Nikon z50 review

Nikon Z50 review | Digital Camera World

Digital Camera World Verdict

The Nikon Z50 is not just a scaled down version of the Nikon Z6 and Z7. Nikon has done a remarkable job of giving such a small camera such a solid one-handed grip, but quite apart from the size of the camera, we were impressed by the 16-50mm pancake kit lens which is one of the slimmest APS-C kit lenses we've yet seen and uses a 'proper' mechanical zoom rather than an electrical power zoom system. But the clincher could be Nikon's pricing. Body only, the Z50 already costs less than its chief APS-C rivals, the Sony A6400 and Fujifilm X-T30, and the pricing for the kit lens and twin lens bundles is really quite remarkable.

Pros

+
Compact size and handling
+
4K video
+
11fps continuous shooting
+
Super-slim 'pancake' kit lens

Cons

-
Single UHS I SD card slot
-
300-shot battery life
-
Awkward flip-under selfie screen

The Nikon Z50 (or Nikon Z 50 as Nikon prefers to write it) brings Nikon's mirrorless camera technology to the hobbyist market. Nikon's full frame mirrorless cameras might be tempting, but not everyone can afford them!

Nikon’s first stab at producing interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras didn’t exactly set the world on fire; the 1-series’ relatively small, low-resolution 1-inch CX sensor – with a 2.7x crop factor – quickly fell behind its mirrorless rivals.

Nikon Z50 (Black) at Amazon for $856.95

The solution was the Z mount, which was introduced in late 2018 and so arrived somewhat late to the mirrorless party. But if you’re going to turn up late, you’re going to have to make quite an entrance – and the Nikon Z50 has certainly done that.

Update: Eight months after its release, the Nikon Z50 still only has the two native DX format Nikon Z lenses it was launched with. The new Nikon Z fc will be offered with a new, compact 28mm SE prime lens, but that's actually a full frame optic. The lack of DX lenses for the Z50 (and the Z fc) is starting to worry us.

• See also: Nikon Z50 vs D7500 | Nikon Z30 vs Nikon Z50 vs Nikon Z fc

With the revolutionary Z mount in Nikon mirrorless cameras , the company rethought its lens mount from the ground up. The first two models, the full-frame Nikon Z7 and Z6 , really showcased this cutting-edge tech, with range of ‘S’-line lenses that are amongst the sharpest we’ve ever tested. This qualifies Nikon's Z cameras as amongst the best mirrorless cameras you can buy. But they come at a hefty price. Now, a shade over a year since the launch of the Z mount, Nikon brought out its first more affordable mirrorless Z-mount model, and it already looks like one of the best Nikon cameras for hobbyists and enthusiasts – or it would, if there were just a few more lenses to go with it.

Much of this cost saving is due to the Z50 using an APS-C ‘DX’-size sensor, as used in its range of DSLRs from enthusiast down to entry-level, and this has enabled the camera to launch with a price tag well under $1,000/£1,000. This DX body is fitted with the same Z mount used on the full frame models, so full-frame Z lenses can be mounted directly onto the Z50 (and the new Z DX lenses will fit the Z 6 and Z 7, automatically engaging crop shooting mode). Using the same FTZ adaptor, existing DX and FX lenses for DSLRs can be used on the Z50 too.

That's actually just as well, because even in the middle of 2021, months after its launch, there are only two 'native' DX lenses. If you want a super-wide-angle, for example, the only option right now is a Nikon DSLR lens and the FTZ adaptor – not ideal!

