My walk around was a D800 + 24-120, then a D850 + 24-120, then and now a D500 + 16-80.
I wanna go smaller w/o giving up IQ. I don't shoot sports or wildlife with this combo.
Do you think a Z50 + 16-50 will be noticeably smaller and same or better IQ ?
What do I get and what if anything do I give up with that move
thanks
I don't have a Z50 so I'm basing this on my experience with the Z6 and Z7. On specs alone, between the 16-50 and 16-80, you give up about a stop to a stop and a half over most of their common range. And obviously you lose some range as well.
The Z50 will be noticeably smaller. I love my D500, buy after handling the Z6 for a year, the D500 feels like a beast - and the Z50 is smaller yet (some call it a mini-Z6).
If you don't shoot sports or wildlife, I'm doubting you'll be giving up any IQ.
Jim Kasson has a somewhat technical write up on the Z50 sensor and says "the big takeaway is that this camera has a sensor that is pretty much the current state of the art." He also has been doing some testing on the 16-50
here where he concludes that it is pretty close to the ballpark of the 24-70 f4S at least in terms of sharpness. He was actually pretty shocked.
You lose battery life and second slot, but gain an electronic shutter, no need calibrate lenses (including zooms), live histogram in the EVF along with magnified view for precise focussing. If you get the FTZ adapter (several of the big shops are running a $100 bundled special) you gain access to all your g lenses. I'm seriously considering the Z50 and using it with the 16-80.
As others have suggested above, the Z6 with the 24-70 f4S is really a superb travel and all-around camera (and you can use your D500 batteries!). The Z50 offers a more compact and lighter form.
Hope that helps.
