Why I recommend this Nikon camera to most beginner photographers – especially at this price

As the spring months are coming to a close and summer officially begins, many folks are planning time for family to build and capture great memories for years to come. Of course, photography is top of mind, but there’s always that back-of-mind thought where one considers, “I should get a real camera.” 

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Yes, our trusty smartphone cameras do a nice job, but there’s nothing like a true camera body for capturing great family moments in the highest image quality. I’ve been testing the Nikon Z50 II, and the camera has the potential to be a great way to elevate one’s photography from a smartphone. It might even be better than some of your options from Sony and Canon. Here’s why. 

The Nikon Z50 II is a mirrorless camera touting an APS-C image sensor capable of capturing 20.9-megapixel photos and 4K video at up to 60 frames per second. So, yes, modest when it comes to tech specs. Most cameras will capture 24 megapixels or more these days, as well as capture up to 60 frames per second in 4K video. 

It’s safe to say the Z50 II isn’t compromising on the spec sheet and brings a nice value with its crop sensor. The build quality is a high-quality plastic composite designed to be slightly resistant to bumps and scratches. To be clear, this isn’t a pro-grade camera, so don’t expect it to hold up to multiple drops onto a hard floor or pavement. For everyday use, it’s more than enough.

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The Z50 II has solid autofocus and eye detection capabilities, which is key when shooting portraits of objects in motion. If you’re a fan of burst-mode shooting, the Z50 II can capture up to 11 frames per second. If you’re shooting with the mechanical shutter enabled, you’ll get roughly six frames per second. 

This number isn’t particularly fast, but this isn’t a camera designed to shoot high-speed sports or moving objects. Will you shoot a soccer match with this camera? Probably not. Will you shoot images of your nephew running outside with his cousins? Yes. You can. 

Please allow me to disclaim that I am notably a Canon photographer and have no desire to switch full-time to a different brand. However, I will always give any camera a fair look and demonstration to see just how well it performs. 

That said, the Nikon Z50 II camera body is a solid camera that can be used by almost anyone looking to “upgrade” from their smartphone camera to a regular camera. The photos captured at 20.9 megapixels may be less than those captured by cameras touting 24 megapixels or even smartphones boasting “200 megapixels,” but the quality is still quite beautiful on the Z50 II. 

Don’t be fooled by the megapixel count. The 20 megapixels can provide ample detail for most photos that starting photographers will capture. You can even crop out roughly 30% of the image and still have acceptable levels of detail in your image. 

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I’m a paid professional, and one of my pro-grade cameras (Canon 1DX II), which I use weekly, captures 20-megapixel images. As long as you’re using quality lenses on the Z50 II, you’ll notice the unbelievable image quality. I walked around with the Nikon DX 40mm f/2 prime lens. This compact, budget-friendly prime lens was plenty sharp and offered a great wide-open aperture at f/2.

When using a camera, it’s important that the camera feels good in your hands. Don’t worry so much about the tech specs. If the 40-megapixel camera feels bad in your hands, you’ll capture less-than-stellar photos. The Z50 II feels great in my large hands. Because I have large hands, I tend to gravitate toward larger camera bodies, which is why one of my cameras is a Canon 1DX II. 

The Z50 II perfectly balances being a compact camera that’s easy to carry around on a hike and a larger pro-grade body designed to shoot in extreme scenarios. The grip has been extended slightly on the Z50 II over its predecessor. Even though it’s a little larger, you’re not sacrificing weight. 

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The body still feels ultra-portable. The menu system is easy to navigate and allows you to customize the camera settings and buttons to suit your needs. It’s great to see camera manufacturers are taking user experience (UX) into consideration when it comes to camera operating systems and menus

I will not be harsh here. There are no perfect cameras, so there’s always room for improvement. But this camera is in a mid-tier class and shouldn’t be judged as a pro-grade device. For example, the EVF (electronic viewfinder) didn’t seem as sharp when shooting. It’s usable, but I’m used to EVFs having a touch more clarity. 

The max shutter speed is 1/4000 of a second. This is fast, but not fast enough for action if this lens were coupled with a telephoto lens. It’s fast enough for most amateur photography scenarios, though. I wear glasses when I shoot photography, so a nice cushioned eyepiece is ideal for me. The eyepiece on the Z50 II is a bit shallow and doesn’t provide much cushion. 

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I appreciate the I/O ports offering the usual 3.5mm jack for a mic input as well as an HDMI input. Unfortunately, the HDMI is a micro HDMI input. I’m not a fan of this, but full-size HDMI ports are typically found on more expensive camera bodies. This isn’t a deal breaker, but should be mentioned for amateurs looking to utilize the 4K video capture or use the Z50 II as a webcam. 

ZDNET’s buying advice

The Nikon Z50 II is a solid camera for anyone looking to step above their trusty smartphone. It’s portable, feels great in the hands, and captures images with great detail and color. I think it is a nice value for photographers looking for a midrange camera body on a budget. 

No, it’s not a perfect camera. There’s no such thing. But this camera can hold its own when it comes to the images captured and ease of use. The Z50 II is available online for $906. I also recommend pairing this camera body with the Nikon 40mm f/2 prime lens for a complete, budget-friendly package.