ZDNET's key takeaways The Nikon Z50 II is a fantastic camera for beginners and intermediate photographers, with a starting price of $906.
The build is sturdy and adaptable to various shooting modes.
You'll have to settle with a Micro HDMI port and operation speeds that can be a bit faster. View now at Amazon
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."
Also: This $1,200 PTZ camera is a glorified webcam, but it gave my creator workflow a big boost
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.
Also: I recommend this Canon camera to most beginner photographers - and it won't break the bank
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.
... continue reading