Nikon Z50 II Launched

[spamalot1950]

The Z Nikon Ecosystem is missing a Pro DX camera with:

• new Partially-Stacked DX sensor - faster scan rate to minimize electronic shutter distortion;
• Z6 III EVF;
• IBIS with support for Synchro VR ;
• Pro chassis and controls (shooting banks);
• 6K video;
• dual CFExpress cards;
• ENEL15c battery with optional Vertical grip

I think most of that is likely, but, at some point in the very near future, those features won't be indicative of a Pro DX. All of that will be included in your basic consumer camera. Camera technology is moving forward at a fast pace. I have no idea what features will constitute "Pro" in five years. Concerning your list of desired features:
An improved sensor seems inevitable based on recent history.
Dual CFExpress card slots might be nice, but tandem CFExpress card/SD card slots might be more practical.
Regardless of the battery selected for the next DX body, I would very much like to see an improved, if not more accurate, battery strength indicator. The one in the Z50ii is only marginally useful. When it hits RED in my viewfinder, the meter in one of my charging units suggests that that battery is still at 40% strength. I've seen an anecdote that one individual kept shooting for 90 minutes after his viewfinder's meter went red. Additionally, now that the camera itself has a PD charging capability, it would be very nice if Nikon batteries also had USB-C charging ports similar to those of the SmallRig offerings. The time has come to eliminate the need for separate charging units. Especially so since Nikon doesn't include one with the Z50ii.

 

[fcotterill]

I think most of that is likely, but, at some point in the very near future, those features won't be indicative of a Pro DX. All of that will be included in your basic consumer camera. Camera technology is moving forward at a fast pace. I have no idea what features will constitute "Pro" in five years.

Yes good point. However, imaging companies like Nikon typically launch their latest innovative technology in a Pro aka Flagship camera. These ILCs are the best for environmental sealing and are designed to survive rough usage in challenging environments. The high unit cost buys the latest Full House of features.

The costs of inputs and R&D are higher for these products, although as we know too well, Nikon has been savvy at selling its core technology in AF systems, sensors etc in a family of similar cameras. With this strategy the D5 > D500 > D850 are all Pro ILCs with Shooting Banks and haptics etc, and indeed they've proved a productive trio for all parties;

The sales of the core technology in the Z9 is multiplied by selling the Z8 Pro camera, and is being multiplied many times over in the Zf > Z6 III > Z50 II Prosumer products. It's interesting how the reality finally dawned upon Nikon that their MILC AF systems are inherently hamstrung if the Prosumer camera lacks key Pro level Custom settings, not least AFmode+AFOn.

Currently it appears the diversity of needs and opinions on camera haptics is not going to change, including Shooting Banks vs U* style custom settings. And many photographers don't need the full house of Pro features in a flagship ILC.

Concerning your list of desired features:
An improved sensor seems inevitable based on recent history.

Yes

Dual CFExpress card slots might be nice, but tandem CFExpress card/SD card slots might be more practical.

Video needs high volume, high performance, and reliable storage

Regardless of the battery selected for the next DX body, I would very much like to see an improved, if not more accurate, battery strength indicator.

Agreed

The one in the Z50ii is only marginally useful. When it hits RED in my viewfinder, the meter in one of my charging units suggests that that battery is still at 40% strength. I've seen an anecdote that one individual kept shooting for 90 minutes after his viewfinder's meter went red.

Extra batteries in a vertical grip is a time proven solution.

Additionally, now that the camera itself has a PD charging capability, it would be very nice if Nikon batteries also had USB-C charging ports similar to those of the SmallRig offerings.

Yes this will be useful

The time has come to eliminate the need for separate charging units.

No

Especially so since Nikon doesn't include one with the Z50ii.

Call some of us old fashioned.... but plugging an expensive camera into mains power is too risky on too many grids, notwithstanding surge protectors. I never take this risk. Although it's fine to charge in camera off a stand alone power bank.

