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Is The Z50 Good Enough?

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Don Bish

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Not a pro, not even a hobbyist. My photography needs/desires are to simply, accurately, and beautifully document my travels.

The great appeal of the Z50 for me is it's travel friendly size/weight. The two lens kit looks to be über portable.

The photos that I would take would be largely kept in digital format for sharing on typical modern devices but also I would like to be able to produce prints for photo books and occasionally for framing (sizes maybe up to 11"x14").

So given all that, is the Z50 good enough? Can it meet my needs or is there something there that would require a full-frame Z?
 
Don Bish said:
Not a pro, not even a hobbyist. My photography needs/desires are to simply, accurately, and beautifully document my travels.

The great appeal of the Z50 for me is it's travel friendly size/weight. The two lens kit looks to be über portable.

The photos that I would take would be largely kept in digital format for sharing on typical modern devices but also I would like to be able to produce prints for photo books and occasionally for framing (sizes maybe up to 11"x14").

So given all that, is the Z50 good enough? Can it meet my needs or is there something there that would require a full-frame Z?
Click to expand...
Absolutely. Battery life is middling so I'd get a spare.
 
Yes, no doubt about it. It's a great little kit for sure.
 
Wahrsager said:
Don Bish said:
Not a pro, not even a hobbyist. My photography needs/desires are to simply, accurately, and beautifully document my travels.

The great appeal of the Z50 for me is it's travel friendly size/weight. The two lens kit looks to be über portable.

The photos that I would take would be largely kept in digital format for sharing on typical modern devices but also I would like to be able to produce prints for photo books and occasionally for framing (sizes maybe up to 11"x14").

So given all that, is the Z50 good enough? Can it meet my needs or is there something there that would require a full-frame Z?
Click to expand...
Absolutely. Battery life is middling so I'd get a spare.
Click to expand...
Yes. To both.

My 16 year old D40 6MP is actually sufficient for more than 50% of my needs and I still use it and still occasionally print 8x10 from it.

The Z50 2 lens kit would for me, cover the OP's specified requirement.

My D7100 and Z5 give me more flexibility in many areas, and more customization at the expense of weight an size but the Z50 two lens kit would cover almost all my typical travel needs (I don't do safaris and such).

Only thing missing for me to go with the Z50 is a Z 10-20. A lot of folks wouldn't miss that. A Z50 is on my want list, even in its current state. Only reason I haven't purchased one is because I haven't traveled for 3 years, even by auto.
 
Don Bish said:
Not a pro, not even a hobbyist. My photography needs/desires are to simply, accurately, and beautifully document my travels.

The great appeal of the Z50 for me is it's travel friendly size/weight. The two lens kit looks to be über portable.

The photos that I would take would be largely kept in digital format for sharing on typical modern devices but also I would like to be able to produce prints for photo books and occasionally for framing (sizes maybe up to 11"x14").

So given all that, is the Z50 good enough? Can it meet my needs or is there something there that would require a full-frame Z?
Click to expand...
Yes no problem and you can print a lot larger a 24x36 would be no problem.

The battry life is not that great just ok. I just ordered a plugin for my Z50 to use it as a web cam for video recording.

I have the two lens kit both lens are nice and sharp just not great low light lens as they are kit lens. So as long as you are in ok lihgt you would be good even in low light is not super bad but your need to crank up the ISO.

I use my Z50 as my around the house camera and for video and webcam or when i need to shoot somethign quick around the area.

for our jobs i use two Z6s the z50 could be used for our jobs to but the focus is not as good as the Z6 and in lowr light the Z6 is much better. And i have lens for the Z6 for full frame i like using.

The Nikon 28mm 2.8 is a good low cost lens you can use on the Z50 it will give you around a 42mm lens at 2.8 then to be better in lower light.
 
Yes. I have the kit plus FTZ/10-20 AFP, spare battery and SB300 flash all in a little Domke bag. Covers everything I like except for very long; still working on that solution.
 
