Upgrade Guide
Nikon D5→Nikon Z50
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Situational
One clear hardware improvement over the D5. Worth it if that specific upgrade aligns with what you shoot.
What's new in the Z50
-
Generation3 years newer (2019 vs 2016)
Unchanged or similar
-
ResolutionSimilar (21MP)
-
Weather sealingNot present in new body
Suitability by genre
| Genre | D5 | Z50 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sports & Action | -3.0 | ||
| Wildlife | — | ||
| Wedding & Events | — | ||
| Street | -1.0 | ||
| Portrait | — | ||
| Landscape | — | ||
| Travel | — | ||
| Casual | — | ||
| Vlogging & Video | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | D5 | Z50 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1,800 | £499 | |
| Released | 2016 | 2019 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 20.8MP full-frame BSI CMOS | APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 21MP | 21MP | ↑ |
| Video | 4K UHD 30fps (heavy sensor crop) | 4K 30fps (1.5× crop), 1080p 120fps | |
| Autofocus | Multi-CAM 20K 153-point AF system, 99 cross-type | 209-point phase-detect hybrid AF | |
| Stabilisation | — | None | |
| Burst Rate | 12fps mechanical | 11fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | ~3780 shots (CIPA) | 300 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 1405g (body only) | 397g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No | ↓ |
| Viewfinder | OVF 0.72× magnification, 100% coverage | EVF 0.68× 2.36M-dot | |
| Screen | 3.2" tilting touchscreen, 2.36M dots | 3.2" downward-tilting touchscreen, 1.04M-dot | |
| Mount | Nikon F mount | Nikon Z-Mount (DX) | |
| Memory Cards | Dual XQD slots (XQD variant) | Single SD UHS-I |
Compare side-by-side
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