Fujifilm X-T5 Vs Nikon ZF | APS-C Vs Full Frame 

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Very nice, balanced comparison. Been shooting with Fuji for a long time, currently with an XT5. Recently, had the opportunity to try the Nikon Zf. The Zf feels a bit more premium. Operation and menus are snappier. Autofocus is much better than the XT5, especially when shooting in continuous AF, in particular, as you point out, for video (but I shoot stills only, usually in single AF mode). Liked the B&W switch and the B&W JPEG output of the Zf, very nice. And of course, being a FF camera, the Zf performs better in low light when it comes to noise handling - which for me would be the main factor of owning the Zf, since I never use flash. But: the Zf is a heavy beast (although the grip was better than I expected). And if you combine it with premium lenses like the 24-70 f2.8, it becomes very heavy indeed. I'm just an amateur, and for me, the journey is as important as the destination, and I really like the handling and overall experience shooting the XT5. Also love the Fuji RAW files; very easy to edit to taste, using PS and Nik Effects. Also, the Zf with a couple of good lenses is a serious investment, and I really wondered whether in the end I would be a happier (never mind: better) shooter with the Nikon than with the Fuji. Probably not, and decided to stick with what I have. I have to say that, if I were a pro shooting hybrid, things would be different.

Andrei, thank you for this fair comparison! Most reviewers exaggerate the differences in autofocus, sensor performance and handling, rather than emphasising what those cameras have in common and how they actually perform in practical use. Your video is fair and mitigates differences rather than engaging in these polarised and arguably pointless debates between full-frame and APS-C. Thank you for that!

I agree that these two cameras shouldn’t be compared in a practical sense but the comparisons will come naturally given the visual similarities and what both strive to do. This is easily the most fair and thoughtful comparison I’ve seen, which is pretty much on brand with all your content. Thank you, Andrei.

I have a Fuji XT set and a Nikon Z set, I brought the Fuji set out 9 in 10 times for oversea traveling, not only because of the light weight but also for Fuji's color which I prefer. It's only for specific tasks, for example when I need to shoot in very low light or when I need to have very shallow depth of field, that I chose the Nikon set.

Fantastic breakdown Dima, you did a really good job of this comparison, probably the best one I have seen yet!

Really like that you mentioned the low light performance and how the higher resolution sensor looks better after noise reduction. This has been my experience also. I’ve been tempted by the Nikon, but it would be a lateral move from the XT5 for stills only. Thanks, Andrei.

I hate the fact that Fujifilm is constantly dropping the build quality on their newest releases. I have returned my X-T5 exactly for that reason, because it was simply too much. They need to return back to the roots when it comes to this.

Great review. I own the X-T5 and am looking forward to see how the AF improves with the upcoming firmware updates. I have me eye on the Zf but not parting with my X-T5. Waiting on the rumored Canon Retro camera to be unveiled at some point and then make a call.

Love your videos! Subbed!

I have large hands and moved from X-T3 to Nikon Z7 (first version). I really enjoy the bigger sized camera. With a 26mm f2.8 I can also shoot in APS-C mode at 39mm at the flick of a switch so I have 2 focal lengths from every lens I put on it. I don’t need fast auto-focus and actually quite like to slow down and manually focus. Voightlander make superb manual focus lenses, with aperture rings that will last a lifetime. I’m impressed with Nikon colours but also like to play with Fuji simulations. With the 26/39mm combo on the Z7 at 800 gms I can still walk with it in my anorak jacket pocket so very convenient as a walkabout combo. Yes there are more advanced cameras on the market but they won’t necessarily improve your photography. Beware of the marketing hype; they’re out to take your hard earned cash! Speaking of which for pure pleasure I’ve pre-ordered the X100VI to play with the simulations and also have 3 focal lengths, built-in 4 stop ND filter, leaf shutter for very high flash sync speed, built-in flash, 40mpx and image stabilisation at only 500gms. So neither the Zf or the X-T5 will be on my shopping list. Thank you so much Andrei for a very interesting and comprehensive video. Your photographs are top drawer too. Greetings from London.

