Discover how the retro Nikon Zfc differs from its Z50 stablemate in our in-depth comparison of the two mirrorless cameras.
The new retro-inspired Nikon Zfc looks the business, and internally it’s almost identical to the older Nikon Z50. Essentially, Nikon has taken its existing DX model, prettied it up based on its FM2 film camera, and sprinkled it with a few bonus extras. Paying a premium for something that looks a bit funkier isn’t anything new, and arguably the Zfc is worth it for that alone – after all, wanting to pick up your camera because you enjoy how it looks and feels is an important part of photography. But what other differences are there between the Zfc and the Z50, and is there anything other than aesthetics that make the slight price premium worth it? First of all, let’s check out a few of the similarities. Both models share the same APS-C 20.9MP sensor and image processing combination – so image quality should be pretty much identical. There’s also a shared focusing system and mostly the same 4K video capabilities, as well as the same level of dust and weather-sealing. The viewfinder for both is also a 0.39-inch XGA OLED 2360k-dot electronic affair, but it’s other aspects of the outward body design, handling and controls where the two models diverge – here are all the key differences you need to know. One of the biggest differences between the Zfc and the Z50 is how they handle. To give it a streamlined and classy finish, the Zfc has a flat fronted design, with no hand grip to get hold of, nor any thumb grip or rest on the back of the camera. While it looks great, it has potential to be a little slippy in use. It’s quite a marked difference from the Z50, which has a pronounced, deep hand grip which helps the camera to feel secure in the hand. There’s also a fairly large thumb grip on the back of the camera. This is why the Z50 will remain on sale, as a more practically-minded alternative. Another small difference between the two is the different-shaped eye piece surrounding the viewfinder. On the Zfc, it is circular in design, while the Z50’s is rectangular. This is something Nikon has taken from the FM2 design, and in practice should only be an aesthetic difference, rather than affecting the usability.
