Nikon's latest Z50 II crop-sensor mirrorless camera became available for pre-order in Japan at 10:00 on November 12, with orders shipping from November 13. However, all the stock was snapped up in a matter of minutes, leading to shipping delays as soon as it went on sale.
Nikon Japan's own Nikon Direct website – the equivalent to the Nikon Store in territories such as the US, UK and Australia – says it is already experiencing a shortage of all kits, including the body-only version.
In addition, Nikon Direct is offering a 10% discount coupon to keep customers sweet while they await the delayed arrival of their new cameras. For example, those ordering the body-only version are met with the message: “The Z50 II has received many more orders than expected, so it may take some time to deliver. Thank you for your understanding. We are distributing a 10% off coupon (worth 14,520 yen) that can be used when purchasing the Z50 II."
The 10% discount of ¥14,520 works out at around $95 / £75 / AU$145, so it's certainly not to be sniffed at. Other Japanese retailers have reported similar supply problems.
Stock shortages have been a common theme with many recent camera launches, and with the Z50 II essentially offering the same image processor and incredible autofocus performance as in its top-of-the-range Nikon Z9, it's not really surprising to see demand outstripping supply. The moral of the story is: if you want a Z50 II, it's best to order early.
The camera is due to start shipping on November 21 outside Japan in countries including the US, UK and Australia. It's a safe bet that if supplies are tight in Japan, they will be equally tight in other territories. So if you're keen to be one of the first to get your hands on a shiny new Nikon Z50 II, you need to pre-order as soon as possible, as retailers tend to work on a first-come first-served stock allocation system.
Wondering whether the new camera is for you? Don't miss our exhaustive report on the Nikon Z50 II, and this interesting tidbit on how Nikon quietly rebranded the entire Z-series line without telling anyone when it launched the Z50 II.
