Nikon Z50 II: Outperforming Fujifilm for under 1K USD?

[@bobjohnson9597]

Just preordered, oh and 21 mega pixels. Unless you think 20.9 is closer to 20. Id call it 21mp all day long. Nice video and I also love that it's a simple plug and play web cam.

[@GrainOnTheGo]

I think people are missing that this is a consumer camera and is marketed extremely competitively as such. Not trying to give Nikon excuses but there are ample rumors of a Z90 pro APSC coming in the next few months. And I imagine a Z30ii is inevitable. Another thing Western viewers and buyers won’t understand. The DX series was HUGE during the F-mount era in Asia (Japan especially). I see SO MANY older hobbyists still using D5000 series cameras in Japan. Nikon wants to capitalize and start bringing those hobbyists to Z-mount. That’s the target here primarily in my eyes.

[@borocotochacha]

Also HUGE in Latin America. Here most APS-C Nikons last 3 times more than Canon´s ones.

[@GrainOnTheGo]

@ yea they’re really high quality and not very expensive and they’re perfect for older folks.

[@Frippin-MTBD80]

Dang that RED LUT looks really nice on the Z50 II.

[@btonelli]

Yeah it does. Very happy how it turned out

[@rammanisubedi2168]

@@btonellihow to get RED Lut ?

[@salk007]

You are spot on.about the nikon z50ii. Its probably the best one to pick for people like me who would like to travel light and not have to carry bulky cameras. I tried out nikon z6 iii z7 and right away knew i will not be carring these bulky cameras every day. Tried fuji film xt-5 and canon r10 and and tge end purchased nikon z50. Every photo and video taken on holiday was a joyful experience. No Raw shooting needed. Just set the camera to vivid, bump up the saturation to 9 and bingo! Nikon capture NX is tge best photo editing software for nikon shooters, period. And its free. Z50 is the only camera we take even when recording tv interviews of our politians. Z50 is good enough. But if z50 mark III comes out with newer sensor, will see if i should get it. Image quality of z50II is no better than z50, so won't upgrade. Everyone keeps talking about "No IBIS". Nikon DX camera lenses has image stabilisation built. Full frame camera lenses dont have IS so the camera includes IBIS. During daily use of z50 z50 videos are quite stable.

[@btonelli]

@@salk007 that’s great to hear you are enjoying it!

[@amitkrupal1234]

Yeah only few Z mount FF lens have IS(VR)

[@martinsmyth5580]

If that camera had ibis Nikon would have knocked it out of the park for sure

[@stalbansbiker]

The VR on Nikon Lens is so good the D50 doesn't need IBIS

[@8806gavin]

Always glad to see you in the review lineup across KZbin. Side note what mic did you use for this review because the sound quality in the field was excellent.

[@btonelli]

@@8806gavin thanks. Used the new DJI Mic 2 but did some work in post on the audio

[@Vromiaris778]

IBIS would be nice... but I suspect this will be the top of the line without IBIS. Their DX lenses all have VR built-in (except for the 24mm prime), so their strategy was to leave VR on the lens and not the body. Should a future Z70 / 80 / 90 come out, I would expect new sensors and IBIS. This is a thing with the Nikon DX (I've been using Nikon DX for over 12 years now) and they never had IBIS with DX, so I do not miss it (it's nice in the lens, though)

[@angeloplayforone]

IBIS begun with mirrorless and not DSLR.

[@johngordon3882]

@@angeloplayforone Pentax has ibis on their dslr, just saying :)😀

[@kamilpotato3764]

@@johngordon3882 Yep. People forget Pentax had ibis before 2010 is dslr bodies.

[@dilparmar-m3i]

Zv e10 ii Mark to Vs z50 ii Mark to Which of the two cameras is the better camera? Which one should I get? Would you suggest me?

[@btonelli]

@@dilparmar-m3i depends really. If you are more into video the ZV-E10II is geared towards that. If you want more for of a hybrid and an EVF the Z50II would be my choice

[@dilparmar-m3i]

Reply to me sar

[@ruff1draft]

Watching this has made me go out and shoot street photography at night with my Nikon D5500 and Nikon D5600

[@schmel.photography]

Nice camera, but we're still waiting for the NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S 😞

[@btonelli]

@@schmel.photography haha yes same

[@JJCPhotography]

Great camera and sharing！Thank you！

[@btonelli]

@@JJCPhotography thanks for watching!

