Nikon has announced the new Z50II, which they are touting as a compact, fully-featured mirrorless hybrid camera suitable for photos and video. This is an entry-level camera being targeted directly at content creators and influencers.
This is Nikon’s first APS-C / DX format camera to feature the EXPEED 7 processing engine, which is the same one that is in the Z8 and Z9. The Z50II is claimed to have fast autofocus performance, photo capture of up to 30 fps (electronic shutter), good low-light capabilities, advanced video features, and extensive control of colors.
Key features
- 20.9MP DX-Format CMOS Sensor
- EXPEED 7 Image Processor
- UHD 4K60p/Full HD 120fps Video Recording
- Improved Autofocus, 9 Subject Detection
- Dedicated Picture Control Button
- Pre-Release Capture, 30 fps Shooting
- Bright OLED Electronic Viewfinder
- 3.2″ 180° Tilting Touchscreen
- SD Memory Card Slot
- Built-In Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
The camera utilizes a 20.9-megapixel (23.5mm x 15.7mm) APS-C/ DX format sensor. This looks to be the exact same sensor as was found in its predecessor.
The Z50II only has a single SD card slot and it takes Nikon EN-EL25a batteries. The camera weighs 550 g / 19.4 ounces with a battery and memory card. There is also an in-built flash.
Video
The Z50II can record in 4K at up to 60p. This is oversampled from 5.6K.
3840 x 2160 (4K UHD): 60p/50p/30p/25p/24p
1920 x 1080: 120p/100p/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p
Note: Actual frame rates for 240p, 200p, 120p, 100p, 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, and 24p are 239.76, 200, 119.88, 100, 59.94, 50, 29.97, 25, and 23.976 fps respectively.
Video gets recorded in H.265/HEVC (8 bit/10 bit), or H.264/AVC (8 bit). This camera can’t record N-RAW.
There is a video self-timer and a Product Review Mode that focuses on objects in the foreground, which is helpful for products, cosmetics, fashion, and beauty reviewers.
The Z50II can record in N-Log and it also has a tally lamp, waveform monitor, headphone jack, and a continuous record time of up to more than 2 hours.
Additionally, there is Hi-Res Zoom which allows users to zoom in on their subject with no loss in image quality, even when using a prime lens.
There is also support for USB streaming (UVC/UAC) allows plug-and-play connectivity for online meetings and live video streaming by simply connecting the camera to a computer or smartphone.
In terms of audio, you can use a built-in stereo, or and external microphone can be plugged in through a 3.5mm jack.
There is timecode (through an UltraSync Blue), timelapse capabilities, waveform, peaking, zebras, HDMI out (Type D HDMI connector), and a USB-C connector.
ISO settings when recording video are as follows:
- Mode M: Manual selection (ISO 100–25600; choose from step sizes of 1/6, 1/3 and 1 EV); auto ISO sensitivity control (ISO 100–25600) available with a selectable upper limit
- ISO sensitivity is limited to 400–25600 when HLG is selected for tone mode.
- ISO sensitivity is limited to Lo 0.3–2.0 and 800–25600 when N-Log is selected for tone mode.
- Modes P, S, A: Auto ISO sensitivity control (ISO 100–25600) with selectable upper limit
- Modes b, SCN: Auto ISO sensitivity control (ISO 100–25600)
Picture Control button
The Z50II is also the first Nikon camera to feature a dedicated Picture Control button. With a single press, a user can see in real-time the effects of up to 31 built-in color presets. These can be used for both stills and video.
The included Color Presets are:
- Dream
- Morning
- Pop
- Sunday
- Somber
- Dramatic
- Silence
- Bleached
- Melancholic
- Pure
- Denim,
- Toy
- Sepia
- Blue
- Red
- Pink
- Charcoal
- Graphite
- Binary
- Carbon
The selected Picture Control can be modified.
Nikon’s ‘Imaging Recipes’ can also be downloaded to the camera as Cloud Picture Controls directly through the Nikon Imaging Cloud. These recipes are custom presets with changes to color, brightness, etc. Additionally, users can make their own Imaging Recipes and Flexible Picture Controls. Images can also be sent instantly to a user’s own cloud-based storage using the Nikon Imaging Cloud, or shared to a phone with Nikon SnapBridge.
If you want you still have access to the regular Picture Controls as well:
- Auto
- Standard
- Neutral
- Vivid
- Monochrome
- Flat Monochrome
- Deep Tone Monochrome
- Portrait
- Rich Tone Portrait
- Landscape
- Flat
Please note that the choice of Picture Controls is restricted to Standard, Monochrome, and Flat when HLG is selected for tone mode during still photography.
LCD and EVF
The camera features a 3.2′ vari-angle LCD screen and a 1000 cd/m2 (nits) EVF, which is roughly twice as bright as the one built into the Nikon Z50.
AF
The Z50II’s EXPEED 7 processing engine provides advanced autofocus with nine types of subject detection. When in AUTO shooting mode, Nikon’s proprietary deep learning technology makes it possible for the camera to analyze and recognize the subject and scene, automatically optimizing autofocus, flash control, and exposure control values such as aperture, shutter speed and ISO sensitivity settings. \
MC-DC3 Remote Cord
The MC-DC3 is a remote cord compatible with the Z50II and later models equipped with a headphone/remote cord connector (3.5mm jack). The cord is approximately 3.1 ft/ 1m in length. It is useful in minimizing the effects of camera shake when using a tripod to photograph starry skies and nighttime scenes, or with commercial (product) photography. It can also be used for remote photography to release the shutter at a distance from the camera. The shutter-release button can be locked in the fully pressed position for long exposures (bulb shooting) or held down for continuous shooting. It can also be held halfway down for shooting with less release time-lag.
Price & Availability
The Nikon Z50II will be available in late November 2024 for $956.95 USD for the body only.
Kit configurations include the NIKKOR Z 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens for $1096.95 USD or a two-lens kit with the 16-50mm and 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR lenses for $1346.95 USD.
The MC-DC3 Remote Cord is scheduled for release later in 2024, for $36.95 USD.
