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Nikon Z fc Review

Having had a first look at how Nikon went retro with the Z fc camera, and revelled at the subsequent launch of the Nikon Z f camera, we thought it would be great timing to take the Z fc out for some street photography, family photos and general snapshots

The Nikon Z fc has been available since mid 2021 and it’s successful heritage styling is partly responsible for the development of the premium full-frame Z f, which launched in September 2023. Personally I love Nikon's retro styling, or the ‘heritage-inspired’ look of these particular mirrorless Z cameras, which offer a tactile experience merged with contemporary features.

Street scene record store. Camera settings: 1/400 sec. f/5. ISO 100

For this Nikon Z fc review we gained real-world experience of shooting in the sunlit streets of Brighton and surrounding Sussex villages, in order to discover how this film-inspired camera from legendary Nikon performs. So if you’ve been wondering is the Nikon Z fc good for photography we’ve got everything you need to know, having put the Nikon Z fc camera with Z 28mm F/2.8 SE lens kit through its paces.

What’s the Nikon Z fc all about?

The Nikon Z fc camera has garnered plenty of popularity for good reason. First and foremost, its retro-inspired design pays homage to Nikon's iconic film cameras, appealing to both vintage enthusiasts and modern photographers looking for a touch of nostalgia from their camera gear.

Beyond aesthetics, the Z fc packs a powerful punch with its imaging capabilities, and boasts a 20.9-megapixel APS-C sensor (DX) and 4K video recording. Its compact and lightweight build makes it incredibly portable, while the inclusion of a vari-angle touchscreen LCD enhances versatility in shooting various angles, which I found especially useful for more discreet photography on the streets of Brighton.

Florist store. Camera settings: 1/50 sec. f/3.2. ISO 320

Moreover, the camera is compatible with Nikon's wide range of Z-mount lenses, ensuring photographers have a number of creative options available. So really the Z fc combines the best of both worlds, with a film-like design and contemporary features.

Who is Nikon Z fc for?

The Nikon Z fc is designed for a broad spectrum of photographers and content creators who value a blend of classic aesthetics and modern performance. It is particularly suited to:

• Creators who have an affinity for the timeless look and ergonomics of vintage film cameras
• Vloggers, YouTubers, and content creators who appreciate versatile imaging capabilities
• Travel photographers and holiday makers who don’t want to bring a large, or cumbersome camera body
• Beginners and photography enthusiasts looking to step up their game
• Existing Nikon photographers will benefit from compatibility with Nikon's Z-mount lenses

The Nikon Z fc caters to a diverse audience, offering a unique blend of style, performance, and versatility to meet the needs of photography enthusiasts.

Chilling at the salon. Camera settings: 1/125 sec. f/3.2. ISO 100

Is Nikon Z fc good for photography?

The Nikon Z fc is an excellent choice for photography and excels in various genres, including portraits, street photography, landscapes, as well as making a great option for everyday snapshots. Going into more detail;

1. For portraits and animal photography the camera boasts Eye-Detection Autofocus, natural skin tone rendition and an articulating screen for difficult shooting angles. It also captures 11 frames per second in RAW, which is ample for most action or faster moving subjects.
2. It’s a great camera for street photography due to its compact size and portability. When I was shooting in Brighton the Z fc garnered some positive attention for its retro styling, which you can take either as a pro or con, however the Z fc definitely stands out for its unique design. Aside from this, it features quick AF with human subject detection, which provide extremely useful for capturing fleeting moments.
3. A number of in-camera creative picture controls and filters allow you to add artistic effects to your snapshots without the need for post-processing. All of the images in this review are straight out of camera JPEGs with minimal if any editing, so you can see how it performs without any time spent touching up the results.

Architectural scene. Camera settings: 1/160 sec. f/4.5. ISO 100

NIkon Z f vs Z fc specs comparison

As the two retro-styled cameras in Nikon's mirrorless camera range, the Z f and Z fc warrant a photography features specs comparison. The newer full-frame model includes a host of additional features at a price, however the original Z fc is still a highly capable camera for stills and video enthusiasts.

Perhaps the lack of body stabilisation is biggest omission from the Z fc camera, however with its compact design, a small DX lens mounted and high ISO capabilities I never found this to be a problem.

