Upgrade Guide
Nikon D500→Nikon Z50
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Situational
One clear hardware improvement over the D500. 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)
-
StabilisationIBIS not present in new body
Suitability by genre
Base scores — computed from verified specs for an enthusiast shooting photo and video. The Upgrade Checker adjusts them for your skill level.
| Genre | D500 | Z50 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +0.7 | ||
| Street | +1.4 | ||
| Travel | +1.1 | ||
| Wedding & Events | -1.1 | ||
| Filmmaking | -0.3 | ||
| Documentary | +0.2 | ||
| Sports & Action | +0.2 | ||
| Landscape | — | ||
| Wildlife | +0.8 | ||
| Casual | +1.8 | ||
| Food | +1.0 | ||
| Macro | +1.5 | ||
| Architecture | +0.2 | ||
| Astrophotography | -0.3 |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | D500 | Z50 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £484 | £499 | |
| Released | 2016 | 2019 | ↑ |
| Sensor | 20.9MP APS-C CMOS | APS-C CMOS | |
| Resolution | 21MP | 21MP | |
| Video | 4K UHD/30p (1.5× crop), 1080p/60 | 4K 30fps (1.5× crop), 1080p 120fps | |
| Autofocus | 153-point phase-detect (99 cross-type, 55 selectable) via viewfinder; contrast AF with face priority in live view | 209-point phase-detect hybrid AF | |
| Stabilisation | No IBIS (lens-based stabilisation only) | No stabilisation | |
| Burst Rate | 10fps | 11fps | ↑ |
| Battery Life | ~1240 shots (CIPA) | 300 shots (CIPA) | ↓ |
| Weight | 860g (with battery) | 397g (body only) | ↑ |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | Yes | |
| Viewfinder | Optical pentaprism, 100% coverage, 1.0x | 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 (DX) | Nikon Z-Mount (DX) | |
| Memory Cards | Dual slots: XQD + SD | Single SD UHS-I |
Compare side-by-side
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Tell us what you shoot and we'll score the Z50 against your specific genres — not just specs.
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