With the release of the Nikon Z6, an all-around camera that now holds the number one spot on our list of the best cameras, Nikon made a spectacular entrance into the world of mirrorless full-frame cameras. And now it’s aiming to pull the same trick with APS-C cameras with the Nikon Z50, a smaller and more user-friendly DSLR camera for amateur photographers.
What exactly are these “APS-C” cameras? This sensor format was the industry standard in the early days of digital single-lens reflex cameras (DSLRs), and it is used in cameras that are less expensive than full-frame versions. These sensors are smaller than full-frame and are referred to as DX format by Nikon. They are available in more compact bodies, are affordable, and are perfect for traveling.
C $999.00
2 used from C $1,057.99
It’s not that the Nikon Z50 is a small camera for the APS-C format. Nikon has stressed handling in the form of a substantial grip at the sacrifice of a very tiny body, which is the hallmark of cameras like the Fujifilm X-T30. This may be because Nikon may have been thinking about individuals migrating away from its DSLRs.
The Z50 uses the same Z-mount first introduced in the Z7 and Z6. This is one of the most critical aspects of the Z50. Because of this, by using an extra adapter, you can utilize all of the lenses previously announced for the Z series, in addition to current F-mount (DSLR) lenses. On the other hand, two lenses have already been developed specifically for the DX format, and it is anticipated that many more will join them in the coming years.
Nikon Z50 Features
The sensor of the Z50 has a resolution of 20.9 megapixels, and it is paired with an Expeed 6 processor, the same kind of engine found in the Nikon Z6 and Z7. We have been informed that this does not utilize the same sensor as the Nikon D500 DSLR, even though it has the exact pixel count.
The Expeed engine is responsible for helping to make features like the recording of 4K video and the native ISO range possible. The native ISO range begins at ISO 50 and goes up to ISO 25600.
The exact hybrid autofocusing mechanism found in the Z6 is carried over to the Z7. This system has 209 on-sensor AF points that cover about 90% of the frame and promises to produce sharpness that extends to the frame’s edges.
There is a promise of sensitivity down to -4EV for low-light shooting, and there is also Eye-Detection AF, which might be helpful when photographing people. However, unlike Sony’s models with identical specifications, this camera has no Animal Eye AF.
You can use either a 0.39-inch electronic viewfinder with 2360k dots (which is significantly smaller and has a lesser resolution than the viewfinder on the Z6 and Z7) or a 3.2-inch tilting TFT LCD that is touch-sensitive. Both may be used to compose your photographs. It is possible to tilt this to face forward from the bottom hinge, which makes it ideal for taking selfies but less helpful in connecting the camera to a tripod. This feature differentiates it from the Z6 and Z7 models.
Nikon Z50 Build Quality
When you put the Z50 in the same room as its full-frame brothers and sisters, the Z6 and Z7, you can tell that they come from the same family. The layout, position of the viewfinder, and button arrangement are all the same; the only difference is that the camera’s body is more petite.
It is not exactly pocket-friendly, but it slips much more neatly into smaller bags than a full-frame counterpart when used with the camera and the new Nikkor 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 ‘pancake’ lens. The combination of these two makes for an overall compact package.
However, to preserve space, specific controls have been eliminated. The camera does not come with a top-plate LCD, nor does the rear of the device have a joystick. We didn’t miss the former much, but having a joystick to adjust where the AF point was would have been quite helpful.
This can considerably slow the picking of the optimal AF point, as you have to work with the much slower directional buttons; nonetheless, this is not the end of the world. Unlike other competing cameras, you cannot continue to utilize the touchscreen while working with the viewfinder.
Nikon Z50 Performance
The autofocus mechanism of the Nikon Z50 is identical to the one found in the Z6. It features an outstanding array of 209 points that provide coverage of 90% of the frame.
When left in the Auto-area AF mode, the camera can rapidly and easily lock onto targets in most scenarios, and it does so very infrequently when it chooses the incorrect subject to close onto.
When you switch to Single-point AF, you’ll have the ability to choose your AF point. Only when the lighting is incredibly dim is some searching before the system locks on to the target. However, it is common for a false confirmation of focus to be presented.
You may change your autofocus mode to AF-C and allow a continuous frame rate to photograph moving subjects. As we’ve seen with the Z6 and Z7, while the camera is a good performer when the issue is pretty predictable, being able to follow something which isn’t moving too erratically, it’s not on the same level as what Sony has achieved with cameras like the A9 and even the Sony A6500 from its APS-C range. This is something that we’ve seen with both of those models.
Nikon Z50 Image Quality
Even though it has a less extensive sensor and a lower resolution than the Z6 and the Z7, the Nikon Z50 can produce photographs with a fantastic overall sense of detail. You could notice that the point isn’t nearly as delicate as it is on the 45.7-megapixel Nikon Z7 when pixel-peeping at 100%, but for the price and level, you wouldn’t expect that to be the case. Additionally, not many enthusiasts and hobbyists will analyze their photographs that closely.
