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    Industry News: Nikon announces the Nikon Z50 APS-C mirrorless camera body & DX Z-mount lenses

    By 34 Comments7 Mins Read Industry News
    nikonz50 728x462 - Industry News: Nikon announces the Nikon Z50 APS-C mirrorless camera body & DX Z-mount lenses

    MELVILLE, NY (October 10, 2019 at 12:01 A.M. EDT) – Today, 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. The new Nikon Z 50 takes full advantage of Nikon’s larger Z mount, providing creators of all types with the most innovative optical system for superior image and video quality. The compact and lightweight Nikon Z 50 was made for unique individuals seeking a camera that has the speed, portability and style to keep pace and share their creative storytelling and imagination, especially when paired with the new ultra-compact 16-50mm zoom and the slim 50-250mm telephoto zoom lenses.


    “The new Nikon Z 50 is a small yet capable camera that brings the best of the Nikon Z series to all kinds of creators to discover, share and engage,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. “The new NIKKOR Z DX lenses expands the Nikon Z series to provide new creative tools for those looking to take their photo and video passions to new heights.”

    When a sudden case of jet-set wanderlust strikes, or if there’s an idea that just has to be shared in 4K video, the Nikon Z 50 is the unobtrusive companion that promises to help deliver content that truly stands out. 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 new Z 50 offers an ergonomic design, intuitive operability and the steadfast reliability Nikon is known for, but in a slimmer, lightweight and attainable body. Taking advantage of the Nikon Z mount, the Z 50 produces stunning image quality and provides optimal performance for any type of content creation, from still photography to high-quality 4K video.

    SMALL ON SIZE, BIG ON FUN: The easy-to-carry, compact and lightweight 14-oz body of the Nikon Z 50 is designed with intuitive controls and an agile yet durable magnesium alloy frame. It’s effortless to carry while vlogging a vacation, hiking the backcountry or exploring a new part of town. Since it’s mirrorless, users can activate the silent shutter function for truly low-profile shooting in sensitive situations.

    TELL YOUR STORY, BEAUTIFULLY: A DX-format 20.9-megapixel CMOS sensor delivers superior image quality, sharpness, color and tones to document it all, even in low light. The EXPEED 6 image-processing engine helps to achieve excellent low-light performance and the highest standard sensitivity in its class1 for still-image shooting – ISO 51,200 – so users can capture high-resolution photos in challenging lighting conditions, like concerts or night street photography.

    HIGH-SPEED PERFORMANCE: 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 fast 11 fps (with AF/AE) continuous shooting, users can keep up with fleeting moments and never miss a moment of the action.

    FLIP-DOWN SELFIE SCREEN: The Nikon Z 50 features an easy to use interface with a 3.2-inch flip-down LCD touchscreen that’s ideal for selfies and vlogging. The LCD features familiar soft keys and icons, while intuitive controls make storytelling simple. 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 flattering photos and videos without worry of accidentally changing settings.

    EPIC VIDEO FEATURES AND NEW CREATIVE OPTIONS: Sharp, vibrant 4K video is just the beginning – Experience built in 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.

    SHARE BETTER CONTENT, INSTANTLY: Built-in Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth connectivity along with support for the new SnapBridge2 version 2.6 app allows users to seamlessly share still images and videos with friends, families and followers. In addition to automatically sending gorgeous images to one’s phone, users now also have the ability to easily transfer video to their smart device quickly. The latest version of SnapBridge also supports RAW image transfer and advanced remote capture functions.

    THE NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR & NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR – NEXT GENERATION DX-FORMAT NIKKOR LENSES

    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, striking the balance of small size and sharp optics. 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, from beautiful landscapes to candid portraits. 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 the superior design flexibility made possible by the large-diameter and the 16mm flange focal distance to deliver outstanding optical performance and sharpness in a deceptively compact form factor.

    In addition to achieving incredible image quality, the new NIKKOR Z DX lenses are optimized for video capture when paired with the Z 50, making them must-haves for emerging content creators. 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 stops3 and 5.0 stops3, respectively.

    Beyond these two new lenses, Nikon Z 50 users can enjoy greater variety in imaging expression by mounting any of the current lenses in the NIKKOR Z lineup. A vast selection of traditional F-Mount NIKKOR lenses is also available to shooters via the Mount Adapter FTZ, with many lenses retaining functions such as VR and AF.

    Price and Availability

    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.

    For more information on the latest Nikon products, including the new Nikon Z 50, NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR, NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR and the full Nikon Z mount system, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

    1. The maximum sensitivity available with movie recording is ISO 25600.
    2. For information regarding smart device compatibility and to download the appropriate app for the Nikon cameras with Wi-Fi capability built-in, NFC capability built-in, and/or Bluetooth capability built-in, please visit nikonsnapbridge.com. Please Note: Nikon cameras having Bluetooth built-in can only be used with a compatible smart device with Bluetooth 4.0 or later (i.e., a smart device that supports Bluetooth Smart Ready/Low Energy).
    3. Measured in accordance with CIPA standards. When a mirrorless camera equipped with an APS-C size image sensor is used. Measured at the maximum telephoto position.

    *SRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.

