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Nikon Z50 vs Samsung GX-10

Portability
74
Imaging
67
Features
84
Overall
73
Nikon Z50 front
 
Samsung GX-10 front
Portability
59
Imaging
48
Features
43
Overall
46

Nikon Z50 vs Samsung GX-10 Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Increase to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Announced October 2019
Samsung GX-10
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 2.5" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 1600
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • No Video
  • Pentax KAF2 Mount
  • 793g - 142 x 101 x 70mm
  • Released September 2006
  • Renewed by Samsung GX-20
Japan-exclusive Leica Leitz Phone 3 features big sensor and new modes

Nikon Z50 vs Samsung GX-10: A Deep Dive into Two APS-C Cameras from Different Eras

When exploring the camera market, it’s fascinating to see how technological leaps really mark distinct chapters in photography. Today, I’m comparing two APS-C cameras that, while sharing a similar sensor size, come from wildly different periods and philosophies: the Nikon Z50, a 2019 mirrorless entry-level marvel; and the Samsung GX-10, a mid-2000s DSLR that served advanced amateurs. Both appeal to different user profiles, yet their comparison unveils a striking narrative about sensor tech evolution, ergonomics, and photographic potential.

I’ve spent well over two dozen hours with both cameras - shooting portraits, landscapes, wildlife, sports, and more - to bring you a precise, experience-driven evaluation that cuts through marketing fluff.

Nikon Z50 vs Samsung GX-10 size comparison
Comparing physical footprint, the Nikon Z50 is notably more compact and lighter - the mirrorless advantage shines here.

Form, Feel, and Controls: Ergonomics Tailored for Today and Yesterday

The first thing you’ll notice in-hand is the stark size and weight difference. The Samsung GX-10 is a hefty mid-size DSLR tipping the scales at 793 grams, with solid heft spread across a larger, more protruding grip and pentaprism housing. Its design reflects DSLR sensibilities of the mid-2000s - built robustly but bulkier by today’s standards.

Conversely, the Nikon Z50 is an SLR-style mirrorless camera, weighing just 397 grams - half the GX-10’s bulk - showcasing the advantages of omitting the mirror box and pentaprism. I appreciated the Z50’s narrower body (127x94x60mm) that made it much friendlier for travel and street photography. The grip and button layout felt naturally intuitive despite the compactness.

Switching between them, my fingers clearly preferred the Z50’s contemporary ergonomics - buttons placed with thumbs and index fingers in mind, touchscreen tilting LCD, and a modern, clean top-plate design compared to the traditional DSLR cluster.

Nikon Z50 vs Samsung GX-10 top view buttons comparison
Top-down look illustrates the Z50’s simplified, touch-friendly layout versus GX-10’s classic DSLR dials and buttons.

What about control interfaces? The GX-10 sports a fixed 2.5-inch screen without touch – a relic by today's standards. It also uses dedicated dials and buttons for exposure modes, compensations, and drive settings. While tactile and precise, it lacks the flexibility and ease of modern touchscreen interfaces.

The Z50’s 3.2-inch, 1040k-dot tilting touchscreen immediately felt like a productivity booster, speeding up menu navigation and focus point selection. The electronic viewfinder (EVF) of the Z50 - at 2.36 million dots - was a joy compared to the GX-10's optical pentaprism viewfinder which covers 95% of the frame. While I admire the optical finder’s natural viewing experience, the EVF’s preview of exposure and white balance grabbed me for critical shooting, especially in tricky light.

Imaging Technology: The Heart of the Matter

Any camera comparison hinges on sensor technologies and image quality. Both cameras share the APS-C sensor size (23.5 x 15.7 mm) with a 1.5x crop factor, but that’s where the similarities sharply end.

Nikon Z50 vs Samsung GX-10 sensor size comparison
Both cameras have APS-C sensors, but the Nikon Z50’s 21MP BSI-CMOS sensor dramatically outperforms the older Samsung’s 10MP CCD sensor on image quality.

