Today, Nikon announces the Z50II camera with sample photos from Nikon, 30 photos per second, Pre-Release Capture and multi-subject detection autofocus with 3D-tracking
The new Nikon Z50II camera
Today, Nikon announces the Z50II, a huge upgrade over the original Z50 camera. The headlines here are the upgrades to the auto focus system, now having the Expeed 7 processor, the same one in the Nikon Z9, Z8 and Z6III cameras. And many more upgrades over the Z50.
Nikon Z50II sample photos
Let me know in the comments below what your thoughts are of the new Z50II. Is this enough of an upgrade over the original Z50 for you to make the jump to the Z50II?
Here is the press release from Nikon:
The Nikon Z50II: Master the one-touch Glow-Up with creative control of color
Nikon’s Newest Compact Mirrorless Camera Makes It Easy to Express Your Own Authentic Aesthetic
MELVILLE, NY (November 6, 2024) Today Nikon announced the new Z50II, a compact, fully featured mirrorless camera that lets your creativity run free while enabling the effortless capture of amazing photos and video. This camera is the lifestyle accessory for those that seek innovative creative features like film-inspired looks and easy sharing, giving the freedom to capture the feeling of a fleeting moment, or conveying core memories with brilliant colors that are uniquely you.
The Z50II combines a full range of fun, creativity-enhancing features with the superior performance of Nikon’s latest mirrorless technology. This is the simple to use yet powerful camera that creators will always want to bring along, whether shooting portraits, landscapes, a great night out or an epic trip. This is Nikon’s first APS-C / DX format camera to feature the powerful EXPEED 7 processing engine, the same found in the pro-grade Nikon Z8 and Z9. The Z50II makes it easier than ever to experience immersive image quality, with blazing fast and precise autofocus, fast frame rates up to 30 fps, superb low-light capabilities, advanced video features and extensive control of colors.
“If you’re ready for the next phase of your creative journey, or even if you have never picked up a camera before, the Z50II is a gateway to a whole new world of expression,” said Fumiko Kawabata, Sr. Vice President of Marketing and Planning, Nikon Inc. “This camera benefits from some of the best technology from our acclaimed pro-level cameras, but it’s small enough to tag along for anywhere life takes you.”
Discover Color
Relive the warm glow of a summer day at the beach with friends or convey the peacefully somber tones of your favorite spot in the forest. The Z50II is the first Nikon camera to feature a dedicated Picture Control button, opening new possibilities for expressive color, with imaginative film-inspired looks. In a single press, the user can see in real-time the effects of up to 31 built-in color presets, which instantly change the color, tone and feeling of the scene. Using this camera encourages the user to experiment and play with color settings to develop a truly distinct look and feel to images and video, using tones and color to evoke a feeling like never before.
Imaging Recipes can also be directly downloaded to their camera as Cloud Picture Controls directly through the Nikon Imaging Cloud. These recipes are custom presets with changes to color, brightness, hue and more, which have been developed by notable creators. Additionally, users can make their own Imaging Recipes and Flexible Picture Controls for truly limitless creative possibilities. Images can also be sent instantly to a user’s own cloud-based storage using the Nikon Imaging Cloud, or easily share images to a phone with Nikon SnapBridge.
Simply Powerful
The Z50II’s EXPEED 7 processing engine delivers surprisingly powerful performance in your pocket or purse. Advanced autofocus with nine types of subject detection quickly tracks and locks on to humans, pets, vehicles and more. The system is user-friendly and extremely precise, rapidly detecting and maintaining razor-sharp focus on a subject’s eyes, even as they move. Not only is it powerful, but it’s also smart, simplifying the operation of advanced camera functions. When in AUTO shooting mode, Nikon’s proprietary deep learning technology makes it possible for the camera to analyze and recognize the subject and scene, automatically optimizing autofocus, flash control, and exposure control values such as aperture, shutter speed and ISO sensitivity settings.
