Nikon Z50 review: AF, video, dynamic range, kit lenses tested (at night, too!) 

Download the Nikon Z50 raw files here: bit.ly/nikonz50download

I've looked at all of the Z50 reviews that's come out in the past 2 months since this camera has been released and honestly yours was the best I've ever seen, beating even the big names. They're too focused on entertainment now instead of technical specs, but you've answered all of the questions I have about this camera. Thanks and keep up the excellent work!

This is the best review of this camera out there. You're doing a great job.

Definitely the best Z50 review I've seen. Thank you.

Your Review about this Camera was perfect . All my questions have been answered in just 1 Video , while other take ages to explain . Couldnt decide between the Alpha 6600 and the Z50 but the price performance ratio on the Z50 is just unbelievable. Keep up the good work mate .💪🏼🙏🏼

Good review dude. Very informative. I have the Z6, recently got the Z50 and love it. Carry the Z50 everywhere with me, all the time, and am capturing a greater variety of images this way - the poor old Z6 often gets left at home now! Am a keen hiker and the compact nature and lighter weight is a real plus, especially considering the image quality, even with kit lenses, is much better than I had expected. Also happy with its video quality, which I use on my own You Tube channel (no, I won't plug it!). Keep up the good work, first bit of work I've seen from you, and it's excellent.

Best review on youtube: specs, test, samples, real life use scenarios.

Excellent review! I've been using this camera for the last two months and I couldn't be happier with it. Lot of people wondering about the adaptor and I can tell it works great with f mount glass. I use the 35mm prime and the 55-200 telephoto and the focusing performance is excellent. The fast aperture of the prime helps a lot to autofocus accurately.

Excellent, comprehensive review with a dash of humour. I envy your command of a second language. Alas, my command of French which I studied in school as a Canadian has waned in comparison. I hope your channel grows as you are a great reviewer.

Good review, thank you. I own the Z 50 so I'm a bit biased. I am impressed with it and am finding the kt lenses better than most others I've used.

Best Review on this camera I've seen, thank you! This has made my camera purchase so much easier.

This is a very well done video of the Nikon Z50! I have this camera and learned a lot from your video, keep up the good work! Thanks for making it!

I am thinking of buying this one just to be able to move around without the heavy D750. Saw many reviews but yours is by far the best. Easy going, good explanation and talking about the important things. Well done mate, got a new subscriber here. Another benefit of the Z50 is that you can use all the Z lenses but also all the f lenses with the adapter.

I love my Z50. And yes, the kit lenses are much better than expected. Very sharp and almost no color fringing or other problems. For the price I think it’s a great deal for the camera and both lenses ($1200 in the US currently).

''just fine'' I think that is pretty darn amazing.

This is the best review of the Nikon z50 on RU-vid. Thank you so much.

Excellent and informative review.almost covered everything

This video has answered all my concern. Grateful. Awesome work. Keep it up

The Z50 is a great buy for someone starting out, or who just wants a capable camera that isn't going to be anything extensive like portrait or sports photography (although it can probably do those too). Great value for the money and with the Z mount, gives you the option to invest in the FF lenses if you know you are going to move to FF at some point. The only downside to the Z DX system is the lens availability. Supposedly an 18-140 is slated to be released (probably later this year) and hopefully a 10-24 and a macro would be nice and sort of round out the offerings, as they are VERY slim with just 2 lenses right now. My hope is that Nikon releases at least a 10-24 and a macro lens (in addition to the planned 18-140) to at least give enthusiasts some lenses to use. If they could offer the 10-24 and a macro, I think most people would be satisfied (non-enthusiasts at least).

Great video man!

The Nikon Z50 is an outstanding very capable mirrorless camera. I came from a D7500 and I am pretty satisfied. Thanks for this video.

Your review is by far the best! I’m having an awesome run with my “Nifty Z 50”, and with the FTZ adapter my F mount lenses work very well. Keep up the great work!

I bought this camera + kit as soon as it was released. Just a gut response really. But were my guts correct? You bet. Best value for money in recent years. Never been a Nikon user before for that matter. Thank you for an excellent review.

Great review, lots of info that really helps those that are interested in this camera, hoping to learn more about the high speed video and also how useful and easy to use is the time-lapse feature.

In my opinion you have made an excellent presentation of the product. I am just waiting for a new Nikon Z50 to arrive home and now, I am more convinced that I made a good decission, although the best opincion will come after the real test. Thanks for the good job.