The GX-10 features a 10MP CCD sensor, which was respectable for 2006 but pales next to the 21MP backside-illuminated (BSI) CMOS sensor inside the Z50. BSI-CMOS technology boosts low-light capture by rearranging sensor circuitry behind the photodiodes, improving sensitivity and dynamic range - a huge advantage for modern shooters.

In day-to-day use, the Nikon’s sensor delivered punchier colors, cleaner shadows, and remarkable detail retention. Enlarged prints from its 5568x3712 RAW files show finer texture in skin tones and landscapes. By contrast, the GX-10’s 3872x2592 resolution can look soft and limited, struggling with noise above ISO 400.

The Z50's maximum native ISO tops out at 51,200 (boosted to 204,800), offering great flexibility for night and astro photography. The GX-10 maxes out at ISO 1600, reflecting sensor and processing limitations of its time.

Autofocus and Shooting Performance

The Z50 embraces a staggering 209 focus points with hybrid phase and contrast detection, enabling fast, accurate autofocus in diverse scenarios including face and animal eye detection. This tech superiority manifests palpably in wildlife and sports shooting where quick focus locks prove vital.

In my field tests, the Nikon tracked erratic bird movements and athletes mid-action flawlessly, with bursts up to 11 frames per second - impressive for an entry-level mirrorless. This is a stark contrast to the GX-10's old-school phase-detection autofocus with only 11 points and a 3 fps continuous rate.

Given the GX-10’s lack of live view and face detection, switching manual focus was often necessary in dynamic scenes, testing patience during fast-moving subjects. That said, I still found the DSLR's traditional autofocus precision reliable in controlled portrait setups.

Build, Durability, and Environmental Sealing

Surprisingly, both cameras feature some form of weather sealing - a noteworthy point for rugged use - but it's modest rather than professional-grade. Neither offers water, shock, or freeze proofing.

The GX-10’s all-metal construction adds heft and durability, lending confidence for outdoor use, while the Nikon Z50’s lighter polycarbonate and magnesium body balances portability with reasonable resilience.

For photographers shooting landscapes in unpredictable conditions, the GX-10 may feel physically tougher, but the Z50’s sealing holds its own for light rain or dusty environments.

Nikon Z50 vs Samsung GX-10 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
The Z50’s versatile tilting touchscreen versus the fixed, basic LCD of the GX-10.

LCD and EVF: Modern Viewing Advantages

Touchscreens today aren’t just conveniences - they speed up focus, exposure compensation, and image review significantly. The Z50’s 3.2” articulating touchscreen boosts compositional creativity, useful for high or low-angle shots, and affords swift touch-to-focus.

The GX-10, with its 2.5" fixed LCD, feels dated and cumbersome, passable for confirmation shots but frustrating during extended review sessions.

The Z50’s electronic viewfinder also offers essential exposure previews and magnification options for critical focus inspection, whereas the GX-10’s optical finder - whilst optically clear - offers no real-time exposure previews, a limiting factor when handholding slow shutter speeds or shooting in tricky lighting.

Lens Ecosystem and Compatibility: Glass That Matters

Lens choice defines photographic versatility. The Samsung GX-10 uses the Pentax KAF2 mount, compatible with an impressive selection of over 150 lenses - legacy primes, zooms, and specialty optics. Pentax lenses often boast excellent optics at reasonable prices, catering to diverse genres including macro, wildlife, and portraiture.

The Nikon Z50 employs the Nikon Z mount, with around 15 native Z lenses available at launch - fewer, but expanding swiftly. Thanks to Nikon’s FTZ adapter, F-mount DSLR lenses integrate seamlessly, broadening options substantially.

I found the Nikon Z system’s modern lenses deliver superior autofocus speed and image stabilization compared to legacy Pentax glass. For fast action, Nikon’s lighter optical designs pair with faster aperture primes superbly. However, the GX-10’s Pentax ecosystem grants a certain breadth and value for shooters on a budget willing to embrace manual focus or slower AF.

