Nikon just announced their follow-up to the original Nikon Z50 of 2019, the Nikon Z50 II. What’s changed in the last five years? While the camera’s 20 megapixel DX sensor is the same, we’ve seen big improvements in other areas, especially autofocus. Here’s what you need to know about the Z50 II!
Specifications and Analysis
First, let’s take a look at how the Nikon Z50 II differs from the previous Z50:
| 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 | Yes |
| 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) | JPEGs up to 30 FPS |
| Buffer Size (Raw) | 35 frames (11 FPS) | 200 frames (11 FPS) |
| Autofocus System | Hybrid PDAF | Hybrid PDAF with 9 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 | Extra 1.5x at 4K/60p, none otherwise |
| Chroma Subsampling | 4:2:0 | 4:2:0 |
| 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″)1 |
Price Comparison | ||
| MSRP, Body Only | $860 (Check Current Price) | $910 (Check Current Price) |
| Used Prices (Affiliate) | Nikon Z50 Used Prices | N/A |
| 1The Nikon Z50 and 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 depth measurements in this table. | ||
Looking at the basic specifications, Nikon has added a lot of features to the Z50 II here and there. The new autofocus system (with 9-subject recognition) and faster EXPEED 7 processor are two of the highlights – they should make this a much more capable camera for photographing fast action. There are also smaller changes that are welcome sights, like the ability to set up to a 900 second shutter speed in manual mode.
Not listed in the specs above, but something that Nikon has been advertising a lot with this camera, is that the Z50 II gains a dedicated button for changing the Picture Control. This reminds me a lot of Fuji’s “film simulation” dial added to their newest X-T50 camera. It’s not the most useful button if you tend to shoot .NEF files instead of JPEGs, but it can still help visualize your photo’s final appearance. And some post-processing software can use your selected Picture Control as a starting point even when working with raw files.
It’s not just autofocus that’s improved for sports and wildlife photographers. Because of the faster UHS-II card support, and perhaps some other changes behind the scenes, the buffer capacity of the new camera is 200 photos (14-bit lossless compressed raw). This is a big step up from the 35 frames of the previous Z50, making the Z50 II a true option for action photography.
All in all, I’m encouraged by most of the Nikon Z50 II’s improvements even if I wish Nikon had taken things a little further. Support for IBIS and dual card slots would have made this a more convincing “D500 successor.”
Don’t get me wrong, the Nikon Z50 II definitely looks like a capable camera, especially for $910. But they’ve left the door open for a higher-end model (call it a Z70, Z80, or Z90) that features IBIS, dual card slots, and perhaps higher resolution – not to mention more lens options. The Nikon Z50 II is not quite at that level, despite some photographers’ wishful thinking. And until we do see such a camera, Nikon will have to be satisfied to watch Fuji (and now Canon) eat up that portion of the market.
More Product Photos
Official Sample Photos
Nikon also released some official sample photos to go with the Nikon Z50 II announcement. I was surprised not to see any wildlife samples among them, but I guess that Nikon wanted to use only their DX lenses for these samples. Where Nikon provided EXIF data, I’ve copied it below.
Press Release
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.
For more information about the latest Nikon products, including the vast collection of NIKKOR Z lenses and the entire line of Z series cameras, please visit nikonusa.com.
About Nikon
Nikon Inc. is a world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and technologies for photo and video capture; globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for an award-winning array of equipment that enables visual storytelling and content creation. Nikon Inc. distributes consumer and professional Z Series mirrorless cameras, digital SLR cameras, a vast array of NIKKOR and NIKKOR Z lenses, Speedlights and system accessories, Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras and Nikon software products. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers and visual storytellers to the Web’s most comprehensive learning and sharing communities. Connect with Nikon on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
# # #
Specifications, equipment, and release dates are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer.
- 4K UHD/60p, 30p, 25p, 24p recording is only available at an image area setting of [DX].
- The maximum standard sensitivity for video recording is ISO 25600.
- Hi-Res Zoom is available when [1920×1080; 30p], [1920×1080; 25p], or [1920×1080; 24p] is selected for [Frame size/frame rate] in the video recording menu.
*SRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.
Does the new Z50II really have “Voice Memo” build in? That a Nikon Pro body feature.
If so, that makes this camera even better.
