All day camera: Z50+16-50-250 or Z5+24-200?

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Ado Wolf

Well-known member
I’m looking for a camera that I can always have with me, that covers wide (landscape) and occasional telephoto range. I will use it for all-day hikes as well. Since I don’t want to invest in F mount lenses anymore, I narrowed it down to:
- Z50 with both kit lenses: 16-50 & 50-250 or
- Z5 + 24-200 kit lens

having gotten used to the D850, I’m afraid I got spoiled and won’t be satisfied with the Z50 image quality (considering the f6.3 lenses). It’s however cheap and light (which is what I’m looking for).

but when I think long term, I believe the Z5 is a better investment (or used Z6+24-200).

for wild life I will continue to use my D850+200-500 or D7500+300PF+14TCii combo. These cameras are just too heavy and big to drag with me all day..

so if money wasn’t an issue, which option would be best image quality wise: Z50 orZ5 combo?
 
Seems to me it comes down to FF vs DX sensor as both cameras and all 3 lenses have excellent reputations. As you are a D850 user, I’d probably get the Z5/24-200.
 
Or... the Z50 and the 24-200 is a super combo (since the 24-200 has VR, and essentially becomes a 36-300). Throw in the 16-50 kit lens, and you have tremendous coverage from 2 small (and sharp!) lenses.

But given your parameters above and cost differences aside, I'd likely lean toward the Z5 & 24-200 (which by all accounts is now the sharpest superzoom available, from any manufacturer).
 
As a Nikon user of over 20 years I kept my D300 with an 18-200 as my travel/lightweight camera. That changed in 2018 when it was replaced with a used Fuji XT-1 and an XF18-55 f2.8-4 and an XC 50-230. It blew the D300 out of the water and I loved it. In 6 months it was repaced with an XT-2 and now I'm committed with an XT-4 added last year, more lenses and a bigger bag.

My Fuji kit has 2 cameras and 7 lenses + 2 sets of batteries (XT-4 take different ones), a flashgun and odds and ends. Weighs in around 8kgs which is the same weight as my D850 with 3 lenses.
 
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Depends on your output medium…the Z50 kit is lighter but is DX instead of FF. If mostly output to screen or prints 16x20 or less you will find it hard to tell the difference and the lighter 8a really nice for a walking around rig IMO. Today’s cameras re so good across the bord compared to 5 years ago that any of them will likely do just fine.
 
with the 16-50 you get a much wider FOV. Do you need it? Both my wife and I use the 24-200 as our walk around lens. I have not tried either the 16-50 or 50-250.

If you use LR, you can find out how often you shoot wider than 24 (or 36 equivalent on a FX camer)
 
with the 16-50 you get a much wider FOV. Do you need it? Both my wife and I use the 24-200 as our walk around lens. I have not tried either the 16-50 or 50-250.
The 16-50mm lens has an effective FOV of 24mm on the DX camera due to the crop factor of the sensor. The FOV of the 16-50 lens on the Z50 would be comparable to 24-75mm of an FX lens on an FX camera. Put that same lens on a Z5 and the camera immediately recognizes it as a DX lens and crops to DX dimensions, meaning you end up with the same 24mm FOV as with the lens on a Z50. The difference, though, is that a Z50 with that lens makes a 20 mp image while the cropped Z5 image ends up at 10mp.
 
If I were to buy it new, I would have gone for the Z5, as I get more value for my money. I however ended up buying a 1 year old Z50+FTZ+2 Kit lens from my best friend for a great price, as he wants to change to the ZFc camera. So it's a win-win situation. I think this doubles better with my current kit, i.e. when I go with the D850+200-500 wildlife combo, then I can take the Z50+16-50 for landscape photos should the situation present itself. If I go with the D850+16-35 landscape combo, then I'd take the Z50+50-250 for wildlife photos should that situation come up. For all other days, I'd take the Z50+16-50 as a walk around combo.

@DougC thank you, yes, having switched to FF, I think all my "new" gear will be FF in the future.

@ccirelli thank you, yes I did consider that combo. The 24-200 alone on DX would be too telephoto for me.. not enough for landscape shots. Since I got the 50-250 as well, I think I'll wait for the 18-140 and see if that one might be the "1 lens" solution.

