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

Nikon Z50II sample photos

Nikon Z50II sample photos

Nikon Z50II sample photos

Nikon Z50II sample photos

Nikon Z50II sample photos

Nikon Z50II sample photos

Nikon Z50II sample photos

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 controlled

• Silent 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 Off

• Active 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 Off

• Time 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
  Yes

• AC 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)