Recording Features
Connections
Play, Print and Edit Features
Battery Information
Software
Included Lens

Recording Features

Overview: The Nikon Z50II mirrorless digital camera can produce stunning 20.9-megapixel still images and broadcast quality 4K video. The camera has the Nikon Z mount, and is compatible with Z-mount NIKKOR lenses. With the Mount Adapter FTZ II, you can use F-mount NIKKOR lenses. This kit includes the Z50II camera body, with a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery pack, plus the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens.

Image Sensor: The Z50II is equipped with a DX-format, 23.5 x 15.7mm CMOS image sensor with 20.9 million effective pixels (and 21.51 million total pixels). The Nikon DX format sensor has a native 3:2 aspect ratio, and allows photographers to take advantage of the familiar perspective characteristics of 35mm film photography. You can choose to shoot in the DX format (24 x 16), or switch to 1:1 (16 x 16), or 16.9 (24 x 14).

Still Image Size/Quality: The Z50II records still images in JPEG, HEIF, and NEF* (RAW) formats. It can also record in both NEF (RAW) + JPEG formats simultaneously. JPEG images can set to fine (1:4 compression), normal (1:8), or basic (1:16) image quality. Depending upon the selected format (image area), you can choose from the following image sizes:

Movies: The camera can record movies in MOV format (H.265 10-bit and H.265 8-bit) with Linear PCM audio and MP4 format (H.264 8-bit) with AAC audio. Audio is recorded using the built-in stereo microphone, or an external stereo microphone (connected via the provided 3.5mm mic jack). You can choose from the following frame size and frame rates:

• 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD): 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p
• 1920 x 1080: 120p, 100p, 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p
• 1920 x 1080 Slow Motion: 30p (x4), 25p (x4), 24p (x5)

Touch-sensitive LCD Monitor: The Nikon Z50II features 3.2-inch, 1,040,000-dot tilting TFT LCD monitor with a 170° wide viewing angle and 100% frame coverage. The monitor has an 13-level adjustable brightness control. The Z50II features a Live View that lets you use the monitor in place of the camera's viewfinder to confirm your subject and composition while shooting. The touch screen can be used to position the focus point during live view, measure a value for preset manual white balance, and for typing. During playback, you can swipe to view images, zoom in or out of images, view thumbnails, and view movies.

OLED Viewfinder: In addition to the LCD monitor, the Z50II has a 0.39", OLED electronic viewfinder with approximately 2,360,000 dots, and 100% vertical and horizontal frame coverage. It has a diopter adjustment knob so you can set the viewfinder to your personal eyesight (with or without eyeglasses). The bright and sharp viewfinder makes focusing in low-light situations possible. The viewfinder offers approximately 1.02x magnification. An eye sensor near the viewfinder automatically switches between the monitor and viewfinder as you raise or lower the camera to your eye.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: The Z50II has built-in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac, 2.4 and 5 GHz) and Bluetooth (5.0), allowing you to wirelessly connect the camera to computers, smartphones, or tablets running the SnapBridge app from Nikon. On the app, you can download pictures from the camera, or control the camera for taking pictures remotely. SnapBridge is compatible with iOS (13.0 or later) and Android (6.0 and up) devices.

Vibration Reduction: The Nikon Z50II lets you enable or disable Vibration Reduction (VR) built into a compatible lens. Vibration Reduction reduces blur caused by camera shake, allowing shutter speeds up to 4.5 stops slower than would otherwise be allowed, and increasing the range of available shutter speeds. You can apply VR while shooting still images or movies. Electronic VR is also available in video mode.

i Menu: The camera has an i button that opens a menu of frequently-used settings in the current shooting mode, including:

• Still Images Only: Image Quality, Image Size, Tone Mode, Metering, and Flash Mode
• Videos Only: Frame Size/Frame Rate, Microphone Sensitivity, Electronic VR, Wind Noise Reduction, and Product Review Mode.
• Both Still Images and Videos: Set Picture Control, White Balance, AF-area mode/subj. detection, Focus Mode, Vibration Reduction, Custom Controls, and Airplane Mode.

