Nikon Releases The Z 50 Mirrorless Camera
Nikon Inc. announced the next Z series mirrorless camera, the DX-format Nikon Z 50, along with two new companion NIKKOR Z lenses, the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR and NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR.
This is Nikon’s first DX-format mirrorless camera, delivering a more compact lightweight system to those upgrading to mirrorless or discovering the Nikon Z mount system. The Z 50 offers an ergonomic design, a lightweight 14-oz body designed with a durable magnesium alloy frame.
The camera has a DX-format 20.9-megapixel CMOS sensor and an EXPEED 6 image-processing engine for low-light performance and high sensitivity for still-image shooting – ISO 51,200.
The camera quickly locks focus with a 209-point Hybrid AF System that enables broad coverage of approximately 87% of the frame horizontally and 85% vertically. It’s also the first Nikon DX-format camera to employ Eye-Detection AF, which makes portrait photography simple by recognizing and instantly focusing on a subject’s eyes, even if they are moving. What’s more, with 11 fps (with AF/AE) continuous shooting, users can keep up with fleeting moments.
The Nikon Z 50 features an easy to use interface with a 3.2-inch flip-down LCD touchscreen. The LCD features familiar soft keys and icons, along with controls for storytelling. Selfie Mode automatically disables all but essential controls while the LCD is flipped down, which makes it easy for the photographer to turn the camera on themselves and capture photos and videos without worry of accidentally changing settings.
The camera supports shooting of 4K video, 120p slow-motion, time-lapse and interval timer as well as in-camera video trimming and 20 Creative Picture Controls. These Creative Picture Controls and Special Effect modes instantly transform an image or video footage, while Scene Modes automatically adjust settings to optimize performance for beginners. For smooth footage, the camera also incorporates additional built in stabilization while shooting Full HD or 4K video.
Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity along with support for the new SnapBridge version 2.6 app allows users to share still images and videos with friends, families and followers. In addition to automatically sending images to one’s phone, users now also have the ability to transfer video to their smart device quickly. The latest version of SnapBridge also supports RAW image transfer and advanced remote capture functions.
The new NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm standard zoom and the NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm telephoto zoom lenses are designed to complement the new Z 50. The NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens is a slim zoom lens that lets users capture a wide variety of scenes. The compact telephoto NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR lens allows anyone to go the extra distance and capture far-away subjects, like city skylines or birds in flight. When paired with the new lenses, Dual Detect Optical VR is enabled on the Z 50 to help control the effects of camera shake when shooting.
Both the new NIKKOR Z DX lenses unleash the potential of the Nikon Z mount, using a large-diameter and the 16mm flange focal distance.
The new NIKKOR Z DX lenses are also optimized for video capture when paired with the Z 50. Both lenses promise reduced focus breathing, a customizable control ring for smooth control of aperture or exposure compensation, as well as fast and quiet operation. Additionally, the new lenses offer in-lens optical Vibration Reduction (VR) technology to allow for smooth recording, with camera shake compensation equivalent to 4.5 stops and 5.0 stops, respectively.
The Nikon Z 50 will be available in November 2019, in several configurations including body-only for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $859.95, a one-lens kit with the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens for a SRP of $999.95 or a two-lens kit with both the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR and NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR lenses for a SRP of $1349.95.
Tech Specs
- Effective Pixels (Megapixels): 20.9 million
- Sensor Size: 23.5 mm x 15.7 mm
- Image Sensor Format: DX
- Storage Media: SD (Secure Digital) and UHS-I compliant SDHC and SDXC memory cards
- Top Continuous Shooting Speed at Full Resolution: 11 frames per second
- ISO Sensitivity: ISO 100 - 51,200 in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, can also be set to approx. 1 or 2 EV (ISO 204,800 equivalent) above ISO 51,200; auto ISO sensitivity control available
- Movie:
- 4K UHD 3,840x2,160 / 30 fps
- 4K UHD 3,840x2,160 / 25 fps
- 4K UHD 3,840x2,160 / 24 fps
- Full HD 1,920x1,080 / 120 fps
- Full HD 1,920x1,080 / 100 fps
- Full HD 1,920x1,080 / 60 fps
- Full HD 1,920x1,080 / 50 fps
- Full HD 1,920x1,080 / 30 fps
- Full HD 1,920x1,080 / 25 fps
- Full HD 1,920x1,080 / 24 fps
- Full HD 1,920x1,080 slow-mo / 30 fps x4
- Full HD 1,920x1,080 slow-mo / 25 fps x4
- Full HD 1,920x1,080 slow-mo / 24 fps x5
- Monitor Size: 3.2 in. diagonal
- Monitor Type: Tilting TFT, Touch-Sensitive LCD
- Battery / Batteries: One EN-EL25 rechargeable Li-ion battery
- Approx. Dimensions (Width x Height x Depth): 5.0 in. (126.5 mm) x 3.7 in. (93.5 mm) x 2.4 in. (60 mm)
- Approx. Weight:
14.0 oz.
(395 g)