Z50vs A7 IV
VS
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Beginner, Travel, Everyday — Z50 (2019): Nikon's Z system at its most accessible.
Portrait & Wedding Photography — A7 IV (2021): The full-frame portrait benchmark — 33MP, AI Eye AF, and exceptional skin-tone rendering in a pro-grade hybrid body.
Who should buy what
Z50 (2019)
- Nikon DSLR users wanting a lighter mirrorless
- First-time enthusiast camera buyers
A7 IV (2021)
- Working photographers who want a reliable full-frame all-rounder
- Portrait, wedding, and event photographers needing 33MP and fast AF
- A7 III owners ready for a major upgrade in resolution, AF, and video
- Hybrid shooters who want 4K/60p and 33MP stills in one dependable body
Quick take: The a7 iv has the highest resolution at 33mp; the z50 is the most affordable; only the a7 iv is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z50 (2019) | A7 IV (2021) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £499 | £2,299 |
| Sensor | APS-C CMOS | 33MP Full-frame BSI Exmor R CMOS |
| Resolution | 20.9MP | 33.0MP |
| Video | 4K 30fps (1.5× crop), 1080p 120fps | 4K/60p oversampled, 10-bit internal, S-Log3, S-Cinetone |
| Autofocus | 209-point phase-detect hybrid AF | 759-point phase-detect, AI subject recognition |
| Stabilisation | None | 5-axis IBIS, 5.5 stops |
| Burst Rate | 11fps | 10fps mechanical, 30fps electronic |
| Battery Life | 300 shots (CIPA) | ~580 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 397g (body only) | 659g body only |
| Dimensions | 126.5 × 93.5 × 60.0mm | 131.3 × 96.4 × 79.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.68× 2.36M-dot | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.78× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" downward-tilting touchscreen, 1.04M-dot | 3.0" vari-angle touchscreen |
| Mount | Nikon Z-Mount (DX) | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | Dual slots: CFexpress Type A + SD UHS-II |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, Micro USB, Micro HDMI | USB-C (3.2 Gen 2), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z50 | A7 IV |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Portraits | — | |
| Outdoor Portraits | — | |
| Wedding & Events | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | — | |
| Landscape | — | |
| Sports & Action | — |
More comparisons with Z50
Camera family history