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Nikon Z 50 Camera Review

Tested using Methodology v0.12.1
Review updated Nov 08, 2023 at 11:39 am
Latest change: Test bench update Dec 04, 2024 at 02:06 pm
Nikon Z 50 Picture
7.5
Travel Photography
7.8
Landscape Photography
7.8
Sport & Wildlife Photography
7.9
Raw Photo Performance
7.3
Vlogging
7.8
Studio Video
5.4
Action Video
This camera was replaced by the Nikon Z 50II

The Nikon Z 50 is the first APS-C camera in Nikon's mirrorless Z series. It sits below full-frame models like the Nikon Z 5 and Nikon Z 6II and above the smaller, vlogging-oriented Nikon Z 30. While this isn't the most portable APS-C camera, it's well-built and feels great in the hand. Toss in fast mechanical burst shooting, decent video specs, and a good but not class-leading autofocus system, and you've got a well-rounded camera with a lot to offer for beginners and more advanced users alike.

Our Verdict

7.5 Travel Photography

The Nikon Z50 is good for travel photography. It takes sharp, clear images, performs well even in dimly-lit environments, and is well-built with a weather-sealed body. It also has a decent overall autofocus system, though it can be a bit unreliable with very fast-moving subjects or busier scenes. It also isn't the most portable APS-C mirrorless camera, and its battery life isn't great.

Pros
  • Great image quality.
  • Comfortable to operate.
  • Well-built and weather-sealed.
Cons
  • Not the most portable option.
  • Mediocre battery performance.
7.8 Landscape Photography

The Nikon Z 50 is great for landscape photography. Image quality is impressive, with excellent dynamic range to bring out more highlight and shadow detail. There isn't too much noise at higher ISO settings, so it performs okay in low light. That said, battery life leaves something to be desired, especially for long hikes in remote locations.

Pros
  • Great image quality.
  • Comfortable to operate.
  • Well-built and weather-sealed.
Cons
  • Not the most portable option.
  • Mediocre battery performance.
7.8 Sport & Wildlife Photography

The Nikon Z50 is good for sports and wildlife photography. Its autofocus system has a great tracking feature, if not quite as reliable as higher-end mirrorless models. Still, it can shoot at a relatively quick burst rate. Images also look sharp and detailed. However, its photo buffer isn't particularly large, particularly for RAW files, which can slow you down if you shoot extended bursts.

Pros
  • Great image quality.
  • Comfortable to operate.
  • Quick burst shooting.
Cons
  • Not the most portable option.
  • Fairly small photo buffer.
7.9 Raw Photo Performance

The Nikon Z 50 has very good RAW image quality. Though it doesn't have the highest resolution sensor among its peers, it still captures a good amount of fine detail. Its dynamic range is excellent, so it can capture a wide array of detail in high-contrast scenes. Its noise handling in low light is also decent.

Pros
  • Excellent dynamic range.
  • Images are fairly detailed.
Cons
  • Noise handling is just decent.
7.3 Vlogging

The Nikon Z50 is decent for vlogging. It doesn't have a fully articulated screen, but you can still flip its screen down to face you for vlogs. Just be aware that putting it on a tripod can block the screen, which isn't ideal. There's no built-in sensor stabilization, but using lenses with optical stabilization can help reduce camera shake. Its autofocus also does an excellent job of keeping faces in focus when recording video.

Pros
  • Good autofocus performance.
  • Great video quality.
  • Well-built and weather-sealed.
Cons
  • Not the most portable option.
  • Screen doesn't fully articulate.
  • No IBIS.
7.8 Studio Video

The Nikon Z50 is good for studio video. Its overall video quality is quite good in more controlled lighting situations, and it offers a fair amount of frame rate options, including 120 fps in 1080p for slow-motion shots. However, it's limited to 4k at up to 30 fps, with a slight crop. It also can only shoot 8-bit 4:2:0 video, with no Log recording option, which means less leeway in post-production. While it includes a microphone port to connect an external mic, there's no headphone jack for in-depth audio level monitoring.