[@andrewwillows4333]

Looks great. I'd buy one but already have a Z5. What i really want is for Nikon to produce a cool compact. It has to be on its way doesn't it?

[@71co0k]

How would it perform for sports action still photography? Great vid, thanks.

[@btonelli]

Thanks. It would be decent for both. It’s a fast camera without IBIS. The AF is quick and responsive and the image quality is good

[@MatijaSimunic]

As a current Nikon crop sensor dslr user, this camera is high on my list of future upgrades. But I am waiting for the Z5II with that same processor and with slightly more FPS.

[@btonelli]

I think for many the Z5II if they come out with one will be the camera to get for APSC

[@JeevesTCW]

Great video Bobby. I do agree about IBIS. Not sure we need more megapixels unless you use a wide prime mainly (or compact camera with fixed lens) and therefore crop a lot.

[@btonelli]

20-24mp for a camera like this is good. Yeah IBIS for sure

[@stalbansbiker]

Fantastic camera

[@domenicoavizzano8841]

Much better the Nikon Z5, in my humble opinion. Thanks for the video! D.

[@btonelli]

@@domenicoavizzano8841 thanks for watching

[@risyadsalman230]

This video footage has a bit of jitter, but it still looks great overall! 8:51 correct me if i am wrong

[@btonelli]

Yes it does without proper stability, but if you use a monopod, gimbal or something to help stabilise it, no issues. Image quality is solid

[@risyadsalman230]

@@btonelli thanks for the info

[@pluggednickels7321]

Purchased the z50 II and used 200-500mm to try it out for wildlife and a bigger sensor than my current om1 system. I used the 40-150mm 2.8 with 2x tc on the Olympus. I was expecting the Nikon to be much better than the oly but that just wasn’t the case. And the size difference was huge. I may try a few native z mount zooms with the Nikon but with this setup it just wasn’t enough sadly. I will still be keeping the z50 II it just won’t be my main wildlife setup. For the new picture profiles are nice but you still can’t set those as a bracket option like you can on the Fuji’s and oly’s take one shot get multiple profile images. That should be a firmware update

[@JPStaats]

It’s not the camera that slows that lot down, but the adapted f-mount lens. Use the native Z180-600 for actual comparison.

[@pluggednickels7321]

@@JPStaatsI have since rented both the 180-600mm and 100-400mm z mounts. The results are bit better but still not enough to lure me away from the oly. Mainly due to the size difference of the two systems and image quality was pretty much on par between the two. It would be nice if Nikon would make some smaller pro level crop lenses for those of us that don’t want to pack around full frame lenses on crop bodies. I did like the 100-400mm probably the best 100-400mm I have used. It’s still a pumper which I don’t like but the shorter throw zoom ring and less extending than other brands. The smaller oly setup was just too hard to beat for me anyway. If the image quality was vastly better I would probably move back to Nikon but just wasn’t there yet for me.

[@AshBashSneakers]

Excellent video.. that little camera is a powerhouse and Nikon are so clever cashing in on the Fuji recipe love that’s going on currently.. I have the picture controls set to fn2 on my Z8 and I use them and custom ones often . Also the glasses look great

[@btonelli]

Thanks! I agree, good move on Nikon’s part. Thanks! Really enjoy them

[@dct124]

I'm thinking the reason for no IBIS is sensor overheating which results in lower dynamic range. Cost is the obvious factor. But honestly it's the micro jitters IBIS has. Sony, Fuji, Canon all have micro jitters in their APS-C cameras with IBIS. The lens stabilization combined with a gimbal is perfection. Even with just the lens stabilization, it's good enough for family stuff. I think so. You just don't get pitch and yaw from the lens.

[@kamilpotato3764]

I don't care about microjitters since I'm still shooter.

