The best looking camera the last 20 years

This is the camera that is making me switch to mirrorless. The features on this camera are absolutely outstanding. The fact that it can do eye tracking in manual focus mode sold me.

Coming from Fuji, Nikon was the last company I'd thought shift over to. I shoot with older Fuji models that more than suffice as a casual shooter. This camera just makes sense for me upgrading to FF/IBIS for the first time. I also got a ton AIS glass from my FE2 to play with!

Your Orange beauty reminds of may Old Nikonos V. Which unfortunately was lost in the wet deeps years ago. RIP

I am a nikon shooter and love that sunset orange Zf...that is what I will order. Great coverage of this "Trojan Horse".

I pre-ordered one from B&H, all black, and can hardly contain myself until it gets here. It will go very nicely with my Df. Between the two, virtually every lens Nikon has ever made can be used. Great video too!

About Fuji shooters: Yep. I was a Nikon full-frame shooter before reducing size and weight to Fujifilm in 2014 with the X-T1. I’ve only upgraded once, to the X-T2 in 2016. Sony mirrorless was not good back then, and I stuck with Fuji all the way through til today, even as Sony improved IMMENSELY over the years. (To be honest, I could have saved myself a few big XF lens purchases and switched to Sony 5 years ago, but I didn’t because shooting with a Sony never felt intuitive or artful to me.) Now that Nikon and Canon are actually competing in mirrorless, and particularly now that Nikon has revealed the Zf, it’s time to come back. I have the Zf preordered. You are absolutely correct.

They had nikon rep at are camera store to show the new zf, i got to shoot with the camera for a bit. Man the camera is amazing! There is going to be alot of fuji shooters switching, nikon hit a homerun!!

Just got home having collected my black Zf from my local camera store, cannot wait to start understanding this stealthy technological powerhouse and how I can get the most out of it. Great days to come.

Fascinating insight and review as always! Cheers Mate! 👍✌😊

I’m a professional Z9 user and last week I almost bought a Leica Q3 to use as an everyday / walk around / family snapshot camera. Seeing this video I realize it would be crazy not to just buy the ZF instead and have access to all my Z glas, and get a good B cam for video, and a backup cam for stills, all for 1/3rd of the price. I just wish they made a tiny 35mm F/2.0 for it because the 35mm F/1.8 is so big.

A hobbyist Upgrading from a 3 year old nikon z50. One complain I have is that nikon dont do apsc lenses enough. But this time im glad all my z lenses are full frame except for sigma 16mm. Delivery here in Japan is on the 27th.

I did not consider the ZF as a replacement of my Z5. The style looks good, but that did not convince me to pre-order this camera on the day it was announce. The biggest thing for me was the technological advance that most of us probably didn't expect prior to the ZF official announcement. The processor, the AF, the articulating screen, the pixel shift, and much more were the deciding factors for me to want to buy this camera. All of this in a $2,000USD price, plus a magnesium alloy body and brass switches were the cherry on top. I still can't believe that this is a $2,000USD body. I pre-ordered the black one, but I really like the red one, my favorite color.

Another great video Matt and looks like a powerhouse of a camera!

I got a notification from B & H mine should be here Saturday. I am so excited.

Awaiting mine in the Sunset Orange and it will be my carry around camera, street photography, general purpose and will throw my 24-120 lens on it for environmental wildlife shots when I am shooting groups of birds that are close up and in a pinch can use it as a wildlife camera with a longer lens or as a 2nd camera. Will be great for "B" roll as well, can't wait to get it. Thanks for sharing as always, take care - Jeff.

This was the best review on the zf out here. I am considering it for street and travel.

Great video, as usual. I preordered a black Zf on the first day available and am looking forward to a great photographic adventure using it. I currently have the Zfc and a Z6II with several Z lenses. I'm getting more and more into street photography and believe the new Zf will be a perfect fit for that endeavor. I do like the various colors available but the classic black reminds me so much of some of my earlier SLR cameras. You are definitely right about it being a FUN camera. I found that out when I first got my Zfc. It brings back some photographic joy for me when using it. I also really like the comments I get from people when they see it. I imagine the same will be true with the Zf. Thanks for your insights and enthusiastic video. Happy shooting!

Great video...the ZF firs very well with my M11. Ordered the moss green version and can't wait to start using it 🙌🏾

Something that would’ve been really cool is if Nikon also made a battery grip, like the old motor grips.

Yep, I am jealous. Fantastic looking camera, can’t wait to try one out.

I am so envious! Will get be getting one in a few months…. (Hopefully)!

i'm a nikon pro. been waiting for this Zf for years. its going to be my 10 year camera. a personal camera that I can use for anything that I wont think about replacing for at. least a decade. this camera checks everything off for me.