Pros
  • Comfortable to operate.
  • Good autofocus performance.
  • Great video quality.
Cons
  • No headphone jack.
  • Mediocre video recording quality in poorly-lit environments.
  • No Log recording.
5.4 Action Video

The Nikon Z50 isn't designed for action video. It's too big to be mounted on a helmet rig and isn't water-resistant. Its frame rate options are also limited in 4k, though it can shoot at up to 120 fps video in FHD for slow-motion footage.

Pros
  • Great video quality.
Cons
  • Not the most portable option.
  • Limited frame rate options in 4k recording.
  • 7.5 Travel Photography
  • 7.8 Landscape Photography
  • 7.8 Sport & Wildlife Photography
  • 7.9 Raw Photo Performance
  • 7.3 Vlogging
  • 7.8 Studio Video
  • 5.4 Action Video
  1. Updated Jan 29, 2024: Added text to the 'Raw Photo Performance' verdict box and updated existing text in the 'Photo RAW Noise' box to match the camera's adjusted score after conversion to Test Bench 0.12.1.
  2. Updated Jan 29, 2024: Converted to Test Bench 0.12.1.
  3. Updated Nov 08, 2023: Brushed up text throughout review for clarity.
  4. Updated Sep 05, 2023: We re-processed the 'Photo RAW Dynamic Range' test scene photo using Lightroom rather than RawTherapee and re-uploaded it to the review for consistency with our current methodology.
  5. Updated Aug 30, 2023: Added link to the Canon EOS R10 in the '4k Video Frame Rate' section of the review to provide an alternative that can record uncropped 4k video at certain frame rates.
  6. Updated Jun 09, 2023: Added a link to the Nikon Z 30 in the 'Screen' section of the review.
  7. Updated Jun 02, 2023: We've updated the 'Low Speed Continuous Shooting' field to reflect this camera's minimum low-speed burst rate of 1 fps. We had previously shown the default low-speed setting of 3 fps.
  8. Updated Apr 05, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.12.
  9. Updated Jan 24, 2023: Added text to 'Photo AF-C Tracking' and 'Photo AF-C Center Point' boxes, with minor touch-ups throughout the review for clarity.
  10. Updated Jan 23, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 0.11.
  11. Updated Nov 17, 2022: Added full text to review and rewrote existing text for clarity.
  12. Updated Sep 23, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.10.
  13. Updated Aug 09, 2022: We mistakenly noted that this camera had no water resistance, but according to the manufacturer's website, the camera is in fact weather-sealed. The 'Water Resistance' field has been updated.
  14. Updated Aug 04, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.9.
  15. Updated Apr 26, 2022: We reevaluated this camera's low-light video performance in comparison with other cameras and slightly increased its score. The 'Low Light Capability' and overall 'Video Quality' scores have been adjusted accordingly for both 4k and FHD.
  16. Updated Apr 22, 2022: Converted to Test Bench 0.8.
  17. Updated Jan 24, 2022: Rescored FHD test scene extract.
  18. Updated Sep 20, 2021: Updated 'Crop' field to show a 1.1x crop in 'FHD Video Stabilization' box.
  19. Updated Sep 17, 2021: Retested 'Luminance Noise' to account for the camera's shutter speed and achieve more accurate results.
  20. Updated May 21, 2021: Corrected input error in 'Screen Articulation Type' field in 'Screen' section.
  21. Updated Mar 08, 2021: Corrected input error in the 'Max Aperture (Full Frame Equivalent)' field inside the 'Lens' section.
  22. Updated Feb 12, 2021: An input error in the 'Guide Mode' field in the 'Menu System' box has been corrected. An error in the name of the tested lens has also been fixed.
  23. Updated Feb 08, 2021: Corrected input errors in the 'Sample Gallery' section.
  24. Updated Feb 08, 2021: Review published.

Differences Between Sizes And Variants

The Nikon Z 50 is only available in one color variant: 'Black', and you can see our unit's label here.

Depending on the retailer, you can buy the camera body on its own or in a bundle with the Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens or with other Z mount lenses like the Nikkor Z DX 50-250mm F/4.5-6.3 VR lens, depending on the retailer.

There's also a 'Creator's Kit' bundle, which comes with the camera body, the Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens, a RØDE VideoMicro Microphone, a Joby GorillaPod 3K Kit, a SmallRig Vlogging Mounting Plate, and a Nikon Travel Kit case.

