Is Nikon about to unveil an APS-C mirrorless camera?

Nikon Z7
Could the Nikon Z7 (above) and Z6 soon be joined by an APS-C mirrorless model? (Image credit: Future)

Nikon’s full-frame mirrorless models, the Z7 and the Z6, have proved popular since their launch last year, and now rumors suggest the company could be planning to unveil a mirrorless APS-C model.

NikonRumors claims the new model will be called the Z50, and will be supported at launch by a pair of new APS-C format (DX in Nikon terminology) lenses. 

The site says the camera will have a 20MP sensor, an articulating three-inch screen and an electronic viewfinder, and will offer 11fps shooting. The lenses that are rumored to be launching with it are a 16-55mm f/3.5-6.3 kit-type lens and a 50-230mm f/4.5-6.3 telephoto zoom lens. 

Mount options

These aren't the first rumors of Nikon launching a lower-cost or entry-level mirrorless camera, and it would make a lot of sense for Nikon to enter the mirrorless APS-C market, which until now it's left to rivals Sony and Canon.

If it does launch an APS-C model, it'll be interesting to see whether Nikon uses the same mount across all its models, as Sony does, or splits them into distinct APS-C and full-frame categories with separate lenses, as Canon does. 

With relatively few specs to go on it's not immediately obvious who a camera like the Z50 would be aimed at, but it's likely to go head to head with the likes of the Sony A6600, or perhaps the Sony A6100 if Nikon is aiming for the entry-level market.

September and October tend to be busy months for new launches as manufacturers look to cash in on the lucrative Christmas market, so watch this space.

Amy Davies

Amy has been writing about cameras, photography and associated tech since 2009. Amy was once part of the photography testing team for Future Publishing working across TechRadar, Digital Camera, PhotoPlus, N Photo and Photography Week. For her photography, she has won awards and has been exhibited. She often partakes in unusual projects - including one intense year where she used a different camera every single day. Amy is currently the Features Editor at Amateur Photographer magazine, and in her increasingly little spare time works across a number of high-profile publications including Wired, Stuff, Digital Camera World, Expert Reviews, and just a little off-tangent, PetsRadar. 

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