After nabbing the Nikon Z50 II in a cracking Black Friday deal, I couldn’t resist sharing some early thoughts on the upgrade. While I haven’t had the chance to give it a proper workout in the field yet, a few test runs in the garden and some hands-on tinkering have already shown me why this camera might just be my new best mate for wildlife photography. Here’s the lowdown:
First Impressions: Build and Handling
The Z50 II strikes a sweet balance between compact and comfortable. It’s slightly more ergonomic than the original Z50, making it a pleasure to handle without feeling bulky. That said, the plasticky finish is a gentle reminder that this is still a budget-friendly camera—no complaints for the price, though.
The standout design tweak? The pull-out LCD screen. Not only is it smoother and more functional, but you can flip it so the screen faces inward, protecting it from scratches when trudging through the wilds. A small touch, but one that already feels like a lifesaver.
What’s Improved (and What’s Not)
Bird Eye Autofocus: Absolute Game-Changer
This feature alone justified the upgrade for me. As someone who spends hours chasing robins around the garden, the bird autofocus blew me away. It locks onto the eye, even through pesky branches, like it’s been trained by David Attenborough himself. Every test shot of my feathered friends came out razor-sharp. Wildlife photography just got a lot less frustrating.
File Buffer: Seemingly Endless
The Z50 II’s buffer is a dream come true. Bursts of RAW files don’t slow it down, letting me focus on nailing the shot instead of worrying about lag. Combine that with the bird AF, and you’ve got a powerful combo.
Button Layout: A Steep Learning Curve
The new button setup feels alien after years with the Z50. I’ll probably be fumbling in the field for a bit, but it seems logical once I retrain my fingers.
Missing Accessories
On the downside, I noticed a lack of baseplates or affordable silicon covers. SmallRig has some options, but they come with a hefty price tag. Hopefully, more third-party accessories will roll out soon.
The Lenses: New Additions to the Kit
I took advantage of the kit lens bundle and bagged the 16-50mm and 50-250mm Z-mount lenses. These are my first native Z-mount glass, and I’m itching to see how they perform. Early signs are promising, but the real test will be out in the wild.
For now, I’ve paired the Z50 II with my Sigma 150-600mm Contemporary using the FTZ adaptor, and I’m happy to report they work beautifully together. Tack-sharp results and no compatibility issues so far—just what you’d hope for.
Battery Life and Pre-Capture Mode
Battery performance seems solid, but I haven’t pushed it to the limit yet. The pre-capture mode is an intriguing addition. It’s a bit of a shame it’s JPEG-only, as I shoot almost exclusively in RAW, but it’s a handy tool for capturing those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments.
What’s Next?
The Z50 II is officially my new go-to wildlife camera, with my trusty Z50 taking on the role of landscape, street, and portrait specialist. All I need now is a clear-weather weekend to truly put the Z50 II through its paces. Expect a follow-up with some proper field testing and sample shots soon.
For now, I can confidently say that the Z50 II has hit the ground running. If you’re debating the upgrade, the bird AF alone is worth it—and that’s just scratching the surface. Stay tuned for more!