Mirrorless cameras need more batteries and recharging sufficient batteries requires a charger unit, at least currently. I no longer touch 3rd party batteries after lost money, although YMMV.

The upgraded USB C PD chargers are excellent. I have 3 of the MH33 with 3 cameras using ENEL18 batteries

 

[Lee R]

Yes good point. However, imaging companies like Nikon typically launch their latest innovative technology in a Pro aka Flagship camera. These ILCs are the best for environmental sealing and are designed to survive rough usage in challenging environments. The high unit cost buys the latest Full House of features.

The costs of inputs and R&D are higher for these products, although as we know too well, Nikon has been savvy at selling its core technology in AF systems, sensors etc in a family of similar cameras. With this strategy the D5 > D500 > D850 are all Pro ILCs with Shooting Banks and haptics etc, and indeed they've proved a productive trio for all parties;

The sales of the core technology in the Z9 is multiplied by selling the Z8 Pro camera, and is being multiplied many times over in the Zf > Z6 III > Z50 II Prosumer products. It's interesting how the reality finally dawned upon Nikon that their MILC AF systems are inherently hamstrung if the Prosumer camera lacks key Pro level Custom settings, not least AFmode+AFOn.

Currently it appears the diversity of needs and opinions on camera haptics is not going to change, including Shooting Banks vs U* style custom settings. And many photographers don't need the full house of Pro features in a flagship ILC.


Yes

Video needs high volume, high performance, and reliable storage

Agreed

Extra batteries in a vertical grip is a time proven solution.

Yes this will be useful

No

Call some of us old fashioned.... but plugging an expensive camera into mains power is too risky on too many grids, notwithstanding surge protectors. I never take this risk. Although it's fine to charge in camera off a stand alone power bank.

Mirrorless cameras need more batteries and recharging sufficient batteries requires a charger unit, at least currently. I no longer touch 3rd party batteries after lost money, although YMMV.

The upgraded USB C PD chargers are excellent. I have 3 of the MH33 with 3 cameras using ENEL18 batteries

I figure it's designed for it and have been using PD charging since getting the Z5 in 2020, then th ZF and Z8. No issues. Now I use the third party small rig and Viltrox battery's and just charge those direct as well. They designed the camera to charge internally. I'm not worried about grid power as it's going through that power adapter which is going to take any surges not the camera. It's only pushing about 10w of electricity into the camera itself. Chargers are just another thing to drag around everywhere and are pretty redundant these days. Nikon also needs to make a USB C chargeable OEM battery. That space and weight for a OEM charger is better used on power bank.

The small rig/viltrox battery's also don't need PD adapters to work, just about anything these days works on those things. Since I've started using those the Z8 it's a piece of cake for battery's as you can charge the one out of the camera while using the other off a small power bank. The 5000/10000 mah power banks are small light and inexpensive.

 

[spamalot1950]

The upgraded USB C PD chargers are excellent. I have 3 of the MH33 with 3 cameras using ENEL18 batteries

Obviously, that is working well for you. And that's great. However, the only Nikon branded charger available for the En-EL 25a battery, used in the Z50ii, is the MH-32, and it requires an AC outlet to work, and it must be purchased separately. There are chargers made by other manufacturers which can be used with an AC adapter or a power bank. I acquired the one made by Wasabi only to discover it uses a micro USB connection. I could be wrong, but I am under the impression that the micro USB connection is not compliant with PD 3.0 or PD 3.1 protocols. Needless to say, I would have preferred a Nikon branded version with a USB-C port. And, the ability to charge a Nikon En-El 25a battery directly would be even better.

