Nikon's mirrorless camera "Z fc" and "Z 50", a man who is worried about which one to use carefully tried using Z fc

Both are attractive though.

I have been using Nikon digital SLR cameras for the last 12 years. Currently, I am using a full-frame digital SLR D750, and a DX format SLR D500 and D3400.

But the age is mirrorless. I bought a mirrorless interchangeable-lens camera from another company and use it from time to time, but Nikon has not made up its mind to switch to mirrorless.

Because I was worried about the battery life and the difference in viewfinder, I didn't feel like using it for work.

But in the last few months, there's something I'm curious about. That is the Nikon Z50. Although it is APS-C, as far as various reviews and shooting samples are concerned, there is no problem using it for work. Or rather, I feel that it's definitely better than the digital SLR I'm using now.

When I was thinking about buying a Z50, Nikon released the Z fc. I actually touched it, but I was drawn to the compact, classical design of a single-lens reflex camera.

So, I borrowed the Z fc from Nikon this time and checked its usability, performance, and image quality.

Small and light is justice

One day in August, I had a business trip to Yamanashi City, Yamanashi Prefecture, so I took the Z fc with me at that time. I took the Z fc body, the standard zoom "NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR", the single focus "NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (Special Edition)", and the telephoto zoom "NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR”.

The first thing that surprised me was that even though I had three lenses with me, my luggage was much smaller than usual. For an everyday business trip, D750 with standard zoom "AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f / 2.8G ED", telephoto zoom "AF-P NIKKOR 70-300mm f / 4.5-5.6E ED VR", macro lens Tamron "SP AF90mm F2.8 Di MACRO" is the minimum set, but both weight and capacity are significantly lower than this. I was shocked by this.

When I go on a day trip, I often go with a rucksack and a camera bag, but this time I put the Z fc in a small camera bag and 3 lenses, and put them in the rucksack. In other words, one piece of luggage was enough. Bravo.

Especially for day trips, you don't have to change clothes, so you want to pack as compactly as possible. I used to have two bags, but becoming one makes my body and mind lighter. I felt this was a big advantage.

Moreover, this time it was a business trip using a midsummer train, walking, and taxi. At times like this, I am very grateful for the lightness and compactness of this luggage. This time I went with a large rucksack (30 liter class), but there was plenty of room even with a camera bag in it, so I brought some souvenirs.

In other words, "small and light is justice." I really felt it in this case.

No complaints about image quality!

After finishing work in Yamanashi, I went to Z fc to shoot various things. See the slide show below for examples.

I have no complaints about the image quality. To be honest, I thought the image quality was better than the full-frame D750. After all, the image quality of the Z series is not good ....

In addition to the performance of the Z fc itself, I think that the performance of the lens also contributes considerably to the image quality. Sharp rendering even with the kit lens NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR. The telephoto zoom NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR also produces good images, and the single-focal NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (Special Edition) is easy to use and can be left attached. I want to use it regularly. Of course, it is a sharp depiction that seems to be a single focal length.

I use the D750 most often at work, but I'm not a full-size fan. I thought that if the image quality is as high as the Z fc, it doesn't have to be full size anymore.

Hmmm, Z fc, pretty good.

I liked this part of Z fc

I will introduce briefly what I liked about Z fc after carrying it around for a day's shooting.

The round viewfinder feels good

The Z fc uses a round viewfinder. This is probably what all Nikon users are thinking, but it's a round viewfinder after all! Among Nikon cameras, the round viewfinder is proof of a high-end model. I long for it. I feel like it's just a matter of appearance, but when I feel better, my desire to take pictures also goes up. Also, when looking through the viewfinder, I feel that it is easier to focus my eyes on it than with a square viewfinder.

Can be charged and powered by a mobile battery

One of the main reasons why the full-scale shift to mirrorless single-lens cameras has not occurred is the battery. There are quite a lot of long-time + multiple shots such as live shooting and event shooting (although this is not the case these days), so the battery life is good because you have to replace the battery frequently if the battery life is bad. I've only ever used a digital SLR.

But Z fc can be powered and charged with a mobile battery. Especially for a shoot like this one, it gives me a sense of security to be able to charge the battery for a while during a break, or to be able to shoot while supplying power when the battery runs out.

By the way, the Z 50, a direct predecessor of Z fc, supports charging from a mobile battery, but cannot supply power. Also, the Z 50 has a microUSB USB terminal (Z fc is USB-C). Hmm, it's a subtle point, but it can be quite a big difference.

I love kit lenses!

