Nikon announces first DX format mirrorless camera plus 2 DX lenses

Angled front view of the new Nikon Z 50 with the Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens. (Source: Nikon.)

Nikon has unveiled the first model in its cropped-sensor mirrorless camera range, the Z 50, which features a DX sized (23.5  x  15.7 mm) CMOS sensor with an effective resolution of 20.9 megapixels and a new EXPEED 6 image-processor. Designed primarily for photo enthusiasts, the new camera has a tilting 3.2-inch touch-screen monitor that is selfie-friendly plus a consumer-level pop-up flash (GN approx. 7m/ISO 100). A single SD card slot accepts UHS-I compliant SDHC and SDXC memory cards. The 0.39-inch type OLED EVF has a resolution of 2,360,000 dot, 100% frame coverage, 1.02x magnification and a 20 mm eyepoint. Dioptre adjustment of -3 to +3 m⁻¹ is provided and an eye sensor automatically switches between monitor and viewfinder displays.

Top and rear views of the new Nikon Z 50 camera. (Source: Nikon.)

The new camera is also smaller and lighter than other Z-series models, measuring 126.5 x 93.5 x 60mm and weighing only 395 grams. Its electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal-plane mechanical shutter covers shutter speeds from 30 seconds to 1/4000 second and includes Bulb and Time modes. Exposure compensation ranges from -5 to +5 EV in increments of 1/3 or 1/2 EV. Flash synch is at 1/200 sec. or slower. The Z 50 supports sensitivity adjustments across a range of ISO 100 to 51,200 in steps of 1/3 or 1/2 EV, with expansion to ISO 204,800 equivalent available. The top continuous shooting speed is 11 frames/second. Images can be captured in JPEG or NEF.RAW format, with 12- and 14-bit selectable for the latter. RAW+JPEG recording is also available.

The new camera has a 209-point hybrid phase-detection/contrast AF with AF assist and six selectable AF-area modes. Lens-shift VR stabilisation is supported. Movies are recorded in MP4 format with H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding compression. Maximum resolution is 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) at 25 fps for PAL format. Full HD recording is available at 100, 50, 25 and 24 fps. Three slow-motion options are provided, along with time-lapse and electronic vibration reduction. Power is supplied by a single EN-EL25 rechargeable Li-ion battery, which is CIPA  rated for approximately 300 shots/charge. The Z 50 is equipped with in-built Bluetooth and Wi-Fi for SnapBridge 2.6, enabling users to instantly share their snapshots on social media.

Complementing the new camera are two new DX format 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. Both feature superior optical performance.

The compact  Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR  (shown above) is only 32 mm long and weighs just 135 grams. Covering focal lengths equivalent to 24-70mm, it has a minimum focus of 20 cm plus optical vibration reduction (VR) that delivers shake correction of up to 4,5 stops.  Its optical design contains one ED glass element and four aspherical lens elements to reduce various types of aberration, including colour bleeding and curvature of field at the edges of the frame. An electromagnetic aperture mechanism that enables stable exposure control, even with high-speed continuous shooting.

The Nikkor Z DX 50-250mm f/4.5-6.3 VR (shown above) has minimum focus distances of 50 cm at the wide-angle position and one metre at the telephoto position and covers focal lengths equivalent to 75-375mm in 35mm format.  Optical vibration reduction (VR) claims shake correction of up to 5.0 f-stops. One ED glass element provides good compensation for axial chromatic aberration and effectively reduces colour bleeding.

The Z 50 and lenses are expected to go on sale in the US market from November 2019, with the body alone priced at US$860, the body plus Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR at around US$1,000, and the twin-lens kit at around US$1,350. Click here for more information on local pricing and availability.