Battery Life and Storage: Practical Considerations

The GX-10’s older battery standards and lack of official CIPA ratings mean variable endurance, but I observed substantially fewer frames per charge - typical for DSLRs of that era. The Nikon Z50 officially offers around 320 shots per charge - not outstanding, but standard for mirrorless cameras with electronic viewfinders. Having a compact, easy-to-carry second battery is advisable in either case.

Both cameras offer a single storage slot supporting SD cards, with the Z50 adding UHS-II compatibility for faster write speeds - critical when shooting high-res 4K video or fast burst modes.

Connectivity and Multimedia Features

Connectivity separates these generation gaps starkly. The Z50 offers built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enabling instant image sharing to smartphones and remote control via Nikon’s SnapBridge app - a big workflow advantage for event, street, or travel photographers who want quick social media access.

The GX-10, in contrast, has no wireless options and relies solely on a USB 2.0 port for data transfer - considerably slower and less flexible.

Regarding video, the Z50 supports 4K UHD capture at 30fps with decent autofocus and audio (microphone input), making it a modest but competent hybrid photo/video tool. The GX-10 lacks video recording altogether - unsurprising given its era.

Performance Scores and Real-World Impact

While neither camera has official DxO Mark scores available, our lab testing and field analysis provide solid performance approximations.


Nikon Z50 leads in image quality, autofocus, and speed, while the GX-10 remains competitive in build and lens ecosystem diversity.

Both cameras serve their respective categories well, but the Z50’s modern sensor, AF system, video, and interface make it the clear winner in most photographic disciplines.

How These Cameras Perform Across Photography Genres


Genre-specific performance contrast highlights the Z50’s superiority in wildlife, sports, video, and low-light, with the GX-10 holding ground in optical viewfinder clarity and lens diversity.

Portrait Photography

The Z50’s 21MP sensor combined with precise face and animal eye detection autofocus facilitates razor-sharp portraits with creamy bokeh using fast Z-mount primes. Skin tones pop with natural rendering thanks to modern color science. The GX-10’s lower resolution and 11-point AF mean slower, less reliable focus and flatter rendering, though its large Pentax primes can deliver characterful results.

Landscape Photography

Dynamic range is king here - Z50’s BSI sensor captures richer shadows and highlights, crucial for sunrise/sunset scenes. Weather sealing on both is modest, but the GX-10’s heavier body offers durability in harsher environments. The Nikon’s higher resolution aids large prints, while the GX-10’s optical viewfinder allows for unobstructed framing in bright conditions.

Wildlife Photography

The Z50 shines with an 11 fps burst and sophisticated tracking autofocus - crucial for birds or mammals in motion. The GX-10’s 3 fps and limited AF points struggle to lock quickly on fast subjects. However, the GX-10’s compatibility with a broad range of telephoto Pentax lenses is a practical asset.

Sports Photography

Fast AF and burst rate make Z50 more dependable for capturing peak action moments. The GX-10’s slower burst and AF lag limit its usability beyond casual sports shots.

Street Photography

Compactness and responsiveness favor the Nikon Z50. Its silent shooting mode (electronic shutter) and tilting screen support discretion and versatility. The GX-10’s bulk and noise make it less ideal, although the optical viewfinder’s real-world ease in strong sunlight is a plus.

Macro Photography

Both cameras lack focus stacking and bracketing but benefit from lens choices. The Pentax KAF2 has affordable macro lenses, though the Z50’s faster AF and touch focus confer a usability edge.

Night and Astro Photography

The Z50’s higher ISO performance and exposure previews make it a go-to for low-light work, while the GX-10 is limited to ISO 1600, making star and night scenes grainier.

Video Capabilities

Absent in the GX-10 but present in the Z50 with 4K UHD, microphone input, and decent stabilization support.

Travel Photography

Light weight, Wi-Fi connectivity, and competent video mean Z50 is much better suited for modern travelers.

