Long term Fujifilm user here. The thing that has frustrated me most (which wasn't mentioned in your review) is actually the dynamic range. For my style of photography the APS-C sensors are a constant source of irritation, so much that I bought an old Nikon D800E for sunset/sunrise photos - and that can be for landscape shots or outdoor portraits. This Nikon Zf has just killed Fujifilm for me, as I've been longing for someone to make a Full Frame retro style camera. Thank you for your excellent video!

Great video! Been shooting these side by side for about a week. - agree on handling. Zf bigger/heaver by a bit and without a 3P grip the X-T5 is MUCH easier to carry in hand. - I love Fuji sims & recipes but the Nikon colors are crazy accurate without being boring. The problem with Fuji is even Provia isn’t really accurate. Reds on X-T5 are very nice but overly deep/dark vs the accurate reds from Nikon. For film sim with Nikon can always run through RNI Films app. I have a Golden Retriever and the Nikon NAILS her color while Provia gives her a pink tone..Nostalgic Negative gets closest but not quite accurate. - The BIGGEST thing I’ve found is the dynamic range advantage of the Nikon Zf. I’ve shot indoors with good and bad lighting. Outdoors in sunlight and overcast. Fuji seems to try to overpower a scene and not allow shadows to be shadows. So many examples of this I’m convinced it’s a top difference in the two. I love thx X-T5 but shoot a dynamically lit scene with both and watch what Fuji does to shadows vs the Nikon. In addition, Zf seems to have more room to push/pull shadows/highlights. Regarding sharpness.. With the Z 50 1.8 S vs XF 33 1.4 WR on the Zf and X-T5 respectively the results are so close it’s hard to pick a winner. One wins a round then loses the next. - Agree on AF.. Zf blows the X-T5 away. X-H2S can hang with Zf though. - Above ISO 6400 Zf wins .. I thought my Fuji 27 had smudges on the glass the Zf was doing so much better at retaining color in backlit high ISO shot. - I’ve owned every Fuji X-T, X-E, X-H .. still have X-T5, X-T1, (2) X-E2 .. a Fujj fanboy .. but the Zf blows the X-T5 away with with 2 caveats… 1 - you truly require the (not accurate..I love them too) film sims (I LOVE Vintage Bronze) 2 - X-T5 gives you an ‘extra’ lens at 20ish MP After a week of shooting X-T5 with 27 and 33 1.4 vs Zf with 40 f2 and 50 1.8 S .. I’m selling the X-T5. The difference in dynamic range is significant enough to me.. I love how Zf just lets shadows be shadows while X-T5 tries to push light where it isn’t really needed.

That Nikon ZF is really top tier! Love the video Tony!

I have never shot a Fujifilm camera so I don’t have any opinion about them. I have shot Nikon for many years (film and digital) and the Zf is amazing. I find it easy to use since I still use my F3 regularly. I can say the RAW files straight out of the camera are much better than my Z6 camera. Although the sensors are similar in these two cameras, the new processor must be giving an extra bit of magic in the files. Great video and I am now a new subscriber. Thank you.

This is the exact video I've been searching for! Thabk you!

I have both the XT5 and ZF, I also have Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax cameras, I enjoy using a variety of cameras and have been in position that I've not have to sell one camera to cover the cost of newer purchase. For me the Nikon and Fujifilm have some things in common and enough differences for me to feel good about owning both cameras, the one thing that I give Fujifilm the nod on is lens selection that does not need an adapter to use. The two prime lenses that Nikon released with the Zf are plastic lens mount lens that have no aperture ring, if you look at Nikon Z mount glass they took two existing lens, the 28 mm and 40 mm and changed the cosmetics slightly to sell with the ZF, the price of Z mount glass is not cheap compared to Fujifilm and using older glass with an adapter defeats the purpose of having a small camera. Nikon needs to make compact glass like the 28 and 40mm and put a metal lens mount and aperture ring similar to the Sigma I series lens that they have for Sony & L mount cameras.

