Nikon’s Z50 II is a very long time coming. Even though the Nikon Z50 II is — by means of Nikon’s personal admission — geared toward novice photographers transferring up from smartphones, the very first thing you understand is solely how succesful this elementary digicam design is for critical images. I’m lucky to have traveled to Japan rather a couple of occasions now, and I right away fell in love with the rustic from the instant I stepped foot in Tokyo. The individuals are gracious, the vistas are stunningly stunning, and the meals is subsequent point. Then again, I’ve by no means had the risk to talk over with Nikon headquarters on my travels there and Nikon holds a different position with me as a result of I began my photographic adventure with them from the very get started. Exploring the brand-new Nikon Museum was once in point of fact inspiring: There may be such a lot essential historical past gathered alongside its partitions. Similarly attention-grabbing was once the beautiful new headquarters, and we toured the construction studying about its eco-friendly design and trendy office aesthetic, for the easier a part of the day. 
The Nikon Z50 II made for a super better half at the streets of Tokyo. 
A equivalent shot to above in black and white. There’s a to hand button on most sensible of the digicam devoted to image controls which makes swapping a breeze. However what I in reality wish to do once I talk over with Japan is to wander the streets and take pictures. Nikon had the easiest alternative for us to check its newest Nikon Z50 II, and I wandered day and night time -mostly because of serious jet lag- getting a really feel for this newest Nikon Z50 II. The digicam continues to be in pre-production however a lot of the image-making era is stuff we have now noticed ahead of, so we will be able to definitely assessment the digicam’s total features. 
I like a leisurely walk thru Meiji Jingu park each and every time I talk over with.
Nikon Z50 II: The way it Handles Nikon has lined the bases with its APS-C digicam designs, from the minimalist vlog stylings of the Z30, to the retro-inspired excellent seems to be of the ZFc, and after all the worse SLR design of the Z50 II. Even the unique Z50, whilst equivalent in look, come what may got here throughout extra like a toy in comparison to the brand new Z50 II and I feel a large a part of that distinction is because of the bigger grip. The grip feels cast and can make the Z50 II really feel extra balanced when the usage of better glass lenses reminiscent of telephotos for flora and fauna. At 18.4 oz (520 grams), the Z50 II has a cast and chunky really feel which places it above the burden of recent cameras just like the Fujifilm XT-30 II or Canon EOS R50. 
The Nikon Z50 II has a well-known styling that inspires the times of the DSLR. 
The pop-up flash can also be to hand for a bit little bit of fill when you want it. Unfortunately, the again of the digicam is lacking an AF joystick, which I believe is going an extended solution to creating a digicam extra ergonomically succesful in traumatic scenarios. The contact display screen and keep an eye on pad paintings as a great way to regulate the focusing place when wanted however I discovered myself depending on a unmarried centralized AF level as a rule. There’s no loss of customizable buttons, alternatively, and I really like that we’ve got twin keep an eye on dials and a method dial on what many will imagine an entry-level physique. In true SLR type, there could also be a pop-up flash which makes use of a easy handbook flip-up or flip-down option to keep an eye on whether or not it fires or now not. I’m now not an enormous fan of pop-up flashes nevertheless it’s higher to have one and now not use it than not to have one and want it. 
The LCD panel isn’t remarkably stepped forward in relation to element however it’s definitely extra helpful now. 
The battery and SD card slot are just like the unique Z50 however the battery lasts a bit longer. The presentations were stepped forward, with the main exchange coming to the again LCD panel. The unique Z50 had a horrible design the place the LCD flipped beneath the digicam for selfie pictures which was once all the time awkward to make use of and was once continuously blocked by means of a tripod or selfie stick. The brand new panel is now simply over 1,000,000 dots however absolutely articulates to the facet of the digicam. The EVF continues to be a par-for-the-course 2.36-million dots however it’s a lot brighter this time pushing round 1,000-nits of height brightness. There’s a new battery kind referred to as the EN-EL25a which guarantees higher battery existence total, and you’ll be able to nonetheless use the older EN-EL25 batteries in a pinch. A unmarried SD card slot is true subsequent to the battery and all the digicam is weather-sealed to a good point.
The EVF is way brighter than ahead of and it additionally stands proud lower than the unique. 
