The Nikon FZ is Not for Me - Critique

Nikon FZ, Screenshot from Nikon Product Presentation

The new kid on the block is not anything I would enjoy to have. My feelings are that the Nikon FZ is more like a lifestyle gadget than a useful tool. I have to admit right at the start that the technical details and the features are quite impressive. After all, it is 2500€ for the body only. That is not an entry level price, nor are the technical details.

The camera is retro style with analogue dials for ISO, shutter speed and exposure compensation. Aperture is meant to be set on the lens. This is the old school that we had to follow for decades. They also added a PSAM/AUTO switch and a small dial for the currently set aperture.

It seems to be an attractive style for technical affiliates who want as many switches and dials as possible.

This is no review. I just want to share my thoughts and why I am not interested in this camera.

• The separate dials for everything disappeared not only because the cameras get easier to manufacture, smaller and more robust. Photographer also discovered that having everything on a single display or in the viewfinder and only turning one or two configurable wheels in reach close to the shutter is more practical.
• You can use the ZF in PSAM modes just like other modern camera. But most others additionally have user modes which, e.g., can be set by switching from PSAM to U1, U2, U3 on other Nikon Z cameras. Those modes are the fastest way to go into a predefined state. They save everything, even including ISO presets or picture modes.
• There are not many lenses for Nikon Z that have an aperture ring with markings. You can set a continuously turning ring on most for aperture. But most photographers don't like that because of the missing detents. The small display for aperture is a half baken solution.
• The most important point, however, is the missing grip on the camera. As you see below, the old Nikon F had none too. And it was heavily criticized for that. People bought a motor just for the grip. For this camera, you really want a grip. It is not a lightweight camera. There are two available as far as I know, one by Nikon.
• The ZF cuts down on buttons heavily, probably by design reasons. One front button, the AF-ON button, the +/- button, the directional stick, and the ISO button had to go. Some of this makes sense due to the dedicated dials, but blank, reprogrammable buttons would be nice to have instead. The AF-AEL button can be programmed for AF-ON, but should have been better placed. Without the grip it is fairly cumbersome to use back-button-focus.
• They got the AUTO ISO mode wrong again. There is a C setting on the ISO dial. But users report that you cannot use it as a simple way to go to AUTO ISO. Your best choice is to use the red button for video recording in stills mode as an ISO button. You still have to make a choice if you want to be in AUTO ISO or not, and be aware of it. If the camera is in AUTO ISO the dial simply sets the minimum ISO for AUTO ISO.

Others, however, liked this camera a lot. In fact, I am fairly alone with my view yet. But more and more are joining this critique. In spite of the impressive technical features, the camera is more a lifestyle gimmick.

Photo Path at flickr.com - https://www.flickr.com/photos/photopath/59513177/, CC BY-SA 2.0