You say no to focus shift (focus stack bracketing) in your specifications. I’ve tried the new camera, and it it has this feature.
Thank you, updated!
Does anyone have a suggestion on the most suitable external power bank I could use with this camera that would allow 1,500 -2,000 shots without changing multiple batteries ?
The Z50 was certified for use with the Anker Powercore+ 26,800 battery pack, which is specified as PD 45W. The Z50 II is specified for USB-C Power Delivery, but with no recommendation on battery pack.
USB-C PD is a new standard that can deliver up to 100 watts of power and beyond, which is enough to charge laptops and other devices that require more power than USB-C can supply. This specification was created by the USB Implementers Forum in response to requests from laptop manufacturers for a connector that could deliver more power.
The USB Power Delivery chipset always delivers exactly the right amount of power. Whether it’s a smartphone or a laptop: the charger recognizes the connected device and negotiates the required power to charge it as quickly as possible. This negotiation ensures a quick charge without delivering too much power or damaging the devices circuits.
However, a word of caution. With high wattage numbers, special cables are also required which can transport particularly high currents, otherwise there is a risk of cable fire.
PD 45W means that the power delivery is up to 45 watts, with 15 volts at 3 amps.
The implication of all of this is that any USB battery pack that is specified for PD 45W or greater will be fine with the Nikon Z bodies that support USB charging.
Anker currently make a number of battery packs that are available on Amazon that support 45W or greater charging powers. As noted above, it is best to use the USB-C cable that comes with the battery pack.
Sp. how much power for 1500 – 2000 shots?
EN-EL25a Battery capacity is 1280 Milliamp Hours.
CIPA rating for Z50II is 230 frames using the Viewfinder.
Assuming approximately double for normal use compared to CIPA rating, about 500 frames. For 2000 photos, therefore you would need at least 1280 * 4 = 5120 mAh.
So, any PD 45W or greater battery pack with 5000 mAh or greater should be fine for your requirement for 1500 – 2000 photos.
Also, the EN-EL15c is rated at 2,280 mAh, I have regularly achieved well over 1000 images on a Z6 II with that battery.
BTW I have just seen this note on Thom Hogan’s web site:
“Note that you wish to use USB charging (e.g. Zf, Z6III, Z8, Z9) the USB Power Delivery source needs to be 27 watts minimum (9 volts at 3 amps).”
As posted in the 180-600, this dx z9 fit my weight budget f z9-400/4.5 with that lens. Sure buy
Does the new Nikon Z 50 II really support H.265 10-bit 4:2:2 N-Log? I remember that even the Z8 and Z9 only support H.265 10-bit 4:2:0 N-Log video.
Good catch. I changed it to say 4:2:0 in the chart, but I don’t yet know – Nikon has yet to confirm if it’s capable of doing 4:2:2 external or not.
Actually I remember that you always mark “(external)” (if it is so). I was surprised when saw that, because if it was true, that would be a big progress for Nikon’s video capturing ability. Hope to see inner H.265 4:2:2 on Nikon someday.
Yes indeed! For now I’ll keep the chart at “4:2:0,” but if we learn that it can shoot 4:2:2 either external or internal, I will change it accordingly. I expect you’re right that it won’t shoot 4:2:2 internal though.
The release of the Z50 ii and its criticism prompted me to reflect on the situation. Everything that will be written next is my speculation and fantasies. I am not affiliated with Nikon.
But I’ll start with the story. The year is 2017. Quote from Nikon’s Director of Development:
«If Nikon will go mirrorless it must be full frame»
That is, back in 2017, Nikon publicly announced a strategic decision to focus on the full frame. Let’s fix this moment.
Further. In 2017, there were already two APS-C systems on the market from Sony and Fujifilm. Moreover, for Fujifilm, crop cameras created the second most important cash flow after the camera with instant winding. That is, this is a very important market for them, for which they will aggressively fight. In its description, Sony is much bigger and richer than Nikon and, if desired, can also create conditions and create serious competition. Overall, Sony and Fujifilm had more models and that even more important lenses were originally created for the APS-C camera. That is, from the point of view of strategy, it is risky to spend gray resources on APS-C cameras, the market is highly pumped and strengthened. In this situation, Nikon concentrated on the podium, where the APS-C camera is a springboard for the FX camera with a Z mount.