@dabhand16 yes, Fuji would definitely be a more portable solution.. but I rather stick with Nikon and have one ecosystem.

@Neil Laubenthal thank you. I use them mostly on screens and I rarely print.. when I do, it's max A4/Letter size (20x30 mm / 8.5-11"). It had the same Sensor as the D7500 and I love mine (still) so I think I will like the IQ of the sensor. I was more worried about the lens delivering the quality.

@RichF thank you. Yes a wider FOV for Landscape (at least 24 mm FF equivalent) is the primary need of this camera. That's why I decided to go for 16-50 DX = 24-75 FF.

@Rassie thank you. Yes I wouldn't consider putting a DX lens on a FF body for that very same reason (drop in MP).
 
my 0.02c. I've preordered a Zfc + 16-50 DX kit for similar all-day, more causal uses - in compact 'preserve the moment' role. DX is fine for these needs but the versatility of a 20mp image is not to be underestimated. I also admit this camera suites my preferences given I started with a FM2! There are also subtle tweaks eg dedicated lock image control and direct USB charging

I will add the 24-200, in time. I've concluded this is the better investment The better optic, FX and it's relatively compact at 570g.

Nikon surely has to add a 10-20 DX for Z as a priority, a 8-20 DX will be even better. But they are probably waiting to see the uptake of the Zfc
 
my 0.02c. I've preordered a Zfc + 16-50 DX kit for similar all-day, more causal uses - in compact 'preserve the moment' role. DX is fine for these needs but the versatility of a 20mp image is not to be underestimated. I also admit this camera suites my preferences given I started with a FM2! There are also subtle tweaks eg dedicated lock image control and direct USB charging

I will add the 24-200, in time. I've concluded this is the better investment The better optic, FX and it's relatively compact at 570g.

Nikon surely has to add a 10-20 DX for Z as a priority, a 8-20 DX will be even better. But they are probably waiting to see the uptake of the Zfc

I'm sure you will love it! The form factor of this camera is much like my Fujis and I love the quick direct access to the controls and the see at a glance what your settings are.

After doing all of my digital photography with Nikon, in 2018 I bought an XT-1 that replaced my old D300 + 18-200 (PXd for my D850) as my travel/lightweight kit and later sold my D810 having bought the D850, to fund my XT-4. Big decision as I'd always kept my previous Nikon body as a spare/2md camera and am fully aware of the advantages of having 2 bodies with the same architecture, but I sill have a 2nd (and 3rd camera as I kept my XT-2) - but just a different make. I don't regret it at all.

The XT-2 does 11fps and the XT-4 15fps without the electronic shutter, and more with it. Fuji do a great 10-24 f4 and now a 70-300 f4-5.6 and I have both.

If the X fc was around in 2018 I'd have been very temped but I'm too far down the Fuji road to consider one now. They remind me so much of my beloved Pentax SV bought circa 1964 (that I still have) that I used for almost 20 years.
 
I’m probably going to get a Z50 myself for a walking around camera…the size and weight are perfect for that and I’ve used my spouses 50 enough to tell it will do just fine when weight/size are important. My Z7II is excellent and with the 24-70 is my next step up in weight and image capturing importance…adding in the 70-200/2.8 when needed and then the 500PF and perhaps the second body. If they introduced a mirrorless D500 equivalent…I would be all over that.
 
@dabhand16 I do admit the Fuji was/is very tempting.. but I decided to stick to the same brand to avoid the need for using adapters with my old lenses. FTZ is technically an adapter.. but it’s within the same brand.. probably not the same as an adapter between 2 different brands..

@Neil Laubenthal that’s what I was doing.. waiting for the MC version of the D500, but when the Zfc came out and now everyone is waiting for the Z9 (more specs leaked yesterday), I realized the wait will be either very long or for ever.. so I went for the next best thing: Z50 at a very reasonable price.
 
@dabhand16 I do admit the Fuji was/is very tempting.. but I decided to stick to the same brand to avoid the need for using adapters with my old lenses. FTZ is technically an adapter.. but it’s within the same brand.. probably not the same as an adapter between 2 different brands.