Nikon Z50 twin lens kit (64GB Black) at Amazon for $1,449

Isn't it small! The Z50 itself is very compact, but the 16-50mm pancake lens is what really makes this camera portable. (Image credit: Digital Camera World / Louise Carey)

Specifications

Lens mount: Nikon Z
Camera Format: APS-C
Pixels: Effective 20. 9 Megapixel
Maximum Resolution: 5568 x 3712
Aspect Ratio: 1:1, 3:2, 16:9
Sensor Type: CMOS
Sensor Size: 23.5 x 15.7mm
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW
Bit Depth: 14-Bit
Image Stabilization: Digital (Video Only)
ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 100 to 51,200 (Extended: 100 to 204,800)
Metering Method: Center-Weighted Average, Highlight Weighted, Matrix, Spot
Continuous Shooting: Up to 11fps
Recording Modes: UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p, Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p
Autofocus Points: 209 Phase Detection points
Memory Card Slot: Single slot SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.98 x 3.68 x 2.36" / 126.5 x 93.5 x 60 mm
Weight: 395g (Body Only)

Key features

The smaller physical sensor size isn’t the only place where savings have been made. This model doesn’t feature ‘in body image stabilization’ (IBIS), so the lenses that launch with the new model have Nikon’s Vibration Reduction built in.

But otherwise, the specs are truly impressive. The 20.9 MP DX-format sensor borrows the fast, wide Hybrid-AF (autofocus) system from Nikon's full-frame 'Z' cameras, with 209 AF points covering 90 percent of the sensor width and height. Its 11fps continuous shooting range (with full autofocus and auto exposure) almost matches the Z 6 (and exceeds the Z 7), and certainly puts it up amongst the fastest shooters around, matching many pro-level DSLRs. It’s a great low light performer too, with a native ISO range of ISO100-51,200 at up to -4EV.

And the Z50 is great for video, shooting 4K across the full sensor width, rather than a cropped version that some rivals have employed. 4K time-lapse sequences can be created in-camera, while shooting in Full HD adds additional slow-motion footage mode.

The Nikon Z50 has a 180-degree front-facing screen for selfies and vlogging but, unusually, it flips downwards rather than upwards.

(Image credit: Digital Camera World/Future)

The Z50 also features an electronic viewfinder. It’s lower-resolution than its full-frame cousins at 2.36 million dots rather than 3.6 million, but we found it to be sharp and with few signs of the lag that have plagued some of Nikon’s competitors. Electronic viewfinders do take a little getting used to, but once you do, seeing the effect of your exposure settings through the viewfinder before you take the shot is nothing short of brilliant.

A tilting 1.04 million-dot touchscreen flips by 180 degrees to sit below the camera body, and is primarily designed for selfies and vlogging use; Nikon sees a large part of its target market to be ‘influencers’ who use platforms such as Instagram and Youtube to share content. This does mean that the screen would be obscured when used in this way if the camera were mounted on a tripod, but Nikon has hinted that a solution to this is in the works.

It's worth pointing out that Sony's brand new ZV-E10 vlogging camera does have a vari-angle screen, and is a good deal cheaper than the Z50. The Nikon does have a viewfinder and it's a much more rounded stills+video camera, but still.

The Nikon Z50 uses the same Z mount as Nikon's full frame Z6 and Z7 cameras, which means it can use the same lenses and even the same FTZ mount adaptor for fitting Nikon DSLR lenses. (Image credit: Digital Camera World / Louise Carey)

Nikon Z50: Build and handling

We thought the Nikon Z6 and Z7 were compact, but the Z50 is positively dinky, particularly with the new ‘pancake’ Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR kit lens attached. There's also a new Nikkor Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR telephoto zoom.

The camera may be physically smaller and lighter than full-frame Z models, but it uses a similar deep grip that is comfortable to hold. It has fewer buttons than the Z6 and Z7, but touch icons etched next to the touchscreen replace some of the functionality of the physical buttons. (We refer to the Nikon Z6 and Z7 throughout this review, but of course we also include the newer Nikon Z6 II and Nikon Z7 II . )

There are both rear and front-mounted scroll wheels that enable aperture and shutter speed to be quickly changed, among other functions. The exposure mode dial flips from the left to the right side of the top plate, compared to the Z6/7, but in a space-saving (and cost-saving) measure, there’s no top LCD. Two programmable ‘Fn’ buttons enable commonly used settings to be quickly changed, and are in the same place as the Z6/7, nestled close to the lens mount.