Great video Matt! am teetering on buying Zf, I must say your orange skin looks great!

Excitingly awaiting my preorder.

Very informative, thanks. Trying to decide on a 'backup' to my Z8 and I think this will fit the bill nicely.

Fuji user who recently jumped ship to the Z6ii and haven't looked back - you're so spot on that this is my z6iii, and totally my dream camera. I would have preordered just for a Z6ii with the articulating screen! I didn't anticipate selling my X-mount kit, but with this I almost certainly will be exclusively Nikon.

And there it is Stealth! Holding the burn orange version 😂 love the sense of humour. My black one arrives tomorrow🤞

I agree! I have the Z9 & Z8 for my landscape architecture jobs, but I've added the Zf + both retro lenses for street fun shooting. I may use it on jobs for walking video work as well. I surprised myself at how much fun I discovered I'm having with the Zf. I'm loving the Nikon Z ecosystem.

I am a hobbyist and hope to one day classify myself as an enthusiast, I have a Zfc in chalk blue and I must admit that the Zf looks amazing, love the indigo blue. Yeh blue is my fav colour. I studied photography at school back in 1988/89 and have not had much to do with photography since, but I am no longer working and I got bitten by the bug again, it took me six months to decide on what camera I would purchase and I must admit that the retro look sold me, reminded my of my younger days. I love using my Zfc but at this point in time am not ready to purchase the Zf as my I am still learning and do not know enough yet to warrant myself an upgrade I hope it will still be around when I am ready as this sounds like the perfect camera. Thanks so much for sharing all of your knowledge with us, I have learnt so much from you over the last six months, since I found your channel, your knowledge base is amazing. Thanks so much.

I ordered same one in this I call Hermes Orange too, got shipped yesterday. Also bought an orange color release button and a 28mm f2.8 SE waiting for the arrival, very excited.

A great critique Matt, thank you. I'm using a Z8 which is totally awesome, and the orange Zf would be a great backup 😁

Really good overview and perspective of the Zf. It is very tempting. I'm waiting for Z6 III, but I'll being thinking about this camera before I pull the trigger on a camera. Good job on the perspective, a big thumbs up. :-)

I am going to check out this intriguing camera 🤔

First of all, love your channel and I have learned a tremendous amount from your videos. Your style and content are superb. I’ve been shooting with Nikons since 1980, starting with an F2 and progressing through the digital era culminating with the Z9 and a full set of Z glass. I still regularly use a pair of F2AS film bodies and AIS Nikkors because I just can’t let go of the joy of film with vintage glass. A few months ago I picked up a new Z5 / 28 2.8 for use a my “always with me walkaround” kit. I would have been happy with all this for years to come but now the Zf has messed up my most carefully laid plans! The thought of having F2-like sensations in a technologically advanced format has prompted me to replace the Z5 with a new all-black Zf, to arrive this week. My three photo worlds will span the pro film era to the pro mirrorless era with an incredible Zf bridge between the two! I am salivating at the thought of mounting my vintage 35 f2, 105 2.5, and 180 2.8 AIS’s on this new machine! Keep up the good work!

You mirror my thoughts. I find it very unusual that some photographers, including well respected ones such as Thom Hogan, don’t care about how a camera looks. You would think aesthetics of all things would be important to photographers. And I’m surprised all camera bodies are not offered in more than one colour. It’s following the Henry Ford motto…”You can have any colour you want as long as it’s black.”

I have the orange one too, not here yet but got notice from Nikon that’s it’s ready to ship today. I can’t wait to tote this around with my Z8 during a wedding. So exciting 🤩

I love the orange black combo!

Just got my ship notification for my red copy! Wooooooo!🎉

Exactly correct! I have it allready. Good wishes from Germany! Chris

Matt, you're 100% correct! I have a Black Zf and Plena arriving tomorrow. I have the Zfc but as with most Nikon crop sensor cameras the dynamic range and higher ISO is lacking. The Zf fixes all those problems and is the perfect camera to compliment my two Z9's. I don't think the lack of CFexpress will matter much to me for my use case, but I plan on seeing how it does with surfing and as a lightweight grab and go camera. Thank you for all you do and your sensible take on the reality of being an actual user of Nikon Gear. The camera community really appreciates you! --Jon - Southern California

Nikon confirmed my shipment Friday evening! So excited

The new manual focus assist capabilities are the most exciting to me thus far. "Had" to buy a few Voightlander lenses just for playing with on the retro beast. Can't wait to get mine. Thanks Matt!

