Nikon Z50 6 month review! Should this be your next camera?

[@donbrooks8479]

Thanks for the pros and cons.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

You’re welcome Don. Hopefully you found it useful 🙏

[@DocBoA]

Great review Zach. I ordered my Z50 yesterday after renting it for week. I still love the feel of my d7100 with the 200-500mm when shooting birds. That week with the Z50 was all I needed to know this was a great move to mirrorless.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Ive got a D7100 as well. After using the Z50 for a couple days my 7100 felt like it weighed 18lbs and that I had tiny elf hands haha 😄

[@waltermayr339]

I love it when things are short and to the point. Very well done!

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Thanks Walter!

[@davidwildsmith3575]

I picked the Z50 after watching loads of reviews. Looked at the Z6ii but can't afford the glass. So expensive. Plus I can use all my glass off of my D7200. Cheers for your review. 👍

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Thank you for the kind words. I hope you enjoy your z50!

[@FernandoGonzalez84]

Similar with me. Coming from a D7000 though. Excited to get my Z50!

[@vvsmile1ify]

Thank you this really helped my decision to get z50. we will see

[@ZacharyEldridge]

I still shoot with mine all the time! Such a great little camera.

[@12w3hji123456789]

Just love my Z50

[@kristersjoblom4025]

Thanks a lot! It was a pleasure to watch your video. Very informative and very well presented. You have "convinced" me to get a Z50.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Enjoy it! Such a fun camera to use!

[@MrYankee853]

great review Zach..I've had mine for a few months and love it..like you mentioned, I was already into the Nikon system with my D7100, which I also love and will never give up..but..my little Z50 is on me at all times..great little beast ! Thanks !

[@ZacharyEldridge]

I own a 7100 as well! This was a great step up from that, but I still love taking the 7100 out on occasion.

[@hammermediaco.661]

Such a rockstar bro! Awesome content.

[@NJ_Galactic]

This camera convince me to get rid of my D7500 and shortly after also get a Z7. The Z50 ability to do so much, from portraits to milkyway shots and even video is amazing considering its a Nikon's first serious apsc mirrorless.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Its a beast!!!!! I just got some amazing sunflower/landscape shots with it for my next vid. Does not disappoint!

[@jamesspicewilliams8835]

I just bought one last week. Liking it so far. Agree with the battery life issue. I did not buy the kit lens. I adapt my F mount glass and other manual focus glass. Yashica and Konica so far. I'm pleased with the results. I wanted to try mirrorless, have a compact EDC adapt some old school glass and not break the bank. This camera covers a lot of ground. Thanks for your review.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Thank you for watching! Glad to hear you’re enjoying the camera 📸. What’s your favorite thing about it so far?

[@jamesspicewilliams8835]

@@ZacharyEldridge Focus confirmation with AFD lenses. Inexpensive adapters to shoot my Yashica and Konica glass as well. I did the firmware update for the camera and my Tamron lenses...mind was blown.This camera checks so many blocks for me. It's not perfect but I feel as though Nikon had me in mind. They did a good job.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Haha i did a whole video about how excited I was when tamron updated several lenses to be compatible. Cheers!

[@kencochrane8795]

Iv also had mine for about 6 months. I love it. I wish there was a menu item to lock the position of the focus box without disabling the touchscreen. I hope they will offer this in a future update.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Good call! I’d like to see that feature as well.

[@pksphoru1]

Please compare 6400 and z50 aftet firmware updates.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

If I can get my hands on a 6400 ill do that!

[@ozwrangler.c]

How does the z50 Eye Autofocus for Pets work in latest firmware?

[@ZacharyEldridge]

@@ozwrangler.c my experience has been mixed. It doesn't work great for my dogs because they have black fur.... Now, for animals with lighter fur it works great!

