Nikon Z50 Review
The Nikon Z50, a mirrorless camera built for everyone from beginners to enthusiasts, is a compact camera that features 4K video, 11fps continuous shooting, and basically everything you could ever need, except for a price tag under $800.
The Nikon Z50 was basically Nikon’s attempt to make their mirrorless cameras more accessible so that hobbyist photographers could begin to play around with equipment that had higher-end specs than they were accustomed to.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Nikon Z50 in our Nikon Z50 review.
Nikon Z50 Specs
The Nikon Z50 is a compact mirrorless camera that shoots 4K video and features a 209-point autofocus system.
It also features incredible low-light performance and a fast 11fps burst mode.
Other Nikon Z50 specs consider:
- 20.9MP CMOS sensor
- EXPEED 6 image processor
- 4K video
- 11fps burst mode
- ISO range of 100-51,200
- 209-point AF system with eye detection
- 2.36m-dot EVF
- 3.2” touchscreen LCD with 180-degree flip-down design
- Built-in Wi-Fi
Nikon Z50 Body & Design
The Nikon Z50 is basically a smaller version of the Nikon Z7, because the layout, viewfinder, and buttons are all very similar.
While there isn’t a joystick on the Nikon Z50, the buttons it does have are equally balanced throughout the camera body.
Unfortunately, Nikon did remove the top-plate LCD, due to a lack of space, but this isn’t usually a feature you find on a camera at this price point anyway.
The one thing I find that is actually wrong with the Nikon Z50 is the fact that you can’t use the touchscreen and the viewfinder at the same time, which makes the AF system work less efficiently.
Nikon Z50 Build & Handling
The Nikon Z50 features some of the best handling of any mirrorless camera because of its compact size and its selfie-friendly touchscreen LCD.
At just 15.7oz, this camera packs a punch for its weight. But, it also doesn’t leave anything out because the camera is still aesthetically pleasing and features a lot of the same design that Nikon-lovers have grown accustomed to.
It also manages to be comfortable to hold while still weighing less than a pound, and this is thanks to an overly-pronounced grip.
While the grip isn’t on par with, say, the Nikon D850’s, it is still a comfortable holding experience - more so than many of the other mirrorless cameras I’ve tested over the years.
Nikon Z50 Video Performance
Armando Ferreira proved just how phenomenal the Nikon Z50 is by shooting an entire short movie with just the kit lens.
You can create 4K video thanks to one of the best Nikon Z50 features - its video performance. These 4K clips are full-frame, especially smooth given the camera’s built-in image stabilization, and shot at up to 30p.
In this video by Alex Stead, we can see how Nikon Z50 video performs in the wild.
The Nikon Z50 specs allow you to shoot in Full HD as well (at up to 120p) and all video can be shot in multiple color modes.
Nikon Z50 Price
The Nikon Z50 price is one of the things that may encourage you to take it home.
The Nikon Z50 can be purchased body-only on Amazon for $850, or with a kit lens for just under $1,000. That’s not a bad deal if you ask me.
But, as anybody who has followed PhotographyTalk knows, we are all about the deals, so we prefer to buy our cameras used on MPB.
Unfortunately, as of the time of this writing, MPB’s deals on the Nikon Z50 were too good and they are all sold out.
However, MPB rotates through hundreds of products every day, so it’s worth checking to see if they have picked up any used Nikon Z50s by the time you’re reading this.
Plus, you may just figure out that there’s another camera or lens you absolutely need while browsing through MPB’s selection!
If you have old gear, you can sell it to MPB or even trade it in. Either way, it can help defray the cost of a new-to-you Z50.