The Z50 is coming out in October 2019, a year after the Z6 and Z7. There are very few DX optics in the lens roadmap. That is, the company clearly follows the stated strategy. The camera was assembled from the most affordable and mass-produced components on the market. And I don’t understand the expectations of some that Nikon will “change its mind” and start producing advanced APS-C cameras and DX lenses. But many people ignore words and actions and live in their own reality.
Next, Nikon releases Zfc and Z30 cameras with very similar fillings. And all of them were basic and contain a maximum of components unified with the Z50. There is logic and rationality in this. The larger the circulation, the lower the cost and the higher the profitability. As sales of cameras with the Z mount grow, the activation of third-party manufacturers begins, primarily from China, the production of cheap DX lenses. Nikon’s demand for APS-C is starting to grow.
Retreat. The development of a new camera normally takes 2-5 years. These are both purely technical and bureaucratic issues. It is important to understand this, because very often many people have the illusion that manufacturers respond promptly to competitors’ products. Unfortunately, this is not the case. That is, the Z50ii concept was approved at the latest in 2021-2022. At that point, there were still a small number of third-party autofocus lens manufacturers on the market, and all DX lenses had VR.
Digression no.2. In 2021, the Z9 is coming out, which had two serious and very expensive innovations for Nikon – a matrix and a new processor. And yes, until a new processor appears, Nikon cameras cannot pre-shoot in RAW format, do not wait for firmware updates, this mechanism is implemented at the hardware level. Accordingly. The strategy with new products is typical. We put new products on the most expensive products and with the increase in the scale of production and subsequent price reduction, we increase the coverage of products where this element can be used.
In 2021 or even earlier, it was decided to switch to a new version of the processor for the entire product line after achieving a decrease in processor prices as a result of an increase in the number of processors purchased from manufacturers and a decrease in the number of defects in their production. Fix the moment. So that the Z6i ii, Zf, Z50ii could not appear earlier at a competitive price. That is, all the talk that Nikon should have released the Z50ii earlier is meaningless. First. The Z50ii could appear only in 2021, and at the same time, due to the high cost of the new processor, it brought the company a loss, since it would reduce sales of all cameras, especially the Z9, and subsequently the Z8, which are more marginal and profitable. Second. Due to its high cost, its sales were small and at the same time they reduced sales of initial zoom optics with VR. In turn, this prevented the process of reducing the cost of all Nikon optics.
Let’s go back to the Z50. As it entered the market, it would lose its attractiveness and competitiveness in any case. And Nikon needed to update it. Accordingly, the release of the Z 50 ii was inevitable, the question was when and at what price, and in what configuration. And if the decision to install a new processor has already been made a long time ago, then other components were in question. And judging by the fact that the Z50ii has large dimensions and weight, Nikon decided to make a universal base. That is, to create a “constructor” from which you can later make several models. That is, using one case to release several products.
Accordingly, we can expect the release of new APS-C in various configurations in the coming years. Configurations will differ in the presence and absence of IBIS and matrix. But back to the Z50ii. Nikon had to abandon the installation of the IBIS and the new matrix to reduce its price. There are two reasons for this:
– exceeding the psychological limit of $ 1,000 without taxes, which will radically reduce sales;
– creating competition with the Z5, which has an IBIS and is often discounted for $1000-1200 without taxes.
Digression No. 3. In 2016, Nikon released two cameras with a Multi-CAM 20K focus module: the D500 and the D5. They had about the same number of megapixels. At the moment, among the DX matrices produced by Sony, the highest runs with high resolution are 40 megapixel matrices.
Now about the potential ZX0. They will most likely come out. Accordingly, we can expect several more cameras, conditional:
“Z60” – will add an IBIS. The case is maximally unified with the Z50ii. The goal is to reduce the cost of the new case and not to greatly harm the sales of the Z5ii. It should be expected after the release of the Z5ii.
“Z70” is 40 megapixels with IBIS. The case is maximally unified with the Z50ii. The goal is to reduce the cost of the new case and the IBIS, and at the same time not to significantly harm the sales of the Z6iii, Z8 and Z9. That is, it will be an expensive camera by the standards of APS-C systems.
The “Z90” is a stack sensor of ~40 megapixels, without a mechanical shutter, but with an IBIS. An “adult” battery will be installed and the handle size will increase accordingly. But this camera should be released after the release of the Z8ii, otherwise sales of the Z8 will drop. The price will be higher than the Z6iii on the market at that time.
