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Nikon Df vs Nikon Z f

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NikonDfNikonZ f
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2013October 2023
Image and sensor
Camera typeDSLRMirrorless
Sensor formatFull frameFull frame
Sensor typeCMOSBack-illuminated CMOS
Sensor dimensions36 × 23.9 mm35.9 × 23.9 mm
Effective resolution16.2 MP24.5 MP
Largest image4928 × 32806048 × 4032
RAW recordingYesYes
Standard ISO range100–12800100–64000
Sensor detailFX CMOS with 16.2 million effective pixels USA/global or 16.25 million Japan; total 16.6 million USA or 16.61 million Japan. Nikon explicitly confirms the same image sensor as D4. Image Sensor Cleaning and Image Dust Off reference data; FX 4928 × 3280 and DX 3200 × 212825.28 million total pixels; sensor cleaning and image-dust-off data for NX Studio. Pixel-shift frames require software combination and a static camera/subject; no composite resolution is substituted for the single-frame main figure.
Image formats12-bit or 14-bit NEF RAW, uncompressed, lossless-compressed or compressed; TIFF RGB, JPEG Fine/Normal/Basic with size-priority or optimal-quality compression and simultaneous RAW/JPEG. Adjustable/custom Picture Controls and in-camera RAW processing14-bit NEF RAW with lossless or high-efficiency compression; JPEG and HEIF; RAW plus JPEG or HEIF. Firmware 3.00 adds adjustable Film Grain for stills/video with movie restrictions.
ISO detailStandard ISO 100–12800 in one-third stops; Lo expansion down to ISO 50 equivalent and Hi expansion up to ISO 204800 equivalent; automatic sensitivity controlStandard still-image ISO 100–64000, expandable to equivalent ISO 50–204800; HLG starts at ISO 400. Movie ISO 100–51200 with format-dependent expansion; physical dial and command-dial ranges differ.
Image processorEXPEED 3EXPEED 7
Lens and shooting
Lens mountNikon F mountNikon Z mount
StabilisationOptical lens stabilisationSensor shift
Maximum continuous burst5.5 fps30 fps
Lens detailF mount with body AF coupling and contacts; G/E/D, other AF and AI-P lenses with restrictions, non-CPU lenses and DX crop support. Collapsible metering lever allows compatible non-AI lenses; register focal length/maximum aperture and match camera aperture setting to lens ring for metering in A/M. IX and F3AF lenses excluded; Digital Camera World's all-mode AI metering wording should not be applied indiscriminately to non-CPU lensesNIKKOR Z lenses; NIKKOR F lenses require an adapter and retain model-dependent restrictions. Manual-focus subject detection and focus confirmation available with compatible setups.
AutofocusMulti-CAM4800 phase detection with 39 points, nine cross-type and seven central f/8-compatible points; -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100, 20°C. AF-S/AF-C, fine-tuning, single-point, dynamic nine/21/39, 3D tracking and auto-area. Live view uses contrast AF-S/AF-F and face/wide/normal/tracking areas; current USA AF-A listings conflict with Japan's modes and USA's own live-view AF-F table, while Photography Blog's 51-point dynamic description conflicts with maker 39Hybrid phase/contrast detection; 273 single-point or 299 auto-area positions in FX stills; subject detection and 3D tracking. Nikon's −10 EV sensitivity uses AF-S, ISO 100, f/1.2 and 20°C.
ShutterElectronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter; mechanical dial selects 1/4000 to 4 seconds in whole stops, command dial extends to 30 seconds in one-third stops; Bulb and Time. X-sync 1/200 second, up to 1/250 with reduced flash rangeMechanical, electronic front-curtain and electronic; 1/8000 to 30 seconds using command dial, with Bulb/Time and manual extension to 900 seconds. Physical dial covers 1/8000 to 4 seconds plus special settings. Flash sync 1/200 and Auto FP support; threaded shutter button accepts a cable release.
Burst detailApproximately 5.5 fps full-resolution continuous high or 1–5 fps continuous low; USA conditions specify manual focus, M/S, 1/250 second or faster and other settings at defaults. Quiet single-frame, mirror-up and configurable self-timer; Photography Blog's quiet-continuous 3 fps claim conflicts with maker's listed release modes. Japan buffer table gives 100 Large Fine JPEGs or 29 lossless-compressed 14-bit RAW frames at ISO 100 with SanDisk SDSDXPA-008G-J35 SDHC and specified settings; Digital Camera World's 37 RAW 14-bit claim differsOrdinary high approximately 7.8 fps and extended high up to 14 fps, subject to format restrictions. C15/C30 high-speed capture reaches 30 fps with pre-release capture for JPEG normal; it is not a 30 fps RAW mode.
Stabilisation detailVR depends on attached lens; no sensor-shift stabilisationFive-axis sensor shift; Nikon claims 8 stops under CIPA with NIKKOR Z 24–120mm f/4 S at the telephoto end in NORMAL mode. Focus Point VR has compatible-lens and AF-area restrictions; electronic video VR available.
FlashNo built-in flash; external i-TTL Speedlights, hot shoe and ISO 519 PC sync terminal, compatible Auto FP up to 1/4000. Current USA flash-control text mentions a nonexistent built-in flash, while Photography Blog denies the PC terminal despite listing it elsewhere; Japan explicitly confirms the terminalNo built-in flash; ISO 518 accessory shoe and compatible external i-TTL Speedlights
Exposure controlsP/S/A/M; 2016-pixel RGB matrix, centre-weighted and spot metering; ±3 EV compensation, exposure/flash and white-balance bracketing; two-exposure HDR, interval timer and dual-axis virtual horizon. Mechanical exposure dials remain readable when powered offAuto and P/S/A/M; physical compensation dial ±3 EV, command control ±5 EV in C setting; dedicated black-and-white switch
Screen and viewfinder
ViewfinderOpticalElectronic
Screen size3.2″3.2″
Screen dots921,0002,100,000
TouchscreenNoYes
Tilting screenNoYes
Display detailFixed 3.2-inch TFT, approximately 921000 dots USA or 920000 Japan; 170° viewing angle and approximately 100% coverage, adjustable brightness and top status LCDVari-angle TFT with approximately 100% coverage and 170° viewing angle; Touch Fn supports settings and focus-point adjustment while using the viewfinder; dots count subpixels
Viewfinder detailPentaprism; approximately 100% FX coverage or 97% DX, 0.7× magnification with 50mm f/1.4 at infinity, 15 mm eyepoint, grid and depth-of-field preview0.5-inch Quad-VGA OLED, approximately 3.69 million dots, 100% coverage, 0.8× magnification and 21 mm eyepoint
Connections and design
Wi-Fi–Yes
Bluetooth–Yes
Battery life (maker's claim)1400 photographs430 photographs
Body weight710 g630 g
Release detailNovember 2013 release month; Nikon Japan records actual sale on 28 November, with global announcement dated 5 November. The regional day does not establish earliest worldwide sale; Digital Camera World's introductory 2014-vintage wording differs from maker's 2013 releaseNikon US states first availability in mid-October 2023; main retains month precision. The later silver exterior is the same camera hardware, and Nikon explicitly states firmware 3.00 supports both original and silver editions.
Recording mediaOne SD/SDHC/SDXC slot with UHS-I in the battery compartmentPrimary UHS-II SD/SDHC/SDXC slot and secondary UHS-I microSD/microSDHC/microSDXC slot; overflow, backup and separate format recording
PortsHi-Speed USB, mini HDMI Type C, PC sync and accessory terminal for MC-DC2 cable release, WR-1/WR-R10 remote or GP-1/GP-1A GPS; shutter button accepts a traditional threaded cable releaseUSB-C SuperSpeed USB, Micro HDMI Type D, 3.5 mm microphone and headphone sockets
Wireless connectionsNo built-in Wi-Fi or GPS; optional WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter and GP-1/GP-1A GPS. Photography Blog's WU-1b wording conflicts with Nikon's WU-1a specificationWi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac and Bluetooth 5.0; SnapBridge. Nikon Imaging Cloud and automatic firmware updates supported by current firmware.
Battery life detailEN-EL14a, approximately 1400 CIPA shots; current USA also lists EN-EL14 compatibilityEN-EL15c; CIPA approximately 430 monitor shots with power saving enabled or 380 without; EVF 410 with power saving or 360 without. Tested with NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2. Movie battery-life claim approximately 90 minutes; EN-EL15b/15a compatibility gives shorter endurance.
ChargingExternal MH-24 charger; optional EH-5b AC adapter with EP-5A connectorUSB charging and power delivery with compatible equipment; optional EH-8P/EH-7P; EN-EL15c/15b rechargeable in camera. Nikon UK states no charger included.
DimensionsApproximately 143.5 × 110 × 66.5 mmApproximately 144 × 103 × 49 mm
Weight detailApproximately 710 g body only; 765 g with battery and SD card, excluding body capApproximately 630 g body only or 710 g with battery/card, excluding body cap and shoe cover; TechRadar's body-only narrative uses the battery/card figure, so main follows Nikon.
MaterialsMagnesium-alloy top, back and bottom covers; dust- and water-resistant sealing. Global maker specifies all three metal covers rather than only the top/back described by Digital Camera WorldMagnesium-alloy front and top covers, brass control dials and embossed artificial leather; dust- and drip-resistant construction
ColoursSilver or blackOriginal black and later silver finishes with maker-specific exterior colour options; cosmetic variants remain one hardware product. Photograph shows the current silver/black finish.
In the boxEN-EL14a, MH-24, UC-E6 USB cable, AN-DC9 strap, BF-1B body cap, BS-1 shoe cover, DK-26 eyepiece cap with cord and DK-17 eyepiece (Japan package)EN-EL15c battery, UC-E25 USB cable, BF-N1 body cap, AN-DC27 strap, BS-1 shoe cover and DK-33 eyepiece
Video
Highest video resolution–3840 × 2160 at 60 fps
Video detailStill-image camera with live view; no movie recordingUHD 3840 × 2160 up to 60p in cropped DX mode; full-frame UHD up to 30p oversampled from 6K. Full HD up to 120p. H.265 8/10-bit and H.264, N-Log, HLG, waveform and timecode; current maker table lists Hi-Res Zoom. Maximum recording time 125 minutes, subject to temperature, power and media conditions; no internal RAW video listed.
Audio–Built-in stereo microphones; PCM 48 kHz/24-bit for MOV or AAC 48 kHz/16-bit for MP4; external microphone input and headphone monitoring

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