[@jordiolbe]

Another group of people like me that have/wants the Z50: People that do hiking or long walks at the mountains and want a lightweight gear to carry for landscape photography without compromising too much space at the backpack and without adding too much wheigt. I have the Z50 since the past May and I'm very happy with it for hiking and travel, much better than the D7200 with the Sigma 17-50mm f2.8. With the Z50 and the 16-50mm kit lens I carry approx. 600g and with the D7200 approx. 1300g and more volume... And without compromising too much the image quality for daylight landscapes ^^

[@ronshaw9311]

I went from my D7200 to the Z50. I skipped the kit lens and got it with the FTZ adapter, so I can use my Sigma 17-50 F2.8 lens on it. The combination works great. I will never go back to a DSLR.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

I was soooo anti mirrorless... but then I got the z50! It changed my mind completely and I doubt Ill ever buy another DSLR.

[@jehualguno1646]

Is the focusing alright? With the ftz adapter? Using sigma 17-50mm 2.8 for photos?

[@ronshaw9311]

The focus is right on every time. The FTZ adapter works great with the Sigma 17-50 F2.8.

[@rfdtalk]

thank you

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Glad you enjoyed it! Make sure to sub for more z50 content!

[@pabloescobar7139]

Any heating issues while doing video? How about battery life while doing video.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

I've never once had the Z50 overheat while shooting video. Battery life is not the best but with 1 extra battery on hand I'm able to make it through most days. You can also charge on the go with a micro USB cable to juice up between shots.

[@pabloescobar7139]

@@ZacharyEldridge okay thanks!

[@ZacharyEldridge]

For sure! Thanks for your sub!

[@Digmen1]

Great Intro!

[@madphotographer762]

Just purchased one 3 days ago..! It rocks!! Great Value ! $930 USD for the twin lens kit with small rig plate... how can you go wrong..?

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Enjoy!!! I'm still rocking my z50 out almost daily!

[@monettebanal5223]

where did u buy?

[@BhuvanRaj_]

Wow...sadly, it costs around $1000 here in India (body +one kitlens)

[@madphotographer762]

@@monettebanal5223 I purchased it at DigiDirect in Australia. Currently it's $1180 USD but last week for some reason they did the kit for $930 for a few days.

[@ripamontiangelo6097]

Zach good evening... I'm thinking to move from D750 to Z50... Same ideas... Did You miss the full frame sensor results of the D750?

[@ZacharyEldridge]

I don't miss it because I still have my D750 haha! Truly I love both cameras. The serve different purposes for me. For portraits/wedding shoots II still grab my d750. For my day to day I usually grab my Z50. Z50 also my main video camera at this point. The Z50 is very capable and I don't regret the purchase at all.

[@distomos8118]

You didn’t talk about image quality (dynamic range, low light capabilities, etc.) and the lack of IBIS. Not saying it’s a bad camera, but I wouldn’t dump my D7100 for it. Maybe consider it as a companion for those occasions where I need an unobtrusive and (more) silent camera.

[@missj.4760]

Have they fixed the autofocus? Can you now choose a focus point with the touch screen? If not, to me, the camera does not worth the price.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Autofocus on the Z50 has always been pretty good. The Eye AF is definitely better on the z6ii but that camera is more than double the price. And yes you can select a focus point by tapping the rear screen. It doesn't have touch and drag focus when holding the camera up to your eye though.

[@francissosingindyrcworldga8936]

Great review!! Trying to decide on this camera or the fuji xs10

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Those are both great cameras! I'm biased towards the Z50 because I own it. I have really enjoyed shooting on it over the past year and even though I picked up a z6ii the Z50 goes out with me on every shoot!

[@kencochrane8795]

Love my Z50. Tiny, light and lots of the features we get in the bigger pro Z’s. A couple of markdowns. It needs in body image stabilization like its big brothers. That way we can use the pro FX lenses and still have stabilization. For the way I shoot, Im old school. I like the focus box in the middle. With the touch screen activated it gets accidently bumped all over the screen. It would be nice if we could lock the position like the bigger cameras. Maybe a feature for a future firmware upgrade? The workaround is turning off the touch screen and using the scroll center button to keep it centered. It doesent move around nearly as much. Thanks for your review.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

You can disable the touch to focus feature! It's in the top left of the rear screen.

