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

Recording Features

Overview: The Z50 is the third camera in Nikon's new Z Series of mirrorless digital cameras, and the first one with a DX-format (APS-C-sized) image sensor. The Z50 can produce stunning 20.9-megapixel still images and broadcast quality 4K video. The camera has the new Nikon Z mount, and is compatible with the increasing number of Z-mount NIKKOR lenses. With an available mount adapter, you can use F-mount NIKKOR lenses. This Two Lens Kit includes the Z50 camera body, with a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery pack and a battery charger, plus the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens and the NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm 4.5-6.3 VR lens.

Image Sensor: The Z50 is equipped with a DX-format, 23.5 x 15.7mm CMOS image sensor with 20.9 million effective pixels (and 25.51 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 Z50 records still images in JPEG, TIFF, 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 with MPEG-4/H.264 advanced video coding and Linear PCM or AAC audio. Audio is recorded using the built-in stereo microphone, or an external stereo microphone (connected via the provided 3.5mm mic jack). Image quality can be set to High or Normal. The available movie options include:

Recording Media: The Z50 has a single memory card slot that can accommodate SD/SDHC/SDXC memory cards, including UHS-I-compliant SDHC and SDXC cards. Cards with a UHS Speed Class 3 or better are recommended for movie recording and playback. No memory cards are supplied with the camera.

Touch-sensitive LCD Monitor: The Nikon Z50 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 11-level adjustable brightness control. The Z50 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 Z50 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 Z50 has built-in Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11b/g/n/ac, 2.4 and 5 GHz) and Bluetooth (4.2), allowing you to wirelessly connect the camera to computers, smartphones, or tablets running the SnapBridge app. On the app, you can download pictures from the camera, record location data from your device to your photos, or control the camera for taking pictures remotely. SnapBridge is compatible with iOS (10.0 or later) and Android (5.0 and up) devices.

Vibration Reduction: The Nikon Z50 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.

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

209-Point Autofocus System: The Z50 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, Single-point AF, Dynamic-area AF, Wide-area AF (S), Wide-area AF (L), and Auto-area AF. You can choose from Single or Continuous Auto Focusing, or Manual Focusing.

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 4 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 about 5 frames per second.
• Continuous H (Extended): While the shutter release is held down, the camera records continuously at up to about 11 frames per second.
• 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 Z50 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.

Exposure Modes: The Exposure Modes determine how the camera sets shutter speed and aperture when adjusting exposure. You can choose from the following Exposure 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).
• Special Effects: Special effects can be used when shooting still images or movies. Effects include: Night Vision, Super Vivid, Pop, Photo Illustration, Toy Camera Effect, Miniature Effect, Selective Color, Silhouette, High Key, and Low Key.
• User Settings (U1/U2): 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. Exposure compensation is available in P, S, A, and M modes.

Metering: The Z50 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 (7 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.
• Portrait: Process portraits for skin with natural texture and a rounded feel.
• 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 Z50 has a built-in manual pop-up flash. 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 new flagship flash SB-5000. 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 Control: The camera supports the following Flash Control modes: TTL, Auto external flash, Distance-priority manual, Manual, and Repeating Flash.

Flash Compensation: Flash compensation is used to alter flash output from -3 EV to +1EV in increments of 1/3 EV or 1/2 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.

Streaming Webcam: Using Nikon's Webcam Utility software, you can use the camera to live stream high quality video on many of the popular video conferencing software platforms. You will need to connect the camera to your computer via the included USB cable. The camera's microphone will not capture sound, so a separate microphone is needed, plugged into the computer's microphone port. Optional accessories include a tripod or other mount, and a constant light source. The software works with many of your favorite streaming apps, including Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, Facebook Messenger, and Microsoft Teams. Nikon's Webcam Utility is compatible with Windows 10 Home, Pro, or Enterprise (64-bit only) and macOS Big Sur (Version 11), macOS Catalina (Version 10.15), macOS Mojave (Version 10.14), and macOS High Sierra (Version 10.13).

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.

USB: The Z50 has a USB Micro-B connector. This USB 2.0 high-speed compatible USB port can be used for downloading photos to your computer or connecting the camera to a printer. A 35" USB cable is included.

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.

Play, Print and Edit Features

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

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
• Playback Folder: allows you to play back the images in the current folder, all folders created with the Z50, or all folders on the memory card
• Display Options: choose from a list of options including focus point, exposure info, highlights, RGB histogram, shooting data, overview, or none.
• Image Review: When this setting is enabled, the camera displays the image on the LCD monitor after the picture is taken.
• 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.
• Rotate Tall: portrait photos are displayed in tall orientation during playback
• Slide Show: allows you to play back images one after the other in a slide-show fashion. You can select the type of images to display, and how long each photo will be displayed, and if audio will be played.
• Rating: You can rate pictures from zero to five stars, or mark them for later deletion.

Full-Frame Playback: During Full-Frame playback, you can view all the pictures stored on the memory card one at a time.

Thumbnail Playback: This feature allows you to view four (2x2), nine (3x3), or 72 (9 x 8) images at once on the LCD monitor so that you can search for an image quickly.

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, Trim, Resize, D-Lighting, Quick Retouch, Red-eye correction, Straighten, Distortion control, Perspective control, Image overlay, Trim movie, and Side-by-side comparison.

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.

PictBridge Printing Capability: Using the supplied USB cable, you can connect this camera directly to a PictBridge compliant printer. PictBridge is a standard that allows you to connect a PictBridge compliant camera directly to a PictBridge compliant printer and make prints, regardless of brand.

Battery Information

Battery: The Z50 is powered by the EN-EL25 Lithium-ion battery (7.6V, 1120mAh, 8.5Wh). The battery charges in approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes using the supplied MH-32 battery charger. With a fully charged battery, the expected battery life is 280 shots (viewfinder only), 320 shots (monitor only), or 75 minutes for movies (viewfinder or monitor).

Software

NX Studio: No software is included in the box with the camera. NX Studio is a new all-in-one software for viewing, processing, and editing your still images and videos. The software integrates all the benefits and functions of Nikon's ViewNX-i and Capture NX-D into a highly functional single software solution. With NX Studio, you can edit your photos using picture controls, white balance settings, and exposure compensation for RAW data. New features include color control points to adjust a specific area of a photo, and a retouch brush feature for advanced color correction. NX Studio works with JPEG, TIFF, and NEF (RAW) files. NX Studio is available as a free download, and works with the following Operating Systems: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and macOS Big Sur (ver.11), Catalina (ver.10.15), and Mojave (ver.10.14)

Included Lenses

Overview: The Nikon Z50 Two Lens Kit includes the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR and NIKKOR Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR zoom lenses. Both lenses feature 11 CPU contacts on the lens mount to transfer data to and from the camera. The lenses have a zoom ring for zooming in or out, and a separate control ring for quickly changing your settings.

Vibration Reduction: Both lenses feature 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: Both lenses have 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 lenses are 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: