With the Nikon Z fc, Nikon has tapped into the retro design revival and modeled its new APS-C mirrorless camera after the iconic FM2 35mm Film SLR camera. The Nikon FM2 was an affordable SLR camera targeted to enthusiast photographers and featured the world’s first 1/4,000 sec. top shutter speed. The FM2’s simple design, clean lines, no nonsense features and affordable price made it a favorite among enthusiast photographers.
The Z fc looks to be a Z50 with a different skin on, and keeps about the same dimensions and looks as the FM2, maintains the separate shutter speed dial, exposure compensation dial and ISO dial, and adds a front command dial, a rear command dial and a small window on the top plate that displays the selected aperture. The LCD display is vari-angle and rotates to face forward with auto self-portrait mode for easy selfie shooting. Note that there is still a Mode dial (hidden underneath the ISO dial) and you will need to select a mode on the Mode dial first before you can set the desired exposure settings on the dedicated dials. There is no IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization).
The Nikon fc comes in six different colors and will be available bundled with a new silver edition NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR kit lens.
PRODUCT TOUR:
ICONIC STYLE, CUTTING-EDGE PERFORMANCE: THE NIKON Z fc FUSES TIMELESS DESIGN WITH MODERN MIRRORLESS TECH
Nikon’s Newest Mirrorless Camera Complemented with an Assortment of New Compact NIKKOR Z Lenses
MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 29, 2021 – Today, Nikon Canada Inc. announced the Z fc, a DX-format camera that combines the latest mirrorless technology with classic design and functionality. It’s the compact and lightweight everyday companion that evokes the urge to create, and to take the time to embrace the moment. Featuring a heritage-inspired design, satisfying analogue controls and craftsmanship that’s both unique and functional, the Z fc is built to be a thoroughly modern camera that’s simply a joy to use for everything from stunning street snaps, self-portraits, vlogging or 4K UHD video content. Nikon has also announced two stylized lenses to complement the compact nature and aesthetic of the camera, plus additional NIKKOR Z lenses coming this year with a focus on small size and big performance.
Fusion of Classic Design + Z Series Technology
The Z fc embraces both Nikon’s heritage and our future with the powerful Z mount to create something truly beautiful; it’s a distinctly designed camera that has the performance to keep pace, but also serves as a reminder to appreciate the moment.
An Iconic Design: Inspired by the popular Nikon FM2 film SLR, the camera affords shooting with analogue tactile dials with satisfying clicks for precise control. The compact and lightweight camera gives enthusiasts and casual photographers alike the option to explore their creativity and go fully automatic or manual with mechanical dials for shutter speed, ISO and exposure compensation.
Meticulously Crafted: The exterior of the camera is wrapped in a vintage leather-tone material that offers an impeccably premium feel with a thoughtful blend of black and satin silver elements. It’s a familiar design that focuses on the harmony of style and functionality, with intricate details like carved aluminum dials, engraved lettering and a circular eyepiece surrounding the bright electronic viewfinder.
Explore New Angles: The Vari-Angle touchscreen LCD flips out to face the user and automatically adjusts for self-portraits, working on a tripod or holding at waist level for creative angles.
High Resolution: 20.9-MP CMOS sensor is paired with the EXPEED 6 engine to provide clean, professional quality videos and stills, even in low light. From a sunny hike or twilight cityscape, users will appreciate exceptional clarity, magnificent colour reproduction and minimal noise in nearly any situation.
Focus Fast: The 209-point hybrid AF system has you covered, recognizing approximately 87 per cent of the frame horizontally and 85 per cent vertically for precise focusing and tracking throughout more of the frame. Rapid Eye-Detection AF for people and animals enable users to sharply capture the eyes of people and pets, even when they’re moving. Eye Detection AF is also now available in the wide-area AF (L) mode, making it easy to select the area to prioritize focus.
Advanced Video Features: The Z fc has convenient video features creators want, like 4K UHD video and a variety of frame rates. Focus is rapid yet smooth, with full-time AF that locks onto eyes and faces in the frame. Slow motion can easily be created with the 1080p/120p setting or the 4x/5x in-camera slow motion modes. A built-in interval timer also allows for the convenient creation of 4K timelapse movies.
Keep Streaming: When connected via USB-C, the camera receives power, giving the ability to operate the camera continuously, which is beneficial for streaming, video production, timelapse creation and more. The Nikon Webcam Utility is available as a free download for all users of the Z fc and many other Nikon cameras.
The Z fc is Designed Around Nikon’s Revolutionary Z Mount: The widest lens mount of any comparable camera system. A wider mount means more light, and more light means more sharpness, contrast, accurate focus, low light performance and image quality.