While there's no joystick, as on the Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z7, the Z50 does have a D-pad (Image credit: Digital Camera World / Louise Carey)

In all, it feels very much part of the existing ‘Z’ family, but even smaller. If the Nikon Z7 is the mirrorless equivalent of the D850 pro full-frame DSLR and the Z6 the D750 enthusiast full-frame model, then the Z50 is roughly on par with the Nikon D7500 (and perhaps the Nikon D500 ) as an enthusiast APS-C camera, and Nikon has hinted that we can further expect to see even lower-cost mirrorless entry level models released in the fullness of time to fit alongside the Nikon D5600 and D3500 .

But then the Nikon Z50 doesn't just face competition from the Z6 II and Z7 II – there's also the Nikon Z5 . It's cheaper than both, and while it's bigger and more expensive than the Z50, it's a huge margin, and the Z5 could tempt a lot of people with its ready-made full frame Nikkor Z lens range.

Nikon Z50: Performance

One of the biggest selling points of the Nikon Z50 is how light and compact it is, but you can't truly appreciate these qualities until you're actually shooting with it. We took the Nikon Z50 around Bath city centre on a busy Saturday afternoon, and it was a pleasure to shoot with. It easily slipped into a small messenger bag, which meant we didn't have to mess around with a proper camera bag for a casual trip out.

However, despite its diminutive and unassuming size, the Nikon Z50 is capable of much more than just travel and holiday snaps. The Z50 was perfectly suited to a run-and-gun shooting style as we captured quick snaps in the bustling city centre. With a small and non-threatening profile - plus the incredibly useful tilting touchscreen LCD - the Nikon Z50 is perfectly suited to street photography.

The dull and grey skies meant we were shooting at ISO1000, but image quality isn't compromised (Image credit: Digital Camera World / Louise Carey)

But photography isn't the Z50's only strong point. With the ability to capture uncropped 4K video, Nikon has positioned the Z50 as a strong contender for the attention of the rapidly growing, lucrative vlogger / influencer market. We tested out the Nikon Z50's video functionality and were pleased with the results, including the focus peaking feature, which works just as well as it does on the Nikon Z7.

One of the criticisms with the Z50 is that the LCD touchscreen tilts downwards, which prevents users from being able to mount the camera on a tripod as they vlog. However, if a vlogging camera's screen doesn't articulate out sideways, it's caught in a bit of a catch 22 between getting in the way of either a microphone (if it tilts upwards) or a tripod (if it tilts downwards).

While it would have been nice for the Z50's screen to articulate sideways (like the Panasonic Lumix GH5 II ), the Nikon Z50 is so incredibly light that a gimbal or mini tripod grip isn't really essential. While high end professional vloggers might want to give this one a miss, we could see the Z50 proving very popular with influencers who aren't overly fussed about hyper-smooth footage.

We captured a rare quiet back street with the Nikon Z50 set to f/4, 1/200sec and ISO 1000. (Image credit: Digital Camera World / Louise Carey)

Shot with Nikon Z50 with Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR 1/160sec at f/6.3, ISO8000 (Image credit: Chris George/Digital Camera World)

Despite the fact that we were shooting in JPEG on an incredibly grey and overcast day, we were able to get plenty of detail out of the Nikon Z50's files without compromising image quality.

We also tried shooting indoors, using only (minimal) window light. The Z50 worked well here as well, with the tilting screen and 16-50mm kit lens working in perfect harmony to capture top-down shots.

Another thought that struck us as we were testing the Nikon Z50 was that other enthusiast-level mirrorless cameras are often beautifully designed, but can fall short when it comes to being used over long periods of time. A boxy design can be very pretty aesthetically, but not so useful when it comes to shooting. The ergonomic design of the Nikon Z50 was another aspect of the camera that could only be appreciated after an extended period of use. With the deep grip paired with the 16-50mm kit lens, the Z50 is perfectly balanced.

The Nikon Z50's tilted touchscreen enables you to capture top-down shots easily (Image credit: Digital Camera World / Louise Carey)

Nikon Z50: Lab tests

(Image credit: Future)

Our signal to noise test measures image clarity and the ratio of the actual image 'data' you want to capture, versus the image noise that you don't want, but will inevitably be visible when shooting at higher ISO sensitivities. The Z 50 manages to produce cleaner images than all but the Fujifilm X-T30. However, while it does statistically produce cleaner images at lower sensitivities, this will be near-impossible to see in real-world shots. What maters most is the Z 50 claws back ground at higher sensitivities, where image noise is more visible.

