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Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z50

Portability
56
Imaging
65
Features
90
Overall
75
Nikon D500 front
 
Nikon Z50 front
Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74

Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z50 Key Specs

Nikon D500
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Boost to 1640000)
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon F Mount
  • 860g - 147 x 115 x 81mm
  • Announced January 2016
  • Superseded the Nikon D300S
Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Push to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Announced October 2019
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Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z50 Overview

The following is a extended analysis of the Nikon D500 and Nikon Z50, one is a Advanced DSLR and the other is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and both are created by Nikon. The sensor resolution of the D500 (21MP) and the Z50 (21MP) is fairly close and both cameras have the same sensor dimensions (APS-C).

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The D500 was manufactured 4 years prior to the Z50 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Both cameras have different body design with the Nikon D500 being a Mid-size SLR camera and the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera.

Before getting into a full comparison, here is a simple overview of how the D500 scores against the Z50 when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall mark.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Nikon Z50

 D500 Z50 
Display resolution2359k1040kClearer display (+1319k dot)

Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Nikon D500

 Z50 D500 
AnnouncedOctober 2019January 2016Newer by 45 months
Selfie screen Take selfies

Common features in the Nikon D500 and Nikon Z50

 D500 Z50 
Manual focus Dial exact focusing
Display typeTiltingTiltingTilting display
Display dimensions3.2"3.2"Equal display sizing
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z50 Physical Comparison

If you're intending to travel with your camera, you should think about its weight and measurements. The Nikon D500 features outside measurements of 147mm x 115mm x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") accompanied by a weight of 860 grams (1.90 lbs) and the Nikon Z50 has proportions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") and a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs).

Examine the Nikon D500 and Nikon Z50 in the latest Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Take into consideration, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will change based on the lens you select at the time. Here is a front view physical size comparison of the D500 and the Z50.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z50 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the D500 and Z50 is 56 and 74 respectively.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z50 Sensor Comparison

Typically, it can be tough to see the gap in sensor dimensions simply by researching specs. The picture here may give you a far better sense of the sensor sizing in the D500 and Z50.

All in all, both the cameras provide the same sensor dimensions and the same megapixels therefore you should expect comparable quality of files however you would want to factor the release date of the cameras into account. The more aged D500 will be behind in sensor innovation.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z50 sensor size comparison

Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Portrait photography camera
Nikon Z50 as a Portrait photography camera
79
you can focus manually
decent MP (21 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
supports RAW files
80
you can focus manually
decent MP (21MP)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection focus
exports RAW formats
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Street Comparison

Nikon D500 Street photography factors
Nikon Z50 Street photography factors
68
screen tilts up and down
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports RAW files
boasts touch to focus
environment sealing
great ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
73
screen tilts up and down
decent sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
has touch to focus
environment sealing
great ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition (397g)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon D500
Sports photography with Nikon Z50
76
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000 seconds)
decent MP (21MP)
good sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (1,240 per charge)
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
75
decent MP (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment sealing
has phase detect auto focus
lack of image stabilization
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Travel Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Travel photography camera
Nikon Z50 as a Travel photography camera
68
better than average battery pack (1,240 CIPA)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
decent MP (21MP)
does not posses selfie friendly screen
77
environment sealing
supports bluetooth
has touch to focus
decent MP (21MP)
has built in flash
selfie friendly screen
heavier than competition (397g)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon D500 Landscape photography highlights
Nikon Z50 Landscape photography highlights
77
you can focus manually
change lenses (Nikon F mount)
decent sized screen (3.2 inch)
decent MP (21 megapixels)
good sensor size (APS-C)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW files
environment sealing
better than average battery pack (1,240 CIPA)
2 card slots
no image stabilization
79
you can focus manually
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is decent (3.2")
decent MP (21 megapixels)
decent sensor size (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment sealing
lack of image stabilization
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D500 as a Vlogging camera
Nikon Z50 as a Vlogging camera
31
has touchscreen
supports face detection focus
high video quality (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes external mic support
does not posses selfie friendly screen
no image stabilization
71
selfie friendly screen
built-in touchscreen
supports face detection focus
high res video (3840 x 2160 pxls)
has external mic support
lack of image stabilization
heavier than competition (397 grams)
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Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon D500 and Nikon Z50
 Nikon D500Nikon Z50
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Nikon
Model type Nikon D500 Nikon Z50
Type Advanced DSLR Entry-Level Mirrorless
Announced 2016-01-05 2019-10-10
Physical type Mid-size SLR SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Powered by Expeed 5 Expeed 6
Sensor type CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 21 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 3:2 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 5568 x 3712 5568 x 3712
Maximum native ISO 51200 51200
Maximum boosted ISO 1640000 204800
Minimum native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Minimum boosted ISO 50 -
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
AF touch
AF continuous
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
Multi area AF
AF live view
Face detection AF
Contract detection AF
Phase detection AF
Total focus points 153 209
Cross type focus points 99 -
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon F Nikon Z
Number of lenses 309 15
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1.5
Screen
Screen type Tilting Tilting
Screen sizing 3.2" 3.2"
Resolution of screen 2,359 thousand dots 1,040 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Optical (pentaprism) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 2,360 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification 0.66x -
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/8000s 1/4000s
Continuous shooting rate 10.0 frames per second 11.0 frames per second
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change WB
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 7.00 m (at ISO 100)
Flash modes Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Slow sync, Rear curtain -
External flash
AE bracketing
WB bracketing
Highest flash synchronize 1/250s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 4K (UHD) 30p/25p/24p, 1080/60p/50p/30p/25p/24p, 720/60p/50p 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 3.0 (5 GBit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS Optional None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 860g (1.90 pounds) 397g (0.88 pounds)
Physical dimensions 147 x 115 x 81mm (5.8" x 4.5" x 3.2") 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4")
DXO scores
DXO All around rating 84 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 24.1 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 14.0 not tested
DXO Low light rating 1324 not tested
Other
Battery life 1240 images 320 images
Form of battery Battery Pack Built-in
Battery ID EN-EL15 EN-EL25
Self timer Yes (2, 5, 10 or 20 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type XQD/SD/SDHC/SDXC (UHS-II compliant) SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported)
Card slots Dual Single
Launch price $1,497 $857