My black Zf is arriving tomorrow. I have a Z7 and lenses but the new processor and flip out screen are why I'm buying this while we await the arrival of the Z7 iii! Being able to see what I'm shooting with the flip out screen with handheld shots over the side of high buildings makes this a must for me.

Great video as always Matt I already own the Zfc had the FM. So of course the Zf is next. Waiting to see if its released in Silver. Its a beautiful thing. 😊❤

I had the orange Zfc but preordered the red Zf. Thanks for a great commentary.

I kept my Z6 until I needed a more capable camera (so a Z9), and I have been waiting for this as my Z6 replacement ... Love it, just as I loved my FM2 back in the day.

You are absolutely right. My first nikon since the D800 and I started with the FM2n on film. In the meantime I moved to Leica since I was not happy with DSLRs. So yes after holding out Nikon has wooed me back with this camera. Just ordered one today.

This video is a Nikon Ad, and I love it. Waiting for the black version with the smallrig

Well done Matt. I do love the sunset orange. And good job Nikon. This camera is not for me at this time, but I will buy a new Z50 II or maybe a D500 replacement to round out the kit. Good Day !

This is a very good, correct video. I am just getting back into photography seriously after 2 decades off and I was about to buy the Fuji XT-5 as my entry back camera, but then the Zf was announced and seems better in all ways and is Full Frame. My only regret is access to the Fuji color simulations, but I am hoping to find open source equivilant recipes that I can program into my Zf.

Spot on Matt, spot on👍😄

Received mine today in black with the 40mm and grip. Really happy with it 😀

Cool! A great value camera indeed...

Picked up mine today in Sydney !! !!! !!!! handles awesome !! Sepia.

I’m on my way to my local camera store to pick up my black Zf as well as the Voigtlander 50mm f1 lens. Should be a great combo.

I shoot Fuji, Leica, Sony, and baseline Nikon. This ZF is outstanding, I simply love the BW switch, I took it on a shoot today and found the tones and look of the BW mode fantastic. I almost was thinking of getting a Leica M BW camera, but this camera is satisfying my BW desires, and as a bonus, still have the color raw to use. I traded in my Z6ii and have zero regrets. Its a great Z9 companion, and I can even seeing using it as wedding secondary camera during the reception especially with the great IBIS/Low Light ability. The 3D tracking is my favorite focus mode, I have it with my D850, but it does not cover the whole sensor, the Z9 solved that, and now it carries on in the Zf. Its just a natural way to lock focus and adjust composition and or handle a moving subject like today when a tractor was moving in the frame. Put a Leica lens, and you got the ultimate easy to use old school mode. Seriously, the Z9/Zf combo, simply a killer. Well done Nikon, you have fully recovered from your slowness to mirrorless and the Z9/Z8/Zf shows that your future is bright (bring out that Z6iii with 34-36 Meg sensor, a D500 replacement, and upgrade the Zfc with a exceed 7, etc, and you have a killer line up, oh, and don't forget to uograde the Z7iii with the Exceed7. When you factor the fact that one can use any other brand's lens on the Z, the Z is simply now the best platform out there.

Mine Arrived yesterday 12.10.23. it is absolutely gorgeous, and feels so much more refined compared to my Z7. cant wait to put it though its paces.

Hi! Thank you for your wonderful and very enlightening videos. I'm going to get my Zf delivered on Monday (was hoping for tomorrow, but alas .. ) Everything you have said nails it, when it comes to my reasons to buy a Zf. I'm a Nikon shooter for 40+ years. My current workhorse is a D850. I was postponing switching to mirrorless but the announcement of the Zf did it. The day I learned of it, the day I ordered one. And I ordered some glass too. I own a cupboard full of F-lenses, but I've seen enough YT spots now to be convinced that I'll have to invest in some Z-lenses too. So with the body I'll get the 40mm and I already have the 24-70 2.8. and the MC 105mm 2.8 sitting here and waiting for their body. Most probably I'll buy the 24-120 4.0 the coming week, as soon as the Zf will have arrived (as an excuse I have a short trip scheduled, so I want something light and versatile). Actually I suffered from some sort of camera ennui for the last two years, getting lazy and taking more and more "photos" with the iPhone, leaving the Nikon at home. I was also considering going light, like Leica-light. But the Nikon Zf ticks so many boxes, that I had to have it. I can stroll around town with the featherlight 40mm but I don't have to compromise when it comes to wildlife, landscape or portrait with the appropriate lenses. And as the dam has broken now, I'm very curious aboth the next installment of the Z8. For now, the 48 MP don't tempt me enough to get a second Z-Body, as I'm keeping my D850 with all its glass. But the next Z8 equivalent (Z8 II ?) is definitely going to keep my Zf company in the future. And yes, you have asked: it is black 🙂

The best camera is the one you have with you. And this is a camera you can truly carry with you.

