Nikon Z50II First Impressions
Summary Verdict
The Nikon Z50II appears to be a refined, versatile mirrorless camera that brings advanced processing, enhanced autofocusing and creator-friendly features to Nikon’s DX lineup. With its brighter EVF, improved video capabilities and customisable Picture Controls (complete with a dedicated button), it’s an interesting option for those who want a compact interchangeable lens camera. However, a new sensor with a higher resolution would make it more compelling.
Score: TBC
Pros
Advance Subject Detection Modes
Vari-angle touchscreen
Bright viewfinder
Cons
5-year old 20MP sensor
No joystick
Additional crop in 4K 60p video mode
What is the Nikon Z50II?
The successor to the Nikon Z50, the Nikon Z50II is a compact, APS-C or DX-format mirrorless camera aimed at content creators and novice photographers looking to step up from a smartphone or simpler camera. While the Z50II is smaller and more affordable, it shares some technology with Nikon's flagship camera, the Z9, and the smaller but similarly capable Nikon Z8.
Surprisingly, given the 5-year gap between their launches, the Z50II has the same 20.88-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor as the original Nikon Z50. However, it's paired with Nikon's EXPEED 7 processor, which is also found in Nikon’s flagship cameras, boosting performance and enabling intelligent subject detection.
Nikon Z50II Price and Availability
Body-only, the Nikon Z50II price is £999. It can also be purchased in two kits as follows:
Nikon Z50II Lens Kit with the 16-50 DX lens: £999
Nikon Z50II Lens Kit with the 16-50 DX and 50-250 DX lenses: £1,199
The camera is set to go on sale this month, November 2024.
The Nikon Z50II has two customisable function buttons between the grip and the lens mount.
Nikon Z50II Specifications
Camera type: Mirrorless
Announced: 7th November 2024
Sensor: 20.88Mp APS-C / DX (23.5×15.7mm) format
Processing engine: EXPEED 7
Lens mount: Nikon Z mount
Sensitivity range: ISO 100-51,200; Video ISO 100-25,600
Viewfinder: 0.39-inch 2,360,000-dot electronic viewfinder with magnification: 0.68×, brightness of 1000 cd/m²
Screen: Vari-angle 3.2–inch 1,040,000-dot touchscreen
Autofocus: Hybrid (phase and contrast detection) AF with 209 AF points, subject detection (people [eyes, face, head, upper body], dogs, cats, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, trains, and airplanes), pinpoint, single-point, dynamic-area (S, M, and L), wide-area (S, L, Custom), and auto-area (97% × 85% coverage) AF; 3D-tracking; subject-tracking AF
Continuous Shooting: Electronic shutter 11fps, High-Speed Frame Capture (C15, C30), Pre-Release Capture
Burst depth: 200 images
Video: 4K at 30fps from 56.K, 4K at 6- with 1.5x crop, Full-HD at 120fps
Stabilisation: Electronic VR only
Storage: SD/SDHC/SDXC UHS-II
Interface: Type C USB (USB 3.2), Type D HDMI connector, external stereo microphone, headphone/remote cord connector, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, accessory shoe
Battery: EN-EL25a, EN-EL25 (both support USB power charging/delivery)
Dimensions (W x H x D): 1127 × 96.8 × 66.5
Weight: 550g / 1 lb. 3.4 oz.(with battery and memory card), 495g / 1 lb. 1.5 oz. (camera body only)
Key Features
While the Nikon Z50II has the same 20.88-million-pixel APS-C format sensor as its predecessor, the fact that it's paired with Nikon's most advanced processor to date means it brings a number of performance enhancements including the ability to recognise, focus on and track nine types of subject. Those subjects include people (eyes, face, head, upper body), dogs, cats, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, trains, and aeroplanes. That's the same range as the Nikon Z9, Z8 and Z6III, however, it's important to remember that as the Z50II doesn't have the stacked sensor design (a partially stacked design in the case of the Z6III), its subject detection and focusing system isn't quite as responsive as the top-end cameras'.
The Z50II's hybrid focal-plane autofocus system, which combines phase detection and contrast detection, has 209 focus points and, in addition to subject detection modes, has a collection of AF point selection modes including pinpoint, single-point, dynamic-area (S, M, and L), wide-area (S, L, Custom) and auto-area AF (with 97% by 85% coverage of the sensor) and 3D-tracking.