If you come across a different variant of the Nikon Z 50, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update our review.

Compared To Other Cameras

The Nikon Z 50 is a well-rounded entry-level camera. It's sturdier than a lot of cameras in its class, with some weather-sealing, along with excellent ergonomics. That said, it isn't the most portable APS-C option out there.

For other options, see our recommendations for the best mirrorless cameras for beginners, the best cameras under $1,000, or the best cameras for photography.

Nikon Z 30

The Nikon Z 30 is very similar overall to the Nikon Z 50, using similar sensors. The biggest difference between the two is in their respective designs. The Z 50 is more photography-oriented, with a viewfinder and tilting screen, while the Z 30 is aimed at vloggers, with no viewfinder and a fully articulated screen that can flip around to face you. Also, while the Z 50 uses a Micro USB port, the Z 30 now has a USB-C port, allowing you to use it with an external power supply for things like streaming. It also removes the Z 50's 30-minute recording time limit but struggles with overheating in 4k, limiting your effective recording time.

Nikon Z 5

The Nikon Z 5 and the Nikon Z 50 are both entry-level options in Nikon's mirrorless lineup, but they have different-sized sensors. The Z 5 has an advantage in noise and low-light performance thanks to its full-frame sensor, along with advanced features like in-body image stabilization and dual memory card slots. However, the Z 50's APS-C sensor gives it a more portable body. The Z 50 also has faster burst shooting and is a bit better suited to video and vlogging, with more frame rate options and less of a crop on 4k video.

Sony α6400

The Nikon Z 50 and the Sony α6400 are both great entry-level models with different advantages. The Nikon has better ergonomics and a more intuitive user interface, while the Sony has a more effective autofocus system and a more established lens ecosystem.

Nikon Z fc

The Nikon Z fc and the Nikon Z 50 perform very similarly overall. They use the same 20 MP sensor, so image and video quality is comparable. However, the Z fc has slightly more consistent AF tracking performance. That said, the biggest difference between the two is design. The Z fc is designed to look like a vintage SLR, with more dedicated control dials, and has a fully articulated screen that makes it a little better-suited to vlogging. The Z 50, on the other hand, is a little less portable but feels more comfortable in the hand thanks to its handgrip. Unlike the Z fc, it has a tilting screen that's better suited to waist-level photography.

Canon EOS R50

The Nikon Z 50 is a bit better overall than the Canon EOS R50, with a sturdier build quality, better ergonomics, and a larger viewfinder. Its mechanical shutter and larger photo buffer make it better suited to faster subjects, like wildlife and sports. However, the R50 is more portable, and its simple controls and extensive auto-shooting modes are tailored more toward beginners.

Canon EOS R10

The Canon EOS R10 is a little more well-rounded than the Nikon Z 50. Though some will prefer the Nikon's tilt-and-flip display, the Canon has a brighter, fully articulated screen, a faster max shooting speed, and noticeably more reliable autofocus tracking performance in both photo and video. The Canon is also a better option for video work; it can record uncropped 4k footage at 30 fps or cropped 4k video at 60 fps and supports 10-bit 4:2:2 recording when using the HDR PQ profile. On the other hand, the Nikon does exhibit less noticeable rolling shutter when panning. While the Nikon feels a smidge less well-built than the Canon, it's advertised as weather-sealed.

Nikon Z 6

The Nikon Z 6 is a higher-end model than the entry-level Nikon Z 50, so it's better suited to more advanced photographers. Its full-frame sensor captures a wider dynamic range and has better noise handling in low light. Overall, it feels more sturdy and premium, with a higher-resolution screen and viewfinder. On the flip side, the Z 50 is more portable, with simpler controls and features that are more suited to novice shooters.

Sony α6700

The Sony α6700 is better than the Nikon Z 50, but it also sits at a higher price point. You're getting what you pay for here: a higher-resolution sensor, better autofocus, and more advanced video capabilities. However, some people may still prefer the feel and user interface of the Nikon.

Sony α6100

The Nikon Z 50 is better overall than the Sony α6100. It has a sturdier build quality, with weather-sealing, as well as a higher-resolution viewfinder and better ergonomics. That said, the Sony is more portable and has a more established lens ecosystem.