Tell Stories with Video
The Z50II empowers all types of content creators to make amazing videos that stands out, with 4K footage that’s oversampled1 from 5.6K for rich and beautiful details. The camera records in various frame rates and resolutions up to 4K60p, delivering colorful and sharp video with high-quality audio. The Z50II makes it simple to capture high-quality video with a 3.2” vari-angle LCD screen, which helps to keep you and your subjects perfectly in frame, in addition to a video self-timer to begin recording to minimize time spent editing. The Z50II also features a Product Review Mode that focuses on objects in the foreground, which is helpful for products, cosmetics, fashion and beauty reviewers.
For those looking to go to the next level in production quality, the Z50II affords full flexibility with the recording of N-Log video that offers subtle and rich tonal gradation for higher-quality video recording with more exposure latitude for grading. It also has other helpful video features like a tally lamp, waveform monitor, headphone jack and a continuous record time of up to more than 2 hours.
Features of the Nikon Z50II
20.9-megapixel APS-C/ DX format sensor lets you capture high quality photos and videos, with gorgeous colors and amazing low light ability.
Dedicated Picture Control button allows for one-touch access to inspiring color presets, Imaging Recipes and custom Flexible Picture Controls, all in real-time.
EXPEED 7 image processing engine gives users access to powerful features and performance, including an advanced AF system with subject detection and 3D Tracking.
Bright electronic viewfinder at 1000 cd/m2 (nits), is roughly twice as bright as the one built into the Nikon Z50, allowing users to easily check focus and compose even on the brightest of days.
Rapid photo burst shooting with up to 30 fps with electronic shutter, or up to 11 fps with the mechanical shutter.
Features a Pre-Release Capture function capable of recording images buffered up to one second before the shutter-release button is fully pressed.
Excellent low light capability produces sharp photos in minimal light with less grain thanks to a wide ISO range from 100–512002.
Features made for all types of video content creators, such as N-LOG recording, product review mode, waveform monitor, microphone and headphone jacks.
Built-in flash is useful in backlit situations as a fill-flash or in dark surroundings.
Hi-Res Zoom3 during video recording, which allows users to zoom in on their subject with no loss in image quality, even when using a prime lens.
An illuminated REC lamp (tally light) notifies the user and the subject when video recording is in progress.
Support for USB streaming (UVC/UAC) allows plug and play connectivity for online meetings and live video streaming by simply connecting the camera to a computer or smartphone.
Equipped with a large and clear 3.2-inch vari-angle monitor with a touch screen for intuitive operation and recording yourself and others.
MC-DC3 Remote Cord
The MC-DC3 is a remote cord compatible with the Z50II and later models equipped with a headphone/remote cord connector (3.5mm jack). The cord is approximately 3.1 ft/ 1m in length. It is useful in minimizing the effects of camera shake when using a tripod to photograph starry skies and nighttime scenes, or with commercial (product) photography. It can also be used for remote photography to release the shutter at a distance from the camera. The shutter-release button can be locked in the fully pressed position for long exposures (bulb shooting) or held down for continuous shooting. It can also be held halfway down for shooting with less release time-lag.
Price and Availability
The new Nikon Z50II will be available in late November 2024 for a suggested retail price of $909.95* for the body only. Kit configurations include the NIKKOR Z 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens for $1049.95* SRP, or a two-lens kit with the 16-50mm and 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR lenses for $1299.95* SRP. The MC-DC3 Remote Cord is scheduled for release later in 2024, for $36.95* SRP.
