Nikon succeeded with the Z6 in the mirrorless full-frame market and now aims to replicate that with the APS-C Nikon Z50, which is more hobbyist-friendly. APS-C cameras have smaller sensors (DX format) than full-frame ones, making them compact, affordable, and great for travel.

The Z50, while not tiny like the Fujifilm X-T30, is designed for easy handling with a good grip. It uses the same Z-mount as the Z7 and Z6, allowing compatibility with Z range lenses and F-mount (DSLR) lenses via an adapter. The Z50 camera has two DX-specific lenses: a 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 'pancake' lens (standard kit lens) and a 50-250mm telephoto lens, with more lenses to come.

NIKON Z50: Specifications

• Sensor: 20.9MP APS-C (DX format) sensor
• Image processor: Expeed 6
• AF points: 209 points
• ISO range: 100 to 51,200
• Video: 4K UHD up to 30fps
• Max burst: 11fps
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Nikon Z50: Features

The Nikon Z50 camera shares the same hybrid autofocus system as the Z6, with 209 AF points covering about 90% of the frame for sharpness across the entire image. It works well in low light down to -4EV and has Eye-Detection AF for photographing people, though it lacks Animal Eye AF like some Sony models.

You can compose images using a 0.39-inch, 2360k-dot electronic viewfinder or a 3.2-inch tilting touch-sensitive LCD screen. The LCD can tilt forward for selfies but isn't as useful when the camera is on a tripod. The Nikon Z50 can shoot 4K video at up to 30fps.

For transferring files to your smartphone, there's built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that work with Nikon's SnapBridge app. The camera charges via a micro USB port, which can use a portable battery, though it's not the newer USB-C type.

The Z50 camera uses SD cards instead of the more expensive XQD cards used by the Z6/Z7, which is good news for those who already have SD cards and for those looking to save money.

The Nikon Z50 resembles its full-frame siblings, the Z6 and Z7, with a similar layout, viewfinder placement, and button arrangement, but in a smaller body. Paired with the new Nikkor 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 ‘pancake’ lens, it’s compact, fitting easily into small bags, though not quite pocket-sized.

Some controls have been omitted to save space. There's no top-plate LCD or joystick for changing the AF point, which can slow down selecting the right focus point. However, the touchscreen can handle some functions, and the buttons that are present don't feel cramped. The grip is comfortable for long use.

The top of the camera has a mode dial, a switch for quickly changing between photo and video modes, and dedicated buttons for recording video, adjusting ISO, and exposure compensation. The electronic viewfinder, while not as high-quality as those on the Z6/Z7, is still very usable. The tilting screen is great for selfies and video recording, though less convenient when the camera is on a tripod.

Nikon Z50: Performance

The Nikon Z50 uses the same autofocus system as the Z6, with 209 points covering 90% of the frame. It usually locks onto subjects quickly and accurately, though it occasionally picks the wrong subject in Auto-area AF mode. You can switch to Single-point AF to choose your own focus point. In very low light, the system may take a bit longer to focus, but it rarely shows a false focus confirmation.

For moving subjects, you can use AF-C mode for continuous focusing and a high frame rate. While it performs well for predictable movements, it's not as advanced as Sony’s cameras like the A9 or even the Sony A6500. It's not ideal for serious sports or action photography but works fine for occasional moving subjects like pets and kids.

The Z50 camera only supports the slower UHS-I SD cards. Although it can shoot up to 11 frames per second, these cards fill up the buffer quickly. This isn't a big issue if you're just shooting short bursts.

The Eye AF feature is good at detecting and tracking a subject’s eye, even if the face moves. This is helpful for family snapshots but may not be suitable for professional portrait photography.

The Z50's battery, the new EN-EL25, is rated for 300 shots per charge. While not the highest rating, this is a conservative estimate, and it should last a full day of typical shooting. However, if you plan to shoot a lot of 4K video, you might want to get an extra battery.

Nikon Z50: Image Quality

Despite having a smaller sensor and lower resolution than the Z6 and Z7, the Nikon Z50 still produces detailed images. If you zoom in to 100%, you’ll see that the detail isn't as fine as the 45.7MP Nikon Z7, but for its price and target audience, this is expected. Most hobbyists and enthusiasts won’t examine their images that closely anyway.

The Nikon Z50 uses the same Z mount as the full-frame Z6 and Z7, so you can use any Z series lenses. The colors it produces are vibrant and realistic, and the metering system does a great job of balancing exposures in various conditions. The automatic white balance works well in different lighting, although it can be slightly yellow under artificial lights.

The camera has several Picture Controls, like Monochrome, and when paired with the 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 ‘pancake’ lens, it’s a great travel-friendly option. 

In low light, the Z50 camera doesn’t perform as well as Nikon’s full-frame cameras, but it still does a good job. It's best to keep the ISO at 6400 or below to avoid noticeable noise and smoothing. Higher ISOs can be used if you’re only sharing or printing smaller images.

Overall, the Z50’s metering system provides well-balanced exposures in most situations, and shooting at ISO 6400 might show some smoothing and noise, but it’s acceptable for small prints or online sharing.

Final Thoughts

The Nikon Z50 is ideal for Nikon DSLR users switching to mirrorless and for those seeking their first serious camera. It offers many features of the Z6/Z7 at a lower price, with a comfortable grip and well-placed buttons.

The viewfinder is smaller and lower in resolution than the Z6/Z7 but still very usable, comparable to the Fujifilm X-T30. The tilting screen is good for selfies but less useful with a tripod, affecting its vlogging potential. Despite competition from Fujifilm and Sony, the Z50 camera offers excellent value and better handling than Sony’s Alpha cameras.

The Z50 camera shows Nikon’s commitment to the APS-C mirrorless market and suggests a decline in DSLR popularity among hobbyists. It's a very good camera that will improve as prices drop and more lenses become available.