 

[Lee R]

Obviously, that is working well for you. And that's great. However, the only Nikon branded charger available for the En-EL 25a battery, used in the Z50ii, is the MH-32, and it requires an AC outlet to work, and it must be purchased separately. There are chargers made by other manufacturers which can be used with an AC adapter or a power bank. I acquired the one made by Wasabi only to discover it uses a micro USB connection. I could be wrong, but I am under the impression that the micro USB connection is not compliant with PD 3.0 or PD 3.1 protocols. Needless to say, I would have preferred a Nikon branded version with a USB-C port. And, the ability to charge a Nikon En-El 25a battery directly would be even better.

It's not fun if it's the only micro USB and you have to bring a cable for just that. Although a short one would work well. I've got so many different USB cables over the years that I think I have one for anything at this point. I'll be happy when it's predominantly USB-C for a while, hopefully.

Micro USB can support PD if you have the right cable and charger. It needs a PD aware cable. But that wasabi is probably 5v 2.1 amp if it's like the ones I have had for other cameras and those work with a lot of small adapters that aren't PD adapters. You don't need PD to charge with it.

I think PD 3.1 is for USB C cables rated for it due to higher currents, but none of these cameras or batteries are drawing anything close to that.

 

[fcotterill]

Correct, Nikon has dropped the ball on USB C PD charger for the ENEL25

Only the MH-33 and MH-34 are PD charging

Products Compatible with MH-34 Battery Chargers

onlinemanual.nikonimglib.com

There's this Patona charger described as USB C PD for ENEL25a, and effectively 20W which is close to the standard Nikon trickle charge rate

PATONA Premium Dual PD Performance charger for Nikon EN-EL25 incl. USB-C input/output

The PATONA Premium Dual PD charger enables fast and simultaneous charging of two batteries, regardless of their capacity. The intelligent charging…

patona.de

 

[spamalot1950]

All this begs another question. Smallrig, llano, Enegon, K & F Concepts, BM Premium, FirstPower, & Artman are all offering En-El 25 batteries with USB-C ports for charging. There may be more brands, but these are the ones I found with a quick search on Amazon. Some claim 1,600 mAh, but Smallrig, K & F Concepts, and BM Premium stick with 1,250 mAh. So, are these batteries coming from a single manufacturer? If so, does anyone know who is making them? I imagine many grains of salt are required by these claims, but... I am a bit curious.

 

[ixthus12]

Fcotterill,

Well done finding that info.

That means that the readout speed is about the same as a Sony A74, not as good as the Canon R5 @ 15.5ms but considerably better than the Canon R7 at 32.3ms. It has been reported that the R5 (15.5) rarely suffers from rolling shutter while the R7 (31.3) sometimes does. My interpolation is that rolling shutter will occasionally be an issue with a Z50-2 which is really great for a sub $1K camera. The electronic shutter will have some value after all.

Tom

The Z50ii has to have even faster readout speeds than the Z50 because it boasts 30fps in ES

 

[fcotterill]

Just to refresh, here's the original data posted above 3 months ago [edited - fastest 3 sensors in Bold]

Z50 — 24.6ms (1/41)

Z5 — 100ms (1/10)
Z6, Z6 II — 50.8ms (1/20)

Z6 III — 14.4ms (1/69)

Z7 — 66.7ms (1/15)
Z7 II — 65.6ms (1/15)

Z8 — 3.7ms (1/270)
Z9 — 3.7ms (1/270)

Zf — 50.5ms (1/18)

Source: https://www.zsystemuser.com/z-mount-cameras/z-camera-articles/sensor-read-out-speeds.html

 

[Lee R]

The Z50ii has to have even faster readout speeds than the Z50 because it boasts 30fps in ES

The Zf also offers 30 FPS in ES but it's slower than most of them for sensor readout. I think it's probably the same sensor, which is still pretty decent. I do get rolling shutter with the Zf fairly easy so it's not great for fast panning or wings etc in ES.

 

[EricBowles]

The Zf also offers 30 FPS in ES but it's slower than most of them for sensor readout. I think it's probably the same sensor, which is still pretty decent. I do get rolling shutter with the Zf fairly easy so it's not great for fast panning or wings etc in ES.