[@kencochrane8795]

@@ZacharyEldridge Zachery, as mentioned in my reply, yes you can disable the touchscreen, but then you loose the rest of the touch screen features which you may (or may not) find useful. I have my touchscreen turned off. I would rather have a focus box lock as a separate menu item.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Oh I gotcha, sorry was reading your reply on the go!

[@Ms.SaraFerni]

Thanks for the feedback. I’m getting one as well. Best of luck with your channel, live your content and the quality. What mic did you use for this video?

[@ZacharyEldridge]

This was recorded with the PowerDeWise lavalier mic. Pretty cheap but works great!

[@roknboker]

Great video man - we also use our z50 over on our theme park vlog channel - and the lack of fast glass in the DX form factor is killing us too! We also have a z6 so we have some other lenses - but the issue is that those lenses do not have VR built into them them since the camera has IBIS. I think they should have included IBIS in the z50 as part of the whole reason going to a z series - then the difference in VR glass wouldn't be such a deal breaker. Do you have any wide fast lenses that you recommend? we bought a VR Sigma lense but the motor is way too loud - you can hear it focusing with the mic on the hot shoe.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

The only super wide ive tried is the tamron 10-24mm and its definitely loud when focusing. The mic (on camera or rode video micro) definitely pick up the noise. Not as noticeable when the environment is noisy though.

[@Drsunnychan]

Great video. I’m coming from a D7000 and have a bunch of lenses. Thinking of going to a Z50 or possibly the new Z5. Do you think the Z5 is worth the additional premium?

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Are your lenses for full-frame or crop sensor? Full frame has its upside, but lately ive been shooting more with my Z50! I'm still able to get great results and the smaller size and lower price point really make a difference in regards to how I shoot. Check out my 6 month review if the Z50. Its definitely my favorite camera at the moment.

[@Drsunnychan]

My lenses are full fram lenses such as the 50mm and the 105 micro lens

[@RichieDotsey]

@@Drsunnychan I dont recommend u going to Z5, if you see the features it has, it's practically worse than "old" crop cameras... Like way worse... u can search some reviews for it but mostly check its features. Z50 as a crop camera is a BEAST when compared to Z5! I really dont think there was any point releasing the Z5 because u dont get any new features except maybe the dual card slots... but all the other features of it is quite.... disappointing....

[@shimmeringreflection]

Thumbs up, but it would have been good to see some of the photos you took with it over the six months

[@ZacharyEldridge]

For sure! There are quite a few in videos I posted prior to this one. Check them out!

[@jubayarahmed342]

nice video, I'm looking for a camera for my wife, she doesn't feel comfortable taking pictures with my d7200, too heavy with the lense added. my only concern is the battery life, how many shots can u get out of z50?

[@ZacharyEldridge]

A lot factors into that. The battery easily lasts me around 600 shots. Like I mentioned in the video, I picked a second battery up to help with this. It’s not bad by any means, just not quite DSLR level battery life, but that’s the trade off of a smaller mirror less camera. My verdict, go for it!

[@jubayarahmed342]

@@ZacharyEldridge awesome, yes I'm ordering one today from adorama, they bundled two lenses along with ftz adapter so I could use my other lenses as well.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Congrats! I know you guys will love it! I also think you’ll be very surprised at how awesome the kit lenses are. (Never thought I’d say that about ANY kit lenses 😆)

[@connorfernandes9439]

I would buy this but the native lens selection is absolutely terrible. If they ever make any halfway decent Dx size Z lenses, this would be great

[@ZacharyEldridge]

For now the adaptor gets the job done for me but I completely agree 💯

[@connorfernandes9439]

@@ZacharyEldridge do you use any sigma glass with the adapter on the Z50?

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Sure do! The 17-50 2.8 practically lives on my Z50

[@connorfernandes9439]

@@ZacharyEldridge that’s my favorite DX lens so far so hearing that it works well adapted is perfect

[@connorfernandes9439]

@@ZacharyEldridge how bout the dx primes?

