The Nikon Z50 was Nikon’s first APS-C Z-mount camera. Five years later, they released the Nikon Z50 II. Although the newer camera looks similar to the original and in some ways is very similar, it has some significant upgrades that make the Z50 II a compelling option for many shooters. If you’re looking for a Nikon APS-C camera, which of these is right for you?
Nikon Z50 vs Nikon Z50 II Specifications Comparison
| Camera Feature | Nikon Z50 | Nikon Z50 II |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | October 2019 | November 2024 |
| Camera Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor Type | BSI CMOS | BSI CMOS |
| Image Processor | EXPEED 6 | EXPEED 7 |
| Resolution | 20.9 MP | 20.9 MP |
| Pixel Dimensions | 5568×3712 | 5568×3712 |
| Sensor Dimensions | 23.5 x 15.7 mm (APS-C) | 23.5 x 15.7 mm (APS-C) |
| Sensor Pixel Size | 4.22µ | 4.22µ |
| Low Pass Filter | No | No |
| IBIS (In-Body Image Stabilization) | No | No |
| Base ISO | ISO 100 | ISO 100 |
| Max Native ISO | ISO 51,200 | ISO 51,200 |
| Extended ISOs | ISO 100-204,800 | ISO 100-204,800 |
| High-Resolution Sensor Shift | No | No |
| Focus Stack Bracketing | No | No |
| Pre-Shoot Burst Mode | No | Yes (JPEG only) |
| Fastest Shutter Speed | 1/4000 | 1/4000 |
| Longest Shutter Speed | 30 seconds | 900 seconds |
| Continuous Shooting (Mechanical Shutter) | 11 FPS | 11 FPS |
| Continuous Shooting (Electronic Shutter) | 11 FPS | 11 FPS |
| Notes for High FPS Shooting | 12-bit raw at 11 FPS (14-bit raw is available at 9 FPS) | 11 FPS figure is for .NEF files (full-res JPEG at 30 FPS) |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 35 frames (11 FPS) | 200 frames (11 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF | Hybrid PDAF with deep learning subject recognition |
| Autofocus Points | 209 | 209 |
| Maximum Low-Light AF Sensitivity (Standardized to f/2, ISO 100) | -4 EV | -7.5 EV |
| Standard Flash Sync Speed | 1/200 | 1/200 |
| Curtain to Protect Sensor at Shutdown | No | No |
Video Features | ||
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (Internal) | 8 bits | 10 bits |
| Maximum Video Bit Depth (External) | 8 bits | 10 bits |
| Raw Video | No | No |
| 4K Maximum Framerate | 30 FPS | 60 FPS |
| 1080P Maximum Framerate | 120 FPS | 120 FPS |
| Additional Video Crop Factor | No | 1.5x crop at 4K 60p (4K 30p has no additional crop) |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:0 | 4:2:2 |
| Video Recording Limit | 30 min | 125 min |
Physical and Other Features | ||
| Card Slots | 1 | 1 |
| Slot 1 Type | SD (UHS-I) | SD (UHS-II) |
| Rear LCD Size (Diagonal) | 3.2 in | 3.2 in |
| Rear LCD Resolution | 1.04 million dots | 1.04 million dots |
| Articulating LCD | Single Axis | Fully Articulating |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF | EVF |
| Viewfinder Magnification | 1.02x (0.67x FF equiv.) | 1.02x (0.67x FF equiv.) |
| Viewfinder Resolution | 2.36 million dots | 2.36 million dots |
| Viewfinder Coverage | 100% | 100% |
| Voice Memo | No | Yes |
| Headphone Jack | No | Yes |
| Microphone Jack | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in Flash | Yes | Yes |
| GPS | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| WiFi | Yes | Yes |
| USB Type | Type B 2.0 | Type C 3.2 Gen 1 |
| Battery Type | EN-EL25 | EN-EL25a |
| Battery Life (Viewfinder) | 280 frames | 230 frames |
| Battery Life (Rear LCD) | 320 frames | 250 frames |
| Battery Life (Eco Mode) | N/A | 270 frames |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes |
| Weight (Body Only w/ Battery + Card) | 450 g (0.99 lbs.) | 550 g (1.21 lbs.) |
| Dimensions (LxHxD) | 127 x 94 x 75 mm (5.0 x 3.7 x 2.9″)1 | 127 x 97 x 82 mm (5.0 x 3.8 x 3.2″)2 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $860 (Check Current Price) | $910 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices (Affiliate) | Nikon Z50 Used Prices | Nikon Z50 II Used Prices |
