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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A99 II

Portability
74
Imaging
68
Features
84
Overall
74
Nikon Z50 front
 
Sony Alpha A99 II front
Portability
57
Imaging
77
Features
92
Overall
83

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A99 II Key Specs

Nikon Z50
(Full Review)
  • 21MP - APS-C Sensor
  • 3.2" Tilting Screen
  • ISO 100 - 51200 (Bump to 204800)
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Nikon Z Mount
  • 397g - 127 x 94 x 60mm
  • Released October 2019
Sony A99 II
(Full Review)
  • 42MP - Full frame Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 25600 (Push to 102400)
  • Sensor based 5-axis Image Stabilization
  • No Anti-Alias Filter
  • 1/8000s Maximum Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • Sony/Minolta Alpha Mount
  • 849g - 143 x 104 x 76mm
  • Announced September 2016
  • Old Model is Sony A99
Photography Glossary

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A99 II Overview

Following is a extensive assessment of the Nikon Z50 and Sony A99 II, former is a Entry-Level Mirrorless while the other is a Advanced DSLR by brands Nikon and Sony. There is a sizable difference among the sensor resolutions of the Z50 (21MP) and A99 II (42MP) and the Z50 (APS-C) and A99 II (Full frame) possess different sensor sizing.

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The Z50 was brought out 3 years after the A99 II which is a fairly significant difference as far as camera tech is concerned. Both of the cameras offer different body type with the Nikon Z50 being a SLR-style mirrorless camera and the Sony A99 II being a Mid-size SLR camera.

Before delving through a step-by-step comparison, below is a simple introduction of how the Z50 grades vs the A99 II with regard to portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Nikon Z50 over the Sony A99 II

 Z50 A99 II 
AnnouncedOctober 2019September 2016More modern by 38 months
Display sizing3.2"3"Larger display (+0.2")
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Reasons to pick Sony A99 II over the Nikon Z50

 A99 II Z50 
Display typeFully articulatedTiltingFully Articulating display
Display resolution1229k1040kCrisper display (+189k dot)

Common features in the Nikon Z50 and Sony A99 II

 Z50 A99 II 
Focus manually Very precise focusing
Selfie screen Both good for selfies

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A99 II Physical Comparison

When you are going to carry around your camera frequently, you will need to factor its weight and measurements. The Nikon Z50 has got physical dimensions of 127mm x 94mm x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") with a weight of 397 grams (0.88 lbs) whilst the Sony A99 II has proportions of 143mm x 104mm x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0") having a weight of 849 grams (1.87 lbs).

Look at the Nikon Z50 and Sony A99 II in our newest Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Don't forget, the weight of an ILC will differ dependant on the lens you are employing at that moment. Here is the front view dimensions comparison of the Z50 and the A99 II.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A99 II size comparison

Taking into consideration size and weight, the portability score of the Z50 and A99 II is 74 and 57 respectively.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A99 II top view buttons comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A99 II Sensor Comparison

Generally, it is very hard to imagine the difference in sensor sizes simply by seeing specs. The pic below might give you a better sense of the sensor sizes in the Z50 and A99 II.

As you can plainly see, both of the cameras enjoy different megapixel count and different sensor sizes. The Z50 due to its smaller sensor is going to make achieving shallow depth of field more challenging and the Sony A99 II will show extra detail having its extra 21 Megapixels. Greater resolution can also let you crop images far more aggressively. The newer Z50 should have an advantage when it comes to sensor tech.

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A99 II sensor size comparison

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A99 II Screen and ViewFinder

Nikon Z50 vs Sony A99 II Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Portrait photography with Nikon Z50
Portrait photography with Sony A99 II
80
manual focus
megapixel count good (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes face detect focus
supports RAW formats
86
has manual focus
amazing MP (42 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has face detect autofocus
exports RAW files
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Street Comparison

Nikon Z50 Street photography highlights
Sony A99 II Street photography highlights
73
screen tilts up and down
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
supports RAW formats
boasts touch to focus
environment proof
very good ISO range (51,200)
no image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (397g)
76
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
above average high ISO (25,600)
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Sports Comparison

Nikon Z50 as a Sports photography camera
Sony A99 II as a Sports photography camera
75
megapixel count good (21MP)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
includes tracking focus
environment proof
sensor has phase detect auto focus
no image stabilization
82
max shutter speed is good (1/8,000s)
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing MP (42 megapixels)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
has tracking focus
environment proofing
sensor has phase detect autofocus
bad battery power (490 CIPA)
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Travel Comparison