209-Point Autofocus System: The Z50II is equipped with a hybrid phase-detection/contrast Autofocus system with AF assist. With 209 focus points, you can select from the following AF-area modes:

• Pinpoint AF: Used for pinpoint focus on a selected spot in the frame. Recommended for shots involving static subjects, such as buildings, in-studio product photography, or close-ups.
• Single-point AF: The camera focuses on a point selected by the user. Recommended for stationary subjects.
• Dynamic-area AF: The camera focuses on a point selected by the user. The size of the area used for focus can be selected from Small, Medium, or Large.
• Wide-area AF: The camera focuses on an area selected by the user. The size of the area used for focus can be selected from Small or Large, or an area that the user can determine and save (C1 or C2) in width and height.
• 3D Tracking (photo mode)/Subject-tracking AF (video mode): Focus tracks with the selected subject as it moves.
• Auto-area AF: The camera automatically detects the subject and select the focus point.

Focus Mode:You can select from the following focus modes:

• AF-Mode Auto-Switch: The camera automatically switches between AF-S for stationary subjects and AF-C for moving subjects.
• AF-S Single AF: When shooting stationary subjects, press the shutter release halfway and the focus points turn from red to green when the subject is in focus.
• AF-C Continuous AF: When shooting moving subjects press the shutter release halfway, the camera focuses continuously. If the subject moves, the camera will predict the final distance to the subject and adjust focus as necessary.
• AF-F Full-time AF: The camera continuously adjust focus in response to subject movement or change in composition.
• MF Manual Focus: You can focus manually, and you can shoot whether the subject is in focus or not.

Release Modes: The release mode determines how the camera takes photographs. You can choose from the following shooting modes:

• Single Frame: The camera takes one photograph each time the shutter-release button is pressed
• Continuous L: While the shutter-release button is held down, the camera records 1 to 5 frames per second, as selected in the menu.
• Continuous H: While the shutter-release button is held down, the camera records continuously at up to 5.6 frames per second (9.7 fps in silent mode).
• Continuous H (Extended): While the shutter release is held down, the camera records continuously at up to about 11 frames per second (15 fps in silent mode).
• C15/C30: The camera takes photos at 15 or 30 fps respectively while the shutter-release is pressed.
• Self-Timer: You can use the self-timer for self-portraits or to reduce blurring caused by camera shake; you can set the self-timer to 2, 5, 10 or 20 seconds. You can also take between 1 and 9 photos at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, or 3 seconds.

Interval Timer Photography: The Z50II is equipped to take photographs automatically at preset intervals. Before shooting, you can choose from several options, including start time (immediately or a future date/time), interval length (from 1 second to 99:59:59), total number of shots and how many shots taken per interval, and end time. You can also choose to enable or disable Exposure Smoothing, and to enable or disable Silent Photography.

Time-lapse Movie: Like Interval Timer Shooting, you can set the camera to take a series of photos at selected intervals to create a silent time-lapse movie.

Shooting Modes: The Shooting Modes determine how the camera sets shutter speed and aperture when adjusting exposure. You can choose from the following Shooting Modes using the top-mounted Mode Dial:

• Auto: A "point-and-shoot" mode in which the camera sets exposure and hue.
• Programmed Auto (P): The camera sets shutter speed and aperture for optimal exposure according to a built-in program; recommended for snapshots and other situations in which there is little time to adjust camera settings.
• Shutter-Priority Auto (S): The user chooses the shutter speed while camera sets aperture for best results; use to freeze or blur motion. The shutter speed can be set from 30 to 1/4000 seconds.
• Aperture-Priority Auto (A): The user chooses the aperture while camera sets shutter speed for best results; use to blur background for portraits or bring both foreground and background into focus for landscape shots.
• Manual (M): The user controls both shutter the speed and aperture for complete control over exposure. In Manual mode, you can also shoot Long Time-exposures (see below).
• User Settings (U1/U2/U3): You can assign frequently-used settings to these positions for quick recall.
• Scene: You can choose from 16 scene modes which automatically optimizes the camera settings for the selected scene. After selecting Scene on the Mode Dial, you can choose the desired scene by rotating the main command dial on the top panel. The scene choices include: Portrait, Landscape, Child, Sports, Close up, Night Portrait, Night Landscape, Party/Indoor, Beach/Snow, Sunset, Dusk/Dawn, Pet Portrait, Candlelight, Blossom, Autumn Colors, and Food.

Long Time-Exposures: When the M (manual) exposure mode is selected, you can choose between two Long Time-Exposure modes: Bulb and Time. During Bulb shooting, the shutter will remain open while the shutter-release button is held down. Bulb shooting is used for long time-exposure photographs of moving lights, the stars, night scenery, or fireworks. Time exposures start when the shutter-release button is pressed on the camera or remote control. The shutter remains open until the button is pressed a second time. When shooting long time-exposures, use of a tripod and the optional ML-L7 remote control are highly recommended to prevent blur.