The Z50 II has an stepped forward grip and great keep an eye on dials. The controls are excellent however the presentations are elementary. Nikon Z50 II: The way it Shoots I reviewed the Z50 in past due 2019 when it was once first launched and it’s been a very long time in between fashions. I used to be, due to this fact, upset to peer the similar 20-megapixel APS-C sensor within the new Z50 II. If truth be told, technically the sensor has been round for lots longer than that — arguably even again to the D500 days. Whilst usually sensors have plateaued and I’m now not announcing that the photographs lack attractiveness, there are extra trendy sensors to be had and I want this were up to date within the Z50 II. Indisputably, the processor has stepped forward and the Z50 II makes use of the most recent EXPEED 7 chip which does have some significant advantages to the full enjoy. 
All of the newest AF algorithms are to be had and Nikon’s AUTO topic detection simplifies the implementation. 
Nikon doesn’t have a spider stumble on AF mode however three-D monitoring all the time works neatly. The burst charges are a lot sooner, for instance, and the digicam can ship as much as 30 FPS the usage of as much as JPEG Commonplace high quality settings. The outdated sensor does have some rolling shutter problems however no less than the mechanical shutter can push as much as 11 FPS the usage of full-quality RAW information. It is a very first rate outcome. I additionally like {that a} pre-capture mode has discovered its solution to the Z50 II which buffers pictures forward of time to make sure the decisive second is captured. 
The Z50 II can push rather top burst charges in jpeg mode and the mechanical shutter is not any slouch both.
The autofocus efficiency total is predictable and fast. It’s not Z8 excellent, nevertheless it feels love it as a rule. The opposite main advantage of the EXPEED 7 processor is the inclusion of Nikon’s newest autofocus topic detection modes. This opens up the Z50 II as an efficient device for portraits, motorsports, flora and fauna, and aircraft pictures. I additionally relied closely on three-D monitoring focusing as a result of it’s efficient and easy. The Z50 II supplied an excessively confidence-inspiring focusing enjoy this is ideally suited for each freshmen and execs alike. 
I like midnight in Tokyo and in spite of the older sensor, the picture high quality is completely applicable. Nikon Z50 II: It’s All within the Image Keep watch over Nikon is following the present marketplace development to extend its person base by means of providing customizable colour controls and presets. Panasonic significantly did one thing equivalent with its Lumix Lab app-based LUTs which debuted at the S9. This digicam is firmly aimed on the identical target market because the Nikon Z50 II and the LUTs at the moment are increasing to extra complex cameras within the Panasonic lineup. Nikon has achieved one thing equivalent by means of providing Image Controls which transcend the usual colour profiles introduced prior to now. Those profiles can be to be had in two paperwork: There can be a cloud-based collection referred to as “picture recipes” which might be introduced by means of skilled Nikon creators, and “versatile image controls” that may be created by means of the person inside NX studio. Each can also be downloaded to the digicam and additional tweaked inside the UI to permit the ingenious freedom to play and experiment with colour. 
I attempted out the LENO FILM POP picture recipe and the effects are fascinating. Now not my cup of inexperienced tea despite the fact that. I attempted one of the vital picture recipes and located a few of them to be rather great and others to be too closely stylized for my style. Regardless, it may be amusing to take a look at other seems to be and create dynamic pictures that it’s possible you’ll wish to the standard colour profiles in most cases integrated. To be truthful despite the fact that, I discovered myself gravitating again to excellent ol’ Nikon Deep Tone Monochrome rather continuously. These kinds of colour profiles may also be used for video, and there may be indubitably so much to discuss there. 
I really like Nikon’s usual black and white image keep an eye on mode. I used it rather somewhat.
Nikon Z50 II: A True Hybrid Digicam Jordan Drake right here to talk about video and whilst the fundamental specifications of the Z50 II would possibly glance the similar on paper as earlier cameras, this can be a dramatically higher video digicam than every other Nikon APS-C physique. Because of the usage of the older 21MP sensor, full-width 4K is solely to be had as much as 30p. 4K/60p is to be had however with an extra 1.5x crop and lowered answer. Then again, it’s now in a position to taking pictures 10-bit video and N-Log internally, making an allowance for a much broader dynamic vary and versatility in submit. This could also be appropriate with Nikon’s new RED LUTs when modifying, and I a ways choose the ones to straightforward N-Log LUTs. Additionally, the three-D monitoring and topic detection AF is to be had in video mode and vastly will increase reliability. 
