You might think a camera with

its DNA rooted in film photography might not need to be especially well equipped for video, but

Nikon sees content providers and vloggers as a key part of the Z fc’s target audience (likewise with the Z 50). Consequently, it’s got everything these users are likely to need and probably a bit more. It records 4K UHD video (3840x2160 pixels) using the full width of the sensor at 30, 25 or 24fps with MPEG-4 AVC/H .264 compression in either the MOV or MP4 formats.

The Full HD (1920x1080 pixels) frame rates run up to 120 or

100fps for slow-motion effects (i.e. at up to 5x with a 24fps output).

On the audio side, the Z fc has built-in stereo microphones with automatically or manually adjustable levels, an attenuator, a wind-cut filter and the choice of either Wide or Vocal dynamic range settings. There’s a stereo audio input (a 3.5mm minijack), but no output. The sensitivity range for shooting video is ISO 100 to 25,600. The maximum recording duration remains at 29 minutes and 59 seconds.

The video-centric features include zebra patterns, 4K timelapse recording, a focus-peaking display, time coding and electronic image stabilisation (which is achieved via image shifting on the sensor, so there’s a small crop involved). Nikon’s free Webcam Utility turns the Z fc into a live streaming device, which is when the in-camera powering over USB-C is likely to come in handy.

Video functionality is extensive and includes continuous AF with subject tracking and – updated from the Z 50 – eye-detection capability for people and animals. The option to adjust the focus tracking’s blocked shot response – from Quick to Delayed – is also provided.

All the PASM exposure modes are available, along with the Picture Control and Creative Picture Control presets, Active D-Lighting processing and exposure compensation. The Picture Control presets include the Flat option, which is a good starting point if you plan to colour grade in post-production, but there’s no N-Log recording (or

HLG HDR for that matter either). Importantly, the Z fc has dedicated video settings, so your photo settings aren’t affected when you make adjustments in movie mode.

UHD footage exhibits excellent colour renditions with good contrast and plenty of detailing, while the FHD performance is great too. The emphasis here, though, is on optimising what comes out of the camera with the post-production work limited mostly to editing rather than tweaking colour and contrast. In this regard, the Z fc does its job exceedingly well.