Nikon made a splash with the Z6 and Z7, the corporate’s first full-frame mirrorless cameras. However what for those who do not need to spend greater than $1,500 on a brand new digital camera? Enter the Nikon Z 50. Like its full-frame siblings, the Z 50 gives a stable function set, nice picture high quality and good efficiency — however in a smaller type issue at a extra consumer-friendly worth. It is certainly one of one of the best mirrorless cameras for individuals who need versatility, high quality and ease of use in a compact physique.
Nikon Z 50 worth and availability
The Nikon Z 50 is out there for $860 (physique solely); $1,000 (with the Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens); $1,350 (with the Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm and Nikkor Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR lenses). Verify the www.nikonusa.com website to see in case your present digital camera qualifies for a particular trade-in worth.
Whom is that this digital camera for?
Whereas not fairly as entry stage (or cheap) as, say, the Sony a6000, the Nikon Z 50 is sweet for hobbyists and snapshooters who need to transfer as much as a mirrorless digital camera with guide controls. However given the breadth of these controls, the Z 50 will attraction to more-experienced photographers as effectively, particularly those that need a compact digital camera that does not skimp on options. And when paired with the collapsible, 16-50mm package lens, this digital camera can also be nice for vacationers.
What I preferred
Strong construct and good ergonomics
Because of its rugged magnesium-alloy development, the Nikon Z 50 is effectively constructed and feels stable within the hand. At 14 ounces (physique solely), the digital camera is light-weight and measures a comparatively compact 5.0 x 3.7 x 2.4 inches.
The deep grip gives a snug handhold and, mixed with the digital camera’s mild weight, makes taking pictures with one hand simple. Positioned at a slight angle, the shutter button falls naturally underneath the forefinger. Dials and buttons are effectively positioned, and when you’ll discover fewer devoted controls than on the Z 50’s extra subtle siblings, the information button’s on-screen menu enhances the direct-ISO and exposure-compensation buttons atop the grip.
Photographers with giant fingers ought to attempt the digital camera on for measurement earlier than buying, paying specific consideration to the house between the grip and the lens barrel, and they need to attempt altering menu settings through the touch-screen LCD.
Contact-screen LCD and EVF
The touch-screen LCD is responsive and absolutely purposeful. You need to use it to set a spotlight level, choose and modify menu settings, scroll by pictures, and use the usual pinch gesture to zoom out and in to examine focus in playback. The power to tilt the LCD is handy for taking pictures high- and low-angle photographs; the display can face ahead for selfies, too (extra about that in what I did not like).
The Z 50’s EVF (digital viewfinder) is giant and vivid, with solely minor blackout when taking pictures in burst mode. It is an apparent benefit over the equally priced Canon EOS M6 Mark II, which solely has an (non-compulsory) exterior EVF.
Superb picture high quality
Straight out of the digital camera, JPEGs had been prepared to make use of with little to no retouching. I captured most take a look at pictures utilizing the Customary Image Management setting (different choices embrace Auto, Impartial, Vivid, Portrait and Panorama), and colours had been correct and effectively saturated. The Nikon Z 50 did job of reproducing the beautiful colours of this dawn.
Publicity accuracy was additionally fairly good, and whereas I would prefer to see extra element on this duck’s black feathers, the digital camera’s matrix metering managed to steadiness the reflective water and the topic fairly effectively.
Likewise, the shaded underside of this cover was effectively uncovered even towards the intense blue sky and puffy clouds within the background.
Though different cameras might sport higher-megapixel sensors, the Z 50’s 20-megapixel sensor is, partially, the explanation why the digital camera handles excessive ISO so effectively. ISO settings vary from 100-51,200, with the choice of increasing mild sensitivity to a 204,800 equal. Naturally, decrease ISOs ship higher element and total picture high quality, however at ISO 6400, as proven within the Santa picture beneath, there may be little or no noticeable picture noise, even with out noise discount. Evaluate that to the close-up of a beer glass shot at ISO 51,200, and you may see an enormous distinction. Maintain your most ISO at or beneath 6400, and you have to be high quality.
Intensive function set
Though the Nikon Z 50 is an “entry-level” digital camera, its function set ranges from point-and-shoot simplicity to surprisingly superior choices for its class.
Freshmen can set the mode dial to Auto or Scene and overlook about the remainder, whereas more-experienced customers (or less-experienced ones who need to up their photo-shooting expertise) can reap the benefits of guide and semimanual publicity modes; a number of AF and metering parameters; picture-control changes, corresponding to sharpness, distinction and readability; the power so as to add copyright info; and an entire lot extra. The menus are simple to navigate, and a faucet on the query mark [?] icon gives an evidence of assorted options.
The Z 50 additionally gives a variety of choices permitting customers to customise the digital camera. Along with two consumer settings on the mode dial, you too can customise numerous buttons, dials and menus for fast entry to your most-used settings.
One Nikon function that I actually like is in-camera retouching. That is particularly handy for those who do not need to fuss with post-processing in your pc or if you’re in a rush to share pictures on social media however need to make some changes previous to posting. For instance, you may repair pink eye, straighten a photograph, trim a film and even course of Uncooked information.
On the artistic aspect, quite a few filters and results will be utilized both when taking pictures (with a real-time preview of what the picture will appear to be) or after the actual fact. These are divided into Results, that are accessed through the Mode dial, or within the taking pictures menu underneath Image Management>Artistic Image Management.
Results comprise among the customary choices, corresponding to Pop, Toy Digicam and Selective Shade, whereas Artistic Image Management is extra akin to filter results. I captured this pink door utilizing a number of totally different Artistic Image Management filters from among the many 20 choices out there.
