This stylish little mirrorless camera packs a punch with a 20.9-megapixel sensor for stunning photos and videos. It’s lightweight and comfy to carry, perfect for travel and everyday adventures. Plus, it boasts a super-fast autofocus system and a handy touchscreen to make capturing those fleeting moments a breeze!
Key Features
Model No: 1634
- 20.9MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor
- EXPEED 6 Image Processor
- UHD 4K and Full HD Video Recording
- 2.36m-Dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
- 3.2″ 1.04m-Dot 180 Tilting Touchscreen
- ISO 100-51200, Up to 11 fps Shooting
- 209-Point Hybrid AF, Eye Detection
- Built-In Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- REVIEW
- SPECS
Nikon Z 50: A Feature-Rich APS-C Mirrorless Camera for Aspiring Photo and Video Enthusiasts
The Nikon Z 50 is Nikon’s first APS-C-format offering in the Z series mirrorless camera line. It targets aspiring photographers and videographers seeking a feature-rich camera with a focus on excellent image quality, user-friendly operation, and a compact size.
Image Quality and Processing
The Z 50 features a 20.9-megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor that delivers sharp and detailed images, particularly in good lighting conditions. The sensor size balances portability with good image quality, making it suitable for various shooting scenarios. The EXPEED 6 image processor ensures improved image processing speeds compared to previous Nikon APS-C models, resulting in a more responsive shooting experience.
Fast Hybrid Autofocus and Continuous Shooting
The Z 50 boasts a highly-advanced autofocus system with 209 phase-detection points covering a wide area of the frame. This system offers exceptional focus speed and accuracy, even when tracking fast-moving subjects or capturing unpredictable action. The camera also offers a continuous shooting speed of up to 11 frames per second for bursts of action photography.
Compact and Travel-Friendly Design
Similar to its competitors, the Z 50 maintains a compact and lightweight design, making it ideal for travel, everyday carry, or situations where bulky equipment is undesirable.
Fully-Articulating Touchscreen LCD and Built-in Flash
The Z 50 features a fully-articulating 3.2-inch touchscreen LCD monitor that allows for comfortable framing from various angles and intuitive touch controls for navigating menus and selecting focus points. The camera also includes a built-in flash for adding extra lighting when needed.
Video Capabilities with Limitations
The Z 50 offers 4K UHD video recording at up to 30 frames per second with a 1.25x crop factor. This can be a limitation for videographers seeking the full width of the sensor for video capture. However, the camera offers features like slow-motion recording and clean HDMI output, making it suitable for basic vlogging or personal projects.
Is the Nikon Z 50 Right for You?
The Nikon Z 50 is an excellent choice for beginner and intermediate photographers and videographers seeking a feature-rich camera with a focus on stills. The advanced autofocus system, faster image processing, 4K video capabilities, and fully-articulating touchscreen make it a compelling option for those looking to upgrade from entry-level DSLRs or point-and-shoot cameras. However, professional photographers or those seeking the absolute best low-light image quality or unlimited 4K video recording might consider higher-end mirrorless cameras with larger full-frame sensors.
In Conclusion
The price of the Z 50 has become more competitive since its release. This, along with the feature upgrades over previous Nikon APS-C models, makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious photographers and videographers. Newer Nikon Z series models exist, but the Z 50 remains a capable and well-rounded option for its target audience.
Specifications
| Lens Mount | Nikon Z |
| Sensor Type | 23.5 x 15.7 mm (APS-C) CMOS |
| Sensor Resolution | Actual: 21.51 Megapixel Effective: 20.9 Megapixel (5568 x 3712) |
| Crop Factor | 1.5x |
| Aspect Ratio | 1:1, 3:2, 16:9 |
| Image File Format | JPEG, Raw |
| Bit Depth | 14-Bit |
| Image Stabilization | Digital (Video Only) |
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 100 to 51200 (Extended: 100 to 204800) |
| Shutter Speed | Electronic Front Curtain Shutter 1/4000 to 30 Second Bulb Mode Time Mode Electronic Shutter 1/4000 to 30 Second Bulb Mode Time Mode |
| Metering Method | Center-Weighted Average, Highlight Weighted, Matrix, Spot |
| Exposure Modes | Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority |
| Exposure Compensation | -5 to +5 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps) |
| Metering Range | -4 to 17 EV |
| Continuous Shooting | Up to 11 fps at 20.9 MP Up to 5 fps at 20.9 MP Up to 4 fps at 20.9 MP Up to 30 fps at 8 MP |
| Interval Recording | Yes |
| Self-Timer | 2/5/10/20-Second Delay |
| Recording Modes | MOV/MP4/H.264 UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p Full HD (1920 x 1080) at 23.976p/25p/29.97p/50p/59.94p/100p/119.88p |
| External Recording Modes | UHD 4K (3840 x 2160) up to 29.97p Full HD (1920 x 1080) up to 120p |
| Recording Limit | Up to 29 Minutes, 59 Seconds |
| Video Encoding | NTSC/PAL |
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto/Manual: 100 to 25600 |
| Audio Recording | Built-In Microphone (Stereo) External Microphone Input (Stereo) |
| Audio File Format | AAC, Linear PCM |
| Focus Type | Auto and Manual Focus |
| Focus Mode | Automatic (A), Continuous-Servo AF (C), Full-Time Servo (F), Manual Focus (M), Single-Servo AF (S) |
| Autofocus Points | Phase Detection: 209 |
| Autofocus Sensitivity | -2 to +19 EV |
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto, 100 to 51200 (Extended: 100 to 204800) |
| Shutter Speed | Electronic Front Curtain Shutter 1/4000 to 30 Second Bulb Mode Time Mode Electronic Shutter 1/4000 to 30 Second Bulb Mode Time Mode |
| Metering Method | Center-Weighted Average, Highlight Weighted, Matrix, Spot |
| Exposure Modes | Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority |
| Exposure Compensation | -5 to +5 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps) |
| Metering Range | -4 to 17 EV |
| Continuous Shooting | Up to 11 fps at 20.9 MP Up to 5 fps at 20.9 MP Up to 4 fps at 20.9 MP Up to 30 fps at 8 MP |
| Interval Recording | Yes |
| Self-Timer | 2/5/10/20-Second Delay |
| Viewfinder Type | Electronic (OLED) |
| Viewfinder Size | 0.39″ |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 2,360,000 Dot |
| Viewfinder Eye Point | 20 mm |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 1 |
| Viewfinder Magnification | Approx. 1.02x |
| Diopter Adjustment | -3 to +3 |
| Size | 3.2″ |
| Resolution | 1,040,000 Dot |
| Display Type | 180 Tilting Touchscreen LCD |
| Built-In Flash | Yes |
| Flash Modes | Auto, Auto/Red-Eye Reduction, Fill Flash, Off, Rear Sync, Red-Eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync/Red-Eye Reduction |
| Guide Number | 22.97′ / 7 m at ISO 100 |
| Maximum Sync Speed | 1/200 Second |
| Flash Compensation | -3 to +1 EV (1/3, 1/2 EV Steps) |
| Dedicated Flash System | iTTL |
| External Flash Connection | Hot Shoe |
| Media/Memory Card Slot | Single Slot: SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-I) |
| Connectivity | USB Micro-B (USB 2.0), HDMI D (Micro), 3.5mm Microphone |
| Wireless | Bluetooth Wi-Fi |
| GPS | No |
| Operating Temperature | 32 to 104 F / 0 to 40 C |
| Operating Humidity | 0 to 85% |
| Battery | 1 x EN-EL25 Rechargeable Lithium-Ion, 7.6 VDC, 1120 mAh (Approx. 300 Shots) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | 4.98 x 3.68 x 2.36″ / 126.5 x 93.5 x 60 mm |
| Weight | 13.93 oz / 395 g (Body Only) |
| Package Weight | 2.33 lb |
| Box Dimensions (LxWxH) | 7.9 x 7.1 x 5.3″ |