(Image credit: Future)

The Z 50 scores very well for dynamic range, even outperforming the mighty Fujifilm X-T30 and its excellent X-Trans 4 sensor. The X 50's superiority is most evident at higher ISOs, where it holds a clear lead over all its key rivals.

(Image credit: Future)

The only area of our lab tests where the Z 50 doesn't excel is resolution. It's 20.9MP raw images (after conversion to uncompressed TIFF) don't quite contain the sharpness and fine detail you get in the 24MP images from the Fujifilm X-T30 and Sony A6400. Unsurprisingly, the Z 50 is on par with the 20.4MP Olympus E-M5 Mark III.

Nikon Z50: Verdict

We shot this image at 16mm (equivalent to 24mm on a full frame camera) (Image credit: Digital Camera World / Louise Carey)

Technically, the Z 50 might sound like a scaled down version of the Nikon Z6 II and Z7 II, but in the flesh it has a very different feel. Nikon has done a remarkable job of giving such a small camera such a solid one-handed grip, but quite apart from the size of the camera, we were impressed by the 16-50mm pancake kit lens which is one of the slimmest APS-C kit lenses we've yet seen and uses a 'proper' mechanical zoom rather than an electrical power zoom system – these always feel rather 'disconnected'.

But there are still three things to think about: one is that the Nikon Z5 isn't THAT much bigger or more expensive, another is the relative lack of DX lenses for the Z50 right now, and the third is that the Nikon Z fc has just been announced, with a beautiful retro design that does leave the Z50 looking distinctly plain.

• The best Nikon Z lenses for the Z6, Z7 & Z50

Shot with Nikon Z50 with Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR. 1/25sec at f/6.3, ISO1250 (Image credit: Chris George/Digital Camera World)

Even so, we are impressed by Nikon's pricing. Body only, the Z 50 costs less than some of its chief APS-C rivals, and the pricing for the kit lens and twin lens bundles is really quite remarkable.

We were happy with the image and video quality produced by the Nikon Z50, and genuinely enjoyed zipping around the back streets of Bath capturing quick snapshots with this dinky little camera. Overall, we think this is a fantastic enthusiast mirrorless camera (at an even more fantastic price), and proves that Nikon has a clear vision for its Z-mount cameras. We can't wait to see what it pulls out of its bag of tricks next.

Read more

• Nikon mirrorless cameras and lenses
• Nikon camera rumors
• The best Nikon cameras
• These are the best mirrorless cameras
• DSLR vs mirrorless cameras : we explain the differences

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With over a decade of photographic experience, Louise arms Digital Camera World with a wealth of knowledge on photographic technique and know-how – something at which she is so adept that she's delivered workshops for the likes of ITV and Sue Ryder. Louise also brings years of experience as both a web and print journalist, having served as features editor for Practical Photography magazine and contributing photography tutorials and camera analysis to titles including Digital Camera Magazine and Digital Photographer . Louise currently shoots with the Fujifilm X-T200 and the Nikon D800, capturing self-portraits and still life images, and is DCW's ecommerce editor, meaning that she knows good camera, lens and laptop deals when she sees them.

Nikon Z50 review | Digital Camera World

Digital Camera World Verdict

Pros

+
Compact size and handling
+
4K video
+
11fps continuous shooting
+
Super-slim 'pancake' kit lens

Cons

-
Single UHS I SD card slot
-
300-shot battery life
-
Awkward flip-under selfie screen

Nikon’s first stab at producing interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras didn’t exactly set the world on fire; the 1-series’ relatively small, low-resolution 1-inch CX sensor – with a 2. 7x crop factor – quickly fell behind its mirrorless rivals.