While the Z50II’s electronic viewfinder (EVF) is the same size and resolution as the Z50's (0.39-inch and 2.36 million dots), its brightness is almost twice that of its predecessors at 1000 cd/m². This makes it easier and more comfortable to see in bright conditions.
Meanwhile, the 3.2-inch touchscreen, which has the same 1.04 million-dot resolution as the Z50's screen, is mounted on a vari-angle hinge that allows it to flip out to the side of the camera to give a clear view when shooting in landscape or portrait orientation. It can also twist to face forwards for vlogging or shooting selfies. That's a significant improvement on the tilting screen of the Z50, which isn't of use in portrait orientation and, when it's facing forward, the view is blocked if the camera is on a tripod - necessitating an optional plate to offset the mount.
Despite the newer processing engine, the Z50II has the same maximum continuous shooting rate of 11fps (frames per second) as the Z50. However, it also has a Pre-Release Capture mode that sets the camera to record images for one second before the shutter release is pressed fully-home. This can be set to record at 15fps or 30fps, however, images can only be recorded in Jpeg format, not raw.
The Nikon Z50II is compatible with Nikon Cloud, which was announced at the same time as the Nikon Z6III. This lets you download and use Nikon Recipes to give images and video a specific look beyond the standard collection of Picture Controls. Nikon has also made it possible to limit the range of Picture Controls visible on the Z50II to just your favourites. It means you don't have to scroll through Picture Controls you never use to get to the one you want. In addition, rather than seeing a preset thumbnail with the Picture Control applied, there's now a live view of the scene with the effect, making it easier to decide which setting you want to use.
On the video front, the Z50II is designed to be easy to use but capable of producing high-end results. For example, it oversamples 5.6K video to output 4K footage at up to 30p, giving sharper, richer results. There's also a 4K 60p option, but this attracts a 1.5x crop on top of the crop already associated with an APS-C format sensor. This means that if you're shooting with a 16mm focal length, the framing will be similar to that of a 36mm lens on a full-frame camera.
If you want to shoot even more dramatic slow-motion footage than 60p, there's a 120p option in Full HD.
For the first time in a Nikon DX camera, the Z50II supports 10-bit N-Log and Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) for enhanced colour grading flexibility. There's also Nikon's Hi-Res Zoom that uses the 4K resolution to maintain Full HD quality when zooming during recording. The speed of the zoom can be adjusted over 11 levels.
There's also a dedicated Product Review Mode in which the camera shifts the focus to items in the foreground instead of staying with the reviewer's eyes. That's handy for vloggers demonstrating products or objects while they talk to the camera.
Although the Nikon Z50II doesn't have optical in-body image stabilisation, the electronic stabilisation for use in video mode is said to be better than the Z50's.
The Z50II’s single SD card slot, compatible with UHS-II, should provide reliable storage, and Nikon’s SnapBridge system is on hand to allow quick wireless transfer to a smartphone and remote control via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. In addition, the Z50II can function as a plug-and-play webcam with seamless integration with platforms like YouTube and Zoom without additional software.
The Nikon Z50II debuts a Picture Control button, seen here just above the top command dial and near the mode dial.
Build and Handling
With dimensions of 127 x 96.8 x 66.5mm, the Nikon Z50II is a little larger than the Z50 (126.5 x 93.5 x 60 mm) it replaces, but it's still compact. And, although it's 70 g heavier than its predecessor, it still only weighs 550 g with a battery and memory card, making it nicely portable and a good choice for travel.
According to Nikon, the grip is slightly chunkier that the Z50's making it more comfortable to hold - not that I had a problem with the Z50.
According to Nikon, the Z50II has the same level of weather sealing as the original Z50. With no specific classification quoted for this, we don't know just how weatherproof the camera is, but I used the original Z50 during heavy rain at a rugby match and it survived the experience.
Nikon has given the Z50II's control layout a minor refresh in comparison with the Z50, to bring it closer into line with models like the Nikon Z6III. That could be beneficial for anyone looking for a second camera that's smaller and lighter.
