Big test Nikon Z 50II
Big test
PRICE: £849
NIKON.CO.UK
If you’re looking for a great-value hybrid boasting impressive photo and video skills, Nikon’s latest APS-C format camera could be your dream machine
having a strong hybrid presence, Nikon faces stiff competition, but on paper the Z 50II looks promising; so let’s dig deeper into what it offers. The Z 50II’s list of headline features, considering its price point, is impressive. Its APS-C sensor offers 20.9-megapixel resolution and it is capable of shooting full-width 4K/30p video and JPEG stills at up to 30fps. It also uses the Expeed 7 image processor, the same engine found in the top-end Z 8 and Z 9 models. Its physical qualities are also promising, with a fully articulating touchscreen, a super-bright EVF, advanced subject recognition AF and an interesting button on the top-plate that sits in front of the rear input dial. This is the Picture Control button; one push brings up a range of image profiles you can call up to match the picture situation. Picture modes and creative filters on digital cameras aren’t new, and some brands have made more of them than others. Fujifilm for example, with its rich heritage as a film manufacturer, offers Film Simulation modes – and its two latest launches feature a dedicated dial for quick application of these profiles. The Z 50II’s dedicated Picture Control button gives easy access to 31 settings. These include the usual image profiles like Standard, Vivid and Landscape, as well as 20 creatively named options such as Somber, Silence, Melancholic and Sunday. While some are more
WORDS & IMAGES BY WILL CHEUNG
THE Z 50 WAS announced back in autumn 2019 and, ever since then, Nikon has introduced eight full- frame cameras but only two APS-C models. I’m not one for jumping to conclusions, but from that evidence it seems Nikon’s priorities do not lie with the APS-C format – though the arrival of the Z 50II might indicate a shift. With its £849 body-only price tag and hybrid-orientated feature set, the Z 50II targets content creators and image makers seeking a more engaging and higher-quality alternative to smartphones. With Fujifilm, Panasonic and Sony all
TOP OF THE SHOTS On top, find a mode dial with PSAM options, also including user- configurable settings
GO NUTS Bird subject detection AF was used, and the AF box sat on the squirrel’s eye. Captured with the Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR zoom at 220mm
Issue 120 | Photography News 19
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