
Nikon Z50 Underwater Review

Nikon Z50 Underwater Review

Jump to Section:
Nikon Z50 Specs | Nikon Z50 vs Nikon Z6/Z7 | Key Features
Z50 for Underwater Photo and Video | Best Settings | Best Lenses |
Underwater Housings | Conclusions
Nikon Z50 Specifications
- 20.9 Megapixel Resolution
- 23.5 x 15.7 mm CMOS sensor (APS-C - DX format)
- Hybrid phase-detection/contrast AF with AF assist, 209 points
- 11 fps sequential shooting
- 4K Video (3840x2160) at 30/25/24 fps
- FHD video up to 1080/120p
- 1/4000 mechanical shutter, to as slow as 30 sec
- 1/200 sec max shutter sync speed for flash, auto FP high-speed sync supported up to 1/4000 sec
- ISO range of 100-51200
- 2.36 million dot OLED elecontric viewfinder (EVF) with 1.02x magnification
- Lens mount system: Z mount, can use F mount lenses with FTZ adaptor
- 3.2 inch tilting touchscreen monitor (can flip it over underneath camera for selfies/vlogging)
- 450 g (0.99 lb) camera body weight, including SD card and battery; 395 g (0.87 lb) body only
- Ports: USB Micro-B, Type D HDMI connector, Stereo mini-pin jack, plug-in power supported
- Memory card compability: SD and UHS-I compliant SDHC and SDXC (only one card slot)
- Built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, along with SnapBridge for automatic upload functionality via Bluetooth
- Battery CIPA rating of 300 shots
Nikon Z50, 8-15mm Fisheye, f/18, 1/160, ISO 100
Nikon Z50 vs Nikon Z6/Z7
- Much better autofocus on the Z6/Z7
- Higher resolution and image quality, with better low light performance on the Z6/Z7
- In-body image stabilization on the Z6/Z7
- Similar battery life across the three cameras
- DX 1.5x lens focal length multiplier on Z50 for full frame lenses
- Same video specs (4K 30p and FHD at 1080/120p).
- Smaller body size and weight on the Z50
Nikon Z50 Key Features

Body, Build, & Ergonomics

Sensor & Image Quality

Autofocus
Image Stabilization

Flash Sync Speed
Battery Life

Z50 for Underwater Photo and Video

Best Nikon Z50 Settings for Underwater Photos
- Shooting Mode: (M) Manual
- Image File Format: RAW (RAW+Jpeg if you'd like to have files for immediate use without editing)
- ISO 100
- Monitor View Only (if you are planning on shooting with the LCD)
- Active D Lighting: OFF
- Auto Focus Mode: AF-S or AF-C for moving subjects
- Flash Mode: Fill Flash
- Spot Metering for Macro and Evaluative for Wide Angle
- Custom Setting D Shooting/Display: Apply settings to live view OFF
- Custom Setting E Bracketing Flash: 1/200 (1/500 for the extended flash sync option for shooting sunbursts but note this will only show as an available option when an external strobe is attached.)
- Super Macro - f/32, 1/250 for black backgrounds
- Macro - f/18, 1/200
- Wide Angle - f/9, f/160 down to 1/125 for more color and detail in the background
- Sunbursts - f/11, 1/160 up to 1/500 for more detail in the highlighted areas
Best Lenses for Underwater Use

Recommended Underwater Lenses with the FTZ Adapter
Macro
- Nikon 60mm 2.8G Macro: Great all around lens and especially great for blackwater diving
- Nikon 105mm 2.8G VR Macro: Great for small and shy subjects, giving you more working room than the 60mm and essential for super macro. You will get even more working room than normal on the Z50, with an approximately 150 mm full frame equivalent focal length; even better for shy subjects, but difficult for larger macro subjects
- Nauticam Super Macro Converter: the Nauticam super macro converter (SMC-1) is a wet diopter perfect for taking sharp super macro images. In fact, it is the strongest, sharpest diopter on the market. For the best super macro results, use it with the Nikon 105 mm 2.8G VR lens.
Wide Angle Fisheye
- Nikon 8-15mm: Get creative with the full circular image, or zoom in for a more standard fisheye lens. Read the Nikon 8-15mm FX AF-S f/3.5-4.5E ED Zoom Fisheye Review by Mark B. Hatter. We used this lens for our review. Please note this is a full frame lens, so there is some crop when used with the Nikon Z50. Although it's an excellent fisheye lens, you can't zoom out as far as a circular field of view.
- Nikon 16mm 2.8 Fisheye: Also a great lens, and a popular choice for full-frame
Wide Angle Rectilinear
- Nikon 16-35mm 4.0: Great for large animals and extremely sharp lens, but requires a larger dome to get sharp images. Keep in mind that on the Z50 it will act like a 24 mm equivalent lens, which rules it out for much wide angle shooting
Underwater Housing Options
Housing options for the Nikon Z50 are currently available from two top underwater housing manufacturers - Ikelite and Nauticam. Ikelite makes simlple, ergonomic, polycarbonate housings perfect for taking photos in any situation. Nauticam makes elegant, well machined, aluminum housings.
Ikelite Nikon Z50 Underwater Housing

Nauticam Nikon Z50 Underwater Housing
Conclusion
