ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Nikon Z50 II is a improbable digicam for inexperienced persons and intermediate photographers, with a beginning worth of $906.
- The construct is sturdy and adaptable to varied taking pictures modes.
- You will need to 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 a detailed and summer time formally begins, many people are planning time for household to construct and seize nice reminiscences for years to return. After all, 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 an effective way to raise one’s images from a smartphone. It’d 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 pictures and 4K video at as much as 60 frames per second. So, sure, modest relating to 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 proof against 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 stable autofocus and eye detection capabilities, which is vital when taking pictures portraits of objects in movement. In the event you’re a fan of burst-mode taking pictures, the Z50 II can seize as much as 11 frames per second. In the event you’re taking pictures with the mechanical shutter enabled, you will 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 shifting objects. Will you shoot a soccer match with this digicam? In all probability not. Will you shoot photographs of your nephew operating outdoors together with his cousins? Sure. You possibly can.
Please permit me to deny that I’m notably a Canon photographer and don’t have any need to change full-time to a unique model. Nonetheless, I’ll at all times give any digicam a good look and demonstration to see simply how effectively it performs.
That mentioned, the Nikon Z50 II digicam physique is a stable digicam that can be utilized by nearly anybody seeking to “improve” from their smartphone digicam to a daily digicam. The pictures 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 stunning 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 pictures that beginning photographers will seize. You possibly can 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 in every of my pro-grade cameras (Canon 1DX II), which I exploit weekly, captures 20-megapixel photographs. So long as you are utilizing high quality lenses on the Z50 II, you will 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 excellent 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 arms. Don’t be concerned a lot concerning the tech specs. If the 40-megapixel digicam feels dangerous in your arms, you will seize less-than-stellar pictures. The Z50 II feels nice in my massive arms. As a result of I’ve massive arms, I are likely to gravitate towards bigger digicam our bodies, which is why one in every of 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 eventualities. The grip has been prolonged barely on the Z50 II over its predecessor. Despite the fact that it is somewhat bigger, you are not sacrificing weight.
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The physique nonetheless feels ultra-portable. The menu system is straightforward to navigate and means that you can customise the digicam settings and buttons to fit your wants. It is nice to see digicam producers are taking consumer expertise (UX) into consideration relating to digicam working programs and menus.
I can’t be harsh right here. There are not any good 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 gadget. For instance, the EVF (digital viewfinder) did not appear as sharp when taking pictures. 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 eventualities, 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 does not present a lot cushion.
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I recognize 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 usually 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 stable digicam for anybody seeking to step above their trusty smartphone. It is moveable, feels nice within the arms, and captures photographs with nice element and colour. I believe it’s a good worth for photographers in search of a midrange digicam physique on a finances.
No, it is not an ideal digicam. There is no such factor. However this digicam can maintain its personal relating to the pictures captured and ease of use. The Z50 II is on the market on-line for $906. I additionally suggest pairing this digicam physique with the Nikon 40mm f/2 prime lens for an entire, budget-friendly bundle.