Nikon Z50 Travel photography advice
Sony A99 II Travel photography advice
77
environment proof
supports bluetooth
boasts touch to focus
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
has built in flash
selfie friendly display
more heavy than competitors in class (397g)
70
environment proofing
supports bluetooth
amazing MP (42MP)
screen is selfie friendly
bad battery power (490 CIPA)
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Landscape Comparison

Nikon Z50 Landscape photography highlights
Sony A99 II Landscape photography highlights
79
manual focus
switch lenses (Nikon Z mount)
screen size is good (3.2 inches)
megapixel count good (21 megapixels)
sensor size is nice (APS-C)
very good ISO range (51,200)
supports RAW formats
environment proof
no image stabilization
82
has manual focus
swap lenses (Sony/Minolta Alpha mount)
screen size is good (3")
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
amazing MP (42MP)
sensor size is large (Full frame)
doesnt have anti-alias filter
above average high ISO (25,600)
exports RAW files
environment proofing
two card slots
bad battery power (490 per charge)
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Vlogging Comparison

Nikon Z50 Vlogging advice
Sony A99 II Vlogging advice
71
selfie friendly display
has touchscreen
includes face detect focus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pixels)
includes microphone port
no image stabilization
more heavy than competitors in class (397g)
78
screen is selfie friendly
image stabilization (Sensor based 5-axis)
has face detect autofocus
great video quality (3840 x 2160 pxls)
includes mic socket
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Nikon Z50 vs Sony A99 II Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Nikon Z50 and Sony A99 II
 Nikon Z50Sony Alpha A99 II
General Information
Company Nikon Sony
Model Nikon Z50 Sony Alpha A99 II
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Advanced DSLR
Released 2019-10-10 2016-09-19
Physical type SLR-style mirrorless Mid-size SLR
Sensor Information
Processor Expeed 6 Bionz X
Sensor type BSI-CMOS BSI-CMOS
Sensor size APS-C Full frame
Sensor dimensions 23.5 x 15.7mm 35.9 x 24mm
Sensor 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
Maximum resolution 5568 x 3712 7952 x 5304
Maximum native ISO 51200 25600
Maximum boosted ISO 204800 102400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW format
Min boosted ISO - 50
Autofocusing
Manual focus
Autofocus touch
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Autofocus tracking
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Number of focus points 209 399
Cross focus points - 79
Lens
Lens mounting type Nikon Z Sony/Minolta Alpha
Available lenses 15 143
Focal length multiplier 1.5 1
Screen
Screen type Tilting Fully articulated
Screen sizing 3.2" 3"
Resolution of screen 1,040 thousand dots 1,229 thousand dots
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch operation
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder Electronic Electronic
Viewfinder resolution 2,360 thousand dots 2,359 thousand dots
Viewfinder coverage 100% 100%
Viewfinder magnification - 0.78x
Features
Lowest shutter speed 30 secs 30 secs
Highest shutter speed 1/4000 secs 1/8000 secs
Continuous shooting rate 11.0 frames/s 12.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Custom white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash range 7.00 m (at ISO 100) no built-in flash
Flash settings - Off, auto, fill, slow sync, redeye reduction, rear sync, high-speed sync, wireless
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Highest flash synchronize - 1/250 secs
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 3840 x 2160 @ 30p, MOV, H.264, Linear PCM -
Maximum video resolution 3840x2160 3840x2160
Video file format MPEG-4, H.264 MPEG-4, AVCHD, XAVC S
Mic port
Headphone port
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
Environmental sealing
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 397g (0.88 lb) 849g (1.87 lb)
Dimensions 127 x 94 x 60mm (5.0" x 3.7" x 2.4") 143 x 104 x 76mm (5.6" x 4.1" x 3.0")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested 92
DXO Color Depth score not tested 25.4
DXO Dynamic range score not tested 13.4
DXO Low light score not tested 2317
Other
Battery life 320 pictures 490 pictures
Type of battery Built-in NP-FM500H lithium-ion battery & charger
Battery model EN-EL25 -
Self timer Yes Yes (2, 5, 10 secs)
Time lapse recording
Type of storage SD/SDHC/SDXC card (UHS-II supported) Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC/MS Duo slots
Card slots Single Dual
Launch pricing $857 $3,198