Nikon Z50 II Launched

[Lee R]

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.

We could see another higher end DX body that is targeted at higher end birding and sports with one of the newer higher megapixel sensors, like the 40mp range that Fuji is using or something newer with a higher readout speed. Something like that would surpass even the Z8/9 for that purpose. Which could also be a reason why it would not be made. APS-C sensors are not that far off of full frame image quality at all these days so that could be a dangerous camera to put on the market. But it would surely sell well and instantly be one of the best birding combo's with Nikon telephoto lens range.

This Z50ii is a lower price point camera with compromises. I think people are expecting something more from it. It's a $900 camera and honestly offers a pretty good set of features at that price range. Just look at the competition at that price range. It's positioned well for its price point.

 

[Lee R]

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.

The 20.9 sensor is still a good sensor. People are just accustomed to more megapixels as time marches on. Image quality wise its as good as anything on the market for APS-C. Remember people are used to iPhone marketing "48 megapixels". and see 20 and think that's so low resolution. I still use two that are 16mp. All it really affects is cropping ability.

IBIS is really in its element using shorter focal length lenses in low light, that's about the only time you really want it. For telephoto built in VR is what you want in the lens or synced IBIS/VR.

 

[John Navitsky]

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,

it's just a R&D cost and cost issue. by not switching to a new sensor, it helps them a bit keep the cost down on the resulting camera.

and I would imagine they anticipated all the negativity as a result of their decision.

perhaps, but i suspect the people moaning about that aren't the people they are marketing the camera to

 

[Lee R]

it's just a R&D cost and cost issue. by not switching to a new sensor, it helps them a bit keep the cost down on the resulting camera.


perhaps, but i suspect the people moaning about that aren't the people they are marketing the camera to

Yep just pretend you have 900 dollars for a brand new camera and start looking around. People are comparing this thing to cameras double the price or more and complaining about it. It arguably has the best autofocus at its price and its competitors are using older 24/26mp sensors so 20.9 is not far off. And some of them don't have viewfinders.

 

[John Navitsky]

I wonder if they are thinking ahead about a higher end DX body?

maybe. but i think maybe they'd look at the z6iii body for a higher end camera to align it more with prosumer controls.

Nikon likes to reuse bodies or at least minimize changes. It affects the internal components as well as the shell.

agree.

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.

i for one hope they can squeeze c2pa and raw pre-capture into the 7.

but i'm also going to be first in line for an expeed8 body.

 

[John Navitsky]

Yep just pretend you have 900 dollars for a brand new camera and start looking around. People are comparing this thing to cameras double the price or more and complaining about it.

and that's the key. this is a CRAZY amount of good stuff for that price point.

 

[Lee R]

and that's the key. this is a CRAZY amount of good stuff for that price point.

Yes if I had 900 it would be what I would buy. Other 900 dollar options:

Canon R50 24 mp
Fuji XM5 (no viewfinder) 26mp
Sony ZVE (no viewfinder) 24 mp

None of them have IBIS at this price point

I don't understand why people are comparing it to the XT-5 etc which is close to double the price or other higher priced models. Even the R7 is 400 dollars more than this camera. That's a LOT of money if you're looking for a small kit to shoot family and pets.

It's on the market with the two lens kit for about the price of the R7 body alone. You can add a few very inexpensive primes via Viltrox/TT artisan and the others for not much money and that's all you'd ever need for general photography.

I feel like the market here in this forum wants a stacked sensor 40 megapixel version of this camera that shoots 30 FPS RAW for 2000 dollars with precapture. That would likely nuke the sales of the Z8/9, Canon R5ii and A1 and some Nikon executives would disappear via Canon and Sony sponsored hit men in short order if that camera happened.

 

[DougC]

Steve has been very quiet about this camera. I’m wondering if he’s going to do a review any time soon?

 

[JAJohnson]

Steve has been very quiet about this camera. I’m wondering if he’s going to do a review any time soon?

I’m sure he’ll provide an answer.

 

[Lee R]

For sure I bet Steves putting the finishing touches on the review now. I'm sure he'll give an excellent synopsis of the camera.