Excellent review! I liked AF tests and the night photos showing the dynamic range and high ISO capability. I shoot a lot of indoor available light shoots with people and animals so high ISO behavior is important to me. I have a Z-50 and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of kit lens and the high ISO results. Also, the focus on ergonomics and operation is much appreciated as often they are ignored in favor of drooling over the specs. I will using the camera so I have to been to handle it comfortably. I think this is an excellent mirrorless for serious amateurs who are on a bit of a budget. Plus Nikon is using the Z mount on all their mirrorless so other Z-mount lens can be used.

Great review. I've been shooting weddings and landscapes with a Pentax K3 for quite a few years now, and it has worked great (I still feel that old camera has features that many modern cameras are just catching up to). However, it is getting old. I've been looking at a z50 for about a month, and your review has confirmed that it would serve me well. Thanks to your concise and in-depth review I've subscribed and have started saving for the Z50. Thank you again.

Got mine in December 2019 and currently learning to use it; your video has been very helpful. I also have two DSLRs, one crop and one full frame.

i own a z6 and later bought a z50 as a second camera but i seem to grab the z50 most of the time for taking pictures, its a great camera, cheers

I think the dogs test is perfect, more people should do it. Many people would buy this camera to take photos of their kids doing sports like MTB riding, skiing, skating, football etc. Great work, love the video!

Your presentation is way much better than T&C Northrup. Well done

you are the Rami Malek of Photography !! Great video, thank you so much !

Very comprehensive video while keeping it well understood by non professionals! Nice work, and thanks for your efforts!

In Europe we also use metric units. :) Great review Miklós!

Best comprehensive z50 review in my opinion. Well done 👍

I wonder if you actually set the AF mode to Sport or did you use the regular AF mode. Amazing review, detailed and very accurate. I owned the Z 50 for a little and can say this review is spot on among all reviews of the Z 50 compared to any you'll see out there. This and Ken Rockwell review are #1

Amazing review! I really liked the shot tests in Budapest, I love your city!

It does not have a port for intervalometer. This is a must for night photography and long exposures. You can set the time, but you have to press the button which will add noise. The manual says you need an optional Bluetooth remote

I just got mine last night!!!! Yayyyy!!!! Its gorgeous! Great review!

Excellent and thorough review. Probably the best review I’ve watched. I think the Z50 is an excellent camera at its price point and it’s use of the z lens mount is very intelligent engineering strategy by Nikon. I will be buying it as a backup camera for my Z6 and a more portable pocket camera. I shoot hybrid nature and love the Z system. The colors, dynamic range and low light performance are best in class. I was surprised about the results of the electronic image stabilization when shooting video...any more thoughts on that ?

Great and useful review! Waiting for the tips and ticks of Z50 in the creation of timelapse movie as you mention in this video

It is possible just to press once the ISO or exposure compensation AND then after you can rotate the dial without having to push AND rotate the dial in the same time... You have to change the item in the menu. Menu Controls f5 : Release Button To Use Dial + Select YES.

Would like a review of it being used with the FTZ adapter with DX and FX lenses. I have the Nikon DX 35mm F1.8, FX 28 mm F1.8 and FX 85mm F1.8 and the Tamron 45mm F1.8 and am thinking of getting the Z50 for when I want a travel camera to take the place .of my full frame Nikon Dslrs. Good channel..thanks. 🙂

Well done video. I'm thinking of picking one up for times we don't feel like carrying our dslrs, also to get a taste of mirrorless. Seems like people really like this camera, you don't hear too many reviewers saying anything too bad about it.. Cheers

Very good video. The Z50 has become one of my favorite cameras.

Thanks for the excellent review. I'm researching mirror-less cameras that would make a great entry point around a $1,000 {USD} budget when considering body+kit lens. This really helped out compared to other videos covering the z 50.

Very thorough review. Thankyou for taking the time to do it.

Outstanding job and you explained the camera for novice and pro

Thanks for all of the sample photos. Great detailed review with evidence of what you were saying.