In my opinion, the Z6 III will be based on the same tech as the ZF, but with a higher megapixel sensor of 33, or 36 (my guess is, it's in "the field" being tested with 35mm f/1.2 currently, lol). It's nice to see Nikon has brought back the flip/rotating screen for the ZFC, Z30 and now ZF; a great feature/tool for vloggers and selfies. Another awesome small/lightweight travel camera. The New tech with this retro style body is a great match.

I wish they had one with the 28mm SE in the bundle. I'm still waiting to order mine. Maybe Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales.

Wow 😮I love ❤️ this color

Great video Matt, I should have my indigo blue version by Monday. Very excited.

Great videos Matt. What sd and micro sd cards, and their capacities, do you use in your Nikon ZF?

You're holding my dream camera, Matt. Color and all! I simply love its design. And the nice orange color is actually my national color, being a Dutchman and all, haha. It's simply an awesome camera with incredible specs for its price range. Too bad I can't afford it at the moment. Hopefully, I will soon. Thank you for your content. Your optimism always inspires me. Have a great day!

I moved from Nikon (D90 and D7100) when the Fuji X-Pro2 was first announced. I now own an X-Pro2, X-T2, X-T3, X-T4, X-T5 and last month I added an X-H2. I love them all. However, in many ways I miss my Nikons and this week I have pre-ordered a Zf from the best Nikon dealer here in the UK. I can hardly wait for it to arrive. And you have produced a very interesting video here which has inspired me to subscribe.

I am going to buy the Zf black plus the Plena lens. I'm hoping this will make a great combo. Thanks for your fine and informative program.

Great video; thank you for also thinking of the customer segment that don't want to take pictures with the camera and just want to look good wearing it. ;-)

I was thinking I would pass on the Zf until I felt it was time to sell my Z6II and upgrade to Zf, I think the green would be cool but, I'll likely wimp out and get the all black version to be a bit more stealth. Great video Matt!

My camera journey.. Fujifilm X10/X100, Olympus m4/3 OM-D series (EM5, EM1, EM2, EM5 Mk2), then back to Fujifilm X-Pro1 & X-Pro2, then recently Nikon Zfc. I'm in the camp of upgrading to the Zf and it should arrive tomorrow as of the posting of this comment. Super excited! So, many great color options. In order of preference, Grey, Olive Green, Brown, Dark Blue. BUT, I ultimately opted for classic all black. I think the grip texture is a bit more retro and perhaps grippier, as a result. I even had thoughts of switching my silver Zfc to the all black that came out later. It'll look great with the Nikkor SE 28mm f2.8 and 40mm f2 I already own. I want to get the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f1 for it, too. I also was interested in the Voigtlander 55mm f/1.2 SL IIS AIS. However, I don't fancy how much length a mount adapter will add to the lens and front of the camera body. Wish they'd make that one in a Z mount.

One market is people who used to use Nikon film cameras but haven't been thrilled about the "modern" form factor and have only bought newer, non-film cameras as absolutely required

I’m waiting for my black Zf to stay stealthy and retro! There’s a promo to redeem second skin along with Smallrig grip.

HeHe, Matt your a great guy, but you would get excited about two flies crawling up a window lol. Great stuff.

Placed my pre-order on the Nikon site for the blue wrap Zf the hour it went on sale. Anxiously awaiting the shipping confirmation mail.🤞

I saw yesterday a demonstration of this camera with Voigtlander Z-mount lenses and I tough to myself here we have the perfect combo. These are high quality manual focus lenses with an aperture ring.😊

Another great video Matt, informative and interesting. The more I learn about the Zf the more interested I am. I have questions that you can answer. It is promoted for low light shooting. I do a lot of early morning landscape and night time astrophotography with my Z6ii. It was said to be better than the Z7 for that use when I bought it. How does the Zf compare to the Z6ii and the Z8 for low light shooting. Can you explain the pixel shift higher resolution feature? This camera could work really well for me and make the Zf and better fit than a Z8 for me (better in low light?, high res when needed?, better motion and eye detection (vs Z6ii) when needed, and less expensive). A video comparing the low light capabilities of the Z cameras, especially some astrophotography would be great.

Hi Matt - got mine on order from Becky - black was the only option offered - which is absolutely fine by me

Got my 1st Z camera; Z6II 2 years ago and still holding on to it. Am contemplating getting a Zfc as a second fun camera and if there is a good deal on a Z8, may want to replace my Z6II with that. Have used my Z6II for both pro and casual work. Glad to see Nikon progressing the Zf range this way. Was quite excited with the Zfc announcement then but did not pulled the trigger on it.