I wanted an XT-5 for the longest time but it was always sold out. Then details of Nikon Zf came out and I realized I could have full-frame at roughly the same cost. Same story might happen for the X100VI. Might be sold out forever and a Ricoh GRIV will come out and I'll snag it as my compact camera.

Your photos are fabulous, Andrei. Seen them on the Zf FB pages.

That is what i want to see. Nice video, again!

informative comparison, thank you. Which colour profile did you use for the ZF video focus test?

Thanks for the comparison! I'm now considering switching from my Sony a99 to Fuji xt5 and viewing most of the videos :) i have spotted that you don't edit in the lightroom, what software do you use instead?

Would have been a better comparison with the Nikkor Z 50mm 1.8 with the XF 33 1.4. Not a fan of the 40mm quality. Love the review.

Would be better if you use the excellent fuji 33mm against the equally as excellent nikon 50mm 1.8 S. The 40mm f2 is kinda soft when compared with the viltrox 27mm 1.2 even wide open when I tested it. Just my two cents

I have a XT4 and XHT as well as a Canon 5D Mark iv. I havent touch my Canon gear since I got into Fuji. I just cant get back into carrying so much weight. Plus the images and colors I get from my Funi are so pleasing.

Excellent video, very informative!

How are the simulations on the zf? Can you create decent profiles and save them?

Oddly enough I was in McBain (our local camera store) the other day and a buyer was actually cross shopping the ZF and an XT5. Didn't see that coming, but maybe I should have.

I keep the screen closed on my ZF and just use the evf unless I gotta save my knees on a low angle shot 😂

You can customize the movie record button to be an ISO button that can also be used for auto ISO on the ZF .

is there a big difference in evf quality?

Great comparison as these bodies are very similar and appeal to the same audience. Since I was already invested in the Z series, it made my purchase decision easier to choose Zf. Fuji has done a great job with the XT5 but their processor seems a generation behind Nikon.

I move from nikon to fujifilm then i realize that i love color science of fuji very much. The fuji camera also provide in camera Raw editing which is very convienience for daily use as we dont need PC and software to edit. Thats all i need for normal user.

I've never shot without an aperture ring. Also just haven't seen sample images from other brands where I like the color better than Fuji. Exception being the Pentax monochrome with that obvious limitation.

Your photography is wonderful, Andrei, thank you.

Sid please tell me which is sharper who clicks sharp photos

Were you hanging out with Roman Fox by chance? Funny how I recognize some of the locations from a video he put out not too long ago haha. Anyways interesting video, thanks!

I’m considering trading/selling my X-H2s towards a ZF with the 40mm . Is it an upgrade? As far as images

Great job Andrei 🙂

First time comment on a video ! Great video thoght, still i still choose fuji because of light weight and the color

Thanks for the detailed comparison, it seems in the end technology has progressed so much that it is more a matter of personal preferences than personal needs. Said that I am not professional, seeing those crops around 9:25 makes me feel a bit guilty for not printing large and maybe my cameras are better than my needs.

I really like how informative your reviews are. Thank you for that. About this particular review, in my opinion you should have used the lens on the X-T5 at f2, not f1.4. It isn't much, but given the movement in the dance vs depth of field difference, it would have been more fair. Regardless, it sounds good to the ear that a very experienced camera maker be on top. I love my X-T5, but I respect all manufacturers for what they chose to deliver in terms of "quality tools" and "enjoyability". As they might put it "customer delight". It is the most important to me.

Very fair comparison!

Great video I shoot X-T4 video and photos And am always tempted to jump to Nikon Zf or Z8 instead of a XH2s... I am still confused. Difficult to make a leap

Great video, but I think the quality of the glass had an effect on the results. the Viltrox 27 f1.2 is amazing, and quite a bit better than the 40mm f2. The 40mm F2 is a cheap plastic lens, and the Viltrox is a much more expensive pro line lens, 4 times the size.