[@KS1771]

Superb Pic and Video Quality ..... 🙂

[@btonelli]

@@KS1771 thank you

[@maheshg212]

It is not heavy when you have worked out in the gym and got some muscles. But for me, this has now crossed the weight of a7c ii. Unless i want a small zoom and one small native prime, i cant see why i would choose this over something else. They have put a competitive price over fuji but fuji also has a fully developed lens system.

[@skyrunr]

If you have a Z6III, it makes an ideal backup/2nd camera. Being larger and heavier without IBIS - OR - a partially stacked sensor for me, make it a little over-priced. Especially when you can buy a Z50 with a lens for around $400, as I have done a few times over the years. Owned the A7C and A7CII for a year, and was happy with them, but Nikon gives me better SOOC images. IMO, Nikon still has the best DX sensor. I've compared it to the R7 and a few others. Sure 26-33mp would have been better for birding and cropping... I still think they have a winner here. I'll mostly be using it with the Tamron 20-40f2.8 adapted. The 15mm Sony G APS-C lens was great on it too.

[@Gobekadam]

Does it also have the new manual lens/focus assist tools seeing in other Expeed 7 cameras?

[@btonelli]

@@Gobekadam good question. I didn’t test that as I wasn’t made aware but will ask

[@RudiZimmerer]

The Nikon Z50 was missing a good Auto-focus system, I hated that the Single-focus was changed by the shutter and that you could not easily move the focus point, that the Contiguously focus was so bad... And now everything is perfect with the Nikon Z50II, even you get a full articulating Display.... You can move the focus point with the finger on the display when looking through the EVF and you can adjust that the shutter doesn't change the focus, and the Automatic Focus (combines single focus with cont. Focus) mode is the best, here I can choose Group focus points, the face detection is working and even adjust for the best exposure... Honesty is what get you more for the money. Disadvantages until today Lightroom and DXO can not process the Raw files... We have to wait... Endless video and $K with 60frames per second... What you want more?

[@stanobert3475]

Nikon is coming out with serious DX cameras, but they now need to introduce some serious DX glass. I am staying with Nikon full frame FX Z cameras and Fuji X for my cropped sensor system.

[@kindasport]

Why should I buy a full sensor objective that you mentioned > Nikkor S 105 f2.8 for a cropped camera?

[@korkutdemirbas]

Nice video. May I ask what is the maximum fps in electronic mode (Raw)?

[@EXkurogane]

15fps

[@JaviBear001]

But where are the native or 3rd party lenses for it?

[@btonelli]

Will have to look at companies like Viltrox, SIRUI etc

[@JohanTalk]

Sigma makes 3rd party dx lenses

[@andrzejjaniak6849]

You have Sigma and Viltrox.

[@amermeleitor]

Sigma, Viltrox, TTartisan, Yongnuo, 7artisans, Sirui, etc

[@thomaschamberlin2485]

It should have IBIS. It should have Portra and Tri-X film sims baked in.

[@btonelli]

Haha Portra 800 for sure

[@pohmetable]

do you have any standard zooom lens suggestion for this lens? decent lens with fixed apperture 2.8 or 4 and with VR (this camera has no IBIS so ofc VR lens is a must). I mean sony has decent lens like, sony 16-70 mm (equivalent to 24-105mm in fullframe) F4 with OSS.

[@btonelli]

Nikon doesn’t really make a zoom lens like this for APSC yet. More than likely will need to look at full frame options at this time

[@pohmetable]

@@btonelli do you think megadap etz21 pro will be good invesment?

[@daverobey3378]

Seems like a good camera. I wish you talked slower as a reviewer. I'm not loving the machine gun delivery. Had to replay some parts to understand what you said.

[@Kunal0915]

All good!! Where are the weather-sealed small DX lenses?

[@btonelli]

If Nikon doesn’t have can see what Sigma have etc

[@EricMustardman]

@@btonelli They have nothing so far. And since Nikon don't offer IBIS in their DX range, 3rd party lenses would also need to be stabilised (VR, OS, IS, whatever you wanna call it).

[@robertluxamafreethinker]

No IBIS on the Nikon Z50 II, Fuji X-M5 and Sony ZVE10 II, it's actually a good thing at the end. Not for me, of course; but for Panasonic Lumix, because it's giving them a wonderful opportunity to shine, just putting the most basic IBIS without any cropped, in any future updates version of the Lumix G and Lumix GX series.