Love the dramatic music! This isn't just a camera analysis ... This Is Important!

Good comparison mate! I travel quite extensively and I have both the XT5 and ZF. I'm not a professional photographer by any means and in truth I'm more of a hipster shooter but what I would say is the draw of the XT5 has always been the film simulation - shooting in Acros, Classic negative and Classic Chrome achieved great results, however since acquiring the ZF what I have come to realise is that the draw of the ZF with my 50mm Voigtlander APO-Lanther F2 is the premium tactile feel and the robust quality coupled with the technology built into it i.e. Auto detect zoom with manual focus which to me personally trumps the XT5.

I wanted to ask you about camera brand and model to restart in boudoir photography, streetphotography, landscape. I have not photographed since the pandemic and I have sold all my equipment, which you recommend for a maximum budget of €2,500 including an f2.8 lens. Thank you in advance.

Great review thanks Tony

Thank you for posting this. I am looking at both cameras. As I am already using Nikon, I have lenses that I can use with the Zf so I am favouring Nikon. Fuji though has a lot to offer. We are so fortunate to have such great choices as your video so clearly shows. Thanks again.

Excellent review. Thanks.

I love my X-T5 and stable of first party lenses. I admit it, I like gear that also looks amazing. I’m very tempted by the FF sensor of the Zf, but they need more lenses with the retro styling. The Zf looks really weird with a majority of the current Nikon lenses.

I think the crop sensor has a great trade-off between size of the lens, and larger depth of field when it comes to shooting low light. Shooting at 1.2 aperture full frame gives you too thin depth of field. I'd rather shoot with a lower shutter speed, external light source or not bother shooting in those low light environment than have to carry a massive camera and lens setup

My zf is what I have been wanting love it

Hi Tony, What would you recommend Sony A7C2 or ZF? Also for ZF what lense are you using? I’m thinking of Tamron 35-150 for both of those cameras

Great photos! Keep up the good work

Informative and engaging comparison.

You didn't mention that all vintage lenses can be used by the Zf and also all Sony and other brand lenses like Tamron and Sigma, not to mention from 7Artisans, Viltrox, TTArtisans, Laowa, Voigtländer , etc.. so the selection is much larger for the Nikon. The Zf is the only camera with subject detection when using manual focus lenses. The stabilization is miles ahead also. It has pixel shifting. The Fuji a winner just because of the JPEGs? It's a joke, right?

Thanks for your video. I tried the Nikon Zf at the store and the build quality is solid, they look amazing too. If I afford I would get that one instead of the Fuji ones

Loved the video and images. As a former Z6 and Z6 II owner, it’s great to see this sensor benefitting from Expeed 7 to improve in the areas those camera needed. I tried out a friends XT5 but, wasn’t a fan of it however, I liked another friends GFX 50S. I recently got to try out the GFX 100 II and that felt like the Z8 in weight, which I don’t mind. I wasn’t a fan of the AF, didn’t feel as snappy as the Nikon cameras (Zf and my Z8) which I was trying out at a photography event. I want to see Nikon do a camera with 16 bit files for photography. Maybe in a future Zf.

Hi Tony. That was a really good video. I have the Fuji XT30 and have. been thinking of getting the XT3 to go with it for weather sealing and better handling with larger lenses. I may hold off and save for the XT5, but not sure if my computer can handle the files (it's like me, pretty old). The Nikon Zf looks great too and I can understand why that would be your favourite one. I prefer jpegs SOOC and I'm not interested in video, so probably Fuji better for me. I do like the idea of full frame though, so no choice there with Fuji. I've never seen any of your videos before but I'm now subscribed.

I once had G.A.S.(Gear Accusation Syndrome) chasing after the lasted & greatest. Canon was my drug of choice. I spent more than I care to admit. That’s when I first met Fuji. The transition was challenging at first, but I settle down and fell in love. The most important thing is my business didn’t suffer. Fuji exceeds my needs and my business continues to grow! Yes I follow the new trends but I no longer chase after them! One day at a time!