I've watched a lot of reviews on this camera specifically and by far this is the best review! Great job, keep it up. Subbed :)

Hello Miklos. I really enjoyed your very detailed review, just like everyone else here! and I wonder if you might be prepared to advise me further please? I am approaching 74 years old and have been using (and enjoying) my D300 since it was new. I use a separate mini-DV video camera for video which is ageing now and I am disappointed when I make a video for the family with my lovely still shots from the Nikon combined with footage from my Sony camcorder. I feel that the video is showing its age in terms of quality, combined with the limitations of the smaller sensor. I am therefore looking for a new camera which will combine stills with video well, and, hopefully, equalise the quality too. I think I saw that tonight, demonstrated here, in all its glory in your video. I'm not a big fan of using a screen to compose and much prefer to use a viewfinder, I think it's because I am a photographer at heart and like the camera up to my eye, which I can hold steadier there. I assume therefore that I need to go mirrorless to be able to use the viewfinder and not "live view" on a screen and the Z50 seems to fit the bill. With my D300 I also own a selection of DX VR lenses which I'd like to be able to use with my new purchase. I have done quite a bit of digging around to see various options and finally came across your marvellous channel tonight. It is just what I have been looking for I think! After that looooong explanation, which I hope you'll forgive, I wonder if you see any inconsistencies in my thoughts before I take the plunge and buy the Z50? I also looked at a couple of models in the Dxxxx range before I discovered that I think I need mirrorless to enable me to use the viewfinder. I shall be looking at all your video's now I've been lucky enough to find you. (Subscribed: Tick) Thank you for all the knowledge, time and effort your channel takes to produce. With Kind regards, Roy from England.

Best review so far, thank you for answer al my questions. 👍🏻 You have a new subscriber.

THIS IS HOW A REVIEW SHOULD BE DONE

I was thinking about buying the Z50 myself, this really got it covered and his has some nice feautures, it will also be a nice upgrade from the Nikon D3400, especially if I want to continue the Z line.

Yes, the Nikon z50 is a good move for Nikon. I just bought one. I received it yesterday. So far I like the camera. I like that it’s small and easy to carry around. I like the fact that it uses normal memory cards and not the weird expensive ones the z6 and z7 use. I like all the new features too, like face detection. This is my first mirrorless camera. I am a Nikon user, so I chose Nikon and not Canon or any of the others. Sony is too complicated, so I would never buy Sony. I can’t wait to get out and really enjoy the camera. Since I only received it yesterday I have only had a chance to take pictures around my yard.

Thank You for this review. You,ve just made a good job as always! But where are the RAW files, that you have mentioned?

The Z50 is a great value for the money - plan on getting one - it is a small fun camera perfect for travel. Wish Nikon did put IBIS into the camera that would have been great to use with non-VR lenses (such as 500mm Cat lenses). Wish they made the screen flip out to the left instead of flip down which is a minus if you want to mount on a tripod for vlogging! Great review btw very concise and objective. What I am really waiting for from Nikon is the mirrorless D500 - the Z50 is similar in some ways but needs - deeper buffer, faster AF, 2 card slots - basically the same or better performance as the D500 but with a mirrorless Z mount form factor.

The best review of a photo camera I've ever seen. Thanx! And, YES, Nikon again made an excellent "entry level" camera. On a side-note: I didn't know about the difference in mounts between the two line-ups of canon mirror-less cameras, though I am not surprised - one more own goal made by extremely conceited management of this company.

I'm an amateur photographer. I just upgraded from an old Nikon D40x to the Z50. I had no complaints with the D40, but 10 Mpixel is a bit low these days. I was going to get the D7500, but for the same price, why not get the added features of the Z50. Right? I have been using it for a few weeks now, and I definitely have some gripes. The low light performance is actually significantly worse than the D40. I guess this is due to the higher res sensor, although I don't remember this ever being an issue with the D7500 which uses the same sensor. I also compared autofocus performance. While the D40 is very slightly slower, it's much more reliable. Especially in low light. With the Z50, at any ISO higher than about 4000, the AF hunts back and forth like crazy. It just can't get a lock. That is, the AF will lock but the image will be entirely blurry. The D40 reliably can be used up to its max ISO of 6400 The other thing is that the Z DX kit lenses feel much cheaper. The 50-200 lens rattles as you move it, and both lenses are flexible and feel like squeaky, cheap plastic. The old F mount kit lenses that I've used felt rock solid. I suspect they are much cheaper lenses, and they apply AI or digital correction.

Good video. The one area that is not covered enough about the Z50 is the video in low-light... it is really, really awful. I've had it now for about a year and I'm super disappointed. Gonna grab me the Sony A7SIII.

Hi Miklos , that was a great review. I want to get this camera but I am worried about lack of lens and unclear future road map of Nikon for APSC.