Sony α6600

The Sony α6600 and the Nikon Z 50 are both APS-C mirrorless cameras, though the Sony is a little higher-end, with weather-sealing and in-body image stabilization. The Sony also has a bigger battery that lasts longer, is more portable, and has a more reliable autofocus system. That said, they both deliver impressive image quality, and the Nikon has slightly better high-ISO noise handling, making it a tad better suited to low-light photography.

Canon EOS M50

While the Canon EOS M50 is a simpler and more portable camera than the Nikon Z 50, we recommend going with the Nikon, because Canon has discontinued its EF-M mount and is no longer producing new lenses for its M cameras. The Nikon also has the added benefit of sturdier build quality, better ergonomics, and better autofocus.

Fujifilm X-T30 II

The Nikon Z 50 and the Fujifilm X-T30 II are both good beginner cameras. The Nikon is less portable than the Fujifilm, but it's a bit more comfortable to shoot with, thanks to a larger handgrip and viewfinder. Otherwise, they both offer well-rounded photo and video performance for casual or beginner shooters.

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Test Results

perceptual testing image
Design
5.4
Design
Portability
Height
3.7" (9.4 cm)
Width
5.2" (13.3 cm)
Depth
3.0" (7.6 cm)
Volume
58.0 in³ (950.7 cm³)
Weight
1.01 lbs (0.46 kg)

The Nikon Z 50 isn't the most portable APS-C camera out there, partly because of its large, one-size-fits-all lens mount. The upside of this is that it's fully compatible with any Z-series lens, whether DX (APS-C) or FX (full-frame), and smaller FX lenses won't feel too imbalanced. Still, if you're looking for something more portable, the Fujifilm X-T30 II has a much more compact body.

7.5
Design
Build Quality

The camera feels well-built. It's made of plastic but still feels solid, and it's weather-sealed against elements like dust and moisture. Its battery and SD card slots are covered by a hinged door, while the inputs and outputs are covered by rubber flaps. The buttons and dials also feel sturdy and turn well. The screen tilting mechanism feels solid, too.

Design
Body
Body Type
SLR-Style
Water Resistance
Weather-Sealed
Mirrorless
Yes
Rugged
No
Hot Shoe
Yes
Customizable Button
Yes
Command Dial
2
Tripod Mount
Yes
Lens Mount
Z Mount
Built-In Flash
Yes
Fastest Shutter Speed
1/4,000 s
Design
In The Box

  • Nikon Z 50 camera body
  • Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens
  • Lens cap
  • Sensor cap
  • Shoulder strap
  • 1x Nikon EN-EL25 battery
  • Battery charger
  • Micro-USB cable
  • User manual

8.5
Design
Ergonomics & Comfort
Hand Grip: Small Hand
Yes
Hand Grip: Medium Hand
Yes
Hand Grip: Large Hand
Yes
Hand Grip: Extra-Large Hand
Yes

The Nikon Z50 feels very comfortable to shoot with. Though it doesn't have the largest grip, it's still pretty roomy and will suit most hand sizes. The camera's buttons are intuitively placed and all within reach. The viewfinder is nice and large, as well, and it's easy to adjust settings even with your eye to the EVF.

Design
Viewfinder
Viewfinder Type
Electronic
Advertised Coverage
100%
Advertised Resolution
2.36 million dots
Advertised Magnification
1

The viewfinder is relatively large, especially compared to the smaller viewfinders found on Sony's APS-C lineup, like the Sony α6400. Its 2.36 million-dot resolution is pretty standard for a camera of its class, and though it isn't the highest resolution out there, it's still sufficient to ensure you get a clear view through the EVF.

8.0
Design
Screen
Screen Articulation Type
Tilt And Flip
Screen Max Brightness
540 cd/m²
Advertised Resolution
1.04 million dots
Size
3.2" (8.1 cm)
Touchscreen
Yes

The Nikon Z50 uses a tilting screen that's great for waist-level shooting. The screen mechanism feels sturdy, and the screen has a pretty high resolution. It doesn't get especially bright, though, making it harder to review your images on very sunny days.