I love fujifilms color, the intuitive feel... no one does that better. The tracking is really the only downside(and durability), and as an experienced photographer, I can deal with tracking that's not the best... hell, it's better than what I grew up using... maybe I could be talked into upgrading if I was doing weddings or something crazy important, but honestly, it shouldn't matter in 2024. As far as sensors...XT3 APSC is great for everyday, I'll buy a medium format if I want better quality... there is going to be a GFX rangefinder style that should be awesome 👌 as my next purchase. Big believer that if you are going to have two systems, it should be 1)APSC & 2) Medium. To have a full frame and medium seems like you're willfully giving up the benefits of the lighter APSC cameras. Not to mention, the cost savings! It's not much, but in an expensive hobby/occupation, every little bit helps.

Very nice video. Absolutely love the photos from the Zf. Great colors from the Nikon.

Great video👍

Thanks for your informed and unbiased review! I am a Fujikon user like you trying to keep my gear acquisition syndrom under control, nevertheless;)

Thank you for the interesting video. I'm Koreang and I've already experienced Nikon'S zfg and now I have Fuff's x-t5, Nikon's ZF performance and fast AF system are better than Fuii, but other than that, we decided that Fuii x-t5 was bettero 1. The difference in body size and weight 2. Fujiman's film simulation 3. Retro-style lens 4. Manual lens has increased operability, 5, It's true that Fufi's x-t5 has more advantages over the current zf, such as the difference in the rear LCD. Nikon will use Nikon's zf body again if the zf's miniaturization, retro colors other than black and white, and retro lenses are released. And since I used a translatorg please understand if the content fs weirdo

Wouldn’t it better to shoot raw on both and process them the same way?

You know you can import profiles to the Nikon zf too don’t you, there are Fuji/kodak equivalents. If you want a link to them let me know. I just came from Fuji to the zf and was very happy for this

I find it funny how you are talking about the low light performance of the Nikon sensor yet all the photos you took are using a flashlight….really cool trick😂

I have shot fuji a while, stepping away from L mount through the covid lockdown and having fewer jobs. I must say the advantage is the lenses not the bodies, i have some great glass. Bit when I picked up the XF in a shop and played with it, I couldnt help thinking 'now this is a camera!' it felt so wholesome and expensive, while the x-t5 and xh1 still feel a little like toys to me.

We need the nikon zf silver version...

If Nikon develop a new full frame rangefinder camera inspired by Nikon SP, then it could be really bad for Fuji. A rangefinder camera might not be sold like a cake but it will be a great branding and position for Nikon.

very fair review!!

I started with Nikon dslr and fil cameras back in 2012 and loved their color science. Then I completely switched to fujifilm with the xpro3 for their small form factor, the hype of their color science and film sims. After 2 years I went back to Nikon but I still missed the fujifilm retro aesthetics but wasn't a deal breaker. Now seeing the Zf, I'm really tempted to go for one but perhaps when a year goes by and prices drop, preferably used I'll grab one. I still enjoy my Z6. I much prefer Nikon color science. Also while the film sims were convenient, using software (dxo photolab) and sacrificing a few minutes I can make some nice edits I enjoy. So I don't really miss the film sims.

Yes, I do like and appreciate this video and the work you put into it. A very watchable presentation. I used to shoot Nikon until 2018 when I bought a Fuji X-Pro2. I then added an X-T2, X-T3, X-T4, X-T5 and X-H2. I still have them all and use mostly the X-T4 and X-T5 although my favourite for street photography here in London is my X-Pro2. I am still getting to grips with the X-H2 so don't use it much yet. But last week I picked up 2 Nikon Zf cameras and I think I am going to be going back to my Nikon roots. They are great to hold (Yes, I have SmallRig grips) and fun to use. So my vote at the moment goes to Nikon.

