While many Nikon fans have been looking forward to the arrival of the Z 8 or Z 9, Nikon surprised its following with the Z fc. Its vintage design is a nod to the FM2 and perhaps also the cult favourite Df. Unlike both, however, the Z fc is an APSC body, with specifications quite similar to the Z 50. To be fair, this is not just the Z 50 dressed up in a vintage exterior, as the old-fashioned newcomer also features a fully-articulating LCD screen (first amongst Z-mount bodies), better eye-AF in both stills and video modes, as well as USB-C charging. Perhaps taking a page from Apple, Nikon will offer the Z fc not only in black but also in white, natural grey, amber brown, sand beige, coral pink and mint green. It can be purchased with a 16-50 mm lens or a special edition 28 mm full-frame lens.
There have been reports that the Z 50 has been a successful product for Nikon, being its first and, until now, only APSC body for the Z-mount. The Z fc will undoubtedly take sales away from the Z 50. But cannibalizing one’s own product line is not a bad move if the total sales grow. If nothing else, this is another sign that Nikon is far from waving a white flag.