Don Bish said:
Not a pro, not even a hobbyist. My photography needs/desires are to simply, accurately, and beautifully document my travels.

The great appeal of the Z50 for me is it's travel friendly size/weight. The two lens kit looks to be über portable.

The photos that I would take would be largely kept in digital format for sharing on typical modern devices but also I would like to be able to produce prints for photo books and occasionally for framing (sizes maybe up to 11"x14").

So given all that, is the Z50 good enough? Can it meet my needs or is there something there that would require a full-frame Z?
Click to expand...
Good enough until the light starts to really drop or you want to move into specialised fields (e.g., astrophotography). Then you're going to have to go for the Z full frame primes and/or grab a tripod.
 
Don Bish said:
Not a pro, not even a hobbyist. My photography needs/desires are to simply, accurately, and beautifully document my travels.

The great appeal of the Z50 for me is it's travel friendly size/weight. The two lens kit looks to be über portable.

The photos that I would take would be largely kept in digital format for sharing on typical modern devices but also I would like to be able to produce prints for photo books and occasionally for framing (sizes maybe up to 11"x14").

So given all that, is the Z50 good enough? Can it meet my needs or is there something there that would require a full-frame Z?
Click to expand...
Aside from maybe sports/wildlife, the Z50 is more than capable for most other things.

The full frame Z's (like the Z6 II) will be a bit faster and have more options, but they also come with a heavier price tag (about 2x as much for the Z6 II over the Z50 body).

For the print size you mentioned, you should be fine, and should have enough space for some cropping (not heavy cropping, but some). I think the Z50 - 2 lens kit would be a good fit for you.
 
Thanks everyone. I think I got my answer. Another question if I may.

How do you think (or know) that the 70-300 AF-P DX would perfrorm on the Z50? That would give me up to 450mm if I'm correct. It's got a couple advantages over any similar Z lens, price, weight, and it's got VR.
 
Don Bish said:
Not a pro, not even a hobbyist. My photography needs/desires are to simply, accurately, and beautifully document my travels.

The great appeal of the Z50 for me is it's travel friendly size/weight. The two lens kit looks to be über portable.

The photos that I would take would be largely kept in digital format for sharing on typical modern devices but also I would like to be able to produce prints for photo books and occasionally for framing (sizes maybe up to 11"x14").

So given all that, is the Z50 good enough? Can it meet my needs or is there something there that would require a full-frame Z?
Click to expand...
Yes, that kit will do a great job of what you want.

The only question is your term “beautifully.” That is 100% up to you, and specifically whether you are willing to take enough time to learn how to make your camera make beautiful images. That includes technical skill in the mechanics of the camera, but also learning how to turn the mundane into something beautiful.

If you don’t take time to learn, and then to take the wine necessary to document in a beautiful way, you might as well stick with a smartphone.

Good fortune! Assuming you do get the Z50, I will be interested in seeing the images you produce. Come in back and show us.
 
Don Bish said:
Not a pro, not even a hobbyist. My photography needs/desires are to simply, accurately, and beautifully document my travels.

The great appeal of the Z50 for me is it's travel friendly size/weight. The two lens kit looks to be über portable.

The photos that I would take would be largely kept in digital format for sharing on typical modern devices but also I would like to be able to produce prints for photo books and occasionally for framing (sizes maybe up to 11"x14").

So given all that, is the Z50 good enough? Can it meet my needs or is there something there that would require a full-frame Z?
Click to expand...
only up to 11x14? Unless you have an ancient cellphone (like myself) then your phone will be more than enough. And unless you really want some telephoto reach, in which case yeah the Z50 is stellar lol.
 
It's more than good enough. Most modern cameras are.

What will lead you to upgrade is if you find yourself really wanting to specialize' or strongly focus on improving your craft. Most people that take pictures are very happy in the 'middle'. But if you wish to push yourself to another level you may quickly bump into the 'edges', where light, motion, weather, detail etc., become challenging obstacles.

