The short version
- Mode dial (top) to M. A lever around it flips between stills and video.
- In M: rear command dial sets shutter speed, front command dial sets aperture.
- Hold the ISO button on the top plate and turn the rear dial to set ISO. Hold ISO and turn the front dial to toggle Auto ISO.
- Auto ISO with a real minimum shutter speed: photo shooting menu, ISO sensitivity settings, Auto ISO sensitivity control ON, then Minimum shutter speed.
- Exposure compensation: hold the +/- button and turn a command dial in P, A or S.
- Kit lens is the Nikkor Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR.
Last updated · Exposure Triangle Simulator editorial team
Where everything lives on the Z50 II
Classic Nikon DSLR logic in a small mirrorless body: two command dials, one for each side of the exposure.
| Control | Where | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Mode dial | Top, large and raised | P, A, S, M, Auto, scene and three user modes (U1-U3). Lever around it switches stills/video. |
| Rear command dial | Back, under the thumb | Shutter speed in M and S. With the ISO button held, it sets the ISO value. |
| Front command dial | Front, under the shutter button | Aperture in M and A. With the ISO button held, it toggles Auto ISO on and off. |
| ISO button | Top plate | Hold + rear dial: ISO value. Hold + front dial: Auto ISO on/off. |
| Exposure comp button | Top, marked +/- | Hold + turn a command dial to brighten or darken in P, A and S. |
Manual mode on the Z50 II
- Turn the mode dial to M. Make sure the stills/video lever is on stills.
- Set shutter speed: turn the rear command dial. The shutter speed guide explains which speeds freeze and which blur.
- Set aperture: turn the front command dial. Nothing to hold, it just works. The aperture guide covers the tradeoffs.
- Set ISO: hold the ISO button on the top plate and turn the rear dial. Start at ISO 100 in daylight and read the ISO guide before raising it.
- Check the meter and shoot. The analog-style meter in the viewfinder and on the screen shows over and under. Center it, focus, shoot.
Auto ISO on the Z50 II
The quick way: hold the ISO button and turn the front dial until the display reads Auto. The full setup lives in the photo shooting menu under ISO sensitivity settings: turn Auto ISO sensitivity control ON, then set Maximum sensitivity (the highest ISO you will tolerate, try 6400 to start) and Minimum shutter speed.
For the minimum shutter speed you can pick a fixed value like 1/250, or choose Auto and let the camera follow the lens: it picks a faster floor when you zoom in, which is exactly the 1/focal-length rule working for you. Unlike the Canon R50 and R100, this setting actually exists here, so use it.
Three setups that just work
Dial these in on the Z50 II with the 16-50mm kit lens.
| Setup | Mode and settings | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait, blurry background | A · 50mm · f/6.3 · ISO 100 | Zoom all the way in, open the aperture as wide as the kit lens goes at 50mm. Focus on the eyes. |
| Landscape, sharp throughout | A · 16mm · f/8 · ISO 100 | f/8 keeps the foreground and horizon sharp. Focus about a third of the way into the scene. |
| Action, freeze motion | S · 1/1000 · Auto ISO | Rear dial to 1/1000, Auto ISO on with a 6400 cap and 1/1000 minimum shutter speed. Use AF-C and continuous shooting for bursts. |
Z50 II button combos, one box
| Want to change | Do this |
|---|---|
| Shooting mode | Mode dial → M, A, S or P |
| Shutter speed (M) | Rear command dial |
| Aperture (M) | Front command dial |
| ISO | Hold ISO + rear dial |
| Auto ISO on/off | Hold ISO + front dial |
| Auto ISO limits | Photo shooting menu → ISO sensitivity settings |
| Exposure compensation | Hold +/- + command dial in P, A, S |
Want these as a printable card? Grab the free camera settings cheat sheet and practice the moves on the simulator first.
Frequently asked questions
How do I change aperture and shutter speed on the Nikon Z50 II in manual mode?
In M, the rear command dial sets shutter speed and the front command dial sets aperture. No button holds needed.
How do I change ISO quickly on the Nikon Z50 II?
Hold the ISO button on the top plate and turn the rear dial. Hold ISO and turn the front dial to toggle Auto ISO on and off.
How do I set a minimum shutter speed for Auto ISO on the Z50 II?
Open the photo shooting menu, choose ISO sensitivity settings, turn Auto ISO sensitivity control on, then set Minimum shutter speed to a value or Auto.
What is a good portrait setting on the Nikon Z50 II?
A mode, 50mm on the kit zoom, f/6.3 wide open, ISO 100, focus on the eyes.
What are U1, U2 and U3 on the mode dial?
User modes that save a full camera setup. Dial in your favorite portrait or sports settings, save them to U1, and recall everything with one twist of the dial.