Nikon Nikon Z f with Zoom Lens | Full-Frame Mirrorless Review
The Nikon Z f is a video powerhouse with 6K recording and great stabilization, but its autofocus and lack of weather sealing hold it back from being perfect.
Overview
The Nikon Z f is a full-frame mirrorless camera that's built for creators who want serious video chops and high-resolution stills in a retro-inspired body. It's packing a 24.5MP sensor, oversampled 6K video, and Nikon's latest subject-recognition tech, making it a powerhouse for filmmakers and product photographers.
Performance
This thing is a video beast. The oversampled 4K from 6K is sharp, and the 10-bit internal recording with N-Log is a huge deal for color grading. The IBIS is top-tier, sitting in the 91st percentile, so handheld shots look smooth. But the autofocus, while smart with its nine subject types, lands in the 45th percentile. It's good, but not class-leading for fast action. And the battery life is just average.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong display (98th percentile) 96th
- Strong sensor (97th percentile) 95th
- Strong video (93th percentile) 93th
- Strong stabilization (91th percentile) 91th
Cons
Specifications
Full Specifications
Sensor
| Type | CMOS |
| Size | Full Frame |
| Megapixels | 24.5 |
Video
| Max Resolution | 6K |
| 10-bit | Yes |
Display & EVF
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Articulating | Yes |
Value & Pricing
At $2,497, it's a premium camera. You're paying for that exceptional video pipeline and sensor tech. If you're a hybrid shooter who leans heavily into video or studio work, the value is absolutely there. If you just want a stills camera, there are better values.
vs Competition
Compared to the Sony a7R IV, you're trading massive 61MP resolution for a much stronger video feature set. The Fujifilm X-S20 is way cheaper and also great for video, but it's an APS-C sensor, not full-frame. The Canon R7 is a speed demon for action with better AF, but its video specs, especially for color, aren't as robust as the Z f's. This Nikon carves its niche with pro video features in a stills-focused body.
| Spec | Nikon Nikon Z f with Zoom Lens | Full-Frame Mirrorless | Sony a6700 Sony a6700 Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm | Canon EOS R6 Canon EOS R6 Mark II Body | OM System OM-3 OM SYSTEM OM-3 Mirrorless Camera | Fujifilm X-T5 FUJIFILM X-T5 Mirrorless Camera with 16-55mm f/2.8 | Panasonic LUMIX GH7 Panasonic LUMIX GH7 Mirrorless Camera with 12-35mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | 24.5MP Full Frame | 26MP APS-C | 24.2MP Full Frame | 22.9MP Micro Four Thirds | 40.2MP APS-C | 26.5MP Micro Four Thirds |
| AF Points | - | 759 | 1000 | 1053 | 425 | 315 |
| Burst FPS | - | 11 | 40 | 120 | 15 | 75 |
| Video | 6K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 6K | 5K |
| IBIS | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | - | 408 | 590 | 408 | 476 | 726 |
Verdict
Buy this if you're a hybrid creator or filmmaker who needs pro video codecs and stabilization in a full-frame package. It's perfect for YouTube, product videos, and cinematic projects. Skip it if you shoot sports, need top-tier autofocus tracking, or require a weather-sealed body for outdoor adventures.