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Nikon 1 J1 vs Nikon Z50

Portability
91
Imaging
40
Features
56
Overall
46
Nikon 1 J1 front
 
Nikon Z50 front
Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74

Nikon 1 J1 vs Nikon Z50 Key Specs

Nikon 1 J1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • Nikon 1 Mount
  • 234g - 106 x 61 x 30mm
  • Announced January 2012
  • Refreshed by Nikon 1 J2
Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Raise to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Launched October 2019
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Nikon Z50 Overview

The following is a thorough analysis of the Nikon 1 J1 and Nikon Z50, both Entry-Level Mirrorless digital cameras and they are both offered by Nikon. There exists a large gap between the sensor resolutions of the 1 J1 (10MP) and Z50 (21MP) and the 1 J1 (1") and Z50 (APS-C) provide totally different sensor measurements.

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The 1 J1 was unveiled 8 years before the Z50 which is quite a serious difference as far as technology is concerned. The two cameras feature different body design with the Nikon 1 J1 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before we go right into a in depth comparison, here is a simple highlight of how the 1 J1 grades against the Z50 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

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Reasons to pick Nikon 1 J1 over the Nikon Z50

 1 J1 Z50 

Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Nikon 1 J1

 Z50 1 J1 
LaunchedOctober 2019January 2012Newer by 94 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display size3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Display resolution1040k460kClearer display (+580k dot)
Selfie screen Take selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Common features in the Nikon 1 J1 and Nikon Z50

 1 J1 Z50 
Manual focus Very accurate focus

Nikon 1 J1 vs Nikon Z50 Physical Comparison

In case you're planning to travel with your camera regularly, you will need to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon 1 J1 has got outside dimensions of 106mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") along with a weight of 234 grams (0.52 lbs) and the Nikon Z50 has sizing of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") having a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs).

See the Nikon 1 J1 and Nikon Z50 in our newest Camera & Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you have chosen at that time. Here is a front view measurement comparison of the 1 J1 against the Z50.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Nikon Z50 size comparison

Using dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the 1 J1 and Z50 is 91 and 74 respectively.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Nikon Z50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Nikon Z50 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, it is tough to see the gap between sensor dimensions merely by checking technical specs. The picture below should provide you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the 1 J1 and Z50.

As you can tell, each of these cameras come with different resolutions and different sensor dimensions. The 1 J1 having a tinier sensor will make getting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Nikon Z50 will give greater detail having an extra 11 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also enable you to crop pics a good deal more aggressively. The more aged 1 J1 is going to be behind when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon 1 J1 vs Nikon Z50 sensor size comparison

Nikon 1 J1 vs Nikon Z50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon 1 J1 vs Nikon Z50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon Z50 as a Portrait photography camera
48
focusing manually
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
MP count low (10 megapixels)
80
has manual focus
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes face detection autofocus
supports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Street photography highlights
Nikon Z50 Street photography highlights
69
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
lighter than average in class (234g)
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
73
has a tilting screen
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
supports RAW files
includes touch focus
environment proofing
good ISO range (51,200)
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (397g)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Sports photography highlights
Nikon Z50 Sports photography highlights
48
silent shutter (1/16,000 seconds)
nice sensor size (1")
includes tracking focus
sensor has phase detect AF
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
low battery power (230 per charge)
75
resolution is good (21MP)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
includes tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
does not have image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Travel photography info
Nikon Z50 Travel photography info
60
lighter than average in class (234 grams)
has built in flash
low battery power (230 shots)
MP count low (10 megapixels)
screen is not selfie friendly
77
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
includes touch focus
resolution is good (21MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
more heavy than competition in class (397g)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Landscape photography advice
Nikon Z50 Landscape photography advice
56
focusing manually
swap lenses (Nikon 1 mount)
decent sized screen (3 inch)
nice sensor size (1")
exports RAW formats
does not have image stabilization
MP count low (10 megapixels)
low battery power (230 shots)
79
has manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inch)
resolution is good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is decent (APS-C)
good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment proofing
does not have image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon 1 J1 Vlogging highlights
Nikon Z50 Vlogging highlights
30
high quality video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
lighter than average in class (234 grams)
screen is not selfie friendly
does not have image stabilization
missing mic support
71
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
includes face detection autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external microphone jack
does not have image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (397 grams)
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Nikon 1 J1 vs Nikon Z50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon 1 J1 and Nikon Z50
 Nikon 1 J1Nikon Z50
General Information
Brand Nikon Nikon
Model Nikon 1 J1 Nikon Z50
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2012-01-20 2019-10-10
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip - Expeed 6
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1" APS-C
Sensor measurements 13.2 x 8.8mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 116.2mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixel 21 megapixel
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 3872 x 2592 5568 x 3712
Highest native ISO 6400 51200
Highest enhanced ISO - 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Autofocus selectice
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 135 209
Lens
Lens mount Nikon 1 Nikon Z
Amount of lenses 13 15
Focal length multiplier 2.7 1.5
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Tilting
Display sizing 3 inches 3.2 inches
Resolution of display 460 thousand dot 1,040 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Display tech TFT LCD -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360 thousand dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100%
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/4000 secs
Max quiet shutter speed 1/16000 secs -
Continuous shutter speed 10.0 frames/s 11.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Set white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 5.00 m 7.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain -
Hot shoe
AEB
WB bracketing
Max flash sync 1/60 secs -
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Video resolutions 1920 x 1080 (60, 30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60 fps), 1072 x 720 (60 fps) 640 x 240 (400), 320 x 120 (1200) 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Highest video resolution 1920x1080 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 234 grams (0.52 lbs) 397 grams (0.88 lbs)
Physical dimensions 106 x 61 x 30mm (4.2" x 2.4" x 1.2") 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO Overall score 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth score 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range score 11.0 not tested
DXO Low light score 372 not tested
Other
Battery life 230 shots 320 shots
Battery format Battery Pack Built-in
Battery model EN-EL20 EN-EL25
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported)
Storage slots One One
Price at release $625 $857