Exposure Compensation:You can alter the exposure from the value suggested by the camera, making pictures brighter or darker. You can adjust the exposure from -5.0 to +5.0 EV in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV in photo mode, and from -3.0 to +3.0 EV in video mode. Exposure compensation is available in P, S, A, and M modes.

Metering: The Z50II utilizes through-the-lens (TTL) metering using the camera's image sensor. You can choose one of the following metering methods:

• Matrix Metering: The camera meters a wide area of the frame and sets exposure according to tone distribution, color, distance, and composition for natural results.
• Center-weighted: The camera meters the entire frame but assigns greatest weight (75%) to the 8mm area in the center of the frame. The weighting can also be based on the average of the entire frame. The size of the center-weighted area can be adjusted, if desired.
• Spot: The camera meters inside a 3.5mm diameter circle (approximately 2.5% of frame). The circle is centered on the selected focus area, or on selected focus points.
• Highlight-weighted: The camera assigns the greatest weight to highlights to reduce loss of detail in highlights.

Multiple Exposure: This feature records a series of two to ten NEF (RAW) exposures in a single photograph. Multiple exposures can be recorded at any image quality setting, and produce results with colors noticeably better than photographs combined in an imaging application because they make use of RAW data from the camera image sensor.

White Balance: White balance is used to preserve natural colors under different types of lighting. You can choose one of the following white balance options: Auto (3 options), Natural Light Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent (3 options), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, or Shade. You can also choose a color temperature from a list of values (2500K-10000K), or manually set the white balance using the subject, light source, or existing photograph in the memory card as reference. The White Balance Fine Tuning feature allows you to compensate for variations in the color of the light source or to introduce a deliberate color cast into an image by adjusting the amber, blue, green and magenta color settings.

Bracketing: Bracketing automatically varies exposure, flash level, Active D-Lighting (ADL), or white balance slightly with each shot, "bracketing" the current value. You can set the increment to 1/3, 2/3, 1, or 1.3 EV, and the number of shots to 2, 3, 5, 7, or 9. In exposure, flash level, and ADL bracketing, multiple shots are required to complete the "bracket" as the camera will vary the settings with each shot. With white balance bracketing, the camera creates multiple copies of each photograph, each with a different white balance. Bracketing can be combined with continuous shooting or the self timer modes.

ISO Sensitivity: ISO Sensitivity is the digital equivalent of film speed. You can set the ISO Sensitivity to Auto or Manual. You can manually select settings of ISO 100 to ISO 51200 in steps of 1/3 EV or 1/2 EV. For special occasions, expanded settings of approximately 1 or 2 EV above ISO 51200 (ISO 204,800 equivalent).

Picture Controls: The camera offers nine preset Nikon Picture Controls. You can choose a Picture Control according to the subject or type of scene:

• Auto: The camera automatically adjusts hues and tones based on the Standard Picture Control. Complexions of portrait subjects are softer, and foliage and sky colors are more vivid than Standard.
• Standard: Standard processing for balanced results; recommended for most situations.
• Neutral: Minimal processing for natural results; recommended for photographs that will later be extensively processed or retouched.
• Vivid: Pictures are enhanced for a vivid, photo-print effect; recommended for photos that emphasize primary colors.
• Monochrome: Takes monochrome photographs. You can also select Flat Monochrome and Deep Tone Monochrome.
• Portrait: Process portraits for skin with natural texture and a rounded feel. Rich Tone Portrait is also an option.
• Landscape: Produces vibrant landscapes and cityscapes.
• Flat: Details are preserved over a wide tone range; good for photos that will be retouched or processed later.
• Creative Picture Controls: You can choose from the following: Dream, Morning, Pop, Sunday, Somber, Dramatic, Silence, Bleached, Melancholic, Pure, Denim, Toy, Sepia, Blue, Red, Pink, Charcoal, Graphite, Binary, and Carbon.

Color Space: The color space determines the gamut of colors available for color reproduction. You can select either sRGB for photos that will be printed or used "as is" with no further modification, or Adobe RGB for images that will be extensively processed or retouched after leaving the camera.

Active D-Lighting: Active D-Lighting preserves details in highlights and shadows, creating photographs with natural contrast. Active D-Lighting offers the following application strength levels: Auto, Extra High, High, Normal, Low, and Off.

Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS): The Z50II has a built-in pop-up flash for filling in shadows and for backlit subjects. Optional flash units can be attached to the camera's accessory shoe. The camera supports the Nikon Creative Lighting System when used with CLS-compatible flash units, such as the SB-R200, SB-300, SB-400, SB-500, SB-600, SB-700, SB-800, SB-900, SB-910, and the SB-5000 flagship flash. The following flash modes are supported: Front-curtain sync, Rear-curtain sync, Red-eye reduction, Red-eye reduction with slow sync, Slow rear-curtain sync, Slow sync, and Off.

Flash Compensation: Flash compensation is used to alter flash output from -3 EV to +1EV in increments of 1/3 EV to change the brightness of the main subject relative to the background. Flash output can be increased to make the main subject appear brighter or reduced to prevent unwanted highlights or reflections.

FV Lock: This feature is used to lock the flash output, allowing photographs to be recomposed without changing the flash level and ensuring that the flash output is appropriate to the subject even when the subject is not positioned in the center of the frame. The Flash output is adjusted automatically for any changes in ISO sensitivity and aperture.

Connections

HDMI: The camera features a micro-HDMI (Type D) output for connecting the camera to an HDTV or other high-definition video device via an optional HDMI cable. The output resolution can be set to Auto, 2160p (progressive), 1080p (progressive), 1080i (interlaced), and 720p (progressive).

USB: The Z50II has a USB-C connector. This SuperSpeed USB compatible port can be used for downloading photos to your computer, connecting the camera to a printer, USB streaming, or charging the battery while inserted in the camera. The 24" LC-E25 USB-C cable is included.

Accessory Shoe: The camera is equipped with an ISO 518 hot-shoe with sync and data contracts for mounting an optional Nikon Speedlight flash unit. When no flash is attached, the optional BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cover, sold separately by the manufacturer, can be used to protect the accessory shoe.

Microphone: The camera has a 3.5mm input for an external microphone, such as the Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone. The sensitivity of a connected external microphone can be set in the menu.

Headphone/Remote Cord: Below the mic input is a 3.5mm connector for headphones or an optional remote control. As an audio output, the connector will accept multi-pin stereo 3.5mm plugs. You can adjust the volume using back panel controls or in the menu. When the 3.5mm plug of the optional MC-DC3 Remote Cord is inserted, you can remotely release the shutter. In the menu, you can choose to configure the connector for Headphone only or Auto, allowing the camera to detect the connected device.

Play, Print and Edit Features

Auto Image Rotation: Photographs taken while Auto-rotate Pictures is set to "On" contain information on camera orientation, and allow the images to be rotated automatically during playback, or when viewed using Nikon software applications..

Playback Menu: The playback menu contains the following options:

• Delete: allows you to delete the current image or all the images in the selected folder or folders, or pictures shot on selected dates.
• Playback Folder: allows you to play back the images in the current folder, all folders created with the Z50II, or all folders on the memory card
• Display Options: choose from a list of options including focus point, first shot in a series, exposure info, highlights, RGB histogram, or shooting data.
• Picture Review: When this setting is enabled, the camera displays the image after the picture is taken. You can choose to display the image in the monitor, viewfinder, or both.
• After Delete: choose the picture displayed after an image is deleted (next, previous, continue)
• After Burst: Choose whether the camera displays the first or last photo in the burst after photos are taken using continuous release mode.
• Auto-Rotate Pictures: If On is selected, portrait photos are displayed in tall orientation during playback, and landscape photos are displayed in wide orientation.

Slide Show: A Slide Show allows you to play back images one after the other in the order recorded. You can select the type of images to display, and how long each photo will be displayed, and if audio will be played.

Full-frame/Thumbnail Playback: Still images can be shown one-at-a-time in the full frame of the LCD monitor or viewfinder. You can also view multiple pictures at a time for faster review. The number of pictures can be set to 4 (2x2 grid), nine (3x3 grid), or 72 (9x8 grid).

Playback Zoom: During single-image and thumbnail playback, you can zoom in on the selected image. You can zoom in up to 21x for large images, up to 16x for medium images, and up to 10x for small images. Once the image is enlarged, you can move it around on the LCD monitor using the multi selector.