Even if that happens, you'll probably want to hold off on camera or lens upgrades until your skill is at/exceeds your the limits of your equipment. Just my old fashioned point of view.

Good luck with your camera and lens purchase!
 
Don Bish said:
Thanks everyone. I think I got my answer. Another question if I may.

How do you think (or know) that the 70-300 AF-P DX would perfrorm on the Z50? That would give me up to 450mm if I'm correct. It's got a couple advantages over any similar Z lens, price, weight, and it's got VR.
Click to expand...
I can't speak to its fine points as I think I've used that lens on Z 50 maybe once or twice, but it'll make a nice image, even backlit. Mounting FTZ on Z 50 a tad clunky but once underway, not very noticeable.

See these posts:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/61336117

and

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/59303676
 
Don Bish said:
Thanks everyone. I think I got my answer. Another question if I may.

How do you think (or know) that the 70-300 AF-P DX would perfrorm on the Z50? That would give me up to 450mm if I'm correct. It's got a couple advantages over any similar Z lens, price, weight, and it's got VR.
Click to expand...
I have the 70-300 afp as well as the 50-250. There is no advantage to the former over the latter. The 50-250 has VR also.
 
Paul Pasco said:
Don Bish said:
Thanks everyone. I think I got my answer. Another question if I may.

How do you think (or know) that the 70-300 AF-P DX would perfrorm on the Z50? That would give me up to 450mm if I'm correct. It's got a couple advantages over any similar Z lens, price, weight, and it's got VR.
Click to expand...
I have the 70-300 afp as well as the 50-250. There is no advantage to the former over the latter. The 50-250 has VR also.
Click to expand...
An additional 75mm would seem to be an advantage.
 
John Retsal said:
Paul Pasco said:
Don Bish said:
Thanks everyone. I think I got my answer. Another question if I may.

How do you think (or know) that the 70-300 AF-P DX would perfrorm on the Z50? That would give me up to 450mm if I'm correct. It's got a couple advantages over any similar Z lens, price, weight, and it's got VR.
Click to expand...
I have the 70-300 afp as well as the 50-250. There is no advantage to the former over the latter. The 50-250 has VR also.
Click to expand...
An additional 75mm would seem to be an advantage.
Click to expand...
If the lens has VR, yes. Otherwise shake at the long end will eliminate the advantage.
 
PLShutterbug said:
John Retsal said:
Paul Pasco said:
Don Bish said:
Thanks everyone. I think I got my answer. Another question if I may.

How do you think (or know) that the 70-300 AF-P DX would perfrorm on the Z50? That would give me up to 450mm if I'm correct. It's got a couple advantages over any similar Z lens, price, weight, and it's got VR.
Click to expand...
I have the 70-300 afp as well as the 50-250. There is no advantage to the former over the latter. The 50-250 has VR also.
Click to expand...
An additional 75mm would seem to be an advantage.
Click to expand...
If the lens has VR, yes. Otherwise shake at the long end will eliminate the advantage.
Click to expand...
Read the OP's question carefully, he's considering the VR version.
 
Don Bish said:
Not a pro, not even a hobbyist. My photography needs/desires are to simply, accurately, and beautifully document my travels.

The great appeal of the Z50 for me is it's travel friendly size/weight. The two lens kit looks to be über portable.

The photos that I would take would be largely kept in digital format for sharing on typical modern devices but also I would like to be able to produce prints for photo books and occasionally for framing (sizes maybe up to 11"x14").

So given all that, is the Z50 good enough? Can it meet my needs or is there something there that would require a full-frame Z?
Click to expand...
I would go Micro 4/3rds with an E-M5 mk3 instead. Totally weather sealed, the best IBIS in the world means you won't need a tripod (I used to hand hold 2-5 second exposures on my 7-14), has way smaller lenses, and a killer hi-res multishot mode.

Bottom line, it is a way more capable camera over a Z50.

Z50's kinda a hard sell IMO and I think Nikon should just abandon DX altogether.
 
You have to be ok with disappointment though.
 
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