ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Nikon Z50 II is a incredible digicam for inexperienced persons and intermediate photographers, with a beginning worth of $906.
- The construct is sturdy and adaptable to numerous capturing modes.
- You will must settle with a Micro HDMI port and operation speeds that may be a bit quicker.
extra shopping for decisions
Because the spring months are coming to an in depth and summer time formally begins, many people are planning time for household to construct and seize nice recollections for years to come back. In fact, images is high of thoughts, however there’s at all times that back-of-mind thought the place one considers, “I ought to get a actual digicam.”
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Sure, our trusty smartphone cameras do a pleasant job, however there’s nothing like a real digicam physique for capturing nice household moments within the highest picture high quality. I have been testing the Nikon Z50 II, and the digicam has the potential to be a good way to raise one’s images from a smartphone. It would even be higher than a few of your choices from Sony and Canon. Here is why.
The Nikon Z50 II is a mirrorless digicam touting an APS-C picture sensor able to capturing 20.9-megapixel photographs and 4K video at as much as 60 frames per second. So, sure, modest in the case of tech specs. Most cameras will seize 24 megapixels or extra lately, in addition to seize as much as 60 frames per second in 4K video.
It is protected to say the Z50 II is not compromising on the spec sheet and brings a pleasant worth with its crop sensor. The construct high quality is a high-quality plastic composite designed to be barely immune to bumps and scratches. To be clear, this is not a pro-grade digicam, so do not anticipate it to carry as much as a number of drops onto a tough flooring or pavement. For on a regular basis use, it is greater than sufficient.
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The Z50 II has strong autofocus and eye detection capabilities, which is essential when capturing portraits of objects in movement. If you happen to’re a fan of burst-mode capturing, the Z50 II can seize as much as 11 frames per second. If you happen to’re capturing with the mechanical shutter enabled, you may get roughly six frames per second.
This quantity is not significantly quick, however this is not a digicam designed to shoot high-speed sports activities or transferring objects. Will you shoot a soccer match with this digicam? Most likely not. Will you shoot photographs of your nephew working exterior together with his cousins? Sure. You’ll be able to.
Please permit me to deny that I’m notably a Canon photographer and don’t have any need to change full-time to a special model. Nonetheless, I’ll at all times give any digicam a good look and demonstration to see simply how effectively it performs.
That stated, the Nikon Z50 II digicam physique is a strong digicam that can be utilized by virtually anybody seeking to “improve” from their smartphone digicam to an everyday digicam. The photographs captured at 20.9 megapixels could also be lower than these captured by cameras touting 24 megapixels and even smartphones boasting “200 megapixels,” however the high quality remains to be fairly lovely on the Z50 II.
Vibrant colours from the Nikon Z50 II mirrorless digicam
Ant Pruitt/ZDNET
Do not be fooled by the megapixel depend. The 20 megapixels can present ample element for many photographs that beginning photographers will seize. You’ll be able to even crop out roughly 30% of the picture and nonetheless have acceptable ranges of element in your picture.
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I am a paid skilled, and one among my pro-grade cameras (Canon 1DX II), which I take advantage of weekly, captures 20-megapixel photographs. So long as you are utilizing high quality lenses on the Z50 II, you may discover the unbelievable picture high quality. I walked round with the Nikon DX 40mm f/2 prime lens. This compact, budget-friendly prime lens was lots sharp and supplied an ideal wide-open aperture at f/2.
Nice picture element from the 20.9-megapixel Nikon Z50 II and 40mm f/2 lens
Ant Pruitt/ZDNET
When utilizing a digicam, it is necessary that the digicam feels good in your palms. Don’t fret a lot concerning the tech specs. If the 40-megapixel digicam feels dangerous in your palms, you may seize less-than-stellar photographs. The Z50 II feels nice in my giant palms. As a result of I’ve giant palms, I are inclined to gravitate towards bigger digicam our bodies, which is why one among my cameras is a Canon 1DX II.
The Z50 II completely balances being a compact digicam that is straightforward to hold round on a hike and a bigger pro-grade physique designed to shoot in excessive situations. The grip has been prolonged barely on the Z50 II over its predecessor. Regardless that it is just a little bigger, you are not sacrificing weight.
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The physique nonetheless feels ultra-portable. The menu system is simple to navigate and lets you customise the digicam settings and buttons to fit your wants. It is nice to see digicam producers are taking consumer expertise (UX) into consideration in the case of digicam working methods and menus
I cannot be harsh right here. There aren’t any excellent cameras, so there’s at all times room for enchancment. However this digicam is in a mid-tier class and should not be judged as a pro-grade machine. For instance, the EVF (digital viewfinder) did not appear as sharp when capturing. It is usable, however I am used to EVFs having a contact extra readability.
The max shutter velocity is 1/4000 of a second. That is quick, however not quick sufficient for motion if this lens have been coupled with a telephoto lens. It is quick sufficient for many novice images situations, although. I put on glasses after I shoot images, so a pleasant cushioned eyepiece is right for me. The eyepiece on the Z50 II is a bit shallow and would not present a lot cushion.
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I respect the I/O ports providing the standard 3.5mm jack for a mic enter in addition to an HDMI enter. Sadly, the HDMI is a micro HDMI enter. I am not a fan of this, however full-size HDMI ports are sometimes discovered on costlier digicam our bodies. This is not a deal breaker, however must be talked about for amateurs seeking to make the most of the 4K video seize or use the Z50 II as a webcam.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The Nikon Z50 II is a strong digicam for anybody seeking to step above their trusty smartphone. It is moveable, feels nice within the palms, and captures photographs with nice element and coloration. I feel it’s a good worth for photographers in search of a midrange digicam physique on a funds.
No, it is not an ideal digicam. There is not any such factor. However this digicam can maintain its personal in the case of the pictures captured and ease of use. The Z50 II is offered on-line for $906. I additionally advocate pairing this digicam physique with the Nikon 40mm f/2 prime lens for an entire, budget-friendly bundle.