Like the Z6III, the rear of the Z50II has two buttons (drive mode and delete) in the top-left corner and four buttons (zoom+, zoom-, Menu and playback) in the bottom right corner. These four buttons are just below the navigation pad and central OK button. The viewfinder/screen selection, Display AE-L/AF-L and I (Info) buttons are arranged around the top right corner of the rear screen, close to the thumb rest. Sadly, unlike cameras higher up the Nikon line, there is no joystick on the back of the Z50II. That's a shame as a joystick usually makes shifting the AF point to where it's needed quicker, but the improved subject detection of the Z50II should mean this is less of an issue than with the Z50.
With the large exposure mode dial, command dial, stills/video switch and the record ISO and exposure compensation buttons, the top plate of the Z50II is very similar to the Z50's, but the newer camera has an additional button that we've not seen on a Nikon camera before - a Picture Control button. This button gives a quick route to the Picture Control options that give the images and video a specific look. That could encourage users to take a more creative approach their photography or videography - especially given that the Z50II shows a real-time view of the scene you scroll through the options.
The buttons on the back of the Nikon Z50II have a similar arrangement to those on the Z6III, there’s no joystick though.
Performance
As I have yet to shoot with the Nikon Z50II, I can't comment in depth on its performance or image quality. I found the Z50 maintains detail levels well up to about ISO 6400 or ISO 12,800. There's some coloured speckling visible if you look at ISO 12,800 images at 100%, but it’s not bad. It's even possible to get acceptable results at higher values, but there’s some loss of detail and smoothing visible here and there in Jpegs and raw files. Consequently, with the Z50, I’d aim to make ISO 12,800 the maximum value I use, but I’d try to stay under ISO 6,400 when possible. Thanks to its newer processing engine, Nikon claims the Z50II produces noticeably cleaner results than the Z50 at high ISO settings, so I hope to shoot more happily at ISO 12,800, maybe higher. I'll investigate fully when I have a production sample in for testing.
Our expectations of autofocus systems have moved on considerably since the Z50 came out in 2019. I'm looking forward to testing the Z50II's subject detection system. I found the Z50 good, but subject detection can make a big difference in many scenarios.
Thanks to its EXPEED 7 processing engine, the Z50II is said to have much faster responses than the Z50. This isn't just about focusing speed; aspects such as the start-up time and the rate of exposure adjustment when moving between areas with different illumination should all be boosted.
The Nikon Z50II has a vari-angle screen that can face forwards and a Product Review Mode in which the camera focuses on anything held towards it, moving away from the reviewer’s eye.
Nikon Z50II Sample Images
These images have been provided by Nikon. Follow the link to see full-resolution versions of these images and more from the Nikon Z50II.
Eye detection should make shots like this easier to get sharp.
Despite the moderate pixel count, the Z50II has captured a pleasing level of detail in this image.
The subject detection system should make it easy to keep up with moving subjects like this.
The bright viewfinder is likely to help in situations like this when you’re looking towards the sun because your eyes don’t have to adjust as much to change in illumination.
The Picture Control button allows quick changes in the colour settings
Early Verdict
Putting the sensor aside, the Nikon Z50II appears to be a thoughtful evolution of its predecessor, designed with content creators and photography novices and enthusiasts in mind. I'm disappointed that Nikon has retained the 20.88-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor of the Z50, I had hoped that we might see the resolution increase to at least 24MP, and perhaps a BSI (backside-illuminated) design for better image quality. However, the inclusion of the EXPEED 7 processor brings greater functionality and flexibility, and should boost its performance, delivering improved subject recognition and faster overall responses. The Picture Control button and Nikon Cloud compatibility should also help promote creativity and make shooting more fun with less time spent editing.
From a handling perspective, the switch to a vari-angle 3.2-inch touchscreen is a good move that will also promote creativity and make the camera easier to use in a wide range of situations. The minor refinements to the Z50II’s design and control layout also bring it more in line with Nikon’s higher-end Z-series models, a bonus for those wanting a smaller second body to complement their primary camera.
Video creators will also appreciate the 4K oversampled recording, which offers superior detail, and the dedicated Product Review Mode and Hi-Res Zoom mode make the camera more versatile.
While the absence of a joystick for quick AF point selection may be a drawback, the improved subject detection system should go some way to offset this with a reliable focus in a wide array of scenarios.
With these enhancements and added capabilities like streaming without additional software, the Z50II looks like a powerful, compact and lightweight option in Nikon’s Z-series lineup. I'm looking forward to testing it.