If you want to shoot vlogs or take selfies, the screen can flip down 180 degrees to face forward. It's nice to have, but not ideal if you're shooting on a tripod since the tripod will get in the way of the screen unless you use an off-center mounting plate. If you prefer a camera with a fully articulated screen, consider the Nikon Z 30, which uses the same sensor but has a more vlogging-oriented design.

9.0
Design
Menu System
Guide Mode
Yes
App Name
Nikon SnapBridge

Nikon's user interface is superb. Though there are a lot of submenus, they're all intuitively organized, and it's easy to find what you're looking for. You can use either the physical D-pad or the touchscreen to navigate settings, which is nice. There's also a help function available for certain settings, denoted by the '?' icon on the bottom left of the screen, which gives you more information about some settings and what they do.

not tested
Design
Built-In Lens
Maximum Aperture
No built-in lens
Max Aperture (Full-Frame Equivalent)
N/A
Minimum Focal Length
N/A
Maximum Focal Length
N/A
Max Focal Length (Full-Frame Equivalent)
N/A
Optical Image Stabilization
No
Luminance
N/A
Light Falloff
N/A
Design
Sensor
Sensor Type
CMOS
Advertised Effective Pixels
20.9 MP
Sensor Size
APS-C
Processor
EXPEED 6
Extended ISO Minimum
N/A
Native ISO Minimum (Base ISO)
100
Native ISO Maximum
51,200
Tested Firmware
2.20
6.3
Design
Battery
Battery Type
Nikon EN-EL25
USB Charging
Yes
Power Delivery While Recording
No
Advertised Battery Life In Photo
300 photos
Tested Battery Life In Video
95 min

The camera's battery life for photos is mediocre. Its 300-shot CIPA rating falls short of comparable entry-level mirrorless cameras like the Sony α6400 or the Fujifilm X-T30 II. That said, CIPA ratings don't translate neatly into real-world usage, so your mileage will vary depending on how you use your camera.

For video, the battery lasts decently long. We captured roughly an hour and a half of continuous 4k video recording on a full charge, with no overheating interruptions. So it can last a fair while for video projects. However, you can't use the camera while powering it via an external power supply.

Photo General
7.6
Photo General
Photo Shooting Speed
Low Speed Continuous
1 fps
High Speed Continuous
11 fps
Silent Shooting Continuous
11 fps
Raw Buffer Size
35 Photos
JPEG Buffer Size
100 Photos
Buffer Empty Time
10 s

The Nikon Z 50 has a great max burst rate for an entry-level camera. While it falls short of high-end and pro models, you can still capture quick bursts of continuous action. In its 'Continuous Low' drive mode, it can shoot at speeds from 1 fps to 4 fps. In its 'Continuous High' mode, it shoots at about 5 fps, and in its 'Continuous High (Extended)' mode, it shoots at about 11 fps.

It doesn't have the deepest photo buffer—its RAW and JPEG buffer capacity is a bit shy of the Sony α6400's, for example—but it's a lot quicker at clearing its buffer than the Sony is. It might slow you down a bit if you fill the buffer at a critical moment, but it isn't too bad.

6.2
Photo General
Photo AF-C Tracking
Autofocus Tracking Shots
Perfect Focus Hit Rate
47%
Usable Focus Hit Rate
66%

The camera uses a hybrid AF system, and its continuous autofocus is decent overall. It works very well for still or slower-moving subjects, with both face and eye detection for more precise focusing. However, the user interface for Nikon's autofocus system could be a lot more intuitive, especially compared to Sony's 'Real Time AF', in which general tracking, face, and eye AF are all seamlessly integrated.

Still, the continuous AF tracking is pretty effective. With face and eye detection enabled, and using the 'Auto-area AF' mode, it finds and stays locked onto subjects easily, resulting in a solid keeper rate, though not quite at the same level as Sony cameras like the Sony α6400. On the other hand, the general subject tracking, where you manually select a target for the autofocus to follow, can be a bit sluggish. The camera also struggles more with very fast or erratic subjects.

10
Photo General
Photo AF-C Center Point
Autofocus Center Point Shots
Perfect Focus Hit Rate
100%
Usable Focus Hit Rate
100%

If you prefer not to rely on tracking, the camera will serve you well. Center point AF is super reliable, with quick and accurate focusing that stays with subjects under the focus point easily.

