Nikon Z50 II Launched

[JAJohnson]

Gray's in London are usually reliably informed by Nikon UK, which is why I take the sound bite seriously in their above video. Nikon's subsidiaries, including Nikon USA are not necessarily in the know about arcane technical details.

As a retailer, the fine folks at Gray’s aren’t privy to information not available to other retailers. I suspect Becky may have spoken inaccurately.

Unfortunately, I’ve had frustrating experience with getting accurate answers to thorny questions from customer service at both Nikon UK and Nikon USA.

No matter, though. All will be clear in the coming weeks.

 

[Craig Yuill]

I recently rented a Z 50. I found it to be quite a good camera - but it had shortcomings when it came to shooting birds in flight. The mechanical shutter the frame rate seemed to be well below 11fps. Rolling shutter was very evident when the electronic shutter was used. (I cannot recall if I was shooting 14-bit or 12-bit NEF. I understand it might have been better to use 12-bit NEF.) The AF was more miss than hit. I was also using a D500 - and the D500’s AF was much more hit than miss.

The specs of the Z50 II look promising. On paper the frame rate doesn’t seem to be much different from the Z50. But the AF seems to be improved - similar to the Z 6 III, according to some. We shall see. And the slightly larger body size would be welcome, given that reaching certain controls on the Z 50 could be a challenge due to the cramped space around the grip.

Disappointments include no IBIS, and continued use of the EN-EL25 battery. The much smaller V1 was powered by the EN-EL15. Why can’t the Z50 II be powered by that battery?

 

[Len Shepherd]

It is an entry level camera, not a full pro DX body, though a very capable entry level camera.

It seems directly aimed at younger content creators and I expect will do very well there with the 2 lens kit costing about the same as a high end smart phone.
Product AF and being able to stream direct to a smart phone with only a single cable while unlikely to be important to most on this forum will be perceived as big plusses by a different and expanding segment of the market.

With 2 weeks to go to release (Nikon UK say 21st November) it is too early for independent reviews of RAW files etc.

It can match of beat a D500 in basic performance though being entry level there is no grip.
Whether a pro grade DX body of more direct interest to several on this forum will follow perhaps in the first half of next year is know to Nikon but not to us.

 

[lwan]

Looks like a great camera for the money to me!

 

[DougC]

This has been a very good thread thus far but I am a bit surprised to see a few folks here (and not surprised at all to see plenty of folks on various internet platforms) complaining that this $900.00 camera doesn’t have all the features of the $4000.00+ cameras. For the price, it would seem to be an excellent value. I still would like to see a DX body with IBIS, dual card slots and higher MP sensor and I would expect to pay for these features, probably around $2500.00.

 

[MRK]

Doug,
I agree, this new z5011 should produce stunning images with out breaking the bank. I have one on order to use as a 2nd body as back up for my Z9. While the Z9 is a true Pro camera I bet I don't use 70% of its features for my wildlife photography. Until the Z9 I shot with crop cameras (d200, d300s, many D7200's and d500) I think the z5011 will preform as well or even much better than all the past crop dx bodies. One big plus over the Z9 Weight!!! not getting any younger. I think many nitpick small specs that in the long run don't make much difference in capturing great images. It is more about learning the tools you use.
Mark

 

[DougC]

Doug,
I agree, this new z5011 should produce stunning images with out breaking the bank. I have one on order to use as a 2nd body as back up for my Z9. While the Z9 is a true Pro camera I bet I don't use 70% of its features for my wildlife photography. Until the Z9 I shot with crop cameras (d200, d300s, many D7200's and d500) I think the z5011 will preform as well or even much better than all the past crop dx bodies. One big plus over the Z9 Weight!!! not getting any younger. I think many nitpick small specs that in the long run don't make much difference in capturing great images. It is more about learning the tools you use.
Mark

You are a highly intelligent individual!

 

[fcotterill]

At its listed price, the features parcel of this Z50 II stand tall, compared to the Z50 and Zfc when launched. Subject to field tests, this new DX MILC seems to be the Baby Z6 III. It will also be the suitable light compact backup to a Z8 or Z9.

Most reviewers are unlikely to appreciate the commonalities in haptics - the shared control layouts that Nikon is belatedly standardizing across its 3rd generation MILCs. While they different in scope and ergonomics. The controls are very similar. This is positive for wildlife photographers.

Ironically, Thom Hogan was ranting about such disparities recently, and he certainly is correct about challenges etc to muscle memory grappling with disparities of camera controls.

Two Cameras or One? | Thom Hogan

Do you use one camera or two at a time?

www.zsystemuser.com

 

[Topper1946]

I so agree and have preordered mine and will replace my d500 which does not have eye capture - that did it for me. I do wish it had a better battery and 2 slots but the other makes up for that. Nice companion for my z6iii

 

[Lee R]

The single card slot doesnt' bother me at all. Every dual slot camera I have the second cart slot is just a TB size slower card that I transfer in camera the photo's from the faster card for in camera storage. I never shoot to both .All the nikons are set to overflow. I've also never had a card fail in camera.

