Nikon Z50 Nikon - Z50II Mirrorless Camera Two Lens Kit with Review
The Nikon Z50 II is a capable camera trapped in a body that feels a generation behind. It takes lovely photos, but the lack of in-body stabilization and a flip screen holds it back.
Overview
The Nikon Z50 II is a solid camera that gets the basics right, but it's not the most exciting choice in 2024. The one thing you need to know is that it's a reliable, no-frills APS-C mirrorless camera that feels like it's playing catch-up. It takes great photos with lifelike colors, and the two-lens kit gives you a lot of flexibility right out of the box. But when you look at the competition, it's hard to ignore what you're missing for the price.
Performance
The sensor is the star here, landing in the 77th percentile. Photos have fantastic detail and color straight out of camera, which is a huge plus. What surprised me was how average everything else feels. The autofocus is in the 44th percentile, and it's fine for casual use, but it's not the lightning-fast system you get from Sony or Canon. The lack of in-body stabilization really hurts for video, even with electronic VR.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Excellent image quality and color science from that 20.9MP sensor. 96th
- The two-lens kit (16-50mm & 50-250mm) is a genuinely useful starting point for beginners. 95th
- Simple, intuitive menu system that's easy to learn. 95th
- Solid 4K/60p video is a strong feature for the price point. 95th
Cons
- No in-body image stabilization (IBIS) is a major drawback in 2024.
- Build quality is in the 2nd percentile. It feels plasticky and not weather-sealed.
- The fixed rear screen is a pain for vlogging or creative angles.
- Autofocus is competent but lags behind rivals like the Sony a6400.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Sensor
| Type | CMOS |
| Size | APS-C |
| Megapixels | 20.9 |
| ISO Range | 100 |
| Processor | EXPEED 7 |
Autofocus
| AF Points | 231 |
| AF Type | Yes |
| Eye AF | Yes |
Shooting
| Burst (Mechanical) | 30 |
| Max Shutter | 1/4000 |
| Electronic Shutter | Yes |
Video
| Max Resolution | 4K |
Display & EVF
| Screen Size | 3.2 |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Articulating | Yes |
| EVF Resolution | 2360000 |
Build
| Weight | 0.5 kg / 1.2 lbs |
Connectivity
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| USB | USB-C |
| HDMI | Yes |
| Hot Shoe | Yes |
Value & Pricing
At $1397 for the two-lens kit, it's a tough sell. You're paying a premium for the Nikon name and the lens bundle, but the camera body itself feels dated. For the same money, you can get cameras with better autofocus, stabilization, and build quality.
Price History
vs Competition
You have to look at the Sony a6400 and the Fujifilm X-S20. The Sony a6400 is cheaper, has vastly superior real-time tracking autofocus, and a flip-up screen perfect for vloggers. The Fujifilm X-S20 is a bit more expensive but smokes the Z50 II with in-body stabilization, better video features, and Fuji's classic film simulations. The Z50 II's main advantage is its included telephoto lens, but if you're serious about growing, you'll outgrow its limitations fast.
| Spec | Nikon Z50 Nikon - Z50II Mirrorless Camera Two Lens Kit with | Sony a6700 Sony a6700 Mirrorless Camera with 16-50mm | Canon EOS R6 Canon EOS R6 Mark II Body | OM System OM-3 OM SYSTEM OM-3 Mirrorless Camera | Fujifilm X-T5 FUJIFILM X-T5 Mirrorless Camera with 16-55mm f/2.8 | Panasonic LUMIX GH7 Panasonic LUMIX GH7 Mirrorless Camera with 12-35mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Sensor | 20.9MP APS-C | 26MP APS-C | 24.2MP Full Frame | 22.9MP Micro Four Thirds | 40.2MP APS-C | 26.5MP Micro Four Thirds |
| AF Points | 231 | 759 | 1000 | 1053 | 425 | 315 |
| Burst FPS | 30 | 11 | 40 | 120 | 15 | 75 |
| Video | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K | 6K | 5K |
| IBIS | false | true | true | true | true | true |
| Weather Sealed | false | false | false | false | false | false |
| Weight (g) | 549 | 408 | 590 | 408 | 476 | 726 |
Verdict
I can only recommend the Nikon Z50 II to a very specific person: someone who values Nikon's color science above all else, wants two lenses immediately, and doesn't care about advanced video or a rugged build. For everyone else, especially travelers or content creators, the competition offers more modern features and better value. Look at the Sony a6400 for autofocus or the Fujifilm X-S20 for stabilization first.