Nikon Df: Performance

The 39-point AF system is the same as the D600 and D610, so no nasty surprises leapt out. The Multi-CAM 4800FX unit inside the Df is a solid and speedy performer, delivering fast AF acquirement in both single and continuous AF, even in relatively poor light

The focus tracking is also very strong. The 39 AF points can be reduced to 11, so that it’s quicker to jump round the AF coverage. However, as the 39 AF points are grouped relatively tightly in the centre of the frame, you find yourself having to focus and then recompose if your subject is off-centre.

The controls can be easily referenced at waist-level. The same is true of adjustments, even with the slightly fiddly locking mechanisms for each dial.

However, it is when the Df is to the eye that adjusting dials is a little more awkward, specifically the exposure compensation dial. It might have been better placed to the right of the viewfinder – where the small LCD currently resides – with the exposure mode dial on the left. Despite this, manual shooting was a very enjoyable experience.

In terms of resolution, the 16.2MP sensor may seem somewhat behind the times when it comes to resolving detail, but while it can’t quite compete with 24 and 36MP sensors, it will still deliver images that can be happily printed out at A3 .

Shooting at 5.5fps and the Df is capable of an impressive continuous burst of 30 raw files with a Sandisk Class 10 card before the buffer slows up. The Df is also a strong performer when it comes to JPEGs, rattling off 100 files before the buffer needed a breather.