Nikon Z50 : Digital Photography Review

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As mirrorless cameras become popular beyond the amateur space, it also presents the opportunity of offering users a compact device more akin to the sizes they are used to in point and shoots. Like rival Canon’s M series, Nikon is pushing the portable Z series for those who want great results without having to lug around a bulky DSLR. The Nikon Z50 fits into this space perfectly.

Nikon Z50

Nikon Z50 price in India: Rs 85 995 (with Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR)

Nikon Z50 specs: 21MP DX CMOS sensor | 1/4000 to 30 s + bulb | Up to 11 fps Low-speed continuous | ISO 100 to 51200 | 209 focus points | 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD); 30p | MOV, MP4 | 3.2 –in TFT monitor | Bluetooth + WiFi | 450 g with battery and memory card

Highlights:

  • 20.9MP CMOS sensor
  • Twin control dial interface
  • Up to 11 fps shooting with AE/AF, 5 fps with live view
  • 4K video at up to 30p
  • 2.36M-dot OLED viewfinder
  • Rear touchscreen tilts up by 90° or down by 180°
  • Bluetooth-enabled Wi-Fi (via Snapbridge app)

What could make you buy the Nikon Z50?

Talking of fits, the Nikon Z50 is one of the most portable cameras you will see, at least for the capabilities it had. And a lot of people, like me, might buy this camera just for that. As someone who travels a lot, I abandoned my DSLR for a iPhone a few years ago. The sheer weight of camera can be taxing at times. But the Z50 is compact and grips in your hand as if this was a slight large point and shoot. In fact, I have used point and shoot cameras that are larger.

What we like What we don’t
  • Very good image quality
  • Excellent dynamic range
  • Good video quality
  • Comfortable, well-placed controls
  • Plenty of customization
  • Rapid stills/video switching
  • USB charging
  • Fairly simple Wi-Fi image transfer
  • Many functions have good explanatory text if you press the ‘?’ button
  • AF Tracking will occasionally drift off the intended subject
  • Autofocus features seem poorly integrated and slower to operate
  • Lens availability/reliance on adapted lenses may be limiting
  • Middling battery life
  • No touchpad control of AF point with the camera to your eye
  • Lack of in-body stabilization may be limiting, especially for video

 

Overall conclusion

The Z50 is a really impressive addition to the mid-price camera sector. It brings a lot of Nikon D7500-level capability to a camera priced more like a D5600, immediately making it a credible contender in one of the most hotly-contested parts of the market.

Nikon Z50

There’s a lot to like about the Z50: the ergonomics and user interface are generally very good, making it an engaging and enjoyable camera to shoot with. Its video capability is also very good, with the option to have video settings that match or diverge from your stills settings, depending on how you want to shoot.

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