7.8
Photo General
Photo Image Stabilization
Minimum Shutter Speed Achieved
1/13 s
In-Body Image Stabilization
No

There's no in-body image stabilization, but you can pair the camera with optically stabilized lenses to get clear shots at slower shutter speeds. Generally, Nikon's optical stabilization works well, but your mileage will vary depending on the focal length and shooting conditions.

Photo Image Quality
8.5
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Dynamic Range
Dynamic Range At Base ISO
10.8 f-stops
Dynamic Range At 1/500s Exposure Time
8.9 f-stops
Dynamic Range At 1/2000s Exposure Time
7.4 f-stops
Dynamic Range At 1/4000s Exposure Time
6.8 f-stops

Dynamic range is excellent on the Nikon Z 50. It's comparable to other top-performing APS-C cameras like the Sony α6400 and isn't much worse than Nikon's entry-level full-frame, the Nikon Z 5. Ultimately, it can capture a fairly wide range of detail in high-contrast scenes, but not as much as the latest full-frame cameras.

7.8
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Sharpness
Vertical Edge MTF50 At Base ISO
1,748 LW/PH
Horizontal Edge MTF50 At Base ISO
1,761 LW/PH

The Nikon Z50 uses a 20.9-megapixel sensor, so it can't resolve as much fine detail as models with higher-resolution sensors, like the Fujifilm X-T30 II or the Sony α6400. That said, images are still very detailed, and you likely won't notice a huge difference unless you compare images when zoomed in at 100% or more. You'll have a tad less leeway for cropping photos, but the impact is minimal in practice, especially if you're just sharing your photos online.

7.4
Photo Image Quality
Photo RAW Noise
SNR 18% At 1/8 Exposure Time (125 ms)
34.9dB
SNR 18% At 1/30 Exposure Time (33 ms)
31.3 dB
SNR 18% At 1/125 Exposure Time (8 ms)
26.8 dB
SNR 18% At 1/500 Exposure Time (2 ms)
21.4dB

The camera has decent RAW noise handling overall. It performs roughly on par with APS-C peers and can capture photos without excessive noise in dim lighting conditions. However, noise still becomes more apparent with shorter exposure times.

Pictures Sample Gallery
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Skate Park Picture
JPEG Skate Park Picture Download
RAW Skate Park Picture Download
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Polish Church Picture
JPEG Polish Church Picture Download
RAW Polish Church Picture Download
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Studio Picture
JPEG Studio Picture Download
RAW Studio Picture Download
Pictures Sample Gallery
The Stairway Picture
JPEG Stairway Picture Download
RAW Stairway Picture Download
Video General
Video General
Video Features
Full HD Video
Yes
4k Video
Yes
6k Video
No
Clean HDMI Output
Yes
Advertised Max Chroma Sampling Over HDMI
Not Advertised
Advertised Max Bit Depth Over HDMI
N/A
Log Picture Profile
No
Recording Light
No
Video General
Audio
Audio Test Sample
Audio Recording
Stereo
Microphone Level Display
Yes
Video General
Video File Format And Compression
MP4 H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
Yes
MP4 H.265 / HEVC
No
MOV H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
Yes
MOV H.265 / HEVC
No
AVCHD H.264 / MPEG-4 AVC
No
All-I Compression
No
4k Video
6.1
4k Video
4k Video Frame Rate
240 fps In 4k
No
120 fps In 4k
No
60 fps In 4k
No
30 fps In 4k
Yes, with a Crop
24 fps In 4k
Yes, with a Crop
4k Crop At Max Available fps
1.1 x

There's a slight crop when shooting 4k video, but it isn't too bad and doesn't affect the field of view to a very noticeable degree. Unfortunately, there are no high frame rate options in 4k, making it harder to generate slow-motion footage. If you're looking for a camera that can record uncropped 4k video at up to 30 fps, the Canon EOS R10 is a solid option; the Canon can also record in 4k at 60 fps, but with a pretty severe crop.

