Any rumors that there would be such a body? The Z50 doesn't seem like much of a camera, but a DX similar in specs to the Z6ii or Z7ii seems
to me to be a nice thing to have.
to me to be a nice thing to have.
Mirrorless Nikon DX body upgrade from Z50?
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JP Onstwedder
Well-known member
Actually a Z50 is quite nice. Very similar image quality to a D500 in a package that is almost comically small and light. You wouldn’t use it for birding, true, but don’t underestimate it!
I think there would be a decent market for a higher end model of the Z50. My wife has one and it’s nice but an upgraded version with say 10 FPS in non extended Hi mode or 9 or 8 but more than 5 anyway...IBIS and some of the other features on the 6II/7II would get me on board. For my purposes and image uses...almost exclusively web or screen viewed...and combo of travel, landscape, wildlife and some BIF as part of wildlife...the weight is very attractive and the crop factor lens reach is as well. While there re advantages to the bigger sensor...for many users needs a DX version of the 6II would be very attractive even if it wasn’t seriously cheaper as the size and weight are part of the draw.
eaj101
Well-known member
I've read rumors of a 'Z70', but no one knows if that's a D7500-type or a D500-type. If they do a Z8 maybe they'd do a Z80, as with the D3/D300 and D5/D500, both of which were huge hits for Nikon. But I'm restraining my expectations ...
Thank you for your reply. I am assuming that you have one. I purchased one off ebay used just to see what "mirrorless" is like. i.e. am not sure I will like not looking directly at what I am shooting and this camera will at least tell me that much. I do shoot mostly wildlife and BIF, but don't have any real expectations on it's ability in that respect, so
imagine it will do fine for my purposes.
Thank you all for your comments. I just don't quite understand why Nikon hasn't come out with a D500 equivalent in mirrorless. If they did, I would have purchased one by now.
I have the D850. I really don't need another full frame camera. When I go out to shoot, the D500 is what I take with me. Thus my question. Obviously it would cost more than the Z50, but it would do more and would be worth the extra $$$.
I have the D850. I really don't need another full frame camera. When I go out to shoot, the D500 is what I take with me. Thus my question. Obviously it would cost more than the Z50, but it would do more and would be worth the extra $$$.
JP Onstwedder
Well-known member
Don’t get me wrong, I’d love a DX Z that can match my D500 autofocus performance—I would buy it and fully migrate to the Z system (and yes, I own a Z50 and use it on occasions I don’t feel like carrying a camera bag). My Z 7 is a much nicer camera to use than the Z50: better EVF, better screen, more physical controls, better image quality, etc. But many times a Z50 is enough camera, and having choices like that is great.
With the Z6II, Z7II, Z5, and Z50, Nikon has covered the middle of the mirrorless lineup. That provides enough cameras to deploy a good set of lenses and give people a chance to work with Nikon mirrorless. The f/2.8 zoom lenses are a prerequisite for a flagship camera. The primes fill out the kit and let people see just how good the optics are across the board.
The obvious gaps are the flagship mirrorless and possibly an action or high end DX camera. We also need long lenses and need to fill in a few gaps with f/1.2 and f/4 lenses. There are some specialty lenses on the roadmap such as the macro lens. With DX cameras, there is a need for an Enthusiast level medium zoom and an ultrawide lens. So it's pretty clear Nikon has a plan for how everything is deployed, and will be filling gaps with upcoming models.
I would expect to see a Flagship mirrorless pretty soon - probably 4-6 months away. It needs to be a good action camera suitable for pro sports and fast action with suitable long lenses. The counterpart of this camera in a DSLR is the D6. Just as the D500 was the counterpart of the D5, the flagship mirrorless could have a DX counterpart. But that camera needs to be delivered with the DX zoom lenses covering the medium and wide focal lengths, and a wildlife lens like the 200-600.
Nikon's products cover a pretty good range of FX cameras with the exception of the flagship mirrorless. But they can't go through the year with just a single high end mirrorless camera being released. That would cause a gap in revenue growth and a loss of share. They need a high volume enthusiast camera - like a D500 successor in a mirrorless, along with lenses. If they can produce the volume, that's potentially a 100,000 units in sales during the first half year - plus lenses. You're probably looking at $300 million in revenue.
The obvious gaps are the flagship mirrorless and possibly an action or high end DX camera. We also need long lenses and need to fill in a few gaps with f/1.2 and f/4 lenses. There are some specialty lenses on the roadmap such as the macro lens. With DX cameras, there is a need for an Enthusiast level medium zoom and an ultrawide lens. So it's pretty clear Nikon has a plan for how everything is deployed, and will be filling gaps with upcoming models.
I would expect to see a Flagship mirrorless pretty soon - probably 4-6 months away. It needs to be a good action camera suitable for pro sports and fast action with suitable long lenses. The counterpart of this camera in a DSLR is the D6. Just as the D500 was the counterpart of the D5, the flagship mirrorless could have a DX counterpart. But that camera needs to be delivered with the DX zoom lenses covering the medium and wide focal lengths, and a wildlife lens like the 200-600.
Nikon's products cover a pretty good range of FX cameras with the exception of the flagship mirrorless. But they can't go through the year with just a single high end mirrorless camera being released. That would cause a gap in revenue growth and a loss of share. They need a high volume enthusiast camera - like a D500 successor in a mirrorless, along with lenses. If they can produce the volume, that's potentially a 100,000 units in sales during the first half year - plus lenses. You're probably looking at $300 million in revenue.
It would be nice if they did come out with a D500 successor in mirrorless. I'll keep my fingers crossed, though, I'm perfectly happy with my D500. It is an amazing camera. As far as FX goes, I tend to use D500 most times I walk out the door usually with one of the two PF lenses on it. The D850 works very well for me so I am much less interested in the FX Z bodies. I'm not even positive that I want a Z body. The silent/less noisy shutter is a nice perk. It will be interesting to see what Nikon comes up with. 