Both Fuji and Nikon have done a great job with both cameras , but for me sadly , I cannot carry either as I find them too big . If I was younger then I would be tempted to go for the Nikon because of the speed of focus that is nailed every time . Full frame cameras are too big because of the weight and size of their lenses . Even Fuji lenses are not as small as MFT offerings . Therefore , I tend to rely more and more on my phone . At the end of the day it is about the picture and not being a working photographer I can be less critical over the finish image if it speaks to me and tells me the story . I found the video very informative and it is an example that mps are not where it is at . In the real world you do not need more than 12 and up to 26 is okay without over kill .

Dude did a great review. Im a Fuji guy but Nikon is starting to make exciting cameras again.

Little details on the Nikon Zf put me off, such as its single memory slot, slightly higher weight than the X-T5 and worse battery life. Still lovely though, and you can't cheat physics so a larger sensor really helps. I can't lie - I do struggle sometimes with my X-T5's crop sensor low light performance. Although, really, I understand a full frame is on average only about 1 or 1.25 stops better in low light (which isn't massive).

It’s all personal preference at the end of the day. Everyone is gonna be bias no matter what but good video!

I don't even know why this should be a challenge...

1000th subscriber. :)

I dont understand why the youtuber photographers keep on comparing these two cameras. Fujifilm is not full frame and only similarity is the retro design. Lets appreciate the qualities of the two cameras. Two cameras do so well in the low light situations. It is all about your eyes and even X T 4 is so good enough.

Excellent video. I like your relaxed tone. For me Fuji can’t take it for image quality. I make a lot of studio shoot, and even at base ISO I can’t have the same tonal transition in faces highlights as in my Nikon. I kept the X-E4 as my everyday street camera, and bought the Zg for studio and event work. Hope that works for me.

The ZF does feel heavy and uncomfortable but boy at the similar price as XH2/S ZF offers more.

I’ve shot the Fuji for a long time and I just got tired of the Fuji colors. I switched to Leica which is on an entire different level. However the ZF in terms of balance between build, design, low light, color science, af system and image quality- it’s unbeatable.

I think if you already have a bunch of Nikon lenses or really need full frame, not because Dave told you down the pub it's the only option, it's an interesting but still half baked idea. But Nikon can address the biggest issue. The FF vs APSC debate is often oversold and there are advantages either way. Modern processing and tools are getting better and better at closing the optical advantages of FF, and FF has got a bit smaller but that's harder to address. But you'll still be spending 40% more and dealing with a similar differemce in bulk. Only comparing the focal length and apertures of a lens for equivalency is like saying a BMW is the same as a Mazda because they have the same size wheels and number of headlights. Equivalency is at best flawed, but comparing entry level FF with top end APSC on two specs and calling it even is disambiguous. Just choose according to your needs, plenty of people creating wonderful images on micro 4/3 or f2.8 lenses on APSC. A retro body on its own is only a job half done. Nikon has clearly prioritised the aesthetics, offering multiple colours, over a genuine retro shooting experience, with the unecessary PASM dial and inability to lock a dial at will onto an A mode an odd design choice. It seems they dont trust its user base to be able to adapt... but even if you've never shot fully manual before, Fuji's way is super intuitive. Nikon doesn't need to baby its users. But it's the lack of lenses without needing an adaptor with an aperture ring that for me takes this completely off the table. With Fuji I've had lenses without aperture rings and on a body like the x-t3 or similar it feels schizophrenic. I ended up selling all those lenses. The experience of shooting is just not the same, even knowing they are there if you're not using them changes your approach. You can always use a lens with a dial like it doesn't have one. Nikon can and should address this. It has far deeper pockets than Fuji, which now has a very mature line up. At least offer a handful of primes. But good ones, no more plastic mounts. And yeah the grip is a weird design choice for a big body. If the only reason to move to FF is for the shallower DoF possible with the bigger more expensive lenses, this is someting I'd benefit from in only certain situations and wouldn't need more than one or two lenses. In which case a GFX 50 would be more appealing if they return it to a retro body style with a smaller Fuji for the proper retro kicks and everday. But I'll be keeping an eye on this line and whether nikon supports it better than it did the ZFc.