Nikon Z50 (Black) at Amazon for $856.95

• See also: Nikon Z50 vs D7500 | Nikon Z30 vs Nikon Z50 vs Nikon Z fc

Nikon Z50 twin lens kit (64GB Black) at Amazon for $1,449

Isn't it small! The Z50 itself is very compact, but the 16-50mm pancake lens is what really makes this camera portable. (Image credit: Digital Camera World / Louise Carey)

Specifications

Lens mount: Nikon Z
Camera Format: APS-C
Pixels: Effective 20.9 Megapixel
Maximum Resolution: 5568 x 3712
Aspect Ratio: 1:1, 3:2, 16:9
Sensor Type: CMOS
Sensor Size: 23.5 x 15.7mm
Image File Format: JPEG, RAW
Bit Depth: 14-Bit
Image Stabilization: Digital (Video Only)
ISO Sensitivity: Auto, 100 to 51,200 (Extended: 100 to 204,800)
Metering Method: Center-Weighted Average, Highlight Weighted, Matrix, Spot
Continuous Shooting: Up to 11fps
Recording Modes: UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23. 976p/25p/29.97p, Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p
Autofocus Points: 209 Phase Detection points
Memory Card Slot: Single slot SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I)
Dimensions (W x H x D): 4.98 x 3.68 x 2.36" / 126.5 x 93.5 x 60 mm
Weight: 395g (Body Only)

Key features

The Nikon Z50 has a 180-degree front-facing screen for selfies and vlogging but, unusually, it flips downwards rather than upwards. (Image credit: Digital Camera World/Future)

Nikon Z50: Build and handling

We thought the Nikon Z6 and Z7 were compact, but the Z50 is positively dinky, particularly with the new ‘pancake’ Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3. 5-6.3 VR kit lens attached. There's also a new Nikkor Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR telephoto zoom.

While there's no joystick, as on the Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z7, the Z50 does have a D-pad (Image credit: Digital Camera World / Louise Carey)

Nikon Z50: Performance

The dull and grey skies meant we were shooting at ISO1000, but image quality isn't compromised (Image credit: Digital Camera World / Louise Carey)

We captured a rare quiet back street with the Nikon Z50 set to f/4, 1/200sec and ISO 1000. (Image credit: Digital Camera World / Louise Carey)

Shot with Nikon Z50 with Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.

5-6.3 VR 1/160sec at f/6.3, ISO8000 (Image credit: Chris George/Digital Camera World)

Despite the fact that we were shooting in JPEG on an incredibly grey and overcast day, we were able to get plenty of detail out of the Nikon Z50's files without compromising image quality.

We also tried shooting indoors, using only (minimal) window light. The Z50 worked well here as well, with the tilting screen and 16-50mm kit lens working in perfect harmony to capture top-down shots.

The Nikon Z50's tilted touchscreen enables you to capture top-down shots easily (Image credit: Digital Camera World / Louise Carey)

Nikon Z50: Lab tests

(Image credit: Future)

Nikon Z50: Verdict

We shot this image at 16mm (equivalent to 24mm on a full frame camera) (Image credit: Digital Camera World / Louise Carey)

• The best Nikon Z lenses for the Z6, Z7 & Z50

Shot with Nikon Z50 with Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR. 1/25sec at f/6.3, ISO1250 (Image credit: Chris George/Digital Camera World)

Even so, we are impressed by Nikon's pricing. Body only, the Z 50 costs less than some of its chief APS-C rivals, and the pricing for the kit lens and twin lens bundles is really quite remarkable.

Read more

Today's best Nikon Nikkor Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR deals

$346.95

$326.97

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$376. 95

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Today's best Nikon Z50 twin lens kit deals

40 Amazon customer reviews

☆☆☆☆☆

$1,199

View

No price information

Check Amazon

Today's best Nikon Z50 deals

$856.95

View

Show More Deals

• Nikon Z7 full review
• Nikon Z6 full review

• Nikon Nikkor Z 24-30mm f/4 S review
• Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm f/4 S review
• Nikon Nikkor Z 35mm f/1. 8 S review
• Nikon Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.8 S review
• Nikon Z50 vs D7500

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Overview and specifications Nikon Z50

Review Nikon Z50
History of the Z50 series
Pluses and minuses
Grades and places in the TOP
Dimensions
Comparison of closest competitor sizes
Complete specifications Nikon Z50

Review Nikon Z50

Released October 10, 2019, Nikon Z50 has 21 megapixels, refers to mirrorless cameras with APS-C (23. 5 x 15.7 mm) BSI-CMOS sensor.