[@AlfredQuahSimplyalfred]

Is it good for bitds photography

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Absolutely! The 10fps burst speed and really deep buffer make it ideal for wildlife. As for AF I would use a group af mode or single point af instead of full AF as it tends to hunt a bit. Tracking AF might also be a good option.

[@calebyoung2348]

Great review, really liked it, may have helped me make a decision on the Z50. Not a photographer or a videographer, but to me the video had a tad too much contrast. Just an observation.

[@ПазарджикПет]

The reason I considered Z50 was the ftz adaper + sigma 18-35 1.8. Landed on the z6 tho, and very happy with it.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Solid camera! Enjoy!

[@RichieDotsey]

I also have Sigma 18-35 + 50-100 1.8 and considering the Z50! I work with D7200 and already get full frame results with those lenses, so I am pretty sure Z50 gonna be a great update for me...

[@haley358]

Great video! I need some help! I use a z50 and I noticed the brightness in the EVF and screen only reflect the brightness of the actual photo under Manual mode not A or S modes.(I have d8 set to apply to live view) The brightness in the EVF and screen doesn't change when I change the shutter speed or aperture but it does change when I adjust the exposure. The photos can come out really dark when they look bright in the EVF and Screen. Am I doing anything wrong?

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Thats strange! I'll have to test this out because I pretty much only shoot in manual. Have you updated to the latest firmware?

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Also, are you using a flash? I believe using an on camera flash causes the setting NOT to apply to live view.

[@haley358]

@@ZacharyEldridge I got it a month ago so I believe it's the most updated firmware? I'm not using a flash.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

I'm so sorry I don't have an answer on this! Itll be a pain, but I would reset the camera completely to see if that fixes the problem. Give it a go and see what happens!

[@haley358]

@@ZacharyEldridge No worries. I did reset the camera and it's the same. I found another person asking the same question on Digital Photography Review so it's probably a design instead of malfunction. I hope they change that in later firmware updates otherwise it's not really 'what you see is what you get'. I'm not sure why this issue is not being brought up very much though.

[@kris1]

Thanks for the great review. How would you compare this to the M50 for video?

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Personally I like the Z50 video quality better and truly believe the Z50 autofocus is better. I think the colors are fantastic and you have the ability to do things that the m50 cant. -Z50 has no crop 4k, the m50 has a 1.6x crop -Z50 shoots 120fps in 1080, the M50 gets 60fps -Z50 has far superior ergonomics and dual dials for easier settings control in manual mode -Both only have a single card slot -neither have a LOG profile -Z50 has flip down screen, M50 has flip out screen. If you have the funds I'd go with the Z50, however you can save a few hundred bucks getting the M50. Depends if you dont mind missing out on some of the better specs. My most recent YT video was recorded in 4k using the Z50, this video was recorded on the m50. I think you'll see which has better quality, but both are great! Z50 link in the description of this video!

[@kris1]

@@ZacharyEldridge Cheers thanks, ill take a look. I am invested in Nikon glass for photography so the Z50 (with adapter) would suit me better- great to see these new Nikons can do video well without having to manual focus all the time.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Its surprisingly good!!!

[@ZacharyEldridge]

And the FTZ adapter works like a charm. Only thing to consider is that nikon glass tends to be a little loud when focusing for video. I remedied this by using a cheap lav mic.

[@lweleven3423]

I agree what you say about the lenses it’s one thing holding be back…I want to love it but it feels a step back having owned d7200 Fuji XT2 …I’m after quality of product without it weighing a ton and costing a fortune . I’m caught in the middle preferring Nikon but Fuji XT20/30 is tipping the scales for the lenses available..thanks for your take. Very helpful

[@ZacharyEldridge]

There are definitely a LOT of lens options IF you are willing to use the FTZ adaptor, or use the Z Full frame lenses. Since publishing this Nikon has released a relatively inexpensive 28mm and 40mm lens that pair quite nicely with the Z50. What I'd REALLY love to see is a Nikon 18-400 like Tamron made a few years ago. This would become the ultimate travel camera with a lens like that (albeit you could just adapt the f mount version that Tamron makes).