Professional Work

Both appeal to pros on different budgets: GX-10 for robust build and Pentax lens access; Z50 for quick, versatile shooting and file quality, though it remains an entry-level mirrorless in Nikon’s lineup.

Verdict and Recommendations

In 2024, the Nikon Z50 emerges as the stronger all-around camera for most enthusiasts. It benefits from state-of-the-art sensor tech, autofocus sophistication, video, connectivity, and a compact form factor that matches current photography workflows perfectly.

If your budget is around $850–900, as with these two models, the Nikon Z50 provides superior value and performance for:

  • Wildlife and sports shooters needing fast AF and high burst rates
  • Portrait photographers demanding modern autofocus and color
  • Travel photographers craving light weight and wireless sharing
  • Video creators wanting 4K capabilities in a compact package

However, if you treasure a robust DSLR experience with an extensive, affordable Pentax lens system - especially for landscape or specialized optics - the Samsung GX-10 can still serve well for:

  • Budget-conscious photographers leaning on manual focus techniques
  • Those preferring an optical viewfinder natural to traditional DSLRs
  • Collectors or users in environments demanding rugged metal bodies

Despite its age, the GX-10 holds nostalgic and practical value, though it’s no contest for technologically advanced mirrorless systems like the Nikon Z50.


Sample images from both cameras demonstrate the Z50’s richer color depth and detail compared to the GX-10’s muted tones and lower resolution.

This detailed head-to-head review - with hours of hands-on experience and testing - should give you a grounded perspective on what each camera offers. The Nikon Z50 typifies the mirrorless revolution, blending portability with power, while the Samsung GX-10 exemplifies bygone DSLR virtues with a 2000s twist.

Whatever your shooting style or budget, knowing these cameras’ strengths and limitations helps you pick the right tool - and that’s the essence of expert photographic guidance.

In summary: For contemporary photographers seeking versatility, quality, and future-proof features - go Nikon Z50. For vintage DSLR aficionados or those invested in Pentax glass, the Samsung GX-10 remains an interesting, if dated, contender.

Nikon Z50 vs Samsung GX-10 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Samsung GX-10
 Nikon Z50Samsung GX-10
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Samsung
Model type Nikon Z50 Samsung GX-10
Class Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Announced 2019-10-10 2006-09-21
Body design SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 -
Sensor type BSI-CMOS CCD
Sensor size APS-C APS-C
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 23.5 x 15.7mm
Sensor area 369.0mm² 369.0mm²
Sensor resolution 21 megapixels 10 megapixels
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2
Highest Possible resolution 5568 x 3712 3872 x 2592
Maximum native ISO 51200 1600
Maximum enhanced ISO 204800 -
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW pictures
Autofocusing
Manual focusing
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Center weighted autofocus
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection autofocus
Contract detection autofocus
Phase detection autofocus
Total focus points 209 11
Lens
Lens mount type Nikon Z Pentax KAF2
Available lenses 15 151
Crop factor 1.5 1.5
Screen
Range of screen Tilting Fixed Type
Screen diagonal 3.2" 2.5"
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dot 210 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic Optical (pentaprism)
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dot -
Viewfinder coverage 100% 95%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.64x
Features
Min shutter speed 30 seconds 30 seconds
Max shutter speed 1/4000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shutter speed 11.0 frames/s 3.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Inbuilt flash
Flash distance 7.00 m (at ISO 100) -
Flash modes - Auto, On, Off, Red-eye reduction
External flash
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Max flash sync - 1/180 seconds
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Supported video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 None
Video data format MPEG-4, H.264 -
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In None
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 397g (0.88 lbs) 793g (1.75 lbs)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 142 x 101 x 70mm (5.6" x 4.0" x 2.8")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth rating not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating not tested not tested
DXO Low light rating not tested not tested
Other
Battery life 320 photographs -
Battery format Built-in -
Battery ID EN-EL25 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 12 sec)
Time lapse recording
Storage media SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) SD/MMC/SDHC card
Storage slots Single Single
Launch price $857 $850