The Nikon Z50 is available with a 23.5 x 15.7 mm BSI-CMOS sensor, which has a diagonal of 28.26 mm (1.1").

- Full frame sensor

- Nikon Z50

Nikon Z50 sensor resolution ~ 5612 x 3741 pixels.

Nikon Z50 has a Crop factor (Crop Factor): 1.53

The physical size of the sensor is 369.0 mm².

The matrix has a size of approximately 20,994,492 dots (pixels).

Series

Model	Year	Matrix	ISO	Weight	Dimensions
Nikon Z50	2019	21 MP	100 - 51200	397gr	127 x 94 x 60mm
Nikon Z7	2018	46 MP	64 - 25600	675gr	134 x 101 x 68mm
Nikon Z6	2018	25 MP	100 - 51200	675gr	134 x 101 x 68mm

Pros and cons of Nikon Z50

Let's take a closer look at this camera. Consider the main pros and cons of the Nikon Z50 and compare the Z50 with its closest competitors in mirrorless cameras for beginners .

Nikon Z50 has an overall score of 77 out of 100 points and located on 52 out of 214 in its category, out of all 1222 cameras, it ranks 87th position .

Ratings Nikon Z50

Picture quality

Functions

Price-quality ratio

Portability

Overall rating

Average rating in this category

Picture quality

Functions

Price-quality ratio

Portability

Total estimate

Nikon Z50 dimensions

Nikon Z50 has a weight of 397g and dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5. 0 x 3.7 x 2.36"). Category average weight mirrorless cameras for beginners 323 gr Nikon Z50 74 grams more than the average weight in his category. Nikon Z50 is more by 12mm than the average sizes in the category mirrorless cameras for beginners .

Weight comparison

Mirrorless cameras for beginners

Nikon Z50

Average weight

Minimum weight

Maximum weight

Thickness comparison

Mirrorless cameras for beginners

Nikon Z50

Average thickness

Minimum Thickness

Max Thickness

Nikon Z50 front view with dimensions:

Comparison of the sizes of the closest competitors

Model	Weight	Z50	Dimensions	Z50
Nikon D7500	720 g	397 g	136 x 104 x 73mm	127 x 94 x 60 mm
Sony A6400	403 g	397 g	120 x 67 x 60mm	127 x 94 x 60 mm
Canon M50	390 g	397 g	116 x 88 x 59mm 9009four	127 x 94 x 60 mm
Nikon Z6	675 g	397 g	134 x 101 x 68mm	127 x 94 x 60 mm
Fujifilm X-T30	383 g	397 g	118 x 83 x 47mm	127 x 94 x 60 mm
Nikon D500	860 g	397 g	147 x 115 x 81mm	127 x 94 x 60 mm
Nikon D5600	465 g	397 g	124 x 97 x 70mm	127 x 94 x 60 mm
Nikon D750	840 g	397 g	141 x 113 x 78mm 9009four	127 x 94 x 60 mm

Specifications Nikon Z50

General
Brand	Nikon
Model	Z50
Released	October 10, 2019
Type	SLR-style mirrorless
Lens
Lens mount type	Nikon Z
Manual focus
Focal Lens Multiplier	1. 5
Number of lenses	15
Macro focus range	n/a
Shield
Screen size	3"
Screen type	Tilting
Screen resolution	1040k pixels
Touch Screen
Live View
Viewfinder
Viewfinder	Electric
Viewfinder resolution	2360
Viewfinder coating	100%
Frame cover	0. 0
Autofocus
Autofocus Touch
Continuous AF
Autofocus Single
AF tracking
Autofocus selection
Center autofocus
Multiple AF
Live View autofocus
Face detection
Contrast detection
AF with phase detection
Number of focal points	209
Number of cross focal points	0
Photo specifications
RAW support
Minimum shutter speed	1/30 sec
Maximum shutter speed	1/4000 sec
Pictures per second	11. 0
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure mode
Exposure compensation
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash Range	7. 00
Flash modes	n/a
External Flash
Exposure bracketing
Exposure bracketing range	±5EV
White balance bracketing

