Third-Gen Nikon Z. The Nikon Zf is part of Nikon’s full-frame Z-mount system, which gives you exceptional image quality and optical design in a compact build. This system’s inner diameter is 17% larger than the F mount, allowing for more advanced optics and lenses, while the 16mm flange distance is 65% shorter than the F mount, which makes for markedly slimmer body designs. Z-mount cameras are only compatible with Z-mount lenses, and Z-mount lenses only work with Z-mount cameras.

Excellent Performance and Image Quality. The back-illuminated 24.5MP FX-format BSI CMOS sensor is paired with an EXPEED 7 image processor to give you clean, low-noise images at high ISO values, while the sensor’s lack of a conventional low-pass filter gives you exceptional sharpness and resolution. The EXPEED 7 processor gives you fast autofocus speeds, a high buffer capacity, fluid video handling, and speedy functionality across the board. You also get 11 fps high-speed continuous RAW shooting and 14 fps high-speed continuous JPEG shooting with the mechanical shutter, and 30 fps burst shooting with the silent mechanical shutter. Pre-release capture records up to 30 JPEG frames a full second before you release the shutter, and a multi-shot pixel-shift mode combines multiple exposures to create a single 96MP image file.

Auto Mode. This camera’s built-in Deep Learning technology powers an auto mode that analyzes your shooting circumstances and makes automatic adjustments to your aperture, ISO, and shutter speed to best capture your intended image. For example, this mode is capable of automatically lending your portraits a pleasing background blur, or ensuring that everyone’s face is in focus in your group shots.

UHD 4K Video. The Zf is capable of in-camera UHD 4K 30p recording from the full sensor width, UHD 4K 60p recording from an APS-C cropped region of the sensor, and Full HD 1080p recording at up to 120p for slow-motion playback, with the UHD 4K 30p footage being oversampled from 6K. You also get up to 125 minutes of internal recording directly to a memory card with 10-bit H.265 in SDR/HLG/N-Log tone modes and uncompressed output to an external recorder via its HDMI mini out. You get a waveform display that helps you set exposure, and a dedicated video-settings display that shows you the major video parameters at a glance. You can capture stereo audio in-camera or externally via 1/8-inch mic input, while a separate 1/8-inch headphone input enables precision audio monitoring.

Advanced Hybrid Autofocus System. The Zf’s autofocus system offers 273 phase-detection AF points that cover 90% of the image area both vertically and horizontally, making it great for stills and video. Improvements to Nikon’s focus-tracking system promise even better continuous-focus performance, including tracking out to the edges of the frame. The AF system’s automatic Subject Detection uses a new algorithm and deep-learning tech to recognize nine distinct subject types including humans, animals, bicycles, and airplanes. The Eye-Detection AF feature has been tuned for improved accuracy and refined eye recognition regardless of how small the eyes are in the frame. The Zf is the first Nikon mirrorless camera to include the 3D Tracking mode, a popular focusing mode first introduced in Nikon’s DSLRs. This mode works in tandem with the Subject Detection feature to lock onto fast, unpredictable subjects that move parallel and perpendicular to the camera axis.

Built-In 5-Axis Vibration Reduction. This five-axis sensor-shift Vibration Reduction system offers up to eight stops of camera-shake compensation with native Z-mount lenses. Additionally, it’s jointly compatible with VR-enable F-mount lenses when using the Nikon FTZ II Mount Adapter, albeit with only three axes of stabilization.

High-Res Electronic Viewfinder and LCD. The built-in EVF boasts a 2.4m-dot resolution, 100% coverage, and 0.8x magnification to give you a bright, clear view of what the sensor sees. The fully articulated vari-angle 3.2-inch 2.1m-dot rear touchscreen LCD can also be used for image composition and review when shooting at arm’s length.

Compact, Professional Build. The Zf’s magnesium-alloy body features dust and weather sealing, so inclement weather and harsh climates won’t be able to stop you. The form factor, ergonomic grip, and anti-slip material all add up to a camera that was designed with extended shoots in mind.

Memory and Power Options. The Zf includes a UHS-II SD slot and a UHS-I microSD slot, the latter of which is probably best reserved for overflow storage. The included EN-EL15c battery gives you up to 380 (LCD) or 360 (EVF) shots per charge and can be charged in camera. The Zf is also compatible with EN-EL15, EN-EL15a, and EN-EL15b batteries, but you can’t charge those in camera. If you need remote camera control when working from a tripod, gimbal, shoulder rig, or slider, check out the MC-N10 Remote Grip.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The Zf uses Nikon’s SnapBridge platform to transfer images from the camera to a phone or tablet. Using Bluetooth, you can quickly transfer low-res proxy files to share, tag your files with dates, times and locations, and operate remotely with shutter release and live-view display.