Here are all the detailed specifications of the new Nikon Z50II:
Effective Pixels
20.9 million
Sensor Size
15.7 mm x 23.5 mm
Image Sensor Format
DX
Image Sensor Type
CMOS Sensor
Total Pixels
21.51 million
Dust-Reduction System
Yes
Dust-Off Reference Photo
Yes
Image Area (pixels)
DX-format
(L)5568 x 3712
(M)4176 x 2784
(S)2784 x 1856
1:1 (16 x 16)
(L)3712 x 3712
(M)2784 x 2784
(S)1856 x 1856
1:1 (24 x 24)
(L)3712 x 3712
(M)2784 x 2784
(S)1856 x 1856
16:9 (36 x 20)
(L)5568 x 3128
(M)4176 x 2344
(S)2784 x 1560
16:9 (36 x 20)
(L)5568 x 3128
(M)4176 x 2344
(S)2784 x 1560
File Format Still Images
NEF (RAW): 14 bit with lossless, high-efficiency*, and high efficiency options JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8), or basic (approx. 1:16) compression HEIF: Supports fine (approx. 1 : 4), normal (approx. 1 : 8), or basic (approx. 1 : 16) compression NEF (RAW)+JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats NEF (RAW)+HEIF: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and HEIF formats
Storage Media
SD, SDHC (UHS-II compliant), SDXC (UHS-II compliant)
Card Slot
One
Viewfinder
1.0-cm/0.39-in., approx. 2360k-dot (XGA) OLED electronic viewfinder with color balance and auto and 13-level manual brightness controls
Viewfinder Frame Coverage
Approx.Approx. 100% horizontal and 100% vertical
Viewfinder Magnification
Approx.Approx. 1.02x (50 mm lens at infinity, -1.0 m-1)
Viewfinder Eyepoint
19.5 mm (-1.0 m-1; from rearmost surface of viewfinder eyepiece lens)
Viewfinder Diopter Adjustment
-3 - +3 m-1
Eye Sensor
Automatically switches between monitor and viewfinder displays
Depth-of-Field Control
Yes
Lens Compatibility at a Glance***
Z mount NIKKOR lenses F mount NIKKOR lenses with mount adapter; restrictions may apply
Compatible Lenses
Z mount NIKKOR lenses F mount NIKKOR lenses with mount adapter; restrictions may apply
Shutter Type
Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal-plane mechanical shutter; electronic front-curtain shutter; electronic shutter
Shutter Speed
1/4000 to 30 s (choose from step sizes of 1/3, 1/2, and 1 EV, extendable to 900 s in mode M), bulb, time When using an electronic shutter, the shutter speed can be set up to 1/4000
Fastest Shutter Speed
1/4000 sec.
Slowest Shutter Speed
900 sec.
Flash Sync Speed
Up to: Flash synchronizes with shutter at speeds of 1/250 or 1/200 s or slower (but note that the guide number drops at speeds of 1/200 to 1/250 s); sync speeds as fast as 1/4000 s are supported with auto FP high-speed sync.
Bulb Shutter Setting
Yes
Shutter Release Modes
Single frame Continuous L Continuous H Continuous high-speed (extended) High-speed frame capture with Pre-Release Capture Self-timer
Approx. Frame Advance Rate
Continuous low-speed: Approx. 1 to 5 fps Continuous high-speed: Approx. 5.6 fps (when using silent mode and image quality settings other than NEF (RAW) and NEF (RAW) +: Approx. 9.7 fps) Continuous high-speed (extended): Approx. 11 fps (in silent mode: Approx. 15 fps) High-speed frame capture + (C15): Approx. 15 fps High-speed frame capture + (C30): Approx. 30 fps * Maximum frame advance rate as measured by in-house tests.
Continuous Shooting Options
Continuous low-speed: Approx. 1 to 5 fps Continuous high-speed: Approx. 5.6 fps (when using silent mode and image quality settings other than NEF (RAW) and NEF (RAW) +: Approx. 9.7 fps) Continuous high-speed (extended): Approx. 11 fps (in silent mode: Approx. 15 fps) High-speed frame capture + (C15): Approx. 15 fps High-speed frame capture + (C30): Approx. 30 fps * Maximum frame advance rate as measured by in-house tests.
Top Continuous Shooting Speed at Full Resolution
11 frames per second
Self-Timer
2, 5, 10, 20 sec.; 1-9 exposures at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 sec.