[@angeloplayforone]

It seems Lumix does not to compete at this price levels.

[@stephanweiskorn6760]

F.Y.I. OM D10 MK iv is cheaper and has IBIS ​@@angeloplayforone

[@StartreckTu]

G is micro 4/3, there is a difference in the sensors size and also it costs twice of Z50ii

[@18yearsoldnot]

Ibis in a lens is better than ibis in the body though. That’s the reason for this. That said, I’d personally get a canon r8 which is basically identical in specs except full frame

[@m4rcin847]

First of all, IBIS is overrated. Second - gimbal >>> IBIS for similar amount of money, but INFINITELY better results.

[@IIISentorIII]

The guy is so in love with himself that lack of Stabilizers doesn't really matter anyhow and he probably kept going for an hour talking how he likes his shirt if the battery would not have died on him. 😂

[@btonelli]

Haha if you want to insult me try writing a comment that makes sense 😂😂

[@poiderh]

But no IBIS, I passed up a chance to upgrade for a decent price from my OM-Systems OM-5 to An OM -1 as I was faithfully waitng for NIKON to level the field, think it is time to go full OM Systems

[@OnlyCitrus]

None of the APSC cameras have IBIS at this price point out M43.

[@poiderh]

@@OnlyCitrus in australia this nikon is $2199 with the 18-140mm lens, The Olympus OMD EM 10 Mark 4 has IBIS and is $1099 with a 14-42mmm lens and the extremely capable OM-5 is $1695 with the 14-150mm lens

[@angeloplayforone]

@@poiderhEM autofocus is old contrast based without subject recognition. The Nikon Xpeed 7 AF with subject recognition is superior to OM for the same price. Nikon, Canon, Sony and Fuji has all PDAF and many subject recognition at this pricepoint. OM 5 coming from a manufacturer who brags about being a wildlife and nature expert does not have bird detection.

[@SovanoraHounKhin]

Really like it,

[@nathanjimenez1562]

No ibis is a huge let down would gladly pay a little more for it and would have deffenitely bought the camera the 8 year old sensor doesnt bother me tho although its time to retire that sensor nikon needs a new 20.9 mp bsi sensor with faster read out speeds if they want to stay competitive in that 1000 price point

[@aperture8983]

Nikon needs zoom lenses like Sony 16-55 f2.8 sigma 18-50 Tamron 17-70 f2 .8 ??????😅

[@btonelli]

Yes, but that’s the beauty of them opening up the Z mount is for these options

[@andrzejjaniak6849]

You do have F2.8 Sigma primes though.

[@weiyang6417]

No ibis and same sensor. I get it with price point. I hope if and when they release the Zfc II will have ibis and better sensor. A 45MP ZF, sell my ZF😂

[@btonelli]

Hoping so as well!

[@davidf6326]

Very close on 'NIkon', now you've just got to work on 'zed' 😁

[@btonelli]

lol!

[@MusabTahaTarik]

why Nikon still uses old d500's sensor?

[@Kunal0915]

Nah mate. That D500 still rocks. It was a true professional DX camera, which none of the new Nikon Apsc cameras are.

[@EricMustardman]

Because they don't want to invest more than the absolut minimum, and they think that an eight-year old sensor is good enough for those who don't want to cough up thousands and thousands for a high-tech full frame equipment.

[@MusabTahaTarik]

@ So Nikon is not wrong?

[@rauflahab]

Nothing wrong with the sensor, my D500 still can serve me well for extra money. Tool is a tool, nothing more, nothing less

[@andrzejjaniak6849]

Because it's excellent, still better than some of the competition. 21 mpx is like 45mpx on FX in terms of pixel density. It's one of my favorite sensors ever. If you use it, you will know.

[@Crop682]

Can I make decent videos , interview with this camera, with which lens having VR , f 2.8 , not sports video .