There is a big difference between the Z50 at 24.6ms and the ZF at 50.5ms. My understanding is the Z50ii is around 20ms. The Z6iii at 14.4ms has almost no rolling shutter, so the Z50ii will not be quite as good but still is a significant improvement over earlier generation cameras.

 

[Lee R]

There is a big difference between the Z50 at 24.6ms and the ZF at 50.5ms. My understanding is the Z50ii is around 20ms. The Z6iii at 14.4ms has almost no rolling shutter, so the Z50ii will not be quite as good but still is a significant improvement over earlier generation cameras.

For sure, I should have clarified, I meant if the slower Zf sensor can do 30fps the Z50s faster one for sure can and definitely with better results for rolling shutter. The Zf really needs to be in mechanical for a lot of subjects to prevent that. I was saying I don’t think the Z50ii will have a much faster readout then the Z50, and that the 30FPS is doable on a slower readout sensor. I think with the Z50s readout it’ll do pretty well for most things in electronic shutter.

20/24ms is still great as these are $900 dollar cameras.

 

[JAJohnson]

Thom Hogan’s Nikon Z50II Review:

“I don't think there's currently a better US$910 camera on the market. Certainly not one with as broad and deep a feature set, while still capable of pulling off great still and video results.

Highly Recommended“

Nikon Z50II Camera Review | Thom Hogan

Thom Hogan's review of the Nikon Z50II mirrorless camera

www.zsystemuser.com

 

[fcotterill]

"... And then there's the D500 to consider. A lot of folk hoped that the Z50II would "replace" their D500. Those folks will be disappointed, though not by a lot. Whereas I felt the original Z50 slotted just barely above the D5xxx line overall (features and performances considered together), the new Z50II makes it pretty much all the way to the D7xxx level. Which, considering the Z50II's US$910 price, size, and weight, is pretty remarkable. But the Z50II is no D500 replacement. ..."

 

[splatbass]

"... And then there's the D500 to consider. A lot of folk hoped that the Z50II would "replace" their D500. Those folks will be disappointed, though not by a lot. Whereas I felt the original Z50 slotted just barely above the D5xxx line overall (features and performances considered together), the new Z50II makes it pretty much all the way to the D7xxx level. Which, considering the Z50II's US$910 price, size, and weight, is pretty remarkable. But the Z50II is no D500 replacement. ..."

It does things the D7xxx level could only dream of.

 

[MRK]

I don't understand all the negative post about the Z50II Not being the D500 replacement. You have a super D500 replacement now, that is a 100 time better. Z8 full frame and DX.
The Z50II is a lot better than all the D7xxx cameras and for under a 1000.00 And the auto focus is better the D500. Just my thoughts. FYI I now use my Z50II more the my Z9 for wildlife.

 

[splatbass]

I don't understand all the negative post about the Z50II Not being the D500 replacement. You have a super D500 replacement now, that is a 100 time better. Z8 full frame and DX.
The Z50II is a lot better than all the D7xxx cameras and for under a 1000.00 And the auto focus is better the D500. Just my thoughts. FYI I now use my Z50II more the my Z9 for wildlife.

I suspect for some people it’s that a $900 camera does most of the things their $5500 camera can do.

 

[wotan1]

I got the Z50ii about two weeks ago and took it out last week for some bird photography in between the rainy days. I am still getting to know the camera and I was also distracted by guests and having to also manage my canine buddies.

My initial impression is that the Z50ii is quite capable so long as you don't need rapid frame rates, you have good conditions and good technique and are able to fill the frame with little or no need for cropping. Used that way it can produce quality images.

It will never replace my Z9's but it does provide a compact and light secondary camera that works to get longer reach with shorter focal length lenses. I used mine with the 400mm f4.5 while my friend got a lot of good results using the 100-400mm. Having that combination at hand while shooting with the 800mm f6.3 PF on a tripod gives a lot of flexibility.

