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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A7R III

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Sony Alpha A7R III front
Portability
63
Imaging
78
Features
93
Overall
84

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A7R III 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
  • Announced October 2019
Sony A7R III
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 32000 (Bump to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony E Mount
  • 657g - 127 x 96 x 74mm
  • Launched October 2017
  • Old Model is Sony A7R II
  • Replacement is Sony A7R IV
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A7R III Overview

Following is a extended assessment of the Nikon Z50 and Sony A7R III, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the latter is a Pro Mirrorless by companies Nikon and Sony. There is a crucial difference between the sensor resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and A7R III (42MP) and the Z50 (APS-C) and A7R III (Full frame) posses totally different sensor sizing.

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The Z50 was brought out 24 months after the A7R III which makes them a generation away from each other. Both the cameras have the same body design (SLR-style mirrorless).

Before diving right into a step-by-step comparison, here is a short summation of how the Z50 scores against the A7R III in the way of portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

Photography Glossary
	
	

Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Sony A7R III

 Z50 A7R III 
LaunchedOctober 2019October 2017More modern by 24 months
Screen dimensions3.2"3"Bigger screen (+0.2")
Selfie screen Take selfies

Reasons to pick Sony A7R III over the Nikon Z50

 A7R III Z50 
Screen resolution1440k1040kClearer screen (+400k dot)

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Sony A7R III

 Z50 A7R III 
Manual focus Very precise focusing
Screen typeTiltingTiltingTilting screen
Touch screen Quickly navigate

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A7R III Physical Comparison

For anybody who is looking to carry around your camera frequently, you're going to have to factor in its weight and proportions. The Nikon Z50 features exterior 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 Sony A7R III has measurements of 127mm x 96mm x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9") having a weight of 657 grams (1.45 lbs).

Check the Nikon Z50 and Sony A7R III in the new Camera with Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you have chosen at that moment. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the Z50 against the A7R III.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A7R III size comparison

Taking into account size and weight, the portability score of the Z50 and A7R III is 74 and 63 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A7R III top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A7R III Sensor Comparison

In many cases, it can be difficult to see the contrast between sensor sizes purely by reading through specifications. The image here may give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the Z50 and A7R III.

To sum up, each of these cameras provide different resolutions and different sensor sizes. The Z50 because of its tinier sensor will make getting shallower DOF tougher and the Sony A7R III will resolve more detail having its extra 21MP. Higher resolution will allow you to crop photographs more aggressively. The newer Z50 will have a benefit in sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A7R III sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A7R III Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A7R III Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Nikon Z50 Portrait photography details
Sony A7R III Portrait photography details
80
manual focus
decent sensor resolution (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides face detect autofocus
supports RAW formats
86
you can focus manually
resolution is high (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography information
Sony A7R III Street photography information
73
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is good (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
has touch to focus
environment proofing
great ISO range (51,200)
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (397 grams)
79
has a tilting screen
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
great sensor size (Full frame)
exports RAW files
offers touch focus
environment sealing
great high ISO (32,000)
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Sports Comparison

Sports photography with Nikon Z50
Sports photography with Sony A7R III
75
decent sensor resolution (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
provides tracking focus
environment proofing
has phase detect autofocus
lack of image stabilization
89
great max shutter speed (1/8,000 seconds)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is high (42 megapixels)
great sensor size (Full frame)
comes with tracking focus
environment sealing
better than average battery power (650 per charge)
sensor has phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Nikon Z50
Travel photography with Sony A7R III
77
environment proofing
has bluetooth
has touch to focus
decent sensor resolution (21MP)
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
more heavy than competitors (397 grams)
74
better than average battery power (650 shots)
environment sealing
has bluetooth
offers touch focus
resolution is high (42 megapixels)
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography details
Sony A7R III Landscape photography details
79
manual focus
swap lenses (Nikon Z mount)
pretty good screen size (3.2 inches)
decent sensor resolution (21MP)
sensor size is good (APS-C)
great ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proofing
lack of image stabilization
87
you can focus manually
switch lenses (Sony E mount)
pretty good screen size (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
resolution is high (42MP)
great sensor size (Full frame)
doesnt have anti aliasing filter
great high ISO (32,000)
exports RAW files
environment sealing
better than average battery power (650 shots)
2 card slots
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Vlogging camera
Sony A7R III as a Vlogging camera
71
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
provides face detect autofocus
video resolution high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
has microphone support
lack of image stabilization
more heavy than competitors (397 grams)
37
touchscreen enabled
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
comes with face detect autofocus
high res video (3840 x 2160 resolution)
includes microphone support
doesn't posses selfie friendly display
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A7R III Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Sony A7R III
 Nikon Z50Sony Alpha A7R III
General Information
Brand Name Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z50 Sony Alpha A7R III
Category Entry-Level Mirrorless Pro Mirrorless
Announced 2019-10-10 2017-10-25
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless SLR-style mirrorless
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor measurements 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor surface area 369.0mm² 861.6mm²
Sensor resolution 21MP 42MP
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9 3:2 and 16:9
Highest resolution 5568 x 3712 7952 x 5304
Highest native ISO 51200 32000
Highest boosted ISO 204800 102400
Lowest native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Lowest boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Single autofocus
Tracking autofocus
Autofocus selectice
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Live view autofocus
Face detect autofocus
Contract detect autofocus
Phase detect autofocus
Number of focus points 209 425
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Sony E
Available lenses 15 121
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Display type Tilting Tilting
Display size 3.2 inches 3 inches
Display resolution 1,040k dots 1,440k dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch display
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360k dots 3,686k dots
Viewfinder coverage 100 percent 100 percent
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30s 30s
Highest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/8000s
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames per sec 10.0 frames per sec
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manually set exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash modes - Off, Auto, Fill-flash, Slow Sync, Rear Sync, Red-eye reduction, Wireless, Hi-speed sync
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
WB bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM 3840 x 2160 (30p, 25p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 24p), 1440 x 1080 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Microphone support
Headphone support
Connectivity
Wireless Built-In Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 3.1 Gen 1(5 GBit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 397 grams (0.88 lb) 657 grams (1.45 lb)
Physical dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 127 x 96 x 74mm (5.0" x 3.8" x 2.9")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 100
DXO Color Depth score not tested 26.0
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 14.7
DXO Low light score not tested 3523
Other
Battery life 320 shots 650 shots
Type of battery Built-in Battery Pack
Battery model EN-EL25 NP-FZ100
Self timer Yes Yes (2 or 10 sec; continuous (3 or 5 exposures))
Time lapse shooting
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) Two SD/SDHC/SDXC slots (UHS-II support on one)
Card slots One Two
Price at launch $857 $2,800