Earlier today Nikon introduced a retro-looking mirrorless APS-C camera called the Z fc as well as two new lenses and one which is under development.
Not the first retro digital Nikon camera
While the Z fc is the first mirrorless retro-looking camera from Nikon, it is actually the second Nikon digital camera to get the retro look. The first was the Nikon Df announced back in 2014 (see our review here). A lot has changed in the world of photography since then and the Z fc is a very different camera going for a very different market segment.
While the Df was a dedicated high-end stills camera with a retro look, the Z fc is more of an entry-level APS-CÂ stylish/vlogging camera with some fairly decent video features (4K 30p no crop with headphones jack and a fully articulated screen with eye AF in video that seems to work pretty well).
So while the camera might look retro, it is actually very modern and should appeal to people who never used an analog camera in their lives but want a good vlogging camera that looks cool.
Compact and stylish – Nikon Z fc
Nikon Z fc features and specs
Although the Nikon Z fc looks very different than the existing Nikon Z50 (see here) it does have a few things in common, but for the most part, these are two different cameras with some important differences (such as a lack of flash on the Z fc for example).
Unlike some of Nikon’s classic analog cameras the Z fc is very light tipping the scale at 390 grams). The top part has 3 dials, exposure compensation, shutter, and ISO with a mode dial under it. You also have the shutter release button (and on/off), a video record button, and a tiny screen that shows the aperture when the camera is on.
Top look at the Nikon Z fc
Here are some of the main specs for the Z fc:
- 21 APS-C format CMOS Sensor
- EXPEED 6 Image Processor.
- UHD 4K 30p (no crop) and Full HD up to 120p.
- Eye Autofocus in both stills and video.
- USB Type-C with 5Gbit (and fully powered from USB-C). It also has a micro HDMI and headphone jack.
- EN-EL25 battery with 300 CIPA rating.
- UHS-I SD memory support (single SD card slot in the battery compartment).
- 3 inch fully articulated touch screen.
- 2.3 million dot EVF.
Comes in (almost) all the colors of the rainbow
New Nikon lenses
Along with the Z fc, Nikon also introduced a silver version of its NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR kit lens (this is an APS-C stabilized zoom lens which is otherwise identical to the kit lens for the Z50) and more interestingly maybe a NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE) – a full-frame lens with a somewhat retro look (silver line on a dark body).
The new silver version NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VRÂ
Nikon also announced that it is working on a NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR – another APS-C stabilized zoom lens for the Z mount to be released later this year.
The NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE)
Pricing and availability
When it comes to pricing, the Z fc on its own will start selling at the end of July 2021 for $957Â and $1097 with the new kit lens and $1200 with the new 28mm lens.
The back of the Z fc (screen closed)
Videos from around the web
There are already several hands-on videos online about the camera and some of the lenses from a number of photographers and creators and we will bring you a few of them below.
Chris and Jordan from DPR had some time with the Z fc and found it an interesting addition to the Nikon Z line
Adorama with the Z fc shooting some portraits in NY
B&H also did its own hands-on with the camera below
If you don’t want to miss any new photography-related product be sure to check out our product photography section on our photo gear channel.
Iddo Genuth 
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