I absolutely get that and for me it was a big decision to first not have my D300 as my travel camera and second not to have 2 FF Nikon bodies in my kit. I used the travel camera as an experiment to see 1) what mirrorless was all about and 2) could I live with my 2nd camera not only being a crop camera, but a different brand too. The answer was yes and my D810 was sold to fund my XT-4.

The Fringer adaptor allows me to use all of my Nikon lenses that have focus motors (and with TCs) on the Fuji and I get good results.
 
I had the Z50 2 lens kit for a little over a year to take when traveling and loved it. The 50-250 is a fantastic lens in my experience. Having said that, as long as you have good light the setup is excellent. At night or low light the noise is a real issue and the main reason I sold mine. At times I regret selling it and honestly I’m considering getting the new retro body with the 28mm lens for traveling and also have the option for using my other z lenses. The Z5 is certainly going to be better if you shoot in low light situations but if not then go for the Z50.
 
@Neil Laubenthal that’s what I was doing.. waiting for the MC version of the D500, but when the Zfc came out and now everyone is waiting for the Z9 (more specs leaked yesterday), I realized the wait will be either very long or for ever.. so I went for the next best thing: Z50 at a very reasonable price.

My thought is that we're really not able to travel much yet but when we are then I'll get another Z50 for myself for walking around on travel…unless whatever comes out sooner. The Zfc isn't much of an improvement over the D50 from what I've read albeit I'm not well informed about what it has...unless I get my wife a pink or gold one and take her Z50.
 
The Z50 + 16-50 is a great stick-it-in-your-pocket travel camera (OK, a big pocket). The 55-250 is a good lens but much less compact. The Z50 is actually smaller than my Olympus E-M1, if not quite as small as an M10. (It's the lenses where Olympus wins. MUCH smaller.) Traveling I bring the Z50 and Z7, but anytime I want to go light I just carry the Z50. If I need more resolution I pick up the Z7. So my kit for really light/space constrained is Olympus. Next up is the Z50/Z7, then the D500/D850. One caution - the Z50 lacks IBIS so you may want to avoid the Z lenses that lack in-lens VR.

A lot of people tend to dismiss the Z50 because it's small, inexpensive, and the bottom of Nikon's line. That's a mistake - it's a much better camera than you may think.
 
The Z50 with the two kit lenses are lightweight and small; it is easy to carry both lenses. (They both fit in the Rugged R3 Hunter Pro 45 camera bag.) You will lose some quality vs. the D850. Nikon may not make many other lenses for the Z50 so it you think you want more versatility, go for the higher end Zs. They are not signifantly larger than the Z50; but the lenses are larger and. heavier than the Z50 kit lenses. If you have Nikons latest 28-300 zoom, it has outstanding versitily, especially for macro work and does well on the Z50 plus adaptor; the lens and adapter add a lot of wight and size compared to the 50-250mm. Also the Z50 has a flash while the D850 and the higher level Zs don''t. The attached photo shows the quality possible with the Z50. (Hand-held, taken with a 105 Macro lens)
S-2021Z-3033-Furrow-Bee.jpg
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I’m looking for a camera that I can always have with me, that covers wide (landscape) and occasional telephoto range. I will use it for all-day hikes as well. Since I don’t want to invest in F mount lenses anymore, I narrowed it down to:
- Z50 with both kit lenses: 16-50 & 50-250 or
- Z5 + 24-200 kit lens

having gotten used to the D850, I’m afraid I got spoiled and won’t be satisfied with the Z50 image quality (considering the f6.3 lenses). It’s however cheap and light (which is what I’m looking for).

but when I think long term, I believe the Z5 is a better investment (or used Z6+24-200).

for wild life I will continue to use my D850+200-500 or D7500+300PF+14TCii combo. These cameras are just too heavy and big to drag with me all day..

so if money wasn’t an issue, which option would be best image quality wise: Z50 orZ5 combo?
For me it would be the Z5 all day long..
It’s built great it’s light and with the 24-200 you can’t go wrong.. also if there is a shot that you really need to get in the distance you can always use it in DX mode all be it losing pixels..
I use my Z5 with my Sigma 150-600 and I am getting excellent results in DX mode so much so my D500 has not been out of the house for quite some time..
Obviously this is my personal opinion but it is worth considering..
 