Matrix
Matrix size	APS-C
Matrix type	BSI-CMOS
Matrix size	23. 5 x 15.7 mm
Matrix area	369.0 mm²
Matrix resolution	21 MP
Max. photo resolution	5568 x 3712
Max. native ISO	51200
Min. native ISO	100
Max. improved ISO	204800
Min. improved ISO	0
Video specifications
4K
Max. video resolution	3840 x 2160
Formats	MPEG-4, H.264
Timelapse
Microphone port
Headphone port
Exposure modes
Multisegment
Medium
Point
Partial
AF-Area
Center alignment
Connectivity
GPS
Wireless connection
Bluetooth
HDMI
USB	USB 2. 0 (480 Mbps)
Battery
Battery capacity	320 shots
Battery type	Built-in
Battery model	EN-EL25
Physical
Weight	397 gr
Dimensions	127 x 94 x 60 mm
Environmental protection environments
Waterproof
Dust protection
ESD protection
Reinforced housing
Frost resistance
Memory
Memory type	SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported)
Flash slots	1
Other
Timer
Good for selfies

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21 Mpx | APS-C BSI-CMOS | Nikon Z lens

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Olympus E-P7

20 Mpx | 3/4" CMOS | Micro Four Thirds lens

Panasonic GH5 II

20 Mpx | 3/4" CMOS | Micro Four Thirds lens

Sigma fp L

61 Mpx | full size BSI-CMOS | Leica L lens

FujiFilm GFX 100S

102 Mpx | medium size BSI-CMOS | fujifilm g lens

FujiFilm X-E4

26 Mpx | APS-C BSI-CMOS | fujifilm x lens

Sony A1

50 Mpx | full size BSI-CMOS | Sony E lens

Leica SL2-S

24 Mpx | full size CMOS | Leica L lens

Fuji Film X-S10

26 Mpx | APS-C BSI-CMOS | fujifilm x lens

Nikon Z6 Mark II

25 Mpx | full size BSI-CMOS | Nikon Z lens

Canon M50 Mark II

24 Mpx | APS-C CMOS | Canon EF-M lens

Nikon Z50 Review - Wildly Helpful Electronics Selection Tips

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Nikon already made a name for itself in the mirrorless market when it introduced the fantastic Z6 and Z7 cameras in 2018. The next natural step was to create a more consumer-friendly option for the mass market, presented in the form of an APS-C camera. (smaller sensor) Z50.

We were told that the 20.9 megapixel sensor is not the same as the D500 SLR despite having the same number of pixels.

The fact that it has a smaller sensor means that Nikon can reduce the size of the entire body, making it more travel-friendly and also bringing the price down to a much more affordable level. It also uses the same Z mount as its full-frame cousins (Z6 and Z7), giving you the ability to use the same lenses in both systems, as well as any F-mount lenses you might have, via an optional adapter. .

However, two lenses have been released specifically for the APS-C sensor (or DX format as Nikon calls it) that can be bought as part of an inexpensive kit - 16-50mm f/3. 5-5.6" pancake ". a lens that folds for maximum portability, and a 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 lens for capturing shots from far away. Many more Z lenses are planned for the next two years.

Nikon runs into serious problems with this model. The mid-range APS-C market is very crowded, with popular models already available from Fujfiilm, Sony and its nemesis Canon. With a plethora of features aimed at a general audience, Nikon is really doing its part in the fight, but it remains to be seen if that's enough.

(Image credit: Nikon)

Nikon Z50 Review: Design and Handling

Using the Z50 is essentially like using the miniature Z7/Z6. Nikon has done a good job of downsizing what was already a pleasantly small body to make it even more travel-friendly.

Naturally, some sacrifices will have to be made to reduce the size - the upper LCD display, which displays the main settings, has disappeared, and there is also no joystick for setting the AF point when using the viewfinder. Instead, you can use the arrow buttons to select a selection point, which seems to take a long time. I'd be happy to be able to continue using the screen while shooting through the viewfinder to set the AF point, as we've seen with other models on the market.

