originally introduced on the Nikon Z 7II and Nikon Z 6II. The wide-area AF (L) AF-area mode is supported, further ensuring the clear capture of eyes and faces by limiting the focusing area. Continuous focus on the eyes of the intended subject when there are several people in the frame, or the tracking of eyes of a pet that’s moving, can also be achieved.
The capture of clear stills and videos in dark situations is made possible by covering a wide standard sensitivity range of ISO 100-51200*. Additionally, vertical shooting from low or high angles is enabled with the adoption of the first vari-angle monitor among Z series cameras. When the monitor is rotated to the front, the camera automatically switches to self-portrait mode, enabling smooth selfie shooting with touch operation.
Increased connectivity via SnapBridge Ver. 2.8
The SnapBridge app can be used to transfer photos and videos recorded with the camera to a smart device**, making it easy for users to share them on social media. The latest camera firmware can also be obtained through the application.
Snapbridge Ver. 2.8, with a new user interface, now supports two automatic connection modes: foreground mode and background mode. The foreground mode connects with the camera only when the app is activated, reducing camera battery consumption. The background mode features a constant connection, transferring images automatically even when the app is not activated.
Additional camera features
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A natural view with minimum aberration is achieved with the EVF that employs an organic EL panel
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Video recording supporting 4K UHD without crop using the DX-based movie image area
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Supports Full-time AF (AF-F) dedicated for video recording
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Slow-motion video shooting is made easy by simply selecting an image size and frame rate
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Supports Webcam Utility, software that enables the Nikon Z fc to be used as a web camera
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Product package and accompanying camera strap match the style of Nikon Z fc’s heritage design
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Supports USB power delivery with the camera turned on as well as USB charging
Lenses: the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Silver Edition and NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 SE
The NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Silver Edition is a standard zoom lens based on the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.4 3 VR featuring a silver exterior design to match the Nikon Z fc. The lens is compact and lightweight, with a total length of approx. 32mm and total weight of approx. 135 g. It is a convenient lens to carry around, while delivering high resolution throughout the zoom range. The NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR Silver Edition can be used in a variety of everyday scenes, from landscapes and snapshots to portrait photos.
The NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 SE is a compact and lightweight lens that is ideal for portraits and still-life photography, providing the smooth bokeh that is unique to prime lenses. The lens features a heritage design inspired by classic NIKKOR lenses from around the time the FM2 was released. By using the same coating as the Nikon Z fc, the NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 SE matches its classic aesthetic.
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Posted by Graham Fry
29th June 2021