[@AdamAdam-ut7dn]

When shooting at 120fps Full HD, does it apply any cropping ?

[@ZacharyEldridge]

No crop in 120fps!!

[@manojverma3732]

Nikon z50 best result at video or still ?

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Honestly, it does a great job at both! It’s a solid hybrid that provides excellent results in both worlds. For me, the win is compactness. I’m able to travel lighter and capture both stills and video with the flick of a switch. The z50 is truly a remarkable little beast!

[@sovanroy5585]

Bro is z50 perfect for some professional shoot like wedding ?and what about wildlife?plz ans me

[@ZacharyEldridge]

There's no reason you couldn't shoot weddings with this camera. ImO the biggest differentiator on wedding day is having pro glass and a strong fundamental understanding of natural and artificial lighting. Some folks will say it's not good for weddings because of its single card slot. I don't buy into that argument but thats just me. As for wildlife it shoots 10fps and has a 1.5x crop sensor. Both good for capturing the action. Nikon soon releasing some long telephoto lenses for the z system that will definitely be great for that.

[@sovanroy5585]

@@ZacharyEldridge thank you for your precious reply

[@missj.4760]

Who is it for? 4) Those who want a decent relatively lightweight camera for travel photography.

[@mallberry41]

Great content! Just subbed after watching a couple of your Z50 Videos. As a previous M50 owner and now a z50 owner, which one of the two do you prefer out of interest? Or, do you feel they are just too similar to separate? Cheers

[@ZacharyEldridge]

IMO the z50 is a far superior stills camera and quite a bit better at video! 4k no.crop with good autofocus! Dual dials for shooting manual!! Bsi sensor!!! Having owned both I can confidently say the Z50 wins! That being said I enjoyed shooting Vids and photo on the m50!

[@hepgeoff]

Thanks for the great review! I'm not a fan of the flip down selfie screen though. That won't work on a tripod or selfie stick. Also, only one UHS1 slot? At least give us a UHSII slot, Nikon.Wish you could shoot N-log video, too.

[@JashDoshi]

Just wanted to know does z50 have any heating issues???

[@chinmayadoc]

confused between z5 vs z50 .. please advice

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Z5 has a full frame sensor, Z50 a crop (apsc) sensor. Z5 is lowest end model in Nikons full frame camera lineup. Z50 is currently the only crop sensor camera.

[@seekbeautytravel]

Thanks for the great review man, just one question, do you have any sample videos on your channel from z50?

[@ZacharyEldridge]

My most recent video regarding Nikon rumors was shot on the Z50 in 4k! Great vid quality and autofocus!

[@HowSo1055]

After a month long research i finally found your channel and this video really helped me to make a decision. Do you think Z50 would do well for wedding photography and video?

[@ZacharyEldridge]

I think it's a great hybrid camera for most situations! There's really no reason you couldn't shoot wedding with the Z50, however most photographers will say you need a full frame camera for that job.

[@rockybhai7837]

You have purchased

[@rockybhai7837]

Can I buy this for wedding and event photography 🙏🙏🙏

[@singhsaysandwrites]

It would be great if you had add pictures taken from this camera in the end or throughout the video. Many people are here just for that.

[@markshirley01]

Can you not use focus and recompose on the Z50.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Yes you can. This can be done be either using back button AF or AF-S mode.

[@markshirley01]

@@ZacharyEldridge I was referring to tour comments about not having the touch screen like your M50. The monochrome memoirs shows a really fast way of setting up his Z6, it is focus and recompose but with the added advantage of how the 3.0 firmware has been redesigned. I thought you may be able to work that way on the Z50.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

I'll have to watch their video and test it out! I'll let you know!

[@faisalsheraz8101]

Nice review...

