Nikon Goes Retro With Latest Z-Mount Body
Following in the footsteps of the Df retrostyled DSLR, Nikon has introduced a mirrorless camera body that pays homage to its classical 35mm SLRs. The new Z fc is essentially built around the APS-C format Z 50, but is styled to look very much like the hugely popular FM2 that was introduced in 1982. The Z fc’s retro styling elements include the EVF cover – which is virtually the same as the FM2’s pentaprism cover including leatherette inserts and a period ‘Nikon’ nameplate – and classic dials hewn from aluminium for setting shutter speeds, the ISO and exposure compensation. The standard model has black leatherette inserts, but a choice of six alternative colours is available, including mint green, coral pink and amber brown.
While the FM2 was a mechanical and fully manual camera, the Z fc is, unsurprisingly, a contemporary digital camera on the inside, using a BSI-type CMOS sensor with an effective resolution of 20.9MP and a sensitivity range equivalent to ISO 100 to 51,200 with extensions up to ISO 204,800. Continuous shooting is possible at up to 11fps with full AF adjustment, and at up to 9fps when capturing 14-bit RAW files. Obviously the viewfinder is an EVF – an OLED panel with a resolution of 2.36 million dots – and the
Z fc has a fully-adjustable TFT LCD monitor screen with a resolution of 1.04 million dots and touch controls. It also features 209-point hybrid contrast/phase-detection AF with eyedetection for both humans and animals, 4K UHD video recording at 25/30p (and Full HD at up to 100/120p for slow-mo effects), incamera power and battery recharging via USB-C, and 20 Picture Control presets.
On the outside, the Z fc has a magnesium alloy body with what Nikon calls “dust and drip resistance”. It has a single memory card slot for SD UHS-I and uses the same EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery pack as the Z 50. It weighs 445 grams with the battery installed.
The Z fc is accompanied by a vintagestyled 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 retractable, ‘pancake’ type kit zoom (equivalent to 24-75mm) which incorporates optical image stabilisation. This is a repackaged silver version of the existing Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm zoom and will also be available separately. There’s also a new FX format (i.e. full frame) 28mm f/2.8 prime (equivalent to 42mm on the Z fc) styled to look like a 1980s period Nikkor lens. This is a special edition version of the 28mm f/2.8 prime wide-angle that’s been on Nikon’s Z lens roadmap for a while, and will presumably follow at some point.
The Nikon Z fc can be pre-ordered now from a Nikon Australia authorised reseller with a special promotion providing a free insert colour change, ML-L7 remote controller and Smallrig vlogging tripod if placed (and purchased) before 31 October 2021.