Great comparison

Bro nikon zf is my hope, and i will buy this masterpiece soon..

similar look and similar price but one have full frame sensor other not. film simulation can be overcome if you shoot RAW and using current LR they offer quite nice ‘vintage’ filters nowadays.

In case you want to, you can pull the Peak Design connectors through the bare Nikon lugs by looping dental floss through and around. Quieter without the metal triangle thingies.

Apples to pears comparison. The X-T5 holds its own even vs FF. A great camera if you know how to use it effectively. The extra weight and price of the Nikon could be a key decision for many people.

nikon zf and x100vi are my dream cameras

Thanks for the video Andrei...I will buy ZF but will still keep the XT30II with 23f2. We camera freaks cannot settle on 1 brand lol

A great proof how small the difference between full frame and apsc is. Nice work!🙏

Own XT5 then bought ZF for its look. Use it a couple of weeks then sold it. Fuji colors are just magical

My favourite colour is yellow, hope they make a yellow Zf very soon!

Nikon ZF is a very good camera. But the system is not appropriate for the SLR style camera. Not enough small lenses with aperture rings and retro style. And you can’t be sure to get a mark 2 or 3 a few years along the road.

#fujixt5team Let"s go! 💪💥💯

Nikon ZF's full frame sensor gives it an advantage over the Fujifilm X-T5 especially in low light. It will certainly be much better in a professional photography scene, such as weddings and events. But the price of native lenses (Nikkor) can affect buyers' decision making as to whether they would change systems. Yes, there are third party lenses available but it won't be for everybody, as some photographers prefer native lenses over third party lenses. Also the colours. I heard that Nikon ZF has great picture profiles but no camera system beats Fuji's colour science. It makes a huge difference in the post processing.

Nice shout out to Cine Dailies for Fuji video content. Love his channel. Great comparison. I shoot all Fuji and yeah I wish the autofocus was better sometimes. I’m too invested in lenses to justify selling everything off. I’ll make do. It’s the artist not the tool right!

I’ve recently sold my xt-5 and have had 5 of their primes. Don’t get me wrong I loved my Fuji but sold it and bought the Zf as a back up to my Z8. Something deep down inside of me just felt like I needed and preferred FF. Now I am content with my lowlight monster, beats the xt-5 hands down, in that regard at least. Be that as it may, I am waiting for my x100vi just so I possess a fuji, as it has a place in my heart lol Great comparison btw keep it up!

Dumb question. Should we be using a UV filter on our lenses?

I have both, but I like the raw files from the Zf better, I’m thinking about selling the x-t5 but I don’t know, I don’t like that the x-t5 it’s not optimized with old 1.4 and 1.2 lenses from Fuji, you need to buy the new ones.

I think Fuji delivers a closer look and feel to analogue photography; but it’s not just trendy nostalgia, the images somehow feel warmer and more organic. To me, anyway

This is a copy & paste of comment i left on another video; "I'm facing a similar conundrum. It's coming to about a year since I got the Fuji XT30ii. I have 2 lens, the kit xc 15-45mm and a ttartisan 35mm 1.4 manual. They've covered my bases and I love the 35, makes it very compact combo. Photography for me is for the creative outlet/hobby. By middle of next year considering getting a new camera. The xt30ii scratches everything for me, xtrans 4 senor, film sims, compactness. I'm not sure if I want to invest the money on more expensive lenses for fuji. I'm looking at the Nikon ZF, it surprise how much I'm interested in it. It beeing FF, the lens are relatively more expensive. I want to pair it with a Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.0, basically a dream set up. A 2k cameria + a 1.5k lens, why not get a Leica for that amount? I think theyre overrated. I don't know food for thought. I'm currently not in the market at all but maybe in the next 1.5-2 yrs. Do I need it? Hell no. I'm only a year in, but my thoughts and interests have changed since I've started. Good video!" There are extremes on any kind of point being made. For instance, I'm not sure if I want to invest the money on APSC lenses. My thought process is if I am going to buy lenses I am leaning towards FF. Yet an $80 ttartisan lens has brought me so much joy, how much more joy can a $1,500 lens bring me? And to that fuji fanboys we'll say that the APSC lenses are cheaper, relatively. Thats where im split between the system i already have and one i think i want to enter. Coming around a year, my current set is more than enough. I believe this is early stages of gas or fomo. The xt30ii can be considered entry level or mid-range depending on whose hands they fall on. These two cameras imo cross the line into prosumer. The fact that I have now a dream setup or something I would consider end game is hilarious. I'll probably be in the market in the next 2 years and time will tell how the Zf will hold, and what Nikon will do with updating it.