When adding a tripod plate, not allowing it to tilt downward is the same result as 90% of all tilting LCD screens on cameras today. So the real solution to this problem is to purchase a FLAT PLATE which cost the same as a Tripod base plate. The flat plate doesn't block the LCD screen as much as the smallrig. Nikon Straight Bracket is $10 SmallRig is $30 for the base plate and $70 for the full cage

I will say that I’ve tried the Canon M50, returned, Canon R, sold, and was not a fan of them at all. I recently bought the Z50 and I will tell you, Nikon just does it right. It is missing some things, but overall its a great buy. I thought I would never use the 16-50 and only use the 24-70, or 16-80, but the kit lens is great out of the box. Low light performance is awesome for a kit lens.

Very interesting review. You covered most of what I was looking for.

Excellent video, it has helped me a lot to decide! I'll definitely get the Z50 instead of the Z6. Many thanks!!

Výborná recenzia a palec hore, zdravím zo Slovenska :)

Thank you so much for such a detailed and wonderful review. I am a Nikon user.

I shoot my Olympus camera at 100mm (eqv. of 200 on full frame) at 1/4 seconds and get perfect sharpness in more than 70% of the shots :) That's waht I call stabilization. IBIS is the best way to go, especially for night photography, because it works on all lenses. I have the Z6, not Olympus level of IBIS, but good. They should have put it here. The camera is crippled by the lack of it. And I don't agree with the argument it's cheaper like that. I would gladly pay $100 more for such an useful feature, especially the ability to shoot the Z primes stabilized.

Best review of this camera I've seen

Great overview, I visited Budapest recently and loved it!

Fantastic review! Very informative and nice examples

Wow… excellent presentation and very useful information. Thanks for sharing. Cheers from Canada.

At Min 4:14 you say you have to keep ISO button pressed and rotate the dial to change the ISO. You can change this setting at f5 in the custom settings menu to press the ISO button once and then change the ISO.

Thank you so much for your awesome review. This helps a lot.

Great review, just ordered one, cheers from the UK.

Thank you so much! Wonderful real-life review!!!

The kit lenses of the Z50 are very very good. Christopher Frost just reviewed them ... recommend everyone - who is not sure if the lenses are good enough - to watch his tests.

Great review. Many popular youtubers should be shamed..

What a beautiful city!

Awesome Video - Thank you!! I was looking at possibly moving into the camera from an older Nikon DX but was worried about the ability to video.

Great review, but this is not the first camera with a screen that goes 180 for a "selfie screen". Olympus has had those for years in the PEN cameras.

Been a long time Nikon shooter and have the z6,7 and z50. I think the z series cameras are amazing and the Z50 is awesome for travel. The Z50 takes amazing images and the kit lenses are awesome.

Great review and also informative 👍👍

Z50 is indeed an excellent performer and well priced apsc mirror less camera. I don't know why this is underrated ?

My friend has the z50 and I have the a7iii. I compared photos from both and my a7iii is at most half a stop better, but costs thousands more with the lens.

I have it with 18-140 Z lens. It is excellent!

Very good. Thanks for your time.

Very informative video. Thank you!

Thank you so much for the review and the raw files! :)

Incredible review ! Well done :)

Thank you very much for this interesting video and köszi for the RAW Files!

Thank you and very informative. Looking forward to buying a used Z50!

Awesome video. Covered everything in detail. Subbed !!

Great review. Thank you!

great video bro. i just brought nikon z50

A good one for sure. How would you say the low light iso performance is compared to a D750 or a sony equivalent, like the 6400 or 6600?

I’d just like to let you know that it was a year ago when I first watched this very well produced video review of the Z50, and now that I’m finally getting around to making a purchase I have come back to listen again to your comments and observations. Right now I’m torned between this model and the Z5. I’ve used a aps-c DSLR for many years so the sensor size is not a concern. My focus now is mainly compactness and portability. They are both a lot smaller than my DSLR. if price is not in the decision process which would you consider a better choice? Thanks and cheers from Vancouver🇨🇦😊

Finally a good review subbed .

I am trying to optimally grab my gear within $1000 along with a single kit lens, maybe a hundred dollars give or take, in that regard, my options as available in my region are XT30, M6 MKII, Z50 & A6400. It would mean a world to me if you could help me decide my first ever gear. My focus is purely image quality, I am not weighing on video capabilites much, I prefer my smartphone and action cam for that. Cheers & thanks in advance! apologies if I have posted this in any other video of yours. please note that i am stepping up from an iphone with no prior experience with any DSLRs or Mirrorless

Excellent review . What mirrorless entry level camera do you think I should get ? Nikon z50 , Nikon z5 or Canon ?