Thank you all for responding.
Thank you all for responding.
I too would love a DX mirrorless for BIF and wildlife but it's obvious now Nikon's main thurst is FX mirrorless cameras. I believe Nikon has seriously underestimated and underserved the DX shooters. I believe they eventually will produce a DX similar to the D500 but many may have moved on to another brand by then that is aware of the DX market more so than Nikon.
ronpier
Member
I seriously considered the Z50 but having four DX Nikon DSLRs I couldn’t justify a DX mirrorless even tho it is a heck of a nice one. It definitely would be my first or second choice but not number five.
I bought my Z50 for two basic reasons; to dip my toe in the mirrorless world and to use an extremely small camera for non-nature photography. It’s ideal for general purpose family photos and is amazingly good paired up with the 40mm micro. I would classify it as “useable” for nature but not in the same league as a DSLR.
eaj101
Well-known member
The Z50 and the 16-50 are small enough to fit in your jacket pocket. The 50-250 is pretty small as well. Both lenses are excellent for kit lenses, and the image quality is at least the equal of any other DX camera. It's the best hiking/travel/wandering around camera I've found. It's fine for landscapes. The @375 effective focal length is acceptable reach in those situations. I guess I'd call it a great 'casual' camera. Somewhere between a D5600 and D7500. . Now if Nikon would make a Z DX wide angle...
The Z 50 is a good camera for nature. Combined with the 50-250mm lens, very good photos can be taken. Admittedly I use it mostly for iNaturalist ID photos. The camera/lens combo is very light and compact. See the comparison with the D850 & 70-300mm lens.
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I've got a Z50 with both kit lenses on order. It will be for my wife - and I have a Z6 and Z7II. I am replacing a D7200 which was just sold.
The Z50 is a lot more camera than most people realize. It's got the full Z menu with function buttons and iMenu. AF modes are advanced with Face and Animal Eye Detect. The kit lenses are very small - and high enough quality to stick in a pocket and use with my Z7II in crop mode without hesitation.
I fully expect to see a D500 equivalent in the Z lineup. It's a matter of timing, but I expect an advanced DX Z camera to be released this year - along with lenses suitable for enthusiast use. I'd expect to see an ultrawide for Z-DX, an updated normal Zoom for Z-DX, and a telephoto which might be the 200-600 on the roadmap. Most sources are expecting to see a flagship Z and a high volume Z released this year. The Z6II and Z7II were just released, so full frame is largely covered except for the flagship model.
The Z50 is a lot more camera than most people realize. It's got the full Z menu with function buttons and iMenu. AF modes are advanced with Face and Animal Eye Detect. The kit lenses are very small - and high enough quality to stick in a pocket and use with my Z7II in crop mode without hesitation.
I fully expect to see a D500 equivalent in the Z lineup. It's a matter of timing, but I expect an advanced DX Z camera to be released this year - along with lenses suitable for enthusiast use. I'd expect to see an ultrawide for Z-DX, an updated normal Zoom for Z-DX, and a telephoto which might be the 200-600 on the roadmap. Most sources are expecting to see a flagship Z and a high volume Z released this year. The Z6II and Z7II were just released, so full frame is largely covered except for the flagship model.
ronpier
Member
I hope your expectations come true. All good points.
Thank you all for your responses. I finally broke down and got a used Z50 off ebay. Am waiting for the FTZ to arrive (it somehow got lost by FedEx) and have no way to see what the camera is like due to lack of a lens. LOL I finally did a lot of research on the camera and it will suffice to dip my toes into mirrorless. If I like it, I'll go for the D500 equivalent
if and when it arrives. If I don't like it, I'll probably just sell it, but the price was right and my curiosity got the better of me.
if and when it arrives. If I don't like it, I'll probably just sell it, but the price was right and my curiosity got the better of me.
Wow, amazing difference!
Note the Z 50-250 mm lens does not come with a lens hood. I recommend you buy a hood as it will not only keep out sunlight but protect the lens. Take the hood off for flash use.
RAN
New member
The problem for me is short supply. I've had a Z6ii on order since shortly before the initial release date in November. And, I've had the 50-250 Dx for my son-in-law's Z50 on order for more than two months. My local camera store almost always gets the new issues on the first day of issue; but it hasn't worked for these two. Is it maybe production problems with the current pandemic?
The advances in camera quality are amazing. Aside from other new features, here is a comparison of Nikon's D200 from 2006, the Z50. & the Z7ii:
Nikon D200 Specs. 2006
Sensor: • 23.6 x 15.8 mm CCD (DX format)
• 10.2 million effective pixels
Maximum Resolution
• 3872 x 2592
Nikon Z 50d Specs. 2020
Sensor Size: 23.5 x 15.7 mm
Effective: 20.9 Megapixels
Maximum Resolution
5568 x 3712
Z7ii. Specs. 2020
Sensor Size: 35.9 x 23.9 mm
Effective: 45.7 Megapixel
Maximum Resolution: 8256 x 5504
Nikon D200 Specs. 2006
Sensor: • 23.6 x 15.8 mm CCD (DX format)
• 10.2 million effective pixels
Maximum Resolution
• 3872 x 2592
Nikon Z 50d Specs. 2020
Sensor Size: 23.5 x 15.7 mm
Effective: 20.9 Megapixels
Maximum Resolution
5568 x 3712
Z7ii. Specs. 2020
Sensor Size: 35.9 x 23.9 mm
Effective: 45.7 Megapixel
Maximum Resolution: 8256 x 5504