Nikon First APS-C Mirrorless Reviewed

2020.03.27

Nikon originally launched the Z-platform for mirrorless cameras with a pair of Full-Frame models but followed shortly after with their first APS-C offering based on the same wide-diameter Z-mount. This is the third sensor-size Nikon implemented in mirrorless format and first to share a mount, giving the new Nikon Z50 a jump-start by naively supporting existing Z-mount lenses, although APS-C sensors allow more compact lenses while providing image-quality between between Four-Thirds and Full-Frame.

The Nikon Z50 is built around a 20 megapixels BSI-CMOS sensor with a builtin 209-Point Phase-Detect AF system. The camera features a hybrid shutter mechanism capable of 11 FPS continuous shooting and spanning a 1/4000-30s shutter-speed range, plus longer Bulb and Timed exposures. Using a fast processor, this mirrorless can record 4K Ultra-HD video at 30 FPS and 1080p Full-HD at 120 FPS.

To deliver a compact mirrorless with a large lens mount, Nikon omitted both image-stabilization and automated sensor-cleaning in the Z50. While not totally necessary, these missing features are a key differentiation between this camera and other mirrorless. Where this is most problematic is with lenses since native Z-mount lenses are so far designed for cameras with builtin image-stabilization, given that the Z7 and Z6 both feature state-of-the-art 5-axis sensor-shift mechanisms. At the same time, the Z50 manages to offer quite a few controls, including dual control-dials and customizable function buttons in a compact body. There is a modern 2.4 MP 0.39" EVF with 0.68X magnification, 100% coverage and an Eye-Start Sensor for framing.

Neocamera just published an extensive in-depth review of the Nikon Z50. Read on to learn how this new mirrorless performs and compares. A side-by-side image-quality comparison between the Z50 and a Micro Four-Thirds mirrorless is uniquely included to show the compromise between state-of-the-art mirrorless cameras with these respective sensor-sizes.

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