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Thank you 🙏

[@fthprodphoto-video5357]

Want a compact camera with great depth of field and small lenses : the panasonic gx85/80 combined with the 12mm 1.4, 17mm1.2, 20mm 1.7, 25mm 1.2, 30mm 1.4 and 56mm 1.4 is just the best portable system with amazing IQ on the market

[@intrinsicimagery]

I have all three Z bodies. The Z7 and 85mm 1.8S is the best portrait combo I've ever used. The Z6 is a video monster. The Z50 is a bonkers street photography camera, and always goes in my wedding bag as a disaster camera. My wedding kit is a 35mm 1.4 Tamron, a Tamron 70-200mm G2, and the 85mm 1.8S. The Z50 works well with the FTZ adaptor, and it would be absolutely fine in a pinch if one of my main bodies quit. Z50 also great for video.

[@intrinsicimagery]

Oh. I have both of the kit lenses. 10/10 recommend.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Thats awesome man! I'm looking forward to adding more Z gear to my kit in the future. Curious to see what the alleged z5 looks like 👍 🤔

[@mgotovac]

I want camera with z50 features but without EVF!

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Interesting! so basically an Apsc D780? why so? why not just jump into mirrorless? not saying you are wrong, more so curious as to the reason. cheers!

[@mgotovac]

​@@ZacharyEldridge I said z50 which is mirrorless. I want smartphone replacement camera: compact body with pancake lens. Something i can easily carry with me. If I have to choose EVF or compactness I would choose second. My eyes are not so good as when i was younger so i have to relay on camera AF. So EVF does not work for me much.

[@patrick.991]

@@mgotovac In my opinion an EVF is much better if your "eyes are not so good". You can also adjust the diopter and you see the image larger and clearer and closer to you. A screen always reflects the sun and cameras miss the auto brightness adjust feature every smartphone has. I recommend to go into a store and try it. An APS-C camera without viewfinder is the Canon M6II or you go for a Sony A6xxx with a very small viewfinder that doesn't impact size. But my favourite compact APS-C is the Z50.

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Oh I gotcha! We might be seeing a smaller Nikon Z3 coming out soon. If I were to guess, id say they are going to ditch the EVF and only have a rear screen. I just posted a vid about some rumored Nikon cameras coming out, check it out!

[@mgotovac]

@@ZacharyEldridge I have a feeling there are many people like myself who wants smartphone camera replacement. Just do not know why camera companies do not recognise that. Imagine small compact APSC camera with f/1.8 lens and Bluetooth connection which automatically send pictures to smartphone.

[@vwiedhoff]

Z50 is also great for astrophotography. It just misses battery charging while using (like z6/7 ii), and, what's really annoying, there is no connection for a remote shutter release. Otherwise Z50 an excellent camera.

[@MrRaychard123]

First time to hear someone refer the Nikon d750 as a beast of a camera, just imagine if you shoot a proper pro grade DSLR

[@ZacharyEldridge]

With the grip on its especially huge! Still love it tho

[@georgesmith3022]

If only the ftz adapter wouldn't cost 250 euros. Come on nikon....

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Worth the price of admission if you have a huge collection of f mount lenses! Definitely cheaper than buying all new lenses. It works like a charm 👌

[@thunder7382]

D750 is not cumbersome...haha

[@ZacharyEldridge]

Compared to a Z50 with a Z lens it's quite a bit bigger and heavier. Its Not that I can't manage it, I did for years! That being said, if I'm just out and about my Z50 is what's on me.

[@nomadicssj619]

Battery is not that good bro . Nikon has given everything but low battery life disgusting

[@ZacharyEldridge]

It gets me through most days but I definitely picked up a spare battery.

[@viewlesswind]

Nikon will make you fast DX primes? Forget it. DX is the bastard child that financially struggling Nikon is likely to abandon first. Nikon's made all the bad moves, Coolpix A, Nikon 1, DL (the list starts from and can go all the way to Z50).

[@Mike-dm5ut]

I’m going to venture a guess that dx cameras are a major source of revenue. Z50 arguably on pace with the flagship d500. Have you not seen the 35mm1.8 dx dslr glass runs less than $200 and is a gem.

[@viewlesswind]

@@Mike-dm5ut most people just shoot with their phones and don't bother using a dedicated camera anymore. Yeah, I do remember 35/1.8DX, it was priced at $100 when it was released a decade ago.