If you use the Z50 with a 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 pancake lens, you get a very versatile and travel-friendly kit. It won't fit into your pocket (unless you're wearing clown pants, perhaps), but it will fit neatly into a small bag. You'll probably even find yourself with plenty of room for a second lens if you opt for a dual lens kit or one of the other existing Z lenses. so that the chamber does not seem too cramped. A small part of the screen is locked to the virtual touch screen options, so this helps with that.

The top of the camera features a mode dial for selecting various shooting options, as well as a handy switch for quickly switching between shooting video and taking photos. You'll also find dedicated buttons for exposure compensation, ISO, and video recording.

(Image credit: Nikon)

Nikon Z50 Review: Features

Along with the 20.9MP DX format sensor, you also get the same Expeed 6 image processor found in the Z6/Z7. This facilitates some of the Z50's features, including 4K video recording at up to 30fps, as well as a native ISO range of ISO 50 to ISO 25600.

Several other features have also been carried over from the Z6, including the same hybrid AF system that gives you 209 sensor-based AF points that cover about 90% of the frame for edge-to-edge sharpness. For low-light shooting, you have sensitivity down to -4EV, and eye-detection AF is built in for sharp portraits.

The 0.39-inch 2360K-dot EVF is smaller and has lower resolution than the Z6/Z7, but is still very usable. The tilting 3.2-inch LCD screen is slightly different from that of the Z6/Z7 as it tilts completely forward from the bottom of the camera. This makes it ideal for selfies, but less so for mounting the camera on a tripod for vlogging.

Other useful features include built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that can be used with the Nikon Snapbridge app (free for Android and iOS), a micro USB port for charging the camera on the go (sorry it doesn't see USB-C), and a microphone jack .

As far as memory cards are concerned, we don't have the controversial XQD cards like the Z6/Z7. Great news for enthusiasts, the Z50 accepts SD cards (only one slot). They are much cheaper to buy and you probably already have a bunch of them ready to go.

(Image credit: Nikon)

Nikon Z50 Review: Performance

Because the Z50 uses the same autofocus system as the Z6, we already had the idea that it would be a solid performer. With 90% frame coverage, you can place your subject almost anywhere and be sure of sharp focus.

In most cases, the camera is able to quickly and easily capture the subject without requiring special attention when hunting. Sometimes the wrong subject may be selected when working with auto-area AF, but switching to single-point AF returns control. In very low light conditions, you may find there is a bit of back and forth, but thankfully the camera rarely gives false focus confirmation.

When it comes to moving subjects, the Z50 is by no means the world's best producer, but it should be more than enough for shooting family, pets and other rather delicate scenes. It's a little disappointing that the Z50 only comes equipped with a slower UHS-I card slot, but unless you're trying to keep up with high-intensity sports, you probably won't be too bothered.

Even more impressive is Eye AF, which catches a person's eye and follows it with ease. This is not a camera for professional portrait photographers, but for those who want to take quality family shots, this is a great feature.

Battery life is relatively stable, with an official rating of 300 shots. In fact, you'll almost certainly get more out of it, especially if you're disciplined enough to turn off your camera between shots. It's worth bringing along a portable charger or even a second battery if you're someone who wants to shoot a lot of 4K in any given amount of time.

As far as image quality is concerned, results with DX format lenses are not as sharp as full frame, but this can only be a problem if you are making bus-sized prints.

(Image credit: Nikon)

Otherwise, the Z50 delivers impressive performance. Despite the reduction in sensor size, detail is still very well captured, while the versatile metering system does it most of the time correctly in terms of exposure. The auto white balance errs a bit towards warm tones in artificial light, but is otherwise fairly accurate. Overall, the colors are pleasantly saturated, creating a good sense of warmth without being overdone or overly dazzling.

For low-light shooting, it is best to leave the ISO setting at ISO 6400 or lower. Above this, there may be noticeable noise, which you will likely notice on A4 or larger prints. For web publishing and small prints, this is not a problem.