I shot Fujifilm for five years and have extensively used the Nikon full frame mirrorless for three years. Needs vary. I shoot a lot of events in low light, and shoot RAW 95% of the time. The Fujifilm cannot effectively compete -- under those parameters. The better autofocus is also an edge in event photography in AF-C mode. Add my interest in wildlife photography, and the Zf alongside the Z8 make a stronger combination. People with different styles and needs will logically prefer Fuji. Thanks!

Very Nice balanced video, and beautiful pictures. To the subject matter: No, the stupid interface is going to kill the Nikon. When I saw it, and before I learned Fuji does it like that, I was: OK ISO set to auto or peek your own, same for shutter speed, the level is for manual or automatic aperture, and the typical Nikon way of controlling Manua / AFat the right of your left hand. Easy. But not, they pull an electric engineer's interface in a world designed by software engineers in collaboration with industrial and graphics designers. Finally, it's Japan is not like someone is going to raise her or his hand in a meeting and tell them "Are you nuts? "

I don’t need to shoot at f1.2 for street photography so full frame would be useless and for low light I use flash and for low light for shooting group photos apsc wins because f5.6 on crop is equivalent to a f8 on full frame so you need to raise the iso on full frame

Nikon colors look so much better.

I wonder how many people actually use adapted lenses on Z cameras on a regular basis. For me, lens adapters make the supposedly compact lenses no longer compact. With the Zf, I'd rather use a Z-mount manual lenses like the Voiglander instead.

Have always loved the Fuji experience on Xt series but never used jpeg as prefer raw to edit way I like. Xt5 required more noise reduction and found myself going into menus by accident so couldn’t enjoy it like the Xt2. Enter Zf and much improved auto focus and 3D tracking as well as the quick switch to mono on the fly. Love the Nikon colours and image quality from full frame, especially in low light. Have kept Xt2 & 20 with few lenses but know the Zf feels right for me and makes me want to take photos. Thanks for the video.

The Fuji colour science is so much better IMO. Nikon colours look drab is this video. Colour is everything... more important than ISO performance, AF speed.

Hey good comparison! I like retro camera's and I like nikon. But I don't really understand this camera. As Nikon made only two lenses for it. The 28mm f2.8 and the 40mm f2. Both without aperture ring. For low light and shallow depth of field the 18mm f1.8 and the Viltrox 27mm f1.2 lens would easily win. Of course you could also adapt faster lenses to the Nikon, but then the shallow grip comes into play. Then why not go for one of the nikon's with a decent grip. Also not having dual sd cards is not very practical. And the fully articulating screen is not very retro. So yeah: this camera feels like a prototype that needs quite some work before it's a usable camera.

*Grabs popcorn!

Thx

Nikon has a lot of Profile Pictures availability. I use them on all my Nikon cameras.

Now it can not take long for canon to make a retro ff camera

Both cameras are pretty good

Nikon also has the color profile like the Fuji film simulation that can download and add into the camera.

Still Fuji vibes the color ugh... classic color retro 🔥unbeatable . nikon make retro camera but the feel of the photo is like Z8, Z7 etc Haha

Good video

You made a "big deal" about the Fuji film simulations, but having used them, I only ever saw them as more of a gimmick than practical in use, Nikon has only a small selection of options in their actual cameras , however these are tuneable and you can create your own variants out of camera , and add them back directly to the camera menu, that said , I far prefer programs like silver efex pro , or DxO Filmpack that has superb film simulations , prior to selling my Fuji kit , I preferred third party simulation software . also all original Slr cameras from the past used 35mm film the only modern equivilent to that film size is full frame.

Nikon Zf is much expensive than Fujifilm X T 5. So, we should also consider this fact as well. I would choose X T 5.

i have xh2 and nikon zf. i like fujifilm more

You should have taken shots with both cameras Nikon Renders better and more serious photos and Fuji is suited for more artsy shots and this is in the glass not in the camera itself.

