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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS50

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50 front
Portability
90
Imaging
37
Features
57
Overall
45

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS50 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Display
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Introduced October 2019
Panasonic ZS50
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 80 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 24-720mm (F3.3-6.4) lens
  • 243g - 111 x 65 x 34mm
  • Announced January 2015
  • Additionally referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ70
  • Succeeded the Panasonic ZS45
  • Refreshed by Panasonic ZS60
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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS50 Overview

Let's look a little more in depth at the Nikon Z50 and Panasonic ZS50, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Nikon and Panasonic. There is a big difference among the sensor resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and ZS50 (12MP) and the Z50 (APS-C) and ZS50 (1/2.3") use different sensor size.

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The Z50 was announced 4 years after the ZS50 which is a fairly big gap as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of these cameras come with different body type with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic ZS50 being a Compact camera.

Before going through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the Z50 grades versus the ZS50 in terms of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Panasonic ZS50

 Z50 ZS50 
AnnouncedOctober 2019January 2015More modern by 58 months
Display typeTiltingFixed Tilting display
Display dimension3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS50 over the Nikon Z50

 ZS50 Z50 

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Panasonic ZS50

 Z50 ZS50 
Manual focus More accurate focus
Display resolution1040k1040kIdentical display resolution

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS50 Physical Comparison

In case you're looking to carry around your camera, you'll have to think about its weight and volume. The Nikon Z50 comes with external dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") having a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) and the Panasonic ZS50 has sizing of 111mm x 65mm x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3") accompanied by a weight of 243 grams (0.54 lbs).

Take a look at the Nikon Z50 and Panasonic ZS50 in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary dependant on the lens you have attached at that time. Following is the front view scale comparison of the Z50 compared to the ZS50.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS50 size comparison

Factoring in size and weight, the portability rating of the Z50 and ZS50 is 74 and 90 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS50 top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS50 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it can be tough to picture the contrast in sensor sizes merely by looking through technical specs. The picture below will help offer you a more clear sense of the sensor sizes in the Z50 and ZS50.

As you can tell, each of the cameras have got different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The Z50 with its larger sensor is going to make shooting shallower depth of field easier and the Nikon Z50 will render more detail with its extra 9 Megapixels. Greater resolution will also allow you to crop photos much more aggressively. The more recent Z50 should have an advantage with regard to sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS50 sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS50 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography factors
Panasonic ZS50 Portrait photography factors
80
manual focus
resolution is good (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports face detection autofocus
exports RAW formats
42
manual focus
provides face detect focusing
supports RAW formats
cannot use external flash
low resolution (12MP)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography advice
Panasonic ZS50 Street photography advice
73
screen tilts
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
exports RAW formats
supports focus via touch
weather proofing
great high ISO (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (397g)
68
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
lighter than competition in class (243g)
fixed screen
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z50
Sports photography with Panasonic ZS50
75
resolution is good (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports tracking autofocus
weather proofing
supports phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
43
incredible zoom range (24-720mm 30.0 x zoom)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides tracking focus
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
doesn't have phase detect AF
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Travel photography camera
Panasonic ZS50 as a Travel photography camera
77
weather proofing
has bluetooth
supports focus via touch
resolution is good (21MP)
flash built-in
selfie friendly screen
more heavy than competition in class (397g)
66
lighter than competition in class (243g)
built-in flash
decently wide (24mm)
great reach (720mm)
low resolution (12MP)
does not have selfie friendly display
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
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Landscape Comparison

Landscape photography with Nikon Z50
Landscape photography with Panasonic ZS50
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
good sized screen (3.2")
resolution is good (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
great high ISO (51,200)
exports RAW formats
weather proofing
lack of image stabilization
51
manual focus
decently wide (24mm)
nice screen size (3 inch)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
supports RAW formats
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
low resolution (12 megapixels)
small sensor size (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Vlogging with Nikon Z50
Vlogging with Panasonic ZS50
71
selfie friendly screen
touchscreen capability
supports face detection autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with external microphone support
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competition in class (397g)
34
decently wide (24mm)
built in image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detect focusing
high res video (1920 x 1080 pixels)
lighter than competition in class (243g)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
does not have selfie friendly display
doesn't have mic jack
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Nikon Z50 vs Panasonic ZS50 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Panasonic ZS50
 Nikon Z50Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
General Information
Manufacturer Nikon Panasonic
Model type Nikon Z50 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS50
Other name - Lumix DMC-TZ70
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Introduced 2019-10-10 2015-01-06
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Compact
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CMOS
Sensor size APS-C 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 12 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 5568 x 3712 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 51200 6400
Highest enhanced ISO 204800 -
Minimum native ISO 100 80
RAW images
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous AF
Single AF
Tracking AF
Selective AF
Center weighted AF
AF multi area
AF live view
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Total focus points 209 23
Lens
Lens support Nikon Z fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 24-720mm (30.0x)
Highest aperture - f/3.3-6.4
Macro focusing range - 3cm
Available lenses 15 -
Crop factor 1.5 5.8
Screen
Display type Tilting Fixed Type
Display diagonal 3.2" 3"
Display resolution 1,040k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dot 1,166k dot
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.46x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 secs 4 secs
Max shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/2000 secs
Continuous shutter speed 11.0 frames/s 10.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom WB
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) 6.40 m
Flash options - Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Forced On, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced Off
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
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 1920 x 1080 (60p/60i/30p), 1280 x 720 (60p/30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 1920x1080
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD
Mic input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environment seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 397 gr (0.88 pounds) 243 gr (0.54 pounds)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 111 x 65 x 34mm (4.4" x 2.6" x 1.3")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested 44
DXO Color Depth rating not tested 20.0
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested 11.2
DXO Low light rating not tested 138
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 300 pictures
Form of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery ID EN-EL25 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse shooting
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/SDHC/SDXC, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail pricing $857 $350