Nuff zed
A lightweight and affordable APS-C version of Nikon’s Z-series mirrorless monsters might be all the camera you really need… Natalya Paul spends a fortnight finding out
Nikon’s two new lenses make for an ace starter kit before you move to more ‘pro’ options.
£849 (body only)/ stuff.tv/NikonZ50
DAY 01
The Z50 is Nikon’s first camera with an APS-C sensor, and it arrives with the aim of creating some fresh noise in a crowded system camera scene. To slightly confuse matters, Nikon calls this ‘DX format’, but the idea is simple: to build on the success of its mirrorless Z6 and Z7 models by offering a compact alternative for beginners.
It’s done this by cherry-picking the best features from its older siblings and shoehorning them into a slimmer shell. That means the relatively tiny body of this 20.9MP shooter gets Nikon’s largest Z-mount and is joined by an Expeed 6 processor, which allows 4K video as well as an impressive native ISO range of 100 to 51200. Fortunate enough to own or have access to any Z6 or Z7 kit? You get to use all of the existing lenses, before feasting on two entirely new ones designed for the DX format: a 16-50mm pancake and a 50-250mm telephoto. And Nikon says it’s planning to announce more throughout the year.