Retouch Menu: The Retouch Menu allows you to create trimmed, resized or retouched copies of the photographs you have taken on the memory card. The Retouch Menu gives you the following editing options: NEF (RAW) processing (one or multiple photos), Trim, Resize (one or multiple photos), D-Lighting, Straighten, Distortion control, Perspective control, Monochrome, Image overlay, Lighten/Darken, and Motion Blend.

Image Comment: The camera allows you to input up to 36 characters of alphanumeric text and save it to a recorded image. The comment can be viewed in NX Studio software as metadata.

Battery Information

Battery: The Z50II is powered by the EN-EL25a Lithium-ion battery (7.6V, 1250mAh, 9.5Wh). The battery charges inside the camera in approximately 1 hours and 40 minutes via USB and either the optional EH-9P AC adapter (available from Nikon) or a third-party, USB Power Delivery (PD) AC adapter that supports an output of 27 watts (9V-3A) or more. The battery can also be removed from the camera for charging in the optional Nikon MH-32 battery charger.

Battery Endurance: With a fully charged battery, the expected battery life of the EN-EL25a is:

Software

Downloadable Software:No software is included with the Z50II. A number of software programs are available for download from Nikon, most of them free. Available Nikon software includes:

• Nikon Imaging Cloud: Nikon Imaging Cloud is a cloud service that can be used in a web browser on your computer, or on a smart device, such as your phone or tablet. Nikon Imaging Cloud allows you to upload images shot with the camera for external online storage. You can save the shooting data in your own custom recipe or a publicly-available recipe. You can also download Picture Controls and import them to the camera.
• NX Tether: This software allows you to enjoy tethered photography when the camera is connected to a computer. You can remotely adjust exposure, white balance, and other camera settings using controls in the computer display.
• NX Studio: NX Studio software lets you view and edit photos and videos shot with Nikon cameras. Use Nikon Transfer 2 to transfer pictures to your computer, and use NX Studio to adjust the brightness and contrast of your images, adjust and manage Custom Picture Controls, and convert your NEF (RAW) images to another image format.
• Wireless Transmitter Utility: Wireless Transmitter Utility software is required if the camera is being connected to a network. It lets you download your images wirelessly over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.

Mobile Applications: The SnapBridge App lets you wirelessly connect your camera to your smartphone or tablet. When connected, you can automatically download your new photos from the camera to your mobile device for viewing and sharing. Location data from your phone's GPS can be added to your photos and videos, and you can even set the camera's internal clock. The SnapBridge app also lets you adjust camera settings and remotely take pictures. SnapBridge is available from the Apple App Store, and is compatible with devices running iOS 13.0 or later. It is also available from Google Play and is compatible with Android devices running version 6.0 and up.

Included Lens

Overview: This Nikon Z50II kit includes the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR zoom lens. The lens features 11 CPU contacts on the lens mount to transfer data to and from the camera. The lens has a zoom ring for zooming in or out, and a focusing ring.

Vibration Reduction: The lens features on-board Vibration Reduction (VR), which can be enabled or disabled using the camera's controls. Vibration Reduction reduces blur caused by camera shake, allowing shutter speeds up to 4.5 stops slower than would otherwise be the case, and increasing the range of shutter speeds available.

Control Ring: The 16-50mm lens has a smooth operating Control Ring with numerous functions, depending upon the setting of the Focus Mode switch. In Autofocus mode, you can rotate the ring to adjust a setting such as Focus (M/A) or Aperture assigned using the camera. If the switch is set to M (manual), the Control Ring rotates to adjust focus.

Nikon Technologies: The included NIKKOR Z DX lens is equipped with the following Nikon technologies:

• Stepping Motor (STM): NIKKOR Z lenses incorporate a stepping motor to give you fast and accurate auto focusing. The drive system is whisper quiet, making the lens ideal for recording movies.
• Electromagnetic Diaphragm: The lens has an electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism in the lens barrel which provides accurate aperture blade control during auto exposure.
• IF Lens: NIKKOR IF lenses focus by shifting only the internal lens elements. Internal Focusing lenses do not change in size during AF operation, and are typically more compact, lightweight, and capable of closer focusing distances.
• Aspherical Lens Elements (AS)(16-50mm): Aspherical lenses are used to reduce aberrations, and enable a more compact lens size.
• Extra-low Dispersion Elements (ED): The lens features Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass lens elements, developed by Nikon to correct chromatic aberrations.
• Super Integrated Coating (SIC): The lens features a multi-layered coating of the optical elements.

Specifications: