Nikon Z50: big update from Nikon - but should you buy one in 2023?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 26 ก.ย. 2024
- When the Nikon Z50 was released in 2019, it was the first of Nikon's Z series DX cameras. Since then we've seen the Nikon Z30 and Zfc join the Z50 but with the recent v2.40 firmware update, the Z50 has become even closer to the Z30 and Zfc in terms of feature parity.
So should you still be considering a Nikon Z50 if you're looking for a capable entry-level mirrorless camera with some surprisingly capable features?
I'd argue yes, and in this video I discuss the good, some of the bad and why the Z50 remains relevant, even 4 years after its release.
Watch the full review to learn more.
If you want to buy the the Nikon Z series cameras discussed in this video, you can use the following Amazon Associates links, it will cost you nothing but I will earn a little commission from any sales. You don't even need to buy these products, if you click on the link below and then search and buy different products, you'll still be supporting me!
Featured in this video:
Nikon Z50: amzn.to/3wFwS73
Nikon Z30: amzn.to/3kNZTL1
Nikon Zfc: amzn.to/3RfzVMG
Equipment used to film this video available on Amazon:
Nikon Z6 II: amzn.to/3NbSIWV
Nikon 24-70mm F/2.8 S: amzn.to/3ulwGbq
Manfrotto 055 CXPRO4: amzn.to/3iNIHBj
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Chapters for the video:
00:00 - Introduction
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I have the z6ii and the z50. In good light, the z50 produces sharper images, but in low light, the z6ii is king. Thank you for all the great reviews
Glad you enjoyed watching it.
I have both and I agree
Are you comparing both using the same lens?
Hi, i have both the Z6 and Z50 (Z6 and Z6ii have the same sensor) and because i read that comment i tested it myself, took a 2.000€ zoom lens out and tested both on the same effective focal lengh on the same target with the same camera settings. And i can, without a doubt, say that there is no perceivable difference in sharpness, what i can say however is that there is a noticable difference in noise, even at iso 450, Z6 does a lot better there
I really hope you didn't take a prime lens and tried to photograph the same subject from the same distance, as this would produce inaccurate results, with a sharp lens the Z50 would get an advantage from crop factor
Well it could be sharper in the corners because it's only using the middle of the full frame lens when they can sometimes be soft.
i really hope the next version of the z50 will be the ultimate life documenting camera for me:
- viewfinder
- tilting screen
- usb c charging, good battery life.
- hopefully could be bundle with the new nikkor z 12-28mm. affordable, convinent focal length (just like iphone cameras), good image quality, portable.
- built in flash
- highlight weighted metering mode, aling side with other modes.
- intuitive handling, joyful to use.
that would be a dream!
@@TrangNguyen-cs6wv yes... Nice review
Thank you for the update on the Z50, I purchased mine a few years ago and use it as an "everyday" camera and as a "backup" camera when using my Z6II. I absolutely love this camera and the updates to the firmware make it even better.
I agree, I have the say though, the way they’ve updated the Z6 has been insane. I need to do a video on that. It’s brought feature parity so close to the Z6 II it’s insane
@@HamerReviews That is a great idea, I actually upgraded my Z6 to a Z6 II some time ago, in retrospect that probably wasn't necessary.
Totally, if i'd known I'd not have bought the Z6 II either...
I’ve been a D810 shooter since it came out and it’s been replaced by the z50. The kit lenses are fantastic. I hope they keep developing this line. ❤
I agree! The more I use the Z50 the more I enjoy it. It’s so capable, in many ways it’s light years from the entry level Nikon DSLR’s
Replacing a D810 with Z50 was a major mistake.
Why’s that? Surely it depends on your use case? They are VERY different cameras, but depends what you want: video on the D810 is pretty rubbish in comparison, equally stills on the D810 might be better in some circumstance but if you’re shooting longer lenses the Z50 has an advantage so it all depends
This is my first ever bought camera and I love it. And planing to use it for a decade or more
That's awesome! Hope you enjoy it!
Hello . I am also thinking of buying the Nikon z50. Can you tell me about your experience with this camera.
Free update from Nikon for Video? Shows that a great company places customer service very highly. Love the ZfC, reminds me of the old F3. What a great review. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Very good review. To the point and practical. Thanks mate.
I just bought a used Z50 with a 16-50mm lens and FTZ adapter. I used to have a Z fc and always regretted selling it. My day-to-day camera is a Nikon D850. But it's heavy, bulky and the Z50 will be used for the times when I need something light and portable. I took some great photos with the Z fc and never felt limited by the sensor size. In fact, there's not much the D850 can do that the Z50 can't. I print my own photos up to A3+ and you cannot tell the difference between an image from the D850 and the Z fc. I'm expecting the Z50 to be just as good. So glad, though, I didn't buy the Z30. The lack of a viewfinder makes it pretty well useless in my books. Just another point and click camera.
Hi Mark i was thinking to add this camera to my D500. The other day i went to my local shop to test it out but i felt the camera was a bit laggy. Like for example when you change the mode it felt like it was not instant. I don`t not know if this camera was faulty or not but do you have the same problem with your Z50 ?
There's a little lag when changing from photo to video - but that's the same on the Z6 / Z7 too, changing from M to A though should be instant.
@Mark - I have to agree on the Z30... I wish there was at least an option to add a viewfinder...
@@HamerReviews thank you for the answer I guess it means the test camera was faulty
Mark, between the zfc and z50, which would you choose today and why? I’m torn. Love the styling and flip screen of zfc but the comfort grip a cheaper proce of z50.
Wow, wasn't aware of the new update. Thanks mate !
Happy to help
La Z50 ya es un clásico, igual que en full frame la Z5, con sus recientes actualizaciones. Fantásticas!!!!!
Yo no podría estar más feliz. Las actualizaciones de Nikon dan gusto. Mejoraron mucho la cámara!! Sobre todo el autofoco. Dan ganas de seguir en Nikon (algún día iré por la Z7)
I think the Z50 and Z5 are actually very underrated, it's odd they almost flew under the radar!
Viltrox now produce some great lenses for the DX Z mount. I have the Viltrox AF 13mm f1.4 Z (£400) and it's terrific in low light.
Agreed!
My Dad has this camera, just sent him this video so he knows.
That’s awesome buddy! Thank you 🙂
The z 50 has a great grip and built in flash. The ZFC does not have these essential little touches
great video ::: I do love my Z50, it's great for trips, awesome quality photos
Hope that someday they remove 30 min video-recording limit with new firmware update for z50
What do you think is a better buy?
- Z30, brand new, body only (with USB cable, shoulder strap, battery and charger) for 435usd
- Z50, used, 16.000 shutter actuations, body only, plus two third party batteries and a charger, shoulder strap, box, etc , for 560usd
I'd go Z50 on the basis of the viewfinder, if you don't think you need it, go Z30 - both are good value
Hello, i have Z50 now and i have never had a full frame camera, is it worth it to get Z6 II as counter account for half price ($947) in case give them my Z50 + set Nikon Z DX 16-50 mm f/3,5-6,3 VR lens? Thank you in advance!
Yes .Z50 is good. Low light situation Z6ii is doing Good. If the budget allows move on Z6iii.
I have a suggestion, review the Viltrox 13mm F1.4 coupled with the Nikon Z50 or ZfC, apparently this Viltrox lens is quite good.
It's on the list, I did have a bit of relationship with them, they sent me a lens to test and then went completely silent on me... hopefully I can in the future
I am looking to replace my Nikon D7100, although I am quite happy with the image quality of it. I need video in the near future and the D7100 isn't great for that. But of course I hope my still images will improve as well. I will use a FTZ adapter with my current lenses so I don't plan on buying Z mount lenses for now. Is this a big upgrade in image quality, or will it be more or less the same with some better AF, or will the dynamic range improve noticably?
Gteat Video, thoroughly enjoyed it.
Could you please clarify a stupid doubt i have ?
With Nikon, If we have to multiply the focal length at 1.5x if we are to use an FX lens on a DX camera due to the crop factor, does the same apply for DX lenses on DX camera as well ?
And do we have to multiply the aperture to 1.5x as well ?
Please clarify..i appreciate it.
Heya, great question.
So the gist of it is that any lens you mount on a Z50 (or DX sensor sized camera for that matter) will result in its field of view being the equivalent of multiplying its focal length by 1.5x.
Despite some lenses being designed for the smaller sensor, you still need to multiply the DX lenses by 1.5 to get their ‘effective’ focal length.
It doesn’t affect the aperture in the same way, though obviously changing the field of view does have some impact on the final image.
I am not an out and out expert on it, but this is the understanding I’ve always worked from.
So to summarise, FX, DX or any other lens mounted on a camera with a DX sized sensor will need you to multiply the focal length by 1.5x to give you the effective real world field of view. If you mount a DX lens on a full frame camera you’ll usually end up with at least part of the frame being black where the lens wasn’t designed to cover.
Hope that helps
@@HamerReviews super, thank you..much appreciated and your videos are very informative. I will continue to follow so keep'em coming..cheers !
I only miss 60 fps in 4 k video mode. Beside this i can't complain about my z50. 🙂
Indeed, but hey, can't have everything I guess :P
Hi, do you think Nikon will add anything more on the z50 with firmware updates. Like making the Af more reliable or adding some extra features like Log and more.
Like is there any possibility of Nikon doing it since there are no more news of a z50 II coming soon.
I have to be honest. You won’t get many more features on the Z50, I’d expect that upgrades for that camera are coming to an end. Certainly no Log recording. To be honest I’ve been really surprised not to see more updates on potential DX cameras. Guess we will have to wait and see….
@@HamerReviews well i guess that's alright, the z50 is still a very capable camera. While an update would have been nice, we got a few which are better than nothing (not like other brands with no firmware support).
