Nikon Cameras
Nikon Z50 Review
Nikon Z50 was released in 2019 as the first APS-C camera in the new Nikon Z-System. It’s super lightweight and compact while still feeling like a high quality Nikon product. It may seem like just an affordable entry point to the Z system for beginners and hobbyist, but photography performance of the Z50 is quite impressive.
With the release of the Z50, Nikon also released the first two DX lenses (APS-C lenses) for the new Nikon Z-mount – the 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 and the 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 – and they are often sold together with the Z50 as a kit. Again, they might seem like cheap, beginner friendly lenses, but in fact they are much sharper than expected from an APS-C lens at this price-points. Additionally, since the camera doesn’t have IBIS, the vibration reduction (VR) in these lenses helps performance.
Nikon Z System
The release of the Z6 and Z7 in 2018 introduced the Nikon Z-mount. With a larger mount diameter and shorter flange distance, the Z system allowed Nikon to design faster, sharper lenses with better low-light performance. Compared to old DSLRs the system is smaller and lighter while also improving autofocus speed and overall image quality. After nearly a decade, the Z-mount system now provides a wide selection of lenses. Nikon F-mount lenses (older DSLR lenses) remain fully compatible with Nikon Z system cameras via the FTZ adapter.
Nikon Z50 Price
Nikon Z50 Specifications
General
Nikon Z50 features a 20.9 MP BSI APS-C sensor paired with the EXPEED 6 processor. The same processor was also used in the full-frame Z6 and Z7.
The camera has no in-body stabilization (IBIS), although Nikon APS-C lenses feature built-in Vibration Reduction (VR).
The Z50 is designed with some weather sealing, making it capable of withstanding light rain and dust, but it is not as robustly sealed as higher-end full-frame models like the Z6 and the Z7 series.
The Z50 has a flip screen that flips all the way down, allowing you to see the screen from the front. This is unlike most modern APS-C cameras that feature a fully articulating flip-out screen.
Batteries used in Nikon APS-C cameras are smaller than those designed for full-frame models and the battery life of the Z50 is not very impressive. Users will need to purchase at least one additional battery for prolonged shooting.
The Z50 has one SD card slot.
Autofocus
The hybrid AF system includes 209 phase-detect points that cover roughly 75% of the frame, enabling solid subject recognition in most scenarios with appropriate settings.
The Z50 also features eye-detection AF. Even though tracking is available, it’s not as advanced as on other mirrorless systems and also struggles more in low-light.
Autofocus performance of the Z50 is generally not considered particularly impressive. It doesn’t match the speed, consistency or subject-recognition performance of competitors from other brands like Canon or Sony, nor Nikon’s newer cameras.
Photography
Image quality is extremely impressive for an APS-C sensor, providing good dynamic range and natural color rendering.
Low-light performance is better than on most other APS-C cameras in this price range, likely due to slightly larger pixel size (most APS-C cameras have around 25 megapixels, so the Z50, with its 20.9 MP sensor, has larger individual pixels).
Nikon Picture Control settings allow you to edit JPEGs in-camera. This feature is essentially Nikon’s alternative to extremely popular Fujifilm film recipes.
Shutter options include mechanical, electronic front-curtain (EFCS) and fully electronic (silent) shutter modes.
According to Nikon’s official spec sheet, the Z50 can shoot at up to 11 fps in RAW. Some reviewers note that 11 fps is only achievable in 12-bit RAW and the camera needs to drop down to around 9 fps to shoot in 14-bit RAW.
Using the electronic shutter when tracking fast-moving subjects can result in some rolling shutter distortion.
Video
Nikon Z50 can record 4K at up to 30 fps using full width of the sensor, producing quite detailed footage considering its APS-C sensor size, though rolling shutter can sometimes be an issue.
Full HD (1080p) recording is available at up to 120 fps.
There are no log profiles and no RAW video recording options, but this applies to all cameras in this price range. Recording is limited to 8-bit and the camera is of course not designed for professional video work.
There is no IBIS, but Nikon APS-C DX lenses do have built-in vibration reduction (VR) to help compensate. Electronic stabilization is also available for video recording, but it applies a severe crop. While it is very effective for stationary handheld shots, it is much less effective for recording handheld video while walking.
The camera has a 30-minute recording limit.
