Nikon Z50

The Z50 is a compact APS-C mirrorless camera that Nikon launched in 2019. It weighs 450 g and measures 127 x 94 x 60 mm, and its electronic viewfinder gives a live preview while you frame shots.

Its mix of an APS-C sensor, 11 fps burst shooting and a flip-out touch screen suits travel, family and everyday photography, and weather sealing plus a built-in flash help in changeable conditions.

Owning it means buying into the Nikon Z mount, so lens choice centres on Nikon's Z series range.

The 21-megapixel APS-C sensor produces files with enough resolution for generous crops and solid prints. The ISO range runs from 100 to 51200, so settings remain available as light falls, though how files look near the top of that range is best judged from your own shots.

For action, burst shooting peaks at 11 fps, giving you a sequence around a fleeting expression or movement. That figure is a maximum rather than a sustained promise. The autofocus system offers 209 points for placing focus in a composition.

There is no in-body stabilisation, so the camera does not reduce shake on its own. Blur control instead rests on stabilised lenses, a support or your choice of shutter speed.

The Nikon Z mount gives access to Nikon's mirrorless lens line. The shutter tops out at 1/4000 second, which can push you toward smaller apertures in bright daylight when you want to shoot wide open.

The camera records 4K video, its maximum resolution, and saves files as MOV or MPEG-4. Those format options support varied editing workflows, while 4K leaves room to crop or reframe during the edit.

Recording reaches 120 fps for slow-motion work. The 4K resolution and 120 fps rate are separate maximums, giving different options for detail and motion work. Use the higher rate when stretched timing helps reveal quick movement clearly.

A built-in timelapse mode handles interval shooting in camera. That suits sunsets, clouds or city scenes when you want to travel light.

Because 4K files carry more data than HD footage, start a long recording session with a roomy card.

The 3.2-inch TFT LCD offers touch input and flips out for composition from varied angles. With just over a million dots and live view, it gives a detailed view for checking focus and framing.

A built-in flash covers quick indoor or fill-light situations, and support for external flash gives you room to grow into larger lighting setups.

Weather sealing helps the body cope with dust and moisture in ordinary outdoor use. It does not make the camera waterproof, so extra protection is sensible in sustained wet weather.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth provide wireless connectivity. There is no built-in GPS, so the camera does not record location data by itself; add it separately when a shoot needs geotagging.

The Z50 takes a single SD, SDHC or SDXC card with UHS-I compatibility. One slot means no mirrored backup in camera, so carry a spare card and offload important work as you go.

The EN-EL25 battery is rated at 320 shots. That figure is a rating rather than a promise of real-world endurance, so a second battery is a sensible addition for long outings or heavy shooting days.

USB charging lets you top the battery up between shoots, which is useful during travel days. Carry a charged spare when a longer session leaves little time for topping up on location.