| 1The Nikon Z50’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 15mm were added to the Z50’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
| 2The Nikon Z50 II’s official dimensions do not include the depth of the protruding viewfinder. To match the typical standards today, 15mm were added to the Z50 II’s depth measurement in this table. | ||
Summary and Recommendations
Given that the MSRP of the Z50 II is only $50 more than the original, it’s clear that Nikon is targeting the same audience: a medium-tier APS-C camera better than the entry-level Nikon DSLRs of the distant past, but still not at the top like Nikon did with the D500. For many, that could be a good thing, as the Z50 II has enough camera in it to be more than capable in most situations.
That idea was certainly present in the original Z50, but the new Z50 II makes up in many ways that make it definitely more capable. Although the sensor is pretty much the same as the original, the autofocus has been upgraded. It’s got an EXPEED 7 processor over the EXPEED 6 of the Z50. And although the Z50 original had some subject detection modes for human eyes and pets, the Z50 II gains new modes for birds, motorcycles, bicycles, trains, and airplanes. The buffer has also increased significantly from 35 frames to 200 frames. That combined with the capability to use UHS-II cards means a decently faster experience in some cases.
The Z50 II also has pre-release capture and some new burst feature that can be used with the electronic shutter, which works up to 30fps, although both only record in JPEG.
Something also not present in the spec sheet is the viewfinder upgrade. Yes, it’s got the same 2.36 million dots as the original but it’s now twice as bright, which is quite useful on sunny days. The rear LCD now is fully-articulating, which also is a hint that Nikon is trying to appeal to content creators rather than a specialized audience.
And speaking of content creation, video is another area with a serious upgrade. It’s gone from 8-bit 4:2:0 to 10-bit 4:2:2, which will give more flexibility in postprocessing, especially when using the new N-Log profile. You’ve also got 4K60 in the new model, albeit with a 1.5x crop. The recording time has been upgraded from 30 minutes to 125 minutes. Although the Z50 was a capable video camera, the new Z50 II should have some appeal for more serious video productions, although it is still not advanced as the Panasonic GH7.
So, is the new Z50 II a worthy upgrade for you? It’s certainly a lot of camera for the money, and would be more than enough for many kinds of photography.
Still, I know a lot of Nikon shooters were hoping for a more serious upgrade. The Z50 II is relatively slow compared to the Z8 and Z9 and it still does not have IBIS, and it’s definitely not meant to be a high-end action camera or mirrrorless D500 successor. For people looking for a very capable APS-C camera, the Z50 II certainly is a contender, but for those who want the best performance for action, the Z8 and Z9 (and more distantly the Z6 III) are still the best choices from Nikon.
What does the Nikon Z50 offer over the Nikon Z50 II?
- Lighter weight (100g lighter or about 1.2 times lighter)
- Lower price, costing $50 less
What does the Nikon Z50 II offer over the Nikon Z50?
- Better autofocus with more subject detection modes
- Larger buffer
- UHS-II compatibility
- Brighter viewfinder
- 10-bit 4:2:2 video with longer recording times (125min vs 30min)
Questions? Go to our forum, where you can start a conversation and talk to photographers about these two cameras!
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FYI Nikon Canada site says z50ii max recording limit is 125min, not 30min
Will check on that, thanks! Edit: corrected.