LR has GOT to start demosaicing Fuji files better and add BASIC features like importing ratings if you have done them in-camera. I bought Capture one this year partly because I am tired of LR making my razor-sharp images mushy. I am convinced this is a big reason people think Fuji cameras s***. Sure, I can get good results most of the time, but the extra work is not appreciated and I don’t like making huge DNG files to “fix” LR’s laziness even if, admittedly, the results from enhance details one-up C1. BTW I wouldn’t buy either camera-the ergos for both are terrible for the bigger lenses that are well worth owning. Without vertical battery grips they’re too compromised for what I like to do. That and the XT5 should have better build quality, or a lower price IMO. But it’s nice to see that it beat the Nikon’s image quality-impressive.

When I started with photography nearly 15 years ago, I had the choice between Canon and Nikon. I decided to go for Canon, because I did not like the colours that Nikon produced. Personally, I find the reds and greens look weird on Nikon. With this comparison here, I still prefer Fuji. The size and the aperture rings are very important to me. Not to mention that the cameras deliver excellent quality also. I have been using the Canon 1DX III for a long time. It was the best camera I have ever used, until I moved to Fuji with the X-T4. In the end, it will always depend on what you do and what is important to you. I use the Nikon Nikkor ED 180mm f/ 2,8 (vintage) on the X-T5 and this combination is absolutely breathtaking.

The spellings points for me with the Nikon : The flip screen for family photos, the full frame, AF, I really dig the B&w switch , I think the downloadable film sims look good on Nikon, also it’s better build wuality. Magnesium frame and brass dials .. xt5 feels cheap and flimsy in comparison

Full frame vintage lens on XT-5 there’s crop factor 1.5x, not recommended

ZF seems huge side-by-side with the X-T5. The ZF is so much bigger than the Nikon 35mm full-frame SLRs like the FM2!

the 27 1.2 much bette by the 40 F2, so,you shound be use the same lens to VS😁

The problem with Zf is the size and quality of the lenses. Ergonomics with the lenses too. Nobody will still use only the 40mm f2 or 28mm 2.8.

That flip out screen on the Nikon ZF is a deal breaker for me

I got a XT-5 and a X100s. Portability or professional quality ....I'm covered. There is no perfect camera .....

The Nikon is the better camera hands down. Fuji is on their 5th generation of this camera and the system is more matured. When the Fuji released their first gen lenses, they were awful. Not they’ve matured and improved the glass. Excited to see how Nikon further develops this camera and lenses to go with it.

I’m a Nikon shooter and personally I prefer the Nikon colour science. I really wish that Nikon would make a range finder style camera, somewhat like the Xpro2, which I had and eventually sold. It should have the latest AF tech, optical and electronic hybrid view finder and a 30 MP sensor would suffice. I would put and order in immediately for that, in all black of course.

Fujifilm XT5❤

Sold my ZF for the X-T5, and enjoying it more..

test with nikon 40mm is not vallid... it is slow lens..

The Nikon makes zero sense to me: Why make a retro camera for a system that does not have any retro lenses with an aperture ring on it. Sure Nikon made some cool glass, but non of the lenses fits the style the Zf.

‘Open space…’. Look at those Godzilla lenses for the Zf. Just silly. Nikon won’t sell many of these.

You compare a full frame to an aps-c so of course the Nikon is going to be better like wtf

Nikon looks way better.

Wait for it……FUJIFILM.

Nikon got no wide angle options to shoot 60FPS. 🫠