Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z50
56 Imaging
64 Features
90 Overall
74


74 Imaging
67 Features
84 Overall
73
Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z50 Key Specs
(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- Superseded the Nikon D300S
(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

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).

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.

Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z50 Gallery
Below is a sample of the gallery pictures for Nikon D500 and Nikon Z50. The entire galleries are viewable at Nikon D500 Gallery and Nikon Z50 Gallery.
Reasons to pick Nikon D500 over the Nikon Z50
D500 | Z50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Display resolution | 2359k | ![]() | 1040k | Clearer display (+1319k dot) |
Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Nikon D500
Z50 | D500 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Announced | October 2019 | ![]() | January 2016 | Newer by 45 months |
Selfie screen | ![]() | Take selfies |
Common features in the Nikon D500 and Nikon Z50
D500 | Z50 | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Manual focus | ![]() | Dial exact focusing | ||
Display type | Tilting | ![]() | Tilting | Tilting display |
Display dimensions | 3.2" | ![]() | 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.
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.

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

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 Screen and ViewFinder


Photography Type Scores
Portrait Comparison

Street Comparison

Sports Comparison

Travel Comparison

Landscape Comparison

Vlogging Comparison

Nikon D500 vs Nikon Z50 Specifications
Nikon D500 | Nikon 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 |