Nikon Z50II - APSC with Pro Grade Auto Focus?

The Z50ii brings a bunch of features that were previously only available on high end full frame cameras - including the processor! But it is still something short of a pro level APSC in my opinion - we still need a D500 replacement. Dual card slots? Hello!

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TIMELINE
00:00 Welcome
00:14 Intro
01:31 First shoot
02:00 retouching
02:38 Best APSC lens
03:33 Trade offs
04:53 Lingerie Shoot
05:55 Customising Camera
07:08 Autofocus
07:50 Focus Tracking
08:57 Pre Release Capture
09:38 New EVF
10:15 Video SPECS
13:15 New Features
14:20 Product Review Mode
14:57 IO Connections
16:40 Rear Screens
17:28 Image review
18:00 Conclusion

[bradtrounson]

Thanks for the review Matt. I don’t think the camera reviewed here however can be seriously compared to the D500. It’s a problem for Nikon if they want to compel wildlife photographers and the like towards the mirrorless range. Another concern that I have is also battery life. A D500 with a grip actually has more than enough power to take over 10000 photos with a healthy amount of power left over. I actually did this at an airshow.

[wilkbor]

I'm happy to see that Nikon has updated the Z50. The second version does have some important upgrades from the original, which I own. However, given its features and price point, it's still a mid-range crop sensor camera. There is room in Nikon's lineup there is room for another higher-end model. Let's call it a Z80 or Z90, which could compete with the likes of the Panasonic S9 or Fuji XH2s.

[nickrotgolts]

Although most Nikon lenses do not have VR, except for a few slow APSC zooms, they haven't included IBIS in the new Z50. And I suspect they don't plan to make any new fast zooms or prime lenses with VR for APC. That's a pity

[Endowpictures]

the pictures are amazing, very beautiful

[josefmazzeo]

Great honest review Matt. When the D500 was released back in the day, it sold quite well. That camera was a beast. Today 10 years later I don't know if APSC still holds the same advantages, EXCEPT for maybe wildlife shooters looking to extend their "reach" (really just a crop, but a full sensor crop). If Nikon could pull off a robust pro APSC version of the Z8 and maybe with further improvements, they might address a niche and a good following and resulting sales. However, that would be a totally different market than the Z50/Z50ii addresses. There was once a cost advantage for shooters that couldn't afford a full frame body, but that gap has long closed.

[jburroughs]

Great review. Thanks. Lots of folks are trying to compare this to the D500 and this is not the replacement. Yes it has the same sensor and the FPS is close to that of the D500 but this is truly a consumer based camera. I compare it to the D3000 or D5000 series of cameras. This is what we in the US will soon find at stores like Walmart, Target, Sam’s Club or Costco. Why this camera before say a Z90 or true D500 replacement? Simple answer is “volume”. Nikon needs to sell a lot of these cameras like they did with the D3000 and D5000 series. The D500 was and still is great but the number of pros who want it is dwarfed by the number of consumers who just want something better than a cellphone. I just wish it had IBIS but I know they wanted to keep the price as low as possible. The D500 replacement will come one day. Nikon needs to build up their bank account again since they bought Red. 😊

[goldfries]

No way this would be a D500 replacement, the build quality is no where close to that of a D500.

[CloverPhotoandVideo]

Everybody complaining about the lack of IBIS, second card slot, etc., is missing the fact that the target market seems to be people wanting something better than their cell phones. Nikon says this right on the homepage for the Z50II on their website, as they are targeting people who are looking to move up from their cell phone ("Go Beyond Your Phone"). The target audience never heard of IBIS and will likely just buy one or two kit lenses, which have VR. IBIS would bring the cost up to more than $1, 000, whiich Nikon probably didn't want to do, and increase the size. We may, at some point, see a D500 replacement, but it will be much more expensive than this camera. That being said, a camera that sells for less than $1, 000, with autofocus similar to a Z9 or Z8, is a pretty good deal as it certainly replicates some of the best features of the D500 (autofocus). People who enjoy taking photos of birds will appreciate features like Pre Capture, a fast processor, an advanced focusing system in a DX camera, and small size.