| Feature | NIKON Z50 |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 2019 |
| Megapixels | 20.9 MP |
| Image Resolution | 5568 × 3712 |
| Sensor Size | APS-C |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 6 |
| IBIS | No |
| Weather Sealing | Yes (Weather Resistant) |
| Lens Mount | Nikon Z |
| Body Type | Mirrorless |
| PHOTO | |
| Native ISO | 100 – 51,200 |
| Expandable ISO | 100 – 204,800 |
| Shutter Speed | 1/4000 – 30s |
| Burst Rate (Mechanical) | 11 fps RAW |
| Burst Rate (Electronic) | 11 fps RAW |
| Buffer | ~ 50 RAW |
| Shutter Types | Mechanical, Electronic, EFCS |
| Silent Shooting | Yes (Electronic Shutter) |
| Exposure Compensation | ±5 EV |
| High-Res (Sensor Shift) | No |
| Pre-Capture Mode | No |
| VIDEO | |
| 4K Video | 4K 30fps |
| Max Frame Rate | 4K 30fps / 1080p 120fps |
| Bit Depth | 8-bit |
| Recording Limit | 29m 59s |
| Timelapse Recording | Yes |
| AUTOFOCUS | |
| AF System | Hybrid AF |
| AF Points | 209 |
| AF Coverage | 87% horizontal, 85% vertical |
| AF Joystick | No |
| DISPLAY / VIEWFINDER | |
| Articulated Screen | Tilting, Flip-Down |
| Touch Screen | Yes |
| LCD Size | 3.2" |
| LCD Resolution | 1,040,000 |
| EVF Resolution | 2,360,000 |
| EVF Refresh Rate | 60 fps |
| EVF Coverage | 100% |
| EVF Magnification | 1.02× |
| MORE INFO | |
| Card Slot 1 | SD (UHS-I) |
| Card Slot 2 | / |
| Sensor Protection System | No |
| USB | Micro USB |
| USB Charging | Yes |
| HDMI | Type D (Micro HDMI) |
| Microphone Port | 3.5 mm |
| Headphone Port | No |
| Built-in Flash | Yes |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes |
| Battery | EN-EL25 |
| Battery Life | 300 ~ 450 frames |
| Wi-Fi / Bluetooth | Yes |
| Dimensions | 127 × 94 × 60 mm |
| Weight | 450 g |
Nikon Z50 Alternatives
Nikon Z50 II
Nikon Z30
Nikon Z50 II (2024) retains the same 20.9 MP BSI sensor but upgrades to Nikon’s latest EXPEED 7 processor. This brings improved autofocus, a larger buffer and faster continuous shooting speeds. The camera can shoot at up to 11 fps in RAW using the mechanical shutter and up to 15 fps in RAW with the electronic shutter (30 fps in JPEG).
Video capabilities have also been significantly improved. The Z50 II supports 10-bit recording instead of being limited to 8-bit and adds 4K 60 fps recording (with a 1.5x crop). Other notable upgrades include a fully articulating LCD screen, USB-C connectivity and support for faster UHS-II SD cards..
Nikon Z30 (2022) is essentially a simplified, more affordable version of the Z50, designed for content creators and vloggers. It has the same 21 MP sensor with all specifications remaining the same, but removes a few features, such as the electronic viewfinder (EVF), to streamline the experience and lower the price. With a fully articulating screen, a 125 min recording limit and simplified controls, it’s great for vlogging, streaming and social media content creation.
SONY a6100
SONY a6400
SONY a6700
Sony’s APS-C lineup, commonly referred to as the a6000 series, includes some of the most popular beginner and hobbyist cameras on the market. They’re compact, lightweight and offer fast autofocus and great image quality. They benefit from Sony’s long-standing E-mount ecosystem and there are plenty of affordable used options available since they are very popular and has been around for quite a while.
Sony a6000, a6300 and a6500 are considered the 1st generation of a6000-series cameras. They are no longer in production, but can be found at an affordable price on the used market.
Sony a6100 (2019) is Sony’s modern entry-level APS-C camera. It has a 24 MP sensor, it offers excellent autofocus performance, can shoot at 11 fps with the mechanical shutter and it can record oversampled 4K video at 25 fps and at 30 fps with a 1.2x crop. Video recording is limited to 8-bit and maximum clip length is 13 hours. The a6100 does not have a weather-sealed body.
Sony a6400 (2019) is Sony’s mid-range APS-C camera also featuring the same 24 MP sensor. Most specifications are similar to the a6100, but the a6400 uses a weather-sealed body and doesn’t apply a crop in 4K 30 fps recording. Video recording is still limited to 8-bit, but the a6400 includes Sony’s higher-quality S-Log 2 and S-Log 3 picture profiles.
Sony a6700 (2023) is Sony’s most advanced APS-C model featuring a new 26 MP BSI sensor paired with Sony’s new BIONZ XR processor and Sony’s AI processing unit. It features several notable upgrades like a fully articulating screen and an even more advanced AF system with an AI-based deep-learning engine for enhanced subject recognition and tracking. It offers continuous shooting at up to 11 fps, it can record 4K video at 120 fps and oversampled 4K video at up to 60 fps in 10-bit. It has IBIS and a weather sealed body.
Nikon Z50 Price
Final Verdict
Nikon Z50 remains one of the most accessible and well-rounded entry points into Nikon’s mirrorless ecosystem. As an APS-C camera, it strikes an excellent balance between performance, portability and price. Its lightweight, compact body and great image quality ensure that it doesn’t feel like a “beginner-only” camera, but rather a lightweight creative tool capable of delivering impressive results.
It’s an excellent APS-C alternative to more expensive full-frame models and pairing the camera with two Nikon APS-C kit lenses – the 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 and the 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 – gets you a high-quality Nikon setup for a fraction of the price of any full-frame kit.
While it lacks some of the advanced autofocus refinements, in-body image stabilization and high-end video specifications found in newer or more expensive models, the Z50 still performs reliably for everyday photography and even action in good lighting.
The Z50 has now been replaced by the Z50 II, a significant upgrade featuring a newer processor, much better autofocus, faster high-speed shooting, a deeper buffer and more video recording options. Still, a used original Z50 remains a great choice.
If you’re not specifically looking for a Nikon APS-C camera, Sony’s APS-C lineup is worth considering, particularly the a6100 and a6400, with the a6700 available at a higher price point.