Z50vs A7R
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Beginner, Travel, Everyday — Z50 (2019): Nikon's Z system at its most accessible.
Studio, Tripod Landscape & Camera History — A7R (2013): The world's first 36MP full-frame mirrorless — a landmark camera that launched the A7R series, despite contrast-detect AF and significant shutter shock limitations.
Who should buy what
Z50 (2019)
- Nikon DSLR users wanting a lighter mirrorless
- First-time enthusiast camera buyers
A7R (2013)
- Collectors and photographers interested in the camera that started the A7R lineage
- Studio photographers who work on a tripod and can manage contrast-detect AF
- Landscape photographers who prioritise resolution over autofocus performance
- Sony FE system users who want a historical body at a very low used price
Quick take: The a7r has the highest resolution at 36mp; the a7r is the most affordable. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | Z50 (2019) | A7R (2013) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £499 | £349 |
| Sensor | APS-C CMOS | 36.4MP Full-Frame CMOS (no OLPF) |
| Resolution | 20.9MP | 36.4MP |
| Video | 4K 30fps (1.5× crop), 1080p 120fps | 1080p/60p |
| Autofocus | 209-point phase-detect hybrid AF | Contrast-detect AF only (no phase-detect on sensor) |
| Stabilisation | None | None |
| Burst Rate | 11fps | 4fps |
| Battery Life | 300 shots (CIPA) | ~340 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 397g (body only) | 465g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 126.5 × 93.5 × 60.0mm | 126.9 × 94.4 × 48.2mm |
| Weather Sealed | No | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.68× 2.36M-dot | EVF, OLED 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification |
| Screen | 3.2" downward-tilting touchscreen, 1.04M-dot | 3.0" fixed LCD, 1.23M dots (no tilt, no touch) |
| Mount | Nikon Z-Mount (DX) | Sony FE (full-frame E-mount) |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | Single SD UHS-I slot |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, Micro USB, Micro HDMI | USB, Wi-Fi, NFC |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z50 | A7R |
|---|---|---|
| Portrait | ||
| Street | — | |
| Travel | ||
| Casual | — | |
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Sports & Action | ||
| Landscape | — | |
| Architecture | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history