[@btonelli]

@@Crop682 yes you can. This entire video was filmed with the Z50II for reference

[@drbeardo6960]

Gonna keep my D500 with 200-500😅

[@Mixer000999]

I am planning to go to Z6iii for wildlife. Seems that's where Nikon marketing is pushing me

[@macbaar6073]

Ibis is for z50iii

[@wristcheck350]

Same price with the old Sony a6600 with better af and ibis also more choice of lenses and bigger battery 🤷

[@xrayvisions468]

Sheesh sales voice is strong in this one.

[@btonelli]

@@xrayvisions468 hahaha why do you say that

[@xrayvisions468]

@ it’s a great video, very informative just noticed. But you can sell with that voice!😂😂😂

[@xrayvisions468]

@ because The camera ended up in my Amazon cart for a minute 😅😅😅

[@Secretweapondoze]

The real question is, what number Ray-Ban are you!!! #1473 ❤🎉❤

[@btonelli]

Hahaha #7074

[@hishamosman4341]

Now the D500 could retire peacefully, the new brother will take over. The the price, I say its fair for what it offers. Yes, the omission of IBIS is a miss.Remember...moving forward, Nikon will continue to improve it via firmware

[@moes_film]

love that limited edish ray bans

[@btonelli]

@@moes_film thanks!

[@victorlim5077]

45MP Zf?! Yes, please.

[@btonelli]

Haha I think this would sell like crazy

[@762joe]

IBIS, battery grip, better battery performance, 33 Mp will probably come with the mirrorless successor of the D500 in the Z90.

[@frankygamaliano7058]

AF too fast until we don’t see if the durian was opened 😂

[@btonelli]

Hahaha

[@nathanjimenez1562]

45 mp zf will cost like 3 grand dont think it makes sense for nikon to make that

[@btonelli]

@@nathanjimenez1562 perhaps but there is definitely a market for a higher end vintage inspired camera.

[@nethbt]

Proud ZF owner here but Once again, Nikon can't really price their crop body line ups competitively...no IBIS, only 20mp...pass Realistically, you can get a used Z6ii with that price ....now what Nikon needs is an entry level FX Z5ii update just to entice the newcomers to get into the Z system

[@btonelli]

I’m sure there will be a Z5II in the future

[@super-z8943]

Lol, amazing how everyone calls this 20.9 MP sensor a 20 and not a 21! 😂

[@btonelli]

@@super-z8943 lol

[@ShwarcArnold]

20,67Mpix :)

[@ghalibsworld]

Users need to use buttons to change settings all the time as the screen is only used for auto-focus touch. The screen is not able to change the settings by touch as Canon R10 or ZV-10 m2 touch screen can.

[@btonelli]

@@ghalibsworld yes you can change settings on the screen like all Nikon cameras

[@countrylapi9245]

Nice review. I wish they would have released this simultaneously with a true D500 replacement so we could stop wasting our time trying to see if it will work… pass

[@btonelli]

Doesn’t seem like something Nikon would do to be honest. One camera at a time

[@r.s.w.k4569]

Sensor trash. You can’t put out a freaking 1.5x crop at 60fps for a camera that already has 1.5x crop sensor. That means anytime you wanna shoot at 60fps, your 35mm lens becomes a 76mm telephoto lens. Literally unusable.

[@ruff1draft]

As much as I love this Nikon Z50 Mark 2 I might actually buy it to go alongside my Nikon D5500 and my future Nikon D5600, Nikon D750, Nikon D780. The only thing I do not like about the Nikon Z50 Mark 2 is the placement of the SD Card Slot. As the Nikon D5500 has the SD Card Slot at the side instead of where the battery is and the Nikon D5500 has 24 Megapixals instead of the 20 Megapixal the Nikon Z50 Mark 2 has. They could have put in a 28 Megapixal inside the Nikon Z50 Mark 2. I am actually looking forward to seeing what Nikon does with the Nikon Z5 Mark 2.

[@xmeda]

No IBIS in 2024 is disgusting. That should be standard for every camera since 2006.

[@Photojouralist123]

Trumped them 😅I got it

[@btonelli]

@@Photojouralist123 hahaha I recorded this before yesterday!