 

[macwalter]

I think it’s hard if not impossible to accurately compare a dslr to a mirrorless camera. Imop they are in two different worlds. I had the d500 and in its day it was a fine camera. In fact it kept me in the Nikon camp as I was totally frustrated with having to use 7xxx bodies with a buffer of maybe one second and a fps rate of at best 6fps while the canon world had the very capable 7dmkii. Also the 80-400mm lens sucked while the canon 100-400 was superb. Then the pf glass came out and I used the little 300f4 with a 1.4tc until the 500of came out along with the d500 and better yet, the d850.
i have moved on to full frame cameras and with 46mp I don’t feel the need for a DX body hence a pair of z8s. that being said I can’t imagine the z50ii would be inferior to a ten year old dslr overall. The technology has improved so very much and the lens offerings are so much better. It would be nice if it had ibis but even here neither did the d500. Just my opinion but a 1k body for someone starting out that is capable of using say the 100-400z or any pf lens would put you in a pretty good place especially compared to what I had to use starting out with a d7k and the old 300f4 lens which though sharp was slow.

 

[bcgnz]

I don't understand all the negative post about the Z50II Not being the D500 replacement. You have a super D500 replacement now, that is a 100 time better. Z8 full frame and DX.
The Z50II is a lot better than all the D7xxx cameras and for under a 1000.00 And the auto focus is better the D500. Just my thoughts. FYI I now use my Z50II more the my Z9 for wildlife.

wondering how you would compare z50ii and z8?

 

[macwalter]

I have never used the z50ii but first off it’s a crop sensor meaning you are losing about a stop of DR which is not that much but for me doing BIF you lose image area to work with and with 46mp on the z8 you can crop nearly as deep as a 20mp crop sensor like the z50. So the argument that you have better reach with a crop sensor is only by a tiny amount. Also you dont have ibis which means in low light you won’t be as capable of getting a sharp image. This is critical for me as I handhold long glass.
But remember you are comparing a 1k body to a 3.5k body so it’s kinda unfair. It is also lighter and smaller and Steve Perry’s wife got excellent images from it. Personally I feel there is a bit too much emphasis on the quality of gear vs the quality of the shooter. But after all it is fun to chat and speculate about things we all know and love.
I would say if you are starting out or want a second smaller body you could do worse. I’m happy with two bodies that do the same thing,are set the same way so I can go out and photograph with two different lenses and know how my camera will function and not have to think much about technicalities.

 

[splatbass]

I have never used the z50ii but first off it’s a crop sensor meaning you are losing about a stop of DR which is not that much but for me doing BIF you lose image area to work with and with 46mp on the z8 you can crop nearly as deep as a 20mp crop sensor like the z50. So the argument that you have better reach with a crop sensor is only by a tiny amount. Also you dont have ibis which means in low light you won’t be as capable of getting a sharp image. This is critical for me as I handhold long glass.
But remember you are comparing a 1k body to a 3.5k body so it’s kinda unfair. It is also lighter and smaller and Steve Perry’s wife got excellent images from it. Personally I feel there is a bit too much emphasis on the quality of gear vs the quality of the shooter. But after all it is fun to chat and speculate about things we all know and love.
I would say if you are starting out or want a second smaller body you could do worse. I’m happy with two bodies that do the same thing,are set the same way so I can go out and photograph with two different lenses and know how my camera will function and not have to think much about technicalities.

The D500, which everyone is comparing it to, also doesn't have IBIS. We didn't even know we needed it in those days. Nikon telephoto lenses have VR, which is very good.

 

[macwalter]

As I said before I wouldn’t bother comparing thenz50ii to the d500. They come form two different eras. I had and used the d500 extensively and it is a fine camera for its day. For some dslrs are still the way to go, they are more durable and simpler to operate but there is simply no comparison between them and a good mirrorless camera in terms of what can be done. Also the z glass is better overall and you can use full frame glass on a DX body. Just my opinion.

