Nikon releases entry-level Z50II mirrorless hybrid

Nikon has updated its Z50 mirrorless camera with the Z50II adding some interesting new capabilities and beefed up video tools.

The new Z50II APS-C size/DX-format mirrorless camera is an advertisement for the trickle down theory of camera development; wait long enough and all those high-end features you’re after will eventually appear in the sub $1000 camera you can afford.  

Case in point is that it is powered by the same EXPEED 7 image processor that you’ll find at the heart of the flagship Z9 camera. It marries this with the 20.9-megapixel APS-C sensor from the original Z50 and some of the company’s proprietary deep-learning technology.

Targeting smartphone users

Judging from the press materials, the company is targeting people stepping up from a smartphone for the first time, so there’s a lot of talk regarding ease of use. The camera can automatically recognize nine different subject types and intelligently track fast, even unpredictable subject movement; it’s got the brightest EVF in its class at 1000 cd/m2 (twice that of its predecessor); and it features 31 easy-to-use Picture Control presets for styling the look of photos and videos in-camera.

This sort of realtime LUT has done well for Fuji and Panasonic and here is is further beefed up via complimentary access to Nikon Imaging Cloud, allowing users to download what it refers to as Imaging Recipes and colour presets. Picture Controls have even been granted a dedicated button that will allow users to quickly cycle through the different presets and see the effects in realtime while shooting.

Video specs

The camera features native ISO that starts at 100 and heads up to 51,200 for stills, and 25,600 for video, and can record 4K 30p footage (oversampled from 5.6K). In fact it supports multiple frame rates and resolutions at up to 4K 60p (though this is cropped) and can capture N-Log in 10-bit. It also features a waveform monitor, tally lamp, and will provide you a shade over two hours of continuous recording time.

As far as video tools go, the Z50II is the first Nikon Z camera to include a Product Review mode aimed at vloggers who want to smoothly shift focus to the items they’re showing in the foreground. This is also the first Z camera to include a video self-timer that allows a delay before recording starts. In addition, one cable is all it takes for vloggers and streamers to connect the Z50II directly to a smart device and go live on the video platform of their choice.

A 3.2in vari-angle touchscreen offers a clear view from any angle and faces forward for easier vlogging. Users can touch to position focus, change settings, and more. Elsewhere it features a pop-up flash, mic jack, headphone jack, micro HDMI, and USB-C, standard WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, 

Pricing and availability

The Nikon Z50II weighs approx 550 grams (19.4 oz) with battery and memory card, and has dimensions of approx 127 x 96.8 x 66.5 mm (5 x 3.9 x 2.7 in). It will be available later this month for around $909 or equivalent. Various lens kit bundles will be available too. 

tl;dr

• The Nikon Z50II is an updated APS-C mirrorless camera featuring the EXPEED 7 image processor from the Z9 and a 20.9-megapixel sensor, making high-end features more accessible at a sub-$1000 price point.
• Aimed at smartphone users transitioning to dedicated cameras, it includes intelligent subject recognition, the brightest EVF in its class, and 31 Picture Control presets for customized photo and video styling.
• Video capabilities include 4K recording up to 60p (cropped), N-Log in 10-bit, and new features like a Product Review mode for vloggers and a video self-timer.
• The camera has a 3.2-inch vari-angle touchscreen, connectivity options such as USB-C and HDMI, and weighs approximately 550 grams. It will be available later this month for around $960.