7.9
4k Video
4k Video Internal Recording
Bitrate Maximum In 4k
142 Mbps
Bitrate Minimum In 4k
135 Mbps
Chroma Sampling In 4k
4:2:0
Bit Depth In 4k
8 Bit
Record Time Limit In 4k
30 min
Overheat Recording Interruptions in 4k
0

The camera can only record 4k in 8-bit color, but it doesn't have any Log profiles with which you could take advantage of a higher bit depth, so it isn't an issue. The Nikon Z 50 isn't intended for advanced videographers who do more in-depth color grading; however, its internal recording capability is still suitable for more casual video shooting or creating YouTube content.

8.1
4k Video
4k Video Autofocus Performance
Object Tracking In 4k
8.3
Face Tracking In 4k
9.1
Face Detection In 4k
Yes
Eye Detection In 4k
No

Autofocus is great in 4k. Unlike in photo mode, eye AF doesn't work for video, but its face detection feature works very well for tracking moving subjects. The general subject tracking is a bit less reliable but still does a great job of keeping subjects in focus if they're moving at a more moderate pace.

7.3
4k Video
4k Video Quality
Low Light Capability In 4k
6.5
Test Scene Extract In 4k
8.1

The 4k video quality is decent overall. The image looks sharp and detailed, and there's a bit less noise and more pop to the colors than on the comparable Sony a6400. It's okay in low light, though you lose a lot of shadow detail in high-contrast lighting, and there's some unavoidable noise in really dim lighting.

5.9
4k Video
4k Video Rolling Shutter Effect
4k Rolling Shutter
6.7°

Rolling shutter distortion is pretty bad in 4k. It's especially noticeable with very fast panning, but it's still better or on par with other APS-C models in its price range.

Full HD Video
9.5
Full HD Video
FHD Video Frame Rate
240 fps In FHD
No
120 fps In FHD
Yes
60 fps In FHD
Yes
30 fps In FHD
Yes
24 fps In FHD
Yes
FHD Crop At Max Available fps
1 x

The camera can capture 1080p video at up to 120 fps, which is great for incorporating slow-motion shots into your videos.

7.8
Full HD Video
FHD Video Internal Recording
Bitrate Maximum In FHD
145 Mbps
Bitrate Minimum In FHD
12 Mbps
Chroma Sampling In FHD
4:2:0
Bit Depth In FHD
8 Bit
Record Time Limit in FHD
30 min

The camera's internal recording specs are similar in FHD as they are to 4k. It's still limited to 8-bit 4:2:0 capture, giving you less leeway in processing. There's also a 30-minute cap on recording.

8.1
Full HD Video
FHD Video Autofocus Performance
Object Tracking In FHD
8.3
Face Tracking In FHD
9.1
Face Detection In FHD
Yes
Eye Detection In FHD
No

As with 4k, 1080p video autofocusing is very good. The camera's face detection and tracking feature does an excellent job of keeping moving subjects in focus. Manually selecting a subject for the camera to follow also gets good results, though the camera may still struggle to keep up with more erratic subjects.

7.0
Full HD Video
FHD Video Quality
Low Light Capability In FHD
6.5
Test Scene Extract In FHD
7.5

FHD video quality is decent. It performs well in brighter lighting conditions, with plenty of detail and colors that pop. However, low-light video doesn't quite hit the mark, with some noticeable noise and muddier details.

8.2
Full HD Video
FHD Video Rolling Shutter Effect
FHD Rolling Shutter
2.0°

There's significantly less distortion from rolling shutter in 1080p compared to 4k recording. There's almost no visible slanting when panning the camera at a moderate pace, which is great for recording faster action.

Storage And Connectivity
Storage And Connectivity
Storage
Card 1 Slot
SD Card UHS-I
Card 2 Slot
No 2nd Card Slot

The SD card slot is located next to the battery and only supports UHS-I cards. The compartment is on the bottom of the camera, making it harder to switch out cards if you're using a tripod.

7.8
Storage And Connectivity
Inputs / Outputs
USB
Micro USB
HDMI
Micro (Type D)
Headphones
No
Microphone
Stereo
Wi-Fi
Yes
Bluetooth
Yes

The camera uses the older Micro USB standard for charging and file transfer, which is disappointing and means the camera doesn't support external power delivery. Otherwise, there's a fair amount of inputs. You have a Micro HDMI port to connect an external monitor and a microphone jack. However, there's no headphone jack for in-camera audio monitoring.