Z5vs Z50
VS
Which should you buy?
Entry-Level Full-Frame & Dslr Switchers — Z5 (2020): The most affordable route into full-frame Z — dual card slots, IBIS, and a capable sensor at an accessible price.
Beginner, Travel, Everyday — Z50 (2019): Nikon's Z system at its most accessible.
Who should buy what
Z5 (2020)
- DSLR photographers switching to full-frame mirrorless for the first time
- Enthusiasts who want full-frame image quality on a tighter budget
- Photographers stepping up from APS-C who don't need fast burst or 4K
- Z5 II shoppers on a budget — the original Z5 is now excellent value used
Z50 (2019)
- Nikon DSLR users wanting a lighter mirrorless
- First-time enthusiast camera buyers
Quick take: The z5 has the highest resolution at 24mp; the z50 is the most affordable; only the z5 is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z5 (2020) | Z50 (2019) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £999 | £499 |
| Sensor | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | APS-C CMOS |
| Resolution | 24.3MP | 20.9MP |
| Video | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | 4K 30fps (1.5× crop), 1080p 120fps |
| Autofocus | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | 209-point phase-detect hybrid AF |
| Stabilisation | IBIS — up to 5 stops | None |
| Burst Rate | 4.5fps | 11fps |
| Battery Life | ~470 shots (CIPA) | 300 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 590g (with battery) | 397g (body only) |
| Dimensions | 134 × 100.5 × 69.5mm | 126.5 × 93.5 × 60.0mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | EVF 0.68× 2.36M-dot |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | 3.2" downward-tilting touchscreen, 1.04M-dot |
| Mount | Nikon Z mount | Nikon Z-Mount (DX) |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-II slots | Single SD UHS-I |
| Connectivity | USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, Micro USB, Micro HDMI |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z5 | Z50 |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Everyday | — | |
| Sports | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — |
More comparisons with Z5
Camera family history