    Some of our articles may include affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

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    34 comments

    4. Better specs in almost everything but the mount and lens as well.
      Sigma is going to make lenses for Ef-M mount so thats also an advantage for Canon apart from decent primes which Canon themselves are selling. Also it will take atleast 2-3 years before there are good crop Z mount lenses made by either Nikon or 3rd party makers.
    5. Sigma is going to make lenses for Ef-M mount so thats also an advantage for Canon apart from decent primes which Canon themselves are selling. Also it will take atleast 2-3 years before there are good crop Z mount lenses made by either Nikon or 3rd party makers.
      i'd still prefer the upgradibility of using the full frame z lenses.

      My same argument applies to canon making an rf mount aps-c. (insert ob canon "Please take the M6ii internals and place them in a R body, or even an RP body, add a bit more buffer and call it a day") edit: (and take my money!!!)
    6. My same argument applies to canon making an rf mount aps-c. (insert ob canon "Please take the M6ii internals and place them in a R body, or even an RP body, add a bit more buffer and call it a day") edit: (and take my money!!!)
      For use with which lenses?
    7. Quite funny how Canon M6 II looks better than Z50 even with optional viewfinder.
      I was thinking the same thing. I use a 5DIV, but would rather use a M6II with detachable EVF for portability. Plus it has the 32 MP in a new sensor.
    10. EF, EF-S, RF lenses and (future) RF Aps-C lenses.
      Which RF lenses?

      What is the actual market for a crop camera now for use with future, not yet even announced lenses?

      What is the selling point compared to an EF-S or an EF-M mount camera?
    11. EF, EF-S, RF lenses and (future) RF Aps-C lenses.
      Exactly, all of the above. I would use my adapter for the 18-135 ef-s standard lens to start unless they came out with a wider full frame 'kit' than the current 24-105 f4. I'd then continue to use it with the 70-200 2.8 ef, along with a few ef primes. But I could then start working on buying r mount lenses, especially when they release the f4 versions and 1.8 primes that seem like they will be coming out next year.

      I'll buy and reach for the occasional expensive lens category. I also would probably consider buying a full frame body in the future, but would want the aps-c for sports. I almost bought a 6dmii but decided to wait a bit. I rented a R and loved it, decided mirrorless is my future as well, i just want to wait for aps-c for my primary shooting (bmx and other bike racing).
    12. i'd still prefer the upgradibility of using the full frame z lenses.

      My same argument applies to canon making an rf mount aps-c. (insert ob canon "Please take the M6ii internals and place them in a R body, or even an RP body, add a bit more buffer and call it a day") edit: (and take my money!!!)

      I think in a couple years we'll see an RPII that's full frame and exceeds the 90D for specs while matching the cost. I'm becoming more and more convinced that there's no future for APS-C RF.
    13. "Unlike its full-frame siblings, the Nikon Z50 lacks any physical form of dust reduction for its sensor, instead relying on the ability to capture a dust-off reference photo which can then be used to remove dust from your images automatically in software for as long as the dust particles predominantly remain in the same locations."

      Ye gods!
      I think in a couple years we'll see an RPII that's full frame and exceeds the 90D for specs while matching the cost. I'm becoming more and more convinced that there's no future for APS-C RF.
      To exceed the specs of the 90D, that RPII would have to have an 80+ Mpx sensor and an OVF. There is a real niche for high density sensors and OVFs, and the 90D fits it really nicely. If it sells well, we'll see more of them - cameras that combine the best of mirrorless and mirrored.
    15. i'd still prefer the upgradibility of using the full frame z lenses.

      My same argument applies to canon making an rf mount aps-c. (insert ob canon "Please take the M6ii internals and place them in a R body, or even an RP body, add a bit more buffer and call it a day") edit: (and take my money!!!)
      If that's your argument, that's about it.

      I have an M5 and completely enjoy it. No real limitations, because I have a 5DS, EOS R and 5D mk ii which really open the real door to the main event of shooting.
    16. good of them not to introduce a new mount just for cropped sensors on top of the already disruptive switch to Z. All the full frame Z glass will just mount w/o clunky adapters and even "crop mode" should work on full frame bodies using cropped sensor glass. In other words: how it should be because you're in the same lens system so you shouldn't be expected to rebuy all your glass for cropped or full frame. If you're already taking the plunge and going or did invest in mirrorless, your Z lenses should just mount regardless of which Nikon Z body you own.
    17. All the full frame Z glass will just mount w/o clunky adapters and even "crop mode" should work on full frame bodies using cropped sensor glass.
      The flipside to that is that each lens you put on your compact camera is now 8mm wider than if you used a APS-C specific mount like Canon Ef-m (And Sony E :LOL:).

      The EOS M system is the most efficient way to get small and light. The Nikon APS-C mirrorless offering already makes a compromise in that regard due to the mount.
    18. I seem to recall, but my memory may have failed, that there was a recent list of optimal flange diameters for lens design and the EF-M was particularly good. Perhaps someone can dig it up.
    19. I seem to recall, but my memory may have failed, that there was a recent list of optimal flange diameters for lens design and the EF-M was particularly good. Perhaps someone can dig it up.

      www.canonnews.com

      Canon's EOS-M mount is the best designed mount, according to Fujifilm

      In a presentation at the X system summit, Fujifilm came up with Value Angle. In essence, the value angle takes the mount's flange distance and the size of the mount against the size of the sensor. All three of those parameters define how easy or hard it is to design lenses. The formula of...
      www.canonnews.com

      Look at Sony all alone at the bottom of the list... Their fans always have some excuse for their (relatively) lousy mount though, even though it was clearly never designed for full frame sensors. Unsurprisingly, it does have a very good APS-C score.

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