@sh1209 - thank you, your feedback confirms the concerns I had about the F6.3 lens limitation. However I realized the solution will be using my F1.8 prime lenses (24, 35, 50) using the FTZ adapter for low light situations. Luckily these prime lenses are light and small and can be carried along without any hindrances.


@Neil Laubenthal - yes, I too was a bit temped to go for the Zfc, but the lack of a decent grip (the add on is too small) and worse weather sealing was enough to go for the Z50. I am anyhow more of "go for functionality over fashion" kind of person. The Z50 I bought in fact belonged to my friend's wife who exchanged hers for the new Zfc.. her being more of a "fashion" person ☺


@eaj101 - thanks, I too eventually will go for a Z7.. this way I will have the MC equivalent of my current D850+D7500, where Z will be for Landscape and D will be for wildlife and fast action. My set will then be complete... (but that's what I always say before buying the next best thing that comes along :p


@Rodamu - nice photo. I actually don't have any kit lenses in my arsenal. I always went for Camera Body only and used the money saved on kit lenses to finance higher quality glass. I do have the 105 Macro, so I look forward to testing it on the Z50. However it will not be a lens I will take along on trips, considering how heavy it is.


@mapleleaf56 - I agree the Z5 + 24-200 would have been the best option quality wise. But the price of the Z50 I bought was too good to decline. This doesn't stop me for eventually going for a full frame Z down the line. as Stated above, I plan eventually to buy a Z7 to have the MC equivalent of my current D850+D7500. I would use the DX crop with the Z7.. but I don't think using it with the 24 MP Z5 would yield good IQ..
 
Aldo,
Ordinarily, I don't use kit lens either but made an exception for the Z50 because only kit lens are made specifically for the camera and they are so light and small; thus making it a great travel package that takes high quality photos; though not at a professional level. If you are going to use better lenses, it is more practical to buy a Z6 or Z7, especially if you don't use an on-camera flash.
 
@sh1209 - thank you, your feedback confirms the concerns I had about the F6.3 lens limitation. However I realized the solution will be using my F1.8 prime lenses (24, 35, 50) using the FTZ adapter for low light situations. Luckily these prime lenses are light and small and can be carried along without any hindrances.


@Neil Laubenthal - yes, I too was a bit temped to go for the Zfc, but the lack of a decent grip (the add on is too small) and worse weather sealing was enough to go for the Z50. I am anyhow more of "go for functionality over fashion" kind of person. The Z50 I bought in fact belonged to my friend's wife who exchanged hers for the new Zfc.. her being more of a "fashion" person ☺


@eaj101 - thanks, I too eventually will go for a Z7.. this way I will have the MC equivalent of my current D850+D7500, where Z will be for Landscape and D will be for wildlife and fast action. My set will then be complete... (but that's what I always say before buying the next best thing that comes along :p


@Rodamu - nice photo. I actually don't have any kit lenses in my arsenal. I always went for Camera Body only and used the money saved on kit lenses to finance higher quality glass. I do have the 105 Macro, so I look forward to testing it on the Z50. However it will not be a lens I will take along on trips, considering how heavy it is.


@mapleleaf56 - I agree the Z5 + 24-200 would have been the best option quality wise. But the price of the Z50 I bought was too good to decline. This doesn't stop me for eventually going for a full frame Z down the line. as Stated above, I plan eventually to buy a Z7 to have the MC equivalent of my current D850+D7500. I would use the DX crop with the Z7.. but I don't think using it with the 24 MP Z5 would yield good IQ..
Ultimately it’s your choice but just for information purposes I shot this picture of an Indigo Bunting which was some distance away with my Z5 and Sigma 150-600 and Z5 in DX mode..
E567A6E0-BAE5-4E26-9D0F-82C955A9DB63.jpeg
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I think you made a good choice. The Z50 with the kit lenses are so small and light it is a very portable system. The IQ is pretty decent too. I’ve been tempted by the Z fc because I personally like the retro style of it a little more, but honestly don’t think I have any need for it. My Z7ii is already quite compact with the 24-70 F/4 and I could always pick up the smaller, cheaper Z5 kit lens if I wanted to go a little smaller. I also still have some Fujifilm gear I’ve been holding onto, but it isn’t much smaller than the Z7ii either.

if you don’t already have any, get a spare battery or two. The battery doesn’t last long in the Z50.
 
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