Nikon Z50 II announced

[Macro_Cosmos]

Z50 ii specifications: https://imaging.nikon.com/imaging/lineup/mirrorless/z50_2/
Z50 specifications: https://imaging.nikon.com/imaging/lineup/mirrorless/z_50/

Notably, the Z50 II now has a proper shutter release input unlike the Z50 (a dealbreaker for my work).  I would have preferred the crop sensor over my Z8 which was purchased in May.  :'(
Lots of other on paper improvements too.

$909.95 for body only.
$1049.95 with the 16-50mm kit lens.
$1299.95 twin lens kit.
Webpage talks about how it is better than a smartphone.  Okay.

[Hugh_3170]

Can I assume that these prices are in $US and are free of taxes as quoted?

Z50 ii specifications: https://imaging.nikon.com/imaging/lineup/mirrorless/z50_2/
Z50 specifications: https://imaging.nikon.com/imaging/lineup/mirrorless/z_50/

Notably, the Z50 II now has a proper shutter release input unlike the Z50 (a dealbreaker for my work).  I would have preferred the crop sensor over my Z8 which was purchased in May.  :'(
Lots of other on paper improvements too.

$909.95 for body only.
$1049.95 with the 16-50mm kit lens.
$1299.95 twin lens kit.
Webpage talks about how it is better than a smartphone.  Okay.

[Macro_Cosmos]

Can I assume that these prices are in $US and are free of taxes as quoted?

The prices were directly sourced from Nikon USA's website.
For other regions, go to Nikon's main page and choose there.  The local prices should account for taxation.

[Birna Rørslett]

Apart from the added connections on the side, the new model looks like the old one Perhaps the mothership finally understands that the presence of a remote release enhances the versatility of their newer models such as Zf and Z fc?

(from the Press Kit)

[MEPER]

As a Z50 owner there are not enough for me to upgrade. I don't use video and as an amateur photographer I can "live" with the slower AF.

If specs. was like 30MP, IBIS and same or better ISO performance I would go for it.

[Nasos Kosmas]

For me this new camera is very welcome
I had z50 for about 3 years and tried a lot to use it as a wild-life camera 
I also used a D 500 a bit later, nice camera but finally got z8 and get rid all the others

But if z50 II was present  a year before I may not go for Z8 that’s  excellent but a lot of a camera for my use case.

[MEPER]

I could be interesting to know Nikons internal roadmap for DX cameras for the next 2-3 years.
Will we see a Z70 with upgraded sensor with IBIS etc.?

[ch96066]

I have to say the 50II will not make me let go of my D500.
I am waiting for a proper D500 Z equivalent.
If I get too tired or a nice BF deal comes around I may go for a second Z9 and be done with the waiting (in vain?).

I shot last weekend a football match with Z9 and D500 with no issues at all so not in a real hurry.

[Airy]

 no IBIS = showstopper for me. I got used to that since my first Olympus camera in 2012. The superior handling and imaging qualities of the Df helped me wait for the Zf. Since the Z50 has not got it, I'll gladly skip it. Hoping for a Zfc II with IBIS now, with a Voigt 35/1.2 or similar.

[Bent Hjarbo]

I agree that IBIS would be nice, but the D500 did not have it, so no big difference here.
Reading the spec. it might be very close to a D500 replacement. Being a Z8 user, some of the features coming down from the Z8, could actually bring the Z50ii to a higher level.
Second it is actually so light that it can replace my wife’s D5300, and be lighter too.

[Ilkka Nissilä]

I agree that IBIS would be nice, but the D500 did not have it, so no big difference here.
Reading the spec. it might be very close to a D500 replacement. Being a Z8 user, some of the features coming down from the Z8, could actually bring the Z50ii to a higher level.
Second it is actually so light that it can replace my wife’s D5300, and be lighter too.

I haven't used the Z50 II but while I agree that it is likely to outperform the D500 in some areas, however, it's quite small and with the small size and the way it is built, it's probably not as comfortable to use with larger lenses as the D500 is. So the targeted market is different but some users may still use it for the same purposes. The Z50II only shoots at up to 5.6 fps with continuous high (11 fps with extended mode indicating that the viewfinder doesn't show the image live instead shows a slideshow of taken pictures; 30 fps is with electronic shutter which may give rolling shutter artifacts), this is probably what an action shooter would be happy with. The AF, however, is likely to be more accurate (and can detect a variety of subjects) and if the subject is still, EFCS or full ES (EFCS is only available on the D500 when you use M-UP mode which means you can't really see the subject with the viewfinder immediately before release) can give less shake. So there are some benefits. But the general action shooting experience is probably going to be worse than with the D500.

However, if the purpose is to have a lightweight and compact ILC camera then this is probably very good. The AF experience should be clearly superior to that of the D5300.

[Bent Hjarbo]

I bought a Z50II for my wife Gunver just before Christmas, there was at good offer with an extra battery and memory card.
It has now been used for a while for different things.
I took it out for at spin with the 100-400Z.
I donit not own a D500 anymore, but the experience was not very far from what I remember the the D500 did for BIF, with me at the controls, I an not a master in BIF, but do try at my local lake.

Now Thom Hogan has written his review of the Z50II, and I do agree apron. 90% with him. He is more nitpicking, but do like the camera.

[Nasos Kosmas]

Thank you Bent, the question for me is not the AF system but the overall EVF experience comparing to Z8/ Z9 in terms of lag, at 8-11fps mechanical shutter or more with electronic
Thanks

[Bent Hjarbo]

I would not go much over 5fps, as the lag makes it more difficult to follow the birds. As I remember my D500 the difference is not big.