A Review of the Nikon Z 50 Camera

The Nikon Z 50 offers a sub-$1,000 entry point into Nikon's mirrorless system in a compact and lightweight crop sensor body, making it an intriguing option for many photographers. This helpful review takes a look at the new camera to help you decide if it is a good choice for your work.

Coming to you from gabpolitely, this great review takes a look at the Nikon Z 50. The Z 50 offers a DX-format 20.9-megapixel sensor with an ISO range of 100-51,200 (expandable to 204,800). It also includes an impressive continuous burst rate of 11 fps, with an option for shooting 8-megapixel images at 30 fps. Along with that is a 209-point autofocus system with Eye Detection AF. On the video side, the Z 50 sports UHD 4K 30p capabilities. The magnesium alloy body also features dust and weather resistance and is quite light at just a smidgen under 14 oz (395 g). Of course, to get the camera down to its impressive price point, some compromises had to be made, but altogether, it looks to be an impressive piece of kit at a very reasonable cost, making it an intriguing option for many Nikon shooters. Check out the video above for the full rundown.

Alex Cooke's picture

Alex Cooke is a Cleveland-based portrait, events, and landscape photographer. He holds an M.S. in Applied Mathematics and a doctorate in Music Composition. He is also an avid equestrian.

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15 Comments

Seems odd this is only 20mps. Might have a better grip than the Sony 6400 but rather have the mps. Pretty much anything in the $1000 range has more mps and about the same specs. I wonder if this is them cannibalising their product again? Well, someone will buy it. Although they will be stuck adapting until their mirrorless lens prices come down or they offer more DX lenses. I just can't see someone buying this then getting an FX lens.

Then again I had bought the $$$ Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS EF-S at one point when I was on Canon soo.. we are out there.

How likely is the person who buys this to start collecting lenses? Seems like a camera someone would have to walk around on vacation or take to the kids events and they'd probably leave the kit lens on it, or swap with the other kit lens on occasion. I think that Nikon understood their target market on this. 20MP is more than enough for this type of shooting. I don't see this being used as a serious landscape or architecture camera when the Z7 exists.

Possibly a mirrorless repackaging of the D500, which is not a bad thing. Can anyone confirm?

The only thing those two cameras have in common is a 20 meg sensor.

D500 has 20.9 mp.

Don't spoil the fun...

this is a new sensor. Don't believe me? Lets see how the 4k video looks coming out of a D

Only 20 MP? That is far and away more than enough for a consumer grade CROP SENSOR camera. If you want more MP there are some really good options out there from all brands now and even better options on the horizon. Not ever camera needs to be 32+ MP

A waitress comes up to you, Sir we are out of our regular fries but we have our signature waffle fries with cheese. We wont charge you extra!

Don't pretend like you're not going to take those fries.

When I mentioned the $1000 price point, it was evident I wasn't talking about 32+ mp sensors. Mainly 24mp sensors. The difference isn't much but if it's the same price, why not?

I honestly don't care what someone shoots on though, just don't waste your money. Put as much of that as you can into good lenses. And right now, the good first party FX lense are pretty expensive and there are only two lenses for DX. If you want to compare apples to apples, the Sony 16-50mm kit lens @50mm is at f/5.6. Nikon's is at f/6.3. Mine as well take the extra light too.

On the Nikon end, I'd say just stick with DSLR if you just want to learn. If you really want mirrorless, at least check out the other options.

Mmm, I want cheesy fries now.

Yea man im gonna need you to not be so stingy with the free cheesy waffle fries.

Well that's a real fluff review.

Soooo.... the review isn’t by Alex Cooke but someone else, and you think that it’s ok to click bait us to an overview of that review. Lame, real lame.

I really hope Nikon do well with the z50 :)

Nikon hasn't completed its DX lens range and looking forward has even less resources now to flesh out a Z mount APS-C range.

The crop for wildlife shooting may interest some but within the stable there's only FX choices at 300mm and up.

How attractive is an FX supertele lens with adapter on this body? On par with congealed gumbo.
No size advantage and no optical advantage.