Do you think it's better to go for this instead of the a6400 or R50, when it comes to hybrid shooting?
Do the firmware updates put it at the level of the Z30? Or does the Z30 still have any feature advantages other than the screens/form factor?
Hi @hamerReviews, nearly a year on, is the Z50 still a good starting point into the world of mirrorless cameras? Got stung with an Amazon OTP scam purchasing the Sony 6400 but luckily l got my money back. So, the alternative was the Z50. Here's the deal l got, refurbished A grade Z50 from major retailer with both the 16-50mm and 50-250mm lenses. All for £680. Though this was a great deal. What do you think?
Well I hope you did because that is indeed a great deal.
Is nikon z50 good to buy in 2024??
Great question. I think it is. My reasoning is that I’m not expecting an updated DX sensor Nikon mirrorless camera, and there are lots of discounts to be had on the Z50 so it’s still a compelling value. It’s had a good amount of updates, like the Z6, which makes it a significantly better camera than it was when it was new, so I do still think it’s a camera that worth buying now
@@HamerReviews greatt thanks for the reply. I am looking to buy a new camera as a hobbyist. I am thinking about z50 and z30. Do you have any recommendations?
Which is better? Nikon z50 or Sony a7 2ii?
It would depend on what lenses you have & what you're going to do with the camera. The A7ii is a full frame, the Z50 a crop, so it really does depend on what I mentioned
Being that a Bsi Cmos sensor is better in low light than a cmos, would the Z50 be better in low light than a z5 which has the bigger FF cmos sensor which can gather more light negate that.
The z50 and z5 don’t have bsi sensors , only z6 z7 line do.
@@davidcollins4227 wrong…. The z50 has a BSI CMOS, z5 doesn’t.
@@maeu59 it doesn’t have a Bsi sensor and nor does Z5 , like I said the z6 z7 z8 z9 do. Check your knowledge (no disrespect intended) 👍
I have the Z50. How do I go about getting the firmware update installed in my camera?
Download the file from the Nikon website, transfer it to the SD cars (you may need to run the file first) then go into settings on your camera and update - hope that helps
@@HamerReviews Thank you it worked out perfectly. Now I do have the updated firmware on my Z50 camera version 2.51
@teddynaidoo490 awesome 😁
i never use built-in flash and I wish the Z50 didn't have it. The Z50 has been a pleasant surprise. GOD Bless
Why would you wish it wouldn’t have it? Surely if you don’t want it you just don’t use it?
@@HamerReviews Correct! However, for my use, it is simply another setting i'd lazily like to skip and not have. GOD Bless
You do realise that Nikon makes cameras for everyone, not just you, right? Just because you don't use it, doesn't mean that others don't. Rather it be there for someone who does use it & you have the choice not to.
@@alwynsmit3546 i could argue that many cameras are made with and without built in flash and for my money i'd prefer to not have it -- but no worries I see Nikon is coming out with options more to my liking. GOD Bless
@@Rev.DavidJTowns my only point is, a company needs to cater for a wider audience. I myself like the onboard flash on my camera, because it gives me an option that I wouldn't otherwise have if it wasn't there. The plus is, mine acts as a trigger for external flashes, which saves me money having to not have to buy a separate transmitter.
I plan on buying the cam. Quite cheaper. In 2024 i plan on getting the full frame z6 mk3/ zfd-if they use nikon f3 design
I own 3-5 afd and ais lens. So. Thats that
I love the design of zfc but i prefer tilt ie articulate. Bcs i prefer waitst level finder
That's fair, Would love to see a full frame Zf style camera
I never seen this coming just sold mine after 3 months of use
Sorry to hear that, to be honest, neither did I - but they have done a great job keeping the Z series refreshed with firmware updates - hopefully it's a sign of things to come.
Why couldn’t they make the F mount instead of the Z?
They could, but now they won't...
It's because of the flange distance between the lens mount and sensor. Sensor in the mirrorless camera system sits closer to the lens mount as compared to DSLRs hence you can't possibly mount a DSLR lens without increasing the flange distance with help of an adapter. Hope this helps
Это плохая идея
How do you download more than minute long videos from SnapBridge it won’t let me ?
But an sd card reader to plug into your phone. Sends lighting quick
Overall a6400best
It's certainly an option
Subjective but okay. Autofocus isn't everything for a camera.
That’s true, sadly all reviews and views to be fair will be subjective
Эту камеру нельзя покупать хотя бы из-за того, что в ней micro USB! Это какое убожество! Новаторы) А то, что экран откидывается вниз - это просто ах... Рукожопы, экономы и недоэкспериментаторы. Испортили нормальную камеру.
Why can't you update firmware from Nikon download center of Z50?
I have a d750. I can’t justify the cost of the z6ii and have been waiting for an upgrade of the z50 but seems Nikon have other plans.
Yeah I'm kind of surprised at the current roadmap, however the Z50 is still quite interesting after all the updates.
New Nikon Z50.