 

[Anjin San]

Mirrorless D-500 it is. Same sensor, 200 frame buffer,11fps in mechanical shutter that sounds like a machine gun but screens, controls, AF and subject ID like the Z-9 (but slower sensor readout). Add a 600pf for 900mm ff equ. decent bird camera.

I am not tempted today but if it was available back when I decided to upgrade from my D-500, I would have simply slapped my 500pf on one and been done with it.

Tom

I’m not really tempted either…but will keep it on my maybe list for a light and small daily carrier or travel body. But with the Expeed7 and as much of the Z8/9 software that the existing sensor can support…it does basically match the D500 so maybe the incessant whining in a lot of places about wanting a mirrorless D500 will stop.

 

[Anjin San]

Ricci flat out stated this isn’t the d500 replacement in his video.

Sure seems like it to me…the biggest complaints appear to be the battery and no grip. But carrying an extra battery is trivial and would make the size bigger and most people spending this much on a body aren’t interested in a grip…and the DX market is the sub 1000 market which means the better and more expensive sensor can’t fit in there.

I’m with Doug…you can’t expect all of the features in the higher priced models at this price point. We’ve seen so many complaints about battery capacity…like the Z8 not using the EN-EL18 for instance…and it comes down to a space in the body thing...and doesn’t matter anyway. Anybody that goes out is going to carry an extra battery anyway…and in all my years of using the D7500 and the Z7II/8/9 I have actually needed a second battery in a days shooting exactly once…with my original Z8 at the end of a 14 hour day in Serengeti…and I just reached in my pocket and pulled out another battery…simple.

 

[Lee R]

Sure seems like it to me…the biggest complaints appear to be the battery and no grip. But carrying an extra battery is trivial and would make the size bigger and most people spending this much on a body aren’t interested in a grip…and the DX market is the sub 1000 market which means the better and more expensive sensor can’t fit in there.

I’m with Doug…you can’t expect all of the features in the higher priced models at this price point. We’ve seen so many complaints about battery capacity…like the Z8 not using the EN-EL18 for instance…and it comes down to a space in the body thing...and doesn’t matter anyway. Anybody that goes out is going to carry an extra battery anyway…and in all my years of using the D7500 and the Z7II/8/9 I have actually needed a second battery in a days shooting exactly once…with my original Z8 at the end of a 14 hour day in Serengeti…and I just reached in my pocket and pulled out another battery…simple.

Yeah I don't get the battery complaints either. You'll always have a spare, setting the standby/sleep settings to 30 seconds will also greatly extend the battery's life. These cameras wake up so fast there's no reason not to set standby to a very short time. These cameras basically have a battery life time, not a shot count so if you leave them on for 1 minute plus idling your just eating the battery for no reason. In the past cameras were slower to wake up, but these are near instant.

I have the Z8 and like you rarely have I needed the second battery. Same with the Zf I own. People get hung up on the CIPA shot count which is not a realistic way the battery is being used.

One of the big goals I feel for DX is to reduce the overall camera size so when the Z30ii comes along it'll actually be fairly compact. I'll take the compromises of battery and IBIS to get it smaller. I have used a X100s with no IBIS for a decade and it's really not as big a deal as it's made out to not have it. A little worse in low light as you need to use a bit more ISO but it's not end times, in good light you'll never notice.

The 20.9 Mp sensor is just a little lower than some but the sensor quality is very good still. It would be cool if they could increase the sensor readout a bit to help with rolling shutter but it is a sub 1000 dollar camera and probably going to be shared with the Z30ii and ZFC ii which will likely follow in the next year.

 

[John Navitsky]

wrt late, it seems if we assume a 4 year refresh cycle, the z50ii is a year late?

i’m happy to see nikon continue the theme of continuing to push the technology of the expeed7 down and not crippling it artificially

i think this is a good strategy.

personally i don’t see anything wrong with the d500 sensor.

i’m quite impressed with what they are providing for under 1k

it’ll be curious to see if they re-do the z30 next. it’s a lot newer, and so probably not ready for refresh yet in respect to elapsed time, and i wonder if $1k is the lower ceiling to be able to put the expeed7 in.

that said, apropos to nothing, i think this means we should get a z9ii next year. we’ve pushed the technology pretty much to the bottom of the line, time to start at the top again

 

[JAJohnson]

that said, apropos to nothing, i think this means we should get a z9ii next year. we’ve pushed the technology pretty much to the bottom of the line, time to start at the top again

While a four year product cycle seems reasonable there are any number of reasons why it could take longer: Development resource allocation, RED integration, updated processor and sensor development and production, firmware difficulties, production capacity, supply chain issues, and more. If there is ongoing discounting on new Z9’s in 2025 that is a likely tell. It certainly could happen in 2025 but I wouldn’t be surprised if an updated Z9 is released in 2026.

 

[Brian L]

Still waiting on the “Z500.”

 

[fcotterill]

Ricci flat out stated this isn’t the d500 replacement in his video.

It's all been said already above, following this post of yours, with respect to positive and "missing" features of this new MILC. For what it matters I have no need to add a Z50 II to my Z9+ D6 system.
However I'm getting asked for advice by friends, with older DSLRs and see this new camera as potentially capable for wildlife with obvious caveats.
We await field reviews.
Ideally, it will be most interesting to shoot the D500 against a Z50 II with a Z6 III side by side intensively on the same subjects at suitable venues - ideally with a team of experienced testers changing cameras.

 

[coachjohn57]

As someone who has kept my fingers crossed that a mirrorless D500 would emerge, my thoughts:

• The Z50 II is a lot of camera for the price, and I'm sure it will sell well in the months ahead...that said, it still isn't the D500 replacement many have been waiting for.
• As an entry-level mirrorless, you'd be hard pressed to ask for more for under $1000...but I do believe Nikon is missing the boat if they don't release a D500 mirrorless in the next year or so. A body smaller/lighter than the Z8, ~30 mp DX sensor, blackout free EVF, no mechanical shutter...I get goosebumps just thinking about pairing that with the 600PF and the 100-400Z. Bring it in somewhere around $2500.

 

[John Navitsky]

One of the big goals I feel for DX is to reduce the overall camera size so when the Z30ii comes along it'll actually be fairly compact. I'll take the compromises of battery and IBIS to get it smaller.

i wonder how much smaller an expeed7 based system can be

the z50ii grew a bit and people pointed to ergos, but i suspect part of the growth was to support the expeed7

 

[Tom Reynolds]

I'm getting asked for advice by friends, with older DSLRs and see this new camera as potentially capable for wildlife with obvious caveats.

For bird photography:
At this moment we don't know the readout speed of the sensor, so we don't know the usability of the 15 and 30f/s for BIF.

Based on what I know now, I am recommending that a Nikon D-500 user that has invested in a 500pf simply upgrade to the Z50-2 and a FTZ.

However, if the photographer is also planning to purchase Z lenses, Then the current price point of the OM Systems OM-1 mk 2 ($2000) and 100-400 lens ($1000) becomes a consideration.

This is all based on the user not wanting to spring for a Z-8, Canon R5-2 or Sony AI either because of cost or weight.

 

[John Navitsky]

For bird photography:
At this moment we don't know the readout speed of the sensor, so we don't know the usability of the 15 and 30f/s for BIF.

yah, guessing for high speed work you probably should stick to mechanical shutter

 

[Tiago C]

Not the Nikon APS-C camera me and my partner have been eagerly waiting for. 2.3 million dots EVF and super slow redout speed. Ouch.

 

[Tiago C]

At this moment we don't know the readout speed of the sensor, so we don't know the usability of the 15 and 30f/s for BIF.

Based on the video frame rate with full sensor width, redout speed should be about twice as slow as the standard non-stacked Fujifilm 26MP APS-C sensor. That's SLOW

 

[EricBowles]

i wonder how much smaller an expeed7 based system can be

the z50ii grew a bit and people pointed to ergos, but i suspect part of the growth was to support the expeed7

I wonder if they are thinking ahead about a higher end DX body? Nikon likes to reuse bodies or at least minimize changes. It affects the internal components as well as the shell. If they are anticipating a higher end DX, it would have dual card slots, faster readout, IBIS, etc. - and would require a larger body. This might be that body size - or pretty close. EXPEED 7 has the horsepower to deliver whatever is needed in a higher end DX body.

The Z50ii seems to be a major update to the Z50. There is a lot being delivered using EXPEED 7.

I'm hearing that Nikon is still not reached the limit of what EXPEED 7 can deliver for any camera - including Z9. If they can deliver more via firmware, it's worth it to wait another year for EXPEED 8. The economics for Nikon work very well if they can continue to sell Z8 and Z9 cameras while introducing a bunch of other cameras.

 

[Kenny88]

I'm tired of waiting for a D500 replacement that might never happen, and I think the Z50II should be able to provide the same or better experience the D500 did. Yes, it's the same sensor, and at the time of the D500 nobody complained about the quality of photographs that sensor can deliver, so why now?

I got amazing photos without IBIS with the D500, and I will again with the Z50ii - I don't know why IBIS is needed for action photography anyways unless it's for a different type of photography yes, but then VR in the DX lenses would take care of that...or even some FX lenses.

From an optics point of view I can't say I agree with Nikon for making this decision to stick with an old sensor if they didn't have to, but perhaps they know something we all don't, and I would imagine they anticipated all the negativity as a result of their decision.