Ched49 wrote:
What camera would you buy? Both cameras are simular in both specs and price point, does a camera have an advantage with a dedicated shutter speed setting dial?.......thanks in advance.
Besides the obvious ergonomics differences (which come down to personal choice/preference), the Zfc is just a slightly updated version of the Z50.
They are essentially the same except for the following:
1) The Zfc has the Z6II/7II AF system additions - i.e. can use large area wide with eye detect enabled (this has not been updated on the Z50
2) The Zfc can operate while being powered while the Z50 can only recharge its battery but is not operable while plugged in. As such, if you intend to use the camera for video conference type applications etc - then the Zfc is clearly better
3) The Zfc has only one front of camera programable function button where the Z50 has 2 - this is a big deal for some people and not for others - completely depends on your shooting style.
4) The display on the Z50 is a flip down display where the Zfc is a true vari-angle flip out to the side display. If you are a vlogger then the Zfc screen is much more useful but the Z50 can be used to vlog as well but you will need the Small Rig bracket attachment that moves the mount to the side so the Z50 screen can still flip down.
5) As mentioned at the top the ergonomics are completely different. If you intend to use any larger lenses (what is large is subjective) then the Z50 is by far a better choice as it has a very deep and decent grip. The Zfc is designed like the manual film Nikons of old (FM, FE etc.) and as such has no grip of any kind. There are optional grips that can be attached but they are extra and are not as good (ergonomically) as the Z50 grip.
To further this ergonomic point, you have to decide why you are buying the camera - as they are very different shooting experiences - the Zfc being more of an old school photo experience while the Z50 is definitely a modern style of shooting as it handles essentially the same as the full frame Z5/6/7 camera series.
As to point #1, Nikon should be able to add this functionality to the Z50 through firmware as the camera has the same processor as the Zfc, but so far, and it has been a while, they have opted not to do so, which is too bad. The same might be true for point #2 (but I don't know if this is just a firmware issue - this may be internal hardware as well).
But for whatever reason, Nikon has not included eye detection with the large area wide AF in any of the following models Z50, Z5, Z6, and Z7 - it is however in the Zfc and the most recent release the Z30 - both of which only have a single Expeed 6 processor no different from the Z50, Z5, Z6, Z7 so this seems to be an intentional minor crippling to encourage sales of other cameras (Zfc, Z6/7II etc).
Also, it is very likely that a new DX camera will be released sometime in the next 6-12 months from Nikon - it will likely be the most feature rich DX Z camera when it releases so there is a case for waiting, or buying a used Z50 very inexpensively (as it is the cheapest on the used market) in the interim.
Hope this helps :)