As anticipated, the Nikon Z 50 options Wi-fi and Bluetooth connectivity for Nikon’s SnapBridge app. This lets you switch pictures and video to good units and function the digital camera remotely.
Equipment lenses and vibration discount
Proper now, there are solely two DX-format lenses for the Z-mount however we should always see extra lenses alongside the way in which. In the meantime, you may at all times go for the higher-end Z-lenses (there are at the moment eight out there) or choose up the FTZ adapter to make use of your F-mount Nikon lenses when you’ve got them.
However the two package lenses carried out effectively, and each provide wonderful optical picture stabilization (though you need to activate VR within the menu). I used to be capable of handhold the digital camera with shutter speeds as gradual as 1/fortieth second, as proven within the Christmas tree picture beneath (I usually attempt to hold shutter pace at 1/a hundredth second or above).
As a result of the Z 50 is constructed round an APS-C crop sensor, it’s essential to multiply the focal size by 1.5 to get the 35mm equal. So, for instance, the 16-50mm lens works out to 24-75mm, which delivers extra telephoto attain than the numbers indicate. I am particularly keen on the 16-50mm lens, as a result of it is compact when in its collapsed state and offers you , all-around focal size. It is large sufficient to {photograph} a bunch of individuals or a panorama however lengthy sufficient to zoom in for a person portrait or a relative close-up of wildlife.
Good efficiency
Autofocus was usually responsive and correct, even in reasonable low mild. Eye and facial detection labored effectively, too. The digital camera’s fairly speedy, as effectively, capable of clock as much as 11 frames per second in steady taking pictures, with autofocus.
In low mild, the digital camera rapidly centered on this canine’s face, and with some fill mild from the small pop-up flash, you may see that the animal’s eye and fur had been sharply rendered.
Video high quality
Along with 4K video at 30/25/24 fps, the Nikon Z 50 gives full HD (1920 x 1080) at 120/100/60/50/30/25/24 fps. The 4K footage shot at 24 fps is sweet, albeit not fairly as easy as I had hoped, however publicity and coloration rendering had been pleasing.
As a bonus, full HD may also be recorded in gradual movement, at 30 or 25 fps x 4 or 24 fps x5. And never surprisingly, Nikon gives Time-Lapse Film and an interval timer, too. Though there isn’t any separate enter for an exterior microphone or headset, the digital camera has a well-rounded function set for movement.
What I did not like
Given the lengthy listing of what I did like, it is no shock that the negatives are few and much between. There are some issues that I want had been included, however due to the worth and the Nikon Z 50’s compact design, I perceive that the corporate was aware of the digital camera’s value and measurement when omitting these options.
That mentioned:
No in-body picture stabilization
Though each package lenses are outfitted with efficient optical picture stabilization, we want the liberty of lens selections supplied by in-body picture stabilization (IBIS). The upper-end Nikon Z 6 and Z 7 provide IBIS, as do mirrorless cameras such because the Sony a6500 and the Olympus OM-D E-M5 III, so I’ve gotten used to having this function in lots of the mirrorless cameras I’ve examined.
Single card slot
The Nikon Z 50 has only one card slot, situated within the battery compartment. It’s possible you’ll not need or want a backup, however a set of twin card slots is a type of options that helps you keep away from dropping pictures within the occasion of a card failure.
Extra puzzling is that the one card slot helps solely UHS-1 playing cards. Whereas studying and writing to the cardboard did not trigger any logjams, it is stunning that UHS-II playing cards will not be supported, particularly with 4K video.
Tilting LCD and selfies
If given the choice, I am going to take a totally articulating LCD over a tilting one like that of the Nikon Z 50. However a tilting LCD is extra helpful than a hard and fast monitor, and the Z 50’s 3.2-inch LCD is certainly a plus. However folding down the LCD so it faces ahead on the backside of the digital camera is a bit problematic. This placement feels a bit of awkward once you’re taking a selfie, however extra importantly, that place makes it not possible to make use of the tripod socket for a selfie stick or a tripod or monopod, successfully rendering this function ineffective for vloggers.
Backside line
Entry-level DSLRs could also be extra reasonably priced than most mirrorless cameras, however with the recognition of mirrorless persevering with to develop, you’ve got seemingly a minimum of thought of going mirrorless. And whether or not or not you have already got Nikon lenses, the Nikon Z 50 needs to be in your radar because of its nice picture high quality and broad function set. The 2-lens package is a superb worth, and between the 2 lenses, the mixed focal lengths cowl nearly each state of affairs you will encounter, from large angle to telephoto.
For those who fancy extra megapixels and a barely smaller physique, try the 32-megapixel Canon EOS M6 Mark II. At $1,100 for a single lens package, it is competitively priced and likewise gives good picture high quality and efficiency. However the EVF connects through the new shoe, negating this digital camera’s smaller physique measurement, and I a lot want the Nikon Z 50’s built-in viewfinder. And maybe extra importantly, the Nikon Z 50’s function set outshines that of the Canon mannequin.
Alternatively, the compact, 20-megapixel Olympus OM-D E-M5 ($1,200 physique solely) will put a barely larger dent in your pockets for those who do not have already got Olympus lenses. However that machine is a full-featured mirrorless digital camera and gives five-axis IBIS. Nevertheless, there isn’t any built-in flash, so there is a trade-off there. Try the competitors to seek out the mannequin that greatest meets your wants, however proper now, the Nikon Z50 is among the greatest mirrorless cameras round.