Another consideration relating to the camera’s size is the lack of a second memory card slot and any meaningful body grip, which the full-frame Z f addresses in both cases. While a flat body is more reminiscent of film cameras and perfect for some users, those with larger hands might find it difficult to grip without the Nikon GR-1 Extension Grip for Z Fc. I will say that after two or three outings I no longer noticed the lack of grip, so it’s worth trying one out to see whether it suits your hand shape.

Get boarding. Camera settings: 1/400 sec. f/5. ISO 100

The single SD card slot is located next to the battery compartment, and this plays a crucial role in allowing Nikon to maintain the camera's compact and lightweight design, which is notably lighter than the Z f. Learn more about the full-frame camera in our Nikon Z F Review and discover whether that might be your perfect retro-inspired partner.

Is Nikon Z fc for beginners?

The Nikon Z fc is a great choice for beginners who want the power of Nikon’s mirrorless Z system without the complexity of larger gripped bodies, like the closely related Nikon Z 50. This retro-inspired camera boasts intuitive controls, exceptional portability, and a range of features to help enhance your photography skills.

Pigeon paradise. Camera settings: 1/50 sec. f/5. ISO 280

Z fc usability and ergonomics

The Nikon Z fc boasts a user-friendly layout with a combination of classic dials and modern technology. It features dedicated dials for adjusting key settings like shutter speed, aperture and exposure compensation, providing tactile control reminiscent of traditional film cameras. These dials make it easy to quickly fine-tune your exposure settings.

Additionally, the camera incorporates a high-resolution LCD screen and an electronic viewfinder (EVF) that offer a real-time preview of your shot. Touch focus and subject tracking can be initiated from the LCD with a tap, and the screen can be reversed for EVF-only shooting if you prefer.

I used the auto ISO feature extensively, which lets you choose aperture or speed priority according to any given situation. I found it to be very accurate, responsive and captured great results regardless of shooting in high or low contrast scenes.

On the cafe circuit. Camera settings: 1/125 sec. f/4.5. ISO 100

Best Nikon Z fc accessories

Being a mirrorless Z camera, there is a wide array of compatible camera accessories available to enhance your photography experience. Aside from the dedicated GR-1 body grip you can buy a replacement DK-32 Rubber Eyecup and additional Nikon EN-EL25 batteries.

It’s essential to have at least one UHS-I low cost Nikon Z fc memory card (although we recommend two as backup), and you might consider a Peak Design Cuff Charcoal Wrist Strap to catch the body if it slips from your hand.

Rainy days. Camera settings: 1/60 sec. f/4. ISO 100

Nikon Z fc lens options for DX (crop sensor)

The best lenses for Nikon Z fc include the 28mm F/2.8 SE lens, however there are several other crop-format options. The Nikon Z 40mm F/2 SE offers a slightly short telephoto 60mm focal width in full-frame terms, which is a great option for naturally lit portraits.

Alternatively the Z DX 16-50mm F/3.5-6.3 SE VR Silver edition gives you the versatility of a zoom lens in a compact form factor and you can also find options from third party lens manufacturers including TTArtisan, Viltrox, Sigma and Voigtlander.

Bokeh test. Camera settings: 1/125 sec. f/2.8. ISO 1800

Z fc buying options

Nikon created the Nikon Z fc silver, along with several lens kits to suit different budgets and creative requirements. Starting with the Nikon Z fc with Z 28mm f/2.8 SE Lens Kit, which was used for this review, to the Z fc with Z 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 Lens Kit ,which includes a 24-75mm equivalent zoom lens. Lastly you can opt for the Nikon Z fc with Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 And Z DX 50-250 f/4.5-6.3 Kit, which comes with two lenses from the outset.

It’s also worth scouring our range of used Nikon cameras, although the Z fc is a popular choice that tends to be snapped up.

Birthday treats. Camera settings: 1/1250 sec. f/2.8. ISO 1000

Overall, the Nikon Z fc combines beautiful styling with strong performance and user-friendly functionality, making it a favoured choice for those seeking a blend of classic charm and contemporary technology. Although it may not encompass the same features found in the more recent full-frame Z f, it is notably more affordable, delivering great value in comparison.

Its combination of advanced features, autofocus capabilities and user-friendly design make it an excellent choice for photographers who want a camera that can handle a brand range of shooting situations, while offering a touch of nostalgia with classic aesthetics.

Reserve your Nikon Z fc mirrorless camera today, or browse our selection of mirrorless Z cameras and lens kits to find the perfect model to develop your photography passion.

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By Nick Dautlich on 02/10/2023