Timer duration electronically controlledSilent Shooting
Yes
Top Continuous Shooting Speeds
11 frames per second with RAW at Full Resolution 30 frames per second with JPEG at Full Resolution
Exposure Metering System
TTL metering using camera image sensor
Metering Method
Matrix metering Center-weighted metering: Weight of 75% given to 8 mm or 6 mm circle in center of frame or weighting can be based on average of entire frame Spot metering: Meters circle with a diameter of approximately 3.5 mm centered on selected focus point Highlight-weighted metering
Metering Range
-4 to +17 EV (ISO 100, f/2.0 lens, 20 °C/68 °F)
Exposure Modes
Auto Programmed auto with flexible program (P) Shutter-priority auto (S) Aperture-priority auto (A) Manual (M)
Scene Modes
portrait; landscape; child; sports; close up; night portrait; night landscape; party/indoor; beach/snow; sunset; dusk/dawn; pet portrait; candlelight; blossom; autumn colors; food
Exposure Compensation
−5 – +5 EV (choose from step sizes of ¹⁄₃ and ¹⁄₂ EV)
Exposure Bracketing
Yes
Exposure Lock
Luminosity locked at detected value
Picture Control
Auto, Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Flat Monochrome, Deep Tone Monochrome, Portrait, Rich Tone Portrait, Landscape, Flat; Creative Picture Controls: (Dream, Morning, Pop, Sunday, Somber, Dramatic, Silence, Bleached, Melancholic, Pure, Denim, Toy, Sepia, Blue, Red, Pink, Charcoal, Graphite, Binary, Carbon); Selected Picture Control can be modified, Storage for custom Picture Controls, Note: Choice of Picture Controls is restricted to Standard, Monochrome, and Flat when HLG is selected for tone mode during still photography.
Multiple Exposure
Add, average, lighten, darken
HDR Overlay
Yes
Photo mode flicker reduction
Yes
High-frequency flicker reduction
Yes
ISO Sensitivity
ISO 100 to 51200 in steps of 1/3 and 1 EV can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.7, 1, or 2 EV (ISO 204800 equivalent) above ISO 51200; auto ISO sensitivity control available Note: ISO sensitivity is limited to 400–51200 when HLG is selected for tone mode.
Lowest Standard ISO Sensitivity
100
Highest Standard ISO Sensitivity
51200
Lowest Expanded ISO Sensitivity
100
Highest Expanded ISO Sensitivity
204800
Long Exposure Noise Reduction
Yes
High ISO Noise Reduction
Yes
Active D-Lighting
Can be selected from:
Auto, Extra high, High, Normal, Low, and OffActive D-Lighting Bracketing
Yes
Single-Point AF Mode
Yes
Dynamic AF Mode
Yes
Auto-Area AF Mode
Yes
Autofocus System
Hybrid phase-detection/contrast AF with AF assist
Detection Range
−9 – +19 EV Measured in photo mode at ISO 100 and a temperature of 20 °C/68 °F using single-servo AF (AF‑S) and a lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.2
Lens Servo
Autofocus (AF) Single-servo AF (AF-S) Continuous-servo AF (AF-C) AF mode auto-switch (AF-A, photo mode only) Full-time AF (AF-F) available only in video mode) Manual focus (M): predictive focus tracking
Focus Point
209 focus points (single-point AF) 231 focus points (auto-area AF) *Number of focus points available in photo mode with DX selected for image area
AF-Area Mode
Pinpoint Single-point Dynamic-area (S) Dynamic-area (M) Dynamic-area (L) Wide-area AF (S) Wide-area AF (L) Wide-area AF (C1) Wide-area AF (C2) Auto-area AF 3D-tracking Subject-tracking AF Pinpoint (available in photo mode only) Single-point, dynamic-area (S, M, and L; available in photo mode only) wide-area (S, L, C1, and C2), and auto-area AF; 3D-tracking (available in photo mode only); Subject-tracking AF (available in video mode only)
Focus Lock
Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (single-servo AF/AF-S) or by pressing the AE-L/AF-L button
Focus Modes
AF-S, AF-C, AF-F (video), MF
Maximum Autofocus Areas/Points
231
Vibration Reduction
Lens shift (available with VR lenses)
Built-in Flash
Yes
Flash Bracketing
Yes
Built-in Flash Distance
Yes
X-Sync Speed
Flash synchronizes with shutter at speeds of 1/250 or 1/200 s or slower (but note that the guide number drops at speeds of 1/200 to 1/250 s); sync speeds as fast as 1/4000 sec are supported with auto FP high-speed sync sec.