 

[fcotterill]

There's parallel discussion in at least 2 other threads comparing the D500 to the Z50II. Towards continuity with earlier posts above....

When Nikon launched the D500 with its big sibling in January 2016, the DX professional DSLR wasn't missing much if anything in performance related technology that was in the D5. Their respective sensors were the obvious difference, also integral grip, slightly higher frame rates; and a D5 firmware added RSF and a first update of custom group area modes (in 2018).
Bottom Line - one could now buy a flagship DX ILC with the world's leading AF system at an incredible price. It's not surprising that many Pro sports Photographers continued to use D500's into 2000 and more recently.

Nikon designed the D500 alongside the D5 as a Pro camera. This high end quality applied to the body construction, menu design (including shooting banks), ergonomics, and the new D5 Autofocus engine.

Together both these cameras broke new ground in performance; one indicator of why is their custom menus inaugurated what's become known as the AF Override method to take advantage of the new AF system. The D7500 that updated the D7200 lagged far behind the D500 in performance, and especially haptics and build quality.

D5 / D500 | Works | Nikon About Us

Introducing the design of Nikon's SLR cameras "D5/D500", our pride in a flagship model and our tireless pursuit of the best design.

web.archive.org

Thereafter, Nikon ranked the D500 as a Pro camera alongside the D5 and D850. Its Professional features set the D500 apart from other DX ILCs (most FX also). It's still highly competitive today in AF performance especially almost a decade later.

Today, compared to the Z9 and Z8, the Z50 II is a budget level DX Prosumer MILC, which punches impressively high for its price because it has some useful Z9 features. But there's no RSF, AutoCapture, shutter guard and the haptics are U* design with the welcome exception of improved custom AF features, which Nikon has finally recognized are essential to optimize performance of its Mirrorless AF system.

There is still a big gap in Nikon Z DX line up for a Pro level DX MILC comparable to the top models on Fuji the line up.

 

[Chris K]

The Z50II might not be the best DX camera that Nikon could possibly make. But it is better than the D500 in almost every measure.

In the DSLR days, a DX camera for wildlife was a almost a virtue... many physically-smaller parts (mirror box), an OVF that was effectively "magnified" compared to the FX camera, and better AF point coverage compared to shooting small stuff in the middle of a D5's frame.

These days, a DX camera is a button press away. I have DX mode set to the Record button on my Z9, and I use it heavily for wildlife as a "fake TC". The EVF becomes a DX camera's AOV. The AF sensors act the same as in FX mode. The only actual difference between an FX and DX camera in the Z system is a weight and cost difference. And I doubt that Nikon is going to design and sell a "Z500" with Z8 features for much less cost than the Z8.

Missing IBIS aside, the Z50II looks like a fantastic camera. It's a cheap Z6III that lets you use Nikon's compact DX lenses without throwing away megapixels. It'll be a star in Nikon's seasonal sale lineup to draw people into the system with cheap twin-lens kits. They'll be thrilled with its near-Z9 features. And some of those people will buy 180-600's and be very happy with them. (Shades of D500+200-500....) But I don't see a reason to push the Z50II further up-market. Nikon's FX offerings cover those needs; I think you'd find few takers if you offered a DX Z7 or DX Z8 for a few hundred less.

There is still a big gap in Nikon Z DX line up for a Pro level DX MILC comparable to the top models on Fuji the line up.

As a long-time Fuji shooter, I think the gap is getting pretty small, now. If a Z50III added IBIS, a bit more buffer, and RAW to its pre-shot, the cameras would be almost identical. I haven't shot the Z50II, but if the X-H2S is a shade off the Z9's AF performance, and the Z50II is as well....

Fuji's advantages remain their JPEG engine and SOOC adjustability, ergonomics, and fantastic compact lens lineup.