Nikon mirrorless camera? Cheap-ish

R-evans · 10 Aug 2025 at 20:52

To start, I'm a noob when it comes to cameras.

I pulled out my old D3200 today to take some pics of my son and I realised that I'd like to do so more often, but it's a bit bulky for me nowadays. Was thinking it might be nice to get a cheap second hand mirrorless that will take my lenses which would be more fun to whip out when I need it.

A quick google found me a Nikon 1 J5 that I like the look of, but as said I have no idea.

My main question other than is it good for what I want is I have a AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8D lens which I love but when I purchased it I didn't realise that the auto focus wouldn't work with the D3200, do mirrorless cameras have the motor to drive lenses without one or not?

I know I could get the alternate 50mm with built in motor, but I don't want to be splashing out too much right now.

Thanks in advance.

robertgilbert86 · 5 Oct 2025 at 07:50

R-evans said:
To start, I'm a noob when it comes to cameras.

I pulled out my old D3200 today to take some pics of my son and I realised that I'd like to do so more often, but it's a bit bulky for me nowadays. Was thinking it might be nice to get a cheap second hand mirrorless that will take my lenses which would be more fun to whip out when I need it.

A quick google found me a Nikon 1 J5 that I like the look of, but as said I have no idea.

My main question other than is it good for what I want is I have a AF Nikkor 50mm 1:1.8D lens which I love but when I purchased it I didn't realise that the auto focus wouldn't work with the D3200, do mirrorless cameras have the motor to drive lenses without one or not?

I know I could get the alternate 50mm with built in motor, but I don't want to be splashing out too much right now.

Thanks in advance.

I doubt the mirrorless cameras have an auto focus motor in the body. And if you want something more compact perhaps getting a new prime/pancake is the better way forward?

henry hoov3r · 7 Oct 2025 at 11:41

Z50 mkii? I watched a video about this camera yesterday and looks pretty feature rich. Sadly no ibis.

Pigeon · 8 Oct 2025 at 16:05

None of the Nikon mirrorless cameras will fit your older F mount lenses without an adapter. The FTZ adaptors from Nikon will allow you to fit all but really old your lenses (mostly lenses after the 1976 will work, see Ken Rockwells site https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/mirrorless/lenses/ftz.htm) but as per robertgilbert86's post there will be be no autofocus unless the lens has it's own auto focus motor the same as on your D3200. I have read about an adapter coming out though that does have the autofocus motor but will it be worth it compared to buying a new Z mount 50mm equivalent of your basic nifty fifty lens. The lens adaptors will all add bulk to your setup as well. I have the same conundrum with my F mount AF lenses, I have two AF-D lenses that won't autofocus with an adaptor and one 50mm 1.8 nifty fitfty that will but I just don't think for my use that the adaptor would be worth it as rely and use autofocus a lot. The 2 lens kit that comes with the Z50ii covers the same focal length - and wider and longer than I currently have across the 3 prime lenses at the expense of not having such a wide aperture or having a macro lens but the old stuff still works and can be taken and used if there is a job for it.

The Nikon 1 form factor has been discontinued for long time now, my Mum had one but it didn't get a lot of use and I cannot comment on what it was like only that we stuck with the DLSR afterwards. I think I am right unthinking the D3200 is one of, if not the smallest and most compact of the Nikon DSLRs. Obviously the new mirrorless ones come in various sizes and shapes and I would certainly think about getting something with a current or more longstanding lens mount (whether i is Nikon of something else) just from the point of view of being able to easily add or replace lenses and parts or if you decided on another camera in the future. You sometimes see refurbished kits going for a reasonable price on the Nikon store.

Ryan-3 · 17 Oct 2025 at 05:42

The crop sensor Nikon mirrorless range are a good price, but you will sacrifice IBIS. And as already said, no mirrorless will contain a motor to drive the lens focus.

The Nikon 1 is also a short lived, 1 inch sensor range that you'd be best to avoid unless simply curious and you've already a multitude of equipment.

I'd recommend you look at Z50 mk1 or mk2 or the Zfc

Pigeon · 18 Oct 2025 at 09:16

I came across the adaptor for the screw fit lenses again on a youtube video of someone having a go with one

and on Nikon rumours from February https://nikonrumors.com/2025/02/28/...with-built-in-focus-and-aperture-motors.aspx/ They person on the video seemed to be quite happy with it but complained about the noise which to me seemed to be the normal genuine noise you get with the older auto focus lenses on older cameras.

Nikon have just released 2 new DX lenses and they seem to be a more premium offering as one is a prime lens with macro functionality and the other matches the focal length of the 16-50mm lens with a wider aperture so rumours are flying around about a more high end DX camera coming out soon. I watch a livestream (Grays of Westminister)and every week there is speculation and asks for a DX camera with a pro body and the only feature really missing from the Z50ii that is needed is IBIS so if you are looking to buy soon you may want to see if there is news of another camera in a couple of weeks. The livestream suggested that nikonrumors may well have been cut off from their source of information. Hopefully not of note is that the Z50ii kit I was looking at is now out of stock and possibly on backorder.

With most of the Nikon lenses DX lenses VR is included so you already have a good degree of stabilisation. It is looking at the photos you are currently taking and wanting to take and decide about things like -

if I am handheld shooting at a longer focal length will I want be in a situation where I want a longer exposure for the photo - longer exposure also means more possibility of movement in the subject
if I am handheld shooting in lower light am I going to want a longer exposure photo or can I get the photo I want using a higher exposure - longer exposure also means more possibility of movement in the subject
in the situations above as I am planning and knowing I will want a longer exposure and the subject is likely to be still am I going to be taking a tripod anyway!

I can see why available stabilisation is helpful and why you might, perhaps if shooting handheld video or if perhaps you are shooting quickly and not having the time to steady the camera fully. It is a tricky choice of buying a camera without it when it is available on others.
I tend to look at the photos I am doing now with no stabilisation and that most of the time there has not been a restriction because of having to keep the shutter speed up so far. The ISO adjustment even on my 13 year old camera has a massive range before the photos get too noisy to be unpleasant and the mirrorless cameras are meant to have even more usable range and ability to capture light. The mirrorless cameras are less compromised than the DLSRs where the camera and lens design has to accommodate the mirror and mechanism and the sensor is effectively placed where the film used to be.

wonko · 18 Oct 2025 at 09:59

If your priority is reducing weight/bulk then I'm not sure you'd achieve that with something like a Z50 and FTZ. A quick search says that your D3200 is 505g with battery. A Z50 mk1/mk2 are 450g/550g respectively, and the FTZ mk1/mk2 adds another 135g/125g. The depth of a Z50 with an FTZ will also be greater than your D3200.

Unless you've got a lot of F-mount lenses that you're attached to, it might be false economy to spend money on FTZ (or third-party version with autofocus). Would it be better to sell the D3200 and lenses and start again?

FWIW I 'bit the bullet' recently and sold my D500 and all my F-mount lenses and moved over to native Z mount lenses. A painful experience cost-wise but no regrets.