Top FP High Speed Sync
Up to:1/4000 sec.
Flash Control
TTL: i‑TTL flash control; i‑TTL balanced fill-flash is used with matrix, center-weighted, and highlight-weighted metering, standard i‑TTL fill-flash with spot metering
Flash Sync Modes
Fill flash red-eye reduction slow sync slow sync + red-eye rear-curtain sync auto, auto + red-eye reduction auto slow sync auto slow sync + red-eye flash off
Flash Compensation
-3 to +1 EV (choose from step sizes of ¹⁄₃ and ¹⁄₂ EV)
Flash-ready Indicator
Lights when optional flash unit is fully charged; flashes as underexposure warning after flash is fired at full output
Accessory Shoe
ISO 518 hot-shoe with sync and data contacts and safety lock
Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)
i-TTL flash control, optical Advanced Wireless Lighting, FV lock, Color Information Communication, Auto FP high-speed sync
White Balance
Auto (3 types) Choose color temperature (2,500 K–10,000 K) Cloudy Direct sunlight Flash Fluorescent (3 types) Incandescent Natural light auto Preset manual (up to 6 values can be stored), all with fine-tuning Shade
White Balance Bracketing
Yes
Movie Metering
TTL metering using camera image sensor
Movie Maximum Recording Time
125 minutes
Movie File Format
MOV MP4
Movie Video Compression
H.265/HEVC (8 bit/10 bit), H.264/AVC (8 bit)
Movie Audio Recording Format
Linear PCM (48 KHz, 24 bit, for videos recorded in MOV format) or AAC (48 KHz, 16 bit, for videos recorded in MP4 format)
Movie
Yes
4K Ultra High Definition (UHD)
Yes
Full HD Movies (1080p)
Yes
Slow Motion Video
Yes
Movie Audio
Built-in stereo or external microphone can be used; sensitivity adjustable; attenuator, frequency response, and wind noise reduction functions
Movie ISO
･Mode M: Manual selection (ISO 100–25600; choose from step sizes of 1/6, 1/3 and 1 EV); auto ISO sensitivity control (ISO 100–25600) available with selectable upper limit * Note: ISO sensitivity is limited to 400–25600 when HLG is selected for tone mode. * Note: ISO sensitivity is limited to Lo 0.3–2.0 and 800– 25600 when N-Log is selected for tone mode. ･Modes P, S, A: Auto ISO sensitivity control (ISO 100– 25600) with selectable upper limit ･Modes b, SCN: Auto ISO sensitivity control (ISO 100– 25600)
Movie Active D-Lighting
Can be selected from:
Extra high, High, Normal, Low, and OffTime Code
Yes
Movie e-VR
Yes
Movie HDMI Output
Yes
Movie Focus Peaking
Yes
Movie Highlight Display (Zebras)
Yes
Time-Lapse Movie
Yes
AF for Movie
Yes
N-Log and HDR (HLG) video
Yes
Waveform display
Yes
Red REC frame indicator
Yes
Extended shutter speeds (mode M)
Yes
Extended shutter speeds (mode S)
Yes
Option to view video recording info available via I menu
Yes
Hi-Res Zoom
Yes
Monitor Size
3.2 in. diagonal
Monitor Resolution
0.104 k dots
Monitor Type
Vari-angle TFT touch-sensitive LCD
Touchscreen
Yes
Monitor Angle of View
170°
Monitor Adjustments
Color balance 13-level manual brightness controls
Virtual Horizon Camera Indicator
Yes
Playback Functions
Full-frame and thumbnail (up to 4, 9, or 72 pictures) playback with playback zoom playback zoom cropping, histogram display highlights video playback photo information location data display auto picture rotation picture rating voice memo input and playback IPTC information embedding and display Slide shows Filtered playback Skip to first shot in series Series playback Save consecutive frames Motion blend