[@Photojouralist123]

@ I love those bags hmm wonder if KL has them

[@btonelli]

@ not sure. They sent them to me from Germany

[@Photojouralist123]

@ ah I see cool bag 💼

[@smileinurhand]

I have been a fan of Nikon until have the Sony a7Riii. I was expecting more updates in Z50ii. But it is a very old sensor & without IBIS 👎. There are nothing improvement in dynamic range.

[@starbase218]

Tell me which camera with a new and fast sensor has improved DR over an older equivalent sensor?

[@prakashg.4698]

@@starbase218 Sony 5600. It has more DR. IBS.

[@JPCl]

​@@prakashg.4698 The D7200 has almost a stop more dynamic range than the A6500, a camera that's 2 years older than the Sony.

[@pc1234asdf]

Nikon needs to drop a zf monochrome

[@btonelli]

Would be nice but I think it maybe too niche to make for them.

[@Phoyographer]

Zf is already a MonoCrome camera

[@btonelli]

@ has the setting for Black and White but not pure Monochrome like the M11M from Leica

[@budthecyborg4575]

The Z50II just makes an even better argument for the Canon R7. Yes it's $300 more (currently), but you get top spec AF and IBIS, double battery life, dual card slots, etc. The R7 is actually a professional body and an amazing value, Nikon is charging too much for the Z50II.

[@JohanTalk]

But then you're close to the z6iii with its, top spec AF and IBIS, double battery life, dual card slots, etc The Z6iii is actually a professional body and an amazing value, Canon is charging too much for the r7.

[@budthecyborg4575]

@@JohanTalk Z6III is a full $1,000 more expensive, Canon is charging just 30% more money to get the full professional feature set, Nikon wants a whopping 130% more money. R7 is hands down the best value in photography today.

[@davidf6326]

@@budthecyborg4575 30%?! Maybe in your region. Here in the UK the R7 is 70% more than the Z50II, so they're not even in the same ballpark. Comparing the R7 to the Z6III isn't realistic either - the latter is full frame.

[@davidf6326]

$300 more?! Where? In the UK it's £600 more!

[@budthecyborg4575]

@@davidf6326 The R7 is £1,124 on Amazon UK.

[@johnleftwich627]

No IBIS. Just use lenses that have IBIS. Problem solved.

[@btonelli]

@@johnleftwich627 if you can find options outside of the very few that have it

[@yttean98]

For 2024, the sensor in this model is already "Old"(8 yrs old, ref: from Petapixel YT channel) for what it is, you did not mention. Nikon selling it at 2024 price.

[@btonelli]

Processors are more important than sensors. The Expeed 7 processor gives this camera features above and beyond that of the Z50. Some people get too hung up on “sensors” but that’s not what makes the cameras performance better necessarily.

[@Ben_Stewart]

I would still buy it if it had the old IMX071 (D5100\D7000) sensor in it. 16 MP would be great for low light.

[@btonelli]

@ this sensor does pretty well in low light

[@starbase218]

The sensor is old, but since about 2014, sensors haven’t been getting any better regarding DR and noise. So if you can live with the resolution and the slower readout (non-stacked), it’s actually not really a problem. The resolution is sort of a tricky thing. You always think more = better. But the difference between 20.9 and say 24 is very, very small. And as it probably doesn’t have an AA filter, I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s sharper than the Z6 III (which does).

[@RobustArid379]

BMW

[@АнтонБ-в4к]

Blah, blah, blah... Cool autofocus - where are the examples?

[@lisab8078]

Too expensive where I live for what it is, no way someone will or should buy this over canon or sony.

[@mainmain5303]

This is not a "very fast sensor". WTF!

[@btonelli]

The readout and with the improved processor is much better than before. Try it out and see. Just because it’s the same megapixel doesn’t mean it’s the same exact sensor

[@pc1234asdf]

Dude, for "product review " AF the whole point is to not have to put something in front of your face to block it.

[@btonelli]

@@pc1234asdf that’s why I showed the small blue elephant as it demonstrated how it locked on versus something larger. With subject detection it would still look for the eyes and face.

[@eltinjones4542]

I'm bored

[@Stop-All-War]

📸 Only 20mp & no ibis Come on Nikon, weak upgrades..