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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 II

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 Mark II front
Portability
59
Imaging
78
Features
93
Overall
84

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 II Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Launched October 2019
Panasonic S5 II
(Full Review)
  • 24MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3.00" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Expand to 204800)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 5952 x 3968 video
  • Leica L Mount
  • 740g - 134 x 102 x 90mm
  • Revealed January 2023
  • Superseded the Panasonic S5
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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 II Overview

Lets look more in depth at the Nikon Z50 and Panasonic S5 II, one being a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Pro Mirrorless by brands Nikon and Panasonic. The resolution of the Z50 (21MP) and the S5 II (24MP) is fairly comparable but the Z50 (APS-C) and S5 II (Full frame) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The Z50 was introduced 4 years before the S5 II and that is a fairly big gap as far as camera technology is concerned. Each of these cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a simple overview of how the Z50 grades versus the S5 II when it comes to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Panasonic S5 II

 Z50 S5 II 
Display dimensions3.2"3.00"Larger display (+0.2")

Reasons to pick Panasonic S5 II over the Nikon Z50

 S5 II Z50 
RevealedJanuary 2023October 2019Fresher by 39 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1840k1040kCrisper display (+800k dot)

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Panasonic S5 II

 Z50 S5 II 
Focus manually Very accurate focus
Selfie screen Both good for selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 II Physical Comparison

For anyone who is looking to carry your camera, you're going to have to take into account its weight and volume. The Nikon Z50 enjoys exterior dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") along with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Panasonic S5 II has sizing of 134mm x 102mm x 90mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 3.5") with a weight of 740 grams (1.63 lbs).

Look at the Nikon Z50 and Panasonic S5 II in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Keep in mind, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will differ based on the lens you use at the time. Underneath is a front view measurements comparison of the Z50 compared to the S5 II.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 II size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability grade of the Z50 and S5 II is 74 and 59 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 II Sensor Comparison

Quite often, it is very difficult to envision the gap in sensor sizing just by seeing specs. The graphic below may offer you a far better sense of the sensor dimensions in the Z50 and S5 II.

As you can plainly see, both of those cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The Z50 having a smaller sensor will make shooting shallower depth of field more difficult and the Panasonic S5 II will show extra detail using its extra 3 Megapixels. Greater resolution will let you crop images more aggressively. The older Z50 will be disadvantaged with regard to sensor innovation.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 II sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography information
Panasonic S5 II Portrait photography information
80
focusing manually
good resolution (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
86
has manual focus
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features face detection focusing
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Street photography camera
Panasonic S5 II as a Street photography camera
73
screen tilts up and down
nice sensor size (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
has touch to focus
environment proofing
above average high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (397 grams)
77
screen can move to multiple angles
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
exports RAW files
supports focus by touch
environment proofing
great ISO range (51,200)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Sports photography camera
Panasonic S5 II as a Sports photography camera
75
good resolution (21 megapixels)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
83
high shutter speed (1/8,000s)
quiet shooting (1/8,000s)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
features tracking autofocus
environment proofing
supports phase detect AF
bad battery power (370 shots)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic S5 II as a Travel photography camera
77
environment proofing
connects via bluetooth
has touch to focus
good resolution (21MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
more heavy than competition in class (397 grams)
72
environment proofing
has bluetooth
supports focus by touch
good MP (24MP)
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery power (370 shots)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography factors
Panasonic S5 II Landscape photography factors
79
focusing manually
interchangeable lenses (Nikon Z mount)
nice screen size (3.2 inch)
good resolution (21MP)
nice sensor size (APS-C)
above average high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
82
has manual focus
interchangeable lenses (Leica L mount)
good sized screen (3.00 inch)
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
good MP (24 megapixels)
sensor size is great (Full frame)
does not have anti-alias filter
great ISO range (51,200)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
2 card slots
bad battery power (370 shots)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging info
Panasonic S5 II Vlogging info
71
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen
supports face detection autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has external microphone socket
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (397g)
79
screen is selfie friendly
touch screen
has image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
features face detection focusing
high quality video (5952 x 3968 pxls)
comes with external mic support
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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic S5 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Panasonic S5 II
 Nikon Z50Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 Mark II
General Information
Brand Nikon Panasonic
Model Nikon Z50 Panasonic Lumix DC-S5 Mark II
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Launched 2019-10-10 2023-01-04
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Chip Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.6 x 23.8mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 847.3mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 24MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5568 x 3712 6000 x 4000
Highest native ISO 51200 51200
Highest boosted ISO 204800 204800
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
AF single
AF tracking
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect focusing
Contract detect focusing
Phase detect focusing
Number of focus points 209 779
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Leica L
Amount of lenses 15 65
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Type of display Tilting Fully Articulated
Display sizing 3.2 inches 3.00 inches
Display resolution 1,040k dots 1,840k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 3,680k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 60s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Highest quiet shutter speed - 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames/s 9.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual mode
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash options - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Forced On/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync, Slow Sync w/Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
AE bracketing
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/250s
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 5952 x 3968 @ 30p/24p
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 5952x3968
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, H.264, H.265
Mic support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.2 Gen 2 (5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 397 grams (0.88 lbs) 740 grams (1.63 lbs)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 134 x 102 x 90mm (5.3" x 4.0" x 3.5")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 images 370 images
Form of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 DMW-BLJ31
Self timer Yes Yes
Time lapse feature
Storage type SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, SDXC Memory Card
Card slots One Two
Retail cost $857 $2,000