The standard zoom "NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR", which is also a kit lens, was used the most for this shoot. This lens is great! Not only is the image quality good, but the shortest shooting distance is 24mm and 20cm (depending on the focal length), which is quite close, and the maximum shooting magnification is 0.2x. Although it is not a simple macro, it can be used in a wide range of scenes because it can be taken close enough.

The rest is compact. Since it is a collapsible type, it is necessary to turn it around to extend the lens at the beginning of use. But once the lens is put away, it's as thin as a pancake lens, so you won't notice it at all even if you wear it on your body.

Well, if you want to use this lens, you can also use the Z 50 (the lens will be black in the case of the Z 50 lens kit).

Electronic viewfinder is easy to see

I think this is where the Z series can push itself to the maximum. Compared to other companies' mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras, it's easy to see! I don't feel much lag, and the camera shake is minimal when I shake it sideways. The view is clear and of course the field of view is 100%. I'm a big fan of optical viewfinders, but I didn't feel uncomfortable with the Z fc's electronic viewfinder (or better yet, a higher-end model such as the Z 6II).

A little bit of concern about the Z fc

After carrying the Z fc around for a day and using it (actually, I used it in my work before this shoot), I was worried about the image quality. It turns out not at all.

However, there were some dissatisfaction with the main body and that it didn't suit me.

No grip

The design is classical and cool with Nikon's film SLR "FM2" as a motif, but I'm worried about the lack of a grip on the right hand. After all, having a grip makes it easier to hold and release the shutter.

In addition, a grip is essential for styles that are held in the right hand without hanging from the neck. I often carry it with my right hand, so I felt that it would be better to have a grip.

The dials feel useless

The Z fc has an ISO dial, shutter speed dial, and exposure compensation dial on the top of the main unit. These dials are very useful when shooting in full manual mode, but I mostly shoot in A mode (aperture priority) or P mode (program). In that case, I almost never use the shutter speed dial.

In addition, when ISO Auto is set, the ISO dial is not used. And since the exposure compensation is assigned to the sub-dial on the back of the body (the same usage as other Nikon cameras), there is no need for an exposure compensation dial.

These gorgeous dials are rarely used... It doesn't make much sense to have a lot of unused dials.

If the ISO dial had an "auto" scale, I would probably use it, but since the ISO auto setting can only be done from the menu, I wouldn't really use it if I set it to auto ISO...

Also, the aperture is controlled from the dial on the body, not from the lens (Z lenses do not have an aperture ring). It's a little confusing here too. If you want to take advantage of the Z fc's wide range of dials, you'll want to set the aperture with the aperture ring on the lens. I assign the aperture setting to the dial on the front of the body.

If a compact single focal length lens with an aperture ring comes out, I think the Z fc will be even more attractive.

The vari-angle LCD is convenient, but I don't use it much

This is about my style of photography, but basically I shoot through the viewfinder. That's why the rear LCD is mainly for checking the image. I use it occasionally when shooting high or low angles, or when shooting video.

For high-angle or low-angle shooting, the tilt-type rear LCD is sufficient, not the vari-angle, because it is positioned directly above or below your line of sight.

Z fc is a vari-angle and Z 50 is a tilt type. For my application, the Z 50 tilt type seems to be satisfactory.

Experience the Z series with Z fc. But it doesn't have to be the Z fc.

I tried using the Z fc for a whole day, but at first I thought, "As expected of Nikon," because of its excellent image quality. Not only is it reflected well to every corner of the screen, but the image quality is very clear. As someone who normally uses a digital SLR, I get the impression that a thin layer of skin has been peeled off.

I was also surprised at how compact it is. In any case, the amount of luggage is reduced, and you can shoot comfortably all day long without getting tired because the camera is heavy. I always bring my camera with me for interviews, but I also carry my laptop and peripherals with me, so the lighter my luggage, the more mobility I have and the easier it is to work.

With just these two points, I want to use Nikon's mirrorless SLR! I was overflowing with thoughts like that, but I'm thinking about choosing Z fc.

In my shooting style, the Z fc is a bit over-engineered. I rarely use dials, and I don't use eye AF (mostly AF is fixed at one point in the center).

The Z 50, which is the base of the Z fc, should be fine. That's how I feel. The image quality is almost the same, and there is not much difference in terms of functionality. The Z fc has a more classic design, but the Z 50 has a grip and is sufficient for my shooting style.

Z 50 for image quality, ease of shooting, and simplicity, Z fc for coolness and classical design. If you can't decide between the two models, why not choose one from that point of view?

I don't think you'll regret buying either one.

Source: Nikon

*There was an error in the lens name when it first appeared. I apologize for the correction.