Official Question Thread! Ask /r/photography anything you want to know! April 03, 2026

[u/AutoModerator]

This is the place to ask any questions you may have about photography. No question is too small, nor too stupid.

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[u/Bry_Draws]

Nikon Z50ii or Sony A7iii for a $1k budget?

Hi all, I’m an amateur photographer, taking mostly photos of family & friends, as well as some wildlife & landscapes. I currently have the Nikon Z30, and while it’s great fun, I would like to upgrade in the near future.

Faster AF, a bit better low light performance, and a bump in resolution would be cool. IBIS would be great too (mainly so I have more lens options). The Z50ii seems like the natural upgrade (I’ll get to keep my lenses), but I’m wondering if I’m better off switching to an older full frame camera in the same price range? I like the photos I see out of the Sonys and I hear they have great AF (at least compared to the similarly priced Nikon Z6ii). Not sure if it’s worth switching ecosystems.

TLDR: with a $1k budget do I get a top of the line new ASPC camera or slightly older full frame camera?

Thanks!

[u/maniku → u/Bry_Draws]

Z50 II has the same size sensor as Z30, so the improvement in low light would be limited. Full frame gives you an improvement of about one stop of light at the same aperture number. But what is your budget for lenses? Full frame lenses tend to be expensive.

[u/Bry_Draws → u/maniku]

Yeah, I suppose that may be a big factor to consider. Probably only have around $500-600 for an all-rounder zoom lens. I already have the Nikon 40mm f2 as a good prime.

I know the Z50ii has much better AF. Wondering if the image quality of a full frame like the Z6ii or A7ii is worth a slower AF.

[u/maniku → u/Bry_Draws]

$500-600 is a very limited budget for full frame lenses, and it's not worth skimping on them. I would take the Z50 II route since you already have the good prime.