You hit the nail on the head, I’m a Leica user and I’m heavily interested in this camera. I also have a FM3a and some AI-s lenses I’d like to adapt to this too. Honestly my only issue is lens selection, it would be nice if Nikon could make some high quality, compact, classic looking lenses to go along with this. The 28 & 40 are okay… but maybe some more high quality lenses, in 21, 35, 50, 85, and 105mm focal lengths? Until then if I buy this I’ll likely grab a Voigtländer 50mm apo lanthar-z and be happy shooting this as a film camera alternative for a long time! Thank you Nikon!

Great ideas Matt, the Zf is potentially a real shop window onto future versions of existing cameras. I had a Fuji XT-20 and the dials made a great camera for my son to learn on. With my Z8 one of the surprising features I wouldn't give up is 8K video. But the Zf as a b or c camera as you say is interesting but it would introduce a 3rd user interface for me which might be an issue ... along with choosing a colour😉 Interestingly research in to choice overload says 6 is optimal as once you go above this people increasingly struggle with making a decision. I'm sure we'll see annual ltd addition colours coming out in the future though👍

Im anxious to know how well Nikon has implemented pixel-shift. I look forward To your testing of it.

Looks great in orange!

I was waiting for that review. This camera is such beauty, i'm getting blue one! ;D One thing im still confused, it's that new kind manual focus assist ?

I love the vintage Nikon FM and even more the legendary Nikon F3. I currently own the Sony A7 IV, but will also opt for the Nikon Zf.

Go Nikon!🎉 Conquer the market. Hoping that you will gove more firmware updates to your cameras specially to Z9, Z8, Zf

I am a long term Nikon lover and I've bought the Zfc as soon as it was released. Awesome camera, great experience, but, as you said, after a while a started to desire a full-frame version. And boom: the Zf was released. I've received my one couple of months ago and am still astonished about the great performance. I totally agree with you, it's definitively a Trojan horse!

Another fantastic video…Nikon is coming back with a vengeance

A great video as usual Matt I am not sure if Trojan Horse is the correct analogy. But I do think Nikon has made a good decision here. I have a Z6ii and a zfc (min green). I was hoping for a Z6iii next. But this zf will hoover up sales. And the main thing as you say, is that it shows Nikon can put Xpeed 7 tech and Z9 a/f into a smaller cheaper body. So yes I'm super excited to wait for the Z6iii.

Interesting viewpoint and analysis. It looks like a succes and a good path for nikon. If I didn't own a z6ii (which totally outperforms my capabilities) I would surely get one. For now I'm building up on lenses and wait to see what is coming in the next years frim nikon, future looks good

Matt, I ordered the Bordeaux Red version for my girlfriend, it will be here first non-iPhone camera and she is very excited. Me, I'm a little jealous. Since I already have the Z7ii with a variety of lenses, we are going to share until she finds her style and favorites. If I really like it, I may have to order the green version for myself!

Just got mine - the Zf with the 26m f2.8 ❤

Greetings from NZ. Thank you for the video. Enjoyable as always. I think that this will a wonderful replacement for my Z7, as I find that the Z7 is not always accurate with focus. I am an enthusiastic amateur who mainly shoots mostly landscape and nature and the increased focus speed would be great for my Motor Sport and moving birds. I a not concerned about the drop in mp to 24 as most of my shots are viewed on a projector or TV screens.

If I get one, it will definitely be in orange. I need to get out more with my Z8. I can't wait for the new Z 600/6.3 !!!

Hi Matt, yep.... going to be ordering one soon, the classic black. Coming from shooting with the Z6, Z50 and Z FC in my arsenal... the Zf is a logical next evolution. I even widened the scope of my Z FC facebook group to include the Zf and any further Nikon retro camera's. I would call myself a semi-pro photographer, as I make a few bucks here and there from time to time, but for the most part I am a serious photography enthusiast, and I judge camera club competitions as an accredited judge.

Thank you for the interesting video. It's a camera I would really like, but can not justify the money (ok, I have a Z9) Is there a "MD-12" for the Fz? 😉

Fuji XT fans must be in tears over this proper camera. No X-Trans sensor wonderful.

Matt, mine is just about to be shipped to me. I'm sticking to black, but also love the colour options. Perhaps I will order another one?

Delighted you have your copy. What we need is a real world review please

I’m on my way to pick up mine from the retailer today. It will replace my ZF-c and accompany my old trusty Z6ii