There aren't sufficient lenses to go well with the Zf. Full frame lenses are large and most would be unbalanced and look ugly on the Zf

Damn, will have to sell all my fuji gear now, it's obsolete....i clicked the bait😂

How on earth is Image Quality decided by filters!? I used to use XT4 and the film simulations never substituted my raw files in pro shoots. Preety poor knowledge in my view when you pick image quality winner basis of simulations.

I would say, that even Fujis Film Simulations are no advantage ... at least not against Nikon cameras. Nikon has a huge amount of Picture Style Profiles which can be copied onto the Zf. On this particular website I'm speaking of, you can choose an example picture to illustrate for which scenario you search for a profile, click your way all through the list and have a preview of all Profiles in the list. It's crazy how many Profiles they actually have available. I ended up with additional Nikon D3s, Canon 5d, various Kodak and a (beautiful) Dark Sepia Profile on my Zf, which are fully customizable as well in camera. The Zf Sensor punches higher than its price tag would suggest. It's crazy good and not straight out of the Z6, what some people still believe. Regarding the Body I can only support your observations. Without the grip you'll struggle with the Zf and I would suggest to buy the Zf with it (which is currently included for free). And to be honest ... Nikon should include the grip for free in general or their own grip, which is currently only available in Japan as far as I know. It is simply build like a tank and heavy because of it. The Beauty of both cameras is, they can easily co-exist. I love Fuji Lenses for their build quality, image quality and size. APS-C was never a concern to me ... most of the time. But the files coming out of a full frame sensor and in this case the Zf, are unmatched by any APS-C Sensor. The gap is pretty close under optimal conditions and even object separation is pretty close if you know what you're doing (I actually miss my XF90mm/2 ... what a beauty of a lens that is). But as soon as it starts to get a little bit challenging, APS-C falls apart. What anyone has to decide is, if they need or want the extra 5-10% of a Full Frame system. Anyone who is not into this technical mambo-jambo, I will always recommend Fuji. There is almost nothing you really could do wrong with a Fuji. I never had any terrible experiences and still hold my X-Pro 1 with the XF23mm/2 to this day ... even it is slow as hell and not at all a match to any modern camera :D

Im always a canon user, a photojournalist, from 1Ds to 1DX, i decide to use fuji xt 1 and… the body doesnt stand the abuse and man, the focus is just slow af. And this.. Zf.. maybe i’m going for a Zf since i’m not work as photojounalist anymore, but this camera can make me fall in love with photography again. High hopes!

Nikon Zf is sold out everywhere until June 2024, Fuji X-T5 you can buy anywhere :)

So what is the purpose of This video? You can you use almost any camera to take great photos!! So much videos out there about which camera is better, which to me is irrelevant, The best advice would be to practice being a better photographer!! 😊

Retro dials with PASM mode is just stupid. No lenses with aperture ring from Nikon is also stupid. The Zf engine is great. Technically it is better than the fujifilm. But the retro approach is a miss

Freakshow Clickbait B$ tagline ! I do shoot Nikon since the FM, and Fuji since the Fujica ST-801. Fuji does have *the best* APS-C lens lineup into the business (54 Lenses) and Nikon does have *only* the Zfc, and Zf...but *no* FX lenses with AI-S/AF-D design *with* aperture ring, Tony ! Go figure. Those hipsters... 😀

There is no way Fujifilm has better quality, come on. This is ridiculous. I shot both Fuji X and now Nikon Z6 II, it's night and day.

🤣Same price point :D You must have been the worst student in math class :D

No pixelpeeping

The Nikon blows away the Fuji images

I just can't take someone wearing a backwards baseball cap seriously.

Nice effort from Nikon. But Fuji is still the Original

You make a lot of assertions, but provide no evidence. Without evidence you can be ignored.

Bigger, heavier, so not the end of Fuji then. Another stupid headline to get attention.

Data 2022. Marketshare. Nikon : 11,3% (-2,4%) / Fuji : 5,9% (+0,3%) Nikon keeps losing market share year after year for at least 10 years. Fuji increases its marketshare each year since X100 (2010). Period.

Nikon is ugly and not ergonomic. I love my fuji