[AndrewDaughtry]

I'd say a follow up video comparing this, the zf and the zfc cameras would be helpful for making a new purchasing decision

[petrduchac]

I am afraid that there is no worthy mirrorless APS-C successor of D500 and people were asking for one all the brands not just Nikon...

[starbase]

I went from APS-C (D7100) to FF (D750). I could step down to APS-C again, but then I want good lenses for it like an f/2.8 standard zoom. Plus I’d probably want IBIS. So Nikon unfortunately doesn’t cater to my wishes.

I actually don’t care that much about sensor size. I’m using f/4 zooms on FF where I used f/2.8 zooms on crop. I know FF has a DR advantage but that’s only really relevant for things like landscape work. Which I sometimes do, but not enough to find it that important. The only other use case is tele work, i.e. for wildlife, where the extra reach is very welcome versus a 20-24MP FF body like the Z6 III (my longest lens is 400mm). The other option is getting a Z8 and using it in crop mode, which is a bit of a waste if you only use it for wildlife. But then I don’t do that either, so…

What I’m saying is that, at least to me, it’s an ecosystem choice, much more than an “I want APS-C” or “I want FF” choice; what I want depends on the ecosystem.

[Stop-All-War]

💡 20mp old sensor reused, zero IBIS
Sad to see Nikon half hearted 'upgrades'

[WarriorsPhoto]

Good point about APS-C. 😊

I didn’t think about this.

[feelingaLittleRandy___Gregg]

I am wondering what is the camera being used to film Matt when he is sitting in the " corner library" setting on set.(side bar the corner library was a refreshing natural and real setting vs the traditional YouTubers "home studio" look). At any rate that camera is focusing on the wine bottles to his left and back, and is not focusing on his face.

[DogsCatandMore]

Thank you for making this initial review video. Your video is the first Z50 II video I choose to watch; among all the YouTube videos came post embargo. Thanks for the informative quick review! Having D500 as my main camera right now, Z50 II does not motivate me to switch (Z6 III on the other hand did get me to start thinking about it). However, for a while, I have been thinking about picking up a D5600/D5500 for a light travel kit. Now I think Z50 II would fit that use case quite well. As for D500 replacement, well, the day when Nikon releases an APS-C Z camera with EN-EL15c (or whatever battery that's in Z6), along with a comparable kit lens as 16-80 f2.8-4, I will know that's probably time D500 replacement has arrived. And I trust Nikon will appropriately flow down the feature contents from the flagship camera (so far, every camera released since Z9 has been more than I expected for the price, this Z50 II is no exception).

[robwurns]

Stirling, review outstanding
summation thank you so much for your huge time and efforts and sharing your thoughts! Z90 hopefully will be released as flagship replacement for d500

[瀧君-vh]

I have repeatedly confirmed that the CMOS of the Z50II is still an old model from five years ago. Although it has many new features, just like if you want to buy an e-sports computer, the new computer has many new features, but its graphics card is Five years ago. It is unknown whether the other components are old models, but CMOS is 100% responsible for determining the imaging, and other components only assist in improving performance.

[peterzpictstube]

With the growth of the body it would have been a real winner if they were able to squeeze a IBIS system into it. Resolution growth is really hitting the point of diminishing returns.

[lcador]

The lack of IBIS is a serious disadvantage for sport and wildlife shooters as well as soccer mom types. Stability in video mode is very poor in this video. Sure you get what you pay for but Nikon continues to not provide the higher priced cropped option that so many have been demanding. I for one am tired of waiting!

[christopherleonard]

Hi Matt, I hear what your saying about why Nikon wouldn't invest further into APS-c cameras if theres no sales. But in the same token, why do I want to spend my money on APS-c camera that doesn't have things i want like dual cards slots and ibis