If you’re looking for a mid-range APS-C camera in the run-up to Christmas, there are truly some excellent choices out there right now. With Nikon having just launched the Z 50, the choice between that, the Sony a6400, Canon’s new M6 Mark II, and the popular Fuji X-T30 is quite tough. Here’s a very balanced guide to get you started.
Chris Nicholls from DP Review has put together this short video to run you through how these four excellent cameras compare, ranking each of them in four categories: design and handling, image quality, video quality, and autofocus performance. None of these cameras will leave you disappointed with your purchase, but you might want to figure out what’s most important to you before making a decision.
Like Nicholls, I’m not a huge fan of the dial layout on the Sony APS-C cameras, and even for enthusiasts, not having a wheel under the forefinger makes little sense to me.
Strangely, the camera that makes me the most excited out of this selection is the Nikon Z 50. It doesn’t perform particularly well in this comparison, but two of the categories should see progress in the future: you’d expect autofocus to improve through firmware updates, and the lens selection will continue to expand — though of course, this does mean waiting for a year or two. Not ideal!
Which one will you be buying, or which one would you recommend to someone who’s not already invested in a certain system? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Re: "and the lens selection will continue to expand" for the crop Z-series.
Don't hold your breath. Nikon won't spend much time developing lenses for this variant. Only one other on the roadmap, an 18-140mm.
They really just want you to buy the "full frame" native Z glass.
Similar to how they hung DX users out to dry in terms of lens development for that format.
Are people who are going to buy this camera really going to be in the market for a lot of different lenses?
Fair point. But look at those who use D500s or D7500s (basically pro cameras with crop sensors) — what options has Nikon given them for native DX lenses? Some of the Z50 specs suggest a direct comparison to the D7500/7200, which a lot of wildlife shooters use.
misleading title