The Z50 II unlocks 10-bit H265 video codecs and Nikon N-Log recording. The sensor nonetheless isn’t ideally suited for 4K 60P, alternatively. The opposite upgrades make the enjoy of taking pictures video way more delightful. The unusual Entrance-Going through-However-From-Beneath design of the Z50 has been changed with a extra standard absolutely articulating show, which lets you nonetheless see the display screen for those who use a shoe-mounted microphone. The interface has additionally been revised to make it a ways more straightforward to regulate digicam settings the usage of solely the contact display screen. A microphone jack and headphone jack at the moment are integrated, making the Z50 II a a lot more succesful number one digicam when recording audio. 
We get each a headphone jack and mic jack in addition to a tally lamp and waveforms. Neatly provided certainly. Two options did catch me off guard for this elegance of digicam, alternatively. First is the inclusion of waveforms for tracking publicity. It is a a lot more efficient manner of metering a shot, and it’s hardly discovered on cameras at this worth. The opposite fine addition is the tally lamp, which we could Chris know if I’m rolling, or if I’ve by chance double-tapped the file button. Like maximum new entry-level cameras, Nikon has a method for demonstrating items to the digicam, which they name “Product Evaluate.” Like Sony’s Product Show off or Fujifilm’s Product Precedence Mode, and no matter else is coming from different producers, it specializes in a presenter’s face till an object is held as much as the digicam, which it’ll then focal point on as a substitute so you’ll be able to are living your perfect influencer existence. 
There are many amusing colour profiles that may be downloaded from the cloud. You’ll additionally make your personal and feature some amusing experimenting.
Sadly, like any Nikon APS-C cameras, there’s no IBIS, however that is par for the route in APS-C cameras at this worth vary. Virtual stabilization has been stepped forward, however nonetheless incurs a vital crop and appears wonky at slower shutter speeds. Thankfully, all of Nikon’s APS-C zooms function vibration relief however for those who like primes or third-party lenses, steadiness can be a subject. 
The N-Log structure permits for extra dynamic vary and you’ll be able to now use the most recent RED LUTs from Nikon as neatly. The brand new Image Controls can also be carried out to video in addition to stills for a singular glance. Keep in mind that in contrast to when taking pictures RAW and JPEG for stills, for those who use a Image Keep watch over for video, the glance is baked in and it’ll be a ways much less versatile in submit than N-Log pictures. With the discharge of the Sony ZV-E10 II, Fujifilm X-M5, and now the Nikon Z50 II, there are a large number of exceptional hybrid cameras on this worth vary. Then again, if like me you favor a digicam with an EVF for video, the Z50 II obviously outperforms the Sony a6400 and Canon R50 for hybrid shooters and is a big step ahead for Nikon APS-C. 
This picture recipe is named HIDAMARI HARUKA and has a full of life and punchy, analog-looking colour rendition that I loved the usage of. Nikon Z50 II: Similar Sensor However Extra Critical For an entry-level digicam geared toward new customers, I used to be extra inspired by means of simply how critical the Z50 II is. The whole thing from the extra skilled physique design to the improved video options and autofocus modes makes this model way more succesful than its predecessor. It’s great to play with a digicam that isn’t “dumbed down” for the target market however as a substitute offers quite a lot of room to develop whilst additionally being easy and intuitive to be told on. The primary weaknesses are going to be all the way down to the older sensor, rudimentary presentations, and loss of IBIS. I want the Z50 II will have a bit extra in the best way of up-scaled tech however then the fee would cross upper, too. 
Dai-Butsu was once rather the sight to behold in Kamakura. I preferred the best way the Golden Hour picture recipe gave it an autumnal really feel.
I discovered myself playing the Z50 II all over the place, from the wet streets of Tokyo to quiet strolls at 4 AM to hidden temples, after which to an extended sightseeing go back and forth to Kamakura. The Z50 II had sufficient keep an eye on for me to revel in as a extra complex person but additionally made for a quite compact digicam to shuttle with and stroll for unending miles. 
The EURO FILM BW picture recipe is some other one that may be downloaded from the cloud and I preferred its softer tones and gentler distinction. There are about 5 quite usual APS-C lenses that Nikon provides and I would really like to peer this quantity upward push however different producers at the moment are making glass for the Z-mount and this proves to be very good timing for the Z50 II. The picture high quality would possibly not have modified however I feel new customers gets some pleasure out of the brand new versatile image controls. There may be masses to like about the most recent Nikon APS-C digicam, and at a body-only worth of $959.95, the Nikon Z50 II is to be had for just about everybody to revel in.
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