The Z50 II is Nikon’s follow up to its inaugural DX (ASP-C) sensor mirrorless camera that shares the new Z Lens Mount with their full-frame Z cameras. The Z50 II features several notable improvements over its predecessor especially in the video-capture and auto-focus categories. The Nauticam NA-Z50II is designed to be used exclusively with the Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens.

Nikon’s Z Mount is one of the widest lens mounts available in its class and allows for faster and more compact lens designs. The Z50 II is equipped with the same 20.9MP DX (APS-C) CMOS image sensor as the Z50 but is mated to their newest EXPEED 7 processor. The Z 50 II lists a native ISO range of 100-51,200 and has extensive Auto ISO controls spread across its operating modes. 4K UHD video is captured using the entire width of the sensor at up to 30fps meaning no loss in the lens’ field-of-view, a critical feature for the underwater video shooter. If higher frame rate capture is desired, the Z50 II can capture 4K60p from a native 4K crop (1.44x) of the sensor. Switching to HD achieves up to 120fps with no loss of field-of-view and allows for dynamic slow motion capture. Switching between still and video is accomplished via a convenient switch on the rear of the camera and the Z50 II maintains discrete exposure settings for each mode. This makes switching between video and still shooting even easier without having to make excessive setting changes. The Z50 II’s EVF also receives a significant update to its brightness, topping out at 1000 nits. The Z50 II also sees improvements in its autofocus capabilities, especially in the subject-recognition space.

Key Camera Specs

• 20.9MP CMOS DX Format image sensor
• EXPEED 7 Processor
• UHD 4K Video at up to 60p (1.44x Crop) or HD at 120fps
• Twin control dials
• 2.36M-dot 1000-nit OLED Viewfinder
• 11fps continuous shooting
• Pop-up flash

The Nauticam NA-Z50II Underwater Housing

The Nauticam NA-Z50II is designed to work exclusively with the versatile Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens featuring a fixed flat port that is compatible with our powerful WWL-C wide-angle wet optic and CMC-1 macro optic via the pre-installed bayonet-mount system. The NA-Z50II’s form-fitting style and intuitive control placement make the system ideal for the traveling photographer that demands a reliable and portable underwater imaging platform.

Maximum Efficiency

The compact nature of the Nikon Z50 II is translated directly into the design of the NA-Z50II. Compared to the NA-Z50 housing for the original Nikon Z50, the NA-Z50II is built around a clamshell closure that allows for a drop-in installation of the camera with no tray necessary.

Mission Control

The NA-Z50II features intuitively placed and easy to reach controls for critical functions, making the integrated and stabilized ergonomic handles Mission Control for your underwater imaging. Textured knobs for the main and sub command dials are within easy reach of the right handle alongside dedicated video REC and AF-ON buttons.

For video shooters, the Nikon Z50 II maintains separate exposure settings in Still and Video modes and switching between the modes is done via a convenient switch which is easily accessed on the top of the NA-Z50II housing. With extensive Auto ISO controls, the NA-Z50II is an ideal platform to create video content with the Z 50’s UHD 4K 60p/30p or HD 120p capture.

Flash Triggering

The Nikon Z50 II has a pop-up flash that can be used to provide accurate TTL flash triggering using the integrated fiber-optic bulkheads. A switch on the housing allows the flash to be raised or lowered to allow quick switching between ambient and artificial light shooting.

Optimized Optical Design

The NA-Z50II is built around the Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens and features a fixed flat port with a pre-installed bayonet mount. Utilizing Nauticam’s WWL-C wide-angle optic, the Z50 II is able to achieve unrivaled sharpness and an impressive 130º field-of-view and full zoom-through capability. The wet-mate nature of the lens allows it be removed underwater and switched for the powerful CMC-1 macro lens making the NA-Z50II a true do-anything system. The integrated bayonet-mount makes switching quick and easy.

Integrated Vacuum Check and Leak Detection System

The Nauticam vacuum check and leak detection system is shipped with NA-Z50II as standard equipment. Combined with an optional accessory vacuum valve (PN 25625), this monitoring system provides constant updates on the water tight and safe-to-dive status of the housing. A simple color coded LED lighting system lets the user know that the vacuum is solid, or that the housing is losing vacuum. Leak detection is built into the same circuit, so if there is water intrusion, an audible and visual indication will occur. The Nauticam system is temperature compensated, eliminating false alarms caused by a change in outside temperature, or from a camera heating up on an action packed dive.