If you’re a big fan of the Nikon’s Z series—Z6 Z7—and looking to make an upgrade, the best mirrorless camera is the Nikon Z50. It improves upon the Z series in terms of image quality, video quality, and additional features like in-camera editing and a first-ever 55mm lens mount. see how it compares with other top-performing digital cameras too.
Why We Like It – Nikon Z50 Review
The Nikon Z50 APS-C Mirrorless Camera Body, with Z DX lenses, captures wonderfully vibrant photos, and comes packed with an emphasis on features for taking videos. Wonder which Nikon mirrorless camera is more adaptable than other Nikon options? Read the Nikon Z6 Mirrorless Digital Camera review.
- Excellent image quality
- Compatible with Nikkor Z lenses
- Great option for professionals and photographers
- Poor integration of subject tracking.
Performance
Similar to the Nikon Z6, the Z50 has a 20.9 MP APS-C sensor and a 369mm sensor size. So images are nice and crisp with plenty of ISO range. While a camera like the Sony A7 III technically has a better image sensor, the Z50 does the job beautifully. You can reach a high ISO by fiddling with the shutter speed or set it automatically to adjust with the focal length. Its noise is also very low, lower than the Panasonic Lumix G7.
For other Nikon models, check out our Nikon D780 review, Nikon D810 DSLR review, and our Nikon 1 J5 review.
Nikon Z50 also makes use of a large 55mm lens mount—the “Z mount”—which isn’t common to mirrorless cameras. You’ll find one on the Fujifilm X-T10. This betters the Nikon Z50 image quality, especially in low-light situations. The z-mount lenses are much wider than other Nikon DSLR cameras. The Nikon also has a built-in flash, which further helps when shots are dark and flat. Video quality is superb at UHD 4K on the Z50 Nikon DX. If you want a silent mirrorless camera for shooting weddings and other functions, click the Olympus OM D E M10 Mark II review.
Its AF system comes really close to another Z camera Nikon released, the full-frame Z6. Its autofocus system is very fast, but it does suffer with subject tracking because you’ve got to toggle it.
Design
For a mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z50 follows the design trend of being a small camera. Thankfully, its size won’t make it hard to handle. It’s shaped to create a handle and give a grippy finish. The touch screen can be pulled out and turned, which is especially helpful if you’re taking selfies. What’s also nice is how the Nikon Z50 is compatible with Nikkor Z lens kits.
Related: For a camera that shoots beautiful 4K videos, try the Oclu Action Camera.
Value
To gauge the Nikon Z50’s value, it’s best to compare it with a Fujifilm X-T30, considering they’re the same price, and both are APS-C cameras with many of the same features. Both have their strengths; the Fujifilm X-T30 arguably takes the cake when it comes to image quality, but the Nikon Z50 leans heavily into video features such as slow motion, in-camera trimming, and UHD 4K time-lapse. In other words, different strokes for different folks. Still, the Nikon Z50’s other Z cameras are like the Nikon Z6. It also helps the kit lenses are reasonably priced.
Nikon Z50 Review Wrap Up
For those who love Nikon’s Z series, and looking to make an upgrade, the Nikon Z50 gives every reason to make the job. Not only is the image quality much better, and videos are better than ever, the Nikon Z50 comes with oodles of in-camera features right at your fingertips.