Low Light Ability is at Your Fingertips: When operating the dedicated ISO dial to discover photos and videos with minimal noise, clear details and texture. The ISO sensitivity ranges from 100 up to 51,2001 (expandable up to 204,800), allowing for faster shutter speeds in lower light to reduce blur and reveal striking nighttime visuals.
Creativity Made Easy: The Z fc can operate in fully automatic mode, and users can use the exposure compensation dial in auto mode to quickly adjust brightness for a custom look. Users also have access to 20 picture controls to add creative or dramatic flair and emphasis to images and video.
Always Connected with Nikon SnapBridge2: Automatically send photos and videos to your phone or tablet for sharing, or use Nikon SnapBridge app as a remote control. The camera’s firmware can also be updated directly from the app.
Premium Construction: The classic design is built with a lightweight magnesium alloy frame with consideration to dust and drip resistance. The extraordinarily small and flattened profile is convenient to carry and fits easily into bags. The controls are well thought out, with most settings available at a glance, including aperture through the top display panel.
Choose Your Style: In addition to the retro black and silver, the Z fc will be available in six additional colour options to vibe with any personal style; white, coral pink, mint green, sand beige, amber brown and natural gray.
More NIKKOR Z Lenses
As the family of NIKKOR Z lenses rapidly expands, Nikon is releasing a variety of small, high performance FX and DX-format lenses. These lightweight lenses are easy to carry every day, and pair perfectly with the new Z fc as well as other Z series cameras.
NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR: This is a stylized version of Nikon’s smallest lens, created with a satin silver finish to complement the Z fc. It’s an ultra-thin DX-format lens with a convenient wide-to-standard zoom range from 16mm to 50mm (24-75mm equivalent). It serves as a great walk-around lens for a wide variety of scenes ranging from landscapes, snaps and portraits to tabletop photos.
NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE): Nikon’s first ultra-compact and lightweight NIKKOR Z prime checks all the right boxes – it’s fast, fun and affordable. The NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE) will be first released as a special edition lens for the Z fc. This is the lightest FX lens yet, with a design inspired by classic NIKKOR glass to match the Z fc’s unique finish. The lens offers a standard angle of view (42mm-equivalent when attached to a DX body) that is ideal for shooting portraits and still photography with gorgeous, blurred backgrounds and excellent low-light performance. A standard edition of this lens is planned to be available within the year, along with the 40mm f/2.0 compact prime that is currently in development.
Development of NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR: Nikon is pleased to announce the development of the NIKKOR Z DX 18-140mm f/3.5-6.3 VR, a high-power 7.8x zoom lens for APS-C format (Nikon DX-format) mirrorless cameras. The lens is scheduled for release during 2021. This will be a versatile lens for users looking to capture wide-angle to telephoto focal lengths as well as at short distances.
Pricing and Availability
The Nikon Z fc will be available in classically-styled black and silver starting late July 2021 (Canada) in a variety of kit configurations; the body-only version will be available for a manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP)* of CAD $1,299.95, or paired with the silver NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens for CAD $1,499.95*. The silver NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens will be available separately starting in late July for CAD $399.95*.
The NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE) special edition lens will be available in a kit with the Z fc camera for CAD $1,599.95* starting in late July, and sold separately starting in fall 2021 for CAD $399.95*.
The six additional colour options will be available in limited supply as a kit with the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR (SL) for $1,629.95*, and will be sold exclusively through www.nikon.ca.
For more information about the latest Nikon products, including the new NIKKOR lenses and the entire Nikon Z series, please visit www.nikon.ca.
The NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE) special edition lens will be available in a kit with the Z fc camera for US $1,199.95 SRP starting in late July, and sold separately starting in fall 2021 for US $299.95 SRP.
The six additional color options will be available in limited supply as a kit with the silver NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR for US $1,199.95 SRP and will be sold exclusively through nikonusa.com.
For more information about the latest Nikon products, including the new NIKKOR lenses and the entire Nikon Z series, please visit nikonusa.com.
About Nikon
Nikon is a world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and technologies for photo and video capture; globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for an award-winning array of equipment that enables visual storytelling and content creation. Nikon Canada Inc. distributes consumer and professional Z Series mirrorless cameras, digital SLR cameras, a vast array of NIKKOR and NIKKOR Z lenses, Speedlights and system accessories, Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras and Nikon software products. For more information visit www.nikon.ca, which links all levels of photographers and visual storytellers to the Web’s most comprehensive learning and sharing communities. Connect with Nikon Canada on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Specifications, equipment, and release dates are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.
The appearance of the product may differ from the photo shown above.
1. The maximum standard sensitivity for video recording is ISO 25600.
2. The SnapBridge app can be downloaded free of charge from the App Store® and Google Play™. See Nikon’s website for further information.
*MSRP (Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.
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– Z fc DX-Format Mirrorless Camera with NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 (SE) Lens
