Nikon has just announced the Z50II, an APS-C size/DX-format mirrorless camera that combines advanced technology from Nikon’s flagship models with user-friendly features in a compact body. Designed to cater to content creators and smartphone photographers, essentially Gen Z looking to step up. The Z50II packs in a powerful feature set that enables you to shoot both photo and video at a high quality and with auto features that take a huge leap forward from what has been available at this price point in the past. This camera also packs in features and functions that make it perfectly suited to vlogging and live streaming.
The Z50II is powered by the EXPEED 7 image processor, the same as in Nikon’s top-of-the-line Z9, and utilises deep-learning technology to enhance photo and video performance. This processing power enables the Z50II to automatically recognise and track nine distinct subject types, from people and animals to vehicles, ensuring accurate focus even with fast-moving or unpredictable subjects. Nikon’s new model also boasts the brightest electronic viewfinder (EVF) in its class, providing a clear view of details in both low and bright lighting conditions, making it ideal for outdoor photography and low-light shooting.
The camera’s creative options make it a great choice for content creators with the inclusion of an all new direct access button to the Picture Control presets. These presets will enable you to style your images and videos in-camera, as well as giving you access to the Nikon Imaging Cloud, where additional exclusive Imaging Recipes and colour presets can be downloaded directly to the camera. As mentioned, all these features are fully accessible via a dedicated Picture Control button, enabling you to switch between presets with real-time visual feedback.
While the Picture Control presets are available on other Nikon cameras, here, Nikon has worked hard at developing the interface and this means more space is given to the image preview with less distraction from the user interface.
As the camera is aimed at hybrid shooters, the video functionality is equal to the still options and features, so this new camera will feature the ability to record 4K UHD video at 30p and high-speed 4K/60p capture in crop mode; there will also be the ability to capture full HD at 120fps. Nikon has also introduced a Product Review mode specifically designed for vloggers, which shifts focus to foreground items, making product demonstrations easy. This new feature can be located through the menu section and is separate to the other AF tracking modes. Another feature is that a video self-timer; this essentially enables a short delay before recording begins, so that you can jump in front of the camera before recording starts, helping to cut down the amount of editing that video requires—this is a first for the Nikon Z series. If you’re a creator who streams live content, the Z50II can connect directly to a smartphone or tablet with a single cable, enabling you to broadcast on wide variety of platforms.
Further adding to the cameras versatility, the Z50II has a high native ISO range of up to 51,200 for stills and 25,600 for video, all helping to ensure detailed low-light performance. The upgrade in the image processor means that while the ISO remains the same as the Z50, the actual quality of the image and video takes a significant leap forward. Other features include a vari-angle touchscreen for flexible shooting angles and vlogging, 30 fps burst shooting with Pre-Release Capture, and Nikon’s new Hi-Res Zoom, which digitally zooms during video recording without sacrificing image quality.
Priced at approximately £999/$1,199 (body only), the Nikon Z50II is an ultra-portable solution at 495 g, perfect for photographers on the go. Its compact size and comfortable grip make it easy to handle, even for extended periods. This makes the Nikon’s Z50II an excellent choice for entry-level photographers and videographers who want to make professional-quality photography and videography.
Nikon Z50II Specifications
Sensor: 20.9MP DX CMOS Sensor
Processor: Expeed 7 Processing Engine
ISO Range: 100-512,000
Monitor: 3.2″, 1.04 million dots, Vari-Angle
Video resolution: 4K@60fps crop, 4K@30fps 5.6k Super Sampled, Full HD 120fps
Video options: N-Log, SDR, HLG, 10-bit codec
LUT support: Yes including the RED LUTs
New AF mode: Product review mode
Streaming: USB (UVC/UAC) Connection
Zoom: Hi-res zoom for HD video, shoots at 4K and crops in to HD
EVF Luminance: 1000cd/m2
Nikon Z50II Price and Availability
Nikon Z50II body only: £849
Nikon Z50II + 16-50mm: £999
Nikon Z50II + 16-50mm + 50-250mm: £1199
Nikon Store Special – Nikon Z50II + 18-140mm: £1219
