The Nikon Z50 II Mirrorless Camera: Compact Power at an Affordable Price

The Nikon Z50 II offers an affordable entry into Nikon’s mirrorless Z-mount ecosystem with improvements over its predecessor. But with some notable limitations, how does it stack up against the competition?

Coming to you from Christopher Frost, this detailed video reviews the Nikon Z50 II’s features and performance. The camera builds on its predecessor with a larger body and improved usability, including two customizable front dials and a fully tilting rear screen. It also includes a bright electronic viewfinder and solid weather-sealing, giving it a professional feel at a mid-range price. However, the camera lacks in-body stabilization, relying instead on lens-based or digital stabilization for video. This omission could be frustrating if you plan to use Nikon’s excellent but unstabilized Z mount prime lenses. The aging 20.9-megapixel sensor is another weak spot, offering less resolution and dynamic range than many newer APS-C models.

For those focused on speed and autofocus, the Z50 II impresses. Powered by Nikon’s EXPEED 7 processor, it shares advanced autofocus features with Nikon’s flagship models. The intelligent 3D tracking and subject detection work exceptionally well, particularly for sports and wildlife photography. The pre-release burst capture is another standout, saving images for up to a second before the shutter is fully pressed. These features make it a reliable choice for fast-paced shooting environments.

Key Specs

• Sensor: 20.9 MP APS-C CMOS
• ISO Range: 100–51,200 (expandable to 204,800)
• Autofocus: 231 phase-detection points with -9 to +19 EV sensitivity
• Video: 4K at up to 60 fps (1.5x crop), Full HD at 120 fps
• Continuous Shooting: 11 fps (RAW), 30 fps (JPEG only)
• Viewfinder: 2.36M-dot OLED with 100% coverage
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB-C, and micro-HDMI
• Battery: EN-EL25a (approx. 350 shots per charge)
• Memory: Single UHS-II SD card slot

Despite its speed and autofocus capabilities, the Z50 II’s image quality shows its age. The older sensor performs adequately in good light but struggles at higher ISOs, where noise becomes noticeable. JPEG images benefit from Nikon’s classic color profiles, though sharpening settings may need tweaking. For video, the camera delivers sharp 4K footage at 25 fps but softens considerably with a crop at 60 fps. High-speed 1080p video, however, is a strong point, offering excellent detail.

It also functions as a webcam via USB-C, adding to its flexibility. However, the single card slot and inconsistent battery performance during video capture might be drawbacks for professional users. Check out the video above for the full rundown from Frost.