The housing in this entire line will be unified as a whole, but most likely for the sake of reducing cost, increasing weather protection, improving the rating of the CIPA battery, and when installing a viewfinder with high resolution and frame refresh rate, they will abandon the flash.
In general, these are all my fantasies.
Looks pretty interesting for a DX body… but, as a Z6 III owner I’m seriously asking – where is the firmware update for the Z6 III that aligns the features with every other Expeed 7 model? like dedicated bird AF mode?
We’ve now got all of this on a Z50 II with a much older slower 20mp sensor, it can’t be something that requires the fast readout speed of the z8/z9. I do hope it isn’t far away…
I tired the Z5OII at a trade show in Toronto this past week. It really feels like a mini Z6III (which I own too). And I agree. I think there were a couple of things in the Z6III that was crippled to make the Z8 more attractive…. Like bird AF and memory recall that can be assigned to a Fn button. Z50II has bird AF but not assignable memory recall. Seems like an unnecessary hinderance.
The Z8 and Z6iii were released a year apart. This means that it was developed by different teams. The functions from the Z6iii were not removed, they did not have time to install it. The product development process may lag behind the marketing schedule. That is, it was very important for Nikon to get ahead of the R6iii. Despite the noise when recording video and the lack of some settings.
And yes, history shows that the Z8 has features that the Z9 did not have.
Even more bedlam and mess at Sony.
I don’t know what lens they used for these promo photos but there’s a lot of nervous bokeh and bad OOF rendering. Surely Nikon can do better than this.
I’m not really sure what I expected so it’s hard to say I’m extremely pleased or disappointed. I really like the form factor of the original. I’m not sure what is contributing to the extra hundred grams. My guess is that the screen mechanism weighs within a couple grams of the old one. My best guess for the extra weight is that they’ve literally added extra metal to the body just to provide cooling. Cooling for continuous video shooting seems to be the most important thing for a lot of Youtubers and that’s clearly this camera is aimed at. Particularly if a lot of people aren’t gonna look past the overheating test in a YouTube review a camera needs to be able to blitz that these days.
The expeed seven should really improve auto focus. Generally speaking, I think 11 frames per second is fast enough for most wildlife, but it is nice to have more. My Z 50 will continue to serve as a back up to the X-T5 I purchased because I didn’t trust that Nikon was interested in DX anymore.
One specific niche that I think this camera could fill is as a pretty decent back up body for wildlife shooting. I think the closest camera from Fujifilm is the XS 10. That camera doesn’t have nearly the same buffer size as this. Having really good auto focus with a nicely sized buffer is huge. While the battery life is disappointing, the addition of USB-C really makes that a moot point.
X-T5 is $1,600 and Z 50 II is less than $1k.
I didn’t say they were the same price…
Other sites report a new battery – the EN-EL25a, with a bit more capacity.
I added a mention of the EN-EL25a to the chart, but it’s interesting that the battery life still went down overall compared to the Z50.
Yeah that just doesn’t seem right, I too heard that the new battery has like more capacity and thus shouldn’t result in a worse performance than the Z50. It just doesn’t make sense.
Have you checked the battery or tried another one in case that one has a problem?
I haven’t tested them side by side, I’m just publishing the numbers that Nikon lists on their site. Maybe the new processor is simply more demanding on battery life.
“The EN-EL25a is a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery that is used to power specific Nikon mirrorless cameras. It has a 10% increase in capacity (7.6V / 1250 mAh) over the older EN-EL25 battery.” Nikon USA
www.nikonusa.com/p/en-…tery/27233
Expeed 7 vs Expeed 6 + UHSII vs UHS1 + USB-C 3.2 vs USB 2.0 + some more connections ability + .. etc ( and CIPA numbers).
I think there’s nothing surprising that the only 10% more energy from this new battery could be exceeded by all that.
Considering how CIPA measures battery life, most likely
1. The doubled maximum brightness of the EVF from 500 to 1000 nits
2. The flash unit might be more powerful
I still remember how nikon nerfed the output of the flash unit just to make battery life numbers look good after they launched the D3300 to replace the D3200 10 years ago.
Doesn’t translate into real world use.