In-Camera Image Editing
RAW processing Trim Resize D-Lighting Straighten Distortion Control Perspective Control Monochrome Overlay (add) Lighten Darken Motion Blend
Image Comment
Yes
Voice Memo Function
Yes
Wi-Fi Functionality
Standards: IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a/ac U.S.A., Canada, and Mexico) IEEE 802.11b/g/n/a (other countries in the Americas) Operating frequency: U.S.A., Canada, and Mexico: 2412 to 2462 MHz (channel 11) and 5180 to 5825 MHz (5180 to 5580 MHz, 5660 to 5700 MHz, and 5745 to 5825 MHz) Other countries in the Americas: 2412 to 2462 MHz (channel 11) and 5180 to 5805 MHz (5180 to 5320 MHz and 5745 to 5805 MHz) Maximum output power (EIRP): 2.4 GHz band: 3.8 dBm 5 GHz band: 9.5 dBm Authentication: Open system, WPA2-PSK, WPA3-SAE
Smart Device App Connectivity
SnapBridge
Wireless Connectivity
Yes
Wireless Transfer to PC
Yes
Bluetooth
Communication protocols: Bluetooth Specification Version 5.0 Operating frequency: Bluetooth: 2402–2480 MHz Bluetooth Low Energy: 2402–2480 MHz Maximum output power (EIRP): Bluetooth: −0.9 dBm Bluetooth Low Energy: −2.4 dBm
Save/Load Camera Settings
Yes
Supported Languages
English, Spanish, French, Portugese
Date, Time and Daylight Savings Time Settings
Yes
World Time Setting
Yes
Webcam Utility Compatible
Yes
My Menu
Yes
Recent Settings
Yes
Supported Languages
English, Spanish, French, Portugese
Date, Time and Daylight Savings Time Settings
Yes
World Time Setting
Yes
Battery / Batteries
One EN-EL25a rechargeable Li-ion battery* * EN-EL25 batteries can also be used. Note, however, that fewer pictures can be taken on a single charge than with the EN-EL25a.
Battery Life (shots per charge)
Photo Mode (Single Frame): Number of Shots • [Viewfinder only] selected for monitor mode with: [ON] selected for [Energy saving (photo mode)] in the setup menu: Approx. 250 shots - [Viewfinder only] selected for monitor mode with: [OFF] selected for [Energy saving (photo mode)] in the setup menu: Approx. 230 shots • [Monitor only] selected for monitor mode with: [ON] selected for [Energy saving (photo mode)] in the setup menu: Approx. 270 shots - [Monitor only] selected for monitor mode with: [OFF] selected for [Energy saving (photo mode)] in the setup menu: Approx. 250 shots Video Mode: Length of Footage: • [Viewfinder only] selected for monitor mode: Approx. 60 minutes • [Monitor only] selected for monitor mode: Approx. 60 minutes
Movies:Yes
Photo Mode: Number of Shots
true
Movie Mode: Length of Footage
YesAC Adapter
EH-8P AC adapters (available separately); supplied UC-E25 USB cable required
Battery Charger
MH-32
Tripod Socket
0.635 cm (1/4 in., ISO 1222)
Approx. Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth)
5 in.127 mm x 3.9 in.96.8 mm x 2.7 in.66.5 mm
Approx. Weight
17.46 oz.495 g
Operating Environment
Temperature: 0 °C to 40 °C (+32 °F to 104 °F) Humidity: Less than 85% (no condensation)
Today, Nikon announces the Z50II, a huge upgrade over the original Z50 camera. The headlines here are the upgrades to the auto focus system, now having the Expeed 7 processor, the same one in the Nikon Z9, Z8 and Z6III cameras. And many more upgrades over the Z50.