Upgrade Guide
Nikon Z50→Nikon Z5
Is it worth upgrading? Spec analysis, key improvements, and our verdict.
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Strong upgrade
The Z5 improves across 5 key areas at a reasonable price gap. Most Z50 owners will notice the difference.
What's new in the Z5
-
Resolution24MP vs 21MP (+3MP)
-
Weather sealingAdded — fully sealed body
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StabilisationIBIS added — significant for handheld and video
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Battery life~470 shots (CIPA) vs 300 shots (CIPA)
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Generation1 year newer (2020 vs 2019)
Suitability by genre
| Genre | Z50 | Z5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portrait | +2.0 | ||
| Street | — | ||
| Travel | +1.0 | ||
| Casual | — | ||
| Vlogging & Video | -4.0 | ||
| Sports & Action | — | ||
| Landscape | — | ||
| Everyday | — | ||
| Sports | — |
Full spec comparison
| Spec | Z50 | Z5 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £499 | £999 | |
| Released | 2019 | 2020 | ↑ |
| Sensor | APS-C CMOS | 24.3MP Full-Frame BSI CMOS | |
| Resolution | 21MP | 24MP | ↑ |
| Video | 4K 30fps (1.5× crop), 1080p 120fps | 4K/30p (with crop), 1080p/60p | |
| Autofocus | 209-point phase-detect hybrid AF | Hybrid AF — 273 phase-detect points, eye/subject detection | |
| Stabilisation | None | IBIS — up to 5 stops | |
| Burst Rate | 11fps | 4.5fps | ↓ |
| Battery Life | 300 shots (CIPA) | ~470 shots (CIPA) | ↑ |
| Weight | 397g (body only) | 590g (with battery) | ↓ |
| Weather Sealed | No | Yes | ↑ |
| Viewfinder | EVF 0.68× 2.36M-dot | EVF, 3.69M dots, 0.8× magnification | |
| Screen | 3.2" downward-tilting touchscreen, 1.04M-dot | 3.2" tilting touchscreen | |
| Mount | Nikon Z-Mount (DX) | Nikon Z mount | |
| Memory Cards | Single SD UHS-I | Dual SD UHS-II slots |
Compare side-by-side
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