The all-purpose metering setting does an excellent job of judging exposures to produce balanced results in various shooting conditions, which contributes to the sensor’s ability to create amazing colors that have a realistic appearance while also having a good amount of vibrancy and saturation.
In a similar vein, the automated white balance option performs admirably in a variety of lighting environments. Still, when exposed to artificial light sources, it produces images with somewhat more yellowish tones.
Nikon Z50 Specs
| Body type | SLR-style mirrorless |
|---|---|
| Body material | Magnesium alloy |
| Sensor | |
| Max resolution | 5568 x 3712 |
| Image ratio w:h | 1:1, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Effective pixels | 21 megapixels |
| Sensor photo detectors | 22 megapixels |
| Sensor size | APS-C (23.5 x 15.7 mm) |
| Sensor type | CMOS |
| Processor | Expeed 6 |
| Color space | sRGB, Adobe RGB |
| Color filter array | Primary color filter |
| Image | |
| ISO | Auto, 100-51200 (expands to 204,800) |
| Boosted ISO (maximum) | 204800 |
| Custom white balance | Yes |
| Image stabilization | No |
| Uncompressed format | RAW |
| JPEG quality levels | Fine, normal, basic |
| File format | JPEG (Exif v2.31)Raw (NEF, 12/14-bit) |
| Optics & Focus | |
| Autofocus | Contrast Detect (sensor)Phase DetectMulti-areaCenterSelective single-pointTrackingSingleContinuousTouchFace DetectionLive View |
| Autofocus assist lamp | Yes |
| Manual focus | Yes |
| Number of focus points | 209 |
| Lens mount | Nikon Z |
| Focal length multiplier | 1.5× |
| Screen / viewfinder | |
| Articulated LCD | Tilting |
| Screen size | 3.2″ |
| Screen dots | 1,040,000 |
| Touch screen | Yes |
| Screen type | TFT LCD |
| Live view | Yes |
| Viewfinder type | Electronic |
| Viewfinder coverage | 100% |
| Viewfinder magnification | 1.02× (0.68× 35mm equiv.) |
| Viewfinder resolution | 2,360,000 |
| Photography features | |
| Minimum shutter speed | 30 sec |
| Maximum shutter speed | 1/4000 sec |
| Exposure modes | ProgramAperture priorityShutter priorityManual |
| Scene modes | “Autumn ColorsBeach / SnowBlossomCandlelightChildClose-upDusk/DawnFoodLandscapeNight LandscapeNight PortraitParty/IndoorPet PortraitPortraitSportsSunsetSpecial Effect Modes |
| Built-in flash | Yes |
| Flash range | 7.00 m (at ISO 100) |
| External flash | Yes (via hot shoe) |
| Flash X sync speed | 1/200 sec |
| Drive modes | SingleLow-speed continuousHigh-speed continuousSelf-timer |
| Continuous drive | 11.0 fps |
| Self-timer | Yes |
| Metering modes | MultiCenter-weightedHighlight-weightedSpot |
| Exposure compensation | ±5 (at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV steps) |
| AE Bracketing | ±5 (2, 3, 5, 7 frames at 1/3 EV, 1/2 EV, 2/3 EV, 1 EV steps) |
| WB Bracketing | Yes |
| Videography features | |
| Format | MPEG-4, H.264 |
| Modes | 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM3840 x 2160 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 120p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 100p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 60p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 50p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 25p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM1920 x 1080 @ 24p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM |
| Microphone | Stereo |
| Speaker | Mono |
| Storage | |
| Storage types | SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-I supported) |
| Connectivity | |
| USB | USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) |
| USB charging | Yes |
| HDMI | Yes (micro HDMI) |
| Microphone port | Yes |
| Headphone port | No |
| Wireless | Built-In |
| Wireless notes | 802.11ac + Bluetooth |
| Remote control | Yes (via smartphone) |
| Physical | |
| Environmentally sealed | Yes |
| Battery | Battery Pack |
| Battery description | EN-EL25 lithium-ion battery & charger |
| Battery Life (CIPA) | 320 |
| Weight (inc. batteries) | 450 g (0.99 lb / 15.87 oz) |
| Dimensions | 127 x 94 x 60 mm (5 x 3.7 x 2.36″) |
| Other features | |
| Orientation sensor | Yes |
| Timelapse recording | Yes |
| GPS | None |
Nikon Z50 Verdict
C $999.00
2 used from C $1,057.99
The Nikon Z50 is an excellent way for the firm to break into the competitive APS-C mirrorless camera industry with its first offering. It is the perfect camera to take on vacation, and it is also an excellent choice for anyone who wants to upgrade from a Nikon DSLR or adores the brand.
Even if it falls a little bit short in a few different areas, the Z50 has a lot going for it, including superb handling, exceptional value, and appealing features. Despite this, there is a lot to appreciate about the Z50.
