What To Know
- The world of photography has been abuzz with the release of the Nikon Z fc, a retro-styled mirrorless camera that has captured the attention of both seasoned photographers and enthusiasts alike.
- The Z fc is a great choice for photographers who want a compact and stylish camera with modern features, including a hybrid autofocus system and a fully articulated touchscreen.
- The Nikon D7100, on the other hand, is a more traditional DSLR camera that offers a larger optical viewfinder, a slightly higher resolution sensor, and a more affordable price point.
The world of photography has been abuzz with the release of the Nikon Z fc, a retro-styled mirrorless camera that has captured the attention of both seasoned photographers and enthusiasts alike. With its classic design and modern features, the Z fc is poised to be a formidable contender in the photography market. However, it faces stiff competition from the Nikon D7100, a long-standing DSLR camera known for its reliability and image quality. This blog post will provide a comprehensive comparison of the Nikon Z fc vs Nikon D7100, exploring their key features, performance, and suitability for different photographers.
Sensor and Image Quality
The Nikon Z fc boasts a 20.9-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor, while the Nikon D7100 features a 24.1-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor. Both cameras offer excellent image quality, with sharp details, accurate colors, and good dynamic range. However, the D7100 has a slight edge in resolution, allowing for larger prints or more detailed cropping.
Autofocus System
The Nikon Z fc utilizes a hybrid autofocus system that combines 209 phase-detection autofocus points with 117 contrast-detection autofocus points. This system provides fast and accurate autofocus, even in low-light conditions. The Nikon D7100, on the other hand, uses a 51-point phase-detection autofocus system, which is less advanced but still capable of producing sharp images.
Burst Shooting and Buffer
The Nikon Z fc offers a continuous shooting speed of 9 frames per second (fps), while the Nikon D7100 can shoot at 6 fps. The Z fc has a larger buffer capacity, allowing it to capture up to 100 JPEG images or 50 RAW images in a single burst. The D7100’s buffer is smaller, limiting it to around 20 RAW images or 100 JPEG images.
Viewfinder and LCD Screen
The Nikon Z fc features a 0.39-inch electronic viewfinder (EVF) with a resolution of 2.36 million dots. The EVF provides a bright and clear view of the scene, but it is smaller than the D7100’s optical viewfinder. The D7100 has a pentaprism optical viewfinder with a magnification of 0.94x, offering a more traditional and immersive shooting experience.
The Nikon Z fc has a 3-inch LCD touchscreen with a resolution of 1.04 million dots. The LCD screen is fully articulated, allowing for flexible composition and shooting at different angles. The D7100 has a 3.2-inch fixed LCD screen with a resolution of 1.229 million dots, providing a larger and more detailed view.
Build and Ergonomics
The Nikon Z fc is made of magnesium alloy and weather-sealed, making it both durable and lightweight. It has a retro-inspired design with a classic dial-based interface, which may appeal to photographers who prefer a more tactile shooting experience. The Nikon D7100 is also made of magnesium alloy and weather-sealed, but it has a more traditional DSLR body design with a grip and top-mounted LCD screen.
Lens Compatibility
The Nikon Z fc uses the Nikon Z mount, which offers a wide range of native lenses. It is also compatible with F-mount lenses via an adapter, providing access to a vast collection of legacy Nikon lenses. The Nikon D7100 uses the Nikon F mount, which has a wider selection of native lenses available. However, it is not compatible with Z-mount lenses.
The Bottom Line: Choosing the Right Camera for Your Needs
The Nikon Z fc and Nikon D7100 are both excellent cameras, but they cater to different photographers’ needs and preferences. The Z fc is a great choice for photographers who want a compact and stylish camera with modern features, including a hybrid autofocus system and a fully articulated touchscreen. It is also suitable for photographers who want the flexibility of using both Z-mount and F-mount lenses.
The Nikon D7100, on the other hand, is a more traditional DSLR camera that offers a larger optical viewfinder, a slightly higher resolution sensor, and a more affordable price point. It is a reliable choice for photographers who value a traditional shooting experience and a wide selection of native lenses.
Ultimately, the best camera for you will depend on your specific requirements and preferences. If you are looking for a modern and versatile mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z fc is a strong contender. If you prefer a traditional DSLR experience with a larger optical viewfinder and a more affordable price, the Nikon D7100 is a solid choice.
Questions You May Have
1. What are the advantages of the Nikon Z fc over the Nikon D7100?
- Hybrid autofocus system with 209 phase-detection points
- Fully articulated touchscreen LCD
- Compact and lightweight design
- Compatibility with both Z-mount and F-mount lenses
2. What are the advantages of the Nikon D7100 over the Nikon Z fc?
- Larger optical viewfinder
- Higher resolution sensor (24.1 megapixels)
- More affordable price point
- Wider selection of native lenses
3. Which camera is better for low-light photography?
Both cameras perform well in low light, but the Nikon Z fc has a slight advantage due to its hybrid autofocus system and lower noise levels at higher ISOs.
4. Which camera is better for sports and wildlife photography?
The Nikon Z fc offers a faster burst shooting speed (9 fps) and a larger buffer capacity, making it better suited for capturing fast-moving subjects.
5. Which camera is better for video recording?
The Nikon Z fc offers 4K video recording at up to 30 fps, while the Nikon D7100 is limited to 1080p video recording at 60 fps.
