Hardware
Nikon Z5II goes full throttle on video with N-RAW, low-light beast mode, and blazing autofocus
MUMBAI: Nikon just gave creators a reason to ditch the tripod and hit record. At a buzzing launch event held at New Delhi’s Eros Hotel on 23 April, Nikon India pulled the wraps off the Z5II—a full-frame mirrorless camera that aims to put professional-grade video in more hands without frying budgets.
The Z5II brings to the table a 24.5 MP BSI CMOS sensor, 4K/60p video, and full HD 120p slow motion—ticking every box for filmmakers, wedding shooters, and street-style documentarians alike. But its real claim to fame lies under the hood: blazing 3.5x faster autofocus and low-light AF down to -10EV, which means your shoot doesn’t have to stop when the lights go out.
“With the introduction of the Z5II, Nikon is once again elevating the standards of professional-grade photography, making top-tier innovation more accessible to all creators,” said Nikon India Pvt. Ltd MD Sajjan Kumar.
Armed with in-camera 12-bit N-RAW and 10-bit N-Log, the Z5II caters to video pros who love tinkering in post-production. The EXPEED 7 engine drives intelligent autofocus, while a 5-axis in-body vibration reduction system ensures every handheld take looks like it was shot on rails.
Its vari-angle touchscreen helps shooters nail tricky angles, and a bright 3,000 cd/m² EVF outshines the competition. For run-and-gun creators, the Z5II’s high-speed burst at 14 fps, paired with 3D-tracking AF, is a ticket to freeze-frame wizardry.
“‘Truly Together’, the Z5II is crafted for hybrid creators who demand flexibility and performance in every frame,” Kumar added.
The camera also features AI-driven subject detection, capable of spotting nine types-from pets to sports cars. It seamlessly works with Nikon’s Z Mount lens ecosystem and supports USB-C, HDMI, and Picture Control customisation, giving creators more control without the learning curve.
Priced at Rs 1,49,995 (body only), the Nikon Z5II hits stores on 24 April 2025. As hybrid creators blur the lines between filmmaker and photographer, Nikon seems ready to roll.
Hardware
Specs Inc. partners with Qualcomm for next-generation smart glasses
Snap subsidiary to power future Specs with Snapdragon XR platforms.
MUMBAI: Snap’s Specs are about to get a serious upgrade and this time, they’re teaming up with Qualcomm to make sure the future looks crystal clear. Specs Inc., a Snap subsidiary, has announced a multi-year strategic agreement with Qualcomm Technologies to power future generations of its advanced smart eyewear with Snapdragon system-on-a-chip (SoC) technology.
This marks the first flagship engagement for Specs Inc., which is preparing to launch its standalone, see-through smart glasses for consumers later this year. The Specs are designed to seamlessly blend digital experiences into the physical world, allowing users to see, hear, and interact with digital content as if it were part of their real surroundings.
By integrating Snapdragon XR platforms, the glasses will benefit from edge AI and high-performance, low-power computing. This combination enables intelligent, context-aware experiences to run directly on the device, delivering faster and more private interactions.
The partnership builds on more than five years of collaboration between Snap and Qualcomm, during which Snapdragon platforms have powered multiple generations of Snap’s Spectacles.
Snap Inc., co-founder and CEO Evan Spiegel said, “We believe the future of computing will be more human and grounded in the real world. Our work with Qualcomm provides a strong foundation for the future of Specs, bringing advanced technology and performance that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible.”
Qualcomm Incorporated president and CEO Cristiano Amon added, “The next era of computing will be defined by devices that understand what you see, hear and say, and respond instantly to the world around you. Our collaboration on Specs will enable power-efficient interactive AR devices that feel natural and intuitive.”
The agreement establishes a scalable foundation for developers and partners building experiences for Specs, supporting a predictable product roadmap and increasingly sophisticated digital interactions over time.
In a world racing toward augmented reality, Specs Inc. and Qualcomm are ensuring that the next pair of smart glasses doesn’t just look good on paper, they perform brilliantly in real life. The future of wearable computing just got a powerful new lens.
