Steve Bruce rang the changes but still put out a strong starting line-up. Keeper Carlo Nash got first competitive start since his move from Preston last year and there was also vital game time for Michael Brown, Kevin Kilbane and Camara.
Wigan were hot favourites, but Notts County proved a tough nut to crack in the early stages.
Camara produced the first real threat of the game after 27 minutes, forcing an excellent reflex save from Russell Hoult, who also did well to deal with the follow-up.
But the County keeper had no chance when Camara finally broke the deadlock after taking the pass from Kilbane to hit a stunning right-foot shot into the right corner from 18 yards.
The Magpies could have levelled it up when Richard Butcher was gifted the opportunity to cash in on a poor clearance from Titus Bramble but fired just wide of Nash's right post.
They then blew another chance when the unmarked Spencer Weir-Daley failed to find the finish to beat Nash from six yards.
Wigan threatened again when Heskey tried his luck from just outside the box but Hoult smothered the shot and that was the England forward's last contribution with Zaki taking over in the second half.
The switch paid dividends with Zaki blasting in from six yards from Kilbane's pinpoint pass, before Zaki turned provider picking out Camara, who flicked home the header for number three.
Hoult prevented further damage with a quality save to deny Kupisz, but County's luck was out when sub Sean Canham fired just wide to miss the chance of a consolation before Kupisz hit the fourth in injury time.